Any 40-ish survivors?
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Thanks for the info on nails. Glad I am not alone on this too. I am almost 4 months out of treatment and my finger nails are recovering but not the toenails. I have only lost one and it had a nail already started under it, but the rest are just gross to borrow your words KittyDog. The big toenails separated 3/4 of the way down and stopped but they don't seem to be recovering at all. Have to keep them painted due to summer. Don't want to scare the little kiddies at the pool. lol
Profbee I do know when mine started they had a burning feeling to them especially the big toes. The one that fell off didn't hurt, it fell off after being in water swimming all weekend about 2 months after treatment. And none of them are painful now.
Kmur thanks for the info on the hair color will check the internet and see what I find.
That's nice that your boys will be at camp, Christine. One of my main worries about surgery is who is going to keep the kids. We have no family in the area. My mom came for the BMX, but not for recon. since the recovery is so much quicker.
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I got dark spots in all my nails to start with. They started hurting and lifting up. I went in to my MX with half my fingers wrapped up in band aids. I think the band aids help them not to hurt as much but yet it kept them damp which ended up causing them to lift up quicker. It hurt when the finger nails lifted up so I would get brave and start trimming them back as far as I could stand it. They actualy felt better once they came off unles you hit them on something. Then it would send you into tears.
I don't recall the toenails hurting as much but that was also during the end of my radiation. I was taking strong pain meds then. I do remember sitting at the beach (three weeks after rads) and thinking when did that toe nail fall off. I also noticed then that my big toe nails were also lifting up.
Now grant it my case may be considered extreme because I also had an allergic reaction to the taxol. Man these darn drugs have done so much bad to our bodies but we are all so grateful to still be alive.
Good luck and you will all make it through no matter if you have nails or not. I do remember posting a picture to my friends when they were finally long enough. I painted them bright red. I will have to try to remember to go through my pictures and find when that was.
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Okay I went and looked. I lost the fingernails sometime after March 29. They were long enough to file into a shape and paint July 17. I know that I painted my toe nails with my DD for Christmas but I don't remember when they were completely back.
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Hi everyone
Any chance that I can come and crash the party? I'm a year out from the end of chemo and rads. 40 now.. 38 when diagnosed. I have 4 kids of my own ages 22, 20 and 9 year old twins. I have one fully reconstructed ta-ta.. one still only half inflated. I'm hoping to be done with that whole business by the end of the year. I am soooo not impressed with the new boobs but as long as I behave and don't go topless they don't look too bad. I've lurked here on the boards for a year and a half but I really haven't been very vocal. I think its time for me to crawl from beneath my rock. Interestingly enough, this was the first board I stumbled upon tonight. I took it as a sign *smile*
Pynk
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Hi to you Pynk and wow you have to be a busy mom!! Holy cow twins too. That would be fun!! I did not post either during my treatment. i didn't talk about it at all. ~ I guess I didn't want people to be sad for me or make them feel uncomfortable. it is only now that I have started chatting about it. I hope that maybe when you have surgery on your other side you will be happier. I am not unhappy with mine. I think I just had this vision in my head that they were going to be the best boobs ever. Like victoria secret or something...LOL (they are not I'm sad to say) but they look much much better than my old 45 year old boobs and that makes me feel pretty good.
About Nails.. I just wanted to say it is weird how these drugs settle I guess. I looked up Taxotere when I began treatment. The nail thing was not at the top of the list. I will say for me..I had no pain with losing my nails. They were long and painted so I didn't know at first. So for me my new soft nail was already growing under the dead nail. I did lose all finger nails. I lost them in late September and they looked more normal again by Feb. I think. Now they are just as they were.
For you gals that are doing the taxane drugs though you may not have this happen to you at all. That is one of the many things that continue to amaze me is how everyone is so different with SE even with the same drug.
Have a very good day everyone,
Kim
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Hi all!
Yes, Kim, I did taxol last year and had no nail issues whatsoever. Did have a little bit of neuropathy, if that's how it's spelt, on my feet, though. I've heard that dipping fingers in iced water during the IV will help - I couldn't have stood that, though! Son has homework to do/be forced to do, I've got to make dinner ( it's 5.45pm here), so better get going instead of lurking on here! Got a CT scan on Monday, so major scanxiety approaching! Love to all new 40-somethings on here.
Sarah x
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Hi sara1968~ Glad you didn't have nail problems and hope homework went ok. I will be thinking of you Monday. Please let us know how you are. I hate it when I worry before something ever happens. I try to tell myself not to. I just did blood work myself today to find out why my white counts remain so low...I think it could be nutrient related??
kimn- Hope you are doing well too. I know you are done,but the time when I felt better was once the SE of chemo were all done!! Thinking of you.
