Starting chemotherapy in December

Love83
Love83 Member Posts: 111
edited December 2018 in Young With Breast Cancer

Hey ladies, I will be starting chemo AC+T on Dec 4th I will do the dose dense( every other week) with AC 4 rounds and for 12 weeks T (taxol). What do you ladies recommend taking with me during treatment, which meds should I have and what works best for different side effects. I know it all will be different kinda like a pregnancy, everyone's experience is different but just want to be prepared mentally and physically.

Sending love and peace.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2018

    Hi Love!

    We just wanted to pop in here to point you to the November 2018 Chemo thread which will give you some great insight from others who have started chemo this month and can offer some advice to get you prepared. There will surely be a December 2018 Chemo thread started soon too, where those who start chemo next month can compare their experiences.

    Also, there's some great tips on theMore Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo thread.

    We hope this helps and wish you the best during your treatment!

    --The Mods

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited November 2018

    Hi Love!!

    So nice to know someone else who will be starting chemo on Dec 4th besides me!! I don't know what I'll be taking yet but I will find out tomorrow when I go the the cancer ctr for 'classes' to get me ready for the whole ordeal.

    Good luck... I'll be keeping you in my prayers


    Mods: Thanks for the tips and I look forward to joining the December 2018 Chemo thread

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2018

    Omg. I hope all goes well. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. As I will update you on this journey. Somethings I will be taking is blanket, pillow, headphones and water and snacks.

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited November 2018

    I found out today that I'll be taking Taxol and the Herceptin starting on Dec 4th.

    My DH is going to take the day off so he can sit with me during the first day of Chemo.

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2018

    We're all in this together, you will be in my prayers and hope all goes well.

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited December 2018

    Hi, just visiting from the August 2018 Chemo group to share something that is not always talked about or known about but can be very helpful to tolerating chemo.

    I have been doing something called the "fasting mimicking" diet. You do this for 5 days, beginning 2 days before chemo and ending two days after chemo day. You can search for it online, it was developed by a PhD at USC called Dr Valter Longo. If you search my name and "fasting mimicking" as key words on this site search, you can read my posts about it.

    Basically you can do either a 3 day complete water fast or a 5 day very-low-cal "mimicking" fast. There is some detail about what kinds of foods... but basically 10% protein, 45% carbs and 45% fats. The low-cal 5 day version seemed easier so that's what I did.

    The result of a fast or semi fast is that your body goes into a 'survival' mode, which ramps up the immune system and helps to protect healthy cells. A second result is that when your GI tract shuts down during chemo, there is not that much in there to digest. I did not do it on chemo #1 but did it for my subsequent treatments. It was a giant help.

    If you are willing to be a bit hungry for a few days you may have a gentler chemo experience. Hoping for the best for all the December ladies!!

    - santabarbarian

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2018

    Thanks so much will be looking into it.

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  • Flower216
    Flower216 Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2018

    Hi Love, I just had my first treatment yesterday. I also brought fuzzy socks and phone charger! Good luck!


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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    thanks santabarbarian... I'll give it a shot

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    hi Flower!! Hope you're doing OK today

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2018

    I hope all went well, know you are not alone and if you needs us we are here!

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    ok confession time.... I'm SOOOOO nervous about starting chemo tomorrow. I'm sure there's nothing to it really just fear? of the unknown.

    Hoping Love83 that yours goes well tomorrow.... we're cyber chemo buddies lol & Flower216 hoping yours goes well this week too.

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  • Mav9876
    Mav9876 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2018

    I start mine on Dec 5th. Dose Dense AC 4 treatments. Then Taxol, either 4 treatments every other week or 12 weekly treatments...still being decided. Good luck and hope all goes well!

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2018

    I'm nervous as well, my anxiety has been in full effect the last couple of nights. I hope all go well for all of us. Make sure to keep me posted as I will also. Mine is at two.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2018

    Welcome, Mav9876! We're glad you've found our community, and hope you find support here as you begin your treatment. We hope all goes well for you!

    The Mods

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    Hi Mav9876 and welcome to the december crazies lol I'll be praying for you on Tuesday and sending ((hugs)) too

    Love83. .. I start mine at 1115am (est). I'll have my phone with me so I'll try to post and let you how its going. Glad I'm not the only one anxious makes me feel a little less so. ((hugs))

    Flowers 216 are you starting this week?? Let us know how you're doing... you're not alone in this ((hugs))

    Off we go into the wild blue yonder...our heads held high while we face the monster...

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2018

    We might have hills to climb, but we will not be defeated!!!!

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  • Love83
    Love83 Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2018

    Good morning ladies this the first day of treatment with AC, I'm in survial mode. Hope all is well with you ladies that is also starting today.

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  • Flower216
    Flower216 Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2018

    Hope everyone is doing well. I actually had my first treatment last Friday. I have been really lucky..no  nausea, and mild bone pain. I did get a case of hiccups for 2 1/2 hrs, reflux, low grade fever and sever exhaustion. It doesn't matter how long I sleep, I am still exhausted. Everyone stay strong...and we have each other to lean on!

     

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    GRRRRRRR! I'm so ticked off right now!! My Cancer Dr previously ordered an echocardiogtam for me at the hospital and I found this out today (waiting to start my chemo) that it should have been done already.... Did scheduling call you?? No SOOOO I'm sitting in the heart lab waiting area for a test that has a slot in 1.5 hrs and won't be read until after 5pm or latest in the morning!!!

    I'm so disappointed ..... all sick to my stomach and nervous for "nothing". Worst part is my DH took off today to be with me and can't take off again tomorrow (even with FMLA). SO that also leaves me with no ride but Nurse at Cancer Ctr said they might be able to get me a cab... gross the cabs in our small town are gross, dangerous and smelly

    I'm Soooooo frustrated 8((

    Update: It's 130pm back at chemo ctr waiting for a cardiologist to read my echo. Have pulled favors and called my Nurse Advocate who's pulling favors. I need to start chemo with in the 35 min to finish on time.. fingers & toes crossed. .. trying to be a patient woman... trying....

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    Flower216 glad things went well for you... odd hiccups though lol Lean away... we've got each other ((hugs))

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    Flower216 glad things went well for you... odd hiccups though lol Lean away... we've got each other ((hugs))

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  • Flower216
    Flower216 Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2018

    Hi all!!!

    Hope everyone is having a somewhat calm and pain free weekend. I had my first treatment last Friday, and yesterday I actually felt almost human. Today I wake up feeling my mouth is stuffed with cotton balls, but no metallic taste. Does anyone know what this is a side effect from? I go to MO on Monday and I have a long list of questions ready!!!


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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    hi Flowers216

    The cotton balls is most likely due to being a little dehydrated. My chemo nurse wants me drinking 50-55 ounces of water, Gatorade, powerade....propel stuff daily. She said it helps flush the chemo out(?)

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  • Flower216
    Flower216 Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2018

    Nanette..that makes sense except I have been drinking 60-80 ounces of water daily (I normally drink 40-60 so its just a little more). The body can do strange this during chemo!!  

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