CMF Question
Comments
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Rockytop....Oh I remember the bad shedding that happened about half-way through treatments. I was just sure I was going to lose all my hair but I didn't. In fact, nobody but me and my hair dresser even realized what was going on. I do feel your panic, though. I really think that the shedding will slow down and you'll get through O.K. with the hair issue. Keep me informed. Hugs!
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Rockytop: I had terrible shedding after tx 4. But it slowed down and like Ritajean I think no one noticed except for me.
AAnd Ritajean, I know this is an important five year anniversary for you!!! I don't know how many of us you have nursed through our CMF tx and for that I will forever be thankful. Wishing you another five times 55 anniversaries at the least. Special hugs to you.
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So glad Cabmom and ritajean have passed their anniversaries with flying colors! Hugs to all! Yes, ritajean has helped soooo many of us get through tx. God bless!
Have been away for awhile, but wanted to update everyone. Am still trying to work out what I will be taking for the next 5 years if anything! The fareston is not an alternative because of the cost (9,600/year). My onc wanted me to try tamoxifen again, and I'm stopping it today because of the pelvic pain and pressure. I'm to see him on 12/13 and will probably be getting shots once a month, though the shots are really for metastatic breast cancer and have not been tried for prevention. I went to my stylist last week for my first haircut since starting tx. It's short, but curly and kinda cute looking!
Rocktop -- hang in there girl! You're almost through!
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Ritajean, Mandy and Golfergrandma,
You all help me through this! A big thanks and hugs! I am getting a hair trim tomorrow to get rid of some of the dry ends! My hair seems to be a bit dry from the chemo. The shedding does freak me out!! When I comb my hair it just seems to come out alot!! About how long does the shedding go on, or did it just sort of stop?? As if I needed any more stress!! Ugh!
Ritajean..Happy Anniversary on five cancer free years!
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rockytop: try to treat your hair gently. i changed from my usual every day washing to washing every third day; i used a special shampoo and conditioner which ritajean suggested. i never combed my hair durinng chemo but then i don't usually comb my hair. i can't remember everything else i did, but i do recall being gentle with my hair. after my 4th tx i had major shedding. it never was as bad after that.
sorry about the no capital letters but i am typing with only one hand. i fractured my other hand by falling off a bicycle,
and wishing everyone a wonderful thanksgiving,
mandy
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Hi, everyone!
Wishing all of you a lovely Thanksgiving.
Mandy, I'm sorry about your hand!
I am having one of those days. I went in for infusion #4 of six this morning and was sent away because my white count is so low. I couldn't help it; I just started crying. The poor nurse felt so bad she was tearing up as well. They said they wanted me back in on Monday but had no appointments until next Friday! I feel fine so it's very frustrating! The nurse seemed worried about my numbers which makes me nervous. The up side is the office called a few hours later and said they have a cancellation on Monday. I feel like I'm handling things well but when something unexpected comes up it completely throws me.
My shedding has slowed. It seems to come and go.0 -
upstate, we all have those days where everything is too much to deal with. i think chemo affects our feelings some what plus we are all going through alot. but from a positive side, you will be able to enjoy thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and will get your infusion just a couple of days later. take care and let us know how it goes on monday.
hugs and happy thanksgiving to all my sisters on this thread.
mandy
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Oh upstate, you're on an emotional roller-coaster right now and these little breakdowns just happen. There's been alot that you've had to process and deal with throughout this journey and it's O.K. to cry every so often. When you do, you'll just pee less that day!
Hang in there. You really don't want to do a treatment when your counts are down going into it. They would only go down lower and that might cause very unpleasant side effects, so waiting is the best thing to do. It's just so darn hard to wait and we want to stay on schedule because we want them DONE!!!! Did you have to have a neulasta shot to help build up the counts or did they think that your body was correct the situation with the extra days?In the meantime, try to enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Mandy, gosh! I'm sorry to hear about your hand. That was not what you needed! Are you in cast?
