Starting Chemo May 2017

Hope1970. Yes I agree, the expectations are low for us.  First time I have had sales associates go out of their way in stores etc.    I'm day 8 gray and dark roots showing up big time, they say day 13 but I haven't noticed any hair in shower or sink. 

(crossposted)  I have learned a valuable lesson from all of this, if a symptom persists that is making your day unbearable (pain, not being able to sleep or eat) call your doctor.  I am a trooper and was very sure it would get better if I just gave it time and fought it hard (mind over matter), I suffered needlessly as there were meds that fixed it.  Today I have managed a piece of cinnamon raison toast with peanut butter for breakfast.  It's 11 and I've already had my lunch of spaghetti with a sauce of mushrooms, green peppers and meat and a half piece of garlic toast.  More than I have eaten in the last two days combined.  So grateful as I needed nourishment. (cross posted)

NCBeachGirl, I hope you are feeling better today.

For those discussing hair loss, mine started coming out around day 13, and really accelerated on days 16-19. My MO said he usually sees it peak around day 18. Mine is still coming out very quickly and making quite a mess. Today is day 21 for me (I've had 2 AC treatments). I got it buzzed down to about an inch two days ago, so I think it is still coming out just as fast, it's just shorter and less noticeable now.

I have a fun day planned. I start my day with a walk with my dog then the fun. Repositioning of my port since the nurses can't seem to access it without torturing me . The infiltration from last time has given me PSTD and I am scared to death th have it touched. After that downstairs to chemo for 4 hours, third T/C treatment.

I was/am considering changing the cancer center thinking my next treatment was the 19th not today. My consult with the new MO was scheduled for today. I'm staying put for this treatment because I don't want to go off schedule. With my luck changing centers would cause a delay in treatment because of insurance.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Good Morning Ladies!

I am a little late to this as I started my chemo back on May 3rd. This is probably going to be a long post since I've been going for 6 weeks already so I apologize from the start and understand if you don't make it all the way through it!

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal triple negative BC in my Right breast back on March 28th after discovering my lump on March 3rd during an innocent itch that I scratched. Went to GYN to have it checked and we both thought it was just a cyst as I had no other signs or family history. Nonetheless she had me go for a diagnostic mamo and U/S which showed suspicious and then the biopsy results unfortunately proved us both very very wrong .

I then started the process you all know very well of more U/S, MRI's, PETscans etc. I consulted with 2 different cancer centers one of which had a clinical trial for my particular type of BC that was showing promising results. I felt completely comfortable with both facilities however made the decision to go with the trial even though it was and hour and a half drive versus a 15 minute drive for the other center.

The process to do the trial required me to repeat a lot of the testing I had already done because all results had to be controlled and performed under the trial so a couple more U/S, 2 more biopsies and another MRI! Fun right?!? It also extended my chemo start date a few weeks which was very unnerving for me. Sounds a little weird to be anxious to start Chemo but I just felt like I wasn't doing anything to rid my body of this nasty cancer b*tch and that itself was driving me crazy!!! After all was said and done and the results of my addtl testing was done the damn trial computer randomly assigned me to the control phase of the trial which meant that I would only get the standard treatment with no additional investigational (hopefully miracle) drug... UGH!! So I made the decision to go back to the first center I visited that is 15 min from my house to get my treatment since I would be getting the same treatment there.

I had my port put in in late April. I was so nervous about it especially when I found out that I would be awake during the procedure!!! But it really wasn't bad at all. You are awake but sedated and basically you just don't care about what they are doing and in my case I didn't feel anything really. I was sore that night and it was difficult to sleep (I am a stomach sleeper) and continued to be sore for a couple more days but not too bad and ice and ibuprofen helped a lot.

I have 1 tumor in the right breast 3cm and an infected lymph also in the breast tissue 2cm. Additionally there is slight infection detected in "a few" nodes in the armpit.

I will have dose dense AC every 2 weeks for 8 weeks, then Taxol every week with Carboplatin added in on every 4th week for 12 weeks total. Then surgery which has not yet been finalized as far whether it will be a lumpectomy or full mastectomy. It will depend on how I respond to chemo. Then possible radiation after that.

