Starting Chemo April 2024 Support Thread

Hi
This is my 2nd bout of breast cancer - first lumpectomy- radiation. Fast forward 18 years. Now I have DCIS and IDC sentinel node negative. I am HER2 positive- I am having 6 round of Chemo. First one was April 1, 2024. It wasn’t bad. But day 5 out nose sore , nausea, headache , mouth dry , can’t taste food. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Next chemo April 22. I am on Docetaxel, Herceptin, Perjeta,and carboplatin. I just hope I can do 6 rounds of this.
Thank You

Virginia

@ginna I'm so sorry you are dealing with this again. Are they giving you anti nausea meds? I am trying to read everything I can about chemo and learning tips and tricks. Bought the gloves and booties for feet and hands icing. Actually already purchased a wig and going to get my hair cut and the wig trimmed this week. Planning for the worst and praying for the best. My faith in God is the only thing getting me through this without a total meltdown. I struggled in the very beginning during the mammo and biopsy, but I quicky learned that God is helping me through this and I just need to lean on Him. Each test has been easier mentally I think.

started TCHP chemotherapy regimen on 4/3 for my first round of 6 (every 3 weeks) before surgery. I have right breast cancer stage IIA IDC grade 1 HER+ and also ER/PR positive. Felt fine for 3 days then just excruciating back pain ever since - starting to taper down today (day 6) but still distracting and disrupting. Starting to feel mouth sensitivity and taste changes and the dreaded diarrhea creeping in but hoping that I’ve been through the worst of it now. My first dose was larger and longer so I should have 1 hour less of the targeted therapy next time. Just hoping there is some relief among the pain in between cycles and it doesn’t compound and get worse - a tiny goal to shoot for each time is a big win right now but mostly I just want to be able to sit still and sleep through the night. Jealous of those who said they had 2-3 hard days then they were good to go.

Is the TCHP regimen considered more intense or harder on the body for the 6 rounds every 3 weeks? I always assumed more frequent dosage and more cycles would be worse but maybe this is a significantly higher concentration and combination of drugs So that’s why it feels compounded over time?

Hi @kggenx ! I'm fairly new here too, but have found this site to be a blessing! I start TCHP on 4/18, HR-, Her2+, 3cm grade 3 left breast with at least 2 axilliary nodes, PET and MRI clear of additional. I will say a prayer for your job and health. My husband has our insurance through his work, but we def. count on my salary. My boss is being very accommodating and is going to work with me as I go through the chemo. I can work remotely, but I am also the only one in my office the majority of the time. Sorry you have to be here but glad you found this site!! Everyone is so helpful and encouraging!

@kggenx I'm so sorry but sounds like you are being smart and proactive about a nurse's responsibility and the germy environment. I've worried about my job in regards to the "chemo brain". I'm an assistant to a financial advisor. I've told him to be upfront and straight with me if he feels I should "take a break" for a few months. I do have short term disability insurance but it is about half of my normal salary.

I have no family history of cancer of any kind. My dad did have some precancerous colon spots and they removed a few inches of his colon. That was over 20 years ago and he is 87.

So thankful to have people to talk to that are going through this.

this is my Teddy aka Toodles

Well folks. Thursday is the first treatment. I read through the packet from my onc and now feeling edgy and dreading this. I know the chances of the severe reactions are low, but. And all of the precautions during treatment to prevent infections and treating the se's. This stinks y'all! LOL

Hi everyone - I'm new here too. Start 4 cycles of TC on Friday. Planning to cold cap and to work as much as possible during treatment. I'm fortunate that I can work remotely and my colleagues are incredibly supportive. I was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts in December and had a double mastectomy with flat closure in February. Throughout everything, I have never felt sick. Now worried that chemo is going to turn me into a sick person. Trying to stay positive but it is sometimes hard!

I also start chemo on Friday! Had my mediport put in yesterday. I’m doing 6 rounds of TCHP first then surgery. I’m thinking DMX & I basically told my MO that at our first meeting. Good luck! We GOT this!

@kggenx I'm with Teddy on that one. Cute blankie!

Hello 👋🏽. I just had my first round of four TC doses last Tuesday the 9th. I was fine until about Thursday at noon and it was terrible until Sunday afternoon. Mostly joint and bone pain. Nausea meds worked and ibuprofen worked to a point. I’m wary of taking so much ibuprofen so I got some full spectrum THC/CBD gummies which helped immensely.

Hi! I’m Melanie. I’m new here. I started chemo on 4/2. Weekly Taxol (and Herceptin) for 12 rounds. So I’m 3 down and 9 to go. I shaved my head last week to avoid it coming out in clumps. I’m struggling with my looks and feeling comfortable in this new life.
I’ll have DMX in beginning of August. I have multifocal (2 sites in one breast) triple positive IDC. I found both tumors on my own in the end of 2023 after a clear mammogram in July. It’s been such a rollercoaster of emotions. I know you all get it.
Thanks for this forum. ❤️

Here’s me and my hubby. This was a day after I shaved my head. I don’t even recognize myself.