CMF Question
Comments
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Hey Rita,
Thanks, Rita. You are SO sweet!
No, I really haven't had too many se's, none that were too bad, really... the 1st tx I had diarrhea so bad!, but I got smart and took Immodium, which helped. My nose is running all the time, from the Taxotere, I have heard. I also get stomach cramps which are pretty bad sometimes. The thing that bothers me most is the low wbc week, and one day, I'm never sure which day, I get achey, fever and chills. I just have to drink lots of fluids, take my temperature a few times, and take Ibuprofen to help with the fever. I just rest, usually go to bed early. I haven't had nausea and have even been hungry, so hungry!!I think most of the other se's were from the Neupogen shots I had the 1st tx... MY lower back ached so bad!! I have never had a back ache that bad!
I'm still dealing with the hairloss issue... I am very emotional about it!
But, I have been lucky, because so many other women have had alot worse se's from their tx.
I am halfway through, and will be getting my reconstruction Nov. 7th, so I'll be getting implants, and all during the Holidays, I'll be getting them filled...
It will be so good to have this all over!!
Take care. Thanks for checking on me. I have had trouble getting in to this new format! I don't think it's any easier than the old one.Happy Weekend!
HARLEY
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Hello everyone!
You all have to hold down the CMF thread for a few days as I am flying out first thing in the morning to Vegas for three days. I am looking forward to getting away and hopefully forgetting bc for a few days. I've been sorta down this week as one of the ladies who took me to a few of my treatments has been diagnosed with bc and a very young gal at our church was diagnosed just last week. It just seems to continue...striking women of all ages and from all walks of life. How I wish they could find the cause or causes!
Take care everyone. I'll be back later in the week.
Rita
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Rita,
Have a nice vacation! You are such a sweet lady!
I know, all this bc stuff can really get us down sometimes, especially when it seems to be striking everyone we love!
Hugs,
Harley
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Rita, Have a great time and I hope you win big, oh that's right we already have!!!!!
-Melanie
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I haven't posted in quit awhile. Had a very busy few months, as my son was on a Little League All-Star team and we were traveling for his games. Glad to see everyone is doing well. Rita, Hope you are having a great time in Vegas ( I love Vegas). Well i start my 6th and final round on Wednesday (14 days of pills and I will be done!!!!!!) yahoooo!!!! It has been a long 6 months.
Margret, I also am on the pill form of CMF. I take the pill for 14 days and then get the M&F through I.V on day 1&8 of the cycle. Make sure that she drinks alot of water. I am doing quit well as far as nausua (sp) goes. She needs to see what works best for her.What I found that works for me is, I take my pills 9:30 a.m on an empy stomach.Then I do not eat anything until 2 hours after I take my pills. But I do pound the water. The reason for this is to flush your system of the medicine. As far as the hair goes. I did get a wig just in case. But never had to wear it. I lost about 50-60% of my hair and I am going into my final round. It doesn't come out in globs, it is more of a constant shedding. My hair is actually starting to grow back in and getting fuller. I did have sections of my hair that lost more than other places. But I found a way to always cover it up. People that don't know me would never know I lost that much hair. People that did know me thought I just got it thinned out for the summer. I hope your friend finds what works for her and I wish her well.
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Hi everyone,
Just got back from Greece on Saturday.
I'm so thankful to have made a new, "good", memory. My husband and I had a great time. My husband celebrated his 50th birthday, we celebrated our 5th Anniversary and not to mention celebrated ending a most challenging year of fighting BC. I recommend getting away, anywhere if you can, at the end of your treatments. It was wonderful not to think of BC so much and all of the worries. I must say my energy was pretty good, I really kept up and suprised myself. Still hot flashing like crazy (which was challenging with temps of 40 and over!)...but hey, I can't complain. Came home to find this new format. Not sure if I like it...but we will see. I need to review and look at the posts I have missed. Hope everyone is doing well.
Ginny
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Hey Ginny,
Glad to hear from you!! It is great to hear that you had a wonderful time on your trip to Greece!I hate this new format!
I will finish my tx on Oct. 9th, but I'm having reconstruction, on Nov. 7th. I'm getting implants, so I'll have the fills going probably through the holidays.
My dh and I are planning a little mini-cruise sometime around April or May of next year. We are also going to try an ultra luxury cruise on Silver Sea cruise line, over Christmas 2008 and New Years 2009. We will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary on Jan 4, 2009! It should be fun!! That is something that we need, after this very hectic, crazy year!
Harley
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YEAH!!!!! I finished !!!!! Thank you all!!!
-melanie
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Melanie,
Congratulations!! That is great!!!!
I was thinking about you yesterday, but didn't get online to post... You did it, and so can I!Harley
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CONGRATULATIONS Melanie
!!! Ginny
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Congratulations Melanie! You did it!!!! Doesn't it feel wonderful? Breathe in...breathe out and start moving onward!
