Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

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katoMato
katoMato Member Posts: 645
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi. I'm new here, starting Chemo August 1 '07 (Taxotere & Cytoxin)every three weeks, and I just thought I'd jump in and get to know some sisters. Diagnosed 3/29/07, 2 lumpectomies, Stage IIa, IDC, ER+,PR-, HER2/neu-, 2 pos nodes of 14...So here I go. Anybody on a similar schedule?

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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2007

    Hi. I'm new here also. I am gettin 2nd chemo treatment on August 1 '07. I'm on Carboplatin, Taxotere and Herceptin every three weeks. Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids the days before during and after treatment ezpecially with the taxotere and things will be nicer for you. I was diagnosed 4/27/07 with 1 lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed. But was Her2/pos and hormone receptive negative. Suggest a neulasta shot if you can get it also. My first time in the chair was extra long because they like to make sure there is no reaction to the chemo. Prepare for things to smell, taste and feel different. There will be a new "normal".

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  • Mamasj
    Mamasj Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2007
    Hi, sorry you had to join all of us. I did 4dd AC, 4dd Taxol & 14 Herceptin and I just fifished. It's true, if you drink a lot of water, before, during and after a treatment, you will do a lot better. My nurses told me to drink a sprot drink during my treatments. Also don't go with an empty stomach. If you have questions, feeling blue or just need to vent, come here, believe me it helps!
    May God Bless
    Sue
    Stage IIIa-Grade III- IDC ER & PR neg Her2 Pos
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2007
    Thanks for the responses...My water bottle is ready!

    Sue, When you said you did "4dd AC, 4dd Taxol..." does that mean "double doses"?

    Carol, how long was "extra long" in the chair? Did you feel sick during the infusion? The first weeks afterwards?

    Thanks,
    K
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2007

    Extra long in the chair was eight hours for all three chemos. But the nurses told me that the next time will only be four hours which is still a long time. I did not feel sick at all during the infusion and even ate a nice long and went out after for dinner. The day after I was tired and two days after I had a bout with the runs which I took Imodium for and then I got sores down the back of my throat which made it hard to eat along with a strong metallic taste in my mouth. The sores were gone after a couple of days and a chloreseptic throat spray helped with those a lot. So over all, it really wasn't too bad. Just be prpared to rest a lot, and take care of yourself. We are in this together!!!!!!!

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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2007
    Thank you Carol - I really needed that.
    Keep me posted about your second treatment on 8/1...I'll be thinking about you! My appointment is at 2:30 West Coast time. I HOPE that doesn't take me to 10:30! (Maybe I'll just bring a blanket & spend the night!)
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2007

    Kaye, I'll be thinking of you also!!!! Take a good book to read and get to know your nurses. They will have a lot of information for you. My appointment is in the morning central time, but my thoughts will be with you on that day!!!

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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2007
    Hi Carol, How was your weekend? I spent it reading the July 07 chemo thread. Wow, what a veritable goldmine that is.

    Well, I've got my notes of all the potential se's and all the remedies, I've got my chemo-bag packed, my iPod charged, and my book ready...and I think I'm mentally prepared. I think that means I'm getting nervous.

    The cancer center to which I go is about 2 hours away, so my husband got a hotel room for us, so I can get the Neulasta the next day, and then if something unexpected happens, I'll be right there.

    Did they give you "Emend"? It wasn't in the Rx's the Onc gave me to fill, so I was wondering if she'll have me take it that day while I'm there. Does everybody get it?
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2007
    Hi Kaye,
    My weekend was good, but Sunday my hair started falling out and is still falling out today. I guess I should have been prepared, but I don't really think you are because it still upset me a lot. My family is great and very supportive and is helping me through it, but it still is a rough time, plus my scalp is really tender. ouch!!!
    No, I did not get "emend" but they did give me something else IV for nausea, I just do not remember the name of it.
    I take an oral steroid the day before, day of and day after the treatments. 1st they gave me a small bag of Benydril to lessen possible allergic reaction, then they gave me the Herceptin. Next, they hung a bag with something for nausea, then they hung the bag of Taxotere, after that came a bag of Decadron (steroid) and then the Carboplatin and I had the shot of neulasta that same day. But it really worked because my blood counts have really stayed in the "normal" range. YEAH!!!!

