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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

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Comments

  • wayover20
    wayover20 Member Posts: 191
    edited April 2007
    Hello everyone! Back from #2/12 taxol and of course it was uneventful. My WBC was great at 12.7 and HGB was 11.7 and no need for Aranesp this time. The most "reaction" I had was from the benadryl given as a premed. 12.5mg and my magazine goes down to the table and I'm in la-la land. I swear, I can't handle even 12.5! I told the nurse "yea, I'm also a cheap date, 2 beers and I'm under the table". They tell me the usual benadryl dose is 25mg but since I drive myself they give me half....thank goodness cuz it puts me out for about 1 hour. Well, just eating well and drinking plenty of water and hoping for same or less side effects as last time.

    Oh yea, my oncol. said if tingling or numbness to fingers or toes comes and goes, that's ok and expected. But if it's constant (doesn't reduce significantly) to come in and see her for possible addition of neurontin or cymbalta or lyrica AND to reduce the taxol strength. If numbness persists and isn't addressed at once, it can be irreversible. Just thought I'd share that.

    Pat
  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737
    edited April 2007
    Sammiekay - the F is fluorouracil -5FU. Go to www.cancerbackup.org.uk as this site has good info on the chemo drugs and side affects. I found that it immediately gave me a metalic taste in my mouth and has really messed up my taste buds. Many things that I used to love I find difficult to eat.
    Tired this morning but thats because DH was away last night and I never sleep so well. Small cat needed out about 4am and so really didn't get back to sleep. Yes I know we need a cat door.
    Have just heard that my friend who had a return of BC after tens years and had a mastectomy and reconstruction last week has not had good pathology results. They found cancer in the old scar, so it looks as if she will need further surgery before chemo. She was a great support when I was dx before Christmas. Now it is my turn to stand beside her.
    I should do some work but it is very nearly Interval so will go and have a cup of tea then will do some work.
    Alyson
  • horsegal
    horsegal Member Posts: 72
    edited April 2007
    Hillary -
    Sorry I haven't been on in a few days - I finished my last chemo April 9th - not doing any taxol. Straight to rads on May 9th. So --- you can take me OFF the chemo list! Yeah!

    Jen
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Twink, thanks for the link to your blog. Ours is not linked to this BC journey, it is our doggies' blog (baby album, etc.) and the opportunity to visit or revisit places in Brittany, by the coast, where we spent 6 years and cherished every walk we took, each day. It's a time of our life that was an adventure because we had fallen in love with very old stones (one of the buildings dating back to the 17th century) which were in terrible shape, but we saved them... and retrospectively we are very proud of having done that (forgetting the crazy days of finding artisans able to do the restoration work properly, and the stress of dealing with all of them, masons, carpenters, etc. who treated Peter like a moron because he did not speak French, and me like a moron because I was a woman...). Anyway, to fly away: www.fluxmuffin.com

    I love Gregorians chants (Chants Grégoriens, in French, the same) and "sacred music" in general, from the middle Ages to Gabriel Fauré. I have no real musical education (my mom is the one that "exposed" us to classical music and jazz which she was listening to while sewing or knitting -- and I would sit by her, I was under 10 in those days). I cannot go through the day without music, and I have very eclectic taste (except for techno, rap and the likes)... matter of mood... I can enjoy flamenco music, gypsy music and tango music (Quarteto Cedron) as much as Mozart's concertos or Beethoven's sonatas... I think that in a previous life I must have been a gypsy dancer... Hopa! But I love jazz, blues... celtic music... ethnic musics of all kinds.

    In my next lives, I want to learn to play an instrument (piano) and I want to study math seriously (maybe I'll learn calculus once I retire... one day... DH could teach me). There is a great book about the link between music, math and art (Godel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid, by Douglas R. Hofstadter, published in the seventies). So many great things to enjoy out there (thanks to so many talented human beings), we need more than one life...
    Well, time to think "dinner"... off I go,

    CatherineH
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited April 2007
    Good morning all!

    Jen -- Wow -- rads already! Lucky you skipping taxol.