Kim
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Welcome Pynk! You're joined an awesome group! Glad you found us.
I had 4 treatments of Taxotere and didn't lose any of my nails, so after reading I feel very fortunate. Funny because I had every other obscure side effect (I also read a lot about it before I started.) I have to say I would rather be dealing with fingernails/toenails growing back in than my super short hair. I swear, it has almost stopped growing completely. Seriously sucks! The 15th of this month will be exactly a year since I completed treatment.
Tonight is the big night-I think I'm going to sit on the edge of the tub with my 11 year old (sigh) and teach her how to shave her legs. I bet I'm more nervous than she is!
Kymn-hope you're feeling ok. Check in when you can.
Hugs to you all :-)
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So funny, I just taught my DD how to shave last week. Seems to me 11 is too young, but I guess not. They grow way too fast now! My older daughter was closer to 13. *sigh*
My son got a new bike as an early birthday present last week. Came flying down the hill the other day, hit a hole, and went flying. He was scraped up everywhere and it scared the dickens out of him, but the worst part was he slid forward before he flew off. When he stopped crying some, he said, "Dad, I smashed my family jewels!" I will never forget it. He's all of 9.
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Hi to everyone,
Kim~glad you dodged the nail SE. I also had several SE with Taxotere,but form what I have read,it sounds as if this type drug must really kick some cancer cell "butt" so I kind of had the bring it on attitude to get me through it. As I said though ...I met other girls who had no problem at all was the easiest for them...so once again we are all so very different.
KiwiMum ~ you just had your first round of Taxol I think ??? Please know the SE are doable with this drug too they are just different and you may have none of the SE we had. Hope you are doing well. I sometimes don't like to tell too much about SE because I don't want those of you still in the middle of all this to worry,but maybe at the same time it would be more helpful to know what "could" happen so that you are not more worried.???? Sorry to ramble but please do tell us if this is not helpful to you~I would much rather cheer you to the end of this crazy path were on than to scare anyone....
37 Antiques~ Boys are so funny~I don't have a girl to compare the two,but I have had the most fun listening to my son and his guy friends...they are like mini-men ....
Hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Kim
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Kim is right - everyone is different. I always try to post about my experience with taxotere in these types of discussions so there is a less scary version for the newbies to read about. I was terrified of it because of the horror stories I read here. It seems like a lot of people have trouble with the taxanes, although my onco told me the TC combo is generally well tolerated. I had very little trouble with it. Other than obviously hair loss, my only SEs were about 24 hours of mild muscle aches (like a mild flu) and sleepiness. It was like clockwork for me - started late in the evening on the Friday after my tuesday treatments and ended around noon on Sunday. I then had 2-3 days where exertion would leave me a bit breathless, but I was able to function normally as long as I was not walking up stairs or anything like that. Other than that, I had absolutely no problems. I also did not have cummulative SEs. In fact, my last tx was the easiest. I worked full time straight through it. I had a harder time with rads, although that too was pretty easy.
I don't know whether I was just lucky or my obsessive finger/toe icing, munching on ice chips, and drinking absurd amounts of water really worked.
I hate to say that with all of you having such a hard time!! But in case someone comes along and is reading this thread and is about to start chemo, I like to let them know that some people do fine with it.
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I will chime in with the Taxatere talk. I was the one asking about the nails, but I have to say that I don't think my side effect from the taxatere were that bad otherwise. I was on adriamycin and cytoxan all at the same time for 6 cycles, so I just chalked it all up to it being chemo. The red devil does a whole lot more for side effects I think. I to got a little breathless with stairs, but that is all gone now for about a month, 3 months out now. I am just tired of ugly nails on my feet. I do still have some neuropathy in the toes, but it doesn't hurt, just a weird numb feeling. Did not have rads, but my sister did and she mainly complained of fatigue from that.
Hi Pynk- I just crashed the party in the last week or two and everyone on here is great and a wonderful support, wish I had of found the boards earlier. I tended to stay away from reading too much while on treatment. I figured I was focused on it too much as it was. Also understand about not being impressed with the new boobs. Had my exchange 2 weeks ago and I am hoping that there is still some changes to come once it all "settles" Already hit my PS with the what if questions on how to fix things if they don't change. Now I have to wrap with an ace for several hours a day and spent a whole afternoon trying to find undergarments that push from the sides. That was a challenge. Hope everyone had a good week and has a great weekend!
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I asked this question on the hair forum, but will ask all you here too.
