Topic: Starting Chemo March 2008

Hi Otter,

Yes, a friend of mine who's also faculty has called me a "saint" that I would even give a hoot about my classes, let alone arrange chemo around them!

But I only teach one class, and besides being determined to finish what I started, if I don't teach, I don't get paid. Bummer. I'm on a semester-by-semester contract.

I've scheduled films, writing assignments and guest lectures for the Fridays I'm most likely to be too sick to teach. My chemo sessions have to be on Tuesdays, so that was the best I could do.  

That's a long time for your type testing to come back. Mine was back in three days, and they had to ship it to the nearest pathologist, about 80 miles from here. I guess it's faster here because we have a lower population and less work for our pathologists.

Hi all,

I start my chemo on Feb 28, so I suppose I'm technically a Feb girl, but what the hey...

this has been quite a roller coaster for me.  I had a mastectomy 17 days - yes, days - after my first visit to my PCP with the lump I found.  I should update my sig, I suppose; it was a bit over 6 cm.  I'll have 4 dose dense rounds of AC (every two weeks), then 4 of Taxol, then daily radiation for 6-7 weeks, then hormone therapy for the rest of my life.  I'm still not sure what's hit me, but thank dog for my dh - he's been amazing.  I get my hair cut tomorrow, and I've decided not to get a wig.  hopefully I'll be able to get people to talk to me so I can educate them a little bit.  I always thought this was an old woman's disease - boy was I wrong!  live and learn, eh?

PDM, you should be able to find a lot of info on staging your cancer on the site here, as well as the American Cancer Society site.  I wish I could point you to the pages, but my dh is the research hound and he did all the work to figure it out before the docs did.  basically, tho, staging just means a combination of tumor size and lymph node involvement.  the status of your hormone receptors can factor in, too.  try searching on "breast cancer staging" or here, even just "staging" to see what you find.  you'll need your path report(s).  a word of caution, tho - don't let the stats frighten you.  statistics are just that - numbers based on a large sample set.  when it comes down to one individual - you - stats are meaningless.  they help the doctors determine a best course of treatment, but have nothing - repeat, NOTHING - to do with YOUR prognosis.  when we read the stats for my stage (less than 60% survival rate in 5 years), my dh came apart at the seams (as did I later) until we remembered and started repeating that stats mean nothing.  it took a few days, but I was finally able to shake the sense of what's the point, and realize that those stats had no bearing on MY prognosis.

be well...

Kalen,

So your probably out and about some time today for your haircut.  Thats pretty cool that you have enough to donate to the Locks of Love.  From what I've seen the old fashion wig look is a thing of the past.  I do like the thought that your going with the ala natural look, my thought as well that if we can educate any one person and they could avoid this journey it will be well worth it.  I have a ball cap that says "Check Your Boobies"  which is a organization in Seattle, it can be a conversation starter as well!  Are you a b-ball cap kinda gal?

Hope to meet up soon, I think I may still have your number on my cell, I don't want to be intrusive but sharing sure seems to help this whole adventure atleast for me.

I'm going to post this on the Washington posts as well. 

Carol

I have been actively reading this post and sometimes the comments scare me and sometimes I am relieved.

I have been recently diagnosed with IDC. My cancer stage is 2B and my histology grade is 3. I had a lumpectemy/SNB on 1/23/08. Two lymph nodes (one of them was the intramammary node) were removed and had cancer in them as well as the 3cm lump.  No cancer in margins. My TNM score is T2N1Mx.

My chemo treatments are AC x 4/q 3 weeks; Taxane x 4/q 3 weeks. I am 44 years old and my mother died of breast cancer in 1974 at the age of 33. Both her breast had been removed. Originally my pathology report indicated I was positive for the overexpression of the Her-2/neu but the FISH study came back and said it was negative. I am also ER/PR negative.

I am having a port-a-cath put in tomorrow (2/21), a MUGA on Friday and then the following Tuesday, a whole body bone scan, CT chest, CAT abdomen and pelvis. Chemo should start the first week of March.

I AM SCARED TO DEATH!!!! What can I expect after having the port-a-cath installed and once the chemo starts?

I think everyone of you on this website is a remarkable person and I am glad I have come across this conversation vehicle.