    Catherine -- I love the way you said "in my next lives". It sounds as if you have already lived this current one to the fullest possible. Why not start piano lessons as a gift to yourself after chemo is done?

    Alyson -- I'm so impressed how you've been able to keep up with work!

    Pat -- My numbness seems to come and go. In fact, after taxol #2, I don't have any neuropathy yet! I do have nausea, but I'll take that over the inability to use my hands. I know the nausea will go away ...

    Twink -- The link didn't work to your Blog. Can you try again? Thanks ....

    Marsha -- I'm hoping that you've haven't crashed after BNO and steroid high and can have fun this weekend with picnics, barn raising, and polo matches. Do you have an outrageous straw hat that you can wear to the polo match so that you can look absolutely fabulous!

    Monday - Phy -- ACCOUNTED FOR
    Tuesday - Hillary, Catherine, Sammiekay -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
    Wednesday - Marsha (ACCOUNTED FOR), Wendy
    Thursday - StephJ (1st taxol), Piper (1st taxol), Terry, Pat (ACCOUNTED FOR), Twink (ACCOUNTED FOR), Kim (?)

    Passing the torch on to Carynn ...

    -- Hillary
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited April 2007
    Good morning all -

    Off to work soon. We are leaving for the mountains tonite or tomorrow, so I wont be on too much this weekend. Here's what I remember for the bar, let me know if there's changes.

    Monday -
    Tuesday - SammieKay
    Wednesday - Karen
    Thursday - Carynn, Pat
  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 550
    edited April 2007
    Hillary, the link works now. A lesson I should know, test the code before handing it off...

    Hope everybody is doing well, coping, relaxing, healing...

    As usual, the day after treatment isn't too bad for me. I'm running on about 3 hours sleep, assume that's the decadron. It's pouring rain here again...I would like that to go away for the weekend.

    I was thinking about the post on neuropathy (was it Pat?). I think I'll be more specific with the onc regarding the numbness around my mouth. I certainly wouldn't want this to be permanent so if I still have that SE by my next Tx on May 10th, I'll ask him about the meds you noted.

    As a matter of interest, for those on T...what quantity are they giving you? Also, for those who are doing or did AC...what was the quantity of each per Tx?

    Happy Friday everybody and warm thoughts to those stepping up to the bar today.
  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 550
    edited April 2007

    Leah, I added you to my list of triple neg sisters. It's a fairly exclusive club but not one that I am glad to be a member of really. Hugs to you Leah.

  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited April 2007
    Thanks Twink! I think that you presented a very cogent discussion about lymph nodes.

    You know that I'm part of the triple neg club as well. Does that make four of us in the February cruise? (you, Carynn, Leah, and me?).

    I was so bummed when I found out that I was triple neg. My mom had bc, diagnosed about the same age that I was. She was ER+ and survived over 20 years before succumbing to pancreatic cancer.

    By the way, I saw in your blog that you were thinking of altering your clothes. I would wait until after taxotere and surgery. One of the few advantages of triple neg is that we will probably lose our "chemo" weight once we're done with all the steroids.

    -- Hillary
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2007

    Twink, I didn't check the quantity of my taxol or AC but do know it is based on height/weight/body mass. Still feeling pretty good after #2. WOW 75% done does sound good, huh? I agree with Hillary, I'd wait till after treatment to alter clothes. If you go for the D's you will be in for a fun shopping trip! LOL Marsha

  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 550
    edited April 2007
    Hillary, I counted 7, then Leah too, making 8. You, me, Leah, Carynn, Theresa, Mel (Luckymel), new cruisers Carol Moore and Windtalker.

    As for clothing alterations, good suggestion to wait...I'll do that. My problem though isn't with weight gain, it's weight loss (and not really a terrible problem in my mind other than with clothing falling off me). I'm down about 10 pounds since I started chemo.

