Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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Bonseye, I am so glad you found such a good surgeon. It makes such a big difference to have that much confidence in your doctor. You should do really well with this surgery and have a beautiful outcome. I'll be praying for that.0
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I finished my chemo......q
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Congratulations Quaatsi!0
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Q ~ Hooray for finishinbg chemo...gotta love the feeling. I know I did!
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Qaatsi--terrific! What's next? Are you done now with everything?
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Qqqqqqqq!! Congrats! It's funny, nobody will ever really understand what it means to finish chemo except those of us who have done it....we, on the other hand, will NEVER forget what it feels like. I am so happy that you have now joined our "club"
It only gets better from here.I had the great pleasure of meeting linnyhopp (Linda) today. We found out that we were getting rads at the same facility in Escondido, California and we met for lunch. It was so amazing to sit across the table from her and get to know each other. What a blessing this forum has been to me as I have walked this scary (sometimes treacherous) road of cancer treatment. I wish I could meet all of you!
SAN
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WOO HOO, Q! What a great feeling! Knowing you don't go back and get kicked in the butt again after SEs are gone is a WONDERFUL feeling! I'm 15 days past my last tx and feeling pretty good. Still some neuropathy, but it is slowly fading. Energy is coming back some days more than others.
Sandy, that is SO great that you got to meet each other! There are many that I would love to meet from this page. Instant hugs all around.
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Thank you all. While my labs were still terrific most even in a good place withOUT chemo, this last chemo--navalbine was really hitting deeper. So my wonderful doc and I discussed everything. She spent well over an hour with me. We talked about quality of life issues. We discussed my node involvement, my high numbers on the ER/PR and the Her2neu, we discussed the science behind the treatments-- all kinda fun. What I got from her was stopping the chemo might be just fine since they really don't know and have no way to know if they got all those little cells floating out there ready to attack. And what she was strong about was how to provide continued protection.
So, I will be doing Herceptin (as I did yesterday) every 3 weeks for 7 more months and then, I agreed to start Tamoxifen, at a low dose and graduating upward to full dose, in about 3 weeks. There are side effects and she didn't mess around with that. But, she was SO strongly opinionated about the necessity of Tamoxifen for me. So while I am done with the hard intense chemo I still have years of treatment ahead of me. As I believe there are many in that place. Q
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Was thinking about Sandy's statement- clearly this chemo expereince is different from 25 years ago and a different cancer. When I finished that I was more clear that I was done. I was sick and tired for years after but I was 'done'. This time, while the chemo is WAY EASIER, I don't have that 'done' feeling. I see this as ongoing for a long time. 5 years is long time for treatment and I hope that is all I will have but I don't have illusions about that.
This November 2011 board will continue to be a source of support for all of us! Would be nice if more of us had Linnyhop/Sandyland 's experience of meeting each other. Q
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Leaving shortly for #12 Taxol!! Woot, woot!!
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Congratulations dechi! No more chemo!0
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Dechi ~ Welcome to the "Concluded Chemo Club!" Yay for you!
Andimom ~ Funny you should mention the neuropathy. I am now 7 weeks PFC and neuropathy is one of the SE's that has really held on. My fingertips are still very sensitive (often painful) and both my hands and feet are still hyper-sensitive to hot and cold. I'd be interested to know if anyone who is ahead of me in the process experienced this.
Q ~ Both my general surgeon and my MO have strongly advocated Tamoxifen for me as well. My ER/PR numbers were 98% & 99% so I was told that Tamox was as important for me as chemo. I am a little stressed about the side effects. I like that you are tapering up to a full dose. If they don't offer that option to me, I think I'll ask for it. I love all the great ideas and information I get on this board =]
Blessings,
SAN
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GrandmaV- Thank you so much for the support. I start AC next Thursday afternoon. I'm HOPING that the SE won't hit me until late Friday or Saturday and I will have the weekend to recover before returning to work on Monday. Between the diagnosis, tests and Taxol I've already burned up all of my sick time for the (school) year. Yikes!
