CMF Question
Comments
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Hi gals, I am sorry to have been absent for awhile, my dd is home for spring break and I've been crazy busy, but wanted to check in.
First, Samiam, I wanted to extend my condolences on the loss of your father. I am so sorry.
I wanted to send good thoughts and wishes to all undergoing txmnts, before long you guys will all be vets as well. It is a very doable regime.
As far as I understand CMF is completely as effective as the more aggressive txmnts out there, but every onc and every cancer is different. I hope they get one everyone is comfortable with.
I will be MIA for a bit beginning next Wednesday. I have my oopharectomy/hysterectomy scheduled for a (hopefully) lap procedure with one week on the couch but if they cannot due to scar tissue from my C section, it will be a six week recovery. But as soon as I can hunt and peck I 'll weigh in to say hi and report on it for anyone considering this step.
It's a drastic one, but it's my only option as my eggos are continuing to pump out estrogen. Lupron is a dangerous drug, but I have to stay on it until I either get spayed or go into menopause naturally, which according to my onc, could be a late one. So.......the operation happens.
i am viewing this as a positive and aggressive step to stop this beast in its tracks. It's taken far too much of my life already! Enough!
Love to all and sending good vibes to everyone.
xoxoxo
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Oh Annie, I will be thinking about you as you head in for your surgery. I really think you've made a good choice but none of us look forward to more surgery and recovery time. We will be looking for a quick update from you ASAP and naturally my hugs, prayers, and good vibes will be sent your way. I'm so glad that you've been able to enjoy your daughter during her spring break. I wish I lived closer. I'd come and "mother you" during your recovery! LOL
Carol...glad to hear from you. I have read where acupuncture has helped many gals with joint and muscle problems. That might be something to really consider. I don't think it's nearly as painful as it sounds! I watched a lady having acupunture done to her face for wrinkle control. The before and after pictures were amazing. I left the health show all motivated to have the treatment but the idea of needles stuck in my face scared me away. She talked to the observers while it was being done and assured us that she felt no pain. We laughed later about how she was probably getting big bucks to lay there and let them do that! LOL All kidding aside, I hope the Arimidex does the trick. I have no idea how long it will take to know if the switch is successful.
Gotta get back to cleaning. I'd do about anything to escape housework. LOL
Rita
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Annie, as I've already pm'd you, your surgery makes good sense tho I hate the idea of surgery. So we will being sending you good vibes for a speedy recovery.
Ritajean, Carol, everyone: I have been doing acupuncture for chemo and radiation side effects. It really does not hurt and it has really been helping me. So if anyone has questions, feel free to pm me
Have a nice day.
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Hi everyone,
I'm back from my cruise, and it was great fun! I must have done about 10,000 loads of laundry when I got home, and now I need a vacation from my vacation.
Mandy,
Haven't gotten any emails from you, but I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you, and I hope you are well.
Annie,
I'll be thinking of you, and hope you recovery quickly from your surgery. I think you are wise to have the hyst. I was dx'd with Premature Ovarian Failure at age 35, and supposedly, my ovaries are not making any estrogen. My onc. told me that after menopause, our adrenal glands produce estrogen. I suppose there is nothing we can do about that, since I need my adrenal glands.;-)
Hi to Rita, Carol, Ginny, Jill, and all others....
Hugs
HARLEY
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Holy Smokes Annie ... this surgery has snuck up quickly ... atleast on my end. Bottom line, your doing what you can for preventative measures. I'd be doing the same if need be. Guess I should count my blessing's for a chemo induced menopause that appears to be the done deal !
So spring break huh ???? Seems like the eastern part of the country has been hit pretty hard with some ugly "spring" weather !!! Saying enjoy your time with your dd goes without saying ... we've got one coming home next weekend for the week for college break.
Harley ... welcome home gal .... we'll hope for a little synopsis on your "cation" ... amazing how it seems like you have twice as much laundry as you would if you we're home for the same time period !!!
Mandy, thanks for the note on FB .... I put in my request with my PCP for a referral for acupuncture ... atleast thats a start. Had a massage again tonight ... have had the MT work my forearms ... really looking for some relief in my shoulder's, elbows, wrist and hands. Toooooo wierd that my legs are pain free but my arms stinkin' hurt !
My samo gripe for the night ... Carol
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Hi Rita and all the ladies,
I asked you the question about neulast a couple of weeks ago - thank you for your reply and for all of you who posted a reply. My son had the flu so I have been busy with him!