    Hugs Hillary. We should plan that PA cruiser get together...maybe we should go to Fl or Az an party with Marsha and Carynn...
  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2007
    Good morning February ladies! Just dropping in to wish you all a wonderful weekend. You're a wonderful group. Twink, I wanted to say that you're the first person I've noticed who has mentioned the numbness around your mouth. I had the same thing on Taxol, and it was a strange feeling. It's beginning to subside now, after a couple of weeks.
    Twink again, and Catherine, I've also used Gregorian chants to "take me away" during chemo and recovery. I've been addicted to them since I was 13 or so - I have wondered whether I might have been a monk or priest back in that era, I identify with them so strongly. I've also enjoyed listening to the Faure Requiem, and some others that you have mentioned, Catherine. My first degree in college, before my nursing degree, was in music performance. Not very practical, but so much fun. Pat, glad you're doing ok on the taxol. Leah, I was glad to hear your test results were good. Carynn, Marsha, all of you guys are doing so great - I wish you all the best.
    Mel
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Hi, Mel... what a treasure to have the keys which allow you to appreciate music to its fullest... Hillary is right: waiting for next lives to study music up close and personal might be a bit optimistic... life is now, and it is never too late to learn something new (as long as I don't start with expectations of being a concert artist...). Music is such an amazing dimension of the human mind...

    Mel, I lived 11 years in Houston (West U), 1982-1993, and we still have a lot of friends there. One of my husband's sons is still living there with his family (works for HP, on the formerly Compaq campus, where I myself did a lot of interpreting work into French, when they had major accounts coming to visit the assembly plants and discover new products -- that was very interesting). In 1986, I graduated from U o H in Political Science (MA, in International Relations and Soviet Studies -- completely obsolete topic, these days), and I loved it there. It was to "polish" my English, really, not to get a job in that field. I loved the Rice campus and library, too... In which part of Houston do you live? I had my first BC scare in Houston in 87, and had a surgical biopsy then, at St Luke's, (which turned out to be totally negative with no suspicious anything... but the worm was in the fruit...). The only thing I do not regret is the heat/humidity and the big tree roaches... but we had a very nice life there and are to this day (14 years later) missing the great food from Guadalaja Grill, the greek cafeterias, the Goode Company (we still have their sauce shipped here for BBQ in the summer)... and the bread pudding at Brennan's...
    This morning I got Texas Blue bonnet seeds from DH's daughter in law... I feel very Texan to this day... and we are planning to drive there for Xmas, with our 2 dogs and rent a house in Galveston for a week or so. Our last visit was in 1997... so a lot must have changed...

    Where do you stand in your treatment, are you through? I hope you are doing fine and will keep visiting here... Do you work?
    Have a nice day, and enjoy the music of your life...
    CatherineH
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Twink, because I am part of a clinical study, they gave me the full "program" (printed). The dosage is per m2 (body area = height x weight):
    - Adriamycin = 60mg/m2
    - Cytoxan = 600mg/m2
    - Bevacizumab (Avastin) = 10mg/kg
    Then, the next 4:
    - Abraxane (taxol in albumin) = 260mg/kg
    - Bevacizumab (Avastin) = 10mg/kg
    Then I'll have Avastin only (15mg/kg) every 3 weeks until Dec. 11...

    Carynn: have agreat week-end in the mountains... gather strength for next Thursday...
    Marsha, talk about a whole range of possible social acivities... enjoy!
    We are expecting high seventies-low eighties this week-end... this should be wonderful... more gardening for me...
    It seems that the se's from taxol are less this time than the first one...?? Maybe it is too soon... or advil is really doing the job... hairwise, I have less and less... eyebrows are just a fine line (were never thick) and eyelashes are sparse... definitely an alien look... and a sore tongue...