Believe it or not, I already have anti-anxiety meds. Perhaps we should up the dosage! lolololol
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C-squared, I think you have a good plan. Hopefully it works out that way for you, so you don't have to miss any more work. Since you work at a school, I bet you teach math. I thought that when I saw your screen name, either math or science.
I hope you're able to relax and enjoy your weekend. I know its very hard, though, when you're waiting to start a dreaded treatment. But you're doing everything you can to get rid of those stray cells, so hang in there.
lots of hugs
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Sandy and Linda, That sounds like so much fun. Getting together for lunch. I bet that restaurant is still recovering from all the hijinx I just imagine was going on there. Thanks for sharing that , it sure brightened my day.0
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Evening all,
Grandma -Yep April 27th is my next AC. Counting days, hours until ths is over and I am in the "Concluded Chemo Club" Doing OK, just really not on my game. Hate that
Nite all
Nel
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GrandmaV- I'm actually an occupational therapist working with special needs kids in the schools. My screen name represents my initials -CC-. Math is definitely not my strong point and I'm happy to say I don't teach it but I love science!!!
Thank you again for your support and reassurance. I wish I could rest and relax this weekend but I met with the PS today and have more research to do. This cancer thing is a full-time job! And to think some women think it's just a "boob job" HA, I wish!
Hugs right back at 'ya GrandmaV! and THANKS!
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I am so happy to be done with chemo but I am soo very tired. I feel after 5 months of all these chemicals I have no get up and go. I slept until 12:00 today and was not able to get my act together today. I am almost one week PFC and happy to say that. Just waiting for my stamina to come back.....with my hair-maybe?? We shall see........
Does everyone feel this incredible tiredness after chemo? I feel like all I want to do is sleep.....hard to get things done with no energy? All suggestions welcome. I have learned to let go and understand that it really isn't that important...it can be done tomorrow. This has worked well for me as I use to have 3 jobs and juggle everything and mentor all my friends with issues.....now it is just about me. Sleeping and taking care of myself is what my husband wants me to concentrate on so that is my job for now as I heal.
Best to you all!
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Bonseye, It just takes time. Time for the chemo to get out of your system and then time for your body to heal itself from all the chemo did to it. Sleep is the best thing for you right now so your body can do it's job. Sleep tight.0
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Quaatsi, Andimom, GrandmaV & Everyone Else ~ What a great experience to get to meet Sandyland. We had a really FUN time at lunch and wish you all could have been with us. We were slightly reserved at first, but I think we loosened up and there were no holds barred in our conversation for sure! SAN is fun and our humor seems to be very much in tune. Hey, we all have to have a good sense of humor to get through all this crap! We were only slightly rowdy at the restaurant, but now that we know each other watch out for the next time!
Bonseye ~ Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since my final chemo and I can tell you that I have said throughout the entire process that I could sleep for 10 hours, get out of bed and really turn right around and crawl back under the covers to sleep even more. And, unfortunately I have an autoimmune disease that is acting up and so I continue to have joint pain and am so very fatigued. Guess it's something we all have to deal with whether we like it or not. Like you, I am hoping the hair starts growing and soon!
Dechi ~ Hooray for you to be done with chemo...such a great feeling.
Hope everyone is doing well and happy dreams to all of you! Linda
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Bonseye,
Try a mushroom mixture -- if you can get Chinese Med herbs-- it is called FuZheng therapy. Long history of its use for this.
For the three weeks with Pneumonia I failed to take them before I got it and couldn't after. Back on it now and I can feel the difference. But that is my experience. Hopefully it will help you too.
Dechi- woot woot!!
Q
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Thanks all for cheering me on!
Congrats to those who r done!
Jealous of our 2 members who got to meet up face to face, sounds like u guys had a blast!0 -
Naan ~ Hang in there Sister! It ends, I promise.