My 5th CMF was very difficult as well - I was very nauseaus and tired. I am having 8 treatments. Are they going to be worse from now on?
Thanks again,
Nancy
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Yeah I finished # 7 today. One more to go. & wasn't so lucky for me today. The weirdest thing happened. I was telling the nurse about my nausea by association, hard candies, lemonn water, thinking about the hospital, etc. She gave em a .5mg drip of Adavan to chill me out and to stop thinking about it. I had already had the decardon/aloxi drip for anusea and steroid. They put the methotrexate in when my privates started to burn, I got a horrible taste in my mouth, tingling inmy fingers and toes, skin color was beet red, drop in bp and fast increase in hr. I was scared sh#%%^&&%. Ended up on saline for an hour then more decadron. Doctor ahd to check me out....
I'm fine but boy was it scary. They said they never saw it before. I must be allergic to one of the drugs and I suspect it is the metho. My anxiety will be high the next go around but will be happy it is over.
Nancy - I've done great all along but #5 was the worst for me. All before and after were quite easy. Even after what happened today, I feel good! To answer you, they don't necessarily get worse. For me the fatigue is the only thing that has been cumulative.
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Hi Scarp
My onc has me doing CF without the M because of the rads. So since it is only one time, you might ask your onc about doing CF without M. This is routinely done for those who have rads at the same time as chemo. For my last 2 chemos, I will get the M again.
Just a thought.
Hope you feel better tonight.
Mandy
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Well one CMF down, five to go. Thanks everyone for your condolences and well wishes.
The first treatment wasn't so bad--it took 3 hours instead of the one I was promised, but overall I can't complain. I got a little eye and nose stinging and running towards the end of the C but the M&F were done by a quick push and it was finally over.
I felt a little like I had the flu all day yesterday, but they told me to take 2 kinds of anti-nausea medicine and pepcid ac, and my stomach has held up pretty well.
Ritajean, hey neighbor. My husband and kids are all cards fans, but I grew up in the chicago suburbs and once a cub fan, always a cub fan.
Annie, best of luck on your surgery. I hope they can do it laproscopically so you have an easy recovery. Can you elaborate as to why lupron is dangerous? I was considering that as an option.
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Hi CMFers...I had a mammo today on my remaining breast and I got a thumbs up...good to go
so I went across the street and took these
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Beautiful photos Lisa. It is wonderful to see them. And thumbs up on your thumbs up.
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Yea Lisa! I love the pictures and I love your news! Super!
Girls....something you might not know....The amount of chemicals that you are given is exactlly the same for all of us on our first treatment. There is a standard percent of each chemcial that is given at first. Because I had some problems at the end of my treatments, they reduced the dosage 10%. My onc said that they have a nice cushion they can use to reduce the dosage to fit a person's needs. On the opposite side, they can also increase the chemical percentage if needed. I did lots better on the reduced dosage and supposedly it was equally effective as all of our bodies respond differently to the treatments.
Samiam...glad #1 went well for you. We'll hope for no side effects! Yea! A Cubs fan! I knew there was something about you that I immediately liked!
Nancy...Your last treatments might be your easiest! All of my treatments were different. Hang in there. You are knocking them off and soon you'll be done and on to other things!
Scarp....and speaking about being done...........you've about got it licked now! SUPER!
Well, I need to plan a lesson for the church youth group tomorrow night so I'd better get moving. Hugs to all of you in treatment and to all of you others who have become so special to me!
Rita
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Hey All - So much has been happening since my last post. Our computer was down for over a week, but hopefully that is all worked out. Also I was in NJ this weekend taking care of my mom. We sent my sister and brother-in-law away for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. They have been doing so much they needed to get away. My mom is doing ok, but is getting very thin and frail. But she still has pretty good spirits.
I want to say hello to all our new friends, sorry that you had to join us, but to let you know that all the ladies on this site are wonderful and very caring people. They have helped me out so much when all I wanted to do was scream!!! If I can be of any help to you, please just let me know. I was diagnosed in Sept. had Mast. in Oct and had dense dosage CMF every 10 days for 8 treatments. It was difficult, but I made it through. I am scheduled for my reconstruction surgery at the end of this month. So please know that I am here for you.
Annie - I wish you luck with your surgery. You will be in my prayers for a very speedy recovery.
I want to thank everyone for the good wishes for my SIL - she is home from the hospital and doing ok. She has to have all her food put through the food processor and has to be very careful about talking and swallowing. She meets with speech dr. next wk. and then meets with team of drs. the week after. I am just praying she gets some good news.
