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Hi everybody... I thought I'd be back much earlier, but everything takes time... a lot of waiting today: I went at 11am with a friend who stayed until the nurse called me, and then, turns out, the biggest thing is to mix abraxane properly (takes at least 30 minutes, as long as the infusion time). Looks like skim milk, indeed. So it was way past 1:30 when thay got me started. They gave me Aloxi (pushed into the IV, not on a drip like for AC), then the Abraxane, then the Avastine. Then I had to wait for the NP to look at my port incision up close and personal, and they decided that I should go back to the surgeon who placed the port to have an extra stich put in (seems to not be closed completely, over 2 months later... hmm..). So I got an appointment for "warranty repair" on Thursday at 11am. So, I left at 4pm...
Apart from that, everything was fine, so far I can't feel any effect of any kind... I got the same instructions for pain (up to 3 advil at a time, no more than 12/day... I sure hope it won't get that bad... For excruciating pain, rare, they give Neurontin).
There were quite a few ladies on their last chemo today, so, each time the whole staff comes singing a tune (probably familiar to you, but unrecognizable to me) and brings a certificate and a rose... The lady next to me had her last taxol today, and was with a 6-y survivor friend (both in their forties); she became quite emotional saying her goodbies to "her" nurse, to what her friend said: "eh, buy 8, get 1 free..."
The good news: no Neulasta tomorrow (my blood counts are very good), they give it only if really needed. With AC, counts bottom down 14 days after chemo, just when it is time for the next tx, with Abraxane (and maybe Taxol), the bottom is at day 10 after tx, and not as severe, so we rebounce before next tx (explanations from the onc). Hopefully I won't end up feeling worse than with AC (which went pretty good, i must say...).
Well, I'll keep you posted as the week goes on.
Time to think about dinner (pasta + smoked salmon will do...). It's very windy today and on the cool side, so nobody feels like going out again to shop or whatever...
You all take care,
CatherineH0 -
Hi Eveybody,
Tomorrow is #4 for me on the chemo! How did the rest of you ladies do on #4? I do ok the day of chemo, and the next day I do ok then I have the shot and by Friday I have all I can take, the couch has my name on it. I have the next week off. The place I work for really has been there for me. Both of my boses have been great. I am looking forward to being done with all of this like I am sure the rest of you ladies are. Have a good evening.
Theresa0 -
Theresa, #4 was the easiest for me: no issues except for Neulasta pain (but not enough to take pain meds), messed up taste buds, runny nose and puffy eyes... all very tolerable (they are now wondering whether the constant runny nose could be from Avastine... instead of AC...?). And my port incision which needs an end stich... for the rest, I had 2 normal weeks, really (but i work at home when and if I want to take translations... not much in the mood, I've been reading a lot, for pleasure, not for work for a change).
So don't get too worried, it should not be worse than what you went through so far... As for taxol (or equivalents), it seems that most of the time, it is much easier to tolerate... We are getting there... Cheers!
Take care, and Scott, your lighthouse photo project is very interesting. My DH worked as chief engineer at Tidelands, years ago (before we met, so it's more than 25 years ago) and dealt with navigation aids, including lenses for lighthouses, and went to Scotland for business, invited by the main authority in the matter (forgot the name), and this is a part of his life he adored (before that, he worked at NASA in space physics when the whole thing was just starting, Gemini projects, the big adventure of his life). Living in Brittany, lighthouses were part of our lives (the coast is treacherous there). So, I can relate to your interest in those wonderful buildings.
You both take care, and keep us up to date...
Have all a nice evening,
CatherineH0 -
Theresa, number 4 I just felt more tired than ever and took longer to bounce back. For me treatment number 1 was definitely the worst, number 2 was easiest and 3 and 4 I just got more and more tired. I was always fine the day of chemo and the day after then day number 3 got me and I would be couch potato material for two or three days.
Sure am hoping the taxotere is easier. My oncologist insists on giving me neulasta even when my counts are good. At $1625 per copay this is getting to be really expensive!
Right now it has been about 3 1/2 weeks since my last AC treatment and I feel awesome! I actually went out and played six holes of golf this afternoon - the first time since October (before my diagnosis and surgery) and I did not play half badly (even had a birdie!)
