Anyone starting chemo in June 08

Hi Ladies -

I actually started tx in April, 4 dd tx of AC, which I just finished yesterday. But I'm not finished; I'll be getting Taxol + Herceptin, 12 wkly tx starting June 10th. That's assuming everything's still ok, heart-wise, based on my Muga (6/2).  So I thought I'd join you gals over on this thread, seeing as I'll be getting tx for some time to come. (After the 12 wkly tx, I'll be finished with the Taxol, but I'll continue getting Herceptin every 3 wks for about another 9 months or so.)

Went to my first onco appt today. Her2 test (something to do with fishing) hasnt come back.  Plus going for muga scan monday and to meet with rad dr.  Current stage IIIc.  Lots of Positive nodes.  Hopefully doesnt turn into stage IV after scans.  Onc is opting for (TAC) x 6 plus radiation but wont start treatment until mastectomy is healed, aproximately toward the end of June.  My gawd...I am ready for the physc ward and Nurse Ratched(sp?).  Thank god for a wonderful husband and friends.  Here's hoping to you all that your day was a smidge better, as good as that can be in this chapter of girl scouts! 

Hunkydory - The FISH test is the more conclusive test for the HER-2 status. (The other is some dye or stain, which I believe is quicker but may be less reliable.)

KKing - My tx continues because I started with 4 dd of AC, which I just finished, & now I move on to 12 wkly tx of Taxol + Herceptin. Then Herceptin continues til I've been on it for a year, which is standard for anyone who's HER2+.

Bonnie - You're on the exact treatment plan that I am, just a couple of months or so behind. I just had my 4th & final AC tx on Tuesday & I'm scheduled to start Taxol + Herceptin on June 10th, for 12 wkly tx.  I'm going for a Muga scan on June 2nd (this coming Monday) to make sure my heart is still OK for the Herceptin, since both Adriamycin & Herceptin can damage the heart muscle. (I'll be going for periodic Muga scans while I'm on the Herceptin, too.)  AC can be very rough on some people, but I was very fortunate with minimal SE's. I've had no nausea, & other than the Emend & Decadron (plus the Aloxi they put in my IV on tx day), I've rarely taken any other anti-nausea meds. My digestive system has been pretty cooperative in other ways, too (i.e., minimal constipation or diarrhea), & my appetite has been pretty decent although my sense of taste is often dull or just "off". Hopefully you'll sail through this as smoothly as I have!

Susan, how did you make out with your 4 dd of AC?  I start 6/5 and am so scared about feeling debilitated. I plan to continue working ft.  I also workout regularly (big part of my life) and am so hoping I can keep some semblance of my routine.  

Robyn46 - I was terrified about starting chemo, but I have to say that the anticipation was way worse than the reality. Keep in mind that everyone's experience is different, but for me, AC has really not been much of a problem. I can honestly say that I've had no nausea, only occasional queasiness which was easily remedied. My biggest problem has been low energy/fatigue. I had 4 dose dense tx's (2 wks apart), so I didn't have the benefit of that 3rd week between tx's that some people have, which is their best week of each cycle. My meds have included Emend (taken 1 hr before tx, then again on days 2 & 3 of each cycle); Decadron (dexamethasone - a steroid) given in my IV on tx day, then by tablet at home on days 2-4; Aloxi given in my IV on tx day; Compazine tablets (anti-nausea) to be taken as needed (I only take occasionally - still on original Rx, haven't needed to refill); Ativan tablets (anti-nausea, anti-pain, anti-anxiety) to be taken as needed (I only took one the night of my 1st tx- made me feel heavily drugged for the next day & 1/2, and haven't taken it since - They also gave me Ativan by IV the day of my 1st tx, I asked *not* to have it on my subsequent tx days & didn't need it.)  I also usually take a Pepcid Complete most mornings, although I've been taking it less regularly lately & not missing it. I give myself Neupogen injections on days 3 thru 10 of each AC cycle. Neupogen can cause bone pain, but I've been lucky there, too. I've had bone pain on only 2 different days, & each time it was mild & easily managed with Extra-Strength Tylenol or Aleve. I'm a big wuss & didn't think I'd be able to give myself injections, but that's turned out to be easy, too. I get the pre-filled syringes, so there's no measuring, & no air bubbles to worry about. The needles are pretty short & very thin, & haven't bothered me despite how squeamish I usually am. And the Neupogen has done its job keeping my white blood cell counts up, so I've been able to stay on schedule with my tx's. One time, my mid-cycle labs showed by WBC counts were a bit low, but by the next tx day, they had rebounded spectacularly.  I've tended to feel pretty good for the first several days of each cycle, then sort of crashing for a few days (more like 4-5 days during cycle 3, too soon to say for cycle 4), then rebounding again for the rest of the cycle. Just pay attention to what your body is telling you, and be prepared to do less & rest more. Eat smaller portions, possibly more often, but remember to eat, even if the food doesn't taste as good! And suck on ice chips while you're getting the Adriamycin drip; it'll help prevent mouth sores.  As far as hair loss, I had my hair cut moderately short (but still pretty full & "normal looking") a week after my 1st surgery mostly because it was easier to manage. Then I got it cut really short a couple of days after my first tx. My scalp started feeling funny towards the end of cycle 1, & started falling out right after my 2nd tx. Within a few days, I could barely glide my hand over my head without getting fistfuls of hair, so on day 7 of cycle 2, I had my daughter buzz my scalp (with one of those barber buzzer thingies) as close as she could get it, & I've been wearing hats ever since. (I have a wig but haven't worn it yet, & doubt I'll wear it much.) We went out for brunch right after she buzzed me, & at first I was really self-conscious, but then I realized that not only wasn't anyone staring at me, they weren't even giving me a second glance. Anyway, I'm rambling here, so I'm going to stop now, but if you'd like to, you can PM me.

