Starting Chemo in May 07
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hey Cindyks,,,,,,,,,,,,dont worry about saying anything that is icky on here........for goodness sake i talked about my zits and loose stools. lol I think its helpful to be candid here,,,,,we are all in the same boat and any info that we can gather from each other is great. I feel very fortunate as my onc told me everything i needed to know about all of this,,,,,,although i have learned lots of things from this board also. I think the key is to just ask as many questions as you can to your doctor,,,,,,,they owe it to you to tell you everything you should and want to know. So dont be afraid,,,,,,,,ask ask ask till you are blue in the face and get answers. Im a big asking questions person,,,,,,,so doesnt bother me one bit. lol And by the way,,,,,,,,I seem to be having no problems going poo poo.........lol Its working wonders on me and keeping me regular..........lol Never had that problem before,,,,,,,,,i was always constipated before this so now I dont need to take those pills to go. See,,,,now I'm being gross,,,,,,,,,sorry.
Hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week ahead of you
Take care all,,,,,,,,,,Cindy -
I agree about the Softee camisole. And now I am wearing it again while recovering from having a port inserted. I think it is more of a comfort thing than any real help in this case, though. I just like it.
Pat -
sorry cinrae, iwas asking cindy from kansas if she had gotten my pm, sorry for thr mixup
gracie -
strange question for everyone, sorry to be so gross and upfront but I'm kind of worried. I have noticed that the areola on the side that I had my lumpectomy and sentinal lymph node biopsy looks different than the other one. it is darker in color and there are some skin changes (dry, flakey and some pitting). I had my surgery at the end of March and the incision sites are well healed. I had a lot of swelling postop and some inflammation from an allergic reaction to the dye they injected for the node biopsy. Anyone else notice any of these changes on themselves?
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Iwy,
How timely your post is! Just the past few days I have been trying not to get myself worked up into a frenzy because of things I've noticed in my own breast!!
I had a lumpectomy at the end of March. Everything healed well but I do still get some swelling in the area of the incision. Since chemo started, I've noticed more pain in the area (my nipple is STILL slightly blue from the dye). I saw my oncologist on Friday and mentioned the discomfort (it's nothing debilitating) and he said many women report that they feel pain in the area much later than they expected - especially after little initial pain. I thought maybe it was brought on by the chemo (he said no). But now I've noticed some orange peel skin right by my scar - which worries me becasue it's an IBC symptom. It's not always there, it's not hot to the touch, red or itchy but I will feel better once someone looks at it and confirms that for me! Also, I have a very definite indent now and lumpy scar tissue around the incision. So what you're describing, sounds like my own experience. I feel better hearing that we're in a similar boat - makes me think it's normal...but I will still get it checked out! -
Orange peel skin is do to edema/inflammation, so it would make sense that you see it by your surgical site. I try to reason that that is also why I see mine by the areola, since i definately had inflammation there from the rash. I too worry about IBC, especially since I have a coworker who has it, but my understanding is that it presents very differently than my experience (just found a lump). I am definately going to see my surgeon about it, but I can't get in for another 2 weeks. My oncologist saw it last week and didn't think much about it and said it was most likely postop changes, but I won't feel better until the surgeon says the same thing! Good luck to you. I'm sure yours is due to the same reason as mine!
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GracieM
Yes I received your PM and I replied to you on the same day. I'll send it again if you didn't get it.
I'm waiting on a call back from on onc so I can ask my questions from earlier.
Ask ask ask that should be all of our mottos. When we are not told something and it comes up how are we suppose to know if it is normal or not.
I'm having a good day. I almost feel like my prechemo self again. I worked a full day at school and yes I am tired but that is the norm I was really tired before I even found my lump.
I'll post what the onc says. Have a great afternoon everyone
CindyKS -
Hi all,
Had my first dd A/C treatment last Wednesday with Neulasta on Thursday. I had some slight queasiness on Friday and achey body. I am working fulltime and made it 6 hours on Friday, all I could think about was getting home and taking a nap. Otherwise I have felt OK - strange waves of not feeling well but so far tolerable. I have had some achey pain in my sholders today yet and taking Aleve seems to help.