    Carol
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  • kidsmom
    kidsmom Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2007
    hello,
    I meet with my onc later today and will hopefully be starting my chemo later this week.

    I was shocked to read 8 hours for the first infusion. Is that normal? What other time frames have people experienced?

    Have any of you been able to drive yourself to and from your chemo?

    Thanks!
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2007
    Carol, Glad about your blood counts, SAD about your hair. I keep thinking I won't care, but my husband is pretty sure I'm going to have a complete meltdown when it happens. Out of defiance I feel like shaving it right now - before a chemo drug touches me! But then i realize that those are not the thoughts of a sane woman! I just HATE that stuff like this has such power over us. You are SO much more than your hair...BTW, thanks for being here for me! It's good to know you KNOW what other friends can never possibly know about what's going on right now.

    Thanks for the notes on the actual procedure...I was wondering what to expect. I'll just trust them to handle the nausea...they ARE the trained professionals.

    I took my Decadron this morning in prep for tomorrow...sheesh, I was nervous about THAT, for pete's sake!

    I may not have access to a computer for a few days, because we'll be in a hotel and I don't know if it has high speed internet access...but I'll certainly be thinking about you tomorrow. I hope it goes as well as last time for you.
    k
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2007
    Hi Kidsmom, from what my onc tells me, it will be 3 - 4 hours. But I don't know. I'll post here after tomorrow (my first treatment) and let you know how long they keep me! I agree, 8 sounds barbaric. My infusion starts at 3:pm...that would get me out of there at 11:pm!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY past my bed time. I'm pretty sure they won't think I'm so nice that close to midnight!

    And, from what I've read you could probably drive yourself TO the treatment, but I'm having someone drive me back. I don't know how I'll respond the first time. (And every time might be different!)

    Keep us posted on your start date, and what you decide about the transportation.
    BTW, Have you seen the thread on "helpful hints for getting through chemo"? It's great...I printed it out and put it in my chemo bag.
    k.
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2007
    Kaye,
    Thoughts and prayers are with you girl. I know your will be fine as will I.
    A bunch more of my hair fell out today. I will probably end up getting it shaved just so it feels better.
    I hope my appoinment goes faster tommorrow. And I hope yours does to. Sounds like your husband is a "keeper" Way to go getting a hotel!!!! Enjoy yourself.
    hang in there and and talk to you soon!!!!
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  • kidsmom
    kidsmom Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2007
    Carol and Kaye,
    My official start date will be this Friday, August 3rd. Tomorrow I meet with a nurse for my chemo education. They want me to start Friday, but aren't sure what time they could squeeze me in yet. I said I was a teacher and they recommended Friday. They said a lot of their teachers get treatment of Friday and then go back to work Monday.
    I'm doing Dose dense AC x4 then paxitaxol x4.

    I feel very scared about all the what if's right now. I did read the thread on what to expect, but it seems like everybody is different.
    Hope your all doing well with yours
    Kidsmom
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  • JellicleCat
    JellicleCat Member Posts: 25
    edited August 2007
    Hi ladies,
    My start date will be August 16th... I just finished this weeks tests, and even got the results today! Next week is filled with dentist appointments, and port placement... Next Saturday I'm cutting my hair and donating it.

    I hope your treatment goes o.k. you've been on my mind all day! I tried to post yesterday but lost it all (it was good and full of fun stuff too!, wish I was as creative today).

    Anyway... I'll be taking FEC 4x every 3 weeks, and then TC 4x every 3 weeks. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'm adjusting to the new diet and taking vitamins for the first time in my life... Healthy Choices and Haircutting is the ONLY thing that's in my control, so I'm gonna run with that thought process for now...