Golfergram.....keep us informed on what you do with the "after treatment drugs." I can't believe the cost of the fareston. YIKES! Who COULD afford that?
Everyone have a very Happy Thanksgiving! You are all such special ladies!
Rita
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Happy Thanksgiving to all my CMF family!! There are so many things that I'm thankful for this year and all of you are at the top of my list
! I hope that each of you have a blessed and safe holiday!!0 -
To all my CMF sisters...Happy Thanksgiving..
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We all have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving -- our families, our oncologists, our continued health (even during tx)! Please count your blessings -- I know I am. Hope everyone has a very special Thanksgiving! Hugs to all!
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Rita, I love the line about crying making me pee
less! Perfect!
The plan is to get my infusion on Monday (fingers crossed that my numbers are up!) and then go back on Tuesday for a Neulasta shot. I'm hoping the side effects aren't too bad. I've scared myself reading about it. I'm trying to stay busy but feel like all I'm doing is waiting for chemo. I did take my first long run since my surgery in August (8.3 miles) with friends who have been so wonderful. That felt amazing.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Denise - Don't be too concerned about the neulasta shot because it really works to get your BC up and that is what we want, right? You are doing exactly what you should be doing by running! I tried to lead as normal a life as I could during chemo - for me, it was golfing! It makes tx go so much faster. Try to look ahead, but not to your next tx! Hugs to you and hang in there! Joyce
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Hi Ladies,
I am new to this thread. I had a BMX with recon 3 weeks ago and am awaiting the resubmission of my onco test. The first one came back under 10, but we resubmitted because I have a LVI. My onc really is not recommending chemo, but she said if I really want it she would give me CMF. I've done a lot of reading and I know CMF is one of the older regimens used, and most hospitals today are using other regimines. I think she is suggesting CMF because it is sposed to be the most tolerable. She would do 8 cycles. So, can you tell me what your experiences are? I am already shedding hair like crazy (SE of surgery?) and I also have very young children so I want to be very aggressive in my treatment. Thanks, VickyB
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Hi VickyB!
My advice to you is to get a second opinion from an oncologist at a major cancer center which is not the cancer center where you presently are treated. There is not one way to treat cancer. While CMF is tolerable, it is not without side effects, some of which might be permanent in certain people (hard to know in whom ahead of time). With such a low oncotype, it would be up to your oncologists what you did in terms of chemo. Some cancer centers are more aggressive than others so you might like to see an oncologist at an aggressive center. I saw three oncologists before I decided on my treatment. And I still get more than one opinion on follow up issues.
Wishing you all of the best.
Hugs,
Mandy
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Mandy - I don't know another cancer ctr, other than UVA Medical Ctr. Maybe I should look into seeing another onc about my tamoxifen problem. Where I live is not an urban area so my options are limited. I do have confidence in my onc however. I did not get second opinions on my tx. CMF was used instead of others because it does no harm to the heart.0
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I just about always get a second or third opinion about every major medical decision..
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Hello, Ladies! Just checking in. I was able to get my 4th infusion Monday and had the Neulasta shot on Tuesday. I've had a rough couple of days but am bouncing back now. I need to remember in the moment that a bad day is just a day and better days are ahead.
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Upstate: sounds like you're on your way. And with a good attitude. This is a doable chemo and if I made it through all 8 tx, you will be able to as well. Hope you continue to heel better.
Hugs
Mandy
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Hope everyone is doing okay....sending prayers
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Hi My CMF Friends,
Just wanted to say hello and hope you are all well.
I have good news: today is my one year anniversary of the last day I had to take cytoxan pills - so my one year end of chemo anniversary - whew, so glad that is in the past! (I had 6 cycles of CMF, the MF by IV and cytoxan by pills.) I had my one year mammograms this month too and they were both benign to be rechecked in 6 months. I'm still waiting for blood work, but so far this year all has been excellent.
