CMF Question
Comments
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YEA Mandy................3 years! And now you've started to work on year 4! You go, gal!
Cabmom....it looks like you have something to look forward to now! Have a great trip and just have lots of fun!
We're sending the search light out for Patty! Hey Patty....jump on here and let us know how it's going for you. We need an update! I sincerely hope that all is going well and that you've just been too busy having fun to keep us updated.
I'm having all kinds of fun with my grandson. We've been golfing and swimming and went to see Cars 2 today. I must admit that I'm spoiling him! This week is "all about him." I really enjoy being a grandmother.
More later!
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Hello girls, I haven't been on lately. Golfergrandma- whoo hoo one to go are you going to something nice for yourself? My ladt tx was horrific they gave me a new nurse an after 2 maybe 3 blown veins they called in my reg. Nurse. The neuladta kickdd my butt. I have my sons graduation and awards right the nrxt teo days. Yhe weather was horrible here. I have. Swollen ankles, my hair was shedding but nothing major, i loose about 50 hairs from what i see. Ihave very thick hair and alot of it. My hair is my last concern. Ok ladies im going to an outdoor movie at the damn with my BBF since kindergarten, how lucky am I? She is great, dont get to see her much she. Has 5yo lil girl. Wish i could post a pic but thats a no go due to the fact she was adopted, my friend is scared to post over the airwaves. I guess i cant blame her. Take care big huggs yo all of you.
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Sorry for my horrible typing. I use my phone.
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Hey Patty, I'm so glad you posted but sorry that the last treatment was so hard on you. There was only one gal at our cancer center that couldn't ever seem to get an IV in on the first try. We all cringed when we saw her coming our way. I finally got to where I asked for one of the other gals. Nurses like that need a refresher course. We have enough stress when we come in for a treatment without having to worry about nurses who just can't get the job done. Still it sounds sorta positive that you are going to an outdoor movie and getting out and about! You hang in there. You can do it.
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Mandy -- We visited Gettysburg a couple years ago and were impressed. We are very familiar with Lincoln's address since we are from IL and had to memorize it during our school years. We especially enjoyed the diorama of the battle of Gettysburg. Congrats on your 3-year anniversary!
Patty - Sorry you suffered from your last tx and from the neulasta shot. That shot is a bummer! I know what you mean about the nurses attempting to take blood. Now I request the nurses who do it right! There aren't many of them out there! It's amazing how quickly the tx come to an end - hang in there! Please keep us up to date on your progress.
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Golfergrandma thanks for your good thoughts. Yes, the trip to Gettysburg was a thought provoking experience. Like you, I had to memorize many of the speeches and documents as part of my education---though I found it hard to do at the time, I am kind of glad that I can recite these important documents. And wow...you are almost there...one more tx!!! Great going!
Patty: So glad you checked in. I guess we all have our "she cant do an IV" nurses. I had one the fist time I got chemo...after 3 tries, she still had not found a vein. And she returned for my 6th tx....she couldn't get the job done and she was nasty to boot. I threw her out of my chemo room. Yes I am afraid I told her to "get out and get away from me." I caused quite a commotion and as a result, I got a nurse who could do IVs, my onc appeared out of no where, and I never had to deal with the nasty incompetent nurse again (I even got an apology from her). I still wonder at myself because it is not like me to lose it just like that. You sound as if you handled it with a good deal more stoicism than I had in me that day. But on to the more important things---your son has graduated from something (you did not say what)...congratulations to him and to you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. And take care. You will be finished with the cmf before you know it.
Cyber hugs to all.
Mandy.