    Strength & Love,
    Michelle

    Oh... Triple Neg, 2.5 cm, right mast, no nodes, pending BRCA test to determine left mast after chemo. Can't think of anything else...
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2007
    Hi all,
    Chemo went okay except small reaction to the taxotere so they had to slow it down which meant 5 1/2 hours in the chair instead of 4 hours. But other than that doing great!
    Thought about you all day Kaye and hope things went well for your first time.
    Even more of my hair fell out. Now I have big bald spots so have made decision to shave the rest off tomorrow. It will be interesting!
    Welcome Kidsmom and Michelle. This is a good place to be and we are happy you have joined us. Kidsmom, I am not a teacher, but I am a para so in the same field. Work is going to be interesting this year. I hope the germs do not get me down. What age kids do you teach? I am with high schoolers.
    Michelle, healthy choices are avery good idea. Also, make sure you drink plenty of fluids. It will help flush the chemo out and it makes a world of difference for your urinary track. Drink a lot!!!
    Well, past my bedtime so will try to write more tommorrow. Hang in there!!!!
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Hi all - just popping in to say I feel great. No nausea, no headache...#1 Infusion went very well. I even was able to read a lot from my book! ("sit here, be quiet & read. I'll tell you when you can leave"...it's music to my ears!)

    Kidsmom, I could have driven home had we lived closer, but 2 hours was too much.
    I know you'll do well tomorrow...I'll be thinking about you.'
    Carol, what side effect to Tax? Did it happen before, too? I'm so sorry...

    Michelle, welcome. I'll write more tomorrow. (2 previous posts evaporated into the cosmos. Maybe too long? I'll try to be more brief tomorrow, but I wanted to tell you all that it went MUCH better than I expected, and I feel great.
    k
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2007
    Kaye,
    So happy all went well for your first time. How long were you in the chair? Take it easy for a couple of days, your body needs rest, fluids and TLC. My reaction to the tax was low back pain and have some concern that I may be getting too much. We will see. I did have some problems last time but it wasn't until a couple of days later and it was with a high fevor that landed me in the ER. I am doing well now, but am completely bald and am dealing with that now.
    Kidsmom, hope things go well with you today. I am thinking of you!!!!!
    Michelle, hang in there and remember we are here for you!!!!
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  • kidsmom
    kidsmom Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2007
    Well girls, I made it through treatment #1. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I took a Emend about an hour before hand. They took blood, came back 15 minutes later and said my white, red, homoglobin and something else were all slightly below what they consider normal, but they weren't low enough not to get treatment. This was kind of conserning seeing as how I haven't even had chemo yet. Then they gave me an injection of something for nasuea and another drip bag in my IV for the same thing. Then the nurse injected the Adriamyacin over 5-10 minutes. Then the Cytoxin took about an hour through the IV. I had a funny taste in my mouth, but had brought some peppermints to suck on and that helped. My neice lent me her DVD player so I watched a cute movie and then was done. I drove myself and actually feel OK. The only thing is I feel tired and a little goofy. But really not bad. Luckily, its Friday and my husband will be home over the weekend if I need to catch up on sleep.
    I hope everyone else is doing well!
    Kidsmom
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Horay, Kidsmom - I'm so glad it went well for you!!
    Carol, how are you doing today?
    This is day #2 for me, I woke up like a ball o' fire, worked about 3 hours came home intending to go look for a wig, lay down to rest and realized I slept for three hours instead! Oh well, Carol you're right. I guess we need to take it easy. I still feel really good though. No nausea, no headache. I'm so grateful.
    How are you doing, Michelle? Still hangin' in there? Your hair must have been long to be able to donate it...what a great idea!
    More tomorrow. Maybe I'll be more coherent
    k.
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  • JellicleCat
    JellicleCat Member Posts: 25
    edited August 2007
    Hi Ladies,
    Thank you for the welcomes :-)
    Kidsmom, great news and a wonderful post to read as my mind wanders into the worry mode.

    Shoot I need a notepad with everybody's names... The peppermint idea I heard from a friend at work who's been b/c free for 3 yrs...

    I survived these weeks Kidney Scan, Heart Scan and 2 root canals. They found a cyst on my kidney...and I feel so lucky that it wasn't something else. My heart is in fantastic shape to start chemo with, so maybe I'll have the same luck and be just fine from all of this...

    My mom is taking me to the ocean this weekend, and I should be packing rather than posting! We live near Mt. Rainier, and the ocean is about 2 hours from here, I don't know why we don't go more often.

