Chemo Starting August 2018
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I'm praying for you MACTAZ -- best wishes for today's visit!
My round #3 is this Wednesday -- I'm going to make the FULL use of my energy this weekend and get things done -- and enjoy every ounce of it. I'm bound and determined to learn from my mistakes during round #1 and #2 -- and get in front of my constipation this time -- it was way too painful both times come days 5-7. Been reading up on high fiber water soluable foods -- making a big batch of lentil soup to have on hand. And also am going to try Sunsweet PlumSmart juice -- they have a couple of recipes for smoothies and a high fiber breakfast bowl. Also I saw on July's thread that drinking out of a glass bottle helps A LOT with having the stamina to drink more. I'm not sure why -- but I'm going to switch to glass!
Have a great Friday All! Fight the good fight!
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Hello! I am new to this and just started chemo on 9/18. I have 20 weeks of treatments to look forward to, 4 of AC over 8 weeks and then 12 weeks of T, followed by radiation for 5 to 6 weeks. I am doing my treatments at John Hopkins and traveling up to 4 hours each treatment to do this there. I am looking forward to all the helpful info and tips!
Proverbs 3:5-60 -
Hi Everyone-
I just popped onto the BC site and your string popped up. I was part of the Aug 2016 chemo group so I felt pulled to encourage you all! It's a crappy road- take it one round at a time.....but there are so many of us that have done it and we came out the other side ok!
Keep giving each other love, support, and hints on how to get through it! Don't hesitate to ask questions....lots of love and hugs to you all.
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Hi All! Sorry I dropped out for a few days. I managed to get the scans that I was so frightened of done. It threw me for enough of a loop that I ended up in bed for a few days after.
Hospital was really considerate of my fear issues. Said it was a full PTSD reaction and are pushing for psychiatrist help ASAP. They also offered a therapy dog to be scheduled to come for any other tests or scans.
I don’t get the results till my chemo appt next week. Waiting seems to be what we do...
It was great to see you all here even when I wasn’t. Debert, welcome to the group!
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Bostoniangal, Metformin is generally given to diabetic but it has some other effects that disrupt cancer cell replication.
JBluesky that is wonderful news. I too have a dramatically-smaller tumor and feel only a nugget by the marker now, after feeling a walnut before. And my huge lymph node has disappeared totally-- definitely wind in my sails and helps me deal with the downsides. I wonder if there is a mobile IV or a place you could get an IV that is not the infusion suite? My IVs have helped me.
Question to the group:
Does anyone feel sensations in their tumor area? I have had two different ones. Earlier before chemo I felt a sensation like a single pulled hair... a small, sharp twinge sensation. Since chemo, I have felt a mild fizzy/burning feeling like Bactine in a wound.
Anyone else?
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ajbclan...thank you for your words of encouragement!
Debert...welcome to the group! Even if you don’t post a lot the reading of all the post will help a lot.
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mactaz—sending good vibes your way!
Has anyone started weekly Taxol yet? Curious what it’s like. I’m supposed to start Monday
Happy Friday
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Thank you all for the welcome! I am curious, did any of you feel like your heart was working excessively hard? I've only had one treatment so far and it feels like my heart is working very hard. I am a runner and in great shape, but this is concerning. I've had no pain it nauciousness, but getting very constipated. Any tips?
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Magnesium Citrate for constipation.
I am an athletic person who hikes, plays tennis... my heart is also working harder. I do bounce back to largely normal gradually but early after chemo I feel winded. I believe that is red blood cells being low?
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Hi all, thanks for all you support and wishes. It wasn't great news, BS said she would not consider lumpectomy because this is the third instance of cancer in my right breast, even though DCIS, it is grade 3 - hard, which means it is aggressive and has a higher rate of recurrence. Plus it is now 3 areas we are looking at all aggressive in nature. I did go home and do some research and have decided the risk is to high so I'm going to have a BMX. Of course next step is figuring out type of reconstruction. No radiation which is good news.
The question I do wonder about is I don't think my treatment includes anything to battle hormone receptors, my treatment is 6 rounds of TCHP with a full year of H and maybe P. I'm not sure any of these address hormone receptors. My ER was only 38% at the highest and PR 1%, maybe they aren't high enough to worry about but I do, I plan on asking my MO.
