tmn58

Hi Everyone!
Hi Weet,
I am in a much better frame of mind now. My skin was a little pink but I put aloe on every night and it seems fine. I have read that some people recommend 'jeans cream'. I found their website and it looks interesting. I may try it.
Mary - I am very fair skinned too and burn very easily so maybe we can keep each up to date on what is working. Good luck to us all!

Shirlann,
Thanks, I had heard the same thing too - from my onc group. And now the pa from the group suggested it so I was kind of excited. The research on it looks good; they think it aids chemo.

Mary,
Eeeew! Thanks for sharing!
Terry

GMG,
Don't feel bad, we have all been there. I am sorry that your dr's office was not sympathetic and they should have called you back! Call again and again until you get the help you need.
Terry

Hi All,
Just got back from simulation - the breathing apparatus was not as bad as I thought. They give you a device that pinches your nose shut then they give you a tube that is just like a snorkel tube. You have to take a very deep breath and then they shut off the air to the tube. It was a little freaky at first because the tube deflates a little. You have to hold your breath for 20 seconds. They gave me two tattoos; I have to go back for additional simulation and tattoos. They will determine at that meeting whether I will need the breather or not. They said it depends on how close your heart is to the chest wall. If they need more space - you have to use the breather. I am ready to start! Anything has to be better than chemo!

Hi Ladies!
I have my simulation Monday the 16th. I am nervous about it because my tumor was on the left side. They said they may have to move the chest wall away from my heart using a "breathing apparatus". I must have had a strange look on my face because he said that "most patients tolerate it pretty well". Having been through biopsies, mastectomy, scans and chemo I now know that is doctor speak for "it is going to hurt like @$%!
Has anyone else had to have "the breathing apparatus"?
Thanks for your help!
Terry

Hi,
I had a thickening in my left breast that would come and go for a long time. I was told if it came and went - not to worry. Wrong!
I went for a 'routine' annual with my Ob-gyn in January '06. He was very concerned when he felt it. He ordered a mammogram, u/s and biopsy. The mammogram came back clean - the technician told me "it couldn't be cancer - it's soft". The ultra-sound found it right away. They told me right then it was cancer. Had the biopsy the next day. ILC, 3B, er/pr+, her2-. Big tumor. Had the mastectomy on March 7th. 15 out of 17 nodes were positive, tumor was 8cm. Had bone, CT scans and all were clean! Just finished chemo: 4 AC followed by 3 Taxol (couldn't do the last one due to allergic reaction). Radiation will start in a few weeks followed by Tamoxifen.
I thank God for my OB-GYN and God's assurances that I will be fine!
I was told that a bilat was not necessary as there was less than 1% it would spread there. They also said that a bilat would not prevent it from going there. Has anyone heard differently?

Hello Ladies!
I hope you can help me. I started my treatments in March. I really struggled with the a/c - mostly the neulasta and the steroids but got through it. The taxol was much better except for an allergic reaction. I have a terrible itch that has gotten worse with every treatment. My last was supposed to be last Friday but the onc said I did not have to do it. He felt the risk vs reward was too high. He did not know how long or how much worse the itch would get with the last treatment. He was quite sure it would get worse. He was worried the itching (or damage caused by taxol) could be permanent. I literally was 'out of control' for nearly three nights last week. Steroids, creams, benadryl - nothing worked. He has never heard of itching before and said he did not know what to do. He said I could wait a week and see if the itching subsided a little and then try again this Friday. I am afraid to not do it and afraid to do it! Has anyone heard of this itching from Taxol. The itching has eased a bit but now my feet burn and they are peeling. I would love to hear what you all think! Has anyone else cut her taxol treatments short?
Thanks!
tmn








Thanks!
Terry

Erica,
Thanks so much. I will try the B6. I take the maximun amount of benadryl sometimes just to get through it. My husband would like me to skip the last treatment because it has been so bad. But I keep saying "you can't die from itching"! I just don't want to have to deal with this forever.
Thank you!
Terry

I had four rounds of AC every two weeks followed by four rounds of Taxol. After the AC I refused to take the Neulasta - the pain was unbearable and was worse with each treatment. I asked my onc if they could tailor the dosage to my size (115 lbs) and they said no - one size fits all. The onc said that you don't need to take it with the Taxol. Taxol does not attact the white cells like the AC. So this Friday will be my last Taxol and I thank God every day that I don't have to go through the neulasta pain!