    Pointer on the long posts ***ALWAYS COPY THE ENTIRE POST TO YOUR CLIPBOARD*** Then if it loses it, you can go back and paste the post back in and try again :-)

    Strength & Love . . . Have a Restful Weekend!
    Michelle
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Hi Girls,
    Well Day 3 is upon me and the whole “ball o’ fire” thing is gone. But that’s alright because it’s Saturday. I’ll just do some laundry and try to stay out of trouble. I’m so glad I don’t have to work today….trying to remember what “cognitive function” feels like!! (My husband says he can’t see any difference in me. Do I hit him or kiss him?) I definitely feel like something is different … on a cellular level. Not BAD, just different. (yes, I did do psychedelics in the 60s…)

    Michelle, hope you have a wonderful time at the ocean… I’m on the west coast as well, about 2 hours away from the ocean in So.Cal. My husband took me to the central Cal. Coast for a break, to get my mind off things, just before my treatment, too. What a needed vacation it was. You have a wise and caring mom.
    When I did my diagnostic tests, they found “some cysts” on my liver…but no one got too excited about them, so I’m not going to either.

    Carol, how’s your lower back today? I hope you’re feeling ok today.

    k
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  • kidsmom
    kidsmom Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2007
    Michelle-the ocean sounds like a great idea! Hope you enjoy it.

    I ended up feeling pretty cruddy last night and had to take some meds for the breakthough nasea around 10 pm. I should have taken it earlier, but I have something in my head that once I throw up I cant' eat or drink anything for about a day. I new that wasn't an option because I needed to keep flushing that poison out. My husband was wonderful and took good care of me last night. This morning I took my emend and other nasea pills asap. I think I'll take the break though one again around 6 pm or so just in case. I don't want to feel sick like that again if I can prevent it. I definately feel tired today. I told my husband it is kind of like when I was about 8 weeks pregnant with my son and I didn't really feel bad, but I didn't feel good and I was just exhausted. Hopefully by Monday I'll be back to normal.

    Yesterday was stressful also because I called my dad after my treatment and he told me that he got remarried. I was in total shock. He has been dating a witch of a lady for the past 7 months. He proposed to her 2 weeks before the one year anniversary of my mom's death. My mom had breast cancer, then her 5th year cancer free she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She passed away the day after my son was born. We took him back home so she could see him and within an hour she passed. I really believe she held out just to meet him. Anyway, sorry for all the ranting. I just need to vent. I think the man is crazy, but I'm especially worried about my sister who was extra close to my mom, and is still mourning her, now she's overwhelmed worried about me and now the whole thing with my dad. He didn't even have the decency to tell us ahead of time.

    thanks for listening and sorry for the extra long post.
    Kidsmom
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007

    Hi. I am having my first of 4 TC treatments on Tuesday, Aug. 7th.

    I am SO SCARED!

    Kaye, you got TC, too?!?! Do you get the Taxotere first, and then they switch the IV, and give you the Cytoxan? I was told that this whole process will take 2 1/2 hours, not 4 as you said. I already had my preliminary bloodwork on Friday, so I can just go in, and after they mix the drugs, they can start the IV.

    I am supposed to see my onc. on my 2nd treatment, Aug 28th.

    I am upset because I was supposed to go back to DC with my dh, for his retirement and stay for 2 weeks, but the nurse said they WILL NOT VARY my treatment schedule!

    I will DEFINITELY LOSE MY HAIR, so my dh and I went wig-shopping today. I don't know how it looks but it feels strange.

    Good luck everyone!
    HARLEY
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2007
    Hi all,
    Doing well today and glad to hear everyone else is doing well also. It is always the unknown which gets us, but I am glad that all I am experiencing is being tired. No back pain anymore and no fever which is what I was concerned about.
    Everything shall pass and we will get through this and we shall be stronger for it. Isn't it amazing how powerful we women really are!!!!!!!
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  • CTLMom
    CTLMom Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2007
    Hi I am just joining this group. I will be starting chemo on 8/9 for the first time. A/C every three weeks for 4 treatments. I have an appointment on Tuesday with a specialty salon that does beautiful wigs.(That just doesn't sound right does it?) I was fortunate that all of my pathology was clean. No nodes involved, nothing in the skin, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels. or the chest wall. Sadly, one of the four tumors was 2.5cm so that is why I am having chemo. I guess I'm as ready as I can be. My hair loss will be a real dissapointment but I'll deal with it. I am also having my expander filled and will have the final implant put in around the middle of November.
    Just on a humurous note, before I knew I was having chemo, my husband and I booked a quiet chalet in New Hampshire for a romantic weekend. We're still looking forward to going but my husband will be taking a wife with a partial boob and no hair! I'm so blessed to have him though because he always makes me feel beautiful.
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Carol,

    Glad to see that you are doing well, after your second treatment.

