CMF Question
Comments
-
DOH! I forgot to tell you the date my test is scheduled for... Oct. 2nd, I will be having either an ultrasound or a mammogram to check this lump. I am just a little concerned, since it IS the same breast that I found the bc, 1 1/2 yrs. ago... and it IS in approximately the same place where I found the bc...
Thanks for thinking of me! I'll let you know when I get the all clear!
Harley0 -
Hi Harley:
I was told the same that they wanted a mammogram but I have since learned that it doesn't make much of a difference at all and there is (a slight) chance of rupture. Mammos can spot calcifications, but since we have no boob there ?????. I was told by my surgeon to get an MRI and a mammo on the remaining girl, but I believe some drs. like mammos.
Kind of your choice tho, isn't it? I wouldn't do it either. A good ultrasound or MRI should find anything left over. And let's be realistic, after our mastectomies, the chance of anything at all being there is pretty low, I believe it was at 1 or 2% and it would be in surrounding skin w hich a mammo can't get anyway. An ultra sound can tho!
I love how forceful you have grown Harley in taking charge of things. Good for you, it's your life and body!
thank you for the yippee, very kind of you. My onc gave me a panic attack when he casually told me that they "found something" in my lungs. The fact that it was normal lung tissue was moot, I was already freaked out. Hence the panic attack, leading to elevated heart rate, leading to tests which are all great. So I guess, at least I know the other equipment is AOK. Had to get a freaking heart attack to find out, but I do know and I am glad. I will have to recheck the lungs in March bec. now they have something on film even tho it's benign most likely they will follow it.
Be careful of what tests you get, sometimes it leads to more and more and more............argh.
I hope you are doing well Harleybelle and feeling nice and safe and happy these days. I have just made all the follow ups with mammo, MRI on remaining girl. I sure wish I'd done both of the damn things at once now. Grrrr.
Good luck and tell the surgeon NO for me. Go get that ultrasound and be well hon.
xoxo
annie
0 -
Annie,
LOL You are so sweet! Doesn't it just make you crazy, when drs. say these things so casually... 'oh, BTW, they found something in your lungs...' GRRR....
I am so glad that all your tests came out ALL CLEAR!!
At my yearly check up, I insisted on having a breast MRI, instead of a mammo., as my surgeon wanted. He showed me the fine print on my MRI report, which stated "there is no increased risk of implant rupture with a mammogram versus an MRI." I told him, "I don't believe it!" But, as you say, it IS MY body and MY decision!! I agree with you... and I don't really trust Mammograms to find anything, since they never found my bc until I felt it anyway...
I had to play telephone tag today, with my surgeon's office. The nurse, Carol, called me back to say that my surgeon MEANT to order an u/s, NOT a mammo. So, they corrected the paperwork, and called the hospital to schedule the u/s. Now I am having the u/s on Thurs., as in... the day after tomorrow! Then it was a telephone marathon, calling the hospital to pre register for the u/s, and then to call my insurance case manager, to make sure that she had all the necessary authorization requests. Then she asked ME to call the hospital for their fax # (in my opinion, she should have called them, but I wanted to be sure everything was taken care of, so I called... It is amazing to me how much of their jobs I have been doing, so I kind of think that I should be getting a paycheck from them!
)My follow up with my surgeon isn't til Oct. 10th, so I won't get the results for 2 weeks!!
Thanks for all the support! I am feeling better! I'm hoping that after I get these things taken care of, maybe things will go smoothly for awhile. Since my one year bc anniversary, it seems that it has been one thing after another!!
HUGS
Harley0 -
Hey, hey, hey! Annie got a good report! Breathe in and breathe out again, gal! You're going to finish up this year in style and then start the new year with pizzaz! I'm SO glad that the tests came out good for you.
Carol..what wonderful pictures. I found tears in my own eyes as I read your words and looked at the pictures. You are truly an inspiration to all ladies who have walked the bc path! I loved the pic of you and your son! He stands tall beside you! How proud you must of him and his ability to display his feelings and walk by your side.
Harley...good luck on Thursday. I'm sending prayers and good vibes your way but I have a feeling that they aren't really needed this time. Still...I understand that nagging worry that we all try to pretend doesn't exist as these tests roll around.
