Illinois ladies facing bc
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Momto7 I had chemo class but the only ones in it was my DH and me. It should be about an hour. It's a chance to ask questions and learn more about your treatment. I would recommend you write questions down if you have any and bring them with you. (I know I tend to forget to ask things if I don't write them down. So many distracting conversations). There is not test afterwards. Just information so you will be better prepared.
If you haven't seen where you're getting chemo this would be a good time to ask.
I too had a port. Just had it removed 3 weeks ago. My onc likes us to keep it for 2 years… so 2 years and 1 month mine came out.
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Mom....I don't recall anyone ever talking about chemo classes, but I did have a chemo nurse give me a huge amt. ( a lot I didn't remember ) of info before I was to start mine. I'm of two minds on this....if you are suggestible, it might be a bit difficult. The other thing is you will hear EVERYTHING and some may be a little daunting, but in the long run -- at least I think for most people -- there are just a small amt. that must be dealt with and solutions have been found for them. The upside is I think that you would learn ( like I didn't so much ) to take your meds beforehand to ward off problems.
I tended thru the years to actually have little ( it always seems to have been major if anything ) go on with me, so that in reality....I no longer recalled what nausea even felt like and missed it a couple of times --- only bringing this up to say that with an actual class, rather than someone throwing a huge amt. of info out to you and you both hoping it was remembered you will be given something with some real standing to it. I was so upset and nervous ( and my intro was one on one ) and feeling alone.....that I feel I missed a lot of important things.
We get through these things though, no matter what, and go on to reclaim a life very much worth it, though never quite the same as we were, but its ok. I have always looked on it as my chance to have a far better life than I had and mainly with the smaller things that I had sadly been taking for granted for a long time. It is a time to maybe re-awaken -- a great do -over in many, many ways. I don't post as much as I used to, but do know I'll be wishing you so well through the txs end of your journey and beyond.
Hugs, Jackie
ETA...spell checker not working today. I wrote too long.
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I will admit my chemo class emphasized things that didn't happen to me like nausea, Big D (I got the big C) taste changes (got very little). Things that I did get were barely mentioned in the book (nail lifting and falling off) or not mentioned at all (eye tearing and flickering, stiffness). But this was specific to the chemo I received. Not all chemos have these SE.
But I will say again, keep active. Try to at least walk every day. I think that's why I never got as tired as many others did. The people who managed to work out seemed to not get the extreme fatigue… unless the did Adrymicin. I hear that can be some strong stuff but seems to work really well as far as kicking cancer butt!
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I also went to chemo class. The nurse had a powerpoint presentation of all the do's/dont's, when to call the doctor, possible side effects, etc. We left will a binder full of information and all the scripts for the upcoming chemo. I brought my sister and daughter with so they too would know when to freak out and when not too.
I found it very helpful!
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I think the chemo class sounds helpful, too. I had a one on one with a nurse prior to starting, and used that as my opportunity to ask questions.
I am definitely going home today! Am just waiting for discharge papers/instructions, and for DH to get here to pick me up. I am dressed and feeling ok, though I have many drains to contend with.0 -
I did not have chemo class and personally for me, that was probably better. I just did it and let the chips fall where they may. The Kellog Center where I received chemo was great about answering questions when I had any.
Good luck!
Susan
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Lemon-congrats on heading home. Take it easy so you heal quickly and fully.
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Spunky- Got the spa consultation!
But have the cleaning appointment made and then the real fun will begin. (c: Thanks for the recommendation.Didn't get downtown today but did put on my Santa shirt and run three miles straight for the first time! Well, jogged slowly but still!
Gotta try and look purdy tonight, blech.
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I never had a chemo class, but would have liked to. There is so much to learn and I believe the more informed we are the better. No one knows your body better than you. These posts are so informative but absorb and learn as much as you can.