As expected my chipping and putting were a bit lacking, but I was delighted to find that surgery had not hampered a full swing at all. It gives me hope that there really is light at the end of this tunnel, even though I still don't have full energy back. At least I am feeling human, the weather is nice and food tastes like it should again.0 -
I have tried to read the posts every day or two but have not felt up to posting myself. Feel like everyone has heard my woes of nausea and vomiting. Also not as fortunate with work as most of you. I end up taking Thur, Fri and Mon off after Wed chemo. I tried to do it, but the nausea just won't let me. Plus the work is a bit stressful trying to manage about 100 people. Fortunately, I have fmla and use it for my days off. I fear I may run out by the time this is all over though. When I come home the work is not done as well since I am a single parent. On Easter had plans to go to my brothers but his son came down with a bad cough and we decided it was not worth my catching it. So the kids and I made up our own impromptu meal, it was fun.
Since I had a reaction with AC #3 and 4 I am a little worried now about taxol. I am hoping upon hope it is uneventful. One of my nurses, an ICU nurse, is going to come along for the first hour or so. My doc said nothing about vitamin B or glutamine so I will wait to see what happens and then explore it. Hillary I think he would say the same as yours. He is also a pharmacist and likes to spout off each research study and the stats.
Marsha I have gotten a kick out of your "boob" campaign, you are a riot
Sybil-what a dinner outing!! hope you are better.
Twink and vegas-sorry to hear you were ill
Catherine your posts read like a good novel!
Hillary and Phyl-I am waiting to hear how the taxol is going
Good luck to everyone as they head into the last of AC and the first of the taxol/taxotere regimen
Karen0 -
I'm heading off to bed but thought I'd post a quick update and good wishes to everybody before doing so.
I recovered from what was apparently a 24-hour stomach flu and, after losing Sunday completely, went into work on Monday. I hadn't made the connection to both my son and one daughter have some sort of gastro-intestinal bug the week before. Guess I caught it. Thankfully the old body's defenses kicked in and it passed.
I saw my BS today. My tumor is not significantly smaller after AC and he doesn't think it'll change much after T(axol or axotere). I made the decision to proceed with a bilateral mastectomy and have my PS appointment on April 23. I'm waiting for a call back from the onc to let me know how to proceed on the chemo front...stop now and wait till post-surgery or carry on. So, my Thursday trip to the bar is now in question.
I asked about the 'one-step with allo-derm', and even though the BS was reluctant to venture into PS turf, he did say this was common now and the PS he's referred me to does this procedure. Yay!
Hugs to all. I feel like a weight has been lifted....the decision is taken.0 -
Twink, if you want, I have a "tips for one step alloderm surgery" list that I wrote up after I had my surgery. It has stuff like what to expect at the hospital, records and tests you need done before surgery, what to bring to the hospital, recovery, helpful hints, etc. Some of it may not apply as you would be having your surgery done at a different hospital by a different doctor, but some of it may help. If you think it would help, just email me at move2lasvegas at aol.com and I will send it to you. Or if you want to talk about the surgery, I would be delighted to talk as well. I was SO lucky to be able to speak to about 10 women that had it before me with the same doctor. It really gave me a lot of confidence and by the time surgery day rolled around I was really very relaxed and just ready for them to put me out.
Will they be doing an SNB? If so, INSIST they put you out for it! The shots are excruciatingly painful and burn like fire. I wish I had known, I would have made them put me under.
Karen, God bless you being a single mom and going through chemo while trying to work! Unbelievable! I guess we are strong enough when we have to be, but that is beyond the call.0 -
Hello everyone! This past weekend was the pits as we had temperatures in the the 30's and rain. I came down with a head cold and fever of 101 up to 101.6 but being as stubborn as I am, I didn't want to call my oncologist. You KNOW they're going to want you to come in, do blood work and all that. So I doctored myself and within 48 hours was back to normal. Heck, my port wasn't red, I didn't have a sore throat or any pain so I figured if it persisted then I would have to call, but it didn't.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm 12 days since my #4 AC and still having bouts of severe fatigue. Thank goodness my taste buds are coming back full force though. I'm not working yet and probably won't until after taxol is done. Those of you who are, whether it's in jammies at home or in the office/workplace...my hats off to you! I don't know HOW you do it.
