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CMF Question
Comments
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Ginny,
So glad that you made it through this last one O.K. I don't know what it is about that third day, if it's that the anti-nausea meds that they give you the day of the treatment are out of your body or if it's cumulative fatigue, but it's a bit tougher than the other days. Still, we can get through it and you will be through with everything by mid May. That is wonderful. Do you have to do rads after that?
Your white blood count is pretty low. Did they give you the neulasta shot (or its counterpart) after this last chemo? I had to have it last time and worried and stewed about how I would react to it since I seem to have "arthur" in my lower back and pelvis area anyway, but I got along just fine. Had some achiness but nothing that Aleve wouldn't take care of. If your counts continue to plunge, don't be surprised if they give you the shot, but just remember that it's very doable.
Well, I need to get ready to tutor my Algebra student so need to run. Stay in touch and I'll send good vibes your way so you have little or no side effects from this last treatment.
Carole....good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking about you!!!
Rita0 -
Hi Ladies,
Well, I had my 10th infusion last Friday and am still taking the Cytoxan pills(Ugg--I hate them!) But I know I have only 2 more treatments and I will be finished early May. Tx #9 wasn't as bad as tx#10. I've been very fatigued and lots of stomach upset from the pills.
Ginny--Sounds as if switching off the pills made a huge difference for you!
Rita--glad to see you are feeling so energetic!
Hello Carole--hope you do fine tomorrow!0 -
Hi Rita, you got me thinking...did you get steroids put into your infusions? I did and they gave me some pills too. I didn't take the dexameth. yesterday (little nervous re:side effects), but after reading your post I thought I should try it today and see if tomorrow, day 3 goes better. Maybe this will help us?
When did you get your neulasta shot, was it close to 0.9? I'm just wondering if I should call and arrange this before next chemo (I would really not like to have to skip it,if possible)?
You are really an inspiration Rita..you are tutoring now...
I will be doing rads too. I think starting sometime late June/early July (25).
Nice to hear from you again Holly. Looks like we will be both finished in May---yeah!!!! You are quite a trooper. I hope things are going better for you. Have you gone into "chemopause" yet? I missed my last period, so I think that's where I may be heading?
Carole, prayers for you tomorrow.
We are getting through ladies, thanks for all of your kindness and support---means sooo much!
God Bless,
Ginny0 -
Hi everyone.....
Ginny, I do get steroids with the infusions and the anti-nausea meds. Then I have compazine...an anti-nausea pill to take. I take the anti-nausea pill every 6 hours after my infusions whether I need it or not. As for the dexameth, you might want to give it a try. Everybody is so different in how they react to the anti-nausea meds. I think we just have to experiment and see what works for us.
As for the neulasta shot, when my white blood counts got to 2.9, they went ahead and gave me the chemo that day but I went in the next day (24 hours later) for the neulasta. All oncs are different, but my onc doesn't give a chemo treatment if your counts are below 2.0 and he was afraid that if I didn't have the shot, that chemo would cause it to drop below the 2.0 level. That's why I had the shot. It brought my white blood count up to 5.5 again before this last chemo, so I didn't need the shot after #4 because they thought that my body would be able to regenerate enough white blood cells during radiation to keep the counts up. Are you sure your white blood count is 0.9? Although I'm definitely not an expert on the topic, it seems pretty low to me. You may want to check out your onc's opinion on the neulasta shot and when he feels it should be given.
I'll be thinking about you tomorrow, Carole.
So good to hear from you Holly. We had been worrying about you. I wish you were having a much easier time with all this. But....you are getting through (and I must admit that you are doing better than I probably would be doing in your situation.) Hang in there and keep in touch.
Well, I need to get some clothes ready to take on Friday so I'd better get moving.
Catch you all tomorrow.
Rita0 -
Hi ladies. Sorry I haven't been able to check in on you all. I had to fly home to San Diego for a while, my Dad had quadruple heart by pass and I felt I needed to be home with them. But alas I had to go back to work. It sure was hard to leave. He is home and doing good. I told him had to be good so they could come up and see us when my grandson is born, but not until the Dr. releases him for travel
Hope you all are doing well. I will still need to take time to work on taxes as I never got to them before I left.