Anyone ever use Nair? I have a very DEEP armpit following my axillary node disection, now I am growing hair back I can not get a razor in there to shave (yuck!!). I bought an inexpensive electric razor with small end, but this isn't working. I bought Nair, but never used before, I don't want any skin problems with exchange surgery next week, but also not into the natural look
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Can't help with the nair question sorry.
But since we are all 40 ish - I'm 5 months out of chemo - last period was in November 2010 during my first month of chemo. Yesterday it all came back.....with a vengeance......I have never cramped like that in my whole life, and I had to go home - period was very very heavy. Does this get back to normal or is this new now?
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Gina - my first few periods were crazy heavy but they have calmed down and are more regular now (almost a year later).
I never used Nair, I figure anything that can melt hair off your body cannot be too good for the skin. On the other hand my cousin uses it and never had any problems...
I had TCH...I lost one toe nail about 3 months after finishing tx (split right down the middle of the nail, half stayed). I had some neuropathy in my feet and muscle damage to my legs but those were the worst of the SE's I experienced, other then the fatigue...
Burley - how did the leg shaving lesson go?
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Hi Lisa and mamachick~ I'm glad the SE of Taxotere were not too bad for you. Just for myself I try not to say all the SE I had because I am not a medicine/drug person. My body seems to react so differently than others. Just about everyone I know gets sleepy with Benadryl (sp),but not me it leaves me wide awake so that's why I don't say. There have been plenty of times I wanted to be sleepy...
christine47~ I was just talking about Nair to some one the other day ( she had not tried it either) I have a similar problem with my armpit too-have tried a little electric razor but it doesn't do the trick. Maybe I will buy some Nair this weekend and report back LOL. ( I really will try though)
Have a great night everyone!
Kim
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Christine, I am cracking up at your post. Sorry!!! I hope you are not offended. That is the first time I have seen that here, and I thought I had read about every possible complication! That is a new one!
I too have a nasty SNB scar. Not deep, but I would not want to shave over it. It is raised. I had laser hair removal done several years ago, so not a concern for me, but I guess that would be an issue if I had armpit hair. Good luck figuring that one out!!
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Kim - that has to be crazy to get all sorts of weird SEs from drugs. The main one I get from just about anything is sleepiness. If it will make you sleepy, it will knock me out. I took the non-drowsy version of dramamine once and could barely keep my eyes open for two days. I would have been comatose from the regular version!
I do not tend to get SEs, thankfully now that I had to go through this. I did have one funny SEs from the Emend I took for nausea during treatment. I remember reading the label and it had only two SEs - hiccups and something else that I cannot remember. I remember thinking "Hiccups??!!" Yep, hiccups. I got them every single time. It was kind of funny.
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Lisa... I too did not have problems with TC... I also had a day of flu-like feelings and then a couple more days of fatigue... I also iced my nailsduring infusion and have had no problems... nails are very healthy. i also used a gel for my lashes and brows... I did lose most of my brows but never lost my lashes. My hair did fall out but now at 8 weeks post chemo, I have full coverage, with almost no scalp showing, so I just need it to keep growing.
I had 6 tx of TC and don't regret it at all.. worked throughout as well.
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Hi Lisa~ I guess I prolly should have said I can't sleep with any of those drugs. I don't really have SE , just no sleep. My husband can take allergy meds and off to sleep not me though I'm ready to go!! LOL
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Kim - I have not started Taxol yet. I have my first infusion in 3 days. After having a great week (I love week 3!) I can't say I'm keen to get back in the chemo chair! On the bright side, the sooner I start the sooner I finish.
Christine - I don't know an answer to your Nair question but can empathise. My underarm is also deep and weirdly crinkled since node dissection. I also bought an electric razor as my physio doesn't want me using a razor when I am numb still - high risk of cutting myself. Also since starting chemo 3 months ago I have no underarm hair. It's one of the few upsides of chemo!
I had my surgery in March and was totally grossed out by my underarm hair afterwards as I was unable to shave for weeks! If I'd known that I would have had an underarm wax before surgery. I am also not into the natural look.
I booked to attend Look Good Feel Better in a few weeks. I'm hoping it's enjoyable and fun. If not it's only a couple of hours of my time.
It's horrible weather and winter cold in NZ. I'm thankful I'm going through this in winter as I don't know how I would have coped with the hot flashes in summer!
Here's to a SE free day
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Hi all!
Gina - yes, when I had my first period back after chemo. (1st lot) in 08, my period was so heavy I daren't leave the house! The ones afterwards were normal, though, so don't worry. If you haven't had one for a few months, it's bound to be "backed up" a bit!
