June 2007 Chemo

Sandra, bless your heart, there is so much emotional baggage with this bc, isn't there? I had a bilateral
mastectomy in April and although I am older than you I am
still having a hard time dealing w/being flat but I don't regret my decision. I didn't want to do anymore surgeries, too many lately! But I'm like you and feel like people are looking, oh I'm sure some do, well I know they do, can't help theirselves I guess, you know the ones who know you've had a mastectomy! But most are too busy w/their own lives and problems and we feel self conscious
but w/time we will adjust or possibly you will be having reconstruction? I am going to get fitted as soon as I finish w/my aspirations, still have too much swelling.
The hair loss can be really hard for us, some handle it better than others but hopefully you'll find something that you are comfortable with like scarves or hats/turbans.
My 38yr old daughter recently lost hers and she wore a bucket type hat for awhile, kept the hair on the sides as long as she could and now wears a wig and switches to a sleep cap at night. She was worried about losing her eyelashes so bought a couple pairs of fake ones and kept them in her drawer so she'd have them handy.
I was hoping to stay busy too this week-end, to divert my attentions but it is raining buckets here and is supposed to continue so no getting outside.
I'm going to sign up for the look good feel better program which is July 16th I believe.
I did attend one of these in 03 and it was really neat.
They give you some great tips and suggestions, I was particularly interested at that time on how to draw on eyebrows, I was the worst! But they also give you a huge container w/loads of great make-up and items for facial care.
Hope you are doing ok,
Hugs

I didn't get on Coumadin when I got my port. I have never heard of that. If anyone knows why, let me in on the scoop. But for me, I suppose the reason would be that since I'm on Avistan (clinical trial), which makes healing much more difficult; I shouldn't be on blood thinners. It's interesting how were all in the same boat, but going in slightly different directions!


As for taking Aspirin, I was told not to take anything that could reduce fever. My onc gave me a Rx for a pain reliever that wouldn't reduce fever at the same time. If you get an infection, fever is likely the first symptom...you don't want to mask that. Talk to your doc Terry before starting a new med.

My hair started falling out last night (day 12 after 1st dose) and it is really coming out today. I'll go get it cut very short tomorrow and take my 20 month old to supervise so I don't scare him by coming home with really shirt hair. (It's shoulder length right now). This week will really freak me out....I love my hair. It's one of my best features.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

Hi,

I would like to join the June group, if you all will have me. I am 37yrs old with a 5 yr old son and a great husdand of 15 years. I was diagnosed mid march with IDC, had a partial masectomy mid April on the left side and then a partial masectomy on the right in mid May as they found 2 suspicious areas. (right side was negative nothing to worry about) I start Chemo June 7. 3 cycles of Adrucil, Cytoxan, and pharmorubicin (would that be ACP ??)and then 3 cycles of Taxotere. The mass was 4.5cm, stage 2, grade 3/3, IDC, no node involvement, evidence of vascular invasion, er-, pr in 3% of cells, and the her is still pending. Radiation will follow chemo and then tomoxifin (I guess the onc is worried about a false negative with the er-) I just want to get the show on the road. I guess I will be at home with you all wishing the summer away (since that means the treatments will be over)I received so much info at my chemo education appointment this morning...it should take me all night to digest it all.
Keep smiling

I take a baby aspirin daily. I was told a few years ago by my rhuematologist that I have a marker in my blood that shows the tendency for blood clots, although to my knowledge I've never had one. So I take a baby aspirin anyway. I wonder if my onc will let me continue taking them, or if he will change me over to coumadin? I think I have a bleeding ulcer in my stomach too....I've had them before and I have all the symptoms. I don't knowk what they would do about that and chemo?

Gracie

Wow, I was gone over the long weekend, and there were so many posts to read! We live in Vancouver, WA and took our motorhome and went with our friends over to Bend, OR for the weekend. Weather was great, and it was so nice to get away and try to forget all this bc stuff. It is amazing how often it came up in conversation, however.

Tomorrow I go in for my port. The surgeon who did my mastectomy is putting it in so I have to go into day surgery for it. I will be glad to have it done. I start chemo next Monday, the 4th. For some reason, I am not feeling really anxious about it; I just want to get it underway. I really hope I can work throughout.

Kathleen, my liver test showed elevated enzymes, and they had to do a ultrasound. I was also freaked out about that but last week when I saw the dr. he said it checked out normal. They also did a bone scan that was normal. I think they are extra cautious to be sure that in case there is something else they know it before starting the treatment. I'll be thinking about you.

I really appreciate all the posts and support in this group.

Debbie

Terri - today is four days right? How are you feeling?