First AC chemo was on 5/3. Again a stressful day mostly because I didn't know what to expect. The treatment went smooth, port access which I was really nervous about was nothing and I didn't even have numbing. I received IV premeds that included steroids and anti nausea meds. I also took 2 anti nausea pills prior to treatment. Received the neulasta pod injector and was sent home with steroid pills and anti nausea meds. I felt fine the rest of that day and night and the next couple days, no nausea (and I didn't take the pills). Went back to work the next day. I did take the ClaritinD the day of the neulasta injection and 2 days following. Only had bone pain in one spot, the back of my right ankle. It was pretty strong and affected my ability to put my foot flat. When the weekend rolled around ( 3-4 days after treatment) I found myself very tired and basically spent the weekend at home napping on and off for the entire 2 days! The biggest SE I had was constipation and it was BAD!! The worst I have ever experienced! Called the Nurse, she suggested a gentle stool softener which I started immediately and are now a daily part of my routine. They helped a lot but the damage had been done already and it lead to a slew of other issues like hemorrhoids and pain that lasted for the next 7-10 days.. NOT Fun!

Day 13 - hair started falling out. I dealt with it for a few days and then had my sister come over that Friday night with the clippers and finish the job. I have always had long hair so this was a very strange experience for me! We had some fun during the process and did a few different styles like a bob, then a pixie and then a Mohawk before finally taking it all! It was actually fun and interesting to see what those styles would look like on me!

AC treatment #2. I was pretty relaxed that day as I knew what to expect. My appts are at 12:45 so I go into work for a few hours that morning then head to the Dr.'s office at lunch. All went well again. The following days were fine also. No nausea and I wasn't as tired as I was after treatment #1. No bone pain. Still had constipation but not as bad as after treatment #1. The next 2 weeks were pretty uneventful as far as SE's go. I carried on my normal routine and schedule with work and everything else. Had an awesome girls day with 6 of my best girls and went wig shopping. We all had fun trying on several different styles and colors and I went home with 3!

AC treatment #3. For some reason I was really dreading this one. I am not sure why because the last one went so well and the 2 weeks between we're also great so there was really no reason for the dread, but it was there. Treatment itself went fine. The following few days were also fine. Then I just started feeling really crappy. Nausea started to kick in, for the first time I started taking my anti nausea meds as soon as I started to feel even the slightest bit because the nurses warned me to make sure I got ahead of it if I start d to feel anything. That approach worked as the meds made it subside for a while and I never actually vomited. but the nausea feeling kept coming back, the taste in my mouth is horrible! I am not even sure how to explain it other than just disgusting! I think it is that taste that might actually be making me nauseous. I am now addicted to mints and any type of flavored drop that masks the taste. My energy levels have been much much lower than the previous weeks and I have to slow done and rest much more often. Still dealing with bathroom issues, I am able to go on my normal schedule but it is painful every time.

I am scheduled for AC treatment #4 ( final trmt of round 1) on Wednesday. I am really dreading this one as I know it is cumulative so I expect the SE's to be worse but I am also excited that it will be the end of round 1 and my last date with the red Devil!

The good news is that since my tumor is palatable I have been able to monitor it myself as far as size and while I can certainly still feel it, it definitely feels smaller so I think that dreaded Red Devil just might be doing it job!! Yeah

So sorry this was so long! I truly appreciate any of you that actually made it through the whole thing! lol I have spent the last couple of days reading through almost all of the posts on this thread and you guys Rock! So much courage and strength in this thread which is so inspiring and truly helpful to me personally. I wish I would have come across it sooner back when I started. But better late than never right?!?

Stay Strong and Carry On!! )

Sca, welcome. I'm on the same regime but just had my 6th treatment.

I was told at my last infusion my port is too deep and they really struggled to hit it. I'm bruised there now. She was wiggling the needle thing around trying to get blood flow. It made me nervous to have treatment. The port is in the same location used 13 years ago (the surgeon re-opened my old scar to place it) so I'm wondering if all the scar tissue that was there from before caused it to have to be deeper? Breastlessb you had yours repositioned? Didn't know that was an option. Did they suggest that to you or did you have to ask about it? I didn't even know that was an option. I'm freaked out by the experience on Thursday. The chemo nurse said to tell them to use a longer needle next week. Not sure why the lab person didn't automatically get a longer needle because she was complaining the whole time she couldn't feel it well enough.

cdv4251992-Did they give you any numbing cream to apply to your port before it's accessed?

Irwells50-It would certainly freak me out to see other chemo patients visibly struggling. I haven't much noticed the others while I'm there but that's because I usually fall fast asleep.