Take care, Pat0 -
Keep losing what I have written, first it was the server going down, then it was the writer who did something silly. Never mind maybe third time lucky.
Saw the onc today, unfortunately not my regular one, but any way I am fit enough to keep my bar appointment tomorrow. Despite feeling a little nervous about reactions I will be pleased to get the last of the FEC chemo out of the way. Have been told if I get vomiting this time to go in and they will give me the anti-emetics by IV.
Like a lot of others the tiredness is really getting to me. I am so pleased that it is holidays here and I don't have to face school at present. Did a bit of shopping but just got too tired to enjoy it so came home and put my feet up. Think I will try to get to bed early tonight because there is a very important World Cup cricket match being played in the West Indes tonight. I know Americans don't follow cricket but these games are as important as your Super-bowl. DH will not doubt get up to watch and if it is exciting I will as well.
Must think about what to have for dinner.
Hope all those facing up to the bar go well this time.
Alyson
I will save this before I push post so that it won't disappear into the ether.0 -
Hi all, I have lost 2 posts and I give up. I am tired after chemo and grocery shopping. Chemo was Taxol #9 today. Main problem is back pain and weight gain. Onc gave me Lasix today, as I was short of breath and up 4 lbs in one week.
I will start physical therapy tomorrow. Massage and ultrasound, then into the heated pool for aqua therapy. They will be working on my right arm. It is a little tight from the lymph node dissection.
Hope everyone is doing as well as Catherine and others who have started Taxol and Abraxane, Taxotere, and the other T drugs LOL.
I wish I was not facing AC when I finish Taxol, as I know it will be much rougher than Taxol. I will be going back and reading up on all the tips you have given. That will be a big help.
Hugs to all, Sammie Kay0 -
Good morning!
Up early because of the decadron giving by IV yesterday during taxol infusion, but otherwise feeling OK. I did not have any queasiness and ate a normal dinnner last night!
For Theresa, Steph, Tracy, SammieKay and others facing either AC#4 or AC#!, I really think that the key is drinking lots of fluids. #4 kicked my butt because I didn't drink enough over the 1st weekend. You do get tired, which my onc explained as a combination of chemo fatigue and mild anemia. So, you need to sleep a lot, too. Take pills if necessary!
Sybil -- How awful, but glad you are feeling better. I hope that you have time to recover before your next TC treatment.
Catherine -- I've had a constant runny nose as well, and I'm not taking avastin. I do take zyrtek for allergies, but it has not been helping. (May have helped with neulasta, as I have no bone pain after it). The onc was not too surprised about the constant running nose, as I likely have no nasal hairs to keep the stuff in! The bigger problem is the post-nasal drip, which causes me to cough a lot, driving dh up a wall. They gave me a prescription for something to help control that. The other problem is that my hands are raw from so much washing after blowing my hose. I need to get much stronger moisturizer. The onc nurse mentioned udder balm, or something like that. I'll have to peruse the drug store.
Pat -- Sorry #AC kicked your butt. When's your next treatment? Do you have time to recover?
Twink -- Let us know what onc says about continuing treatment. They may want to continue just to get any little cancer cells that floated away!
Alyson -- Glad you can get your last FEC done on Thursday -- great news!
Tropicmom -- I put you down for Wednesday because I remembered you went every week.
Maisy -- Are you still around?
Pleasant drinking to today's imbibers -- Wendy, Theresa, Marsha, and Tropicmom (I think?) ...
Bar reservations:
Monday -Phyl (1st taxol), Jen (last AC!) -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
Tuesday - Hillary (1st taxol), Catherine (1st abraxane), Sammiekay -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
Wednesday - Wendy, Theresa (last AC), Marsha (1st taxol), tropicmom
Thursday - StephJ (last AC!), Twink (1st taxol, maybe), Alyson (last FEC), Piper, Vegas (we hope!), Terry (TCH#5, half-way done!), Tracy (last AC!)
