TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
Comments
-
Hi Lissab - it is scary but she is lucky that she will have you by her side and that you have found this site and will be able to help her through it. I seriously don't know what I would have done had I not found this site. One thing I will caution you on - don't google information on HER2+ BC - most of what you will find is outdated and will cause you unneeded fear and stress. This is going to be your best source, besides the oncologist, for current information and treatment options and there are many here that can direct to information on specific questions and concerns. Once you know her final pathology and treatment - there are threads specifically devoted to those treatments with ideas on how to deal with the side effects. Just let us know when you know more and we can guide you there. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers as this time before you have answers and a plan are very scary and stressful.
0 -
Yensmiles, my WBC bounced back to 5.8 today, so guess the anitbiotics worked. Mine have never gotten much higher than than during chemo.
Debiann, yes, I smell the chemical smell too and I hate it. Usually goes away after the first week. Others tell me they can't smell it, but I certainly do. I wash my clothes and sheets every day that first week.
Lissab, Sorry that both you and your mom got BC. Very stressful time.
0 -
My urine smelled too for the first day's of each Chemo, I hated it made me feel like do other people smell this...0 -
I can totally relate to that smell - I couldn't stand it but my husband said he couldn't smell it - I think he was just being polite.
Hair - ugghhh - coming in fast on my chin LOL and totally white - I had one hair that was about 1/2 inch long that wasn't there last week. I have had chin hairs forever - since in my 30's - but they have always been the color of my hair - wonder if that is an indication of the color that my hair will be when it decides to come back from the bahamas. Leg hairs are sort of coming back but are really just stubble - like they would be a couple days after shaving.
0 -
Infusion time for Herceptin at my oncogy center is one hour, for weekly and tri-weekly dose. Echo's are done there, every three months, while on Herceptin.
0 -
Debiann, I had only one treatment of taxotere/carboplatin and ended up in the hospital. I reeked! I was so sick during the week after, and I kept washing my sheets. I smelled like metal and felt like crap but I had to keep washing my PJs and sheets and I'm not exactly a neatnik. I'm kind of a laid back soul when it comes to housekeeping, but I really couldn't stand the actual smell of me. I was running a low-grade fever, and still kept showering even though it made me so cold.
And on the WBC topic, I was told by my MO I could be sprung from being bubble girl in the hospital when my count got to 2.0. I don't think I should have gone to Kroger the next day but I so wanted something with molasses in it, that I took my immunocompromised self to the store and bought 3 packs of molasses cookies and a big loaf of gingerbread. I later found out that my craving was due to lack of potassium. Molasses is full of it!
0 -
Efcjax, great to know your white blood is now in the normal range!
haha, Linda505, what a lovely husband!
Debiann, Ang7894, i think my pee smells longer than a few days.. and while my oncologist and nurses didn't say anything about this, another friend's dad doing chemo elsewhere was told NOT to share toilet with others for the first two days... in case the chemo affects them too..
Pbrain, it's amazing how much our body speaks to us!
Lissab, my Ki67 was also high.. about your mom's figure, and that combined with being HEr2+.. i was strongly advised to have chemo.
0 -
count me in with the chemo smell! Yuck. Like skunk! But NO ONE ELSE SMELLED IT. However when I was hospitalized, I had to have precautions. The nurses had to wear gowns. I had to flush 2x and all my clothes had to go in the bio hazard wash load. So i guess it's normal.. LOL
Lissa it does sound like your Mom will need chemo. The Her2 is what my MO called the trump. But do what they said above and you will both get through it.
Oh. And if I get to the cane then I need to have a purse with me. I got spoiled carrying everything on my walker..... LOL
Much love to all..
0 -
Lissab just wanted to let you know that August 31st makes 4 years since my surgery to remove the cancer… and I am still NED (no evidence of disease, cancer free!) There are even more treatments now for HER2+ that weren't available for me. My 2 biggest fears when I was diagnosed: I was going to die and/or I was never going to feel as good as I did when I was diagnosed. Well as you can see I'm alive, feel almost as good as before (I'm a little older now) and I'm happy.
0 -
Thanks for all the stinky stories, friends. Feeling better its not just me or my crazy brain.
I was told to flush twice with the seat down for two days after chemo. Sometimes I forget. I have a small fish tank next to the toilet, I hope I don't poision the little guy.
0 -
Forget the Thursday part. It's for everyday.
0 -
camillegal - it sure is!
moon - when I broke my ankle and had to be on crutches it was hard to carry stuff around the house and when I went out - one of my neighbors bought me one of those tool apron things from the hardware store - it was genius! I was non-weight bearing for 12 weeks so it really came in handy.
0 -
Hi all!
Interesting re curcuminoids and Her2 pos cancers. Sounds hopeful:)
0 -
Howdy!!!
0 -
Waving at goutlaw. What's up girl?!
0 -
When you're on herceptin only do you still need to take steroids?
