Starting Chemo in May 07

Thanks for this "kick-ass" response....I needed it today. I started chemo on 5/8, after being diagnosed with Stage II invasive in my left breast, possibility of inflammatory, so they started me at the City of Hope in Southern CA before they implanted the portacath....yesterday. I am really sore, and had a strange reaction to the vicodin (like I had 12 cups of coffee instead of falling asleep), so i feel as if I've taken a big step backward today.
Also, my very supportive husband came down with a stomach virus on Sunday night, and couldn't go with me to surgery....I am so lucky to have a loving friend who gave up her day to spend it with me at the hospital!
I am 62 years old, and I love this site! Thanks for all the input! Off for a short walk,
Jean

Sherry, I am doing 6 rounds of FEC...what's the "100" for?

Like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, my hair continues to come out. Not in large clumps (yet) but everytime I pull, there's a significant amount of hair. I need to stop pulling it out - thank goodness for distractions! It's the strangest thing - if I'm not doing something else, I'm yanking!!!! It reminds of me of times when I've chipped a tooth or had a filling come out - my tongue cannot leave that area alone...it has to go over and over it until it feels normal. Maybe it's the same with my hair. I keep checking to see if it's still coming out (like it's suddenly going to stop?)

Anyways, that's my day today - gives a whole new meaning to "bad hair day".

By the way, CindyMn - your comment about the duct tape made me laugh out loud at work today!! Maybe I need to duct tape my hands to keep them away from my hair!!

Hey Sherry;
I am from the late March-April group and like you and Mandy, am having FEC for 6 cycles. I am originally from Ont. as well and a teacher. Feel free to PM me any questions!
Cath

Hi, everyone. I have my port installed this Friday, saw the onc last week. I'll have 16 weeks, chemo every two weeks..am kind of worried about that, I wonder if he would be offended if I asked him to do it every three weeks instead?

Anyway, he's very concerned that the lymph node they took out had cancer cells almost as big as the original tumor in my breast...tumor 1.7 cm, lymph node 1.4 cm. So he's ordered a PET scan...this really scares me. My father died of lung cancer, which spread to his lymph nodes. And my cancer is a very aggressive one. So we'll have to see what the PET scan shows.

I won't actually start chemo until June probably, but would love to stay with this group, if you all will have me. I go see the onc again on June 4th.

Blessings,

Gracie

IDC, Grade III, ER/PR+, Her2 -, 1.7 cm. One node.

Quote:

---

Hi, everyone. I have my port installed this Friday, saw the onc last week. I'll have 16 weeks, chemo every two weeks..am kind of worried about that, I wonder if he would be offended if I asked him to do it every three weeks instead?

Anyway, he's very concerned that the lymph node they took out had cancer cells almost as big as the original tumor in my breast...tumor 1.7 cm, lymph node 1.4 cm. So he's ordered a PET scan...this really scares me. My father died of lung cancer, which spread to his lymph nodes. And my cancer is a very aggressive one. So we'll have to see what the PET scan shows.

I won't actually start chemo until June probably, but would love to stay with this group, if you all will have me. I go see the onc again on June 4th.

Blessings,

Gracie

IDC, Grade III, ER/PR+, Her2 -, 1.7 cm. One node.

---

Gracie, of course we'll have you. Welcome!
re: every 3 weeks - sounds wonderful to me, considering that I'm doing DD (every 2 weeks) and have to go in again tomorrow and it's just these past 3 days that I've started feeling somewhat functional again. However, my understanding is that DD is more effective - it's not a matter of offending an oncologist, they're just looking at the most recent studies and trying their best to save your life. Also, just personally, I think the motto of saying what you have to say with a doc is really really important. Don't NOT say something or ask a question b/c you don't want to offend - a good doc won't take things personally. Just my two cents.

Hi ladies,

I will be starting chemo also. IDC 3.2cm er/pr+ HER2- grade 1 no node clear margins. I will be starting maybe next week or the week after. I have appt. with surgon to talk about the port tomarrow. So it wouldn't be long after that I will start.
For me, it is hard to think that I am so ill when I don't feel ill. The thought of getting sick from the "cure" is almost crazy. The "cure" is worst than the cancer itself.

I was really wanting to have another baby but it looks like it's not up to me any more, it's all up to chance now. I don't have the means ($) to save my eggs and insur. don't cover it. I feel like I was delt a double blow cancer and no more children. (1 son 3yrs) This is really hard because I lost my baby in June of "05" due to mc at 10wks. The thought that I lost my last chance is very hard.

Anyways, I hope we can get through all of this together. Thanks for letting us know what is ahead of us.

Hi Nessa01
I started chemo april 30 my first FEC treatment. They're giving us hard drug to kick some cancer butt so prepare yourself,we'll get through with flying colors.It sure hard to think that we were never sick and someone tells you that you are. But we need to get well again.
I did not have a port I have a picline put in my arm.You are right by saying the "cure"is worst than the cancer itself.
Sorry to hear that you wanted another baby but God only send you what you can handle.
So hope everythings goes well with you and others to his month.

