boofey

I too had positive nodes with 1 out of 14 on one side and 3 out of 11 on the other side. I am still in the midst of agressive treatment with bilateral mastectomies, DD AC and T, radiation and then onto hormone therapy. These positive nodes really worry me too and I don't know how I am going to deal with it in the future. I have been starting to think about what my new life will be like once radiation ends and am hoping that I can live without worrying and dread but I am unsure too how to accomplish this.

Cathy,
It is great you have found a lymph massage therapist. In many areas they are hard to find. The sessions are so relaxing and educational. I have truncal lymphedema on both sides and it drives me crazy. Thanks to my therapist, the pain and swelling have decreased markedly and I now feel able to help myself cope with this chronic condition.
Take care,
SusanJean

RoundTwoinCA,
I am taking Abraxane too but all by itself. The only GI side effects have been diarrhea and excess gas, none of the stomach problems that are troubling you so I don't have any good suggestions.

The unpredictability of the fatigue is a problem though. I am finding the fatigue is becoming cummulative and now hitting me up to 5-7 days after the treatment. It is so much different than the A/C was. I am very fortunate to be on STD though so I can just go with the flow and don't have to manage or predict a work schedule. If the fatigue is hitting you later now rather than earlier would changing the infusion day to earlier in the week help?

It seems like very few things are predictable with this disease and treatments. It makes me so angry.
SusanJean

Erica, I have finished my second of four DD Abraxane treatments. After the first dose I had neuropathy of mostly my toes and leg with hip and leg achiness requiring a narcotic at night and lots of motrin during the day. The second dose strength was decreased because of these symptoms and the side effects are much less as a result. The neuropathy has improved and the achiness in much less. Other than fatigue I have had no other significant side effects on the Abraxane; it is much easier to tolerate than AC.
SusanJean
51 Stage 2, er+ pr+ her-
bilateral mastectomy June

I only recently discovered this discussion board and have learned so much from all the posters in all the threads. I am so inspired by this awesome site - chuck full of knowledge and support. I hope it is not to late to join the August group. After starting on August 10th I just finished my 4th AC treatment yesturday.

One of my biggest challenges has been insomnia. Despite a variety of drugs, four hours seemed to be the maximum number of hours I could get week after week. I thought I was going to loose my mind! My oncologist thought maybe hot flashes were causing me to wakeup along with perhaps some depression and anxiety issues. She prescribed Neurontin often used for neuropathy but with BC patients is also found to be helpful with hotflashes. I have taken it for a week now and have been sleeping like a baby!! I thought I would pass this along for any one suffering from sleeplessness to discuss with their oncologist.

Diagnosed as Stage2 ER+ /PR+ NEU- and had bilateral mastecomies on June 30th. Chemo started with AC every two weeks x 4 on August 10th and will be followed by a Taxane every two weeks x 4.