Ladies in their 30s
Comments
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Karebear,
Yes, you should hopefully. Everyone is different. I had treatments Thursday, felt alright Friday and most of Saturday, totally crashed Sunday and was still fatigued Monday. Usually by Wednesday of the week after I was feeling pretty normal. Hope it is similiar for you. How are you making out?
Hugs,
Michelle
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Thanks Michelle.
I was tired on Wed night, thurs and fri I was nauseous and very tired. Sat I was still a wee nauseous but not as tired and yesterday was better all around. I have my kid's cold so that doesn't help. The bloated feeling is the worst. My eyes are a bit blurry and I am finding that I get sensory overload WAY too fast!! Too much noise seems to send me through the roof!
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karebear, im with you...i seem to be having lots of tummy problems...Imodium has been my friend this week...I had to stick with the BRAT diet yesterday(banana's, rice, applesause, and toast)...I've taken anti nauesa meds in the mornings and now back to steroids for my next tx tomorrow...I know we are going to get thru this! I would love if they would have told me what to expect and prepare for...thankfully ive read the threads here that give ideas of what to have on hand for SE's....
Make sure your getting rest...lol...hard with little ones...
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I have been resting a LOT!! I know I am fighting a cold or something cuz my ears and chest seem all congested. I have found eating a bunch of tiny meals really helps too. I am trying to not get discouraged. It has been a really really long week and I just see days and days and days ahead of me and not feeling good. How do you keep from getting discouraged about the length of treatment? I know i have just started and that is what concerns me. You ladies are a great support!
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I have thrush!!! UGH. I spent the whole day at the hospital getting rehydrated and looked at and levels checked. I have 4 scripts to help me feel better so hopefully in the next couple of days I will start to feel better....just in time for treatment next week I am sure!!
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Hi Karebear! I'm sorry you're having a rough time. I had dose dense AC and Taxol, so every 2 weeks. I was so sick the first 8 or 9 days, slightly better the next 2 or 3, and then it basically was time for another treatment!!! This was pretty much just with the AC... the Taxol wasn't too bad. But Instead of thinking of it as feeling sick almost the entire 2 weeks, I started really looking forward to those few days where I felt pretty good and cherishing those good days. It wasn't easy, but, you'll get through it! I did my chemo in the summer, so I ate a lot of watermelon, which was helpful. Have you tried eating different types of juicy, seasonal fruit?
Moe, I see you're going through it now, too...hang in there
Hello and hugs to all the other 30-somethings!
Sherrill
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I had my second taxol treatment today...today was much better than the first treatment. I had a great nurse. She was sweet and understanding about the numbing cream and when and found some for me...and made sure i didn't leave without a script...I again had an allergic reaction to the preservatives in the taxol so we had to stop and get more steroids and then start again. But with nurse Amy, it was uneventful and in control.. Can anyone tell me about thrush? tonight when i brushed my teeth the toothpaste burns like crazy and i have white speck on the very back of my tongue...are there any special toothpastes that i can use that are less harsh or do i need to go to the dr.
karebear, im so sorry you are having a rough time, we are going to get thru this girl..each day at a time...keeping you in my prayers...
hugs to everyone....melissa
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Karebear sorry to hear you got thrush, I know it sucks, I'm using biotin mouthwas and toothpaste I find is less irritating than regular .also gargle with baking soda club, eat yogurt the bacteria in the yogurt helps and I was also prescribed Fluconazole 100 ml for 10 starting my chemo thank God so far so good no more thrush, I'm also Taking sulcrate 5ml four times a day, to protect my stomach, the time I had it was from throat all the way down to my stomach, I couldn't eat, my stomach was burning it was a nightmare, had to hydrated for two days! I wanted to give up with chemo. Thank God meds are workingMoe thrush where this white blisters that formed at the back of your throat and hurt like crazy, I think some ppl get them all the mouth too... And very painful to drink or eat. Do mouth wash and eat yogurt, if you think you are getting them call your doc asap before they get worst... The first thing they gave me was nyastin to do mouth wash, didn't work for me, but worked great for a friend so it depends on everyone!How is taxol? Lots of side effects? I'll be starting soon with taxol! I hear is less likely to loose your hair, I'm Hoping is true, because I want my hair back asap! Hate watching shows and everyone has beautiful long hair!! I don't care I'll take short hair too lolLadies, during AC? Did you all got your periods? I was told they would go away getting last AC Jan 7 and I still get them, not in time but, still get them!0
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hi there,
I am 33 and i have been diagnosed the 01st Feb this year. I went through the whole Chemo (hair fell out) and finshed with radiation the end of Sep this year. I got married on the 16th Oct in the mean time. I have no kids and badly want to start a family, my doctor said that i must stay on the Tamoxifen for 5 years, so she recommended that i must look at adoption, i were so sad and have been looking all over for some advise so that i can start a family sooner.