IDC, 19nodes-, stage1,grade2,her2-,ER/PR+,margin clear,3.2cm,left mast

Day 3:
A little nausea this morning and really tired most of the day.
Got my first and hopefully my last Nuelasta shot. I'm not getting the Adriamycin so might not need the Nuelasta.
I'm really tired even after a 2 + hour nap today. So will update more tomorrow. I'll let you know how the Nuelasta affects me.
Have a good night, hope everyone is feeling well,
CindyKS

Joing the group... not sure what I'll want to do about head coverage so I'm kinda trying to stock up on everything. I've got some hats, scarfs and a hair fring for under the hats (thought that was kinda goofy, but it actually looked OK when I tried it on!. I still need to get my wig...

LeAnne- what are buffs and rags? I'm also starting chemo tomorrow... hope it goes smoothly for you!

Quote:

---

Hi there from Germany ;-)

I'll be starting FEC on May, 22. I'm already feeling nauseaus just by thinking about chemo. Don't know if I can actually go through with it. I already have an anxiety disorder and being an Hypochondriac doesn't make it any easier. Did anyone else suffer from this before bc?

Jen

---

Welcome! Anxiety did get worse for me, I had mild anxiety beforehand and the steroids make it worse....I shifted from clonazepam to xanax and that seems to do the trick. Better to get treated with chemo and increase your chances of living a long and full life. I'm sure your oncologist can come up with an anxiety-relief plan - maybe it's worth asking? In any case, welcome and hugs....

Hi All

I've been lurking in denial. I'm starting chemo on May 25 (figured it would be a good way to celebrate the holiday weekend).
I'm HER2 and doing A/C Q3 X4 followed by T/H Q3 X4. 2 out of 3 oncs didn't want to risk my heart on DD treatment since I need to do Herceptin for a year.

A couple of questions:

1. has anyone else been told that they can't have IV's in the breast cancer side? I've been back and forth over the idea of a port. Most recently I thought I could avoid it. However, the oncologist I saw last week (who will be doing the treatment) said they "never" use the arm of the affected side. She didn't explain why. I only had sentinal nodes removed (all negative). Does it have to do with the cancer or a concern re triggering lymphedema?

2. What are buffs? Originally didn't want a wig but my daughter (9 years) wants me to have one. Haven't bought any scarves, hats, etc. yet but need to soon. Want easy options for summer. I'm not quite a do-rag kind of gal!

3. did anyone get any advice directly from their oncologist or nurse re prep for chemo (what does one bring on the first day?, is there any etiquette involved re bringing coffee or lunch or will that make others nauseous?). All the advice on the boards is great.

Thanks

pnpmary

42 years old HER2 IIA (3.5 cm, no nodes)DX by lumpecomy 3/15/2007
2 children (9 and 12 years)

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the newcomers - sheesh there are so many of us in this May starters group! It's very unfortunate that so many of us have to go through this but so nice that we have a "place" to come to share our concerns, vent about our frustrations and then celebrate our successes!!

pnpmary, they won't do any blood pressure testing, IV or blood tests in your "bad" arm, I believe due to the risk of any kind of infection/lymphedema. I was told (by others on this board) that this is a forever thing!! I'm hoping that my other arm can handle all the poking and prodding that chemo brings. I've heard that chemo drugs can be murder on the veins!

I'm not 100% sure of what a buff is - I think it's a kind of scarf (very young and trendy) that fits over your head and then ties in the back (think of what you've seen on Survivor) however, I could be totally wrong on this one!

As for what to bring on chemo day...at the place I go, you can bring whatever you want. In fact, at 10am and 2pm every day, volunteers bring around a snack cart with cookies, juice and coffee! The nausea doesn't hit until later after treatment because they give you anti nausea drugs right in your IV so I don't think it's a problem for anyone else. Many people brought in coffee when I had my treatment.

Jen, the steroids are to make the anti nausea meds more potent (from my understanding). I had to take them 2x per day for 3 days following treatment. I found the side effects to be not too bad from the decadron, although I did feel a little jittery on them and was happy to be done them. They worked really well for me though and I was also glad to not have that much nausea!

As for my situation - my hair is really thinned. I cut it all off last night and have a lot of pink scalp showing through (and my roots are all grey/silver so what is left of my hair is a totally different colour!) When it first started to comeout I felt kind of down (even though I was expecting it to happen) but now I'm okay with it. Sure makes getting ready in the moring a whoel bunch easier. Wehn I'm totally hariless, I can imagine that my showers will take all of 90 seconds! I guess we have to look at the bright side of things hey?

Well, I'm off ot work - have a great day everyone. Hope those SE's are kept to a minimum!

pnpmary, I noticed that you only had the sentinel nodes taken. So did I. My surgeon told me that there is still a 5-7% chance of lymphedema and that I should follow all the rules at least until I see how my body handles it.

Pat

Hi

Thanks for explaining about the steroids. I would like to try it without them if I have the choice. Of course, I don't wanna be miserable either.

I also only had the sentinel nodes taken, but I do have lots of problems. After almost 3 months still pains/burning and swelling under my arm. Nobody told me about aftercare, i.e what to avoid or to excercise. I had to find info from the Internet.

Jen

Welcome Kim! Though of course I hate to welcome anyone to breast cancer.....sigh. Why is the wait so long between surgery and chemo for you? To give you more time to heal? I was told that I had 3-6 weeks, preferably 3-4, to start chemo post surgery. Anyways, welcome and pls let us know how it goes!