1 down....11 more to go

debi.18
debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
I had my first chemo (taxol/herceptin) today. I feel pretty good so far, just really tired. I think mainly due to the fact that is was such a long day. We were there from 9:30 to almost 4:00. Had a double dose of herceptin and they started the taxol super slow to allow my body to get used to it. I hoping the side effects will be minimal, but I guess that remains to be seen. I saw a post on FaceBook today......thought it was fitting: "Life is tough, but I am tougher".

As always, Thank each and everyone one of you for your never ending support. I'm not one that makes a lot posts on the board, but I read them all every day - I have support from family and friends, but the support here can't be beat!!

Love and Hugs,
Debi
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Comments

  • grams2jc
    grams2jc Member Posts: 756
    #2
    Whew, scariest 1 done
    I found my first chemo to be my scariest..BP was sky high by the time I got there for trtmt. Back to normal by the time I got home. Good luck, may the next treatments be super easy, and over quickly!

    Jennifer
  • epark
    epark Member Posts: 339
    #3
    grams2jc said:

    Whew, scariest 1 done
    I found my first chemo to be my scariest..BP was sky high by the time I got there for trtmt. Back to normal by the time I got home. Good luck, may the next treatments be super easy, and over quickly!

    Jennifer

    one a head of ME..
    I start my chemo on Monday....looks like we are going to be close pink sisters....i will follow your lead...thake care, god bless and and pray our ride goes smoothly....
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #4
    epark said:

    one a head of ME..
    I start my chemo on Monday....looks like we are going to be close pink sisters....i will follow your lead...thake care, god bless and and pray our ride goes smoothly....

    Thanks
    Thanks Jennifer. My b/p was like yours....really high when I got there, back to normal when I left. Of course, it might have been the anxiety cocktail they gave me with my premeds.

    Epark, looks like we'll be taking the same road on this journey. What type of chemo are you having? I'll be waiting to hear that your first treatment went as easy as mine - and hopefully shorter!

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs,
    Debi
  • epark
    epark Member Posts: 339
    #5
    debi.18 said:

    Thanks
    Thanks Jennifer. My b/p was like yours....really high when I got there, back to normal when I left. Of course, it might have been the anxiety cocktail they gave me with my premeds.

    Epark, looks like we'll be taking the same road on this journey. What type of chemo are you having? I'll be waiting to hear that your first treatment went as easy as mine - and hopefully shorter!

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs,
    Debi

    I'm waiting for the HER2 result..
    for some unknown reason they didnt check to see if I was HER2 postive or negative...if i'm postive I will be doing TCH followed with a year of Herceptin...if I'm negative I will be doing Taxotere/Cytoxan...i will know by tomorrow...did i mention cancer sucks!!!!!
  • gami43
    gami43 Member Posts: 281
    #6
    epark said:

    I'm waiting for the HER2 result..
    for some unknown reason they didnt check to see if I was HER2 postive or negative...if i'm postive I will be doing TCH followed with a year of Herceptin...if I'm negative I will be doing Taxotere/Cytoxan...i will know by tomorrow...did i mention cancer sucks!!!!!

    Debi - whew, that first one
    Debi - whew, that first one is over. Hopefully your future
    txs won't last soooo long. May your SE's be few and short.
    Sending prayers and hugs to you.

    Teresa
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #7
    so happy for you
    That the first chemo is done, I think the anxiety is worse than the treatment. And yes a very long day it is. You will be a pro in no time, and yacking away with all the others that you will meet. Take good care, rest rest, and oh did I mention rest. This is a good time to rest. lol. Anyway, I hope you will not have to much of a reaction, just remember baked potatoes and popsicles should be in your house at all times. Love to you~you can do it~and we are all right here with you. Family and friends are wonderful support. But when you need some back up, just come in and chat away. Oh and don't forget to rest...I think you got my point..Sinee
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #8
    epark said:

    one a head of ME..
    I start my chemo on Monday....looks like we are going to be close pink sisters....i will follow your lead...thake care, god bless and and pray our ride goes smoothly....

    will be thinking of you
    Hope all goes well for you, bring a good book, once you are all settled in, you will be able to relax and read a few pages. Also bring a snuggly blanket and a little pillow, the pillows they give you are to big and just make you uncomfortable...Almonds and a banana are always good choices, but as you progress the smell of the banana might get to you...let us all know how it went for you...and don't forget this is a time to rest, your body is working overtime~so save your energy~gather your friends and put them to work..they want to help. I kept a list of chores next to the phone, and depending on who called, I would go down the list and ask them to do this or that. Each person had their own abilities...and all were happy to help out. We are here too! Sinee
  • dbhadra
    dbhadra Member Posts: 344 Member
    #9
    sinee said:

    so happy for you
    That the first chemo is done, I think the anxiety is worse than the treatment. And yes a very long day it is. You will be a pro in no time, and yacking away with all the others that you will meet. Take good care, rest rest, and oh did I mention rest. This is a good time to rest. lol. Anyway, I hope you will not have to much of a reaction, just remember baked potatoes and popsicles should be in your house at all times. Love to you~you can do it~and we are all right here with you. Family and friends are wonderful support. But when you need some back up, just come in and chat away. Oh and don't forget to rest...I think you got my point..Sinee

    I also had 12 weeks of Taxol
    and found it was very do-able. Some blurry vision and some tiredness, but other than that nothing really nasty. I was fortunate to be able to continue working through those rounds of chemo. We did have people cooking for us, which was very nice and extremely helpful.

    My favorite part was that I got loads of Benadryl (in case of any allergic reaction) with the infusion so I would happily sleep away in the chemo chair as the slow drip was going on. Hope you also find the side effects to be quite managable and minimal.

