Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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"Government paid Brazzilian" Freaking Awesome! I laughed so hard I cried. You Rock!
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Congratulations to Sandy and Peggy, our very own VIPs!
Elizabeth, my hair went the same way. I went from "This isnt so bad" to "OMG, there's hair all in my cereal bowl!"by day 16. Had it buzzed the same day. I couldn't stand to see it coming out in clumps. I was shedding like a golden retriever
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Thanks everyone. I have a few questions...
* how soon after your lx surgery did you start chemo? Nurse told me yesterday I probably won't start for another month, cause they want me to heal from my surgery...but I feel fine and want to get this chemo going ASAP! Why would they have me wait
* is anyone on this Herceptin for Her2+ ? While I read the link someone shared (thank you btw!)...it only scared me more. Not sure why. I guess I didn't like how they worded in the 'one study' that's been done, that 98% didn't die or have the cancer recur. I know I should be happy with that stat...but it just scared me more.
And maybe this is more for the chemo boards, but I really don't want a port. Dara-did you get one? How often IS chemo? Every 2 weeks? I have a trip I really want to do the first weekend in October, but I would be driving 6 hours to get there. I feel like I can still do it, but others are saying I will be in chemo them and shouldn't attempt it.
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KD - Here in Canada you have 8 weeks from the day of your surgery. Mine did not start till about week 6.. due to a 2 week vacation.
I am doing the AC+T Chemo right now. I will be adding the Herceptin at Session 6.. and then taking it every 3 weeks for a year.
I am waiting now to get my port. They are not that bad from what I have heard and much easier for your blood draws and your infusions. You can do them by vein, but you can only use the arm that is not next to your Lymph node removal, due to chances of Lymphodema. So it makes sense to get one instead of using only one vein.
After the Chemo, I will be doing the Radiation Therapy and the Hormone Therapy too.
I am also ER+/PR+ and HER2+
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Thanks Elizabeth-did you get a port? And what about trying to travel/take a trip during chemo time? Would you attempt it?
And what do you mean 'up to 8 weeks'- does that mean you have to wait that long or chemo must start before you hit the 8 week mark? I feel like I'm ready to start chemo next week! Surgery was 8/15...will they let me
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KD. I added the infor about the port to the previous post.
Traveling while you are taking Chemo is really not advised... My vacation was a trip to Fiji, that was bought and paid for. We were going to go in September as we were led to believe, I would not have to do the Chemo. Well one test changed all of that and we had to change everything really quick so I could go before I started Chemo.
Travel insurance will not cover you and if you have complications, it would be difficult to find someone that could help... Depending on where you go in the world of course.. Also you will be tired and probably not enjoy it very much. I would go before and have fun then start the Chemo.
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Poodles, I have 6 cats and 2 of them are black... So I am having trouble telling if it is really mine or theirs.
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KD, no I don't have a port and hope to be able to make it through just using my veins. I only have to have 4 infusions though 3 weeks apart. My chemo was 8 weeks post surgery. I felt fine after the first couple of days, but they kept waiting, first for my oncotype, and then for the Prosigna. I was told from the beginning no chemo, but that all changed with the high risk Prosigna results. Because of your Her2 +, your MO may recommend a port or picc line. It's hard for me because they have to do all the pokes in my right hand (yuck) but so far so good. I bruise super easily and my hand seems to handle the pokes the best. I just make sure to totally hydrate prior as they first draw blood then do the IV.
My sister had chemo and always traveled in between cycles. My DH and I hope to get away in Sept., but didn't want to go anywhere after the first infusion since we weren't sure how I'd react. I plan to just take it one day at a time and see how I feel. You probably would want to check with your MO first. I figure once I start rads I'm stuck for 6 weeks so during chemo s my chance. They really don't want us on planes or enclosed places with crowds.