Well I think the post was long enough, I will check back soon.
Hugs to all,
Colleen
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Hi Ladies,
Thanks so much for all your replys! Number 6 (out of 8) is on Mon.! I can't wait to finish.
Lisa, the photos are beautiful! Congrats on your mammo!!
Nancy
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Hi Nancys1
I go for number 6 out of 8 on Tuesday. So we are almost on the same schedule. How are you doing?
Mandy
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Had CMF #1 on Monday. Was queasy all day Tuesday and Wednesday, even with the anti-nausea meds. It felt almost exactly like during the first trimester of my pregnancies. But by today (Thursday), nausea is mostly gone and the only medicine I have taken is pepcid. I still feel tired and a bit "off", but much better. Is this the way anyone else experienced CMF-just a few bad days following treatment? I was expecting to feel bad for a week at least.
Ritajean, love your new picture.
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Hope everyone is well!
Annie - sending you good thoughts for your surgery.
Lisa - beautiful pictures! Great news on the good mammo!
Colleen - good that your SIL is home - hope her recovery is good.
Carol -looking forward to seeing you next week!
Ritajean - WOW! LOVE the new picture.
Samiam - I do feel a bit off the afternoon/evening of treatment, and the next day. I am thinking I havel less chemo per week as I am on this funky weekly schedule for 24 weeks....so for me it is really a 24 hour thing. I take Prilosec daily - to prevent heart burn. I was also expecting to feel bad and am pleasantly surprised. I have been told that as time goes on, I will be more tired, etc. so guess I have that to look forward to.
Scarp, Nancy, Mandy - wow - almost done! That is great news.Scarp - that last one sounds scary - happy it all worked out.
Anyone I missed, hope you are doing well.
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Good morning!
Samiam....It sounds like you did well on your first treatment. It was always my third or fourth day that gave me any trouble (if I was going to have trouble) each time. Then I got to feeling much like my old self. The fatigue disappeared to and I always had a good week or so before the next one hit. We call those good weeks "chemo holidays!" I would expect similar effects next time. See, it's doable! So glad you got along O.K.
Scarp,Nancy, and Mandy....You'll soon be doing the "no mo' chemo dance" together! You've about got it licked, gals!
Carol....always glad to chat with you. Hope the aches disappear real quickly.
Jill...I think about you often and hope that things are going well for you. Check in again when you can.
Hang in there Colleen!
Ginny...It won't be long and school will be out. Do you have to work during the summer with this new job or do you get a summer vacation?
Lisa...I still think you should be "making money" with your photography skills. You are GOOD, gal!
Gotta run. I'm walking this morning with a neighbor.
Rita
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Hi all!
Well, dd still home, taking her back on Sunday...waaaahhhh. She still has that sinus infection that won't quit...sounds like what you had, rita, I do wonder if it's a type of flu bug or something for this year.
rita, speaking of..........you look amazing!!!!! What a beautiful photo!!
Good to hear from everyone in txtmnt and out of it. Lisa, you should get up a portfolio at this point, and make some moolah! These photos are gorgeous.
Carol, a little BD package is winging its way to you!
Samiam: It's not dangerous per se, (the lupron) but it does: raise your blood pressure (mine did not), cause alot of weight gain (yes, I did!!! despite 1200 calories a day and 1 hr. exercise) raise your cholesterol levels (yes, mine is at 240!!!!). However, all that aside, it can slide you into menopause more gently than the surgery. So I would vote yes for it, if you are doing it to save your fertility.
Harley, welcome back! I hope you can post some pix! If you do need to get rid of estrogen from the adrenal glands, lupron will do that nicely. You do need a touch of it for your bones tho, so I'll be glad to get a touch back, just not my estrogen factory!
Colleen, glad your mom is hanging in there and that your SIL is home. I really hope and pray her recovery is very good.
Scarp, Mandy, Nancy...........hang in there gals, you are doing it and getting thru it!!!
love to all
annie
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Hi All
Rita, that is a wonderful photo. You are gorgeous!
And Annie, I wish you the best with your surgery. How you manage to keep up with everyone is beyond me.
Colleen: I am so glad you have finished your chemo and have a little breathing time. I hope that your mom and SIL will do well. And they are in my heart and prayers.
And everyone who just had a tx or who is getting a tx, all of the best for no side effects!
Take care all.
Mandy
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Did anyone get foot neuropathy while they were on CMF? It does not seem to be an official side effect but my feet are painful and tingly and have neuropathy. Any suggestions?