Ginny....Where are you? I hope you enjoyed your trip to the States and that you made it home safely! Please check in!!!!!!
Hugs to everyone. I've got laundry to do yet tonight! (YUCK) I could have had it done earlier but I've put it off all day long so it's my own fault.
Hope everyone is doing well. Hugs to you Julie Chicago.....Be sure to take care of yourself, too as you recover from your surgery!!
Rita
0 -
Hi everyone
An actual CMF questions-- I'm one month out from my last treatment and this darn hair shedding has just not stopped. If anything, it seemed to increase a bit. (Maybe added stress of surgery figuring in? And- maybe this is nuts-- with the loss of a breast, is there a drop in estrogen? I know I had huge hair sheds after both my kids were born. Told it was in response to big hormone drop.)
Lots of hair in the shower, sink and all over clothes. I'm not bald-- but have cornsilk thin hair (and feeling the start of lots of little new guys starting up...) but wondering if I still need to worry about becoming?
-julieb
Halfway bald and boobless........
0 -
OMG----I wrote a huge post and zap it disappeared---urrrggggh!
sorry to worry you Rita, I'm home and well.
I will have to come back later and rewrite the novel that just disappeared!
Love to you all.
Ginny
0 -
Julie...I imagine that the stress has caused most of this shedding now. Hon, you've been through a REALLY stressful few months! Hopefully everything will settle down in your life now and you'll get back on track again. I still don't think that you'll lose all you hair. That should just about be over for you now. As for the breast removal and the decrease in estrogen, I don't think the breast tissue has anything to do with the amount of estrogen in the body. The ovaries are in charge of estrogen production.
Rest up and take care of yourself. Thinking of you each day........
Rita
0 -
Ginny,
We were posting at the same time! I'm so glad you popped on! Isn't it maddening when our posts just seem to disappear???
I'll catch you later!
Rita
0 -
Hi all:
Julie, how nice to hear from you, and YES, I am still shedding!! Two months out. Don't worry, you won't go bald. I agree with Rita, I think it may be stress and also, chemo apparently stcks around in your body for a few months afterward. You just have to wait til it processes its way thru. Try to think of it like an entire body shunt of the chemo, it has to leave somehow.
But you won't be bald, hon, how's the recon coming along? Mine was most unnattractive for at least 6 months, purple,bruised, swollen and I thought "oh how the heck is a boob coming out of this mess?" But it calms down and begins to look boobish very soon. You keep that great attitude and you are now on the downward slope hon.
Harley, good thoughts for you today, but I pity whoever gets in your way, girl. You go!!! I think everything will be perfectly fine for you.
I hear you all about the posts.........they are vanishing!!!!!
thank you everyone (hoping you get this too!) for the great thoughts and well wishes. I have never had such wonderful friends.
Everyone have a gorgeous day!
love to you all:
annie
0 -
Rita,
Thanks for the prayers... I think they really DO work!
Annie,
Thanks for thinking of me! The tech who did the u/s was very nice! When she asked me about my background, and I told her that I had bc last year, she said "But you are SO young!" She was so very sweet!
Anyway, she said that the results should be back to my dr. by Monday. I stopped by my surgeon's office on the way to the hospital, and they changed my follow up appt. to Oct. 7th... They mentioned Oct. 3, but my dh and I are going to Cocoa Beach to visit some friends. We really need a break! Especially my dh. He has told me a few times that there is just no support group for the spouses, and there is NO ONE that he can talk to... he feels so alone in this. He told me today at lunch, 'at least you have those women from the internet support group.' He is right... You ladies are wonderful, and you help me to get through all this stuff.
Thanks!! You mean so much to me!
Harley0 -
Hi gals,
I am so sorry to have been MIA for awhile---lots of stuff happened coming home from Chicago and it really pooped me out.