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kdtheatre - I had IV chemo, but in hindsight, I would have had a port. The good part about an IV is that I didn't have to see a port and feel like a cancer patient. But, then I lost my hair, felt like a cancer patient anyway, struggled with vein burns with chemo in the IV, and the people who had ports forgot they had them within a month and they had no problems So, hindsight... Also, with HER+ , you will have they the herceprin for another few months, and the port will be easier. Those are my thoughts.
The question was "How long after an lx before you have chemo?"
My MO said chemo is most effective 6-8 weeks after surgery. It gives they the body enough time to heal and be strong for chemo, but not enough time for circulating cells to become a tumor. There are lots of reasons people have to wait longer than 8 weeks, but that's because it's best to let the body heal after an infection or extra surgery to clean up margins.
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kdtheatre, the risk of infection is why they make you wait 6-8 weeks post op. Also Herceptin is for a long time so I think a port would be wise. Have you checked out the tripple positive thread?
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kdtheatre, let the MO evaluate. Mine said I was ready to start chemo after three weeks , but I waited four. It just depends on how fast you heal after the surgery. I had chemo and Herceptin and used a port, my port was never a problem and I was very happy to have it. Regarding the port, I went with my MO's recommendations to get one. There are risks with it, like blood clots, but there are also risks of damage to veins without one. So in a large part it depends on your body. My chemo center also did all my blood draws using my port which was great. So the day of infusions, I would get blood work done to make sure my numbers were good and then chemo. Then the Neulasta the next day which was injected into the fat in the back of my arm. Then one week later, another blood draw to check my white blood counts. All of it was done through my port except the Neulasta. I think I would have had around 30 vein stabs without my port within an 11 month time frame, counting chemo and Herceptin
I did see a fair number of women in the chemo center without a port who ended up having to get things done through the veins in their hands because their other veins became damaged, but it really does come down to how your body functions.
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KD- SO I did neoadjuvant chemo/biologicals...6 infusions of carbo, taxotere, perjeta and Herceptin...followed by Herceptin every 3 weeks for a total of 1 year. I did get a port which I think was great- though I never had blood draws out of it as I didn't at first so did not want to change anything up once we got started. I had Nelasta the day after each chemo infusion. It was not as bad as I imagined and I had such wonderful care from my DH and DS as well as the fact that my MO and his staff were in the trails for perjeta so they knew all of the ins and outs of that treatment. I did get a very radical infection from a splinter in a finger near the end of chemo which took several months to heal...that nail will never be the same but it's better than losing the finger so all is ok. Please feel free to ask any questions. That's why we are here
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Friends.... all of a sudden- over the past week or so-I am JUST SO TIRED! While I am doing more...am also not doing nearly what many of you are...and, yet...am so tired. Napped Wed and again today after not getting out of bed til 9 or 10. Should I be concerned that this is somehow related to BC?? Ugh...thinking I may ask PCP to run bloodwork..but for what? See her mid Sept...should I just wait or be worried???? Damn BC!
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HH, it's possible that you are finally relaxing enough to be exhausted from all that you have gone through this past year plus. Of course bring it up with your PCP. You could be deficient in something I suppose. For this non-medical gal, that's my take. Others who know more, especially post-chemo fatigue, will answer. But I think it is normal BC fatigue.
HUGS!
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I always used to get sick right after finishing a grueling trial for which I'd prepped for weeks, as well as after a gig tour, or after a run of the Bar Show (two months of rehearsals culminating in five nights of frantic costume changes and constant running up & down several flights of stairs between dressing room, stage and green-room.....not to mention the actual scenes which were extremely brief by comparison). I think our adrenaline gets us through the effort & stress and when it's over and the adrenaline's gone, our brains bark “At ease" and our bodies fall out. It's no coincidence that my first two trigger-thumb bouts came within days of the Bar Show's end--each time, the day after a live in-studio radio performance.
Just to be safe, get a CBC and your iron levels checked to make sure you’re not anemic. Are your lips paler than usual? That’s usually the “tell” for me.