Ginny...I'm so glad that you had a great trip. I was gone for three days to Vegas. It really wasn't long enough to do all the things that I wanted to do out there (and I plan to go back sometime in the future) but it was so nice to get away. I didn't win any big jackpot but spent a lot less than I thought I' spend and we had a great time.
I love your new avatar and also Melanie's. My son will be here this next weekend and I'm going to have him try to put on a new one for me as I'm still computer illiterate when it comes that type of thing.
Like all of you, I'm not sure I like this new format but I guess we will get use to it in time. It certainly doesn't seem any easier.
Cathy...so good to hear from you again and to see that you are so near the end. It's a long haul, isn't it? Pretty soon we will be celebrating with you, too. Hang in there.
Harvey...you're pretty near the end, too. YEAH! I love your spirit.
Well, I need to unpack and start in on cleaning this house so I'd better get going.
Glad to see that everybody is doing well.
Rita
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Rita,
Hi, great to hear from you!
Sorry you didn't win in Vegas, but you are STILL a winner!!
Harley
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Thanks Harley! I just noticed in my last post that I called you Harvey.....how flattering, eh?! Accept my apologies. I really think it was a typo (or maybe a brain fart!) Have a good day!
Rita
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Rita,
Now that I don't have breasts or hair, I could be Harvey... lol No offense taken...
Harley
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Harley.....you are a riot! You keep me in "stitches" just laughing with you! Have a good weekend.
Rita
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Rita,
Thanks! I think it is important to have a great sense of humor while going thru our treatments. After I had my head shaved to about 2 inches, I told my dh that I look like "SLUGGO", from those old comic books, Nancy & Sluggo!!
Hugs
Harley
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Rita, glad you had a nice time in Vegas. Harley so good to hear you are doing well!
I just had biopsies done (6) on my thyroid goitres---what fun. I guess because of my bc they want to make sure my thyroid lumps are o.k. Walking around with bruises on my neck---I started to cry just before the procedure because I just felt like, "no more!". It was so good to have some time off going to hospitals. Anyway, please say a prayer for me that everything checks out o.k. You ladies are in my prayers too.
Oh, another CMF update---I got my hair cut short so the over 60% (as my hair dresser just told me) of hair that I lost and is growing in (now about 1"1"2 long) can catch up to the rest. Harley your hair will be short and sassy too in no time. I was glad to finally give in and cut my long hair because everytime I looked in the mirror I saw the effects of chemo. A fresh start!
Take care,
Ginny
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Ginny,
Even with CMF, you still lost quite a bit of your hair! I bet it felt great to have your hair cut to a manageable length, because if it has thinned that much, it will look better shorter, until it all comes back! I am sure it will grow back quickly!
My hair is... well, I guess I should be glad that I didn't seem to lose all my hair, even though I had it shaved to about 2"... It's still short, but it seems to be getting darker... I didn't want to have it come in all white!!
Oh, poor you!! After all that you have been thru, to have to have more tests! I'm praying that everything is ok, with your thyroid lumps.
My next tx is Tuesday, and I am really not looking forward to it... oh well, after that, I'll only have one more left!
Hugs,
God Bless,
Harley
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Thanks Harley! Yes, I'm glad I cut it. I'll try to post a photo sometime. So you didn't lose all your hair? Wow, that is amazing.
All the best in your treatment tomorrow---only one left after that---fantastic! I remember how anxious you were before starting (weren't we all
) and now you are almost finished. Way to go, you will be an inspiration for all the new ladies joining.Blessings,
Ginny
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Ginny,
When it first started falling out, only my white hairs fell out.. that was ok... Then, it started falling out in clumps, so the guy at the wig shop shaved it to about 1 - 2 inches short. The strangest thing happened! I had the receding hair line that guys get when they go bald. Then, in a couple of days, it filled in all WHITE!!! Then I lost a lot of hair all over my head, but it was spotty... then it was almost ALL WHITE! Now, though, it seems to be turning darker, which is better. My hair looks like someone's pics that they posted, and I can't remember her name. She lost ALL HER HAIR, and at about 6 weeks post chemo, her hair looked like mine does now. At first, she only had a little bit of fuzz... I remember when my hair in the front looked like that! lol
I would like to see your pics, too. I think your hair probably looks cute!
Yes, I know that I was SO SCARED just before I started chemo! I didn't think I would be able to get through it, but here I am!
Yes, after tomorrow, I'll only have ONE more!! It has gone well so far. I am getting really tired, though. I guess that is what happens with chemo...
God Bless,
Harley
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Wow we've had gals travelling all over and others finishing treatment and still others that are almost done!
I know that at some point we all say I can't handle anymore but we do and we get it done! and that's a good feeling!
So for any that are starting remember we've been there and you can do this!
For those that are almost done, you've made it through the roughest parts and there is light at the end of the tunnel!
For those that have already finished. You are an insperation and a great help to those starting or going through this.
I've seen bad days and I've seen good and the best are when I see all of you here to help another sister make it through the day and sometime through the night.
