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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

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Comments

  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 550
    edited May 2007
    Put me down for my last Taxotere on Thursday please. (Gawd I love the sound of that).
  • Pepper1073
    Pepper1073 Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2007
    I will be having my 3rd taxol on thursday. Will see everyone at the bar at 10:30am. I need to quit drinking so early.

    Sammy Kay-- I also have lymphedema. Have had it for about 12 years. After I finish chemo I am going to see a theraphist again for manual therapy. Hopefully you can get yours in time. I am also hoping for a cure for this soon in the future.
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited May 2007
    Monday - Phyl (last taxol) + Leah's surgery!!
    Tuesday - Hillary (last taxol), Catherine (last abraxane)
    Wednesday - Marsha (last taxol), Pat (taxol #6), Theresa (last?)
    Thursday - StephJ (2nd to last), Alyson (2nd to last taxol), Twink (last taxotere), Piper (2nd to last taxol)
  • leahrc
    leahrc Member Posts: 384
    edited May 2007
    Vegas,
    Jeff did a course of Gemzar and xeloda, but it didn't work for him. I hope your friend's body reacts totally differently. I am praying.
  • leahrc
    leahrc Member Posts: 384
    edited May 2007
    Here is my friend who walked in my honor today. I love her! image
  • SammieKB
    SammieKB Member Posts: 164
    edited May 2007
    Piper,sorry to hear about your lymphedema. Just one more thing to deal with. I am doing as much research as possible here on the boards and links. Lots of info.
    There are no certified MLDT here where I live. I do not know what I will do. I have alot of calling to do on Monday. Insurance, LE centers in Houston(2 hour drive for me) and getting in touch with docs who have misled me. PS said wrap it with ace wrap and the message here is that is the wrong thing to do. The surgeon gave me a scipt for lymphedema pump, which I also hear is not to me used until your arm is reduced by MLD. I hope I can get something done soon before too much swelling occurs. At this time my hand is not involved. It is mainly my axilla and my arm to the wrist. Thanks for the encouragement. Hugs, Sammie Kay P.S. I think possibly one of my expanders migrating up in my chest may be putting pressure on those lymph drainage sites in my chest. It was after the injection of more fluid last time that this started.
  • horsegal
    horsegal Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2007
    Sammie Kay -
    I am sorry about your lymphedema! That was my main concern and reason for not having my axillary nodes out. They found one node with micromets, and wanted me to take them all out, but after much research, I said no thank you - for this reason. (also, finding out the main reason they wanted to take them out was for diagnostic reasons, and I was already going to do chemo anyway).

    I talked to a woman before I decided - a patient from my docs office - she had the surgery - and she goes to an acupunturist for lymphedema! She plays tennis and was very concerned - she has NO issues she told me! But you do have to get to the acupuncturist early on to get the most benefits she told me. Maybe you could check that out? It also helps with fatigue she told me. Just wanted to pass this info along -
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2007
    LEAH what a great picture of you and your friend and what a wonderful thing she did!

    Those with lymphedema...is it painful once you get it? I saw two ladies with it during rads but forgot to ask that question.
  • steph_j
    steph_j Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2007
    Karen – I was having the same problem that you were regarding not being able to remember everything when getting ready to respond. What I have now started doing is opening a Word document in a separate window, then clicking back and forth to the discussion pages to see what I need to respond to. Then when all done, I copy my reply to the discussion. This also helps when the system loses the post, as I can just re-copy it from the Word document without having to begin from scratch.

    Steph
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited May 2007
    Good morning all!

    Leah -- What a fantastic photo! I have to say that you look great, so happy!

    I have a question to all the lymphedema sufferers -- did you have axial node dissection? Is lymphedema something to worry about with only SNB? My bs didn't say anything about it to me. I want to know what questions to ask her at my post-chemo/pre-rads follow-up appointment.

    OK, major fatigue has hit. I was so hoping to avoid another aranesp shot on Tuesday, but I suspect the fatigue is due to anemia. Am I the only one who has had to suffer with either aranesp or procrit?

    Finally, an update on eyebrow/eyelash loss. Left eye has only one eyebrow and one upper eyelash. Right eye has only three lower eyelashes. I'll post again when I have totally naked eyes!