Hugs & Prayers0 -
Rita, I took the steroid in pill form yesterday, didn't sleep too well last night, but must say my day 3 is a lot better. I think the steroids boost the action of the other antinausea pills---seems to work. I take kytril and compazine too. My neutra. count is 0.9, but who knows, maybe the way we record it is differently in Canada? The doc said she was not concerned right now, see how I mend in the next 3 weeks... I'm just concerned about missing a treatment---2 more to go and want to finish, on time, if at all possible
When do you start your rads?
Hope you are doing o.k. Carole.
Cy, nice to hear from you again. I will say a prayer for your dad. I'm glad he is doing well. I'm sure he loved having you there, but understands your important appt with your new grandson's arrival! Congrats in advance.
Doing o.k., will soon be on "chemo holiday", starting tomorrow usually start to feel better. I only have 2 more to go---yeah! Thanks for your continued support. Good luck on your taxes.
Blessings to all this Easter!
Ginny0 -
Hi gals!
I just wanted to wish you all a great Easter holiday. I'm off bright and early in the morning for Minnesota and won't be back until Tuesday.
Ginny...so glad that you figured out how to minimize the side effects on day 3. Also glad that all is going well for you. As for rads, I have an appt. with the radiation specialist on the 19th. Then I'll know more about the routine and what needs to be done for the treatments can begin.
Cy..so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family. I'm so glad that you could go to be with him, but I'd wondered where you were. I missed you.
So....Laura, Carole, Holly, Susan, JanClare, et all....I'm off and will get back to you when I return.
Happy Easter.
Rita0 -
I had my second treatment yesterday. So far all is well. I have a very small headache & feel a little bit sick to my stomach, but nothing I can't handle. Maybe a little tired. I have all the appropriate drugs though for nausea, so should be fine.
We are going to brunch with friends on Sunday (Easter) and then driving up to Reno on Monday for a business trip. We will be out of touch for over 1 week. Hope everyone does real well next week.
Have a great Easter.
Carole0 -
Happy Easter to all of you!
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Happy Easter, CMF ladies!
I had a wonderful day with family today. Just one of those times where everyone is in a great mood and full of interesting things to say. For the first time in years, I didn't cook. Instead, we ate out--what a nice change of pace!
I haven't been on the computer much lately because I'm planning a raspberry and strawberry garden. It's so exciting! I'm learning as much as possible about growing the plants and spending a lot of time preparing the garden area-clearing, tilling, amending the soil, etc. The thought of healthy berry plants full of fruit is the light at the end of this chemo tunnel for me.
(((HUGS))) 0 -
Just saty on top of the raspberry plants as they will try to take over! Have fun with the garden!
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Carole, you sound like you are doing pretty well. Hope you had a great trip to Reno (sounds great!)
Cy when is your grandson due?
Rita, hope you had a fantastic time in Minnesota.
Holly, glad you had such a wonderful time with your family--what a blessing, eh? Isn't gardening the best therapy? I love it too, but we have just had some Easter snow !?!?
It's melting today and I'm hoping it will warm up a bit so I can go out and cut some more grasses (I've already cut down 16, have about 15 more to go!) What a treat to have raspberries, do you make jam?
I think I'm starting to feel the "culmulative" effect of the chemo. Definitely more tired, a little more weepy lately and just the feeling I want this over right now The last stretch is here though and the finish line is in sight---yeah! Any tips out there about how to get through the last 2 treatments? Anything to expect?
Take care everyone, happy Easter and Spring!
Ginny0 -
Hi all, hope today was a good day for you.
Hayden is offically due May 30th but will be here sometime the week after Mother's Day as he will be a scheduled C-section. We hope to have a date on Friday.
My Dad is recovering splendly from the quardruple bypass surgery. Sounded wonderful to hear the spirit in his voice again Sat. night when I called to check on them. They are getting into a good routine.
It will be nice when they get moved up here and it'll be easier to check on them. But that is still at least a year off.
Still trying to catch up at work and then work on taxes when I get home at night.
So I really should run and get something done. tax day is almost here! YIKES!0 -
Good morning everybody! I hope all of you had a great Easter! Despite the 7 inches of snow and 10 degree temps in northern MN, Grandma had alot of fun spoiling her two boys. We read lots of books, watched some movies, worked lots of puzzles, and played until Grandma was exhausted. We also took Alex, the three-year old to the bowling alley to bowl his first two games. What a riot! With the help of the bumpers, he did really well and got so excited! I felt so lucky to be able to share this "first" with him.