Keep this thought in mind. You are not alone! We are here and we can make it through anything with sister like this to lean on.
Hugs & Prayers
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Yes we can. It has been a rough couple of weeks for me. For some reason I had a very hard time emotionally leading up to my LAST treatment and afterwards, well, it hit me hard, physically. Today is day 9 after treatment and it is the first day I am feeling almost myself.
I may be developing lymphedema in my hand, I really need to get this taken care of.You guys are great! My sister found this site for me when I was starting and I truly thank G-d she did. This has been wonderful. Especially in the beginning when your fears are so high.
Keep up the good work ladies.
-melanie
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Melanie,
Congratulations on finishing your chemo!!I have only ONE more treatment left, scheduled for Oct 9th!! Yippee!
I was starting to feel kind of depressed, before my treatment yesterday. I guess it isn't going fast enough for me. But, it'll be over soon.
Nov. 7th is my reconstruction!Please keep checking in and posting when you get a chance. You were such an inspiration to me, when I was first starting!
I know that God works in mysterious ways; HE always seems to give us just what we need, when we need it!
Good Luck!
HARLEY
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Congratulations, Melanie! You did it! I, too, had a hard time with the last treatment and all the emotions that accompanied it. I understand your feelings right now. You made it!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!
It was one long journey, eh? And you did it!
Please stay in touch. You've been a vital part of this thread and we don't want to lose contact with you.
Congrats Harley on getting through another treatment. One more, lady......doesn't that sound good? You can do it!
Rita
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Rita,
Yes, just ONE MORE TX!! It sounds SO good!!
Hugs,
Harley
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Hi Melanie, my last treatment was tough as well. Hopefully you are now feeling better. How is your hand?
Harley, what type of reconstruction will you be having. I'm praying I can get an appt with our PS soon to discuss this as well. I have decided to have a mastectomy on the so called "good" side. With dense breasts, no tamoxifen... available for me...I have decided to part with this ticking time bomb. A lot of you ladies from this site have helped me see that this is the best option. I don't want to deal with this again, if I can help it.
Rita, hope you are feeling better with all those nastey menapause symptoms (I really sympathize, because I'm right there too!
I'm changing my avatar with a photo of my new hair cut (background is Santorini, Greece---ooppaa!)
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Hey, Ginny,
My reconstruction will be implants, Becker implants, from Mentor. They are the "permanent" implants that only require ONE surgery! YIPPEE! I don't have enough fat to do any of those other types of surgeries...
What kind are you getting? Have you had your mast. yet? You'll be having your other breast removed? Yes, I didn't want to worry about developing a recurrence there, in the other breast.
I'm not feeling very well today... just had my 3rd tx on Tuesday and the Neulasta shot on Wed... I'll go get some lunch and lay down...
Good Luck! Keep posting, so I can see how you are doing! Can't wait to see your new pics! I don't know WHEN I'll get my hair back...
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Hi Harley,
I had a right mastectomy last November. I'm not sure what I will be doing until I meet (hopefully) with the PS. I have one radiated mastectomy site, so I guess maybe a diep? I would like to try a skin sparing mastectomy on the other...don't know, will see.
Yeh, the neulasta shot can make you feel unwell. Resting is the best thing. Before you know it though you will be done! I'm starting to get my energy back a bit and the only bad long term side effect has been this early chemo induced menaupause. Have to figure out what to do so that I can sleep through the night (never had this prob before) I wake up for a couple of hours each night.
Need to figure out how to add some pics here.
Take good care,
Ginny
PS. It was so good to hear from you b445---you are truly an inspiration and an angel!
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Hi
I haven't talked to you all in a few weeks.
Congrats Melanie!!
Glad to read that you are all doing the best you can which is all we can do.
Harley, one more to go!!! wahoo!!! The time does go, doesn't it.
Rita, haven't seen you in the circle much lately.
Well, I am doing ok. I just had knee surgery 2 weeks ago..had a miniscal tear. I also have osteo arthritis in that knee too. If it's not one thing it's another, right. I was out of work for a week and am doing better now.
Always glad to read your posts and to see how you are doing. Take care.
Hugs and prayers,
Candie
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Ginny,
Hey, I like your pic, in the Atavar! Is that you AFTER chemo? Wow! Your hair is coming in... WOW!
Let me know when I can expect to get my energy back again... I am starting to be more and more tired as time goes on... Yes, the Neulasta shot really takes alot out of me...
I also have a condition called Premature Ovarian Failure, which put me into menopause WAY early. I was dx'd at 35 y.o. , but it was probably much earlier... I had hot flashes when I was only about 19 or 20 y.o.
Let me know when you will be having your reconstruction... I'd love it if you would post or pm me to let me know how it goes... My reconstruction will be Nov. 7th, so I guess yours will be before mine.
Take care!
HarleyP.S. How long does it take for your hair to come back?? I want my hair back NOW!!
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