-- Hillary0 -
Had my onc dr visit yesterday and here is what my guy is saying. Taxol is less toxic than taxatere and I get an extra 7% success rate doing dose dense (2 weeks). He won't do taxotere DD anyway, says there isn't enough supporting evidence for him (he is considered cutting edge). So sticking with DD taxol starting this morning. Took 5 decadrons at midnight and 5 more this morning at 6am. Glutamine: he says he doesn't think it helps that much and he will address any problems that come up medically. Same with b6, take a good multi vitamin. My white count went from 1.57 last week to 26.1 yesterday! So he is cancelling my Neulasta after todays infusion. He does state this should be easier to tolerate than AC. (Please God let this be correct). The blood work he ordered last week was just routine chemistries and the like that he wanted done after AC and right before taxol (to check for chemo damage to my body). Mine were absolutely perfect!!!!! OK ladies, off to taxol #1, 8:00 appointment. Will check in later! Love to all and holding hands with Wendy, Theresa and tropicmom. Marsha
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Hi all----yes Maisy is among the living. After being in the hospital and then having AC#3 just a week ago, I felt like I was hit by a truck and rolled over twice. The fatigue was so bad. I was also waiting for the fever to hit again ..usually day 7. Day 6 saw it rise to 99.9 and whoopee day 7 went back to normal. I actually feel pretty good today. Guess lowering the dose by 10% did the trick. Ive not been on the boards so I have a lot of catching up to do. Next Wednesday I have #4 AC and also a consult with the doc about the next step. I dont know what the treatment will be 4dd taxol? The nurse said maybe taxol and herpicin, But I am estrogen positive 95% proestrogen negative and HER2 negative (+1). Anyone know what all this means? I just got the results and have to do the research.
Looking forward to catching up.
Good luck to all at the bar and to a good work week for you that have the courage and strength to tackle it. I really draw strength from you all. I seem to be the whip of the group, but Im hanging tough.
Patti0 -
Maisy; So nice to hear from you! I can tell you what my onc said yesterday about the HER2. I am 1.8 HER and I had read that was borderline and my BS had said that I might want to get the FISH test to be sure. Well, onc says NO...2.5 is considered borderline and that 80% of the 2.5's he has FISH tested turn out to be neg HER2.
He also told me that #4 next Tuesday, he would be increasing my Taxotere, but I shouldn't notice any additional SE's. Sure. Everyone is still baffled by my upper right arm pain. No answers there. That's certainly comforting...
Catherine; I love the idea of the animated chemo movie. What was the name of the movie where they took the ship into the human bloodstream??? I too would like a better explanation of what is going on in our bodies and exactly what these toxins are doing.
Vegas; I am still working through all the details with Dr. S. They needed another pic and what a pose! Hands on my hips and flex my pecs....what pecs? LOL!?!? I will be emailing you soon, I'm sure!
Carynn; Well...I am off to Dallas tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you. I normally entertain about 30 people over the weekend, but DH cut the invited list to 12 very close friends this year. It will feel absolutely empty in the condo!
Alyson; It is so strange to think of your weather just starting to turn colder when we are just starting to see warm sunny days. I have friends that travel to NZ almost every year and love it. Try to get plenty of rest during your break.
Marsha; When you start getting all the numbers together for your surgery, be sure to get totals for everything. Dr. Salzerg's sec said they would be billing my insurance $10,600 for my surgery, but I just can't see that being the total with all the hospital costs, etc. I am betting that you are taking your friends offers and suggestions a bit jokingly, but your personality shines through here and I know they would happily do anything they could to help you. You just have to be willing to graciously accept that help.
Everyone have a great week...will be thinking of you all!0 -
Hello Hillary and thanks for asking. My 1st Taxol will be on 4/19/07.
Pat0 -
Vegas,
Thank you! I would definitely be interested in your information...this is new territory for me and the best part about participating in this forum is benefiting from everybody's experiences.
Thank you!0 -
Oh, and yes Vegas. The SNB will be done too. Your advice is duly noted. I'll talk to my BS about that. Thanks again. Email coming with my personal address.