    Laura
  • pinkpalette
    pinkpalette Member Posts: 112
    #10
    dbhadra said:

    I also had 12 weeks of Taxol
    and found it was very do-able. Some blurry vision and some tiredness, but other than that nothing really nasty. I was fortunate to be able to continue working through those rounds of chemo. We did have people cooking for us, which was very nice and extremely helpful.

    My favorite part was that I got loads of Benadryl (in case of any allergic reaction) with the infusion so I would happily sleep away in the chemo chair as the slow drip was going on. Hope you also find the side effects to be quite managable and minimal.

    Laura

    The first one is the toughest....
    Great to hear you got the first chemo done. The toughest thing was walking in the door. Rest when you need it and take all the pampering that is offered to you. You deserve it!!!

    I am just a little bit ahead of you and also Her2+. I will be on to chemo #3 in 2 weeks. The Herceptin part is the easiest part of the whole thing.

    Be sure to drink plenty of water and rinse often with biotene. Praying you have minimal SE's. Wishing you well on your journey. The chemo will be over before you know it.

    hugs, pp
  • CAchick
    CAchick Member Posts: 277
    #11
    Glad you got one done...
    Best wishes as you continue your treatment. You got that first one done...it was the scariest one for me! Get a lot of rest, and stay hydrated!
    Hugs,
    Sybil
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #12
    CAchick said:

    Glad you got one done...
    Best wishes as you continue your treatment. You got that first one done...it was the scariest one for me! Get a lot of rest, and stay hydrated!
    Hugs,
    Sybil

    Thanks ladies
    Thanks ladies for all your supportive comments and tips. Feeling normal today, so keeping my fingers crossed it continues.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Debi
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #13
    epark said:

    I'm waiting for the HER2 result..
    for some unknown reason they didnt check to see if I was HER2 postive or negative...if i'm postive I will be doing TCH followed with a year of Herceptin...if I'm negative I will be doing Taxotere/Cytoxan...i will know by tomorrow...did i mention cancer sucks!!!!!

    HER2
    I know it took longer for my HER2 results than it did for the ER/PR.
    Good luck!
  • fighting4five
    fighting4five Member Posts: 71
    #14
    debi.18 said:

    Thanks ladies
    Thanks ladies for all your supportive comments and tips. Feeling normal today, so keeping my fingers crossed it continues.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Debi

    Hi Debi...I am so happy to
    Hi Debi...I am so happy to hear that you are feeling normal today.I hope that you can breeze through each treatment. I have had 1 Herceptin and 3 Taxol and so far I still feel pretty normal.A little tired some days,my scalp has been a little itchy and my mouth gets dry for a few days after treatment.I get Taxol weekly and Herceptin every 3 weeks. 9 Taxol to go then I get AC.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Mary
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #15
    debi.18 said:

    HER2
    I know it took longer for my HER2 results than it did for the ER/PR.
    Good luck!

    I didn't have chemo Debi,
    I didn't have chemo Debi, but, I know how scary that first one must be, the fear of the unknown. But, you did it! So, congrats to you!


    I am praying you have no side effects and that the other 11 will go easier and quicker for you.


    ♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #16
    fighting4five said:

    Hi Debi...I am so happy to
    Hi Debi...I am so happy to hear that you are feeling normal today.I hope that you can breeze through each treatment. I have had 1 Herceptin and 3 Taxol and so far I still feel pretty normal.A little tired some days,my scalp has been a little itchy and my mouth gets dry for a few days after treatment.I get Taxol weekly and Herceptin every 3 weeks. 9 Taxol to go then I get AC.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Mary

    Deb .. So happy to hear that all went well.
    I am delighted that your blood pressure when down during chemo infusion ... apprehension, right. Like so many, I too had high blood pressure issues early on -- scared, confused and bewildered --, it takes a few treatments before our mind and bodies grow accustomed to the entire ordeal of treatments.

    Hoping for minimal side efforts for you, Deb.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #17
    debi.18 said:

    Thanks ladies
    Thanks ladies for all your supportive comments and tips. Feeling normal today, so keeping my fingers crossed it continues.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Debi

    Crossing fingers and toes
    Crossing fingers and toes that you continue to feel good Debi!


    ♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣
  • cctiz
    cctiz Member Posts: 47
    #18
    Debbie
    You are a trooper! first one is like a test, pay attention to all the side effects so you can deal with them with the ones to come - go easy with food the first week, drink plenty
    We care about you, good luck we are always here for you
    love
    cecilia
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #19
    epark said:

    I'm waiting for the HER2 result..
    for some unknown reason they didnt check to see if I was HER2 postive or negative...if i'm postive I will be doing TCH followed with a year of Herceptin...if I'm negative I will be doing Taxotere/Cytoxan...i will know by tomorrow...did i mention cancer sucks!!!!!

    This is big to get that
    This is big to get that first chemo done, so, congrats! Praying that you will have minimal or no more side effects.


    Lex
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #20
    epark said:

    one a head of ME..
    I start my chemo on Monday....looks like we are going to be close pink sisters....i will follow your lead...thake care, god bless and and pray our ride goes smoothly....

    Just want to say congrats to
    Just want to say congrats to you for your 1st chemo. I know it must be scary, but, you did it!

    Wishing you as easy a time as possible for the rest of your treatment.


    Hugs, Jan
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #21
    epark said:

    one a head of ME..
    I start my chemo on Monday....looks like we are going to be close pink sisters....i will follow your lead...thake care, god bless and and pray our ride goes smoothly....

    Best of luck to you both,
    Best of luck to you both, Debi and Epark! Praying for you two!


    Hugs, Diane

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