I am planning on having a head shaving party on Friday, I am fortunate that my son's fiance owns a salon, it is always nice to have a hairdresser in the family. getting alittle nervous about the going bald thing and figure this is one thing I can control by just doing it! I have a wig and a few head covers so I think I am ready. My kids really don't want to see me bald either (who am I kidding, I don't want to see me bald!}
My second treatment is Wednesday 5/30 - three days before my boyfriend's Graduation open house for his daughter - hoping I feel as well as this time so that I can be of some help to him.
God Bless everyone - hang in there,
Mary -
O goodness Gracie,,,,,,,,,that was my fault,,,,,,,,I thought you were talking to me,,,,,,,,,sorry bout that, I think we have 3 cindys here,,,,,,,lol
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Hey girls,,,,,,,,,,,had the last of my cyle 1 today,,,,,,,,every week schedule. Went good,,,,,although infusion day is always a good day for me. Remember I was thinking of changing to the every 3 week routine,,,,,,well, I talked to my PA today and she said if we got the gastric problem taken care of and the fogginess for days,,,,,,,,would I consider staying on the weekly. I said yes,,,,,,,,so I will do another round of weekly tch and see how this next one goes. She hates to see me give up into the second week already,,,,,,,,my dream was to keep my hair. And she hates to see me make a quick decision on a day that I was feeling bummed out. She gave me a presc for Protonix and I need to drink drink more and more water.........that way chemo will flush out of your system and the fogginess should go with it. So thats what I am gonna do,,,,,,,,,,,try another cycle and see how this next one goes. I havent lost any hair yet. We all lose one or two every day even not on chemo,,,,,,,,,and thats all I have been losing,,,,,,,,so we will see with the next round if that stays the same. Hope all is well for you gals,,,,,,,,,,,havent had much sleep so gonna just take the benadryl at night especially the night before chemo, the day of and the day after,,those seem to be the nights I cant sleep,,,,,,,,,,,decadron does it to ya...........
Nite all,,,,,,,,Cindy -
Quote:
Had my first dd A/C treatment last Wednesday with Neulasta on Thursday. I had some slight queasiness on Friday and achey body. I am working fulltime and made it 6 hours on Friday, all I could think about was getting home and taking a nap. Otherwise I have felt OK - Mary
Mary, thanks for sharing your experience as I have the same treatment beginning tomorrow. I hope that your second round goes just as well or better.
Pat -
Hi ladies, I finished 4 DD of A/C and then 4 DD of Taxotere on 2/19/07. I then finished 33 radiation treatments last Friday. Guess what? You are going to make it. I will admit that the chemo road was the hardest one I have ever been on, but it was completely doable. If any of you are doing radiation after, it is also doable. I will be praying for you all. Good Luck and know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Bonny
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Ok, ladies, I need some encouragement here. I had my port put in on Friday, am having problems with it. When I breathe in, my entire neck area, throath area hurts. ONLY when I breath it. It starts in the very pit of my throat, you know that little hollow, and goes up both sides of my neck from there. Also, numbness in my hand on port side, index, little and ring figer, off and on. chest pains in the middle and over on that (left) shoulder. The surgeons office isn't real concerneed about it, said most of it is normal, but to watch the numbness...(GREAT). So I have an apopintment with my doctors PA this afternoon (regular MD doctor). Am worried, as I have a blood marker that shows the tendency for blood clots, but the surgeons office says the port a cath should NOT be a cause for increased risk for a blood clot. I really do NOT understand how this port works, or where exactly it is in my veins Any suggestions? My doc appointment is in an hour, so if I don't hear from anyone before hand, I'll get back here afterwards.