Day 1 after 2ndinfusion, only tired today and I think I have constipation managed, keeping close eye on this as it was horrible.
Debert, you need to get constipation under control, this really did a number on me the first round. I initially tried docolax-nothing, drank bottle of magnesium citrate-nothing, so they prescribed lactolose. This worked but it was a horrible night, completely cleaned me out and then went straight into diarrhea. What they have me doing is taking benefiber daily, if I go for two days with a BM I also take a product called Senna. I only take 1 along with benefiber and it seems to get me system moving. I was doing fine with just benefiber until my second infusion so I will supplement with senna, so far so good. I also have added prunes and other higher-fiber foods. Good luck.
ajbclan...thank you for your encouragement, it's great to hear from those who have made it through this.
Hugs and well wishes to all.
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hi all-
I was diagnosed on July 11, 2018. Since then i kept thinking that I will get through this easily with noneto minimal side effects and it’ll be over. I won’t need to talk to anyone or need a puppet group of people who have or are going through the same thing. I completed 2 out of 6 chemo treatments and boy was I wrong. My first one was on 8/10/18. The second one kicked my butt so hard that I literally told my family and doctors that I am DONE with chemo. Of course no one agreed. Anyways, I see now that it is important to talk to people who have or are experiencing the same thing as me. There’s a lot of great advice here and I am glad I joined. As of now, I am leaning towards finishing the chemo treatments. I will decide for sure by Monday.
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I meant support not puppet! Crazy au
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Hi Nisha, welcome to the group!
I think we all hit the “I don't want to do this" during the treatment. I hit it about 7 days out from chemo. Everyone looks at me like I'm nuts for feeling that way. I'm not nuts, just too tired to manage. My mom is planning to come this time for those days. Packing my daughter's lunch and getting her out the door in the morning should let me rest a little more. (I go for round 3 next week.)
I didn't think I would need a group like this either, but find myself here almost every day. It helps to chat with others in similar situations.
Hugs to everyone, hope you are all well this morning.
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Nisha517 , welcome to the site and glad you decided to join. I think many of us initially felt that way but found that just talking about how we are feeling, getting some good advice and support really helps us through this time. It is so crazy, you are diagnosed and then have to make all these critical decisions while taking meds that can really screw with your head. Stay strong and come to the site anytime, we are all here for each other.
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mactaz and Kelly-Anne-
Thank you for the warm welcome. Yes, the speed at how everything happens is so overwhelming. I actually thought ok once chemo starts then I’ll get to relax because then I’ll only be going to the hospital once every 3 weeks. LOL WHAT A JOKE! I would do anything to go back to the time before chemo started, but can’t do that. My husband and I also don’t have any children yet so we also had to quickly do the egg preservation before chemo started. We had our egg retrieval on a Tuesday and chemo started that Friday. But yes, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has wanted to quit chemo. It’s hard to find the motivation to keep going
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Anyone else have achey feelings at the site of the tumor? Today I have felt intermittent aching where my tumor is...
I have #3 TC on Monday... with 6 total, that means it it will be 50% behind me!
Nisha: there are some things you can do to reduce the Side effects so make sure your team knows how hard things are for you, because they can probably do things to help you. Several of us have had IVs in the days following chemo and speaking for myself it was a lot easier on round 2, when I got an IV, than it was on round 1, when I did not.
