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Tiffany`s Twenty Terrific Tips for TC
I just wanted to share with everyone my tips for getting through TC chemo, which I think helped me a lot. My only symptoms were a touch of nausea on days 3-4, a bit of diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, and fatigue. I never got sick. 1. During chemo and for several days afterwards, drink a LOT of water. I drank 3 liters a…
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Chemo Brain Less Likely in Women Who Exercise
Chemo Brain Less Likely in Women Who Exercise August 31, 2021 Women diagnosed with breast cancer who exercised before, during, and after chemotherapy were less likely to have chemo brain. Read more...
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Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
I will begin my first chemotherapy the last week of October and will continue for approx. 7 months. I will have 4 cycles of AC every two weeks and then 4 cycles of Taxol every two weeks. I have Triple Negative Breast Cancer so I have been prescribed an agressive dense dose of therapy. Anticipating all of the "fun"…
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Neoadjuvant Chemo
For those of you that had chemo before surgery, how many of you had a good response? Are there any ILC members that had good response to chemo first??? I’m scared! And I want good response but I’ve read so much about ILc my brain is smoking. Please can anyone encourage me with their story?? Hugs to all
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Lower back pain from Zarxio?(white blood cell booster)
Hey everyone, my mom is 8 days into her second cycle of AC. This cycle her oncologist ordered 7 doses of Zarxio (figramstim) instead of the 3 she initially had first cycle due to low absolute neutrophil count. Last night she mentioned around 2 am she had slight lower back pain, she figured it was gas since she's been very…
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Starting Chemo May 2021
I am starting my chemo journey mid May 2021. My chemo port was put in yesterday and was much more painful than I expected. I am in less pain today and experiencing some discomfort. Hoping it will minimize soon. I am a bit nervous about starting chemo and managing the side effects. Anyone else nervous? I could not find a…
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Starting Chemo in February 2016?
I didn't see a thread starting for *my* month, so I figured I'd start one... Anyone else getting ready to start their chemo in February? I start my first tx on Feb 16th. I'm doing 4 cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (also called TC, I think?). I've been doing tons of reading about whether I need to ice my fingers…
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New allergies after chemo?
My mother was treated with taxotere five years ago. Prior to treatment she had no known allergies. After treatment she developed a couple of food allergies. I had taxotere late last year (finished in December of 2011), and now have what may be an allergic respiratory problem. Does anyone else have new allergies thanks to…
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What Chemotherapy us usually used for triple positive?
Hello, Newly diagnosed.I met with the breast surgeon and the plan is lumpectomy for 1.5cm tumour and sentinel node dissection, 4-6 months of chemo, 1 year herceptin and after chemo I can make my final decision of mastectomy or radiation. I decided to start with lumpectomy bc the wait for genetics could take along time and…
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Chemo Doesnt Seem To Increase Risk of COVID-19 Infection/Death
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Doesn't Seem To Increase Risk of COVID-19 Infection or Death July 7, 2021 Women treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer were no more likely to be infected with COVID-19 or die from COVID-19 than women treated with other medicines that don't weaken the immune system. Read more...
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Oncotype score over 50?
Anyone else had a score over 50? What treatment did you do? Onc is recommending AC+T because on my high score, but says that 6 rounds of TC would be a valid treatment as well. I'm so scared of any treatment involving A so I'm so confused right now. He had first recommend 4x TC until he found out my oncotype score. Also,…
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Vaginal Issues from Chemo
Anyone else have vaginal sores from chemo? I finished four rounds of A/C four weeks ago and by the fourth round had extreme pain with intercourse. I finally saw my gyno today about it, she's the first doctor to see the sores. She thinks they are vaginal warts, but ran no tests and I think she doesn't know what she's…
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March 2011 chemo-lounge
OK ladies...I am starting chemo on March 2nd. Anyone joining me this month? I wanted to give the March thread a fun name..you know like we are all hanging out having a cocktail or something :) I need some lounge buddies, anyone? I will have 4 cycles of taxotere and cytoxan and will be doing cold caps to save the hair. Will…
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Pain after port placement
Hi guys I have a high pain tolerance. But my port area really is painful. When I stand after lying down it kind of throbs. I’m not running a fever but it hurts. Is it supposed to be this painful when I move? It’s only been 36 hours ish since put in. But I didn’t think it was supposed to be pain. Maybe sore and tender but…
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Waiting on Oncotype DX info - Insurer wont pay for test
So in the last 3 weeks I've had 2 surgeries. I was told that the oncotype info is super important because the information will help us determine if I need to have chemo, and which concoction to use for chemo. Anyway, I was told it would take 2 weeks or so to get those results. I'm still recovering from surgery #2 and have…
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Post chemo hair styles.