Mandy
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I was told neuropathy was not a SE of CMF. I'll be interested to hear what others experienced. I am sorry you are suffering from this particular SE Mandy, whatever the cause.
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Mandy..I did...I am on Lyrica..neurontin did not work for me nor amitrypiline...
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Welcome back, Harley! How'd the cruise go?
Lisa, I didn't know that you'd had the neuropathy problems. Is it still bothering you? Luckily I escaped that!
Samiam...are you still doing well?
Scarp and Mandy...you're hanging in there well. Doesn't it seem good to be about done?
Colleen, I hope you're finding some time to regroup and catch your breath. I'm still thinking about you and your mom. Hope she's hanging in there, too.
Carol, doing any better? We played 9 holes of golf today. It was in the low 60's and very windy but it was so good to get out. Tonight we're doing an indoor putting party at the golf club. They turn the clubhouse into an 18 hole mini-course with appetizers on each hole. Teams of four complete for the low score. It's so much fun and it's good to see everyone after the long winter. We play with out neighbors who don't golf much so we usually end up at the bottom but we're still laughing at the end of the night.
Hugs to all of you.
Rita
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Thanks Lisa. I figured it had to come from somewhere. I will talk to my onc about it when I see her next on Tuesday. I did my usual search and did not come up with it linked to CMF but since I had no other explanation, I figured I'd ask. For some reason I think this is one that my onc's nurse may have mentioned, but I could not find it when I googled CMF.
I am slowly working my way down each and every CMF side effect
. But luckily they are not all staying so I deal with the ones that I have at a given time. Anyway, I go for tx 6 on Tuesday and I am not looking forward to it at all. I had a really bad week with tx5 and then have been fine, using my usual acupuncture for side effects. I just don't feel like feeling lousy again. I have had 20 rads so far and have about 12 more to go. The side effects have not been too bad from the rads but the atmosphere at my center is the pits. And after CMF tx 6, I find out if I am going for 8 or am stopping sooner. Have a nice weekend all.
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Ritajean
While I was writing, your post came through. I love the idea of your clubhouse being turned into a mini course with appetizers on each hole. It sounds like such fun!!!
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Ritajean, that really does sound like a fun event. We've had some beautiful weather today in the Midwest over the last few days, didn't we? Sounds like you really made the most of it. Yes, I'm still feeling great--no side effects from the CMF at all. Just some nagging pain from the tissue expanders but I guess I have to get used to that as a constant.
Mandy, I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with your tx. What are some of the other CMF SEs you have experienced? I really hope you get to stop at 6. That is my regime, so hopefully it is one that works.
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Hang in there Mandy! You're getting to the end now. You're one tough gal to be doing both rads and chemo at the same time.
Samiam...wonderful! You've done really good this time. There is no reason to expect anything different next time. Our Carol whizzed right through chemo with hardly any side effects. Hopefully you're just following in her shoes!
Rita
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Good Monday Morning,
Rita ... I love the indoor putting contest idea .... Hmmmm, we need a bigger club, or maybe they could have one shot that goes down a flight of stairs !!!!
I really need to get out and atleast hit the the range. We're heading south in 2 ½ weeks and I have not swung a club since last Nov.
Lisa, AWESOME pics once again. Your always there for a nice pick me up !!!
Samian, I know you've probably already gotten your ear full on taking your preventative meds for se's. Keep it up ... I took my anti nausea throughout my txt, never knew if I actually needed it or not ... I wasn't about to wait and find out.
Mandy, no tingling toes here ... I don't think any se's are necessarily a given or not on any of the various chemo regimens. Sounds like Lisa may have had a suggestion for you.
So Annie ... what's your timing for surgery ?
Harley ... any pics being shared soon from your getaway ???
Susan ... look forward to chatting Weds ... we are on for that aren't we ???
Personally still working on my achies ... massage today, acupuncture tomorrow ... I'm not giving up hope that something will click !!!!
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Hi all:
Just a very quick note, to say hi and goodbye for awhile....
But first, I believe, Carol, it's your birthday today???? At least that is the date on my CMF contact sheet. If so................HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If not, my goof, but a gift is on its way to you as I thought it was today
. Enjoy anyway if it is or isn't.I must excuse myself for a bit...oopharectomy/hysterectomy is on Wednesday, and i won't be on for a bit, but as soon as I can hunt and peck I'll come back on! Send good vibes everybody that there is no cancer in the pathology there. I'll be back, all "neutered" and good to go I hope next week sometime.
love you all
annie
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