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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Comments
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Hi All,
Feeling great. Fighting a cold but that is a walk in the park compared to everything else!!!
I don't have to do radiation. Glad about that. I have a date for my nipple reconstruction- August 24th.
Trying to lose weight that I gained before BC and chemo and after. Anyone else?
Kim0 -
Hi Kim,
I am also trying to loose the weight that I gained. I went back to weight watchers to help and started walking again. My goal is to get to my weight watchers goal by the first weeek in Sept. We will see. I have a friend who is walking with me and she has me up to 4 miles a day. I am sore from the walking but I am thankful for her. I really thought I was the only one who gained the weight while going thro chemo. Set small goals each week and we can do this together.
Theresa0 -
Theresa -- It is so nice to see you post! Not that we objected to your wonderful husband, but it shows us that you're feeling better. I'm so impressed at the 4 miles! I need someone to push me like that ...
Kim, I'm also trying to lose the weight that I put on during the second half of chemo (i.e. the taxol half). I'm working on increasing fruits and veggies to more than five servings per day and decreasing fat intake down to 20%, both of which are supposed to decrease recurrence for triple negative.
And, Jan, I just love that Pink Panther. He looks like he needs a hat or sunglasses, however, to make him reaaly laid back!
Just got back from my rads simulation. I'll post the details about that on the rads board, for those interested.
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Greetings from a wet cold NZ.
Theresa - I am really impressed with the walking, thats a great distance you are doing. Went for a walk yesterday but only abput a mile as I still have the bone pain.
Like others I am trying to lose weight. I have lost 6kg, about 14lb since I was diagnosed but desperately want to get rid of a lot more as I am over weight. My goal is to lose another 20lb before my daughter's wedding in January but the lack of exercise is a real problem.
I think a low fat diet is beneficial for all of us.
Jan I love the Pink Panther and yes he needs glasses.
Hope everyone has a great day.
Alyson0 -
Yes I am feeling better, I am also trying to eat more fruits and veggies, I also am trying to drink water but its taking alot of talking to my self to just do it. I have to walk by my self tonight as my friends mom is ill and so she has to go and help her mom so I am trying to make my self go at least a 3 mile walk before the rains come. Scott is such a great support for me I am very thankful for him. The only thing about me walking he does not like is when the alarm goes off at 6:00 am. My friend and I like to walk in the morning to get it over with but some times with her work we have to walk in the evenings. I guess I better go so I can get it in. I am diong this in hope of never having that monster in my body again. So like so many of you eating healther and moving the body is one way to fight. Have a great evening and take care.
Therea0 -
Hi girls,
I am sooo sad this evening. One of my good customers who is also a friend, I have known over 25 years...came in to the bank today and told me her mother had a mascectomy a couple weeks ago...17 lymph nodes. She starts chemo Friday. She is from India. She is here, doesn't speak English, her daughter will have to translate for her. She was so upset when I was diagnosed, and now she has to go thru this...Her grandmother died of BC many years ago. This is all so unfair. I can't stand it.
I talked to my other co-worker today who had a masc in Dec when I had my lumpectomy. She is down too...she starts rad on Monday. We both declared ourselves exhausted.
You all sound so "up" right now. And I am down. My last chemo is this week and I am not feeling overjoyed, but rather like I am losing my lifeline.
I am so tired of people saying that I look good. I feel like crap. I know they mean well, but it makes it seem like the chemo has been easy.
The taxotere is making my legs and hands swell like balloons, even taking Lasix. So needless to say, I have gained about 10 lbs, which I absolutely HATE.
Whine, Whine, Whine. So glad you are all here to listen.
Checked into the rads board. I see the Rad onc next Tuesday...will post there then. Should know more.
Carynn....will be praying for you while at the bar on Thursday.
Thanks for listening!0 -
Terry -- "I am so tired of people saying that I look good. I feel like crap. I know they mean well, but it makes it seem like the chemo has been easy."
I know exactly how you feel. When I see friends, they always, always tell me how good I look. I'm torn between thinking that I must really look horrible and they're lying or that their expectations are so low that anything must look good. I've been out on disability, so I also wonder if these folks are thinking, why isn't she at work? Someone else told me that the weight gain in my face (mostly from the steroids) made my look younger! Certainly having a wig in a youthful style with no gray hairs has helped! But don't they notice the red-rimmed eyes, absent of lashes and brows?
There, Terry, now you're not the only one whining this evening!
I'm still waiting for any, any, any indication of hairgrowth. Still none on legs or underarms, let alone the places I would like it to grow! Patience, argh!
Alsyon -- I was playing around on a nutrition website called www.fitday.com. I'm going to try to lose one pound per week, which I think is doable. This will allow me to fit back into my work clothes by the time I go back to work. The big thing is keeping the fat content low and the fruit/veggie content high. Do you have a drought of fresh fruit as you enter your winter like we do?
Theresa - I wish that we could arrange for a virtual visit to encourage us to walk!
Hugs to all,
Hillary0 -
I hear you Terry. If one more person compliments my looks or my hair I'm likely to go ballistic.
On an even more depressing note for me, reviewed the path report with the BS today. That clear SNB was a bad joke...micro mets to both SNs and another one collected with the left breast tissue. They're going back in for a full axillary node dissection...and I have to meet with the oncologist. I suspect rads are in my future too but I really don't understand the impact of neo-adjuvant chemo on all this. On the good news front, the tumor was barely detectable at 2 mm (from 3.0 - 3.5 cm). I'm having a hard time being happy about that with the news on the nodes. Blah...going back to bed ...0 -
Hi my friends,
Kim and Theresa, I join you in the weight department. I was about 15 lbs overweight before chemo and I have picked up another 10 on Taxol. Since A/C I have lost 5 lbs. But after chemo I too will be going back to Weight Watchers. I am a lifetime member but way over my goal weight. Great walking Theresa. I need to do that, but it is so hot here in Texas. I can go to the gym and walk on a treadmill.
I have two more FACs. One is July 3 and one July 24. I will be so glad to finish.
I told my onc today I didn't want to do rads. I mentioned the possibility of lung cancer and he didn't deny it. I have a strong family hx of lung cancer, father and grandfather. He won't make the call. He still wants me to see Rad. onc.
I am feeling amazingly well. I have been working a few days a week since day 8 after FAC. I went in for blood work today and my onc said my labs were excellent.
We are going to Las Vegas on the 26th and coming back on the 30th.
Carynn, you are on my mind as you approach your surgery. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Marsha, loved your pics. Looked like a fun party.
Jan, have a wonderful adventure. Trike is awesome and pink panther so cute.
Catherine, thought of you the other night when I watched the dog show. Saw a PBGV. They are so cute. I read alot about them. Nice dog. I hope Toby is feeling better, bless his little heart. Don't work too hard.
Hillary, LOL thinking of you in white gown looking like Scrooge. I definetly have the "old man" look going on.
Good luck with diet and excercise. I will be trying that too.
Karen, great news about you scans.
Terry and Twink, I, too, get the "you look so good" thing alot. I just figure makeup and wig helps. I wear glasses and people really don't notice the lack of eyelashes. I use eyeline and sketch my eyebrows on with a brush. I think we are our own worst critics and I really don't think others look at us as closely as we do ourselves. I know my Mom was so ill with ovarian cancer and one month before she passed, she got dressed up for my nephews wedding and she looked great. She couldn't stand, used a wheelchair. I pushed her, but she looked beautiful. Make up and wigs. LOL. My sister and I and my two daughters and two granddaughters all put on denim overalls and white tee shirts and we helped Mom put on hers and too a phots. It is precious. She looked good and she died 2 weeks later.
I am so glad you are all here. It is amazing how similar our experiences are. Any feelings I am having, I find others here with the same feelings.
Take care, love you all. Sammie Kay0 -
Twink how frustrating!
Hey great idea...sunglasses huh? Hubby said nobody teased him about having the Pink Panther, rather they all thought he was cute! He was running around by himself on the trike getting last minute stuff done today. His doc didn't change anything about him being on crutches during today's apt. so we will have to endure them during the whole trip. He had figured out a way to attatch them to my armrests when I'm not on the bike with him. Other times we can remove the Pink Panther and use the luggage rack or I can hold them across my armrests. We can also strap them across the top of the trailer which we plan to do in the morning. Doc came outside to see the trike though despite being so super busy today. Tommorow is the big day! Should be in St. Louis, MO by night time, a biker offered his home for the night to save us some money so taking him up on it. Hoping it won't rain tommorow as its storming to the NW and SE of us right now. We do have rain suits to get through it though. I'm already missing my little shadow, my pomeranian is at my daughter's house now. I keep finding myself looking for her then remember she's not here. I went "topless" today in town for the first time, nobody seemed to notice so guess my hair is just long enough to look "normal" somewhat.
See you guys when we get back, will have my laptop with but don't know if and when we can get online.
SammieKay have a great trip!0 -
Well I lost that one. Maybe just as well as I was whinging too. I also gets lots of compliments about hair and how I am looking. Others don't see the dark eyes I have before I put on my makeup which I have been very careful in doing and I know my wig does look great but sometimes it would be nice if people realises that you were feeling dreadful.
Twink so sorry to here about being node positive. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to back into surgery. Lots of hugs. {{{{Twink}}}}}
Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers each day.
Hillary that is a really interesting website. My diet is not bad I just have to get out and do some exercise. I too need to lose about 1lb per week to get to my goal. We have a lot of fruit and vegetable here and we, as a family, have easy access to export quality goods as well which is great.
it is such a horrible day that my sister and I have not done anything constructive at all other than watching a movie and a lot of TV.
Hope it is a lovely day where you are.
Alyson0 -
Twink,
You don't have to be happy about anything. But if it is any consolation, the full axillary did not turn out to be the nightmare I had feared. Little pain, a little numbness of the tricep area as it is healing. I am sorry. But once I was at Mass General Hospital, (on a node consult!) and they proved to me that the nodes can "wake up" on their own and start making new breast cancer cells, it was a no brainer decision for me. I hope you can work your way over to feeling that way!
Love and lots of hugs.0 -
Twink, girl, I know you are disappointed. Mamm/ultrasound said no node involvement. Surgeon told DH and friends the nodes looked good. Path came back one micro node. So I know how you feel thinking you escaped something only to find out you didn't. I never really understood the chemo before surgery unless one was trying to save the breast with a lumpectomy. I wanted that sucker off me before it had a chance to do anything else! I know now that I would NOT have been breathing easier leaving that thing on my chest. Now obsessed with the "good" breast still there like a ticking time bomb. good Lord, does it never end.
Whine, whine....... Terri it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO OK to let us know how you feel. Sometimes many of us feel the same way, just not verbalizing it. Never apologize, OK? We love you and are here for you as we know you are here for us!
Marsha0 -
Hi ladies! here's big {{{HUG}}} to Twink and hoping you'll feel better soon. I just had my 10th of 12 taxols today. I've been ok except this weekend I was feeling really exhausted with my arms and legs feeling so heavy that I tired out quickly doing the simplest things. My dr. says its the chemo. So any chore I do requires frequent breaks.
I'm going to speak to a radiation oncologist just to get his opinion about rads or no rads. My oncol. says she'll be surprised if he says rads needed, but we will talk about that when time is right.
Pat0 -
Twink -- I'm so sorry about the node report. But, reading a lot of other posts, it seems that the best way to focus on it is that the nodes are there to capture any of the little buggers that decide to migrate away from mommy tumor. It means that your lymph system is working and the nodes did their job! Let us know when the next surgery is so that we can send you virtual hugs.
Pat -- I hear you on the exhaustion! At my post-chemo checkup with my onc, I was worried that I was still anemic, but that's not the case. Nor is my thyroid out of whack! The onc and his nurse both think that I need to excercise some more. I'm all trying to make sure that I have enough protein in my diet, especially now that I've started rads. I think I read somewhere that during cancer treatment we need to eat 0.5 g protein per lb of weight. I'm glad that you're speaking to the rads onc to get more information -- let us know what he says. Also, sorry that I fell down on the job of posting your taxol treatment today. I've fixed it in my files!
Jan -- I'm virtual waving to you and dh as you drive by on your trike!
SammieKay -- Glad to hear that you're doing well with the FAC. We'll stick with you till the end!
Marsha -- I'm one day behind on you on the rads, as I just had my first zap today. Pretty uneventful. I was in and out pretty quickly, didn't really get a chance to chat with any of the other folks. So far, I don't feel anything.
OK, am I the only one who still doesn't have to shave my legs or under my arms? I've got dark hair and I used to shave often. I'm enjoying the not shaving part right now, but worrying whether I'll ever get hair again!
Hugs out to Carynn with her surgery tomorrow.
Hugs out to Terry -- last TCH!
And, hugs out to everyone else, just because!
Hillary0 -
Oh, Twink, I can understand how disappointed you are. I am not sure how they could determine a course of tx without knowing your node status in the first place...?? We are here for you, sweetie... I wish I could hug you for real.
Carynn, thinking of you before surgery. How have you been so far? Missing your great spirits here...
Kim, Terry, Pat, Hillary, Marsha, Theresa, nice to read your posts even if not all in the best of spirits...
Had to go see the onc this morning because of my darned port site, red and very painful yesterday: 10 days on Cephaloxin (Keflex) again (last time was in March). He wants to keep the port as long as possible... It scared me yesterday, they called in right away for the prescription and after 3 pills, it's already much better (painwise). No fever so it is probably just local... a silly thing, really, since for the rest I feel pretty back to normal (except for taste buds still a bit on the sleepy side, and finger tips a bit funny). I have been working non-stop all these days (not tiring physically), and have a new project to start today for the 29th... but I think of you all, all day long...
I asked the onc about the adriamycin "scoop" in the news... he seems well prep for the answer : he said it was bad journalism, that for patients requiring only 4 tx, they do TC only (no A), but with grade 3 + nodes involved (my case), they go to 8 tx and combine drugs for max. effect... who am I to know whether this is true or not... only the future will tell... In the meantime, I have the feeling I am the little rabbit soap we had when we were kids: you would get it wet, and it would "grow hair"... that's about the look of the fuzz on my head (but definitely getting stronger under the fingers, even if not that visible...).
Well, sweet friends, wishing the best to you all, with extra special thoughts to Twink and Carryn, and all of you with pre or post surgery worries... Leah, do you have adate to go fry this liver spot of yours with RFA? How is your new contract coming along?
Have all a nice evening (it's very hot in Denver!!!),
CatherineH0 -
Catherine -- It's funny, but I indirectly asked my onc about the red devil as well. At my post-chemo checkup, I asked if I needed to get my PCP to start checking my heart. He said that the amount of adriamycin that I had was very low, only a small percentage of what can cause heart problems in an otherwise healthy person. He said that maybe in about three years we'll get an echo to check, but I shouldn't worry.
And, Leah, I second Catherine's question -- when you will have RFA for your liver?
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Cable for computer has been down for awhile because we moved it. Read everyone's post.
Twink-I am so sorry to hear your news. It is rotten. You have my hugs (((hug))) and my continued thoughts and prayers.
Hillary and Pat- I hear you on the exhaustion. I am 2.5 weeks out from chemo and I feel just as tired as ever. I think I need to get up and exercise to help but I just can't get up!!! My ct scan did show problems with my thyroid-enlarged and I do take thyroid meds so we shall see Fri when I visit the MD.
Catherine I have not asked him yet about the adria and news. He did offer to stay after hours one night and talk with me but I didn't want to be the problem pt and said I would wait for the apt.
Hillary-if one more person says "YOU LOOK GREAT" I am going to scream. I have NO eyelashes or eyebrows, my eyes are puffy, my color is pale and I am wearing a wig. I look like heck. I guess I look better than dead-sorry for the joke. Oh, I have no hair still. Not on the legs, arms, armpits, nose and most importantly on my head!! Darn
Terri-can I join your whine? I am soooo sick of this neuropathic pain. My hands and feet are numb and periodically badly hurting. It is so hard to do things. I can't open things, I can't turn a piece of paper over, I can't type....Wah! I am up to 1200 mg of neurontin. I hope to change drugs on Friday. I am so terrified that now this will be permanent. I am really starting to get depressed. Then to top it all I found a small little "bump" in my right armpit (not the cancer side) last night. I was up until 4 am trying to figure out if it is a little cyst, hair follicle infected, or of course cancer. Made work today fun. I know I should call my dr but I have convinced myself it is a cyst and I would be a fool to call him before my apt on friday. But a little voice inside my head is telling me a different story.
I am sick of having cancer, I am really sick of side effects and feel I have had more than my share, I am tired and tired of being in pain, and I am sick of worrying each day it is just going to come back. Not sure how to feel better. Guess it is just a poopy few days.0 -
All,
Quick update: very disappointed because I have to have a liver MRI and a PET/CT scan before we can discuss whether to proceed with RFA. He said two things: 1) he has to know if the liver really only has that one lesion or is there more that just wasn't picked up on a CT scan? and 2)if the cancer has spread anywhere else, we might not want to just go deal with that one piece. So MRI Sunday morning, PET/CT on Tuesday then WAIT,,,,, then decide what's next. I am in shock cuz I thought I wouldn't have to deal with knowing if the cancer had spread for another month. Not ready for the answer right now, but I guess that is not to be.
Also, two contracts were turned down cuz they require travel, which I am obviously not free to do. So no contract is in hand, though my present one has been extended thru 7/13.
Sorry no good news in its clearest sense. I am totally frightened about what I may find out next week.
Thanks for the thoughts..0 -
Hi, SammiKay, the sailing girl... Yes, PBGV's are adorable: there must be 2 in Denver, and everyday we are stopped by people asking "what kind of mix is this"? So I do my little educational piece on this 500 year old breed... Toby thinks that his middle name is "sOOO cuUUUte"... He's doing fine (we do not walk quite as much because of the heat... I'll have to get up earlier...). It seems that he lost almost a pound, 3 more to go and he'll be fine...
Summer fruit and veggies help on the weight front: I feel only like eating salads or very light cold things. One of my favorites is a pasta salad with rotinis (tomatoe, spinach and beet curly pasta) in which I toss fake crab (flake type) which is not a bad food, smoked salmon (wild sockeye preferably), key's fresh shrimp (boiled with Louisiana spices)... olive oil, garlic and basil... and a beer (although a cold crisp Sauvignon Blanc is not bad either, but I did not "reconnect" with wine, yet, feel only like drinking V8 or alcohol-free beer...). This salad is even better the next day. The same ingredients can be warm, with light cream and a lot of dill...
DH is painting the picket fence in the front yard in an English blue (greyish) along which I'll plant very pink climbers and rambler roses, and white flowers on our side, and lilacs, forcythias, Roses of Sharon, etc. on the street side to build a privacy screen... will take years to get there... I thought the paint would be a darker (Britanny) blue... but turns out it is much lighter... still, better than the raw wood...
Jan, will you be able to post during your trip? Will be looking forward to hearing about this bid adventure... with Inspecteur Clouzot in the back...
Till next time,
Catherine0 -
Leah, so much to deal with... you, too, had more than your share... hopefully it will turn out to be better news when you know more. Hope another project will come your way that fits your current "life style"...
Seems to me the week has been so far on a more down mood... the moon... hopefully this will dissipate soon. Hang in there, sweet ladies... Big hugs to all,
Catherine0 -
Hi everyone. Im sorry I havent posted. Its been a real rollercoaster ride for the last week. As you might remember, my BS requested an MRI prior to my surgery. The results were quite a bit different than I expected. The results show a 2.7 cm tumor. I was pretty shocked not only at its size after 8 freaking rounds of chemo, but a bit un-nerved that neither 3 Doctors, nor I can find the damned thing by exam. That just freaks me out that there can be a tumor of that size lying around that no one can feel. Guess it just supports how important the mamos and scans really are. Anyway, my BS doesnt seem to be upset at all. She still says the chemo did its job and shrunk the tumor enough to allow a lumpectomy. Of course, as with any lumpectomy, should there be a problem with margins we either go back in, or do a mastectomy (both of which Im fine with, as we of all people understand that is just par for the course with this disease).
Three weeks post chemo my RA is no longer in remission.
I had been able to take one of my prescriptions and keep it just below the surface and somewhat manageable, but I had to stop that drug one week prior to surgery. Now Im in a full blown flare and have a lot of pain and swelling. Once Im done with surgery I have to decide if Im going back to my previous RA treatment. I took Remicade infusions, but they increase your risk of carcinoma (same as chemo). Every time I think NO WAY, I get a flare and am reminded of how painful this is. ARRGGHH!! If I hear the quality of life speech one more time Im gonna smack someone!
Heard from the Laboratory regarding my genetic testing, once they hear from insurance, they notify you of the amount of the patient responsibility. If you agree to pay, they begin the test. The woman I spoke with advised me that its been taking about 2 weeks for results, and not the full 21 days. I do have a hunch that Ill test positive, and if thats the case, it means that there will mean an Oophorectomy in the near future.
To top it all off, I will be off the next 10 days and Ive been trying desperately to leave things in good order at work. As always in IT, it seems there is never a good time to take off. So while Im not really down, Im not exactly in the best of moods.
Twink and Leah you are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you only good news and that it comes to you quickly.
Terry and Karen, incase you couldnt tell; add me to the whine list. Do anyone elses fingernails look bad? The stripes and discoloration are growing out, but it looks awful. The bottom half of my nails look normal, the top halves are either striped or a horrid brown / black color. I had nail polish on so I wouldnt have to look at it, but removed it for surgery tomorrow. The upside - hair on head still coming in. Had to shave my legs yesterday, but nowhere else, if you know what I mean.
Well thats it for now. Hillary, Catherine and everyone, thank you for thinking of me and for your kind words. Im going to go relax, watch a comedy or something and go to bed early. I will check in likely Friday or Saturday.0 -
Caryn nobody could feel my tumour either and it by time of surgery it was 3cm. The other thing is that I have RA, was in remission when diagnosed with BC but am worried it will come back.i have had such dreadful pain with the taxol but its not at all like RA pain because there is not the swelling. Was taking methotrexate until 2 weeks before surgery, had been on a decreasing dose because things were so good.
Nails are a funny colour and have weird bruises on my toenails. No hair coming in yet, suppose its early days yet.
Hope all goes well with surgery {{{{Carynn}}}}}Will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Alyson0 -
So sorry to hear Leah,Carynn and Twink with more things to worry about. It doesn't seem fair. We are all so eager to move on.
I was told originally that I had a 1 cm ductal carcinoma and wouldn't need chemo or rads. After lumpectomy, I was told I had a 4.5 cm Lobular carcinoma without clear margins and needed another lumpectomy for clear margins or a mastectomy and needed chemothapy. This whole thing has b
een up and down. Then borderline for chemo and rads. Also, I had micromets in SN. Surgeon said they didn't call them positive. But then onc. at M.D. Anderson told me no we don't call them positive but we don't know what that means.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
Love to all, Sammie Kay0 -
those of you who are complaining about your nails having black areas or striped....be thankful you can wear polish....I lost all my fingernails totally after my 3rd taxol. It's almost impossible to do anything. I really have to watch not bumping my fingers,,,,big pain and trying to hold things is tough especially with the numbness. Guess we all have different SE. The good news is I have lots of energy and am not tired at all.
have a good night and everyone perk up...we all have the bad days...but the better ones are coming....
Patti0 -
Patti -- I've read about women losing their nails on other chemo cruises, but I thought us February gals had gotten away with our nails intact. Are your nails starting to grow back in? Your nails and hair can have a race to see which gets back to normal first - LOL! What's your secret to having lots of energy???
Carynn -- I'm so sorry about your MRI results. My tumor was actually smaller than that predicted by MRI, so maybe yours will be too! I hope that your lumpectomy goes well today. It should be easy compared to chemo. Don't forget to take the pain pills! Will they give you some respite from the RA?
And Leah, waiting for more tests, you poor thing. I'm wishing good thoughts your way ...
Karen -- I was thinking about the "you look great" comments. Sort of makes one wonder how we looked before chemo!
Terry -- Last TCH today! Let us know how it feels to be finally finished!!
Hugs out to Belinda for her treatment tomorrow (taxol?) ...
Well, I've blown my low-fat diet today. I went out for lunch with a friend and forgot to ask for the salad dressing on the side. There goes my fat allotment for the day!! I've got to get used to all these tricks of the diet trade!
Hugs to all,
Hillary0 -
Hi,Girls...
Twink and Leah...so sorry to hear your news. I am sending you each a hug and keeping you in my prayers!
Carynn...sorry to hear your news too, but thankfully, by the time you are reading this, the darn thing will be GONE> Thought about you a lot today. Hope you are doing okay.
In the Whine department...I am truly in the dumps. Went in for my LAST chemo today. Took in a beautiful fruit basket and a jar of my homemade/homegrown garlic dill pickles for the wonderful nurses.....then they did my labs and told me NO CHEMO today girlfriend. My white count was less than 1 (.0875)...my onc is out of town and his associate said no chemo...wait a week. They did not give me a shot of procrit or schedule me for any Nuelasta. Guess this explains the extreme fatique and bone pain and lightheadedness I have been having. The just gave me a lower dose (weekly) of Herceptin, so I can have my regular dose next Thursday. So I guess you can put me down for the bar again next Thursday and we will keep our fingers crossed.
My nails are okay after the Taxoteres...guess I got lucky there.
I should have know better than to put my next few Herceptin appts in the schedule book at work...now they all will have to be changed. Hope this doesn't set my rads back too.
I got a doctor excuse to stay home and rest tomorrow. I am just so darn tired. Will try to go in Monday, Have a meeting and leave early for the rad onc on Tuesday and have to go take a Continuing Ed Compliance session out of town for my securities license on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday off for chemo...so next week is pretty much shot for me for productivity.
Hope everyone in the whiners club is feeling a little better today....I sure am not.
But I love you all,0 -
I did a very silly thing last night. The onc had warned to be very careful of my feet and toes. Well, last night it was very cold here and my feet were frozen as I have little feeling in them. Its odd having numb feet but they still hurt! Anyway when I went to bed I decided to heat up my wheat bag to see if I could warm up my feet. Fine, it was lovely to wrap it round my feet but obviously it was very hot. I was totally unaware of the heat and when I got up in the night to visit the bathroom I realised two of my toes were bright red. I had burnt them on the wheatbag. They are feeling better now. Well there is very little feeling in them. So thats the tale of my toes. I will have to be much more careful.
Actually have managed to get some things done today which is great. the bone pain is not so bad but still fatigued. Must go and ice a cake for DD's birthaday tonight. she is have a coffee and dessert evening at her place, mother has even made a cake.
Sorry to hear that you had to have your tx put off Terry, you are doing well to still be working.
Belinda, do hope all went well with your tx on Thursday. Hope it has warmed up in your part of the world but did notice on TV this morning that many Aus temps were as low as over here where we have had so far today - rain, thunder, lightening, hail and now sunshine and the wind is really cold.
Must finish that cake.
Hope everyone is feeling a bit brighter
Alyson0 -
Good morning everyone!
Yesterday went well. Having some discomfort today, so Im still taking the pain meds, but Im cutting the pills in half, and plan to only take them as needed. That seems to be working well.
Hey Leah, I asked for extra numbing too, and told them the flaming boob story. One of the nurses had been thru both procedures and like you said, I dont know if they gave me extra lidocain or not, but I didnt feel a thing. I had to go to a different hospital than where I had the SNB done, and this one has a Breast Center wing, that could have been the difference too.
Alyson Thanks so much for your kind words. And I agree with you about the Taxol. I thought Id have a leg up on it, but its really a very different sort of pain. DH thought my tolerance level was higher than most because of the RA, but I did end up taking pain meds after the last 2 Taxols. Im back on the anti inflammatory meds today and even thru the pain pills I can feel the difference. I just hope that it didnt go too long to require more meds. I dont want to go back into treatment for RA until I receive the results of the genetic testing, as I dont see the point of starting again only to have to stop again for more surgery, etc. BTW... are your toes any better?
SammieKay Thank you for your kind words. I think you hit the nail on the head, we are all ready to move on. I know tx is going to last a while longer for me, and Im ready to go into the next phase NOW! I dont know what my hurry is tho; the Rad Onc isnt going to do anything until we have the genetic testing results back. Sigh .
Maisy Any sign of the nails coming back yet? Mine became loose, but I didnt lose any. Good news tho about your energy level; lack of energy was pretty much my only side effect. Now that Im on the mend, I cant believe just how fatigued I was!
Hillary Since I didnt talk to the surgeon yesterday, I dont know exactly what she said about the tumor. DH did tell me something about it yesterday, and I remember asking him again about it last night, but I still dont remember.
As for the RA, the pain pills will help some, but not much. You have to be so careful too if for example, the swelling is in the ankle or foot, if the pain pills have taken the edge off, you have to be really careful not to overdo
Terry You are right, at least the damn thing is gone now! And, while really not much has changed, I do feel better from the whine perspective! My whole journey has been this way. I dont seem to get really down, just pissed off, or in a bit of a funk. I seem to be able to pull myself out of it right away, but only if Im allowed to have my moment!!
Thanks girls for your thoughts and prayers. Mine are with you all too. Talk to you soon.
Carynn0 -
Thank you for posting, Carynn... I've been thinking of you a lot and wish you a smooth recovery and encouraging news... You take care and pamper yourself...
Big hugs,
CatherineH0
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