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Question for those on A/C..has anyone else noticed a tenderness (not really pain) in thier fingernails? I asked my chemo buddy at work about it and he had it too, his Onc said nueropathy. I didnt remember hearing about that on the A/C...Anyway, it's just annoying, not painful, and wondered if anyone else felt this.....
Catherine glad to hear it went well except for the waiting. Hows today treating you? Hope you are still feeling well.
Hi Theresa nice to hear from you! #3 was by far my worst tx, #4 wasnt that bad, but I did notice an increase in fatigue since others have mentioned that as well, I wonder if thats not just cumulative of all of the txs we go thru. I also got lazy about how much water I drank so became a tad dehydrated. I posted here that once I realized what I had done (thanks to Sybils post), and I started drinking the water, I couldnt believe how much better I felt so quickly. So dont skimp on that water!
Vegas cant believe you went out and played golf! I feel pretty good, but I have zero energy. It sounds like you had a great time. BTW.. you and I seem to be the only ones mentioning the SNB shots! The only drug reaction Ive ever had was to the numbing agent that they used first. I said here it felt like they poured lighter fluid on the poor girl and lit the match. The skin turned red and irritated, they wiped it off right away and it stopped. But then they gave me the shots without the numbing agent. Oh my! I had no idea that it would be so painful!
Karen Im so sorry that the nausea has been such an issue for you. I hear that nausea is not as prevalent with the Taxol, keeping my fingers crossed that it will be kind to you.
Twink I bet it is a relief that youve made your decision. I have been prepared to go either way and for now, just letting the tx decide the course. I know in my case, whatever the outcome, my Onc wants me to finish tx first, then well do an MRI to see where we are, then well make the final decision. Im sending lots of hugs and good thoughts your way.
Pat hope you are feeling better. As for the taste, Ive noticed with me I get mine back after the first week. Its not normal, but no longer metal or sawdust the second week. Fatigue for me is the new normal, but its not devastating just constant.
Alyson did your team win? Im a huge sports fan of just about any kind, I will have to catch a match one of these days. Hope you can rest and enjoy your holiday.
SammieKay I dont know where Ive been, but I didnt realize that you hadnt started A/C yet! The posts, especially the ones that said what to buy in advance were a godsend to me. Let me know if you cant find the post and Ill see if I can find it and bump it up.
Melanie what can I say? Im soooo jealous!! Have a great time and do send a full report! Well be watching on tv and cheering for Robby hopefully hell have a sponsor this week!
Maisy so nice to hear from you! Hope you continue to feel good.
Sorry if I missed anyone. Thinking of you all. Time for me to zone out for a bit.
Take care.
Hugs
Carynn0 -
Carynn -- Yes, I had the fingernail tenderness on the AC. One day after taxol #1 it is much worse! The good news is that the nausea is quite mild on the taxol. I don't need to take any pills, but can control it by diet.
Re: SNB shots. My advice would be to self-administer drugs prior. I would pop a couple of ativans. Make sure that the anestheologist knows that you took them -- they can adjust meds accordingly before operation.
-- Hillary0 -
Twink, I just emailed you back and included my cell phone number in case you want to chat! I was so blessed with women that helped me thru it, anything I can do to help someone else coming on after me, I am so delighted to do it.
Melanie, I do remember that pose! He wants to get a good look at what he has to work with so he can give good advice on phone consults. Dr. S is so wonderful, I can't say enough good things about him and Dr A. Let me know when you are ready for the "tips" which includes info on where to stay as well after surgery.
Pat, I experienced EXTREME fatigue after AC #4. It really knocked my on my you know what fatigue wise, even though I really didn't have any nausea. Took nearly twice as long to recover I felt. My onc said that was the cumulative effect of the treatments.
Marsha, most surgeons will cut their fees drastically when they find out you have no insurance. Also, after I got my hospital bill, they cut theirs down considerably as well. Plus the hospital will take long term payments over 20 years. So you don't have to pay it all up front. Unless you want to because the boobalicious bus tour is such a smashing success!
Carynn, the SNB was just like lighter fluid! I almost decked the radiologist as I came up off the table, and my husband could hear my screams and sobs in the hallway behind closed doors.