Thanks again to everyone here who helped me get through CMF. I'm doing a lot better now.
Best wishes to you all for a wonderful holiday season!!
Love & hugs,
Beans
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YEAH Beanius.....that is all awesome news. So happy to hear that you're doing great! I'm sure your blood work will come back great too but I'll still be sending up a prayer
! Hope your holidays are blessed!!!
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Yay Beanius!!! One year!!! Wahoo!!!
And sending hugs to all my sisters on this thread.
Mandy
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Hi Everyone! I don't come to BCO often anymore, felt the need to move on. I will never forget the support and encouragement from all of you. I celebrate every time I hear good news from one of you. I continue to do well, I get my checkups and so far, so good. Huge hugs to each and every one of you!
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Hey Upstate! You're on the downhill slide now. It won't be long and you'll be doing the "no mo' chemo dance!" Hang in there. The fatigue sometimes gets us toward the last half of the treatments but it IS doable. Hugs to you!
Beans...............wow! Such good news! YEA!!!!!! I just had my 5 year check-up last week. I was so nervous but all went well. Now I'm good to go for another 6 months. So see, Beans! You've got one year down and we'll be celebrating your 5 years before you know it!
Designer Mom...thanks for checking in. I have missed you but understand the need to move on, too. We are always here and would still love to hear from you off and on, though. It's tough to find that "new you" after all the treatments and appointments are finished. I am glad that you're moving on. Hugs your way, too!
I'm off to do banking and run some other errands this rainy morning! I hope everyone is having a good day!
I probably won't get on before we head out for Christmas. We're going to my kids' house for a few days, and any day that I can get my hands on my grandkids is a GOOD day so we should have a fine time.
I wish each and every one of you a very "Merry Christmas" and a very happy, HEALTHY New Year.
Rita
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Cabmom - thank you for the prayers!
Mandy - thanks so much for the cheers and hugs!!
Designermom - It is good to see you. I have not been on BCO too much lately either. That is great you feel the need to move on. I so agree that I will never forget the support and encouragement I found here. Such great news that you are continuing to do well!!!
Ritajean - HURRAY HURRAY HURRAY on your 5 year check up!!! That is such good news!!!! Yes, the one year mark for me was big. Thanks for celebrating with me and I'm sure celebrating with you!
I did get my bloodwork back now and all was normal, no concerns. So for the first time my MO has changed my recheck from 3 months to 6 months, whew! I am so celebrating that I don't have to see a doctor for 6 months!!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!
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DesignerMom, it's so great to hear from you and SO HAPPY that you're doing great. Definitely understand the need to move on but hope that you won't be too much of a stranger.
Wishing all my CMF sisters a BLESSED and Merry Christmas.....I'm so thankful to each and every one of you!!!!
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Just popping in to say Happy Hanukah and Happy Christmas! Wishing you all a new year of health, ahappiness and serenity.
Hugs
mandy
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Hello CMF friends:
I completed my 8 rounds of dose-dense CMF one month ago. The fatigue sure hit hard towards the end, but every day gets better. One thing I wonder about, and ask all to chime in. Around tx #4, the hair started shedding immensely, and never let up. I am still shedding a crapload of hair and I am a month out of this. I am concerned. If it doesn't slow up soon, I will ned a wig. I know that chemo can stay in your system for a while, but it's been a month. Anyone else have this experience? ANY fed back would be appreciated.
Hope you all have an excellend holiday season: )
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Hello CMF sisters, I too haven't been on much . I feel I need to move away from too much reading. I go for my mammo and ultra sound in Feb. One year since ....my surgery. I have to say i'm scared. I want to thank everyone for all the support you gave me during my tx. At times i sounded like an idiot (reading older posts) i look back and say whoo i can't believe i did it. Holiday blessing to you and you loved ones. Enjoy we sure deserve it. Hugs to all~Patty
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