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I think they called it a chemo teach session, and it was just one of the chemo nurses talking with me and my partner for 30 or 45 minutes. She went over the protocol, the handouts about common side effects of each of the drugs, handouts about how to reach and when to call for help (including a list of all the chemo nurses and their individual phone numbers) and some handouts about handling common side effects. I remember there was one about constipation, to which I referred a bunch of times.
At the end of it, we had a folder full of the center's handouts plus a couple of booklets about chemo from NIH. We got a tour of the chemo facility, and a good sense of what to expect both during the chemo sessions and afterward. It was definitely helpful to us.
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Adey~ so good to know that I didn't miss you and Lago at the Santa Hustle downtown today. I would've been so dissapointed if we were all there and missed each other. I posted that I would be there (& would enjoy meeting you both in person) but never heard back.
To all~ I know I've sort of been in hiding these days but I'm trying to deal with my one year "cancer-versary". It was last Nov. 30th that I was told I had cancer. I get so sad when I reflect upon "this time last year". At the same time I am so thankful to be where I am now.., except that I am having a great deal of trouble with my AI. I am thankful to be scheduled for "exchange surgery" on December 27th and I look forward to being 'done' with the surgical process. It's been a long year!
I thank all of you for supporting me through. And I wish the best to those of you in the beginning stages. I assure you that you have come to a VERY comforting and safe place. The Illinois ladies are so caring & knowledgable. Your questions will be answered.., your anxiety will be relieved and your heart will be warmed.
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C-squared It takes a while to feel like this whole cancer thing was just a bad dream. Only a year is really nothing. I think around 2 years post diagnosis I was much less focused on my own journey/diagnosis. If it weren't for the ESD stiffness I have I probably wouldn't think about it much at all. I didn't hear back from anyone either so I wasn't at the Santa Shuffle
BTW I just started using scaraway silicone sheets/strips on my scars, even the old ones. Really makes a huge difference. Flattens the scar out and gets rid of some of the redness. I bought it at Walgreens. Ask your PS if/when it's OK to use this. My port surgeon was the once who recommended it.
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Know that you can always choose your own inner peace -
regardless of circumstances.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
C squared - congrats on a year! I am approaching 2 years next week. I can't believe it. So much has happened since then. Life is GREAT now. For that I am thankful. What a great Xmas present.....implants and the removal of the TE's (AKA "torture devices"). Santa really came through for you this year
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c-squared....it takes as long as it takes....I sometimes find myself "still having" feelings now and then. It is after all a life-changing event and one that you are never going to look forward too............it though can come with some parts that in the end can turn out very good. That new normal thing. I'm a firm believer that the more you can accept the exactness of what you are seeing and feeling.....the easier to change it. To put yourself in a more hopeful, positive place. Thinking about you with hugs,
Hugs, Jackie
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C-squared 1 yr. Wonderful
mdg 2 yr. another Wonderful
And all of u that have come here are etting a wealth of advice (not from me)- but so many have so much knowledge here that u can get thru this knowing what's going on, if u choose to. All questions asked et asked and someone will answer so it's great sounding board. Good Luck to all that is starting-it all passes.
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Going in to see the BS tomorrow. I found a very small hard lump a bit from my SLN scar, nestled amongst the lymph nodes. Originally they took out two sentinal nodes and a few others that were near by. I was node negative. I've been off anastrozole for 8 weeks to give my vision time to return to normal, so that makes me concerned this might be a recurrence. Just started exemestane, so at least I'm back on something.
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Doxie I'm hoping it's just some scar tissue. I mean if 7 nodes were negative it doesn't seem likely… but I'm no MD. Keep us posted.
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Doxie-Good luck, I'm not a doc but 8 weeks seems like a short period of time for recurrence especially with previous clear nodes. Sending positive thoughts your way.
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Doxie let's us know.
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Yay for passing the 1 and 2 year milestones, C2 and MDG. I have just passed my 1 year mark as well. Doxie, hoping everything goes smoothly tomorrow - glad you are going in to have it checked out.