Good luck with you all and my God bless you!
Much Love
Mariaan
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Moe: Sounds like thrush. My tongue feels like I burned it but I didn't. And I have it down my throat. They gave me the nyastin and I have only done one dose as of this am but my throat already feels better. I think we caught it early. Call your nurse and get the meds to help. I am so glad you had a great nurse this treatment. That can make all the difference!
Coni: I feel actually human today!!! ya I have treatment next week but if I can have a few good days between that will help a lot!! It also helps that I downed 48oz of fluid in 5hrs after I got home from the hospital! I found gatorade is so much easier to drink down than water at this point. Plus the electrolytes will help when I feel icky.
Mariaan: I have friends that are unable to have children(different reason) and I have watched them struggle as everyone around them was having kids. Big Hugs to you girl. I can't even imagine how hard that must be. Adoption is a great option. My friends have the sweetest little boy and are actually hoping for another child soon. My aunt and uncle also adopted a boy (he is great too!!) and are going for #2 now also. I know that adoption doesn't give you the experience of carrying a child and giving birth, but this may be God's way of giving you a child that NEEDS YOU and your husband as parents. Also if you adopt now there is no saying you can't have a biological child later. I hope that you can find some peace with all of this. Cancer is a beast to battle as it is, the baby part just makes it harder. I am thinking of you.
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Hi Mariaann
I just wanted to send you HUGS! I'm not sure what your exact diagnosis was, but I can tell you that like you, I just got married in July and would like to start a family with my husband. I am supposed to be on Tamoxifen for 5 years as well, but my team of doctors (two men, two women) all agree that after 2 years, if the coast is clear, we can take a Tamoxifen break and try for a baby. If we are successful, I would go on the Tamoxifen again after the birth. It disheartens me that so many women are told by their doctors not to have children, or to consider adoption. Get a second opinion and don't give up your dream of having a child. Find a doctor that will listen to your concerns and support you. My oncologist is one of the most respected in my state, and her take (shockingly enough since she is known to be super agressive) is that I don't even have to wait the two years. Her words to me were, "You live your life, I worry about your cancer." We are waiting the two years for my own sanity, but it is very nice to know she is in my corner. Good luck to you and lots of love! Enjoy the new marriage
It's the best!! </p>0 -
I agree Mariann- you should consider a second opinion- or just consider following your dreams and ignoring the doctors. I am "supposed" to be on tamoxifen as well. I went off it after 6 months for different reasons, I am considering going back on, it does give you a few additional % points of protection against recurrence- but you have to weigh that against being able to live your life.
check out this link to compare your stats with and without tamoxifen. I find switching to a bar chart to be more helpful than the survival curves. http://www.lifemath.net/cancer/breastcancer/therapy/index.phpThere are also natural alternatives to Tamoxifen- things you can take to help your body balance good vs bad estrogen- check out the Alternative forums.
This is something I struggle with myself. Whether to take this drug or not. I took it for 6 months- I had some menopausal type symptoms- my sex life suffered some, perhaps my depression/tiredness was worst- it was kinda hard to tell when you are trying to come back from surgery/chemo/radiation what is the drugs and what is you trying to recover from everything you've been through. After putting myself through everything- doing everything I can for this not to come back- shouldn't I be taking this little pill too? My bc was highly ER+. My situation is further complicated by the antidepressants I take inhibiting Tamoxifen- so I switched to one that didn't but it doesn't work as well as for me. I'm still not sure if I'm going to go back on or not.
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coni, just returned from the dr..and have Nystatin...sure hope it works.
So far the main reactions to the taxol ive had are diarrhea, now thrush, tiredness, and some aches and pains...this is only my second dose so it may get worse as it stacks up...my hair hasn't came out yet..sort of hoping it doesn't...i keep hearing that with taxol it may not come out, who knows guess it depends on the person..
Mariaan, Im praying for you...i agree a second opinion is a good idea...I had one and it changed my whole treatment plan and i couldn't feel better about everything...good luck!
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Moe I hope you are feeling much better and that thrust is under control!
LADIES HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR Ladies!!! I hope this year shows us all remission!!