Lorena, there is a whole "singles" topic farther down on the main topic list:

Singles with breast cancer

(That's the first time I've posted a link, so I don't know if it will be active.  If not, just page back to the main list of discussion board topics and scroll way down.)  I haven't been hanging out there, but you might find kindred spirits. I don't know how many of those women have children, but it would be worth asking.

otter 

msthanglila......how did the port go,let us know.  Boy you have your calendar filled with lots of appointments, hope they all go smooth.

Lorena, how did your surgery go today.  Wishing you happy healing thoughts.  My SNB was more "ouchy" than my mastectomy.  Such a tough spot for an incision.  Sending you a hug.  Keeping figures toes and eyes crossed that my new onc. is a nice one.  I do have to meet with the first one (mean one, GRRRRRRR) one more time to go over the Oncotype test, but thats it with her.

Wishing everyone peace and calm as we wait for our treatments to begin - hugs K

Hi everyone,

I'm going to point you all to a thread I was pointed to, and it has been IMMENSELY helpful.  there's a thread under this topic called January 2008 Ain't It Great, and there are LOADS of entries - nigh onto 50 pages worth.  looks like there's lots of people with the same protocols as me - AC x4 then Taxol x4 - and I've gotten lots of advice and tips and ideas of what to expect, because the January Jewels are roughly halfway through their chemo protocols.  Stop on by and read through the posts, and don't hesitate to ask specific questions if you have them.  I would recommend taking the time to read the entire thread before asking, tho; I've been asking and so there's a lot of information in the last few pages.  have a pen handy!!

I'm starting my treatment next week, and I am SO tired of waiting.  I'm really looking forward to it. I got my hair whacked off, 14 inches gone, last weekend and I should've done it months ago.  man, it feels better.  I'm already trying to figure out when to go commando; probably a week or so after my first treatment.  what do you guys think, should I let my dh do it, or go the barber shop full of old men and have a honest to goodness barber do it?  I'm leaning towards the barber shop, just to see the facial expressions <snicker> <giggle> <snort> <ROFLMAO> but I'm just like that.  gotta find the humor where we can, no?

I'm so sorry we're here, but as long as we are, let's keep track of each other and offer support.  when you learn what your treatment dates are, post them so we can send positive vibes to each other and offer the needed support.  if you have questions, fears, concerns, gripes, frustrations, or are just plain angry, come here and post 'em, so we can help each other thru.  the January Jewels group are my heroes; let's emulate them.

yes, I'm scared too.  I have a 5 year old daughter who told me the other night that she wants me to live long enough to see her children.  I have an 83 year old GMIL to care for living here, and I'm the one with the insurance for my cancer.  this is going to be hard, but dammit, so am I.  let's do it together, hmm?

enough ranting for the night.  sleep well, and remember that life has no guarantees.  enjoy tomorrow, and we'll talk again soon.

Kalen

Lorena, I'm single, too.  I wouldn't want either of my exes around during my diagnosis and treatment.

Hello everyone, My first treatment was on 1/28/08.  Because I had some issues to the meds I had to wait for treatment #2 which is scheduled for 2/28/08.  They also changed my regiment to AC every 2 weeks for 3 more treatments followed by T every two weeks for 4 treatments.  I'm 51, stage III, 2 nodes, margins clean, triple neg.

Yes, it is scary.  But most of all it is the waiting that drives me crazy!

Also, the unknown variables of how my body is going to respond to the meds causes insanity.  Meds and my body don't always get along.

It's helps to get it all out. 

Lisa and Dancer, I'm so sorry to meet you like this, but thrilled to see this thread growing.  here's to keeping each other going!!

I agree with the sensation of unreality.  I feel like the boy in the bubble, walking around with this life changing event, and everyone else bitching about getting cut off in traffic, or that their favorite show got canceled, or some other utterly trivial thing that really isn't worth the effort being put into it.  I find myself wanting to shake people till their teeth rattle (channeling my mother here) and show them my mastectomy scar, just to get them to realize that their kid's spilling a soda on the floor DOESN'T MATTER!!!   I feel like I'm behind a wall, and all the stuff that used to annoy or disturb or frustrate me just doesn't anymore, and I've got zero tolerance for anyone else's whining about those things.  I want to yell at them - I've got cancer!!  I'll trade my problems for yours any day!!!