Gracie -
gracie, you should not be having numbness and tingling in the hand from the port. the port is just below the skin and has tubing that goes into your veins. Your symptoms sound serious but may not be secondary to the port, so just make sure that the PA does not ignore you and stress that you want this run by the doctor before you leave! Don't let the PA blow it off. I work at a hospital so I know how easy it is for everyone to write it off as anxiety, but you have to have an MD check it out. Don't want to scare you, just want to encourage you to keep bugging them until you get the attention you deserve. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
Leslie -
Bonny, thanks so much for the note of encouragement. It does look like a lot to get through from this end, but each day goes by and guess what, we're doing it!
This is Day 6 for me and I feel quite a bit better than I have. I had an appetite last night which makes SUCH a difference. If I can manage to work until 2 or 3 I'll feel like I really kicked some major bootay. My abdominal area feels sore, and I am sure slow but I expect that, and it doesn't bother me that much. I just take my work one little task at a time...
The most bizarre thing so far is that I woke up last night, not long after falling asleep with Ativan, to feeling like someone was above my shoulders, pulling my arms over my face. Very eerie as honestly I was AWAKE and could feel my arms being pulled. Or I thought I was awake. I am calling it hallucinations and let's hope it was from the day's compazine dose. I'm going to ask about compazine alternatives next chemo appt... I didn't take any today and assume I am now off it until next time.
Hope everyone is doing as well as possible,
LeeAnne -
Hello to all you beautiful ladies!!!
I am completely new to this site and to breast cancer.
Got the news on March 6. Had lumpectomy on April 4. Stage 1, 1.1 cm, no nodes. My first chemo treatment is May 30 and I am terrified beyond belief. I wonder if I will make it through treatment let alone through the disease. I was told radiation was a must but it was a choice for me to make on the chemo. I have been sick with digestive problems since September and thyroid issues as well. I was on TPN for 6 weeks and still have the PICC line in to use for the chemo. I am a small woman, 4'11" and 90 pounds. I fear the chemo will destroy me. My oncologist said the statistics from Adjuvant online gave me a 2% better chance with chemo. I am triple negative as well. I hope I can get some advice from all that have gone before me to keep me from going insane.
Thanks in advance,
Pam in So Cal -
Forgot to add I will be on 4 A/C DD and then 4 Taxol or Taxotere DD every 2 weeks.
Thanks,
Pam -
Gracie,,,,,,,,,,,,,I have had no problems with my port at all. Actually,,,,,,,,,,its very nice with doing the chemo. Beats being stuck every week and the possibility of blowing out the veins. I agree with Leslie,,,,,,,,,have the doctor look at it all,,,,seems weird to have numbness with a port insertion. If I have learned anything thru all this,,,,,,,ask ask ask,,,,,bug bug bug,,,,,,,thats how you get the answers. I've always been a big question person anyways so I am never afraid to ask.
Take care all,,,,,,,,,,off for my first neulasta shot. I finished my first round of chemo yesterday and i feel great today. I even planted veges and fruits in my garden this morning. Doctor said drink tons and tons of water,,,that will help with the fogginess,,,,,,,get that stuff flushed out asap,,,,,,and she gave me a presc for Protonix for the gastric upset and indigestion,,,,,,,,,,,,,although,,,,,i took one last night and still had the indigestion (wonder if it takes a little time to do the trick) and of course couldnt sleep,,,,took benadryl (2) but that didnt work either. Gonna ask the doctor about that when I go for the shot.
Take care all,,,,,,,,,,,Cindy -
Pam, you'll be FINE! Getting the chemo itself isn't such a big deal, as you'll read when you go through old posts. The entire experience is surrealistic but I just figure I can do anything one hour at a time, one day at a time, and eventually it will be in the past. You can too! What I've heard from so many ladies here is to bug your nurses when a side effect comes up that is bothersome and there is always something else they can do for you. I assume they will be adjusting your chemo doses to account for your weight - you might ask about that and hopefully that will put your mind at ease.
I just ate a good lunch and took a little walk around the block - I'm still at work - day 6 seems to be my sort of back to something approaching normal day! Yeah!
