Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Oh my. I am cringing for the two of you. I am just dreading that part too. Actually, I think I'm over the initial horror of losing my hair but once it starts to fall out, I'm sure it'll really hit.

How are you feeling physically? Okay? Tired? Nauseous? Have you had to take many of the drugs prescribed/suggested?

Hang in there gals. You can do this! I'm with ya, and sending good wig/scarf/hat vibes your way.

Amera

Ok ladies, I'll be joining the January girls next week. I just came from my Onco visit and I'm to get a port this week and start chemo (Tamoxifen and Herceptin) next week.
He said I shouldn't have to worry too much about nausea. They treat for that before the chemo, but I will lose my hair.
I don't think it's going to be a big deal for me, but he did recommend a buzz cut about 2 weeks after the first treatment.
He also gave a script for a wig, although I don't think I'll use it.
So, it' seems good to get on with my treatment, but I'm not sure why it also seems depressing?

Hi Nemille,

I was scheduled to start AC tomorrow, but after a lot of worrying about my heart, I managed to get the regimen changed. I am now taking Taxotere + Cytoxan, starting tomorrow. They told me I'll be sleeping through most of the infusion because they'll have been on benadryl. I had had weeks to learn about AC, but now just one day to learn about Taxotere. You've taken both. How do they compare?

Thanx,

Mizsissy

Hey Guys,

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Fists up!

Hi Mizsissy,

There are at least three of us that are starting the taxotere/cytoxan this week. I'm starting mine on Friday. I have 6 treatments three weeks apart. I don't know if I'll have benadryl, but do have a script for steriods that I'm supposed to take the night before and the morning of treatment to ward off alergic reaction. My onc scheduled this treatment so I wouldn't have to worry about heart problems as well.

Best of luck to you tomorrow.

Lynn

Hi girls....I guess I can join here as I will get my port in Jan 23 and my first TCH (of 6) Jan 26. Then Herceptin for the rest of year due to that darn Her2neu! Stage 1, clean nodes and ER/PR+, post-menopausal tho.

Brenda: you are so awesome! I have read your story since you joined...I admire your grace.

tlc and Amera: I agree with the hair thing .. I think when it's gone I'll actually feel better than I do right now and why is it that for 54 years I never had a good hair day and I get bc...and ALL my days are good hair days??? Go figure!

Wendy

Hi Everyone,
I posted this in the general chemo thread too but want to get involved with this group also. I had my first of four a/c treatements yesterday.It went fine. I was nervous, don't like new situations (unless it's a party), but the nurses were very kind and attentive. They gave me decodren, amazat,and a saline drip, then pushed in the a, then dripped in the c. They had given me ice and a heated blanket. It all took about 2 hours and I drove myself home.

I took an ativan and a compazine last night; they recommended the ativan b/c of the decodren, and I was worried about waking up sick. Needless to say, I slept like a brick. I don't have much appetite (had toast last nite, oatmeal this morning, chicken soup and a banana for lunch. I took an amazet this morning and feel no nausea at all.

I do feel a little spacey and lightheaded, but am working and am doing fine. I am going to pick up my wig after work so I have it when I get my hair cut on Jan 26; I want to wear it home, and then on the 27th I go back to the wig shop to have it styled. Because I am doing it over the weekend, I am hoping it won't be noticable at work on Monday (I am trying to keep it quiet at work and just rely on family and a few close friends for support).

So that's it ... let me know if you have any questions, and thanks so much for all the sweet support. There is so much kindness in this world.

Hello Girls,

Had my first chemo today and it was a piece of cake. Took the decadron yesterday, followed by an ativan. The decadron really got me energized, but the ativan slowed me right down. I slept like a log.

This morning when my husband & I arrived at the onc clinic we were ushered in a pleasant private room with a bed and a chair. They put me there in case of allergic reaction (there wasn't any). Didn't even have benadryl. I had a wonderful oncology nurse to myself who pampered me, instructed me, and we talked about two of my favorites subjects, cats and movies.

No side effects at all yet! In fact they told me to go ahead with running and strength training and that will boost my energy level while this is going on. Only 3 more treatments and I don't really need a port.

So glad I switched to taxotere+cytoxan from AC!!!!!