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Hi, I am new, hoping I am doing this right as this is out of my comfort zone. I Facebook a little but not much, kinda old school due to my age. I started 4 sessions of AC two weeks apart on 8/24. That will be followed by 12 weeks of Taxol. I do have a port which was put in one week before my first infusion. I can't imagine having it put in and then an immediate infusion as I have heard some have done. I did have a lumpectomy prior and cancer was found in my lymph nodes so thus the chemo. I will also have to follow that all up with radiation. A little overwhelming to say the least. But I am luckier then many. I am 68 retired with a retired very supporting husband, son, daughter-in-law and many friends. Being retired I have the time to roll with the punches and do what my body tells me. The first chemo treatment went amazingly well. I have them on Fridays. No nausea, about the worse thing that happened was loss of appetite and food tasting blah.I did take my prescribed steroids a nausea pill (just in case) for two days and lorazapan the first two nights to sleep A week after my infusion was Labor Day weekend and we always have a family reunion at our house (about 25 people). Everyone wanted us to cancel it, but I said no way and it went so well and I felt good though it all. The second infusion did not go so well, I had no nausea but I was terribly bloated from about Tuesday through Friday following my treatments that was on Friday. I had also gotten a slight bladder infection so I started on that medicine on Monday. Later my oncologist said that might have added or even caused the bloating. (he is the one that prescribed the bladder medicine). I am using an on body injector for my neulasta shots as I live quite a distance from my cancer center. Those I can say are going wonderfully. I never even know I have taken them. Starting loosing my hair on about the 15th day from first treatment so had a friend cut it very short. Then the Friday after my 2nd treatment my husband shaved it. I still had a lot of hair so now I am all prickly. Will actually be glad when it is all gone and I am smooth. Learning to tie scarves (thank you internet) and having fun with caps and hats. I play poker with about 30 other people once a week and Thursday was the first time I went bald (with a hat on) They all had hats on in my honor. Made me want to cry. Had my third infusion Friday and so far feel fine, but usually do until around Tuesday. Just keep telling myself. Every infusion is one closer to the end. I am very active and so far except for those few bloated days I have been able to keep up with my exercising, walking and general living daily life. Thanks for a group like this as it does help to exchange ideas and thoughts.
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welcome cowgirlsdontcry, sounds like you are doing well and have a great support system. Good luck.
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welcome cowgirlsdontcry,
Hello everyone, up at the crack of dawn today with the wonderful big D. Had stomach problem all week, my SE have not been as bad as the first two rounds, but the Big D are for sure going to help dehydrate me. Some days you just can't win for losing. I hope you all continue to have a good weekend. Talk to you later on. Hughope
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santabarbarian-
Yes, I’m meeting with the MO on Monday to discuss everything. And then I may have my 3rd chemo on Friday. Yes, the IV fluids do definitely help. The first chemo I didn’t get it, but the second chemo I did on the 11th day and it made a world of difference. Unfortunately because of the side effects I wasn’t able to go before the 11th day. And yes, I also have the achy feeling by the tumor! I actually noticed after the first chemo a drastic shrinking of the tumor. Anyone else notice that? I am constantly touching my boob to make sure the tumor isn’t getting bigger. I kind of feel like it may be, but maybe it’s all in my head now because I’m so scared.
Also, congratulations santabarbarian on almost half way done!!!!
Cowgirlsdontcry- welcome to the group! You will find a lot of great advice and strength here. Starting to lose hair is a terrible feeling. When we first get diagnosed, we know it will happen, but I think it doesn’t actually hit us until the hairstarts falling :-(. Friends and family will keep saying it’s temporary, however, unless you go through it, you won’t know how it feels.
Hug hope- can you get to the infusion center for fluids so the dehydration won’t be so bad? It was encouraging though to read that your third chemo side effects weren’t as bad as the first two chemos. I hope the big D will pass soon.
Has anyone else noticed a difference in their urine? Not urinating as much and the urine having a foul smell? I’m going to the ER today to get my kidneys and bladder checked out. Hopefully everything will be fine.
And since my diagnosis, I feel like every other commercial on TV has to do with cancer. What is happening in this country???
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Nisha517 what is your chemo plan, are you on 6 rounds of tchp? If so girl hold on it is a rough ride. Round 1 I was done, arguing with my family, wanting to quit. Round 2 was a little better, thanks to my MO working with me and bringing me back in for hydration twice. Round 3 you can see has been better but I skipped hydration this time. I get tired of driving an hour and a half to the infusion center when I already don't feel great.
Wow! I thought the same thing about the commercials, even my husband said something about it to me. I am trying to
not dehydrated, I should of went last Thur. but have done so well this 3rd round that I thought I could do it on my own. I have such an eventful Oct. coming up two chemos, MO appointment, seeing the surgeon, and the plastic surgeon, that I would really like to stay away for the rest of this month. LOL!