LeeAnne -
Back from the docs. Ok, they said the pain in my neck and throat area is probably from inflammation, since one of the port incisions is right on the neck and it goes down from there. So, to stay on my antiinflamma tory to help that out. The numbness, they said they will watch it for now. I have no swelling, pain, or redness, or any other kind of color change in the skin on that hand, and they said if any of those things should happen, to come back in asap, but for now, just to keep an eye on it. The PA did check with the doctor on that too. So, I'm back home, and hoping for the best with this port. I would hate it if all of this had been for nothing.
Thanks for your help, and encouragement
Gracie
IDC, 1.7cm. 1 node +, ER/PR+, Her2-, Grade III -
gracie, so glad to hear that it wasn't anything serious. I didn't want to scare you, just wanted to make sure that they took you seriously. My oncologist, who I love and know personally before all of this stuff, is very laid back and good at evaluating all my complaints, but I can't help but to think that she kind of blows off the little complaints.
Cindy, if your abd pain is really from heartburn, the protonix should do the trick. it does take a little time to work. Some people get the best results when they take it in the morning, 30 minutes before they eat breakfast, but you can experiment and see what works best.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Leslie -
Hey girls,
Port feels better after having it for a week. Still a little bruised, but not as painful.
It's amazing what a little perspective and vent can do for you.
I'm still really freaked out about chemo. I mean I know i'm going to lose my hair and be tired sometimes, but the not knowing about how I will react physically worries me. I'm more afraid of this than I was about my surgeries.
Anyway, you all have shared your experiences, good and bad, and I'm greatful for that. I know I can do this, but it doesn't stop me from being scared.
My onc is not available on Wed. so now I wait another day until Thursday.
Good luck to Pat and anyone else starting tomorrow.
Hugs,
Sherry -
Hi everyone,
I am done tx #2 today (yeah!) It went very well (no digging around with the needle this time ) The nurse asked me about the bruise on my inner arm. I told her it was form the blood test on Friday. She was not impressed! I was told to hold it for 5 mintues (I actually held it for about 2 -tops!) I really don't care about a little bruise. But I learned today that I should care! Apparently, if you have a bruise, they cannot use that vein for the chemo (who knew?). So, I will DEFINITELY keep the pressure on my blood test site for 5 MINUTES! Anyways, she found another vein with no problem!
I shaved my head clean bald last night (NOT a highlight of my day!) I feel more used to it now when I look in the mirror and felt just fine wearing my hat with NO HAIR peeking out anywhere! This was defintely a mind#$$@ though!
Sherry and Pam, I know you're really scared about your first tx (tomorrow),understandably but I think we have this preconceived image of chemo as these bald, emaciated women who lay feebly in bed and muster just enough strength to rollover and barf! And that was quite possibly the case years ago - however, there are LOTS of meds and coping strategies for SE's and I've been told by medical staff and by women on this board THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER WITH SIDE EFFECTS! If you feel something - get advice and get on it right away!
The nurse today asked me about my nausea last tx and I mentioned that it was bad for about 2 hours on the day of tx. I rated it as a 2/4 on my symptom diary chart. She asked me if I took the back up anti nausea drug (I forget what it's called - starts with an "M") I said no because I wasn't that bad and it went away pretty abruptly, allowing me to go to a meeting! She gave me heck for not taking it - "don't wait for it to get worse, cuz then it's too late - dont' be a martyr" she said. Sheesh! I said I'm not a martyr, it just wasn't that bad. So I guess the point I am making is that even with the mild SE's I experienced last time, they still thought I shouldn't have let them go and should have taken something to alleviate those sypmtoms. So, you should not have to suffer! (I disagree with the nurse in my case because unlike her, I know my body and am NOT trying to be a hero and would have taken something if I needed it!) I also think the nurse just liked to scold me!
Hope everyone else is doing well and good luck to everyone going for tx's this week and for those coping during treatment and for those waiting to start!