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Ladies, I finished CMF in 2/10 and with the exception of one instance, have been in "chemopause" since 12/09. I have had pretty consistent hot flashes (about 20 a day and I have no idea how many at night, but it wakes me up constantly!) and went on Effexor about 5 months ago. Initially, it cut them by half, at least, but they are up and going strong again. The doctor suggested that I double the Effexor, but I'm not wild about that since it is an antidepressant and I just feel like I am always popping pills all the time between the Tamoxifen and all of the vitamins and minerals I take. Also, if I miss a dose, I feel really awful, so I'm thinking the effect will be worse if I increase it. Thoughts? Suggestions? How long will this last? Will I ever wear cashmere again? (Having a hot flash as I type this . . . )
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Kate - I've been on tamoxifen since Jan and do know about hot flashes...it's just become a way of life with the covers off and on all night. I haven't tried effexor or anything else, so not sure what to say...as you mention I don't like taking much, so my approach is just to deal with the hot flashes and I believe in time they will calm down. Chemo also put me into menopause last summer. I notice I sleep better when I get enough exercise. As for cashmere...my older sis had told me to get cardigans and this has been the way to go...all day is on and off with sweaters and all night is on and off with covers...if you get cashmere, I'd recommend a cardigan (smile).
golfergrandma - I'm so happy to read you are almost finished - hurray!!
Patty - you are getting there too. Keep on truckin!
Mandy - thanks for posting about the IV troubles...I had 12 IV treatments of the M&F and it was always a hassel to find a nurse who could get an IV going...it's nice to read that others have had trouble. My 2nd time was the worst when this horrid nurse was yelling at me and several other elderly gentlemen that we all needed to get ports. She was a nut and fortunately I avoided her the remaining 10 times. Some of the nurses were just great, though.
To all my CMF friends I hope you are having an awesome summer. So far so good for me. My health is good and energy is good. I'm having some moodiness from the tamoxifen, but yeck it's tolerable and I'm just so happy to be through treatment and feeling darn good. Best wishes to all!! ~Beans
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Hi everybody! Just so happy my last tx is next Monday! Yay! But hearing about the se's from tamoxifen is not something to look forward to! Onc said he is prescribing tamoxifen after I finish chemo. My summer has been better than tolerable since I'm able to play golf often and just have to lay low for about a week after tx, and had a great vacation with my family at Myrtle Beach. My energy level has been high too.
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Golfergrandma - I'm so happy for you to be at the end of this!! Puleeeeze don't be afraid of tamoxifen, I've been on it 6.5 months and the main things are some hot flashes and maybe a bit of moodiness, similar to when I used to get PMS but milder than that. I was terrified to start it, but it's okay. There is a good thread, "Bottle of Tamoxifen" that has been helpful to me too. When something else is bothering me I may be a bit more prone to tears, but heck, could still be some PTSD symptoms too. You can always try it and see how it is too...and if it gives you trouble there are other meds...You have just done so great through this, so congratulations on Monday and you will be just so happy to have it over.
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Yeah Golfergrandma
......I'm smiling like crazy for you! Patty.....ALMOST
, it will be over before you know it! 0 -
Golfergrandma....Did your onc say why he was going with the Tamoxifen when you finish chemo instead or Arimidex or Femara? Just curious...............
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golfergrandma- Congratulations! You did it! Now on with life....and your golf game! Four!
Patty- You will be next! Hoping things settle down a bit for you. As you have had nurses have problems getting an IV started, do not hesitate to ask for specific chemo nurses. This is no time for someone to practice. I always asked for my favorite nurse. Even the nurses understand some of them are better than others at getting a vein, it really is a talent.
Beanius- I'm up in your neck of the woods and loving it! I'll try to email you if I ever finish catching up with everything.
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Thanks to all for your input on the hot flashes. Beanious, I only buy cardigan sweaters anymore! I did find a very small desktop fan which I have at work and blow all over myself as the need arises. It's a good thing I have my own office or I'd look like a crazy person tearing layers off and fanning myself every 45 minutes or so . . .
I also bought a standing fan which I've put about 2 feet from my bed and that does help, too.
Kate
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Just bumping up our thread so that it's easier to find. I hope everyone had a great weekend! We caught some fish and did some golfing. Life is good!
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Hello friends, Guess what ? Today was #6 of 8. We blew another vein today, but it was my favorite nurse. She is trying to save the veins used already. My counts were low, don't know about other test results yet.
Golfergrama-Are you done? Do you need rads?
