June 2007 Chemo

Morning Ladies!

Patricia, I've also heard some of the gals complain of bone pain after that Neulasta shot...maybe her onc could give her something stronger for the pain? I will also be having Neulasta or another type of growth factor so I'm hoping I won't have to endure that pain.

I also figure it's up to each person if they should have a port. If I wasn't doing Herceptin, I probably wouldn't be having the port since I'm only doing 4 DD A/C. Although my second opinion onc thought I should do 4 DD Taxol after the A/C just as extra insurance, however, he couldn't produce a % benefit for me. And, he's the "local" guy as opposed to the teaching hospital cancer center I've chosen to take my treatments through.

I also found out they moved my first chemo from 6/5 to 6/7 so no biggie there.

I'm off to get my port put in a few hours...wish me luck...I'm sure they'll be hearing from me during surgery if I'm feeling anything, :-)

have a great day,
Susan

Good Morning Everyone. Well , I didn't start chemo yesterday. I went to the hospital and had an echocardiogram done. Today I see the doc , and if test results from echo are ok , then I will start chemo today. Has anyone else been experiencing so many oops and setbacks to your treatment plan? I guess it happens. I was just a little nervous when they said "we forgot to schedule your echo before chemo" . Oh well , hopefully test results will be fine and we can get this part of the treatment started. Has anyone here puchased a wig online? I am having trouble finding a salon in my area. Just wondered if anyone had any suggestions. Well , good luck to us all. Hugs and God bless

Wow! I go away for a day and look at all the posts. It's so amazing how many women from all around the country are in this group. I'm happy to have found y'all. I don't know anyone personally who has been through this and it's great to be able to share.

Well, I won't be starting 6/7, so yes, it looks like plans change regularly. I fired my onc. He has me scheduled for 4 AC, 4 T but didn't think it real important to get the PET and muga test done BEFORE the first treatment. What a goober! It's working out for the best anyway. I've got an appt for a first visit with a local on 6/6 (1 1/2 hours closer to home), and he came highly recommended. Plus, my nutritionist wants me on his supplement schedule for two weeks before I start and I just saw him yesterday.

I have a question/musings about dd versus regular (or 2 wk dosage vs. 3 wk dosage.) Anybody know why? Other to get done faster? If I can avoid the Nuelasta shots, I'm thinking about requesting 3 wk dosing. The nutritionist feels that way too. Anybody else have any experience, links or advice?

Also, I go get my drain out today!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

Thanks you ladies, that are sharing your experiences. It is definitely taking the edge off for me.

Cheryl

Honeygirl, have you tried calling the ACS and asking for places in your area that sell wigs for chemo patients. Also check with your insurance to see where you can go to get it covered if your insurance does that. I called our local ACS and was very happy with where they told me to go in the Pittsburgh area. I have two days until I start my chemo and I am starting to get nervous and not sleep. I am trying to increase my fluid intake so that I am ready for this. I've been reading that the more you drink the faster the drugs go through your system. I really hope this isn't too bad because I am going to try to work through it as much as I can. But I am in front of the public all day so I don't know how it is going to work.

Thanks, Pam, that's exactly what I was looking for.

I found this too.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051207113032.htm