    Wishing you all a very gentle day,
    Till next time,
    CatherineH
  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2007
    Catherine, I'm heading off to West U - well, Rice Village, actually - in about 30 minutes to meet someone for lunch I met on these boards. That is one of my favorite areas. I live in Clear Lake, but if I had my way I'd be living in the West U area. But we live where our jobs are, and that is convenient. I work as a nurse, but have just gone on disability to get over the effects of chemo and get ready for my bilateral mast and diep reconstruction in June at Methodist Hospital. I agree with you about Houston - the heat, humidity, and the tree roaches are horrible....other than that, it's a very interesting place to live, and the restaurants just keep getting better. Denver is where I always thought I was supposed to live, but for some reason it never worked out, then when we got married in 1992 I found myself here, to my great surprise. We visit Denver frequently, though - will be there in late June/early July sometime actually. I have lots of good friends there. My college roommate is there with her husband, and they are loaning us their cabin to stay in to celebrate my being done with treatment (which I hope I am by then). Can't wait for that trip - last year's trip was cancelled due to breast cancer diagnosis.
    Melinda
  • wendypetru
    wendypetru Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2007
    Hillary,

    I did fine with AC #5 on Wednesday, so you can mark me "ACCOUNTED FOR". I am happy to say I have ONE remaining!!!

    I went from a "D" to a "B" after my bi-lateral and reconstruction. I am fond of saying I now have the breasts of a 19 year old! (just wish I could say the same for the rest of me!)

    Have a warm and sunny weekend everyone! I hope I have some of that decedron energy to help me with yard work.

    Wendy
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Melinda, we know Clear Lake very well, of course. Peter worked for NASA a long long time ago (way before we met), then we had a sail boat in South Shore, then in Watergate marina in Kemah (spelling?), and we enjoyed it a lot...

    So many nurses in our group, here... you are in good company.

    Hope you enjoyed your lunch in the Village (I remember La Madeleine for its almond croissants... yummy).
    Feel free to PM me when you are ready to come to Denver, maybe we can meet before you live for the cabin in the wilderness (great timing for wild flowers). We will be here.
    CatherineH
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Wendy, good for you... 6 AC to go through is something... You sound in good spirits, and yes, go enjoy yard work... heading that way too this minute...
    Take care,
    CatherineH
  • swimmingmom
    swimmingmom Member Posts: 121
    edited April 2007
    Went to the new MD today and it went very well. I liked him a lot. He said he would never leave me high and dry on the weekend.

    He is changing my chemo to Abraxane. Catherine I think that is what you are on. He said since I am having so many side effects (pain , neuropathy of hands and feet, voice hoarseness, diarrhea, and rash to name a few) that it can be the detergent that taxol is mixed in that can cause the issues. He said Abraxane is not a first line drug for early breast cancer because it is newer and more expensive but when someone has all these SE they change and try Abraxane.

    I start on the new drug on Friday, dose is same as taxol every two weeks with neulasta the day after. He said I would come in to the office on Saturday to get the neulasta since they continue to treat their patients on the weekend - a remark meant for my last onc!

    I hope the positive vibes continue. I hate being the side effect queen!

    karen
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited April 2007
    Mel -- Thanks for the kind words about our group ... we seem to be all hanging in there, supporting each other.

    Karen -- That's wonderful news about the new onc! Good luck with abraxane.

    Catherine -- What, no comment on what you're cooking for lunch or dinner today? Seriously, I would like you to adopt me and feed me.

    Twink -- Sorry for assuming that you had gained weight -- LOL! You and Marsha are so teeny ... Although I lost weight with AC, I seem to be putting it back on with taxol. Oh well, I don't plan on getting into a bathing suit this summer!

    Wendy -- Thanks for checking in ... I agree with Catherine that 6 AC will be something to be proud of surviving!

    Pleasant evening to all ...

    -- Hillary
  • steph_j
    steph_j Member Posts: 35
    edited April 2007
    Hi all - checking in after Taxol #1 yesterday, and so far I am doing okay - not great but okay. My main complaint is the soreness in my nailbeds and fingertips that started during the infusion. I see from the posts that this is one of the more common SEs. I find it quite uncomfortable and it makes me anxious that my fingernails might fall off! Hopefully I am just overreacting.

    I have also been very tired, but that is probably because the night before and the morning of treatment they had me take 20 mg of decadron and I was wide awake until 4 am. Then as part of my IV pre-meds they gave me benadryl which finally made me sleepy. So last night I just crashed and I am still feeling drowsy today. I went in for my neulasta this afternoon and then stopped by work for a couple of hours, and now I am beat.