    Hope you all have wonderful weather and a nice day planned.

    Hugs,
    Hillary
  • steph_j
    steph_j Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2007
    Catherine – I am hopeful that eliminating the Neulasta will prevent some of the pain. They said if my counts dropped too low they would give me a neupogen shot. I am still having occasional and mild pains in my legs, so am really in favor of this approach. We’ll see how it goes.

    Twink – Good for you on getting your insurance problems straightened out! I’m sure this is encouraging news for others who may have to deal with similar issues. It typically seems that if you fight there is a good chance you will come out successful with these insurance companies. So it is important not to give up.

    Karen – the benefit that the nurses are putting on for you is such an honor and I, too, will be looking forward to hearing about it. Try to rest up ahead of time, so you can really enjoy it. I have found that I really don’t get tired until 2 days after taxol treatment, is it similar for Abraxane?

    Leah – it is great that your friend walked on your behalf. When I was first diagnosed in January, I optimistically signed up to do the Avon Walk here in DC that was earlier this month. However, that was before chemo, so I had to withdraw – just didn’t have the energy to raise money and prepare once I started chemo. One of my close co-workers says she will definitely do the walk with me next year, so I am looking forward to it.

    Hillary, Catherine, and Karen - How wonderful that you all have only ONE more treatment left! This week is my 2nd to last and June 7th is my last so I am also excited that the end of chemo is near. I will also be moving onto radiation about 4 weeks post-chemo. I already did my consult with the radiation-oncologist and I have a CT scan set up for late June, so I should begin radiation in early July. My treatment will be 5 days a week for 7 weeks – that sounds a little overwhelming, but after 4 months of chemo, it should be much easier – right? I think it is a great idea if we stay together through radiation. I have noticed that a lot of chemo groups create a new radiation thread – what do you all suggest?

    SammieKay and Piper - I am sorry that you have to deal with lymphedema. Sammie Kay, although I know distance is an issue, you should get it assessed as soon as possible. From what I’ve read, the sooner you get it treated, the less likely it is to become severe.

    Lymphedema is definitely something that those of use who had axillary nodes removed have to be concerned about. Before my surgery, my surgeon ordered a PET scan to confirm that the BC was in my nodes, as I did not want to have the axillary node dissection if not needed. So once confirmed, he took out 9 nodes and it was in the 2 nodes that showed up in sonogram and PET scan. I read somewhere that the more nodes that are taken out and the more nodes that are affected, the greater the risk. Then for those of us who have to have radiation, the risk increases. I am beginning to do some research on how to prevent and treat lymphedema – when I find some good information I will definitely share it.

    Wishing everyone a pleasant Sunday!

    Steph
  • lightphoto
    lightphoto Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2007
    Greetings everyone, Things are going fairly well here. Theresa is now getting Vancomycin (antibiotic) by IV everyday. There was some concern when the nurse was not able to draw blood out of the mediport. We had to go to the hospital again to visit radiology and imaging to see for sure that it was working ok. It was determined to be OK for infusion but not for draw. The blood coagulate tends to build up around the end of the tube over time into the heart region causing it to plug when there is a draw but opens when IV is pushed in. Make sense?
    Wednesday is supposed to be the last day for that. We will know more after we meet the Infectious Disease specialist if any more vanco is needed. We have been taking very strict precautions so not have this happen again. This has been a significant setback.
    Wednesday is also the day of her last tx. We look forward to celebrating that.
  • BelindaL
    BelindaL Member Posts: 13
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone

    I have just read through the last few pages since I last checked in - you all have had so many changes and ups and downs in such a short space of time - life just keeps on marching on in all its colour, doesn't it? I am sad for your losses of friends and loved ones, and excited for your reappearances of hair, acquisitions of new bikes, and victories with health insurance companies.

    I had my first of 12 weekly taxol and herceptin infusions last Friday (I'm up every one of the next 11 Fridays)- feeling mildly achey but nothing like as bad as I would be feeling by now on EC. No vomiting at all, and very very little nausea! YAYYYYYY!!!! And it is very very cold today so that might be contributing to the achiness.