Now, it's back to reality..........laundry, dusty furniture, and dealing with the second phase of this BC journey. I see the radiologist on Monday and am already worrying about the scans that I think I have to have before the radiation phase begins. Like you, Ginny, I just want it over and if they would find the cancer some place else in my body, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that at this time, so I guess I'd just better start thinking in a more positive way!
As for the cumulative effects of the chemo, Ginny, I don't think they can be avoided. My only advice is to go "day by day." I have been told that the last two are no harder than the earlier treatments except for the fatigue. WE can handle the fatigue and when we think we can't, we'll just go "dig in the dirt" and work out our frustrations.
Holly...your strawberry and raspberry garden sounds really interesting and good for your diet, too. I'm going to start really looking into some major changes in my diet. I have "diet research" on my agenda for this week. I think it's time to begin to get serious about eating the right kinds of food and time to start implementing a few of them into my daily diet plan. While you've turned to gardening, I've turned to my flower beds. It seems to be good therapy.
Cy...Is this going to be your first grandchild or are you an experienced Grandma, too? Hayden...I really like that name. Also glad to hear that your Dad is doing better.
By now, I bet Carole is having a ball in Reno! These "get aways" do wonders for the spirit!
Well ladies, just had to check in and see how everybody was doing. I'll catch up more on the posts later today. Ginny...you don't have #5 until next week, do you?
Have a good day gals! I'll be back later!
Rita0 -
Wow, I haven't been on for quite a while. I am sorry to see so many postings but this is the best place for questions.
I was having CMF last year this time (6 doses) then followed with radition. So far I am doing good and doesn't seem like it have been a whole year already.
Hugs to all of you.
Rae - 1.5 ILC, lumpectomy, CMF, 33 Radiation.0 -
This is grandbaby # 5 for me. Actually I have two step granddaughters 6.5 years & 6 mo and 1 Step grandson almost 3 and 1 Granddaughter 16 mo.
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Wow Cy! You're an "experienced Grandma!" Isn't it a great job???? Are there any other Grandmas on here?
Carole and Ginny....hope it's still going O.K. for you each of you.
Rae...Thanks for popping in! It's always helpful to hear from those who have finished the treatment and are doing well. We need your positive vibes as we go through this journey and have our bad days.
Well, it's dreary and rainy here so I'm reduced to housework today.
I also have some curriculum work to finish for a teacher-education class that I'm teaching next week at the Children's Museum so I have plenty to do to keep me occupied.
Hope everybody is doing well today!
Rita0 -
Hi, I have been looking around at this thread. My sister found it for me. I start CMF this coming Tues. and I am scared. I am pretty sure it is the right thing to do, but as i have learned in the past few months, so much of my treatment is up to me. I will be having CMF once every 3 weeks for 8 treatments.
So, just hi everybody!0 -
Hi Galigirl.........and welcome to the CMF thread. Although nobody wants to be here, it is a comforting place to come with questions and for encouragement.
In January, I was just where you are right now. I was scared to death of chemo....the process, the side effects, and the emotional turmoil. My regiment was 4 treatments every three weeks (just like you), then radiation for 6 1/2 weeks, and then 2 more CMF chemo treatments. I have just finished my fourth CMF treatment.
It is very DOABLE!!! The procedure itself is not painful or difficult. If you don't have a port, the worst part is getting the IV in and in my case, they had no trouble at all with that. From then on, they either push the chemicals into your IV site manually with a syringe or hang a bag of chemicals to drip into the IV site. There is no pain with this process. You will probably be there about 3 hours, so it is a little boring if you don't have something to do or somebody to talk to while the chemicals are being put in.
Be sure to ask for ice chips and suck on these during the treatment. They are supposed to keep you from getting mouth sores and so far the procedure has worked for me. Also drink plenty of water before you go. This puffs up the veins ands help them get the IV in easier. Drink plenty of liquids after the treatment for a few days, too as this flushes the chemicals out of your body sooner.
I had a little nausea (usually on day 3) after my treatments. Other than that, I've had no other major side effects. Most of us have found that our hair thins but we do not lose it all on the CMF treatment plan. Usually it's only you and your hair dresser who can tell and they make products to help stimulate new hair growth and make thin hair appear fuller.
This thread has a great group of girls on it and we will all help you get through this. There are no stupid questions so ask away when you're worried or need an answer. I'm so glad that you found us. Come back and post often.