    I am also feeling just a little queasy - kind of like indigestion. The good news is that I am able to drink a lot more than I could after the AC treatments, including water which up until now was almost intolerable.

    Karen – I am glad you found a new oncologist that seems that you seem to like. It’s great that they are open on weekends – really shows that they are about the patients. I hope the abraxane works out much better for you.

    Twink – Like you I have also lost about 10 pounds on chemo, but that put me back where I was before the surgery as I put on weight just lying around. Hopefully, I won’t put on any more weight and after chemo is over, I’d actually like to lose a few more pounds! I am also going to have to try some of that Lindi Skin, as I have the driest hands and feet from this chemo, so I am always looking for something better. Thanks for the heads up. I also seem to be in chemopause – no sign for the last two months, but that’s one SE I can live with for now! You crack me up talking about “perky C’s” good for you! I’m with Marsha – why not got for the D! I just did the lumpectomy, so I am just a little lopsided now but not too noticeable.

    Wendy – I have to agree that you are a real trooper having to get through 6 ACs! Just hang in there!

    Catherine – I have never been really good in the yard, but maybe I’ll give it a try. Only problem is my awful allergies – so I tend stay indoors. We just have a small yard and we bought some annuals to plant out front. Typically, my DH would do it, but perhaps I’ll find it therapeutic to help out. I’ll let you know if it happens.

    Carynn – I hope you have a great time in the mountains this weekend. I am glad to hear that SEs with taxol have been bearable for you – and I am hoping for the same. I also hope to regain my tastebuds back soon, as food just hasn’t been so appetizing these past couple of weeks, and that really sucks for me.

    SammieKay – Good to hear that your 11th out 12th taxol went well. I am supposed to be flying to Atlanta for business in June, so it was recommended that I get a compression sleeve as well. I didn’t know they would cost so much but I am not surprised. None of this stuff is cheap is it! When those insurance statements come I am always in shock at how much BC costs.

    Alyson – thanks for the cyberhug before chemo; I need all the encouragement I can get to make it through this journey. I have made it through 5 of 8 treatments so I am more than halfway through chemo, to be followed by 7 weeks of radiation, and then 5 years of tamoxifen. But after chemo, I am sure the rest will be a piece of cake.

    Phyl – I’m hoping that my taxol effects are tolerable as yours have been. I’m trying to prepare myself for the bone pain and hope to be able to control it as you have. Right now I think that I am still weary from the cumulative effects from the A/C combined with the 1st taxol. Like you with the A/C I had the dead taste buds and plenty of fatigue, so I hope to recover from those and regain some of my energy back.

    Marsha – I also have stubbly hair on my head to go along with my thinning brows and lashes. I have managed to retain just a little bit of hair everywhere that is affected for quite an odd look! I am with you – although there is less time in between to rest up, I definitely wanted dose dense because that meant being done in 4 months vs. 6 or more!

    Pat – thanks for the heads up about the numbness and tingling from taxol and the potential irreversible effects if it remains constant. That’s something I’ll be cognizant of if it happens. Right now my fingers just feel tight, so I am not sure if that is the same as tingling or not. I’ll be sure to follow up with the PA at my next appt.

    Hillary – thanks for keeping up with the reservations and for noticing when we fall off for a few days. It feels good to know someone is thinking about you!

    Well – I am truly ready to crash now. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend and I’ll be checking in!

    Steph
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Karen, you'll like the Abraxane part of your day at the bar: goes through in 30 minutes... and no premeds (no steroids, no benadryl). They give me Aloxi, though, I am not sure why, and no Neulasta either for this series... for now. The waiting is pretty long because it takes at least 30-45 minutes to disolve the chalky bloc of Abraxane, which then looks like skim milk. I have had absolutely no reaction whatsoever to it during infusion, and the side effects are tingling in my finger tips (much milder this time around), some bone/muscle aches which goes away with ibuprofen... and a sore tongue in my case... The purpose of the study I am in is to have Abraxane and Avastin approved in the "standard" tx of early stage breast cancer (they are evaluating the toxicity in the study... whish me luck... see dosage above).