First of all, I am doing well---thank you Rita for your concern and sorry to worry you. It was so amazing meeting you in person! You are so beautiful inside and out! As amazing a time we had in the Big Windy City, it would have been great to have had more time. I think we must of hugged 3 or 4 times before you got into the taxi. So incredible to meet special friends in this way here at bc.org! Rita I loved your recap of our day and the great photos you included. I still don't know how to post photos here
---but I will try to email you some soon! Thank you for your very thoughtful gifts----I just love that hand cream, it smells so amazing! So sweet of you! I'm sorry to hear you had a crazy trip back home by train. Oh Rita, after I said goodbye to you, I did try to find a dress for that wedding. I went to Macy's and found a gorgeous Calvin Klein black dress for $100. It is one of those timeless pieces I can wear to many different occasions---I just love it. Maybe spent all of 1/2hr and I had a dress!So I will try to make this very long story as short as possible, regarding our crazy trip home...
-took 2hrs in non-airconditioned, stinky bus to get to O'Hare-were 3hrs early and still missed our flight (not our fault), 2hr line up for a hotel coupon, no coupon, no luggage (they said it went to Toronto---just not us!)-3 hrs of sleep in pricey airport hotel (with no meds,toothbrush, clothes....nothing!---first time I have ever put meds...in checked luggage...go figure!)-Got to Toronto, no luggage, drove straight to vets to pick up our poor dog who had major surgery (cried when I saw how many stiches and the pain he was in!!
, went home and dh called airport (our meds, clothing for wedding....in luggage,wedding in a few hours!), told him come back now luggage will arrive soon- dh drove back...no luggage, dh went to pharmacy to get emergency drugs for both of us- missed wedding ceremony---still no luggage---stillover my poor baby Buster---luggage finally returned 3 days later---urrrggghhh---had too many bad hair days...waiting---doing physio with dog through out day....----------------pooped!I would do it all over again to have met you Rita---a highlight of my trip! It would be wonderful to have a CMF gals get together sometime. I know it may not be possible for everyone to come here to Toronto, Canada (although you are very welcome), I am sure we can figure something out.
Annie, I am so glad that you have been getting good results from your recent tests---yeaahhhh!
Harley, we are waiting to hear your good news too!
Carol, way to go girl on your amazing walk for the cause---thank you!!
Lisa, I don't think you will lose all of your hair either. I think for most of us it seemed like with all the shedding that we were going to, but we didn't! Personally, I think the worst part is losing your hair on your eye lids and eye lashes---we can always cut our hair, use extensions, or a cute low maintenance wig, if need be, but the hair around the eyes---that is tough! We are blessed with our chemo that we do not lose that. Just my opinion, hope you don't mind
Anyway, hang in there!SoCal Lisa, loved your photo collage! How did you do that? You are a great photographer!
Well, I hope this post does not vanish like the last one---I was much more verbose in that one (maybe just as well
)Love to all,
Ginny
0 -
Oh ya, today September 25th, is my 2 year survival mark (from diagnosis). Feeling great and so thankful!
Hang in there ladies who are doing treatments, or about to do so!
0 -
Oh Ginny, for the second time with the first post disappearing .......WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Harley, good luck hon, I typed a gigundo post and it dissappeared.
xoxo
annie
0 -
Hi Ladies,
I hate to say it, but I'm a bit out of touch with the happenings of you all ... been totally caught up in my own little world lately. Rather than apologizing, I will try to be back among the "gals", as life is getting somewhat back to normal.
Had my first followup since starting Femera about 6 weeks ago, I'm not too sure if just my activity level as of late has caused some bone achiness or if it the meds. I hope just activity, and they will subside. I'm going to be having my port taken out (hopefully soon), just waiting on a referal from my insurance as my surgeon was not in "the network". I'm also getting a baseline bone density test done next Tuesday, and then my regular scheduled "lower unit" check in October. The fun never ends.
Julie, I too had a bit of excessive "hair thinning" towards my last txt or so. I'd say when it was said and done, I probably lost about 1/3 to 1/2 my hair, and its finally been trimmed up enough now that the funky new growth is just about gone.
Ginny, bummerville on your return trip to Toronto, I'm so glad that your meeting Rita went so well, I had to go back and check out your pictures again ... looks like so much fun.
Rita, we pow-wow about getting together as a group on another post I frequent ... since most of them live on the east coast and just a few of us in the west, I'm thinking something in between (like Chicago), would be logical. Trust me if that happens I definitely would LOVE to meet you in person as well as others. I've been so fortunate to have met Jill from this post, and a gal from the Jan Chemo post thus far. Each meeting has truly been a blessing.