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Hi everyone,
First time to post anything on this site. I am 33, American, living in Singapore, and diagnosed with 3b, 13/26 lymph nodes, breast cancer. I had a complete masectomy and a full auxiliiary clearance of lymph nodes (obviously) on 11 December, so not too long ago. I was aware that pregnancy would be difficult in my future due to elevated hormones, not to mention that all the chemo I will be doing will limit if not ruin my chances of becoming pregnant again. I have always been someone that doesnt understand the word NO, so detour...I am removing my embryos to be given to a surrogate. Last year, in July 2009, my daughter died in labour, no explanation. She was stillborn. Her heart stopped. All tests were normal, no explanantion, a terrible tragedy. I grieved this so deeply that I wonder if that is why I came out with such a flagrant case of breast cancer. So, I will not accept that I will never have children. Nope. In Uk, USA, and India, there are specialized clinics that can handle surrogacy. I chose India because laws have been made very flexible. The birth certificate will be in our names, as we are using our own eggs and sperm. So, God bless, this is the light at the end of my tunnel. Hopefully the surrogacy will work, as we will try on 8th January, and if all goes well, a pregnancy by end of month.. On 11th January, I start chemo. I feel absolutely fine about it- the eggs are out, and I am going to kick this cancer to kingdom come. I am fighting this. I will have the life I want. Scared about the chemo, sad about the upcoming suffering, praying that the cancer will disappear. The petscans, Ct scans and MRIs didnt pick up any cancer anywhere else, so hopefully the chemo radiation and hormones will end this. I didnt see any other women on this site with as many lymph nodes full of cancer as me, but nevermind. I'll focus on the positive. So 2011 is the year where I take my life back, respect the graciousness and beauty that life is, and move mountains to get what I deserve. Good luck to all of you. Women are warriors.
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Welcome to our little club that no one wants to be in. I hope that the surrogacy goes well for you and that you are blessed with a beautiful little baby by years' end!
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Welcome!
Hi ladies, I hope all have had a wonderful beginning to the New Year!
Anyone taking Glutamine? Trying to figure if its beneficial and worth the $. I just started taxol and they gave me a script for it to help prevent tingling in fingers and toes...Any suggestions on where to buy it...
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Moe, please try the glutamine. I was the only gal in my hospital group on it, and the only who avoided neuropathy completely. The doctors really play it down, it's a big deal. One gal is having very hard times with her shoes.
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Hello,
I'm 35, diagnosed in May '10 (34 yrs) have two wonderful boys (11 & 9) and a very supportive husband and family. I had a lumpectomy & axillary lymph node dissection in June '10 and a mastectomy in July '10. I started 8 rounds of chemo in August and had my last one in Dec '10, also started radiation (will have 7 wks) and had my first Herceptin also in Dec '10 (every 21 days for 1 yr). My plastic surgeon advised me to wait for 6 months after radiation for reconstruction, of course that was before we knew I was guna be on Herceptin. The only thing I can complain about is not having any eyebrows! Not having eyelashes isnt so bad cuz I've been wearing fake lashes and well my sister in law did me the favor of buying me a human hair wig which I love! {wig is exactly the way my hair was} I lost my hair 2 wks after my first treatment and up to this day I have not seen myself bald and dont think I can bare seeing myself without hair.
Even though I've been through so much with this disease I try to just focus on the positive things in life!!
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Welcome VirginiainTX.
I also try to think of the positive! I think it is the only way to get through treatments!
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welcome VirginianTX! I lost my eyebrows and lashes just after my last chemo- I was surprised how fast they came back , I was only totally eyebrowless for a few weeks.
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SONIALIV, welcome. So sorry you are here. I wanted to say a couple of words to you because I feel terrible about what you are going through. Yes, we are all going through that but you have the added stress of trying to have a baby and the tragedy of one dying. Strangely enough, two of my very close friends went through a situation similar to yours - one couple had a baby in June and he stopped breathing for 10 minutes. They though he died first but he lived. No explanation. He had seizures and is taking medication now. Another couple used a surrogate in Atlanta, GA. They live in England but apparently GA has the best laws about that (in the US). Great experiece with the surrogate - happy with twins. Also, pelase, check out a story about surrogacy in the NY Times from last week - it will inspire you (called Meet the Twiblings, posted on 12/29).
About the positive nodes - my mother-in-law was stage 3 with 13 positive lymph nodes in 1991 (this was way before I met her, of course). She had chemo, rads and Tamoxifen for 7 years at which point they came up with the studies that 5 years were enough and the benefits after that were pretty much nothing, so she stopped. She is alive and well today. She was diagnosed with breast cancer on the other breast 2 years ago but was very small, very early and was scooped out with nothing else needed (no chemo or rads). So, don't lose hope! We all do from time to time and then have to pick ourselves up and stay positive in order to make it. I have my days...
Alyad, about how many weeks were you without eyebrows? Somehow, I am more worried about that than about the hair. Or perhaps I am starting to get used to the idea of losing the hair. I am not quite there about the eyebrows yet. Did you use a pencil or something during that time or nothing?