Ladies, what are you doing with your hair as it grows out? I'm growing mine back out to it's original length, which was fairly long. It's past the Pixi stage and entering Mulletville, though not there quite yet, and I'm clueless when it comes to short hair styles other than the fact that I know mullets aren't back in yet.
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PORT PLACEMENT - Detailed description of process
Hi everyone I just got my port placed yesterday and I had such a hard time finding a detailed description of the procedure, so I thought I would share this for anyone who is apprehensive or likes to know exactly what they are going to do to you: 1. I arrived at the hospital and registered. I was then taken back to the…
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Tips for getting through chemotherapy
Tips/Products For Getting Through Chemo Antiemetics -I'm always shocked when I learn that not all oncology offices follow ASCO guidelines when it comes to antiemetics. AC and similar chemos are the most emetogenic (causing you know what!) out there and need big guns. According to the guidelines, everyone should be getting…
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Starting Chemo April 2016
I am PILC triple negative and am starting chemo on 8th April with AC 4 monthly cycles with 3 weeks in between, then 12 once a week cycles of Taxol. I am getting nervous and would like to share my experience with someone else starting chemo in April. I will be doing rads after that. CJ Sharma 31st March2016 AC+T OnceOnce…
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Starting chemo November 2020
Hello, I hope I can find others who will be starting chemo in November. I am having 4 cycles of taxotere and cytoxan after surgery since my mammaprint came out on the lower side of high risk. The plan is to cold cap. I am seeing my oncologist 10/22 to finalize details to start the first week of November. Anyone that is a…
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Beware of potential drug interactions with chemotherapies
Greetings, I want to alert everyone who will be getting chemotherapy to read the list of possible drug interactions with the chemo and if yours is on the list, research the possible interactions! Even if your MO says it's "ok"! I have been on Verapamil for high BP, and it is on the lists for Adriamycin and Taxotere. My…
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Starting Chemo January 2021
Hello! I am starting chemo this Wednesday, December 30th. I saw that there isn't a group for members starting chemo in January. I am looking for members that I will be able to talk to during this journey. I also expect to bounce to the Nov & Dec groups to get advice from member ahead of me in the process. I feel better…
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Podcast: Scalp Cooling: How It Works to Preserve Hair
Scalp Cooling: How It Works to Preserve Hair March 23, 2021 Dr. Steven Isakoff is a medical oncologist who serves as associate director for clinical research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and also as director of the Mass General Scalp Cooling Program and the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Program. He…
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July 2020 chemo club
Well I am scheduled for July 13 for my port and July 14 7:15 am to start my "infusions"...so much nicer word than chemo. I hope others join to share this very scary journey. I plan to fast 48 hours before and the day of the infusions to reduce side effects. Wishing all a safe and healthty journey. July Chemo club roll call…
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Weekly CMF - any advice
Hi there, Next week, I'm starting weekly CMF for six months.I have been told by the MO that the side effects will be well tolerated and that I won't lose my hair but it will thin. I would love any advice from others you have gone through this. Thanks!
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Chemotherapy Doesnt Seem to Increase Risk of COVID-19
Chemotherapy Doesn't Seem to Increase Risk of COVID-19 February 16, 2021 Compared to people diagnosed with cancer who were not being treated with chemotherapy, people with cancer receiving chemotherapy didn't have a higher risk for developing COVID-19. Read more...
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Scalp Cooling Reduces Chemo Absorbed by Hair Follicles
Scalp Cooling Reduces Hair Loss by Lessening Chemotherapy Absorbed by Hair Follicles February 16, 2021 A study offers a first peek at the biology behind scalp cooling by finding that scalp cooling dramatically reduces the amount of chemotherapy medicine absorbed by the hair follicles. Read more...
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Chemo Starting August 2018
Hi all. Just wanted to start an August Board. I know some of us started at the end of July but figured those of us that started could hopefully provide support for those about to start. Welcome and good luck to all you strong people!
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What Size Tote Bag?
Hello all. I know this sounds like a goofy question, but I'm thinking ahead to my looming chemo and wondering how much "stuff" I will be dragging to each session. Can you give me some idea of what I need or want to take along, and what size tote bag might work best? I bought a large tote but it seems HUGE and maybe a…
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Struggling to complete both AC and T... anyone else?
My journey with neoadjuvant chemo has been a rough one and I’m starting to really worry about how to proceed. It’s a long story, sorry! I began chemo in November of 2020, and completed 3 cycles of taxol + carboplatin with no issues. I also received pembrolizumab on my 1st and 4th treatments. A few hours after my 4th…