jbw3843

I saw the radiologist for a consult on Monday, 1/14. He was great. Very personable. I'm scheduled for a CT on 1/28, so technically I won't start the radiation treatments until February. The doc said he likes his patients to get a break before radiation and build up some strength after the chemo treatments. I was glad for a break, but at the same time I want to get these treatments over with!

I've been reading your posts and following your progress. It's been helpful to hear. The doc also mentioned to me that  the twinges of pain especially in the surgery area by the tumor site and near the sentinel node biopsy area is from scar tissue being formed. The nurse told me it's just as important during radiation as it was in chemo to drink tons of water because it enables the body to handle the radiation from the inside out. I was told no deodarant, not even the crystal, because the crystal has salts and that's just an additional irritant to the skin.

I'm fatigued now so I can't imagine getting more tired. I guess I'll find out.  I'm still having muscle pain and neuropathy in the feet from the Taxol. I'm hoping that subsides soon before I officially begin the radiation.

Barbie I hope you are breathing easier.

Abbi is the port removal site healing well? I still have mine in and wish it was out. I'm going to call the doc and see if I can get it removed now that I have to wait to start rads. 

I love the red tape of insurance. I asked for a 2 month referral for radiation and what did they send the radiologist???? A one visit referral! 

Jane 

Abbi, how did they do the port removal? Was it outpatient or did you have it done in the office? How long did it take? Any stitches afterwards, discomfort?

Abbey, such good news about the tumor. Don't worry about the surgery, it was my first surgery too and it wasn't that bad. I also had the sentinal node biopsy. Do give yourself time to heal. Take naps and rest up. Are you taking some time off of school? 

I went to the Y today and did some light weights (really light, like no plates). It felt good to just feel the range of motion. I tried to do the elliptical machine. Oh my gosh! I'm so out of shape. I could not wait to get off the machine. It was the longest 5 minutes of my life. I couldn't do anymore. I decided to walk a mile on the track instead. I guess I'll have to ease back into my exercise routine. But I'll tell you, it felt so good to be back at the Y. I used to go at least 3 times a week. I think I've been there 3 times in the last 6 months. It's good to start claiming pieces of your life again.

Have a good week all.

Jane 

Hi everyone. Things sound like they are going pretty well for everyone except the colds floating around. I had a relative that came to Christmas Eve hacking away and obviously sick with a cold. I was paranoid that I was going to get sick, but knock on wood I avoided it. My mom, daughter, and son-in-law all came down with it!

I read that 35% of women get the nail problems with the Taxol. I unfortunately fell into that unlucky percent. It's been painful and the nails are extremely sensitive, but I'd still take this side effect over some of what I went through with the AC. 

The break from school has been great. I've been able to read, rest, and relax.

Yeah, I heard about the rad tatoos. Some radiologists use a marker, but I heard the tatoos allow for a more exact placement of the beam.   I see the radiologist on the 14th so I'll find out more then. Thanks for the positive comments about rads Ginger.

 Margie, glad all went well with your surgery.

 It was soooo great not having to have kept that chemo appointment last week! Does anyone know how long it takes for the chemo to leave your system?

Jane 

Today was my grand chemo finale and I am the one doing the happy dance!  I finished my 12th Taxol today. I began my chemo journey on July 19th and finished today, December 27th. Yahooooo!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited to tell everyone that it was my last chemo. I've witnessed many woman coming in for their last treatment and I always thought how lucky they were and how I wish it was me who was finishing, and here I am, I am finished!

Abbey, enjoy your break and do let us know how the tests turn out on the 27th. It sounds like things are progressing nicely.

Linda, thanks for the tips on rads. I stopped in at the radiologist office to set up my consultation on Jan. 14th.

Donna, I can't wait to start back on an exercise routine My main complaint on the Taxol the past few weeks has been the nails. I've lost half of my big toe nail and the others are extremely sore. I've been kind of limping around and have been limited to a few pair of shoes that don't press on the toes. It's really slowed down my walking. My fingernails have been very painful the past week especially. Luckily, I'm done with the doses and hope to see an improvement in a few weeks. I have white spots around the edges which appears to be an area the nail is lifting. I have trouble zipping, or doing much of anything which involves touching my nails. Wrapping Christmas presents was a challenge. About 4 of the 10 fingernailss are extremely painful, kind of like a sliver is stuck under the nail. Two of my toes started oozing clear liquid. It was like there was a blister under there. My fingernails that are sorest are purple/red, no green or black yet. My big toe is dark blackish green and very gross looking. I hope a beautiful nail will grow back in its place. My other big toe is clear. Strange. Oh well, it's a small price to pay to be free and clear of the cancer.