As for my energy, remember I am 3 and a half weeks out from my last AC treatment, and really just got a lot of my energy back about 5 days ago. I can't tell you how good it feels to have some energy again! And to be able to do something besides loll around. I am even going to go clean out my closet later this afternoon! After surgery in December I couldn't do anything for about six weeks and then I started chemo and could have cared less, so since then the clean clothes have just kind of been layered around the floor. I need to get the winter stuff out so I have enough room to hang everything properly again.
I better do it now, before starting taxotere on Monday. Though hopefully it is supposed to be a bit easier? I sure hope so!!!0 -
Hi, Carynn, I too had (and still have) not exactly "painful" finger tips, but nevertheless, some discomfort (and the inside face of my fingers peeled off at some point from the tip down to a joint or 2... in various spots... not like a skinned rabbit!!!) I keep the Aveeno moisturizer at hand (in the kitchen and bathroom), it seems to help (the peeling has stopped after a few days). I wash my hands 100 times a day, use gloves to cook, etc., but still pretty sensitive skin... Now, I expect the tingling from Abraxane, but so far so good: I took some advil (2) at bkfst and 2 after lunch, and feel pretty good (I walked a lot today, my longest walk plus a round trip to the bank, half a mile away, a total of maybe 4+ miles, and felt great, energetic and ecstatic to walk in the sun, in crisp cool air, looking at blooming yards and gathering ideas for ours, talking to my dog Toby...). Tomorrow at 11, I go see the surgeon who put my port in, 2 months ago, for "warranty repair"... but it feels better today, so maybe they won't touch anything... we'll see...
Well, you take care dear Carynn...
Waiting to hear from Marsha and the rest of the gang...
Wishing the best to all of you "recovering" from the bar this week or having to deal with some kind of procedure.
We are bracing for more (possibly substantial) snow on Friday... My DH just spread fertilizer after lawn aeration to make the most of this coming moisture (rain and/or snow), and then... I hope I can really start gardening for real... this winter has no end.
Hugs all around,
CatherineH0 -
Heh..heh...well, looks like I'm up for Taxol #1 tomorrow after all. Onc started me on Decadron by mouth today...too late to get the two in he wanted, two more tomorrow and two the day after. Here's the deal. I can't get into the PS until April 23 (3 days before my T#2)at which point I'll have a least one week before surgery (probably more). That gets me almost to T#3. The thought of not carrying on with SOMETHING while I wait was completely making me nuts. Onc says to carry on with Taxotere (after reading Marsha's post I'm soooo confused). I asked about stopping between Tx2 and Tx3 for surgery...he said it's not done. In fact, I think he said it's NEVER been done. He must mean it's never been done by him. Ever hear of that -- stopping mid-treatment, having surgery, then picking it up again?
The other concern / question I have has to do with post-surgical treatment. For me (negX3)...it's chemo and rads...that's it. If I use it all up now (chemo)...I won't have that sense of giving this thing the last kick in the groin post-surgery. Weird thing to be thinking.
Anyway...I'm rambling.0 -
Hi to all. It has been awhile since I have posted anything. I went back to work. I had cabin fever like you would not believe. I had my first Taxol two weeks ago and I have my second dose tommorrow. I had such leg/knee pains about two days after and I was in agony. But I can deal with that better than the nausea and vomiting I had with AC. I keep checking my face to see it I am loosing my eyebrows. They have thinned out but still holding on. I went to the Look good feel better clas, so hopefully I can draw some on. I have been looking for ways to keep me busy. I signed up for the Avon Walk in New York in October so I am concetrating on that. I am really excited. I was reading some of the posts about reconsrtuction. I had a bilateral masectomy in Dec with immediate reconstruction. I had a Free Tram procedure where they take skin and fat from your abdominal area and make your breast from there. I am scheduled for the nipple reconstruction in August. I am very happy with my results. Hope that everyone is doing as well as they can be at this pooint.
XOXOXOX
Kim0 -
Greetings, Cruising Buddies, I am not going to post much as I am worn out, I have had 3 days of WARNING: GRAPHIC POTTY TALK diarrhea following the enema in the ER on Sat. for constipation. I am determined not to get dehydrated and am chugging Gatorade and Pedialyte (grape flavor is particularly refreshing.)