What type of breast cancer do you have and what stage was it? Did you have any lymph node involvement? Mastectomy or lumpectomy? Tell us a little more about yourself when you get a chance. We will be here for you.
Rita0 -
Thank you for such a warm welcome.
I just turned 43. I am a teacher and I manage a tennis camp over the summers. Last oct. I had a routine mammo and sono (my mom is an 18 yr. survivor of non-invasive breast cancer).
In my right breast they found a fibro adenoma "which never has cancer in it" well, I had DCIS inside and outside of it. I was negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2. After many doctor appointments and much soul searching, Feb. 7 i had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders put in at Memorial Sloan Kettering. They also removed my sentinel node on the right side. There were 3 unusual cells but they felt that might have been due to my lumpectomy in Nov. But... my left breast had a 7mm INVASIVE tumor that was never seen on mammo, sono or MRI. I then had 13 benign lymph nodes removed from under my left arm. My Oncotype score is 16. My tumor was 90% estrogen pos. They are recommending 6 months of CMF, then removal of my ovaries, then 5 years of tamoxofin and then other drugs I think called AIs. If I chose not to do the chemo they would be fine with it. I have another oncologist suggesting AC, but my onc says that would not be nec. I am going for a 3rd opinion tomorrow but I am just doing that because I am insane. I am starting the CMF on Tues.
I have 2 wonderful children, son 11, daughter 16 and an idiot for a husband (I thought i should be clean and call him an idiot because I am new to this thread.) But, one battle at a time.
Thank you for listening and i am sorry i rambled.
-Melanie (Galigirl31)0 -
Melanie,
I, too, had the option of taking CMF chemo or just going directly from my lumpectomy to radiation. Because I was in the grey area, I had to make the decision. I chose to take the CMF chemo and attack it right now, with the hopes that I will be a long time survivor like you Mom and never have to go through this again. If I'm not so lucky, at least I will know that I have done everything I could do to counteract and eliminate this "devil."
As for AC, which is MUCH MORE strenuous and difficult than CMF...my onc told me that 6 CMF treatments for early stage cancer were equal to 4 AC treatments. There was no difference in the results of studies conducted using these two different types of treatments. Therefore, for early stages, the treatments have equal results. At later stages, this was not the case.
You will make the decision that is right for you. Once your treatment plan is in full execution, you will find it much easier to deal with your diagnosis. The unknown is the worst part of this journey.
Hang in there. Hey, what do you teach? I taught middle school and JH science for 33 years. Ginny is a teacher, too, so there's three of us on this site that are educators.
Rita0 -
Hi ladies,
Sorry you are joining us Melanie, but you are very welcome here (((hugs))). Rita has given you some great info and advice. I was also in the grey area and chose to fight this disease the most aggressively, as earlier is better than later. It's sounds like you maybe doing the IV treatment every 3 weeks----it is doable!! If you scroll back to page one of this thread and read through, you will get a good sense of what it is like for many dif people. I had a port put in, in which I am so thankful. With the port you can get all your blood draws and chemo done. It is an easy little surgery and there is no pain for chemo... I use emla cream 1 hour prior to the needle, and feel absolutely nothing! You might want to think about it because you have had mastectomies. If you have any questions about it, please let me know.
Yes, the fear of the unknown is worse than the reality. Everyone gets through this differently, but we are here to support each other and that helps incredibly. (PS, I am 44 and am premen, as you maybe. I think I am starting "chemopause" now, and that is one thing you should be aware of with CMF. There is a good chance it will put you into menaupause.)
Welcome to another teacher!
Rita, all the best to you with your rads. I will be starting rads (5 weeks) in mid June.
Where is that warm spring weather? I got a little over zealous gardening weeks ago and seems I broke some small bone in my hand. Was a little scary with over 2 weeks of bone pain, but the xray showed it was fractured. I have 15 more long grasses to cut, so I'm going to try and behave myself this time out in the garden
Blessings to all,
Ginny0 -
Gosh, Ginny. I bet you were a little nervous about the bone pain in your hand. Wow...sorry that you fractured one of those bones. Some of those tall grasses get so "tough" around here that many people use chain saws to cut them down in the spring. Did they put on a cast or just wrap it for you? I hope it heals quickly for you.
Rita0 -
Thank you ladies.
I am a resource room /inclusion teacher for 3-5th grades.
Ginny, I hope your hand feels better soon.