    I will be starting chemo on Tuesday, and I'll be getting TC. I am SO AFRAID!

    Good luck to us!
    HARLEY
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Good Grief, Kidsmom...what a nightmare. I've heard difficult things in my 53 years, but that's right up there. It's amazing to me how insensitive and ignorant and selfish we humans can be...(and i have been to others, i might add). I wish I could give you a hug. (and an electric shock to your dad.)

    Don't worry about your sister. You'll both be fine...and stronger, and wiser because of all of this. If you ever want to vent, email me. Anytime. I'm here.

    I'm sorry to hear about your nausea, but it sounds like you got a handle on it pretty quickly, and you have a husband you can depend on...that's so good. There are a lot of people having to do this absolutely alone.

    Hang in there. You're going to make it. Keep us posted, we care.
    k.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Welcome to the party, CTLMom. (Somebody pass the dip. Oh wait. I forgot. I can't taste anything anymore. nevermind! ) While sorry you had to join us, I know this is the place to be. There is support here, and good info, and we welcome you. BTW on the NH vacation: "Partial boob and no hair"...he's still taking the best part of you...YOU!

    Hi Harley, yes, they said 4 hours, and it ended up being about 3 ½ by the time they finally cut me loose. It was all hooked up to the same IV pole, little bags, not unlike a bad Christmas tree with little packages that seemed to automatically start when the last one was done, amid quiet beeping and chirping. The first was Zofran for 20 min, then Taxotere for about 1hr then Cytoxan for about an hour, and I know that doesn’t add up to 3 1/2, but that’s how long I was in there. I’m not sure where the other hour went, but ..my husband will vouch for me. It took 3 ½ hrs.

    I felt great that evening, and the next day (Steroids are my friend!) and then 3 days into it I started slowing down, and today – the 4th day - I’m feeling pretty much normal. Possible slight headache last night and today, but Advil takes care of it. Biggest complaint was sluggish bowels. (sluggish? Well, that’s delicate. I was pretty plugged up until this morning!) Someone had told me on these boards about constipation: “Tips for getting through chemo”, and I started taking Colace (1 2x a day) regularly and right away, last night I added Senekot…and I’m me again. Wheeee!!! (sorry for the graphic nature of this post, but we’re family.)

    All in all, as we hear over and over on this board: very doable. It’s true. We’re going to make it, girls.
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Kaye,

    Thanks for the info.

    I have problems with constipation without chemo induced constipation! UGHH!

    Well, I got my steroids and compazine, so tomorrow the fun begins!

    Glad I only have 4 txs!!

    HARLEY
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  • carol_kelley
    carol_kelley Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2007
    Hi all,
    Feel pretty good again today. Have opposite problem on my chemo blend, good ole loose stools, so it is always fun, but it is nice to talk to those who can sympathyze with side effects whatever they may be.
    Good luck tommorrow Harley, I will be thinking of you. Just take in the fluids, that is is my biggest advise because they really do help the most with getting through it easier.
    Wearing the wig today so I could go to my Sunday School class. It was kind of weird as they seemed akward around me, but I told a few jokes to put them at ease and things got back to normal pretty quickly. Makes me wonder how akward it will be to go back to work when school starts back up next week. I feel so different now, that I know I must act different so of course others will be different. This really does change everything.
    Kidsmom, we will be family here now!!!! I know that my home family have said some really hurtful things since I was diagnosed (my aunt told me I am doomed to die), but I have decided that this forum family is where I am going to come for my support and real counsel. After all, you are the ones who trully understand and can give the best and most honest advise. Anyway, We are here for you and here for each other. Sisters in chemo!!!!
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