My best to all of you. And I, too, am amazed at those of you who are working and raising children while going through this. Sweet dreams from Sleepy Sybil0 -
What is an SNB shot? I hate shots- but I don't know if this applies to me!
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Morning all. Hope you all are surviving the bar visits this week.
Patti and Kim - good to hear from you again.
Sybil and Pat - sure hope you gals start feeling better real soon.
Melanie - I, too, am so jealous. Hope you enjoy the trip - you sure deserve it.
Theresa - hope your AC4 went well. I agree with Carynn - #3 put me down but 4 was ok. Are you on to Taxol after?
Catherine - this weather is so frustrating - I had a coating of snow this morning and now they're calling for a nor'easter Sunday into Monday. Must be what you're getting Friday. I had rain in the afternoon yesterday such that after it warmed up from 24 degrees, I was still unable to get out for a jaunt.
Carynn and Hillary - I did not have any fingernail issues but my hands seem to be quite sensitive on the inside - just very, very dry and the skin feels kinda thin. Need to keep lotion on them.
Day 4 post Taxol #1 - no nausea whatsoever. I did notice last night when I went to bed some dull aches in my legs - nothing substantial - certainly nothing to keep me awake. I took 3 Motrin this morning and I'm sure it would help if I could get out and walk for awhile today. At my pre-infusion visit Monday, she told me the 'discomfort', if any, should only last days 3 - 5 so hopefully after tomorrow, it will be gone.
Leah - the SNB injections are a dye they insert around the nipple area - that dye runs off into the sentinal node first then sequentially moves into the nodes down the line. It helps the surgeon to identify the sentinal node. I didn't find it to be excruciating pain but it's not comfortable - I think they may have inserted a fine needle with numbing stuff for me but I don't recall.
Hugs to all and special thoughts to those at the bar today - Stephj, Twink and Alyson. Hope all goes smoothly.
Marsha - how ya doing?
Phyl0 -
Good morning ladies...had #1 taxol yesterday and so far no SE at all. Feel good this morning and last night. The steroids zoned me up pretty good and had trouble falling asleep but slept the entire night there after! Yippee. My onc and my primary are talking to a PS for me so should be getting a referrel to get an idea of what I am looking at recon wise. Marsha
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Good morning all! Up early today as we had coyotes (a pretty usual occurance) roaming thru the neighborhood which just incenses my dog!
Leah - the SNB shots are done about a 1/2 hr prior to the sentinal node biopsy. What is supposed to happen is that prior to surgery they use a numbing agent to numb the breast that has the tumor. Then they inject four shots of dye into the breast which will travel in the bloodstream the same path the cancer would take if it has spread. The dye will "light up" any suspicious areas for the surgeon. The shots are followed by a brief scan which is given to the surgeon prior to the surgery (because they have you lay in different positions, I dont know if they can put you out). Now, I've had shots before, and expected that due to the tender area the shots would be given, it might hurt a little more than a regular shot. Well, let me tell you, it was not only the the worst part of my surgery, I'd say the worst part of the tx so far! I reacted to the numbing agent and it wasnt on long enough to numb me for the shots. I dont know if the serum is "thick" or what, but the shot itself is really painful going in as well. As the Dr who came in to to give me the shots was washing off the numbing agent cuz of my reaction he told me not to worry about not being numb as about 1/2 the women he gives the shot to dont feel a thing. I asked about the other half and he admitted that some do find it painful, but that he was good and I would do fine. WRONG! One of the radiologists in the room had been telling me that his wife was about to have a baby. He took one look at my face during the shot (and heard the expletive I pretty much screamed during the first shot) and stood by my head and held my hand telling me to squeeze when it hurt. A few minutes later and I'm sure a very sore hand on his part and we were done. Then they put hot towels on the breast and "massage" the dye in for a minute or so - then do the scan. It was not fun! Twink - I'll send big hugs and good thoughts that you are part of the group who doesnt feel a thing! And if I were you I would tell the surgeon I'd heard it was painful and can they put you out, or give you something in additon to the numbing agent prior to giving the shots.