Dawn

Good Morning Everyone. I would like to join in the June cruise if I may. I'm Melody I had rt. breast mast. Mar.29th. with immed. reconstruction with diep. IDC,gr.2 er,pr+ her- , 2cm. They concidered me boarderline and tumor board and 2 oncs suggested chemo. I haven't got my oncotype test back yet , but have decided to have chemo. I was suppose to start today , but they "forgot" to schedule me for a muga scan! So if they can get that done today and get results , it will be today or maybe tomorrow.I am having a hard time coping with the fact that I will lose my hair. It was long and I had it cut. Was told it was the best thing to do so its not so devestating when it starts to fall out. Well , looking forward to sharing with everyone. Hugs and prayers Mel

1) Cy/b445 - Washington - 5/25 Start - Abraxane/Avaisten
2) Sandra/idohair - Canada - 5/28 Start, 3 FEC, T
3) Pam/galnok - Oklahoma - 5/31 Start 4 T
4) Dawn/lastminuted - June Start - 4 AC, 4 T
5) Terry/TerryNY - New York - 6/4 Start - 4 AC, 4 T
6) Cheryl/southerncheryl - North Miss 6/7 Start - 4 AC, 4 T
7) Terri/5Kids 5/24 Start - 4 AC, 4 T
8) Susan/SusieSwan - Illinois - June Start - 4 AC
9) Jennine/jenninerena - NC - Start 5/31 3 FEC, T
10) Bonnie/burquie - NY - June Start - 4 AC, 4 T
11) Debbie/DebbieK - Wash - - 4 AC, 4 T
12) Debbie/bomber410 - Boston - June start
13) Hillary/NarberthMom
14) Kathy/litig8or - AR - 5/15 Started - A/C
15) Kathleen/Kath11 - CA - Start 6/4 - 4 AC, 4 T
16) Gracie/GracieM -
17) Diana/KiddleGirl - 4 T
18) Linda/Charlie451 - TX - Start 6/8 - TC
19) Ann/Ann425 - Start 6/1 - 4 TC
20) Patt/Thayer - CO - 4 AC/ 4T
21) allgone - Start 6/7 3 ACP, T

Please let us know if we missed anyone or have incorrect information.

Good Morning ladies,
Well, I made it through the weekend, and have to tell you that as uncomfortable as I was, it was do-able. Chemo on Thursday afternoon, slight nausea Thursday evening, and the steroids do not lend to a good nights rest. Take a sleeping aid, you will appreciate it. Friday, I felt really pretty good. Took my dog for a three mile run, and then went in for my Neulasta shot in the afternoon. Friday night sleep still was difficult. Saturday Morning, and I didn't feel the best, had a hard time managing food, and slept the day away. Saturday night I slept well. Sunday morning came, and again, I was feeling pretty darned good. I spent the day puttering around the house, and got a good nights rest. Yesterday was yet another pretty good day, and I am guessing that I am over the worst of it for this treatment. I feels like really severe morning sickness for those of you how have had children. If you eat a little every couple of hours, it helps alot. Also... water water water... even if it tastes icky. I am back at work today, and thinking of you all. Welcome to all of our new sisters. We will get through this... we will!

Peace,
Terri.

i just had my treatment yesterday and im not feeling too bad
some nausea last night, and im having a hard time with food today, sort of like morning sickness for sure im tired
i had to get poked 2 times for the iv, it was brutal but once we got started it wasnt too bad
im hoping i feel better in a few days though...............

Susan, I know that I'm expecting Neulasta the day after my treatment. I did talk to another lady who went through treatment last summer. She had to do the daily shots. She said it was pretty easy. When my father had knee replacement surgery, he had to do shots to his stomach. I stayed with him for a week and gave him the shots. He was also able to do them for himself. When I gave him the shot, he didn't seem to have discomfort. I'm assuming, like with insulin shots, the needles are pretty fine. Good luck!

Debbie C.

Hi Ladies,
I'm joining your group on behalf of my Mom, She is 66 years old, She was diagnosed with IBC and started her first treatment last week. She is going to have 4 treatments of AC biweekly and 4 treatments of T to follow, She is also getting a shot of Neulasta the day after her treatment. She did OK the first day after chemo she didn't have any Nausea but the day after Neulasta she felt awful, she was in so much pain that she had to take pain meds continuously. She is getting better now but still feels week.

We have our 1st onc visit after chemo next week, and then she goes in for round 2. Have any of you had experience with the body pain after Neulasta? Any advise to help her get thought it? Reading all of your comments is very helpful, just to know that there are others going through the same stuff that you are.

Thanks Patricia

Since I didn't have morning sickness for my son, does that mean I'm off the hook for that morning sickness feeling with the chemo??? :-)

Patricia, regarding Neulasta, I did read about it in another forum. I'd have to search back. It seems folks had a mix of reactions. If I find the thread, I'll try to post a link here.

Debbie

Dear NarberthMom, It's good to hear from someone who's completed chemo w/o too much trouble(and who also did not use a port). Thanx!
Dear Thread Sisters: I am new to this discussion group- so extremely happy to have found it! Am joining the June Chemo Cruise; I will begin dose dense 4x AC on May 30, then follow with Taxol 4x. I too am nervous & low-grade depressed about starting (for instance, putting off doing chores to prepare!), so it's helpful to hear others say the same.
I had partial, rather than full, mastectomy even tho my BC is recurrence (after 10 years disease-free). Not sure that was the most prudent surgery choice, but will reassess later after chemo. Am scheduled to do AI drug,Aromasin, later.
Thanx to all for the great tips on prevention & management of side-effects!
Regards to all,
Cathy