Jane 

Hi girls. I'll be starting rads in January. I had my 11th Taxol of 12 today (Thurs. 12/20). I have one more Taxol and then my doctors want me to take a 3 week break. I started back in July with 4 AC followed by the Taxol. I'm ready for a break.

I'll be following your advice. I hear the rads are much easier than the chemo. I was told I'd have 7 weeks. I had two nodes positive so I'll get the radiation in the tumor area and also in the armpit.

Glad to be joining the January girls!

I concur. The crystal deodarant has been wonderful. 

Jane 

Yahoo for you Abbey. One more AC and it will be history!

Jane 

Yes Abbey, I dreaded the AC. I think by the 4th one you know what to expect and the dread sets in. I would get down in the dumps the day before, knowing I'd have a lousy week ahead of me. But hang in there. It gets so much better when you are done with those treatments! I still get tired, but there is no comparison to the side effects I'd get with the AC. Only one more, you are almost there!

I stopped by the radiologists office to ask when I should schedule my first appointment (it's in the same building as my oncologist) and they told me they like at least a 3 week break after chemo so that the chemo drugs can clear your system.

I look forward to moving to the next phase. I'm thankful that July is but a distant memory. It seems like a long time ago, but in other ways time has gone fast. I'm so happy to be getting some stubble on my head. 

Jane 

Well I had my 6th Taxol today. I have hit the halfway mark. Yahoo! I ended up sleeping through most of the treatment. I was so tired from parent teacher conferences the night before. I fell asleep to a full chemo room and woke up with only one other person left in the room. I did have to get an injection of Arisep (sp?) because my hemoglobin was so low.

Abbey, we also had to teach a full day and I then had 17 scheduled conferences. I will have to repeat that schedule next Tuesday with a half day of teaching followed by 35 conferences. Thank goodness I'll be going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving and won't be entertaining a house full of people.

 I was greeted upon my arrival home from chemo with a beautiful bouquet of fall flowers sent to me by my daughter for making it halfway through the Taxol. They were gorgeous and a real pick-me-up.

I will need to go back for a Muga scan in a month to see if my squeeze fraction has increased. There is a great thread on this board about AC and the effects on the heart.

Mary Jo and Tina I hope your Taxol went well. Congrats Donna on your 10th.

I will get my chemo next Wednesday instead of Thursday. I'm very happy that I will not have to miss next week because of Thanksgiving. 

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things in my life and one of them is for all the wonderful ladies on this board and the huge support you offer.

Jane 

Hi all. I just finished my 4th Taxol. Doing pretty well overall. So much better than the AC. I've been having some funny feelings in my heart area. They come and they go. Not sharp pains, but more like a gentle squeezing. It's hard to explain the sensation. I wasn't sure if it was the port, but it was some sensations I've never experienced before so I told my onc. He ordered an echocardiogram. I got the results when I was at my  last tx and there was a change in the squeezing fraction on my heart or something like that. Apparently the reading was not dramatically different, but he wants me to get a muga scan in 3 months. He says it's nothing to get alarmed about and it's probably will go away once I'm done with chemo. I know that the AC can be tough on the heart and I hope that it didn't affect mine.  I personally think it has something to do with the port. I've always thought it kind of pulls. I will be so glad to get the port out. When I was at chemo the other day, a friend of mine from chemo asked her onc when can she get her port out (it was her last tx) and he said he wanted her to keep it in for two years. Yikes! I won't be looking to keep mine in for that long. I'm counting the days until mine comes out. It's been a blessing to have during tx, but I sure won't miss it. What have people been told  about their port removal?

Karen - Yippee! How great to be done :)

Ginger - I read on the rad thread that crying and getting emotional during the rad markings and beginning rads was so common. It was good to know.

Charlene - Hope your feet feel better. My friend was on the same Taxol regime as you, but she would get head to foot pain for one day and then it would be gone. Very strange. 

Lori - Another friend of mine decided to not reconstruct. She wanted no more. Period. 

Donna - Congrats on getting hair. I'm looking for mine and I see a fine white fuzz. Hardly visible, but it's there! I laughed at your comment about the Halloween candy. I had just finished popping in a Kit Kat as I read it. 

Have a good week.

Jane 

I finished my first Taxol last week. I go for #2 on Thursday. So much easier than the AC. I actually had energy at work this week. 1 down, 11 to go!