Harley, sounds like a little R&R with the hubby is in order for you. I'd say that most of us have been so lucky to have good men in our lives to give us the shoulders we need at times to deal with the big picture. Its so hard to really know what has been going on in their heads throughout our journeys.
Annie, whats up with your onc scaring the be-jibbers out of you ??? You know through everything, you still always have such a positive spin on things ... "You Go Gal" !!! It never ceases to amaze me how upbeat you all are, through the ups and downs, there is usually some humor to be had, and a positive spin in the long run. I count myself very lucky to have fallen into such a great group of ladies.
I know I need to go back a page or two or three to really get caught up, in the mean time all I can say is thank you to all of you for always being there. I know deep down in my heart if I need a pick me up, you gals will be the first to step up to the plate. I will be forever greatful to you all.
Carol
0 -
Hi gals! It's a rainy, dreary day here in Central Illinois today but that O.K. I have a lot I need to get done inside and the golf course is not a tempting issue this way! LOL I hope everyone is doing well today.
Ginny, thanks for the pictures. I think that your pictures turned out much better than mine! It sounds like your trip home was a nightmare! I bet your little dog was glad to see you he. He is SO cute. How did he handle that protective thing around his neck? My cat hated that when he had his surgery.
Carol...It takes awhile to get back into a regular routine after the treatments. I know that I tried to do too much at first, trying to work in all things that I couldn't do very well during the treatments. Eventually things even out a bit, but it's just never the same as what it was before bc. The girls on the Illinois thread call it the "new normal" and I guess that's a pretty good way to think about it.
Dave and I went into Chicago this weekend and I walked in the Koman Race for the Cure in Grant's Park. We only went 3 miles which is pretty "wussy" compared to Carol's walk but it was quite an event. They had over 10,000 participants and was quite emotional as always! All those pink shirts bring tears to my eyes every time, reminding me that we DO need that cure ASAP.
Annie...How are you doing about merging back into the new normal? What tests, if any, are you still facing? What do you think is the hardest part about getting back in the swing of things?
Harley...we need to know about your past week. Keep us informed! :-)
Jill...Please pop in and update us on your life. It's always nice to hear GOOD things from our sisters!
Well, I need to get moving. There is always something to do around here. I really think that I got more done when I was teaching school every day. Now I procrastinate very well!!!
Talk to you all later.
Rita
0 -
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the positive vibes! Part of me wished I'd just insisted that I get an appt. for Tues, Sept. 30, so I could get my u/s results sooner... the waiting makes me antsy!!
But, I'm finding enough to keep busy... it seems it's always something. My cat, Thor is constipated again. He has medium to long hair, (those Norwegian Forest cats have longer hair, beautiful, but high maintenance!
) Anyway, he's spending the day at the vets. They did an x-ray showing that he's really all blocked up!! Poor little guy!! I finally quit that expensive dress shop p/t job I had, because that woman was really driving me crazy! I asked for Oct 3 off, so we could visit our friends in Cocoa Beach, and she just went berserk on me when I reminded her on Wed. that I couldn't work on Oct. 3. She kept yelling, saying 'you keep changing your plans! Do you expect me or Gail to change our plans that we have for that day, just so you can go on your trip?' No, I didn't expect her to change HER plans, but if she had told me when I first gave her the list of dates that I needed to be off, maybe I could have changed my dates around.
Waiting for a phone call from the vets... I'll let you know how Thor does at the vets later!Hugs,
Harley
0 -
Hi ladies!
Carol,so great to hear from you. I know when someone is MIA at this point, I usually begin to hope that life has returned to a normal framework and the bc is on the back burner a little. It's heartening to read back a bit and see how nice and mundane our convos have become isn't it?
My onc did not mean to scare me, but I think he is so overworked (it's a two year waiting list to even see him for the first tme) that he just rattles things off and thinks out loud sometimes. He is a very caring and gentle man, just overworked. But he does say some stuff out loud and I have begun to voice that to him as in "don't go there with me, youll terrify me, just tell me what I need to know" and he does.
I know for me, alot of the "new normal" is getting thru all those routine things that I put off thru chemo, like dentist, ob/gyn, etc. And let's not even mention the housework! Urrrrrgh.