    The worst thing was the antihistamine they gave me to minimise any reaction to the taxol - it wiped me out for the whole day - I felt like a drunk on a long plane trip, out of it for most of the time but regularly woken by the hosties when food comes, seabelts need to go on etc (except in my actual case it was constant BP and temp monitoring, and infusion bag changeovers). Still, it made the day disappear fast.

    I have especially enjoyed catching up with your hair stories - gives me much hope! And it's joyful to read how many are coming to the end of chemo, it's nice to be on the downhill track.

    I will be doing rads, in answer to an earlier question - about 6.5 weeks I think, starting 3-5 weeks after my last chemo (must make it 14-17 weeks 'til the start of rads). Seems like a long time but in an odd kind of way, it almost seems like yesterday that I was diagnosed - but it was 3 January, and that was 4.5 months, 2 mastectomies, many scans, a major hair loss event, 4 EC cycles and 1 taxol and herceptin treatment ago....so I hope the rest of this zips past just as quickly! I aim to be sitting down to Christmas dinner with family and friends, with at least some hair on my head, and welcoming in the new year like it's going to be the best ever of my life, followed of course by many more like it.

    Kind regards to all of you...I am still getting to know you, which is not easy since I am only bobbing in and out from time to time.

    Belindaxxx
  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone
    Meant to get on this morning but didn't get around to it.
    On Friday made a big decision to take time off school u ntil I finish treatment. I was so tired last week. Also there is such a danger of infection from now on. still have reports to write and a few other things to complete but at leasrt I don't have to worry about my classes.
    DD, who had come in for lunch today, commented that my eyebrows had vanished and my eyelashes were very thin. I didn't have any make-up on so it was much more noticable. I didn't need to be told - they are vanishing quickly at present.
    Belinda, your reaction to the taxol was very similar to mine.
    Sammiekay and Piper, I have had a little bit of a lymphodema problem but thankfully it is under my arm not in my arm itself. I have been seeing a specialist nurse who deals in this and does special massage to re-route the fluids to other nodes. I had most of my lymph nodes removed asmost had cancer in them.
    Leah what wonderful photos. Had intended to take some pictures but DH brought the camera into the house a few weeks ago and doesn't know where he put it. Have looked everywhere.
    Karen I always try to copy any posting before I hit the button, at first I lost to many but that works.
    Good luck all those stepping up to the bar this week and well done to those lucky ones for whom it is the final visit. I am envious.
    Alyson
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2007
    Good Morning chemocruise sisters...I can't sleep when my hot flashes hit so go to the computer and read then by the time I go back to bed I'm so cold I have to change night gowns from sleeveless to long sleeves!

    The other night while in bed a name for the "new" bike/trike Goldwing came to me...(alot of bikers just call it a Wing for short when talking about a Goldwing)

    "Angel"

    Because we will be riding on the Wing(s) of an Angel to get back to biking again.

    The other bike's name is "the girlfriend" because sometimes it seems he pays more attention to her than me! Mistress sounded like he was cheating on me so didn't call her that! LOL!

    So when you stop to think and wonder about your bc sisters, think of me riding on a Wing named "Angel". She will be very theraputic for my husband and I! Hope everyone has a wonderful day!
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited May 2007
    Leah, best of luck today on your surgery. Please post as soon as you are able! Loved the pix!!

    Phyl, OMG the last, the last, the last, THE LAST ONE. Did everyone notice on the this weeks bar list how many have the word LAST attached????????????????? Can you tell I am excited????????? Marsha
  • lightphoto
    lightphoto Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2007
    Hey gang, FYI, read the link at top of page from Melissa and Tami concerning "improvement to boards". We don't want to be caught off guard when changes appear, they may have a little confusion.
    Have a great day!
  • wayover20
    wayover20 Member Posts: 191
    edited May 2007
    Leah your pics are great and you have such an infectious smile!!

    Wednesday is my 6th of 12 taxols. I seem to be having aches around day 4 and for sure day 5 after treatment. Last night I had a hard time getting sleep as my hips and thighs were aching pretty bad. I took an ativan and 3 tylenol and finally got some rest. This mornining not nearly as bad.