37antiques - your comment on the family jewels made me laugh! My son was fond of shouting "ooh, my flippin' plums!" when he bashed himself whilst on his bike! We stopped him after a while because it's a bit rude and he was saying it all the time!
Kim - hope you have a lovely vacation in Florida. I have a Uncle living there, but we haven't been over yet. One day....Thanks for your good wishes about my scan, it is very kind of you.
Don't envy the cold winter you've got, Kiwimum. We had a horrible, freezing winter in Britain last year/early this. Now settled down to the usual rain for the summer! Mind you, Wales is the wettest bit of the UK. Just bought a load of garden furniture and the kids are breaking up soon from school, so prob. had the best of summer by now - a few nice days here and there! Saw the massive dust clouds in Arizona on tv news - that must be a real pain esp. if it is a regular summer thing. Hope you've got some nice things planned this w/end. Love to those having treatment.
Sarah x
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Hi KiwiMum~ I will be thinking of you this week too. I also have an armpit that is kind of deep. I think this is a cord where it is no longer stretched out I guess. It is kinda hard to shave there and I was also told not to use the razor. That was a good chemo bonus.I hope you enjoy the look good feel better pampering. I have not been. I also know what you mean about week three. We will just love to see you get to the end. We will have a cyber party.
Sara1968~ I laughed so hard about your sons statement. I am so glad I don't have to walk around with those things. I tell my husband/son that all the time as my son and his friends sometimes get hit there...oh that is so funny!! we have decided to postpone our FL.trip until October. Many reasons, but the main one being it is cheaper to go then and our son has fall break. I think I might not do as well in heat either. It has been hot and humid here in KY. My son had a swim meet and I thought I have never ever been so hot. I was working with a girl who barely broke a sweat and I was literally dripping...Gosh I am different in heat now.
Lisa~I forgot to say that I didn't know Emend could give you hiccups~prolly just kept me awake!! I have not found a med yet that knocks me out except of course the surgery knock out meds!!
I really enjoy all of you girls...it is good to know we are alike in many ways and can help each other in some way...THANKS!!
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Irr4993, glad I could make you laugh.
I bought the Nair but may wait until after my surgery is done and healed before I try it (I worry about skin irritaion). I am going to ask my PS if he can inject some fat into my armpit and fill in the hole. Maybe I will look into eventual lazar hair removal, was it painful, did it take alot of treatments? I am so neurotic about things like hair. I work in the medical field and am always amazed to see people who do not shave, bathe,wash hair etc before appointments. I have told my husband that if I get dementia before him to make sure my hair is done, makeup on and I am dressed well in the nursing home. HAHA
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Hey girls, we should plan a 40-ish girl trip/reunion. We could pick a date in the future (2012) and a nice weekend destination. Just a thought, I know there are several of you who like to travel. Just a crazy thought.
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What a great idea Christine. We love to travel. I'm quite lucky in that I work for a television network and get to travel quite a bit to sporting events etc. I hope to get to the London Olympics next year.
I was booked to fly to Singapore two days ago for the Netball World Cup. Of course due to my treatment I had to cancel and my colleague is there with our clients. I am seeing their Facebook updates detailing all the fun they are having and feeling quite cross!
Last June I was in the US for a conference in Las Vegas. It was my first time in Vegas and I was without DH and children. It was great, what a blast. I love my DH and children dearly but I was glad I was on my own and fancy free!
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KiwiMum, How wonderful that you have a job that allows you to travel. What is Netball?? It won't be long until you are done with treatment and traveling again. Hope you are doing well. We could pick a fun US destination (Chicago, Altanta, New York, LA, Washington DC, Vegas, etc).
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Christine - great idea about a trip. I do a girls weekend every year with my college friends and it is such fun. And I do love to travel!
Re laser hair removal. Yes it hurt. More at first but less and less as the hair disappeared or became more fine. I did 5 txs and have about 99% hair loss. I did underarms, legs and bikini line. I love not having to shave. I have a few random hairs but nothing that is really too noticeable. Best money I ever spent.0 -
I am going to ask my PS is I can do laser once I am recovered from my surgery. I think their office even offers this service. Just realized this armpit is essentially numb, so pain won't be an issue on that side.
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Christine - netball is very popular down here. It's mostly a women's sport a little bit like basketball. The ball is smaller and you aren't allowed to run or bounce it, you have to catch and pass. There is a netball hoop, which is like a basketball hoop but smaller and without the back board. NZ and Australia are usually the two top teams. There is always huge NZ / Australia rivalry at all sport as we are closest neighbors. A bit like USA vs Canada rivalry in ice hockey.
Do you know what rugby is? That's our other major sport. Our team is called the All Blacks. We have the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2 months.0
