Starting Chemo January 2017

honeybeaw, I have chemo on mondays and work Tuesday through Friday but if I need more rest, I just go in late. Luckily, my SE's haven't been too bad and I have a lot of support at work, plus I don't really have a backup, so they take what they can get. Also, I put a sign on my door telling sick people to stay away, it's worked so well, I should have done it before cancer, lo

Hello Honeybeau,

My diagnosis similar to yours, had BMX in Dec. Started CMF two days ago. 5 years ago unfortunately did 4 rounds chemo. I tried to work thru most of it. That helped my mental state immensely. Hired a helper for some. Everyone's different, but work and being busy got me through it. At that time my whole office knew. I still have wipe canister on my desk. The receptionist would call me if someone came in sick. They don't know yet this time. It knocked me hard Thursday, trying to rally. I can tell already I'm also leaning towards some new distractions to also keep me sane. Journaling this time which I couldn't last time. Yes, for me, the work opportunity, distraction, and normalcy was a huge plus!

Best of luck to you.

Westthebest

hey ladies, I'd love to join this group too! I was diagnosed on 12/29 w HER2+++ 6+cm tumor w multiple lymph node involvement and a tiny spot on my sternum. I started TCHP 1/17 after much stress (had to push twice due to infusion rm scheduling, insured declined my PET, then showed up for chemo and my HP hadn't been approved, etc etc). I'm doing cold caps too which made the day go faster I guess. I felt great after, just a bit tired. I've been doing 15min of HIIT cardio a day per my onc and I think it helped a ton. I wonder how much worse the next one will be

Hi. The shoulder where by port is under really hurts. I let my Oncologist know, we checked the area, and my lungs and spleen. I don't know, but tonight it hurts like an SOB and I had to dig up my pain pills from the surgery. I am going to an PT thing tomorrow. The oncologist said he will order an X-Ray.

MexicoHeather: I hope you got some relief and some answers on what is causing your pain!

Melinda0628: It's always nice to feel like you're one stop closer to the end!

I have my 2nd T/C of 4 tomorrow. I'll be half way there! Fatigue wasn't bad after 5 days on the first round. I've heard it gets longer with each round. I'm cold capping, so I just had my "Big Shed" the last couple of days. They say this should be the most I lose and the shedding will slow down. I'm sure my hair will be thin, but I have pretty thick hair. We will see if it's worth the cost and hassle. I will say that is is a major pain in the butt!

This has been a rough week, of course the first week following chemo always is I worked yesterday and today, with yesterday being awful but today was a bit better. Tomorrow should be even better. I have to leave early tomorrow since I have my Gosserlin shot. I am just counting how many treatments I have left. I know it's killing whatever may be left but I am so tired. Its been a long 4 months since diagnosis and surgery and now chemo. I still had radiation but that will seem like a walk in the park compared to chemo.

Checking in to say that Chemo AC#3 was yesterday and I had the nulasta injection today. My shoulder near the port stopped hurting. Perhaps the steroids given along with the chemo have helped?

I spent a bit of time talking to my husband about how to pay for all this fine medical attention without me making money😅. Florida Blue is my insurance, which I purchased as a personal policy(not through Obama Care ACA). It's expensive, but excellent.

And then there was Valentine's Day cake, so there you go. Life is beautiful. Keep going forward, ladies.

Hi Jesse, I am also having Taxotere and Cytoxan. I have now had two rounds of my 4. I did not have the back spasms. My mouth is like yours. Nothing tastes good for about a week and then it still doesn't taste quite right to me. I got pretty bad mouth sores the first round. This time, I'm trying to keep my mouth moist with Biotene. I hope your spasms go away!

MexicoHeather: That is cool! I would never have thought of doing that!

Like you, I am at a lost.

Doxetaxel/Doxorubicin (AT) 4 cycles?

I was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer in November. November 18, 2017 I had Breast Conserving Surgery at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand. The pathologist results were ER+HER-, grade 2, T2N1M0. The lump was 2.5 CM and 2 lymph nodes positive. I saw a Medical Oncologist in Thailand and he stated only 4 cycles of AT base on research studies. Then followed by Tomatherapy for 6 weeks 5 days a week and going on Tamoxifin daily for 5 years. I decided to do my Chemo in my home country of the Philippines. The Medical Oncologist concurred with the protocol but wanted 6 cycles not 4. I just finished my 4th cycle and I feel terrible. I did notice that the Dr in the Philippines IV assignment for all 4 cycles was 100MG of Doxetaxel and 50MG of Doxorubicin. The Doxetaxel of 100MG is higher than FDA recommended of 75MG This why I think I am having such severe side effects. I also found some research by Dr. Shulman stating 4 cycles is adequate and over 4 cycles does not provide a significant benefit. Please provide comments, thank you!

MexicoHeather I"m popping over from Nov.....yup my last period was in Nov when I started my first chemo....and the hot flashes are nuts! they seem to be getting worse as my treatments go on, I used to be a person who slept in flannel pjs, now I am in boxers, a tank top, window open and a fan next to me! LOL During the day at work I have to wear layers so I can strip down and always have a small fan with me ha ha

But I guess the "silver lining" is no period for a whlie ha ha.....(hopefully she will stay gone for a while) I am going to be getting my ovaries out too so I dont think I"ll have to worry about it much anway....

Taxol #1 was Monday. It's been a different experience, with more mouth issues and an odd all over ache. At about 4 am I took one benedryl and put Aveda Stress Fix moisturizer on my feet and ankles. It seemed to help and I woke up energized.

I am trying to find things that will emotionally relax me. Unfortunately my husband is away for two weeks, so I have our 16 year old and church friends checking in.

Here is my beloved, whisper quiet Dorcy camp fan. I am using it for hot flash relief.

Melinda, several of us are having hot flashes, I'm on Abraxane instead of taxotere or taxol (due to severe reactions) but it's still a taxane drug and a cousin to those with many similar SE's. I've been dealing with the taste buds problem from a week or two and yeah, it really sucks.

Mexicoheather, You can definitely say you still have stress, I assume we all do and will continue to for years to come. Nice you see you out enjoying the day, hope you husband returns safely and soon

catgirl,

I'm also on taxotere and cytoxan. Just finished my 3rd march 31. My last is April

21. Please tell me how it's going