Hi Kim! It's nice to hear from you. Hope that you are doing well. I'm sorry to hear about the bone pain, does it lessen as the days go by? My chemo buddy at work had an issue with bone pain in areas where he had old injuries. He always got better the week after his tx's and when tx ended for him, he's never had any nueropathy issues. Here's hoping we'll all be the same.
Ok - the work comments...you guys are making me feel guilty! There are two reasons why I decided to work - 1) My Onc said try it. It's normal. The stress and day to day bs will be one of the few constant normals during tx. If it was too much, she'd do the leave paperwork. 2) My "chemo buddy" at work worked the whole time. We had an email meltdown on one of his chemo days and he put in 12 hours!
I had said at the time that if I had to go thru what he was, there was NO WAY I would be at work. Then when it happened to me, I thought I'd try it truly believing that I'd end up on leave soon. But it's been ok. BUT the ONLY reason it's been ok is because of the flexibility they have given me. I work from home chemo day and the day after every other week. With the exception of those 2 days, I go in for anywhere between 5-7 hours, come home, rest, and log back in to finish up any lose ends. If I was expected to put in 8-10 hours a day, there is no way I could do this. Because fatigue has been an issue for me, I "hit a wall" every day and know that it's time to come home. Since its such a short day, it's probably no different that those of you who manage to get out of the house and walk, or go to one of your children's events. I am amazed by those of you with small children taking this cruise. I know you do what you have to and its second nature, but I cant imagine the strength it takes. You are MY heros.
Thinking of everyone with bar reservations. Take care and thanks so much to everyone for being there.
Hugs...
Carynn0 -
Carynn -
I'm on day #4 after last AC tx - and I have not had any issues with my fingernails (glad to say, however!) My biggest issue, other than fatigue of course, is how sore my veins are in my tx arm! I know most of you have ports, glad I didn't have to get one, but the veins are an issue - it goes away my onc said - good thing!
And on the SNB shots - YES - I AGREE HOW MUCH IT HURT! I had no idea until they did it! First the numbing shot - OUCH! and can't believe they called me NUMB after that! The blue dye going in was worse than the numbing shot! What's up with that! ugh!!
Also tring to remember to keep up on liquids as well. TIRED of so much water - so I do lemonade, sparkling water, gingerale and lots of POPSICLES! Still do water, but nice to break it up a bit!
Hope all have a great day today!
Jen0 -
Good morning -- Today's a banner day for bar reservations (see below):
I can't post much, as my fingers are really starting to hurt. The nails hurt to touch and the skin is thin and peeling. I think I'm also starting to feel the neuropathy in a couple of toes on my right foot. I wear clogs outside and slippers inside, so my toes aren't cramped. No bone pain yet, but the nurse said it wouldn't start until this afternoon or tomorrow if at all. I'm hoping NOT! I'm having some very mild nausea, similar to what I had at day #11-13 post AC. Don't need any pills, but need to be careful about what and when I eat.
Kim -- Glad you checked in -- you seem to be a week ahead of most of us with the taxol. Did you take anything for the pain.
Marsha -- Glad that your onc and primary are looking out for you re PS!
My SNB shots were actually radioactive. If the bs couldn't find the node during surgery then she would have injected the blue dye when I was under. I wonder if that is why I didn't have as much pain as all of the rest of you. It was painful, but bearable. I was such a nervous wreck that whole day (and very teary) that I think some ativan would have smoothed it over a bit.
OK, all of us on taxol. Even though we're finished with AC, we still need to be drinking lots of fluids!
BAR RESERVATIONS:
Monday -Phyl (1st taxol), Jen (last AC!) -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
Tuesday - Hillary (1st taxol), Catherine (1st abraxane), Sammiekay -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
Wednesday - Wendy, Theresa (last AC), Marsha (1st taxol), tropicmom -- NEED UPDATES FROM WENDY, THERESA, TROPICMOM
Thursday - StephJ (last AC!), Twink (1st taxol, maybe), Alyson (last FEC), Piper, Vegas (we hope!), Terry (TCH#5, half-way done!), Tracy (last AC!), Kim (2nd taxol)
-- Hillary0
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