Mizsissy

Just got back from my first A/C and feel pretty good. Kinda spacey and out of it but nothing really yet. I got the anti-nausea meds in pill form right after the push of the A. They sent me home with the same meds to use at home. The onc said no need for the shots unless/until my counts drop of if I have an infection coming on. She was very laid back which helped me tremendously.

The funniest thing is that one of the elderly volunteers kept coming by about every 15 minutes to flirt with my husband. It was a hoot. She was a sweetheart. They kept us very well fed with a full lunch and drinks if we wanted.

Not hungry at all now but I suppose I should try to eat something. Glad everyone else's first day went well. One down!!!
Amera

Ladies...please don't feel you have to wait for your next doctor visit to address nausea. You need to call them immediately if your nausea meds are not working so they can try something else! Also, they may want you to come in for fluids so you don't get dehydrated.

hi guys had my first chemo 1\02 felt crappy for about 4 days and then started to feel betterI am okay with the chemo knowing that I will feel better in a few days ,but I am just now losing my hair and losing it fast. I noticed in the shower yesterday a clump of hair and now tonite I can run my fingers thru it and come up with alot and it is itching me to death..Iam also gaining alot of weight(probaby because I try to make myself feel better by snacking and snacking)I was overweight to begin with ..and lord now I will end up looking like a big old buddha..Oh well maybe I can make money by letting people rub my belly for luck...hang in there ladies we can get this done ..Prayers for you all love woolie

Hello New Friends
I will start chemo 1/19/2007...HER2+,2.6cm mass,L-Br. Will do chemo first to reduce mass..I was concern about this treatment process but have much satisfaction with it now.Words can not explain what you go through just with the initial test..the waiting for results. I had an outer body experience..had to come outside of myself to really see that it is me with breast cancer!!! I am so glad I know GOD! Thanks to God, scientist and doctors this is no longer a death sentence... Its a bump in the road and we just happen to find ourselves having to press forward to overcome it! We can not go around it or under it..we must go over it! We can do the chemo because its is a part of our boost we need to continue our journey in life!

I'm off to my first chemo treatment (TC) this morning. I'm pretty calm. Took the steriods last night, but also took an Ativan and the Ativan won, I slept all night!

It occurred to me this morning that this will be the last time I dry my hair before a chemo treatment (my next is in 3 weeks). Will I be doing the 'this is the last time...' til my hair falls out?

I wanted to thank all you sisters for sharing your experiences as you have, it has really helped me have a handle on this before I go. I did break down 2 nights ago, but have been feeling better since. Like my dh says 'Now we're going to go attack the cancer'. I keep repeating to myself 'think of what this chemo is doing FOR me, not TO me'

Onc says I'll be there for about 4.5 hours today. Be back home later today!

Hugs to everyone!

Lynn

So good to read all your posts this morning and see that for the most part all are well. Shorty, I saw the "dense breast" spot on Canada AM too. I asked the dr. who did the biopsy and my surgeon if my dense breasts were a risk factor and they both said no. Guess they will have to rethink that! Perhaps if this would have been considered as a real risk factor, I would have been having ultrasounds/MRIs every year and this would have been caught sooner. But, I can't go there for too long - it could have been caught later as well and mine was found in a regular mammogram. I hope that this "upgrades" screening for women with dense breasts though. Next chemo is on Wednesday. I'm part dreading it, part anxious that my CBC is OK to go ahead. Also have the abdominal ultrasound on Tuesday - very stressful, I'll be glad when it's over. I hate all this medical attention. But, I'm feeling good today - cold is gone (both in my nose and outside, here on the prairies!) We're going to Edmonton to see my son/daugher-in-laws new home. Have a good weekend chemo-sisters.

I'll join this post. I have a question about wigs.

I had my lumpectomy 2 weeks ago. The tumor was larger than expected (u/s and mamogram put it at 2.5, but it was 3.7cm). The margins were not clear in multiple spots. ER+ and Her+. Fortunately clear nodes. So off to chemo very soon and then mastectomy later.

My question: Any of you in eastern Massachusetts? Do you have a wig shop you have used? I have seen multiple places online, but I don't think I could order without seeing it on me. I know that Dana Farber has a wig shop, I could go there but was wondering if anyone knew of any places north of Boston.

Does everyone lose their hair more or less at the 2 week mark?

I have to say I was much more nervous about commencing chemo until I started reading this discussion board. Having so many of your experiences to read about has helped immensely.