Harley, I had to laugh about the kitty, I am norwegian too, long haired and "ahem" stuck up in the works. I may have a hairball myself. JK. Have you tried those cat treats with hairball control medication (i believe it's only a form of vaseline) in them? My Emma would be a backed up mess without them. It's a good thing he's at the vets, you don't want them dosing him and gifting him back to you before that's taken care of. Poor guy, but he'll be fine I am sure.
Glad you quit that job. That woman sounds a bit off her kilter. You'll get another.
Rita, hi! I should probably PM everyone else on here about that issue I sent you. You sound great, and I think it's so wonderful what you are doing when you walk for others. I believe there will be a cure or a vaccine in our lifetimes. But when all is said and done, it's only chunks of fat on our chests....not hubbys, sig others, parents, kids, friends....just fat. Not worth dying for. And perfectly replaceable if we need to. And fine if we don't.
Hmmm, the "new normal" you ask. Well, since I've never exactly been normal....jk. I would say that daily routine life is the best cure. Just chores, dinner, work, errands, love with your man....
I find that the mundane is calming for me. It gives me serenity.
The hardest part of the new normal? Coming to terms with making that leap back into intimacy with my guy. I can pretty much be sure he does not give a damn. But I do. I am scared each time that something will pop, leak, hurt, etc. It's almost like making love that first time after you have a baby. I asked my onc if I could have a glass of wine bec. I was terrified. He just laughed and said have one for me too. I guess the other hardest thing is realizing that OK, life is finite. It will end. something I've never given much thought to. Now I do. But I also kind of see that as a blessing and a way to love others more and give back more and to focus less on the dumb stuff.
And it's all dumb stuff
. I do have a somewhat skewed perspective after having it two times, in that I am not going to freak out over every lump I find. I spent the last six years doing that, and in the end, the bc they found could not have been felt or found by mammogram. It's MRIs for me, baby, all the way. If somethings is lurking, they need to find it!!Carol, sounds like the Femara may be giving you some achies, but I find also that the lack of estrogen now does it as well, so it could just be that. I find a good old 40 min. exercise bike ride helps a great deal.
Hm gettin' old, not for sissies. Jill, how are you doing?
love to all:
annie
0 -
Annie
Thanks! I know that eventually things will get back to normal in the intimacy dept. Just when I was thinking that I might try to start to get the fire going again, I had that problem with uterine polyps, courtesy of Tamoxifen, and let me tell you, that was NO FUN!! I had bleeding problems, and cramps, bloating, and urinary frequency...
The vet called, and said that Thor is "eliminating quite well". We can pick him up at 4:00. They want to try to get a urine sample also, but it seems that his bladder was empty when we brought him in. He had a bout of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Infection last year, and we BOTH had to take anti biotics! How fun!! He was really good about taking his medication!
So we'll be watching Thor like a hawk, for any signs that he's still having problems. It seems that FLUTI has similar symptoms as regular constipation, so it's hard to tell which problem he is having.
We used to give them those hairball treats, but the vet wants us to give them strictly the Science Diet w/d Rx food, so we've been giving the canned & dry food. Of course, it's expensive!
HUGS
Harley0 -
Hi gals!
I hope everyone is doing well today. It's a chilly day here and certainly an indication that Fall is settling ini!
Harley...back in the dark ages when I was in college, I had a cat named Thor, too! Neat name! I hope he's doing better. Ashie, my cat now, is getting up in years and I'm SO attached to him. He loves to crawl on my lap when I'm sitting in the chair and purrs away contentedly. He's certainly an important part of our family. He really helped me through my down times during my journey.
How's it going Annie? What's new in the eastern part of our country? What are you doing to keep busy now that dd is back to school?
Carol....hope you're getting some rest!!!
Lisa..thinking of you in warm, sunny CA today and wishing I was there! LOL
Ginny, hope all is going well! When I get an extra hour, I'll email you some of my pictures from our Chicago rendevous, too. Thanks for the ones you sent.
Well, I need to get bbusy. I'll catch you later.