Bonseye ~ I am 7 weeks PFC and I am still tired all the freakin' time!! I am now 11 treatments in on rads and I know that causes fatigue too, but I seriously cannot remember the last time I had real energy. And, for the record, if ONE MORE PERSON suggests that I "just get up and exercise" because it will make me feel better (well meaning family members)....heads are gonna roll! Like you, I have often held down more than one job, was super-mom and did my best to be a great friend. I have been a mover & a shaker my whole life. For me to feel this wiped out all the time is brutal. When people tell me to just get up and exercise, it makes me feel like they think I'm being lazy. I've never been a lazy person...I'm just legitimately, extremely, indescribably exhausted. For once in my life, I'm just going to rest because this is what my body needs and I'm NOT going to feel bad about it. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
SAN
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update scan came back great with a about 50 persent reduction on all the tumors but 1 which is going toget cyberknifed. treatment - contiue with the taxol till we get ok from insurance for Xedola using this cause its a pill and my veins are gettin badand it is the best for passig bloood brain barrier
thanks for all the support can feel the love across the waves
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Csquared
I drank reeds ginger ale, it's strong, also candied ginger from health food store, and took phenergan and zofran according to directions for 4 days after. These things help don't try to go without nausea meds first few days, you can do it and will be over and forgotten soon after. These groups pulled me through our bc sisters are the best!0 -
Sandyland-I totally agree with you! If I need to sleep that is what I am going to do! I don't care what others think....but a lot feel like--well you finished chemo--I should feel better. Five months of toxic chemicals.......you try it! that is my attitude! Onward....preparing for surgery and that is total focus for now. thank you for your input!
Q-Thank you for herb idea--will check it out
I am going to try anything to work toward healing! You are all the best ladies-thank you so much! Happy Weekend!!
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C-Squared--Don't eat anything you love during your treatment. I read this somewhere and it is so true. My appetite was not the best during treatment but I thought I could manage plain bagels with cream cheese. I cannot even think of a bagel without feeling a bit sick to my stomach.
Everyone---I have found that I cannot miss a day on this thread! So much happens if I miss a day. Since I have been with all of you since the beginning of my chemo journey, I have another something to ask. Depression...I am struggling with this now. Is anyone else? I have finished my treatment and I feel like I have been shoved out the door and left wondering, "What do I do now?" I am working part time and reading a book about what do I do now??? My youngest daughter had a miscarriage on Monday and I know that has something to do with my depression. My other daughter is still expecting twins, it is springtime and I feel like I should be rejoicing that I am finished with my treatments. I have exchange surgery scheduled for May with 2 more fills.
Is anyone taking something for the depression and going to support groups?
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Congrats to all who have finished chemo!
I have decided to check this board every night. I try but I can't remember. This morning for two hours, Chemo Nov 2011 would pop into my head. When I went to the computer, I forgot it. I finally remembered, ran into the cat on my way to the computer, sat down and began to read.
I wish that we could all meet face to face also. We should plan a convention. Where should we meet?
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Hi Everyone, I've been hit by the dreaded fatigue this week. It came on out of the blue and I feel as if I've been run over by a steam roller. I'm three and a half months PFC and 1 month post rads, so maybe it's a delayed reaction. Hopefully it will pass soon. I saw my MO yesterday and he gave me a prescription for Tamoxifen. He wants me to try it for a year, if I can handle it and then on to an AI. He's given me another 2 weeks grace to see if my aches and pains ease up. I see a rheumatologist on Friday.
It's heartening to read about everyone coming to the end of their chemo treatments. It's been a long road for some of you and I admire your courage for hanging in there through all the tough SE/s. I hope you enjoy a nice break and good healing. Linda and SAN, I live down in San Diego. Let me know if you decide to meet up again, it would be so nice to actually meet some of the Nov 2011 ladies! xoxo
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braids3, I'm so happy for you. That's a great reduction. Hope the taxol and Xeloda will wipe them out.0