I am doing ok. I think I may have overdone it on moving around yesterday, as I am more sore than I thought I would be today. I think the new foobs look pretty good. It is mostly my back that is sore.0 -
Doxie, I am feeling like the others that this is scar tissue, but GOOD FOR YOU for jumping in there right away to be certain. You strike me as such a proactive person! Lemondrop, glad you are pleased with your new look. C2 and MDG...you will have many anniversaries.
On a whole other note, went to see Lincoln and what a wonderful film.
Hope all are allowing themselves to enjoy this season rather than succumb to the pressures. Macy and their coupons were driving me crazy, so I handed a shopwoman a fistful and let her decide what was my best deal, She knew right away, took what worked and handed the mess back to me.
Have a nice evening.
Susan
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Thank you all for your support. I was freaking out about this until I made the appointment with my BS. Didn't know whether or not to see him because it was so small. So it's one of three things, something like scar tissue or anastrozole was really doing it's job or not doing it at all well. I'm hoping for the first, can live with the second, don't want to contemplate the third.
I don't want to rain on the aniversary celabrations. May we all have as many as we would have had before bc.
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Doxie - I found a lump recently. I saw my MO on Friday. He sent me immediately to the breast center (blech!!!) for an U/S. THe radiologist read it right away and came in and gave me the "all clear"! Thank God! It freaked me out! It was on the side of my foob, near arm pit area and it was my cancer side. They believe it was scar tissue from the original lumpectomy and SNB. They said there was NOTHING of concern seen on the U/S. The Radiologist re-ultrasounded it after the tech did to be thorough. Lots of us end up with scar tissue that is lumpy. Praying you are in the same boat as me
Hugs!Lemondrop - sending lots of healing vibes your way!!!! Hope you feel better each day
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momto7 the chemo class (at least for me) was useful. The NP explained the protocol of how to get in touch with her or the MO, when to absolutely get in touch with them (infection indicators), what to expect during infusion, what to expect during the cycle, the purpose of each of the many many drugs you'll be taking to control SE, non-drug ways manage SE, etc. I hope yours is as useful. It also will give you a chance to possibly meet someone who will be on the same cycle as you (kind of like an in-person cancer board support person).
LoriBach we're on the same regimen, just three weeks apart. There don't seem to be as many of us carboplatin folks. I have my first solo herceptin on Thursday and started Arimidex (Tamoxifen for menopausals) on Saturday. I made the first step back to feeling normal on Friday when I went the whole day without feeling as if I needed to take a nap. Lets hear it for having energy again.
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Lynn & Lori TCH is very common for us HER2+ ladies. Check out the triple positive thread (if you haven't already). Most of us are doing the Taxotoere, Carboplatin, Herceptin. A few had to change to taxol and some did AC-TH (East Coast protocal it seems).
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"Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution."
Kahil Gibran
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Hi Ladies! My name is movetomaui (Julie) and I live in Northern Illinois (Crystal Lake) - kinda a "noobie" on this site but super stoked that I found this thread!
My story ... I was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (AdCC) of the Breast which is a rare form of BC found in only 0.1% of reported BC patients. Lucky, special me ♥
I have had a lumpectomy followed by a unilateral mastectomy with immediate placement of TE. I am currently "filled to capacity" and am awaiting exchange surgery. The exchange is planned for sometime in the beginning of February.
Plan to spend part of today reading through some of this thread. Just wanted to introduce myself and let you know I was here.
BTW ... that is our dream to "move to maui" ... someday (fingers crossed)
Hope everyone has an awesome week.
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Hi Julie nice to meet u, but unfortunately not here. I know where Crysal Lake is--it's nice there and u'r dreams are great where u wsnt to move.
U have to keep us upto date eith what is happening to u. And believe me (I think u know) there are alot of lafies here thst can help u along--they're very knowledgeable and caring.
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