I am pretty sure my tumor has shrunk, I just wish they would continue on with the surgery and stop the chemo. Sick of feeling off, I would give anything to have a couple just back to normal days. Even though SE have not been as bad this round, I still feel off. I'm sure many of you know just what I am talking about?
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hughope1-
Yup, I have 6 rounds of tchp. At first when I was told I would have 6 rounds, I thought wow 6 doesn’t sound too bad. Now that I’ve started the chemo, I hate the number 6. I went in last Tuesday to meet with an MO and my breast surgeon to see if I can just stop the chemo and go to surgery. Of course they both were not for it. They said the decision was ultimately mine, however, it would not be good if i don’t continue. The breast surgeon also scared me with lymphedema. But, yes I’m just like you and wish we can just go straight to surgery. I feel like my life has been stolen and now I’m just a full time cancer patient. You do have a busy October! Meeting with the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon just means you’re getting closer to chemo ending
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hi all-
I definitely want to eat healthier as prior to my diagnosis my diet was really poor. However, I'm finding it hard to do so while undergoing chemo and fighting the cancer. The doctors and my husband say I should eat whatever I can at this time. But that worries me because I don't want to make the cancer worse. Is it ok at this time to eat whatever I can manage to take down and start the healthy lifestyle once this ordeal is done? What are everyone's thoughts on consuming sugar during cancer?
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I am three days from my third infusion of AC and I have had a slight runny nose since the first infusion. I did decide it was caused from the infusions as it did not turn into anything else. Just learning to carry a kleenex
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I have been on juice plus for more years then I can remember and credit it to the fact that I never catch colds, flu etc. etc. After being diagnosed with breast cancer and finding out I had to have AC +T and knew that staying healthy while be subjected to all of the "bad" chemo causes I begged my case of continuing to take it while I was on chemo. Being unable to take it for the 5 months the chemo was going to take made me very nervous. Especially when much of that time will be during the winter when cold and flu season is running rapid. My oncologist agreed that I could continue to take it. I also take calcium and Vitamin D, plus drink a mix I make with fresh beets, ginger and fresh turmeric. I have just been drinking that for a week so hoping it will help with some side effects. Anyway that is my juice plus story (expensive yes, but I swear by it)
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mactaz , I wish you luck all the way til the end, sorry, I had my chemo #3 Tc on Wednesday the 19, on frida and Saturday I felt tired, like my eyes were tired and I was laying down and snoozing but but didn’t feel much fatigue. So weird...
Today is Sunday, other day!
Mine is also idc Dcis as well but grade 3.
Hope your appointment went well, Mactaz!!!
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Nisha, if you add raw carrots, lettuce, boiled cauliflower or broccoli , eat some fish once a week , even quinoa if you like or some cous cous to lean chicken filet it’s fine!
I don’t eat a lot of meat like veal , bed, but sometimes will fry on low beef liver - very rare though.
I stopped eating cakes and sweets but sometimes can get Sweet honey bunch of oats cereal or some honey to my drinks . I drink lemon honey ginger drinks and Also mix frozen berries with water .
Don’t stress out for sugR - a moderation is good
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Thanks Bostoniangal25, I see you had a mastectomy, would they not consider lumpectomy due to multiple sites and node or was that your decision? I’m probably going for mastectomy, my current BS will not do lumpectomy, she is good so I don’t want to start looking for another.
I’m a rather busty gal so I’m not so sure about implant on one side. I am thinking DEIP flap but here in Greenville, SC not many PS I can find that due the procedure. I know it takes special training so still trying to figure out options. I need to retain stomach muscle to keep core strong due to lower back issues.
Day 3 for me, feeling a little tired but the BIG C is still upon me. I’m trying to get this figured out as I don’t want what happened to me the last time tohappen again.
Hugs to small, stay strong
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Tracymx1035. I also live about 35 miles from where I would have to get the Neulasta shot so my oncologist let me start right off with the on body injector. It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish for the shot, and although I never got the shot at the clinic I can not imagine they take that long to inject it. Whether that had anything to do with it or not after 3 injections (third one yesterday) I have had no (knock on wood) pains of any kind. I just am wondering if it has to do with the medicine going so slowly into your body. Maybe I have just been lucky. Hope you get to take it at home next time. Worth pushing you oncologist for.
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