Dose-dense Chemotherapy For Early Breast Cancer Found Safe, Similar To Standard Regimen
Science Daily — Biweekly chemotherapy treatment--a dose-dense regimen--for patients with early-stage breast cancer was found to be as safe as treatment administered every third week; however, the dose-dense regimen did not result in improvements in recurrence or survival, according to a study in the December 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

~~~

I'm probably gonna request every 3 weeks instead of 2 to avoid the other meds.

Kathy, I love your website. That's such a good idea to keep family and friends posted and not have to tell each detail upteen times. I have a sister that actually got offended because I didn't call her with some small piece of this whole process and she wasn't 'in the know'. HA!! Wonder if she wants to trade places? hehehe

Ann, I work with the public too -- a grocery store. It's gonna be interesting!

Cheryl

Hello All! I saw the plastic surgeon for a checkup; she didn't put anything in the expander, there is still a little piece of the incision that she wants to heal up a little better. I found out today that normally she fills the expander on the day of surgery with 50-60 cc's of saline; but for me she actually got in 360cc's!!!! I guess I have pretty good skin and muscle! Anyway, there shouldn't be too much more to fill when it's time! My husband said it's almost to size now. After that it was off to the oncologist; we have a date set to start this journey: JUNE 19. I will get my port a day or so before that and I will also get a PET scan. I will be receiving the Nulesta the day after treatment. I asked about the bone pain and he said to take some Motrin right before I come for the injection, and then take more a couple of hours after and that should do the trick. I also had a walk throught the treatment area and met some of the Nurses who will help guide me on this journey. They all seemed very nice and told me that we will get through this and they are the " Chemo Clowns that Kill Cancer"! I am a little nervous about the whole thing on one hand; but then again I'm like "bring it on; lets get it over with"!

Bonnie

Hi everyone!

I just got back from getting my port and it was no problem...didn't remember a thing. I think I started crying on the table but I'm so darn tired of being in operating rooms! After that, I don't remember anything except talking about my dogs when I came around when they were stitching me up. Site is a tad bit sore, but nothing else. I was expecting it to be higher on my chest but it's not near my clavical.

I'm with you Terri, I've seen some really cute wigs. I don't think I'm that devestated about losing my hair (maybe I'll change my mind when it actually comes outs). But, I know it will grow back and in the meantime, I'll be creative and unique!

Susan

Ann425 , Yes and Thanks. I did have my chemo and the patient navigator was there and hooked me up with a couple different salons. Some are in Pa. too! I know how you feel. I too couldn't sleep well the few nights before my chemo day. I have a port and glad I do. It really wasn't bad at all. I am experiencing some nausea and have a headache. I took the meds they gave me and am gonna lay down. I did drink 64oz of water since I got home today , so that may be adding to the nausea! I'm going to try to work through treatment also. I go back to work June 5th. So hopefully , I'll be feeling better. Good Luck to you.
SusieSwan , thats a name of one of my childhood friends! Brought back memories. Hugs and Prayers to you all.

Good morning to everyone!

Kathy, I love your website and your hair looks great. I have the same problem as Pam. I went this week for a short haircut and then chickened out because of big ears. I should have gone shorter, but I think I can live with it for the next few weeks.

I'm going for a CT scan today. A little scared. Actually very scared. I feel like once this is over, and results are good (I'm praying), then I'll be able to deal with the rest. My onc. requested a PET scan, but my insurance review board only okayed the CT scan. Maybe this was a good sign as they didn't think a PET scan was necessary. Don't know much about either, but I'm looking for any good signs I can find.

I won't be having a port mostly because I didn't want to wait to get chemo started. The surgeons in my town are so busy it would have delayed treatment a couple weeks. So we're going to see how it goes.

Hope everyone is doing well. This week before first start of treatment has been my worst. I just want to get going!

Thanks for all the posts....I read every word!

Kathleen

Hello my Chemo Cousins!
Well, Monday I go for my PET and CT scans; next Friday I go for a quick check with the surgeon, and then on the 12th I get my port put in. I can't believe tomorrow is the 1st of June already; some days seem to go by fast and others just drag on! Hopefully for those of us spending the summer killing the "BEAST" time will go by quickly.

Bonnie

Hi , hope you dont mind me popping in to see how you ladies are doing - I am off of the Rocktober 2005 thread.
I had my op in May 05, chemo Oct 05 (had a rough time healing - there's always one!) rads finished Apr 06 , Oophrectomy May 06 , switched from Tamoxifen to Arimidex Jan 07. I am a fully paid up 2 year survivor!! I had lumpectomy and 1/28 nodes positive.

When i was diagnosed i was 33 , kids were 9 and 7.My husband was and is fantastic , he lost his mum to Bone Cancer.