0 -
No
0 -
Wonderful news lago! Btw, I'm in desperate need of a pep talk. Its day 4 of round 5 and round 6 is seeming anything but doeable. Really, who wrote the rule that 5 is not enough?
0 -
debiann Yup that's about the time I didn't want to play anymore either. Granted I liked the steroids because they kept the fluid retention down for me, filled out my narrow face and I didn't have sleep issues on it nor did I have the steroid crash when I stopped. But chemo had me so stiff at this point and my nail issue was really annoying (it hurt at this point). But as you can see there is life after chemo. Yeah it sucks but you are so close to the finish line. Remember you are doing this to prevent mets. With mets you'll be on chemo off/on for the rest of your life so it's worth it to do tx6.
0 -
#5 just sucked all my energy out of me, and like lago said, i didn't want to play anymore either. i think i cried that time during infusion, and the sent the psych to talk to me. that was weird, i didn't think i needed a psych, i think i just needed to cry. i was angry more than anything, i think at the betrayal of my very own body at the cellular level, is all... frustrated with my self...
0 -
just got back from MO. Two years since I started anastrozole AI. Had my two year anniversary DEXA bone density scan the other day .
My MO had told me all along that my bones would definitely take a hit so I was very, very concerned . I do no want to take bisposphonates.
Left hip took a nearly 9% hit but the good news.... I held my own -1.2% avg hit other areas. So it's osteoporosis on the one hip and still slight osteopenia elsewhere !
I credit weight bearing exercise 3x week but especially yoga everyday at home and classes a few days a week. One of my yoga classes is chair yoga.... The way I started .
When you feel well enough to start an exercise regime...do it ladies.
One of the best meds both physically & psychologically!
Namaste!
0 -
I had hoped that I'd finish chemo and have a week to recover before school started, but the delay in round 4 means I won't be back at work the first day plus 5 weeks later I'll be out again for at least a month for surgery. I've been following the DIEP thread so I know what to expect and it all seems so overwhelming. I know that when your life seems out of your contol it causes the stress and other emotions I'm feeling, but how do you gain control in this situation? Like kathec said, I feel betrayed by my own body. What I really need atm is a huge meal of all my favorite comfort foods, and I need those foods to taste like they are supposed to taste! Even my taste buds have betrayed me:( I am a stress eater, so I think this is why this se has hit me particularly hard. If I could have sat on my couch and eaten my way through chemo I'd be fine, fat but fine, lol. Instead my coping method is gone and my belly is shrinking. Till I get to my DIEP I'll hardly have enough fat for my new foobs! One more thing to stress about.
0 -
Hi Lago, Since I had my hystectomy now Im trying to get weight loss surgery!!
0 -
Debiann
There were many times during treatment and since that I was feeling stressed, betrayed, overwhelmed and more. A lot of that is the result of all kinds of imbalances in hormones and other physiological stuff.
Sometimes we get too far ahead of ourselves in our concerns and our plans.
Today.... Focus on making today as good as it can possibly be. That may help tomorrow be better than might have been otherwise.
When you get to tomorrow.... Repeat.
You will get through all of this.
0 -
Here's me at my easel . Do not be discouraged by short hair. I have started to grow it out and gone commando multiple times! Note it is a lot darker .... No coloring used... And curlier than before treatment.
Started studying art last year. It has been a revelation!
October is 3 years since DX.
There is a life post active treatment! It's up to each of us to make the most of it!
0 -
Ashla you look amazing!! So cute! Show us some of your art?
0 -
Ashla, thanks for the positive thoughts. Your photo literally brought tears to my eyes because you not only went on with your life but also found a new joy! You ate right, I am so worried about getting through the last tx, its driving me extra crazy this tx. So close yet so far, I feel like I hit the wall.
0 -
debiann - FWIW - I had increasing SE and tx#4 & 5 were the worst for me. I was pretty worried about #6, but interestingly, it was one of the easiest - the SE never came. Not that I felt great, I was very tired, but did not have the Big D I had for every other tx, no nausea, really not bad at all. Wishing the same for you! You can do this.
0 -
moonflower 912
Thx so much... A little shy but maybe I will . Only 9 mos into it but it has been a great joy !
Debiann
Had a long talk with my MO today. Asked him which of our treatments were most beneficial. I was gonna try to opt put of my AI is my bones were really bad.
Truth is... There is no magic number of treatments that are perfect for all of us. This is all a very calculated statistical algorithmic best bet!
If you can't do the last treatment ....( I bet you will) you won't be the first . You've gotten through 80% of it And they've got more weapons!
Try to relax and enjoy some of this day !
Tea and cookies? A bubble bath ?
Be good to yourself:)
0 -
DebiAnn, hang in there. #4 and #5 were my worst too. #6 was the easiest probably because I knew chemo was OVER!!!! Keep knocking 'em down, one by one.
Ashla, it is super cool you found a new passion!! And what a cute haircut!
0
Forget the Thursday part. It's for everyday.