Take care,
Mandy -
Quote:
The most bizarre thing so far is that I woke up last night, not long after falling asleep with Ativan, to feeling like someone was above my shoulders, pulling my arms over my face. Very eerie as honestly I was AWAKE and could feel my arms being pulled. Or I thought I was awake. I am calling it hallucinations and let's hope it was from the day's compazine dose. I'm going to ask about compazine alternatives next chemo appt... I didn't take any today and assume I am now off it until next time.
Hope everyone is doing as well as possible,
LeeAnne
Hey fellow pdxer LeeAnne - sounds like you're doing really well, considering. I'm also on day 6, still feel like crap but am eating and drinking liquids....and even went to work for a whole 4 hours today - woohoo!! I've never felt like a bigger slacker/wimp in my life, this whole type A personality does NOT go with chemo...
but what I wanted to say is that compazine is a drug they give to people with schizophrenia, and it's got some intense side effects....so switching away from it may not be a bad idea. My onc. switched me to Kytril, because the back of my throat started making funny twitches, making it hard to swallow and talk. So no more compazine for me. For more info, see http://www.emergiblog.com/2007/05/look-what-theyve-done-to-my-meds-ma.html... -
I'm also day six of my first round... I was instructed to take the ativan each night when I took decadron (per instructions day 2-4) and then as needed after. Good appettite and no nausea at first , but then yesterday I felt a tiny bit quesy and also couldn't sleep. Finally at midnight I took an Ativan, and I also had strange hallucinations- like my body was floating. Then, every time I started to drift off I had a episode of sleep apnea. So, I got totally freaked out, turned the light on and tried my best NOT to fall asleep...not sure why the ativan did not bother me before ??
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Quote:
Hello to all you beautiful ladies!!!
I am completely new to this site and to breast cancer.
Got the news on March 6. Had lumpectomy on April 4. Stage 1, 1.1 cm, no nodes. My first chemo treatment is May 30 and I am terrified beyond belief. I wonder if I will make it through treatment let alone through the disease. I was told radiation was a must but it was a choice for me to make on the chemo. I have been sick with digestive problems since September and thyroid issues as well. I was on TPN for 6 weeks and still have the PICC line in to use for the chemo. I am a small woman, 4'11" and 90 pounds. I fear the chemo will destroy me. My oncologist said the statistics from Adjuvant online gave me a 2% better chance with chemo. I am triple negative as well. I hope I can get some advice from all that have gone before me to keep me from going insane.
Thanks in advance,
Pam in So Cal
Pam in So Cal - If I had your stats I wouldn't be going through chemo. 2% isn't worth it to me. My tumor was 1.9 cm with 1 node cancerous, and I was told that it was not the size of the tumor but the node that tripped me into the chemo category. So, if you have no nodes why oh why do chemo? Just my two cents, chemo for me SO sucks - I had health problems before (fibromyalgia) and if it weren't for the 11% decrease in mortality rate from adjuvant online for what I have, I would NOT be doing this. I think maybe others don't feel as terrible inside as I do - my very cells feel wrong, no two ways about it. It takes me 10 days to receover from each a/c treatment, just FYI. So, a different perspective here. Each time I want to quit.
Best wishes in whatever you decide, but if I only had a 2% increase I'd take my chances. But that's just me. -
I DID IT!!!
My first chemo (FEC).Iam so proud of myself. I was so scared, but the procedure wasn't bad at all.
Now I'm sitting here waiting for side effects. It's only been 2 hours and the only side effects that I've got is beeing high from the Ativan and a little pain where the IV was.
I pray that it will stay this way...
Jen -
Jen,
Good for you!!!! Neopat was starting today as well so you two should be able to compare notes. I was to be the third to start today, but onc. was unavailabe so I get to stew for 1 more day.
Hope all continues to go well for you. Take care
Sherry -
Thank you Sherry
Lucky you getting a little break ;-) Is it your first one, too? I wish you all the best, too! Hopefully we'll tolerate it well!
Jen -
Jen,
Yes, first tx and scared sh#$less. Haven't slept much in a week. Trying to get all my ducks in a row, and my house in order. Just wishing to see the light at the end of a very long tunnle.
Take care,
Sherry
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