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Hi VirgianianTX, I agree that one has to look at the diagnosis of breast cancer as a possible blessing, and that sometimes postives come out of the strangest places! I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in September 2010, I have 5 children, and it is amazing how quickly I have come to terms with it. There will always be some bad days, but they get fewer and fewer, and hopefully we'll all be "Cancer Thrivers", not only Cancer Survivors! xox
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Dear SoniaLiv, You have a strong and determined spirit, this is what shall get you through this ordeal. I'm afraid I have much more cancer in my body than you do, it's in most of my bones in my body and liver, yet I still feel positive too. Remember, you are never the worse off (or the better off), as life and cancer are very unpredictable. I wich you the very best with the pregnancy, may it be free of complications, and deliver you the beautiful baby you deserve, xox.
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Hello ladies,
I have a question for you'll... Have anyone of you'll experienced redness and tenderness with the radiation trtmnts? My scar feels really tender and its so uncomfortable...
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Sonialiv I'm sorry u had to join this place
Believe I'm really happy that youo have this opportunity to be a mom again. I lost two babies, one I was two months pregnant and had a miscarriage, second one I was a month pregnant and had ectopic pregnancy resulted in emergency surgery at the er, both pregnancies were through infertility treatments, it took me three years to move on, still there are times I cry and ask why I couldn't have kids, las year we had started the adoption, however the agency we had was so slow and Canada has closed the doors to el Salvador, it's my country, i wanted to adopt from there, but could not go through, my in laws we checking adoption in Lebanon, but the same day they were checking to at the orphanage I had m core biopsy, so at this time I can't keep on going with the adoption, since I'm not working. Sometimes it feels every step I make something happens, im staring to just accept that maybe motherhood is not meant for me...my sister is due any day now, I'm very excited for her, they had also said that she would have a hard time getting pregnant, then when she became pregnant they said, she might have a miscarriage however my niece will be here any day. So I'm happy for her, but at the same time I think it I'll hit me that I'll never be a mother.
But I'm happy that you will be a mother I'll be praying for you and the baby and the surrogate.
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VirginianinTX - I took a picture of my self every few days as my hair was starting to grow back, so I went back and checked the eyebrows. My last chemo was june 19 and the eyebrows hung on til the 1st of Aug or so- by the 12th I had shadow of eyebrown stubble growing in. I got lax about taking pictures for the next 3 weeks tho, was going through radiation (BTW I got very very red and peeled badly - I think I read something like 1/3 of folks get burned significantly- I am very fair skinned and I fried. I ended up constantly slathering with various ointments, I didn't feel like anything really helped me- it itched a lot and I ended up taking hydrocodone to get through the day at work. I also got IMRT/Tomotherapy which is more precise and takes WAY longer each day- and I got my axial and mammary nodes zapped which not everyone has. )
- So by the next picture on sept 9 I had full eyebrows- so I would say I felt eyebrowless for about a month. I am not really a girly girl- hardly ever wear makeup- but in that phase I wore a lot of eyeliner just to make my eyes stand out more, since I was mostly eyelashless as well. I didn't bother penciling in the eyebrows- I figured I wasn't fooling anyone. I didn't wear a wig at all either- but if I went through it again I would I think. I was still working and wore bandanas and head wraps. Luckily my job didn't really require a lot of interaction with more than a handful of people.
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Hey ladies has anyone done taxorene, I'll be doing that instead of taxol, but I have been reading about permanent hair loss I want to know if anyone has experience this, I know I want to survive cancer but I also want my hair back as well. I will talk to my onc about this I just don't want him telling me no don't worry and once I'm done chemo I get no hair back.....also want to know side effects of taxorene pls.
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Do you mean Taxotere? I did 6 rounds of it with A &C (Adriamyicin and Cytoxan) all at the same time, so its hard for me to say what T's specific SE's are. Its common to give it on its own, so hopefully someone else can chime in. I will say I got all my hair back everywhere about 2 months PFC.
I would def. ask you onc why he uses Taxotere vs Taxol it seems to be a personal preference- usually an onc will use one over the other based on their personal experience. there is a thread on here about permanent hair loss & Taxotere- it affects a very small %, but if you are one of those people it sucks. I don't know if Taxol has the same issues.
also- Taxotere commonly causes allergic reactions- so much so they should watch you carefully the first time you have it- my blood pressure went up and my face turned red and they stopped it- gave me benedryl- tried again- still reacted- then gave me more steroids and that worked. On my other 5 rounds, they just have me the benedryl before anything else and that worked. And I was also pretty much asleep for my whole transfusion after that!
I do wonder if my being allergic to the drug gave me more SE's- chemo kicked my ass for about 8 days afterwards each round- probably on the upper end of how it affects people- but I was also getting 3 drugs at once.
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