I also can't stand not knowing how I"m going to react.  I've compiled a list from others of the stuff and OTC drugs they used to address the side effects - it's five pages long!!  and I keep shopping for a couple more each day.  I'm running out of room in the linen closet :-)

msthang, I'm so sorry you're having so much difficulty with your prep work.  I hope the pain is getting under control.  the oral contrast isn't bad, but be sure to chill it for several hours first - it dulls the taste somewhat.  I had berry flavor, and it wasn't bad.  I had more trouble with how much there was rather than the flavor.  I got the whole first bottle down, but only about 2/3 of the second before I started to feel like I was going to throw it up.  the tech said that was plenty.

your daughter should have access to counseling on the base to help her work thru her fears and anxiety for you.  if I were her, I wouldn't handle such news well either.  encourage her to seek some counseling to help.  I realize I'm probably overstepping some bounds here, and I apologize in advance, but I also feel very strongly that you shouldn't try to shield her from the realities of what you're facing.  that being said, I also think you shouldn't share every last thing with her, either, not till you know for certain what's happening with your situation and have test results.   but, you know her best and I know that whatever you choose to do will be the best for you and for her.

this weekend was kind of tough.  as much as I'm excited about starting treatment finally, I'm also pretty anxious about the side effects and whether I'm going to be able to work after.  I'm not so anxious about treatment, just not knowing what to expect, and it doesn't help that everyone ahead of us says the s.e.'s are different for each treatment!!   AARRGHHHH!!!

WildRose, what happened with your ALND?  any news or changes in your protocols?

I know I'm missing some names, so I'll just ask - how is everyone doing?  let us all know when you start your treatments so we can cheer you on.

Kalen

msthanglila - DH = Dear Husband.

Anna, it sounds like our paths have been similar so far -- I'm about a month behind you.   I had the axillary dissection last week -- in recovery now and waiting for pathology report. My appointment with the oncologist is on 3/6, at which point decisions will be made about how much chemo and when.

Lisa - I'm another one who will probably have chemo because of my (relatively young) age.  I saw your post on the under-40 board -- it looks like we have kids around the same age, too. (my son is almost 7)  I'm finding it hard to strike a balance between keeping everything normal because kids need their routines, and being extra-understanding and letting iffy behavior slide because he is going through a confusing time.  When to set limits and when to give hugs?  It's hard sometimes....

For those of you with kids, especially younger ones, I got a very good piece of advice from the social worker at the hospital: You don't need to tell children everything, but everything you tell them should be the truth. 

Hello Sisters,

I'm from the March '07 group and wanted to drop in and say that I'm sorry that you had to join this sisterhood but let you know that you have found a wonderful place for info and support.

I think the time of waiting is the hardest part....once you have a plan and have your first treatment under your belt some of the fear goes away.  Chemo is doable....the hair loss is tramatic (but it grows back).  There is a topic on this thread that is Tips for getting through Chemo.....very good info..I'll try to bump it up so that you can more easily find it.

My prayers are with each of you...if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer.

Love,

Nancy

Hello, I too will be starting chemo on March 14th.  I will be getting Cytoxan followed by Taxol and a year of Herceptin.  Hard to believe how much your life can change after a diagnosis.  I just try to remember about the families who have medically fragile children that I take care of.  They would give their lives to have their kids get any kind of medication, to get their kids healthy.  Most will never be "healthy".  I don't think any of us would want to change places with them.  But, like all of us, there are days when all I feel like doing is bitching and feel better for doing so!!  Thanks for the opportunity to do so!!

Hello, 

Every since my ordeal started in Nov, I have been reading these boards daily but have rarely posted.  I first had a lumpectomy in Dec where they removed a 3 cm tumor and several other "islands" the size of grapes, all cancerous which were never seen on any mammo or ultrasound.  Because of the uncertainly of it all, I chose to have a uni-lateral mast mid Jan.  After recovery, I am now set to begin chemo on 6 Mar.  I've been to the education program and the chemo  treatments will last 4 months, every other week.  

Like most, I am very nervous about starting this, more so than either surgery.  I have found so many great tips on these boards and will pick up some more items this weekend so I'll be set.  I also have a few scarves so I will be prepared.  

Guess I just want my name to be added to this list - thanks every one.

Jill in NH.