Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Thank you Headeast for your kind words...hugs
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VNJ, hugs back!
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SC & QuirkyGirl - One of my complaints is also shortness of breath & sporadic racing heart beat My last chemo was 12/11. I saw my MO today and he said I'm still a little bit anemic and I've lost so much weight. 6 tests in January showed no problems, so I got the same advice. Go slow, take it easy. Wonder how this pre-existing problem is going to effect radiation, which I start as soon as I can get on the schedule.
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MinusTwo - sorry to hear that. It's a disconcerting feeling. I guess radiation will help with the going slow part! Did your MO or RO indicate that radiation could exacerbate the problem?
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WOW! I am both sorry for others and kind of relieved to know you all have these symptoms. Racing heart, breathlessnes, having to just stop whatever I am doing. I didn't share much about it with MO but will next time I see him. Nurse seems to suggest just chemo. Hold on Ladies!!! xoxo momat
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I'm hoping that what I'm going to tell you will give you a little bit of hope and relief about the racing heart, fast pulse, shortness of breath and having to take it easy after doing the smallest physical movements. I did have all of those physical side effects while I was having chemo. My onco was not worried about this and let me know that it was a chemo side effect. On the other hand, my internist ordered an additional thyroid blood panel just to make sure that my thyroid was behaving. Fortunately, the thyroid blood panel came back normal. I can't give you a time frame of when that side effect dissipated post chemo but I do know I was feeling better several months post chemo. I wish I could tell you that recovery from the chemo is instantaneous but unfortunately, it is not. Hang in there!!!
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Melrose: Thanks for the positive feed back. My MO ordered thyroid at one point and he's not worried either. Looks like you continued to take Herceptin after the TC for awhile. Did the symptoms hang around as long as you continued the Herceptin? I'm stuck w/it for a year. Also I'll be starting radiation so it will be interesting to see how that impacts the fatigue.
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MinusTwo- I was fortunate that after I had finished chemo and was still having Herceptin infusions, I didn't experience any noticeable side effects while on the Herceptin only. My energy levels recovered a few months after i had my final round of chemo. One of the questions that I have been asked numerous times since I finished chemo was how I felt. The truth is that I feel as good as I did before I was diagnosed. Sure, there have been days when my leg/foot cramps from the Tamoxifen seem more frequent and my "not so hot" hot flashes seem warmer but these are two things that I can deal with.
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Melrose: thanks for the response. Maybe I'll find Herception alone easy. Right now I'm 45 days PFC and still feel like I'm 95 years old. At least the "Big D" has stopped and some things are starting to taste OK.
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Melrose, thank you! Chemo 4 Feb 6 is my last round & then radiation. You do give me much hope. I just lost my job. My FMLA is over before my next chemo and it was either return full-time or not at all this school year- no part time option. I knew I could not return, running between different schools with many demands. Losing a job with my benefits while having cancer is daunting. I have spent hours learning about new health insurance plans! To know, in all likelihood, I will feel essentially like myself again- when this is over- a great gift. Let's keep going, momat
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momat. Sorry to hear about your job. Did you not have the option of staying out without pay? In my district at the start of my career we all donated two days to the sick bank. Then when our sick days run out, we have the option of drawing up to 300 days to allow for full pay. In the meantime the district has hired a sub that makes less than me, so it is a win win situation.
I see my MO today for the first time since my last chemo. I'll show him my lymphedema and talk about the PT I am getting for my back. Then tamoxiphen....
Hang in there ladies!
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good luck, SchoolCounselor! Ask MO for prescription for lymphedema specialist. It is covered by insurance and definitley worth it!
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mamat, sorry to hear about the job.
sc, hope the appointment went well!
headeast, hope surgery goes well tomorrow.
hoping everyone has a good weekend with minimal side effects!
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Momat -- so sorry about your job.
SC -- hoping the doctors collaborate on the right treatment plan to bring you relief from the LE. Hang in there!
Headeast -- in your pockets for the surgery.... You will do great!
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Good news-SC you were right awhile back. I have a disability plan through job and an applying for short term right now!!!! Thank goodness. Everyone should check on this. Mine was buried beneath fine print.
Headeast & SC. Hoping you both come through most recent challenges. momat
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Momat- Well yay ! that worked out well! Thank goodness for the information on here!
SC- Can't wait to hear what your MO says about Tamoxifen and all...and hoping your lymphedema improves..you have been seeing someone already right? I go next Wednesday, I don't think I have it but I do have tightness in axillae and numbness...we will see
.Minustwo- Wishing you feel better, I felt 95 last week and yesterday in fact...having trouble opening things...