StrongGirl0328-We started chemo on the same day. I was supposed to be doing dose dense but complications have caused me to be on a traditional three week plan now. Like you, I've struggled with hemmoroids. I'm currently using prunes, but may have to switch over to a stool softener. Ugh.

Notanisland-We really struggle with that neutropenia, don't we? But unlike you, I don't feel perfectly normal when it happens. I actually feel awful, with no appetite whatsoever. Yet it feels better with food in my stomach, so it's a real battle. I can only seem to taste salty things, and sweets taste too cloying.

BreastlessBeth-I think PTSD is probably pretty normal considering what we're all going through. I find myself crying over the slightest things these days!

SbElizabeth-I totally agree, the anticipation of losing my hair was actually much worse than the actual event. I cried like a baby when it started, but I'm over it now. No wig for me, I'm the queen of scarves and hats.

MsRobin - I'm glad to see you're out in the garden when you can. I feel the same way. I made a pitiful attempt at vegetable gardening last weekend. I promised my MO that I'd wear 2 pair of gloves. Planting one 4x4 square was enough. Then of course I brought home boxes of plants from the greenhouse at school today. Now I just need the energy to go out and plant them. Of course no one is wanting my garden on a tour... yet. Give me a few years. I was so excited. We moved to a new (to us) house last summer and I'd planned on using my summers off to landscape. Alas, I am doing chemo instead and next summer is reconstruction. 3 years without serious garden work is sad

I napped and laid around yesterday for the first time, and still slept 8 hours last night. No bone pain though, so staying on top of it with Tylenol seems to have helped.

cdv

Yes my port was repositioned and it was in the OR. The surgeon put the needle in in the OR so the nurses didn't have a problem THIS time. Talk to the surgeon who put it in and explain how the issues are affecting your treatment. We need both our physical and emotional needs met for a successful outcome.

I am now deciding whether to change cancer centers or not. I know what I need to deal with at the current one the new one could be the same or worse and 1.5 hours away.

stronggirl0328- congrats on reaching AC #4!!!! May your SE be few and over quickly

me too, lovepugs! Good luck

MsLin, I imagine you are disappointed to be missing all your usual gardening. When this all started for me, that was one of my primary concerns. And for me to be out of the garden for most of the month of May was torture! That's the main garden month here in Ohio.

Sca, when my stomach issues come, I find myself eating like a toddler, bland! My main foods then are eggs, grilled cheese, peanut butter, cheese pizza, and mac and cheese! I sure don't eat like that normally. Seems to me, even the happiest cancer patient is prone to tears. It's normal.

Irwells-You go right ahead and nap all you need! Rest is healing.

StrongGirl0328-Yea to your last date with the Red Devil! Mine is July 5. May all SE's be manageable!

BreastlessBeth, good luck making your decision on which cancer center will serve you best. I'm happy with mine, but still hate to see it looming in my view as I draw near.

BJI, I'll be following with interest to see how your Taxol treatment goes since that's my next step. My head hair is 99% gone on AC but nothing else, and I was surprised to read that it's Taxol that causes the rest of it to go. Sure not looking forward to losing my lashes and brows.

LovePugs77 and NotAnIsland-Bet you're bothglad to have #3 done with, I sure am!

msrobin58- I just had Taxol #3 yesterday. I have lost a few lower lid eye lashes (more missing from right eye than left eye) and about half of my eye brows (more missing over left eye)

But I am getting whispy hair back on my head ( whispy and sparse like 4 hairs growing out in a few random places all over my scalp)

I, too, am missing being out in the garden. It is amazing how many parts of ones life cancer takes from you (even if it's just temporary). I have 3 aero gardens and am growing strawberries and cherry tomatoes indoors while hubby tends to flowers and food gardens outside this spring/sumner

Irwells - foods started to change flavor for me after AC#1. Almost immediately in fact. Water tastes horrible, like spit. The smell of coffee is disgusting so I won't even try it. Most bread products taste like cardboard unless I put jam or cream cheese on them. Tomatoes are iffy. Although not that I've thought of it Five Guys fries and ketchup sound really good right now. I'm normally a vegetarian, but salami with cream cheese is my go-to snack. Salty things and tangy things are fine. Sweets are fine too with the exception of the 1/2 an oatmeal cookie I tried to eat earlier. Fruit is my friend. Apples especially.

When I was on chemo I quit drinking soda for good. Too sweet. I learned I really like soda water. It's bubbly and refreshing and a bit tart.