Rita
0 -
Hi ladies:
I am just going to stay off the boards for awhile and let that situation defuse itself...I was so upset that such a ridiculous situation had totally gotten out of control, it isn't what these boards are for, that's for darn sure. (sigh) It seems nothing I could do, say, write seemed to pacify the situation so I thought I'd just steer clear. My hope is that with time just to chill out they will both settle down and back off. I had to block them, which I do hate to do to people, never have in the more than a year that I've been on these boards giving and getting support. In this case it was becoming abusive so I had to.
Cancer upsets people and they get angry, I can understand that. But taking it out on someone is not the answer. And certainly not doing that on a board dedicated to helping women cope.
Take care guys, I love you all. PM me if you need me, OK?
love to all of you.
annie
0 -
whoops, messed up:
Hi ladies, I emailed all of you today, but I hope and pray the situation will resolve itself with me taking myself right out of the arena.
I cannot defend myself on every thread, nor do I wish to. I figure the year + that I've been on these threads and the friends that I've made and helped and have helped me, stands on its own against any ill will towards me. Those that know me, like you guys do, know that is not who I am or how I am.
Cancer makes people angry; its not fair when it happens and sometimes people react to it in different and yes, unacceptable ways. I refuse to fight on a public forum (or for that matter, fight at all when I want is to help and console and support) so I am just leaving these boards for awhile in the hopes it'll just die a natural death on its own. I'm not going to engage or enable it in any way.
All of you guys know how to get me if you want or need me. I am always there for you.
** Carol, thank you for your call. It meant the world to me to hear your voice and know your kind support. As always, love to you!
love you guys
annie
0 -
I had a lumpectomy on 8/8. I am stage 1, grade 2, ER/PR+, HER2 neg with an oncotype score of 15. History of BC(mom) and I'm 46.
I've been told I'll be good with rad/tam or I'll be good with Tax/Cyt or CMF. I still have not decided which way to go...chemo or not. I hate "it's a personal choice, it's what you could live with" It is such a hard choice. To make matters worse, I need dental work. Can't begin any kind of chemo if I go that route until the dental work is complete.
If I go the chemo route, I'm leaning towards the CMF. Would like to hear some experience of those who have been on it.
Thanks!
0 -
Hi scarp....
Just two years ago, I was making the same decision that you are making today. It is indeed a tough one to make!
After much research, a couple different medical opinions, and much soul-searching, I chose the lumpectomy, CMF chemo, and rads. I am not sorry about my decision. Although I was petrified about any type of chemo, the CMF chemo proved very doable. Read back though the posts and I think you'll see that most of us got along pretty well.
I did 6 CMF infusions, given once every three weeks. I felt pretty good the first two days and then sometimes had a day of nausea and extreme fatigue. Then my body regrouped and I felt pretty normal for a couple of weeks until the next infusion. You quickly learn what you need to do to eliminate any side-effects and you just keep moving onward. According to research, 6 CMF infusions are equal to 4 AC treatments in effectiveness. You do not lose all your hair. It thins some but I haven't ever heard of anyone who had to rely on a wig while during these treatments. Most people who do CMF can still work outside the home if needed.
I made my decision based upon the fact that I wanted to hit this monster from the "get go" instead of playing "catch up" later IF it reappeared. I wanted to do everything that I could so that IF it returned, I'd never second guess my decision. I'd know that I'd done everything possible because there are no guarantees with this monster....no matter which way you decide to go.
I am now on Arimidex and doing well. Although things will never be the same as they were in my life before bc, I'm coping and leading a good life.
I know that you will make the right decision for you. It's funny, but once the decisions are made, the journey just flows right along! I thought the decisions were the hardest part. If you decide to do the CMF, the gals on this thread will help you through and I think you'll be surprised how doable it is. Nobody can make that decision for you because all of us view this journey in a different light!
Do remember that you have a stage one cancer and that is a plus for you! Hugs to you as you muddle through the choices and decide what is best for you. Please come back and let me know what you do decide.
Best of luck to you.
Rita
0 -
Thanks Rita! I will attempt all the post. Can't believe there are 80+ pages. This deciding is making me crazy especially when I 1st received the call from the nurse in the onc. office and told me my ocotype was a 9. I was literally dancing.I sorta felt my life was off hold. Unfortuantely the 9 was the % after rad and tam.and 15 was my real score. I am still so mad at that woman for giving me false hope. I am happy that they are giving me a choice of CMF over taxotere. I believe mine will be 8 doses every 3 weeks. Would prefer the 6 doses every 3 weeks.