Yes, I am having the CMF the IV way and Yes, I am pre men. I will ask about the port, although that like everything else scares me. Although, I was so frightened right before the mastectomies and it didn't turn out to be that big of a deal (even though I had double Gs,lol). I guess I could do without my period. When hair falls out, or thins, is it only from the top of your head or eyebrows, hopefully chin, etc.?
-Melanie 0 -
Wow, I am reading through the thread(only 4 pages so far) it is a good thing I have not started treatment yet, b/c there is so much info here. I am taking notes feverishly.
BTWwas is "bump"?0 -
Thanks Rita and Melanie, my hand is getting better. My onc is going to double check it when I go for my next chemo in a couple of weeks.
Melanie, I am a big chicken, and getting the port was really a breeze. They gave me a light sedation and freezing(I was somewhat awake) and I thought that it would be scary, but I was in and out of sleep, didn't feel a thing, and wasn't bothered by it at all. It was a little tender after the freezing wore off hours later, but really nothing to be worried about. Getting it out is supposed to be even easier! About hair, mine has only thinned and really most people can't even tell I have lost any. It thins evenly(no patches) and I still have eye brows and lashes (still have to shave my legs---just not as often) Just a pain seeing hair falling out all over and you probably shouldn't blow dry it straight, use curling iron... We are very lucky with CMF that we mostly keep our hair. Anyway, we will help you here.
Yikes, we are just getting snow?!?
Take care everyone,
Ginny0 -
Ginny you're not suppose to break bones pulling weeds! Becareful!
Welcome Melanie, A Bump is when there hasn't been a lot of activity in the thread and we want to get it back at the top end of the list so it doesn't get lost.
I'm sorry you have to join this club, but the gals here will help any way they can.
I did CMF last year and and quickly coming up on my 1 year mark of being finished with it. May 8 06 was my last one.
Rita how fun to do the inservice at the Chilren's museum!
Working on taxes still so can only drop in to say hello and I'm thinking of you0 -
Hello Everyone! I have been scanning the posts here...there are a lot. You girls seem to have formed a bond that is awesome!
It seems that most of you are getting this treatment for initial breast cancer dx. I am getting it for mets to my brain. I was previously on Xeloda/Taxotere for mets to liver and bones...then they found the brain mets and needed to change tx. Onc says CMF is much better at breaking the blood brain barrier.
I have had 2 treatments so far. I am taking the pill form of Cytoxin for 14 days and get the infusion on day 1 and 8.
I then get a break for 2 wks and start the cycle again. Has anyone else done this type of cycle? I am wondering if I will start to feel worse at time goes on. Right now I am not having any real bad side effects just a little worn and sick on day 3. I havent had to take any anti-nausea meds.
I am concerned about how I am going to feel bcause after my next round I am planning a vacation to FL.
I am glad I found this thread! Lots of good useful info here! Thanks!0 -
Hi Cy, I was cutting long grasses (with scissors--)...got new grass shears, as a result, and am taking a little break from the garden while my hand heals. Just love gardening...went overboard
Hi catgirl, I'm sorry to hear what you are going through, I will keep you in my prayers. I did the oral CMF (you can read earlier posts) for 4 sessions. I had a rough time with it, nausea wise. If you are not having bad side effects yet with 2 treatments, you might get through just fine. Everyone is different in how they handle this. No anti-nausea meds, wonderful! Just remember to try and drink lots of water to move the chemicals out of your body. If you continue to do well with the pills, great, they are slightly more effective than the infusions. You can switch to infusions only if you have any terrible side effects, but you seem to be doing well with it. Just keep your doctor up to date with how you are feeling. If you have any more questions, there are a few of us doing CMF here. Please don't get scared off by any of us who had a problem with the pills. There are many ladies who did not and got through it. Just remember everyone handles this differently and you seem to be doing well. Take good care, rest and pamper yourself. We are here to support you.
God Bless,
Ginny0 -
Hi all,
I just came back from my 3rd onc opinion. Although I am scheduled for IV CMF this Tues., 2 other oncs say that they don't see why. They feel that they just dont know right now for women with node neg. est. pos and oncotype scores like mine (16).they feel either do AC with tamox. or just tamox. But the onc at Memorial Sloan Kettering says either just tamox or CMF IV is the way to go. It is so crazy.
Just venting (and crying) thanx.
-melanie0
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