Topic: July 2020 chemo club

Jul 2, 2020 10:06PM - edited Jul 2, 2020 10:06PM by Iamloved

mtspacekace...My breast clinic will put the port in the day before I start and leave the needle in. They tell me it takes about 4 to 6 hours just for that. How was your experience with the port placement. I am doing the same treatment as you so we can compare notes! Prayers for a quick recovery for you after each infusion.

Jul 3, 2020 02:27AM - edited Jul 3, 2020 02:38AM by Smichaels11

Hi ladies! I originally joined the May chemo club because there wasn't anything for June or July yet.

My name is Shauna and I am 30 years old, with a 5 year old son. I started TCHP on 7/1 and will have 6 rounds every 3 weeks, followed by Herceptin to complete a year. Based on what you've shared, I think were all looking at similar treatment!

Today was day 2 post first chemo for me. I'm feeling okay, just some heartburn and burning when I pee. I also went out and cut my long hair short (which I hate!) but knew it would be easier than watching long chunks come out.

My port placement was back on 6/22 and it went off without a hitch. I was under twilight anesthesia so although I was awake I was heavily out of it. I was at the hospital for about e hours but the surgery itself was about 20 minutes. I was sore for about 3 days but now I'm totally fine. Thankfully I have some meat around my collar bone area so the port doesnt create a noticable bump. And the port made chemo completely painless and easy.

Hoping everything goes well for you ladies!

Jul 3, 2020 02:52AM JoseGarcia wrote:

Take good care of yourself Iamloved. I hadn't heard about the fasting but we might try that.

My name is Jose. I don't have breast cancer but my partner does. She had chemo for the first time on Tuesday and she's currently in bed feeling very fatigued. Her energy comes and goes. She was relatively full of pepper yesterday and went out to the local doctors office. It was 2 blocks away in the brutal Spanish heat in the middle of the day and when she came back she was wiped out.

I made her roast chicken and potato and she perked up. We've been laughing and smiling a lot but this morning she's very tired and questioning if this is normal.

Jul 5, 2020 09:41AM Iamloved wrote:

Welcome Trynryan. My prayers for you to have a complete response to this therapy. Do you have plans to minimize side effects? I am looking into icing my hands and feet. And fasting before the treatments. Let us know how your first treatment goes.

Jul 5, 2020 01:32PM Iamloved wrote:

millie5 Welcome! I too am terrified of the internal damage to my body and lasting effects. Hopefully we get thru this together.

Jul 5, 2020 06:01PM Smichaels11 wrote:

Hi there!

I started chemo on 7/1 and just wanted to let you know that the worry is the hardest part. It's no cakewalk, that's for sure, but it is manageable if you stay on top of the meds and follow the guidance of the nurses there to help you. I am on day 5 and still feel pretty tired, but I'm hoping to turn the corner soon. I cut my long hair very short and bought many comfort items, as well as a couple of wigs and head wraps to prepare.

This is a terrible thing we are being forced to deal with, and I'm still trying to get my emotions together. We will be on the other side of it, so I'm trying to keep my thoughts focused on that. You will do just fine!

Shauna

Jul 5, 2020 06:43PM Smichaels11 wrote:

Iamloved, yes I did ice my hands and feet during the taxotere infusion which was one hour. I didnt even need to ask, the nurse just brought me buckets of ice and gloves/socks to protect my skin. I do feel some tingling in my finger tips and toes, so I hope with continued icing during future treatments it will continue to help. I certainly do not want to deal with any neuropathy. I enjoy walking barefoot in the summertime.

Jul 5, 2020 08:48PM Moderators wrote:

And welcome, Trynryan! You've come to the right place for support on this journey.

The Mods

Jul 6, 2020 05:38PM Goldfishka wrote:

Hello beautiful and strong ladies, I just had my first round of chemo on July 3rd, I am very tired now. Have some energy in the morning but after 2 pm I am wiped out.

I will have 5 more treatments and surgery after. I am a mother of 2 girls (9 and 5) and I am planning to fight this battle for them!

Jul 7, 2020 02:23AM kukalona wrote:

Hi,

New here. My name is Rona. I'll be 40 on July 9th and will begin my TC chemo on July 10th. I'm a scientist (biologist, cancer research ironically) and mom of 3 (9, 7 and 3).

I'm going to be cold-capping, which I hope to be able to tolerate and maybe avoid some hair loss. Between the capping, icing hands and feet, I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to hold a book or play candy crush on my phone during my infusion.

My biggest concern right now is Covid19, my kids are going to daycamps and daycare and I'm concerned about being exposed on one hand, but also don't want to have the kids in the house for the rest of the summer, as it would be much harder on everyone... Moms, any thoughts?

Hoping we can help each other stay strong through this :)

Jul 7, 2020 05:54PM Trynryan wrote:

I am so glad to hear this report mtspacekace! I am I day behind you, getting this same cocktail tomorrow as my first treatment. I am hoping to bring my laptop and work most of the day. Can't wait to hear some more reports from you if you feel well enough, and I will try too. Take Care.

Jul 7, 2020 11:45PM Goldfishka wrote:

Thank you for welcome, I am on FEC-D for 3 sessions, followed by 3 D and surgery after.

Don't have nausea thanks God, but my active hours very short, from morning to 2 pm. After that I can't do anything. No reading, movies, kids activities. Just staying in bed trying to find position where less things hurt.

Not that anyone promised it to be easy, but it's not picnic!

Jul 8, 2020 11:43AM - edited Aug 8, 2020 05:38AM by Shar2020

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences here. I wish everyone the very best as we go through the weeks and months ahead.

I will be starting chemo next week. I am reading a useful book to try to stay in the moment instead of tumbling down an anxiety-filled rabbit hole: Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery.

Jul 8, 2020 03:41PM Iamloved wrote:

Sharon2020 welcome! I also start next week. So nervous but trying to just be in the present moment and not worry about tomorrow's trouble that may or may not happen! Prayers for you as you start this journey.

Jul 8, 2020 10:00PM Smichaels11 wrote:

Awesome to hear it went well for you and you're feeling alright. Keep up with the hydration and meds and you'll be just fine! I alternate tylenol and aspirin for headaches. I was also told to take claritin to help with the bone pain associated with neulasta which worked very well.

I am on day 8 and feeling a little worse for the wear, but hoping the rest of this week and next week bring me back to normal!