Take care
Patty0 -
Patty: you'll never feel it until you're finished. You must be doing dose-dense (every two weeks)? You should be able to see the counts on their website. I always checked them there as I was impatient.
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Did my last tx Monday and I'm done! No rads either. It's good it's over because the chemo nurse stuck me 5 times! I have black bruises on my arm that look as though I've been hit by a truck! My WC was down to 2900, but onc is not planning a neulasta shot right now. When I have my 10 day blood check, he might decide to go ahead with it.
Have been visiting hair,hair,hair lately because that's my next journey. Nurse said it'll take 6 wks. for my hair to begin growing again. Yuck! Am just resting this week and it's good because it's in the high 90's. No golf for me.
Patty - It's almost over for you too! Congrats.
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Golfergrandma and Patty: If I am right, you are both finished! WAHOOOOOO!!! Congrats for putting up with it all.
Mandy
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Mandy-2 more to go for me. Bur golfergrama is going to be tearing up those greens !!!**** Four**** lol. Patty
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Golfergram is a CHEMO grad! YEA! Within 2 weeks she'll be tearing up the golf course! I'm so glad your journey is over! Even the fatigue isn't so bad after that last treatment because we know we don't have to go back and do it again.
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Y'all - Thanks for the good wishes! You've all been so helpful and supportive during tx, and I so much appreciate it. Will definitely visit this thread in the future to see what everyone is doing.
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Golfergranda: I can't believe you're finished already. Not exactly a round of golf, but it seemed to go pretty quickly. I agree with ritajean that the fatigue didn't seem as bad immediately after the last chemo, but there was some long term tiredness with me, compounded by radiation (not sure if you are doing rads too?) so do take it easy and don't take on too much.
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And yes, golfergram..................PLEASE come back and visit! Don't stay away too long! Hugs!
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Way to go......golfergrandma. I am so HAPPY for you that you are DONE. That is awesome news.
Hope everyone else is doing great.....
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My last CMF tx will be next week; but I have to start Abraxane three weeks after that for 8 doses; and then, on to the radiation. But, I will be done with the weekly CMF! Woohoo!
I'm scared to start the Abraxane because I had a really bad reaction to Taxotere. I'm hoping that it was the cremophor in the Taxotere that caused the reaction and not the taxane ingredient itself. . .I know. . .one thing at a time.
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Toomanycocktails......You've about tackled the CMF! YEA! I didn't have Abraxane so I can't comment on it. I sincerely hope that your body tolerates it well. Perhaps somebody here who has done Abraxane will jump in with some helpful hints or support. I know how hard it is to take one thing at a time because our minds never stop moving ahead. In fact, I'm probably the world's greatest "worrier!" However, it is so much easier for us if we can just go through this journey one day at a time. Often our greatest fears never materialize and we've spent all that energy worrying about "what might have been." Please come back often and let us know how you are doing. We will help you get through whatever you need to face to defeat this beast.
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Hello Ritajean, I was an anxious type even before I got cancer; but cancer has worsened my physical symptoms; so I can't tell when I'm having an actual panic attack or really having bouts of tachycardia. I got CHF from the FEC. I've got nerve pills and heart pills!
Can having cancer turn you into a hypochondriac? A hypochondriac that doesn't want to go to the doctor because it really might be some more bad news? I'm tired from all the stuff from the chemo, all the doctors appt's. I'm just trying to make it through this.
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Toomanycocktails...I'm guessing they gave you FEC first, then tried you on Taxotere, then switched you to CMF as you had the reaction to Taxotere. Your are going you through a lot no wonder you are anxious and dealing with serious side effects and worrying about treatments still to come. I worried about Adriamycin affecting my heart, but so far so good. I was told that Epirubicin was less toxic to the heart but it's much more expensive in the US so they usually opt for Adriamycin as they don't have a problem with insurance covering it. Yet, you had Epirubicin and now have CHF! I'm guessing you are in Canada or the UK where FEC is given more often.
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Hello Mary, I live in Kansas. I think that they put me on the Epirubicin because there was a shortage of Adriamycin when I started chemo???
I just looked it up. There's still a shortage of Adriamycin.
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