Chemo wasnt as bad as i thought it was going to be. My hubby and i chose a red rock chick wig (that looked better than my original hair!). Even on the days i felt rough i wore my lipstick and high heels to collect the kids from school (couldnt work as i worked in a school and infection risk too high) . One parent who didnt know even said how well i was looking and complimented my haircut - i felt really sorry for her when i told her!!)
I had a bad car accident and had to be rescued by the firebrigade , the paramedicd only knew i was having chemo when i told them , they couldnt tell.
A couple of days after my first chemo , we cut my hair off , emotional for a few minutes as we showed the kids , but i didnt want to look like a hamster with mange so off it came.
The things that helped me were ,
Asking for advice on an eyebrow pencil and using it before my eyebrows disappeared (so i knew where they were!)
Putting the war paint on everyday and trying to look well for the kids - that helped me , and people treated me as they always had done
Dried Apricots - no one tells you that you need your roughage while on chemo !!
Anti sickness drugs - they are given to you for a reason - dont try and be brave!!
And keep a drug diary of how you feel etc ,if something isnt suiting you it will be obvious to the DR.
I feel like i have come out of this with a different attitude to life. I dont save for a rainy day ( it darn well came!) We live for today , i feel more confident for it and wring every bit of goodness out oflife.
Hope some of my ramblings may be a help -Good Luck Ladies , you can do it.
Debbie

Gracie--Sorry about your port problems. I still have, I don't know if you can really call them problems, but let's just say--I know it's there. Often at night, if I roll over and sleep on the right side, I feel a pinch of sorts in the port area and I have to re-adjust. I'm glad I got it though. It should get better for you.

Debbie--That's awesome that you were able to drive after your nap and chemo. I was too scared to try that after my first tx.

I asked my doc about drinking and chemo and he told me to not drink alcohol for the 4 or 5 days after treatment, but otherwise a glass of wince or drink was ok every now and again. I'd be curious as to what other docs have said on the issue, so let us know if you discussed that with your onc.

Finally, you recall I started losing my hair Memorial Day (Day 13 after tx1). I got it cut the next day. And today you can see it's REALLY thinning on the forehead and at the crown. I have super thick hair so other than that, you'd never know I'd lost a hair. But, with the thinning, I may go ahead and shave it this weekend. I'm going to Dallas (I live in Little Rock) to see a friend tonight and go shopping and I have a dinner date with my boyfriend tomorrow night when I get back. (I'll def. be having a drink since tx #2 is Wednesday!!) I don't mind shopping in Dallas with a bald spot, but going out where I might run into someone I know with a couple of bald spots is a different story. I rather wear a scarf to dinner. I'm taking a scarf and ball cap to Dallas just in case I need it.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. I'll check back in on everyone Sunday!

First a/c treatment went well today - love the emla cream and my port! Maybe the veins in my arm will heal and cooperate next time they are needed for a muga or PET scan.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Dawn
12/05 IDC er+/pr+ her2+ stage 1
3/07 IDC er-/pr- her2+ stage 2

Hi Everyone , I got my wig today. I went with a synthetic instead of human hair. She cut and styled it while I had it on. It just feels so fake to me. I hope I can get use to it.
Day two after first treatment , I am feeling tired but am having difficulty sleeping. Has anyone else experience this? Also I am having a slight headache off and on most of the day. Appetite is down. But all in all not so bad.
Hope your all doing well and those of us with aches and pains are feeling better. Hugs and Prayers to all.

Sounds like everyone is getting on with it, lots of first time chemos. Thanks for the details, it really does help with my anxiety if I know what to expect.

I had the CT yesterday, and then tried to get the PET done. Apparently, the headache I had was a migraine cuz I threw up in the tube. Yes. In the tube. I was mortified, but the tech was really sweet. They got me out, cleaned up the bio-hazard, and then tried again. I got out of the tube in time the second time. He suggested we go for just the chest area instead of whole body since I only had one dirty node, and that only took 7 minutes. Then as soon as I got out, I threw up again. Yesterday was pure misery. Did you know you can drive and throw up at the same time? I don't suggest it, but it can be done. I slept the rest of the day.

Oh, and the surgeon left this drain in for 10 more days! I'm suppose to start chemo Thursday, but I'm thinking he won't want to start with the open wound of the drain.

My hair is also long and thick, and I've never worn it short. I'm getting it whacked off though. I have an autistic child, and we're trying to think of ways to not freak him out when my hair is gone. He notices EVERYTHING that is different. I've had a hard time keeping him away from the bulb of the drain. He hates it when I come home with visible bandages, and will try to take them off for me!


Kath11, ask your onc about getting the port put in after chemo is started. It may be a possibility.

Have a great Saturday everybody!!

Cheryl