Good luck with you tx's. Hope it goes as smoothly for you as it has for me so far!

i'm starting sometime in june...first i'm having a port implanted on the 6th...soon after the chemo will start...once every 2wk for 2 months then every week for 3 months...then 7weeks of radiation...i'm scared spitless but ...i've 3 boys that i'm trying to tell just enough but not too much...i don't want them too scared...good luck with your chemo..let me know how it goes.

Hi all,

I was diagnosed May 5th - had lumpectomy and lymphnode dissection May 20th. I've had a drain in since surgery and I'm going to give it a name - soon.

I saw my surgeon today and need to go back in to remove more healthy margin due to the fact that the cancer was only 0.1 mm from the edge of the margin in two places. in one place he can do this, however the other place is the posterior or chest wall and surgeon said he took all he could in that area during the initial surgery.

Tomorrow I am calling the medical oncologist to set up an initial consult with her, hopefully I'll start chemo soon, I'm hoping for June maybe late June, but I can keep up with all of you who are starting really soon.

I wish everyone the best with their treatment.

Jo-Anne

Hi everyone,

Started my chemo today and everything seemed to go okay except a terrible headache that nothing is touching. I am on here at 1 AM because I can not sleep. maybe I am just worked up over this I hoped that is the reason for not sleeping.

Bonnie

bonnie02 - i hope u went back to sleep! I'm sorry about headache but glad u have first one overwith!

susan - nicely done on the explanations to robyn and jax! I'm glad to hear you fared so well - i am hoping i have my problems all out of the way with the surgery phase (lots of complications only i could come up with) and will sail through chemo phase!

valerie, jo-anne and kaejon ~ welcome, sorry u have to be in the club but glad u found this website!

to everyone waiting...i hope you get your answers today!

best wishes to everyone in the june club!

hmmmm, thank u for that heads up susan! i have not been sleeping well either but will discuss tylenol pm w/dr on monday at appointment! maybe insomnia is just "bonnie" thing?

Jax

I am taking Cytoxan and Doxorubicin in the vein and by pills I am taking Decadrone and Zofran. The medication all total took just over 1 hour.

Susan as you can see the medication I am taking probably covers all my problems such a not sleeping and the headaches. One of them I believe is a steroid and I know that can keep you up and going. It is just about 9am and still no sleep and I am not tired think I will get some work done around here before it completely wears off.

Wishing you all well and hope everything is good or all of you, this is such a helpful sight.

Bonnie

hello everyone. sorry to hear about the sleeplessness and headaches, i hpoe something can be done for them.  i just found out that my port surgery was moved to the 12th because of all the additional tests they want done. so now my chemo date has been moved to the 23rd. all this waiting is really nerve racking.  they've also told me that i cant go back to work for at least 2 months, depending on how the chemo goes, if then.  because i work in a resturant they say i might not be able to return until i'm done. that's another woory that i really don't need on top of everything else. has anyone else been forced to not work? how do you deal?

Bonnie - Decadron is a steroid which helps fight nausea; Zofran is also anti-nausea. I'm not sure that either one will help with headaches, though. But the Decadron is the likely culprit for keeping you awake, and both of them can cause constipation.

Kaeion - Is it your onc saying you can't go back to work for at least 2 months, or your workplace? If it's your workplace, I'd suggest getting a letter from your onc. But if it's your onc, I have no suggestions other than to just ask, "why not?"  Good luck!

Robyn - Anxiety's the worst, in my opinion. I have no experience with Ambien or other prescription sleep meds, other than taking an Ativan tablet that one time, & it wiped me out & left me feeling drugged for the next day & 1/2. (Ativan is anti-pain, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety.) Hopefully once you get a little further into your treatments, your anxiety will lessen & then you won't be worrying & keeping yourself up so much. Good luck, & try to relax!

Hey Susan......I also meant to thank you for being so detailed in your description of how everything went......I have been having problems with this site the last few days.....losing posts and double posting......just seems to be running slow......anybody else experiencing this........anyhow......sounds like you have had  a very positive experience goes as far as your doctors are concerned.....I am from a small beach community and my pcp reffered me to a local surgeon for my treatment......this just didn;t feel right to me.....so I traveled to Toronto for my surgery to a surgeon that was recommended by my plastic surgeon.....I wanted to do chemo closer to home.....and they have a policy that they need all path reports before they will see patients from out of town surgeons......I am still very happy with my decision to seek surgery from my doc......but I do wish this next step was moving along quicker.

Anyways......happy for a busy weekend........

Jax