    Good luck with everything, and keep us posted,
    CatherineH
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Hillary... sorry to be such a disapointment in the "what's for dinner today" category?? I guess between my DH's stomach bug and my sore tongue, cooking is on the back burner, and gardening has prevailed... but it is just a matter of days...
    Stay tuned...
    A nice evening to all,
    Catherine
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited April 2007
    Monday -
    Tuesday - SammieKay
    Wednesday -
    Thursday - Carynn, Pat
    Friday - Karen (1st Abraxane)
  • talbrig13
    talbrig13 Member Posts: 358
    edited April 2007
    Hi, Cruisers,
    I have just spent a good long time reading all of your posts. I would love to respond to all of you, but chemo brain and tiredness prevent me from doing so. I have to retype almost every word because of chemo brain. I twist all the letters around.

    I am having more port problems. They could not draw my labs the last two treatments from the port.. Well, they had trouble last tx, but yesterday nothing. so they sent me for "tpa" which is a drug they inject in the port that dissolves clots. After waiting 1 1/2 hours for any clots to dissolve, nothing! So my 4 housr infusion was 7 hours, they had to draw my labs from my hand. This port has been nothing by problems. Wish I would never have bothered.

    Catherine....did your port ever heal? Did you have a stitch still in there??

    I stayed home from work today and have been quite nauseaous...taking the compazine on top of Zofran.
    I think it is the Carboplatin. The Taxotere is making my eye twitch says the onc. And the coumadin is making my nose bleed he says.

    Catherine...I am planning on planting my lettuce seeds this weekend and I got some basil and dill seeds, which I just might put in my patio planter, close to the back door for easy use.

    It is a beautiful evening here in the mountain...I here the frogs and spring peepers. So peaceful.

    Well, after my decadron high, I am now tired...so off to bed for me. With a dose of compazine.

    Love to all of you,
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2007
    Hi, Terry... so sorry to read you have all those problems with your port... who needs that, not to mention the entire day spent fussing with it to no avail. A fluke, probably, this is fairly uncommon. My port incision is still bothering me... I keep an eye on it, hoping it won't get too inflamed. It is still a bit red, especially at the end where this black stich is trying to get out (unless it is a cap too close under the skin that prevents the healing...) If it comes to that, I'll have it removed after the 2 next tx (it works well, though), and I will do the rest of the avastine through a vein (30 minute infusion with no side effects). My veins are big (when I am well hydrated). But, I am not impressed by the surgery job on this port...

    Wishing you green thumbs with your seeds... I'll spend the week-end sowing seeds, too. It can get so hot and dry here, that I will try the easy stuff in problem spots of the yard (cosmos, holy hock, sun flowers, daisies). And I will put the sweet peas' seeds in small fertile pots that you can then plant in a planter filled with good potting soil (this way the seed won't migrate too deep in the potting soil, which would prevent them from sprouting -- happened to me before, so not twice...). One of my dogs (Toby) is a mischievous little scoundrel: if I do not plant right away what I bring back from the nursery, I find the plants dispersed in the yard, because he wants the plastic cup to play with and tear it into pieces... Zoe, the sweet little mut from the shelter, is the pruning expert... even rose bushes, thorns and all... it's going to be interesting to see what will make it with those two around... but they both look at you with such innocent eyes and a big grin on their face... I can't get mad at them...
    Well, get plenty of rest and hopefully se's won't be too bad so you can enjoy the week end.
    Take care,
    CatherineH
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2007
    Karen, good for you girl, so glad you are happy with the new doc! And the new chemo maybe now you won't be the SE queen any longer LOL

    Catherine, I agree with Hillary, I look forward to your food prep descriptions! That souffle that went "poof" had my mouth watering.

    Terry, sorry to hear you are having such a time with your port. Mine looks like a golf ball sitting on my chest but sure has worked great.

    Steph, so good to hear from you. My SE are starting exactly like the first taxol. Wednesday night good, Thursday lots of energy (decadron) then Friday afternoon starting to get that crashy feeling. Achy last night and this morning. Not terrible. (like AC could be)

    Wendy, yippee on one more AC to go! Anything next or are you done? When we started this dang cruise it didn't seem like we would ever be far enough out to sea to start looking forward to the end of the journey. But here we all are, counting down, the light at the end of the tunnel getting bigger. Regardless of what we all have to face next, this sure feels like a milestone!

    Everyone have a good day, it is sunny and 82 degrees here. Probably won't do ALL the social activities this weekend HAHA but that's OK, sooooon..............hugs, Marsha
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited April 2007
    Karen I am so happy for you reading about your new onc! I'm sure you will do much better now you have someone that is understanding and caring! Its too bad we can't do the "three strikes and yer out" thing with some of these docs and get them out of the profession!

    I don't know if some of you remember my husband is still recovering from a motorcycle accident last June. Yesteday he went to the bone doc expecting to be released to ride the bike. Well instead he got news that it looks like 3 screws are broke in the larger leg bone and the lowest of the 4 spiral breaks looks to be broken again. Has to have special xrays at a hospital to see what is broke and if he needs yet a 3rd surgery. Had one about a month ago for the smaller leg bone's broken plate! Its been tough dealing with this and my bc together.
    Well I better get my butt in gear and mow the yard as its getting pretty tall and its a pretty day outside. Life goes on and it aint stopping the world to let me off anytime soon!
  • MelanieW
    MelanieW Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2007
    2 weeks ago...I had cilia...now I have none. Last night as I was thinking how strange it feels to have no nose or ear hairs, this Paul Simon song would not leave my head...lol! It started with my thinking about Twink's prose, and now this song...

    Celia, you're breaking my heart
    You're shaking my confidence daily
    Oh, cecilia, Im down on my knees
    Im begging you please to come home

    Jan; I am sorry to hear about your hubby. I wonder why the screws broke???

    Twink; My regimen is taxotere, cytoxan and epirubicin every 3 weeks, 6 cycles. I get 1200mg cytox, 90mg epi, and I was upped to 100mg tax (from 90) last tx. I am also tripe neg and I wrote a note to my onc for my file wanting an explanation as to why I am not getting my infusions every 2 weeks. I quoted the report released that stated triple negs show to have a 50% higher survival rate when getting the 3 drugs (or some form of them) in 6 cycles... dose dense. My note also included that I wanted him to research a procedure that is supposedly being done at UAMS (same town as my onc) to prevent lymphedema. I had a nurse give these to him for his "reading pleasure" until my next visit.

    Hopefully, everyone is experiencing beautiful weather this weekend!
  • vegas
    vegas Member Posts: 151
    edited April 2007
    Melanie, you are cracking me up and now I cannot get that song out of my head either! "Come on home you silly Cilias!!"

    Also I would be VERY interested in knowing what the procedure is to prevent lymphodema. Is this something that is done during the node removal or can it be done later? Even if it is too late for me, I would like to send that info on to other docs whenever possible.

    Karen, so sorry to hear about your hubby! That is a lot to overcome on top of your BC but your attitude is amazing!!

    Marsha, there IS a light at the end of the tunnel and the February chemo cruisers are getting much closer to it! I am five weeks out now from my last AC treatment and I feel like a new person!! You guys are so close now.

    Catherine, I too love your posts about gardening and food preparation, but more because I am salivating over them! Some people live to cook and others live to eat. If you ever need a taste tester, count me in!!

    Catherine, On another note, I have a friend with metastatic breast cancer and she is going to start on Taxol this Monday. Her doctor never mentioned Abraxane to her. Is this something that would be available to someone with advanced metastatic disease do you think? She is already so weak, it would be nice if she could take something that is not quite so toxic.

    Terry, I hear you on the port! I found out AFTER they put it in that my onc's office does not do the labs from it and I have to go to another office where they cannot access the port at all. And it has been so painful the entire time, I can't wait to get the darned thing out!!

    Carynn, when you get time, let me know if your friend lives in Anthem Country Club or Anthem Sun City. Wouldn't it be funny if we are neighbors and know each other!!

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