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Well, no wonder Peggy and Sandy are our thread resident VIP's...you both gave the same advice in a matter of minutes. As a counselor, your advice really runs true for me- hard to counsel oneself, though and BC has made me so scared...so, will call PCP's office on Monday and make my reg 3 month apt (I really appreciate her tight follow up approach) and will most prob see her in Sept. Sandy- yes, am wondering if something is just a bit out of whack- wondering abt thyroid as am not suffering from as many hot "floods" (no longer just flashes) may just need to increase synthroid. Thank you friends for helping me not to panic. Common sense can prevail over BC- hyper vigilence is exhausting...hoping that is the reason for this very heavy fatigue. Hugs to each of you for being on the other end and for understanding without judgement. Thank you!
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Elizabeth, my sinuses have been cleared as your Brazilian comment made me snort a drink of water right out of my nose 😂.
Loving grouches, My hubby says the same thing about miss perky and old lady droopy but he truly does not care so I decided against further surgery too.
Dara, you look just darling in your hat. Wish I could pull that look off.
Jo
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The free Brazilian made me really laugh and also reminded me ...if you are having chemo- you realize the importance of NOSE HAIR...or, the lack thereof...tissues are a must.
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Jo, ain't it nice to have Dh that don't care if we have 20 year old boobs! Lol!!
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HH, I think you have the right idea to find out what's going on (if anything). I know that after I had to put DH in the nursing home, I was so exhausted I barely did anything. Four years of 24/7 caregiving wore me out. It was 6 months before I was merely tired. And keep in mind that studies say that BC itself causes fatigue that usually lasts a year or more. That's without consideration for what treatments can do. But always wise to check iron and thyroid and all the other goodies in a CBC. But I think you can breathe now.
HUGS!
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Hi.. I'm a newbie... have a Lumpectomy on Sept. 2 with sentinal node biopsy... so just waiting and possible radiation and hormone therapy later... I had skin cancer and all they did was take off the bump and send me home... this is so much more involved, intense... just different.. waiting is the worst..
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Hi IHGJAnn49, I agree with you, waiting is the worst! Glad you found us. Do what you can to stay busy and just take it one step at a time.
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IHGJAnn, Welcome! We're glad you found us. We're comforting, warm, welcoming, informative and funny. Waiting is awful. Have you read Dr Susan B. Love's Breast Book? If not, it's an excellent source of information on BC. If you have questions we're here to answer them.
I'm here in Spokane, too. I'll PM you and we can get together if you'd like. There are 2 or 3 other BCO gals in Spokane.
HUGS!!
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IHGJAnn, welcome!! You are very lucky to have someone like Peggy nearby. Read here on BCO but avoid Google. You will only upset yourself.
HH, I agree with the two VIP's get blood work done. I hope it's nothing more than a cold coming on.
Fitbit friends, I got a new Alta today. I hope to be up to accepting challenges in the next couple weeks. I still get exhausted after work.
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Molly I have a Fitbit... Love it! Hope you do too.. I've never done a challenge but I'm up for it!
IHGJAnn49... I'm also from Spokane. 😀 Hope we can meet up when you're ready to.
Traci
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Traci, several of us are friends on Fibit. I will pm you my email address so you can friend me.
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What is fibit? And I think it's a good idea, getting together
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Hi IHGJAnn49 and welcome! A Fitbit is a fitness activity tracker. Here's a link to help you learn all about how Fitbit works --
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/fitne... and here's another one to show you all their products https://www.fitbit.com/ca/store?utm_source=google&...
As everyone always says, I'm sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us.
-G
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I have a fitbit too. I just upgraded to the fitbit blaze. I love it. Yesterday was first day post rads that I went to Zumba class and didn't have to take a nap when i got home. So hopefully fatigue is going away.
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Hi IHGJAnn49, Welcome.
I still seem to be loosing more hair on my head than on my winkle. But hope springs eternal.
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