    Looks like my eyebrows really thinned out more and I'm having to color them in regularly, but my head fuzz keeps getting darker and much more noticeable. So losing eyebrows but head hair growing? Ok, I'll take it.

    I've also been having soreness to my mouth (tongue,teeth) and I wonder if it's the same that Catherine has reported. I can't seem to "taste" salt which is strange, but otherwise my taste seems to have returned for everything else. Oh yea...GAINING weight....Too Much! I want to blame it on chemo too.

    Wondering how my 12 week drinkers are doing side effect-wise.
    EVERYONE take care and Happy Memorial Day coming up!

    Pat
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited May 2007
    Scott, I am not sure I know what changes you are talking about... Could you shed some light (I tried to find a thread about upcoming changes on the boards, but did not find any...).

    Hi, gang, I just read everybody's news... thinking of Leah especially today...
    Will come back for more after I deliver my job... way behind...
    Hugs to all and a good recovery for Theresa,
    CatherineH
  • SammieKB
    SammieKB Member Posts: 164
    edited May 2007

    Thanks for the info. I am trying to get some therapy locally. My insurance will not pay for acupuncture. Really ashame, as I know it works for my back pain. Hopefully I will get some therapy sabefore this week ends. Thanks again for sharing with me. Sammie

  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2007
    Catherine...info is here
    http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...ge=0#Post606546
  • ErinsGram
    ErinsGram Member Posts: 150
    edited May 2007
    Hi Gang.

    THE END!

    Nuff said for now - got some work to catch up on immediately. All ok tho.

    Phyl
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited May 2007
    Phyl --

    Congrats! Thanks for checking in. When you get your work done, can you let us know what your onc said about follow-up tests/appointments?

    Thanks ...

    -- Hillary

  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited May 2007
    Monday - Phyl (last taxol) + Leah's surgery!!
    Tuesday - Hillary (last taxol), Catherine (last abraxane)
    Wednesday - Marsha (last taxol), Pat (taxol #6), Theresa (last?)
    Thursday - StephJ (2nd to last), Alyson (2nd to last taxol), Twink (last taxotere), Piper (2nd to last taxol)
    Friday -- Belinda
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited May 2007
    Thank you Jan!!! Nice picture (from the one with your daughter, right?).
    Take care,
    CatherineH
  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 550
    edited May 2007
    Hillary - lymphedema can occur with both axillary node disection and SNB. I just happened to read this last night here: http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_breast/5_treatment.asp
  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 550
    edited May 2007
    Thinking about Leah tonight...sending my warm wishes for an easy recovery.

    Yay Phyl!!!!! Going on the wagon now I hear.
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited May 2007
    Just a quick check in to say all is well. Phyl, Catherine & Hillary - congrats to you all. I just cant wait til next week when I can sign up for MY last drink!

    Have you all seen the thread where Melanie posted her chemo video? Check it out, it is beautiful and inspiring. You will love the end!

    http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h4/mibriggs/?action=view&current=undefeated.flv


    Carynn
  • talbrig13
    talbrig13 Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2007
    Leah...I know you are not reading this tonight, but I want you to know how many times I thought about you and said a prayer today for your safe surgery and a smooth recovery. Hope you are not in too much pain and are on the mend soon!

    Put me on the reservation list for Thursday...TCH #8 of 10, please.

    Had a busy weekend....DD passed driver's test Sat am...prom was Sat eve...she looked lovely and her date quite handsome. Sunday her dance group danced at the Penn State campus at the Arts Festival. Then a meeting at school regarding her upcoming Chorus competition at Disney. Big trip in June.

    Soo, needless to say, I got nothing constructive done this weekend. Still need to plant my planters, get tomato plants in and plant zucchini, cucumbers etc.

    I am noticing my vision seems to be more blurry and my hearing is not quite right. Along with itching and swelling....anyone else notice visiona and hearing problems??

    Hope everyone is okay...love to you all.
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited May 2007
    Thanks for the link, Carynn... who is Melanie? This is not "our" Melanie(W)... do you know her? Her video is very moving and well done. I sure hope a year later, she is doing just fine.
    Well, have all a good night sleep, with special sweet dreams to Leah...
    CatherineH

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