Sep 9, 2021 07:13AM DebbieM1958 wrote:

H AnnMarie, I was diagnosed in June 2021 and start my Chemo today - Round 1 - also like you 6 sessions 3 weeks apart followed by masectomy on the right in Jan 2022. I am getting a 4 med cocktail of Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta. I do expect I will lose my hair apparently but they say it will grow back better than before so that's a bonus. Super nervous about everything but ready to get going and put this behind me. I had my port put in last Thursday and it was not a problem - they put you out (twilight) and I didnt know a thing about it. A little tender around the area but today, a week later, it is good to go and I hardly know it's there. Had my heart scan (MFUG) a few weeks ago and that was also not too scary but took about an hour of lying very still on a narrow bed thing while the machine did its magic. I just pictured my favorite things in my head and it really helped, then it was over. So many unknowns ahead but I am trying to have a super positive attitude as many people I know have got through this and come out fine on the other side. I hope to be one of those. So sorry about your Mom, I know the feeling. Never thought I would be on a group like this with BC but I am sure we will all do better for the interaction and comfort from so many others going through the same journey. Best of luck to you and everyone here. I'll update when I've had session 1 and a few days have passed.

Sep 9, 2021 07:26AM DebbieM1958 wrote:

Hi Hummingbird - how was your first chemo session? I am having mine today and would love to hear any feedback you have. I have anti nausea meds to take (Zofran and Compazine if needed) ahead of time to get ahead of it. Did that work for you? Hope everything went well for you.

Sep 9, 2021 10:37AM hummingbirdaz wrote:

Morning Ladies!

Sorry for ghosting but I've pretty much been sleeping for the last few days....I felt fine after my Friday morning infusion until about late Sunday evening when an overwhelming tiredness came upon me. Since then, I've been sleeping 10-12 hours at night and even taking a couple naps during the day. When I was awake, I felt exhausted so have been very non-productive. I listened to the onco nurse's instructions and followed the meds regime to the letter, taking the steroids and Claritan, plus drinking a ton of water. I never needed the nausea drugs! I did burp like an old man for a couple days, though, which one can only think of as funny.

I feel like I turned a corner last evening and suddenly had a bit of energy. Another long sleep last night but feel pretty close to normal today, so far anyway. I did experience some bone pain--mainly in the rib cage--and some constipation, but those could also have been from not moving much. I might try to go for a drive today to get out of the house. We have a mini heat wave in Phoenix for the next week--up around 110--so not going to risk walking.

DebbieM--good luck today, I'll be thinking of you! They infused anti-nausea meds for an hour prior to the chemo drugs on me, which may have been key, not sure. YOU CAN DO THIS! Report back when you feel up to it.

OldLadyBlue--keep taking the vitamins and supplements if you can. Both my natropathic oncologist and doctor said to do that. Maybe it made a difference? I also got some THC tincture and take the smallest dose at bedtime, also recommended by several medical folks (natropath, anesthesiologist, onco nurse, etc) If not legal in your area, you can get a medical card and most stores give a discount to cancer patients.

Good luck everyone this week and thanks for the continued support. Love to all!

Sep 9, 2021 03:16PM spades2525 wrote:

Hi Swimgal- if you could send the information regarding gloves and socks, that would be amazing. The AC combo is the first part of my treatment and my oncologist did not feel a coldcap would save my hair so I've moved on to working on acceptance. Kinda.

Mindthief - the impact on the kids is one of the hardest things to manage I find. Good thoughts to you for tomorrow

I was also dx in June, surgery in July and chemo in September… feels like long slow process but at times I have been grateful for the time to process and prepare.

DebbieM - hope today was ok. You sound prepared! I look forward to hearing how the eyebrow experiment goes :)

Oldladyblue- I hope as the day has gone on, you are feeling less lonely. This is such a difficult time! I totally get the fear .. hopefully this community will be helpful inmanaging it!

Sep 9, 2021 09:07PM DebbieM1958 wrote:

Well I survived Infusion Day 1 with my 4 meds (Herceptin, Perjeta, Carboplatin and Taxotere). It went by much quicker than I expected, although it was 7.5 hours. The time seemed to fly though, there were always nurses coming by, my phone was blowing up with texts of good wishes and thoughts from family and friends - very much appreciated. I had a slight reaction after the Herceptin which was just a scratchy throat and feeling like I had to keep clearing my throat. They gave me 50 mg of benadryl and it took care of it right away. No other side effects of the others and it went smoothly. I got a port last week and it was a breeze to do the infusion through that. A quick painless poke through the skin above the port and everything went through that. Loved it. Definitely beats an IV every time. I am hoping for minimal side effects over the next few days. I used the cold gloves and footsies (also from Amazon) for the Taxotere part of the infusion. They were not super freezing, I had been told to wear thin socks and thin cotton gloves underneath them. Hard to do anything with your hands for that hour while the meds are going in, so I just put my head back and dozed. It was all pretty easy and seamless.

HummingbirdAZ -glad you are feeling better. 110 , wow. We had that last week here in Sacramento. Ugh. That's all I can say. Heat and smoke from the fires not far away.

Spades 2525 and Mindthief - yes, will report back on the eyebrows - hahaha.....it won't be pretty I'm sure!!!!

CactusHouse - I will let you know if I get a rash too. So far nothing.

I feel empowered (slightly) that I have got this one infusion behind me and can cross it off my calendar. It wasn't bad at all. Best of luck to everyone about to start. You will do fine I'm sure. The nurses are wonderful and a great source of info if you have questions.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead.