Calling all TNs
Comments
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Ban, I had 12 weekly taxol infusions and my counts were in the normal range every week. I'm doing AC now and my RBC was slightly below normal for AC#3. Generally, taxol isn't so hard on the blood cell counts. The good news is that they check before every chemo and can make adjustments.
Today, I decided to try putting on false eyelashes and using eyebrow makeup for the first time. If I don't, with AC, I look like a ghost! I need more practice, but I feel like I look a lot more normal with the eye makeup and wig on. I think it helps that I normally wear glasses. It can hide a multitude of eye make sins! LOL Here's a pic without the glasses, but with the wig.
Now I wonder how long I can stand to wear all this stuff! Today is an "at home" practice day to see how long I can stand it.
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wow that looks awesome, no way I'd have known it was s wig. I didn't do do well with the wig, a cap became my best friend. Wasn't a scarf person either.
I have about 1-2 inches of growth now, finished chemo in August.
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My hair must be the slowest growing hair ever. I have two inches and I finished chemo april 2. Sucks
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BanR - my hemoglobin didn't drop any more while on taxol - it slowly started to rise which was good because I was starting to feel quite tired. Can you share with us your neutrophil count - I think that is the most important one! What does your MO say? I don't have access to my reports right now (on vacation in Hawaii) but if I recall correctly my total white cell count was generally low, but the neutrophils were ok and I believe that was what the onc looked at. My oncologist kept me on Neulasta all through my taxol treatments. Things will pickup for you - hang in there - the worst is over in terms of blood counts dropping.
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Simplelife4 great wig, great picture. You look gorgeous
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You look very pretty simplified. I would not have known that was a wig. I need to practice eyelashes too. mine are already sparse without any help from chemo.
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Simplelife4, you look great!
Jenjen, I finished chemo may 8 and my hair is 21/4" at the longest, so I don't think yours is that slow! Or mine is growing slow also ;-)
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Hi Everyone! I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and best wishes for a very healthy year. I pray that 2014 is kind to all of us! I just celebrated my 2-year healthy victory on January 4th, had my Onc appointment and everything is normal. Stay strong, eat healthy, exercise, treat yourself, laugh and love!
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Debra - there you are!!!
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So good to hear from you Debra! Glad all is well and Happy New Year to you as well!
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Fighter are you there? thinking of you!
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Inspired - a happy New Year to you too. I hope your Christmas was filled with lots of things from Santa. Great news on the 2 years. Good to see you back on here. Yep I hope 2014 is kind to all of us.
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Hi all...
I took a little break from the computer over the holidays. I was so saddened to learn of Karen's passing. She always had an inspiring word for me. She will be greatly missed.
Welcome to all the newbies. May your treatments be kind to you and your spirits remain high. We are all here to help with your journey.
Since my surgery Dec 2, I am getting along a bit better. I have some cording issues, so I'm working on my range of motion. I also have, for the first time, some lymphedema in my right hand and wrist. I'm hoping it goes away, and I know to get a sleeve, but this annoys the heck out of me. Do any of you have this problem.... It's like a constant ache.
Next week I'm scheduled for another PET scan, then onto chemo again the week after. Type will depend on whether there is spread or not. The tumor board will decide after the scan, but I think they may be leaning towards a platinum drug. Fingers crossed for good results.
I have to say, the transflap recon looks and feels wonderful. Other than stiffening of the skin on the radiated side, they look and feel so natural. It was a very hard recovery, but I'm pleased with the results. Let's hope this surgery did the trick!!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts ladies. Tomorrow Paclitaxel begins, 2 weekly.
LRM216: Even I was hospitalises after the first AC and after the third AC my blood counts dropped to 1400, inspite of me getting the neulasta shots 24 hours after ac. I was put in isolation and shots were given again back to back for 2 days and then the wbc started to recover somewhat. My fourth ac got postponed by one more week and dose reduced by 10 percent since my onco said that giving double dose shots again would put me in medical emergency. So you see my white blood cells are having a real tough time. I read that AC also puts your bone marrow at risk for acute myloid leukemia, i hope i dont fall in that category.
Zenful: i guess for the same reason even i am being put under 2 weekly taxol instead of weekly. lets see!
simplelife: even i hope after reading all the replies that taxol shouldnt be hard on the white and red blood cells. And so good that you have put up a snap of yours with makeup and wig. I have seen the one which you put up a few days ago without the make up and wig! you look lovely in both!!
adagio: good to hear that your counts didnt drop post taxol. I hope its the same for me too. I checked my neutrophils ..its within range, 57.9. paclitaxel begins tomorrow.
i wish i can do taxol on schedule, as 2 weekly with correct dose.. and not like AC.
much love to all of you who post here!
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I'm not here often. Just stop by to say hello. I'm so sad to hear about Karen. She was a nice lady. She was the first one to welcome me here the first time I came in. RIP Karen. I'll miss you.
For the newbies, sorry to see you here but this HOME is the best place for us not only during treatment but we could come here anytime we want to share thought, good or bad time. Hang in there. Chemo treatment is doable.I finished my treatment, almost 17 months pass. I took ativan during treatments for almost 3 months. Now I'm about back to normal. Sleep well again and ready to go BKK shut down.
Nuan
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Fighter sounds like it might be Cat Scratch Fever according to what I had one time............two doctors, two different opinions but not cancer. I hope that is what you get too.......no cancer.
Bak94. I know it did not help me either............got my x-ray back and my degenerative disc disease is worse and even though I was diagnosed with advanced arthritis in my right hip, they now say there is nothing there.........HUH? I will be talking to the radiologist as you just don't go from A-arthritis to NOTHING.........now I am even more worried. I take Flexeril (muscle relaxer) and then I was just taking over the counter meds for pain but she wanted me to try tramadol with the flexeril.....we shall see. My old oncologist told me that the chemo does not cause things, but it will speed an underlining process up..........:( Pain sucks!!! I hope you find some relief soon.0 -
I used to be a hairdresser (retired now). We learned that normal hair grows about 1/2 inch per month. It seems like it takes a while for hair to get growing again at a "normal" pace after chemo. I've pretty much always worn my hair short, but even so...it appears it's going to be a while before my hair is anything more than peach fuzz.
Inspired....congratulations in making it to the two year mark NED. That is awesome!
Slowloris...I'm sorry to hear about your lymphedema. It's one of my biggest concerns in terms of long-term complications. I've read good things about platinum therapies and triple neg. I agree with you that it would seem to be a likely choice. Hopefully, whatever they chose works like crazy on your recurrence. I'm glad you like your reconstruction results. That is great to hear.
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Last night I had to get up in the middle of the night and take some Aleve because I was having a throbbing pain under my left arm which is bc side. Also I noticed before bed the right side of my neck by my ears was hurting. Maybe lymphnodes fighting infection or maybe I over did it when I had to sweep water out of basement due to a broken water line? Not sure? After the aleve the pain went away and I seem fine now. Anyone know what it could be?
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are you done with surgery, ksmatthews?
i do have this pain on and off, but its close to the stitch line post lumpectomy.
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Happy New Year Debra, glad to hear of you anniversary.. and that all is well with you, we missed your positive thoughts and info to us. xoxo0 -
Debra, I second what everyone else has said! Happy Happy 2 year anniversary!
Fighter, thinking of you and hoping everything is alright.
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Hi all, If we are celebrating anniversaries, I'm thrilled to be healthy 3 years from diagnosis this week. I'm getting a new MO next week; hope he agrees with NED.
Greetings to each of you: oldies and newbies.
Miss Michele and Karen! Such a great loss for their families and for us. Why can't someone cure this disease!
Jan
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Jan69 congrats! Yippee, gives us all something positive to embrace!
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Ladies my test came back positive for cancer! I am such a wreck!
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Fighter, I'm so sorry-a big hug. I'm so pissed off that you have to go through this, it's so unfair-none of us should have to face this. We are here for you. Do your Dr.s have a plan in place? You did this once and although I know you don't want to, you CAN do this again. Dig deep inside and find the fighter. I'm sorry if I'm not writing the right things, just know I care (as well as a lot of women here) and am saying prayers-as well as swearing a bit.
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Oh Fighter! I'm so so sorry for your bad news!!!!! Try to remember why you named yourself "fighter" and that this is something you know how to fight. We will all hold your hand, and be in your heart while you go through treatments. Hugs, love, and companionship from all of us. Take time to grieve and be angry, then pull out all you strength. Jan
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Fuck Fighter....I'm sorry, I've been praying that it would be a cold. You know this but we are here for you anytime of day. I didn't see anything about your prior surgeries or treatments....we can be your sounding board. We love you Fighter! xoxo
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Fighter -- crap! Your news is the farthest thing I expected to read from you. You are a fighter and I have high expectations that you will set the bar high, get through treatment with flying colors and be able to put this recurrence behind you. Is this considered a local regional recurrence, and when do you meet with your medical team to plan your treatment? We are here for you, and thinking of you so much right now. We love you Fighter!
xoxo
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Oh fighter... I'm so sorry for the bad news...(((BIG HUG)))
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tekwriter, what about your cancer made it stage IIIA?
I'm curious because my tumor was larger than yours and I was told I was stage II.
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