I do have a good head of hair so losing some wouldn't be the worst thing. Can you dye your hair during CMF? Do I get a flu shot now? Going to Disney in Nov. Hoping it doesn't slow me down too much.
Thanks for your response.
0 -
Hello again scarp and welcome to the CMF thread.
Yup, 80 pages is alot!!
I finsihed my CMF last January, and I pulled out one of my posts and will paste it here:
I had all treatments IV. When I got to the center, I first had just hydration, in which they did an injection of Decadron and Aloxi (for nausea) in that. Then when it was empty, they did a drip "bag" of Cytoxin. When that was finished, they did another bag of hydration and did a "push" of methotrexate and then a push of 5-FU, then I just finished the hydration bag and was ready to go.
My first tx was the worst because (1) I did not drink enough water before, during or after (2) I did not prepare properly for the either constipation or diarreah (sp?) and I ended up with the constipation from hell after the first treatment. I would also suggest having some fleet enemas and ducolax suppositories at home in case they are needed. And I would suggest starting colace and Senacot-S a couple days before and after treatments--
So, starting with the second tx and further txs, things were much better. I drank tons of water. During the treatments, I drank tons of green tea with ginger and peppermint--to the point where I probably peed three or more times during each treatment. I also started eating crackers or cheerios as soon as they started the Cytoxin, since that had made me so nauseus (sp?) the first time. I also started sucking on hard lemon ginger candies for the methotrexate push, since that was the one that gave me terrible "metal mouth" taste the first time.
The meds combo that totally took care of the nausea after treatments for me was Zofran and Phenagran.
My biggest triggers for nausea after txs were smells.
Do not take any supplements without the approval of your onc--especially folic acid, since the interaction between the cancer cells and folic acid is disrupted by chemo, and if you are taking more than 200 mcg of folic acid a day (most multi's have 800 mcgs) you would be interferring with your chemo action on your cells.
Like others have said, it is do-able!! We will all help you to get through.
Best of luck--YOU WILL DO FINE!!
Waving maddly at Annie--we just found out we live practically walking distance to each other (long walk) and have the same plastic surgeon.
Regards to you all (I haven't been around this thread for a long time!) and hope you are all well, and sending gentle hugs to all!
0 -
One Bad Boob - Have to say I love the name! Wish I was more creative. Thanks so much for the tips. My onc says the drip is only about 45 min/treatment?
I'm in NJ. Just a short ride away
0 -
Hi fellow CMFers...
Scarp, the deciding part of this whole journey is the hardest part..believe me...there is just
so much information out there are you feel like you need to get a PHD in breast cancer in three weeks...once you get your treatment plan in place things will settle in...
Just remember to take one step at a time, one day at a time and drink a ton of water...
don't get ahead of where you are...
I had CMF over seven ;years ago now...just make sure they keep a good check of your liver while you are on it... I am glad you found this website...lots of support here!!
Rita, should I send you some of that sunshine??
Hugs, all around...
0 -
Scarp, poked my head in and saw your post ... I know that the gals here will help you through every step of the way.
I was one of those gals who had a pretty "good" experience with CMF. I was told from the get-go that it was a very doable txt, and was not led astray. I was able to work full time throughout the txt schedule, mine was actually done both orally and by infusion. If you go back and read the post, you'll hear me complain of some GI distress (basically a bit of constipation) which I seemed to have finally regulated by the last couple of months of txt. Yes, my hair thinned, but not enough to get excited about.
Keep us posted ... and if you have specific questions, fire away .... Carol
0 -
Hi girls!
I just posted Scarp, and just had to chime in to help.
Hi Jane!!!!!!!! Hi everyone, hope you are all well and healthy and happy. Glad to see you all.
xoxoxo
annie
0 -
ooops Scarp, forgot totally but should let you know I had to get an emergency route canal during chemo.
It's AOK, just get a good oral surgeon. They gave me a neuprogen shot before it. No big deal.
xoxo
annie
0