I am 2 weeks post chemo today-
still beet red hot feet that hurt...neuropathy in fingertips, still using Prilosec for stomach pain, still not eating hot sauces or spices, still using Ativan to sleep...tired and on couch after making breakfast, cleaning up, taking daughter to school and making the bed....wondering how long this continues....I know 2 weeks isn't very long but can't wait to feel better. Seems like I have an hour of energy in the morning and then crash. That happens throughout day...
VERY grateful to be done! Don't get me wrong...but still not 'normal'...
We will all get there!!! Hang in there girls!
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Hi all,
Momat great to hear!!! Hang in there audra I am jut about one month out and my MO said I will still feel the effects of chemo for another month.
I started with the LE specialist already and see her again tomorrow. She called to say she will be wrapping me tomorrow. I am currently in a glove and sleeve.
I saw my MO today and we discussed the fact that I am hypertensive, it's hereditary, as a result I will be on Aromasin. I have not had a period through chemo and do get hot flashes. If my period comes I will be given a shot to suppress. I will also get an infusion every 6 months of something, cant remember what, I think it starts with a "z". Did not expect that since I just turned 45 but I understand it.
I also asked to get off Efffexor. I don't like the limit on my moods so I got something else for hot flashes and I will get an anti anxiety if I need to and use it occasionally.
Tomorrow I see both the PT and the LE specialist, for my back and right arm respectively. What a pain!
Hang in ladies!
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SC -- the infusion is probably Zometa. I will be getting that too -- since I am on Tamoxifen and it affects the bones, and I already had osteopenia before BC, I need it for maintaining bone density. I had been taking Actonel for bone density for a couple years before my BC diagnosis -- osteoporosis runs in my family, and I started getting screenings once I was postmenopause. My MO said to see my dentist for clearance before starting Zometa, since it can cause jaw bone necrosis problems if you need any major dental work (extractions). Saw my dentist today and got the thumbs up, so will start Zometa in March when I am done with rads.
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Thanks for the reminder Team...he told me that too. So much information and I wrote it down too. So many doctors to consult with. This BC is exhausting. I cant wait till i feel more myself.......
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thank you, Kbeee, Teamkim and Momat!
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Headeast! Thinking of you today for your exchange surgery!!! All the best and can't wait til you check in!!!!
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Headeast! You will find exchange surgery a breeze!!! WAY better than chemo!
Praying for you today!
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Thank you all for the warm wishes.
I had my surgery yesterday. Checked in at 5.30am to start surgery at 8. They prepared me, interviewed me, etc. the conventional 7 people in the OR plus me. Left the hospital at 4pm.
The PS saw me and marked me, asked me if I wanted to go bigger than my TE and I said yes and for him to pick whatever implant was better.
My TE were at 325cc and he could not add more. My implants are Natrelle 20, 550cc and the muscle pain is terrible. I am taking OxiCodone every 4 hours and doesn't really help. The cuts don't hurt, just the muscle.
I am wrapped in a large bandage and I am supposed to stay that way until I see him on Tuesday. Only sponge baths without making bandage wet. Instruction says no lifting and if with OxiCodone, then no driving and not making important decisions.
I guess my PS didn't think I would have pain and be able to drive to work, but getting larger implants have made me have a LOT of pain. It is even hard to type.
Good luck for the ones getting surgery this coming week. I am positive this pain is worth it.
I am on the squishy side now! Yay!
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Headeast- So happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery after your exchange!!! Call the PS if you are in pain so you can get the right pain meds and don't wait until Monday to call.... call today.
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Melrose, thank you. I am taking Oxicodone every 4 hours. It hurts more than when they were doing the fills in the TE, those fills were 50-100cc each time, not 200cc like they increased yesterday.
I guess in a few more days I should feel fine.
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Headeast--- If you do start feeling that you just can't get a handle on the pain with your current meds, then do call. I know you want to wait a day or two to see if if gets better. But if it doesn't, no need to be in pain. Gentle hugs to you!!!
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Thank you, Melrose!
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Well, here I am in week 3 after my last TC. Should be great, but I am getting sudden waves of nausea, especially after getting out and about running errands or trying to work. Anybody else out there get late nausea? It could be from the pain pills I'm on for muscle pain, but I'm not used to that side effect from norcos. Whatcha think?
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Pat, I remember I had nausea the last days (days 18 to 21) after my TC infusion. I took anti nausea medicine and it helped.
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PatAlameda--- Did you take those pain pills on an empty stomach ? Those pain meds can cause nausea if taken without food and without drinking at least 8 ounces of water when taken. They may be culprit and not the chemo. Just hope everything settles down and you feel better soon?
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