FEC-D regime
Comments
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I am seeing my RO on Sept. 10 to discuss about the start of radiation, she's at PMH. I think I will go with the permanent tattooes. I have a bunch of beauty marks on my left side so I won't notice the tattooes, plus I like tattooes :-)
Thanks for the tip Bicque.
Thank you Gonein40. I finally took a normal shower after so long.
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Lolis/ all: Here are some links that I found about Text and Soft trial regarding using an ovary suppresent ( e.g.,monthly injections of the GnRH agonist triptorelin, surgical removal of both ovaries, or radiation therapy to the ovaries) plus Exemestane to further reduce reccurance in ER+ pre-menopausal women that works better than Tamoxifen.
http://m.cancer.gov/news/pressreleases/2014/ASCOSO...
Or
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Thanks Amazon. Hopefully the trial is successful. I am not happy to go into menopause so early but whatever it takes to keep this thing at bay.
Question about radiation- were/are you ladies able to wear a bra while on rads? I am thinking to get back to work when I start my rads but I started thinking if I would be able to wear a bra or if I should just continue to work from home.
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well ladies my visit w PS last wk has brought me to today another visit w the anticipation of possibly opening up of the boobless side and starting to pack the incision. Ugh. I do hope that this is not the case as it will be a long road to recovery for me. I have surgery booked for the 18th to totally open and see what's going on and to fix the good side. Praying that it goes well for me today. I'll post later w the results. Come on ladies. Jump in my pockets around 1130 today.
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Hi Lolis,
I was able to wear a bra during rads (not actually during treatment , though I wish...) and an underwire one at that. Not sure if that is the norm though, towards the end I had to adjust it a bit due to the SEs.
Gonein40,
I'll be there with fingers crossed and positive thoughts.
Most of my rad SEs have cleared up, just a bit of fuss around my incision. My eyebrows are back and, while short, I can see the effect of my eyelashes from a normal mirror gazing distance. (No leaning in and squinting) :-) My nails, otoh, continue, now it is my ring fingers. Oh well :-)
Take care everyone.
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Ladies, I've just had my first rad today, and the nurse told me not to wear a bra, or if i need to, to wear one without wire.. now i feel that i'm constantly thinking about how to keep my head and boobs cool.. or well, not sweaty!!! suddenly, i find myself wondering if i'd be truly ready for work this Saturday.. can't imagine not wearing a bra to work!!! and at the same time, afraid it'd aggravate or cause side effects.. shall be digging through my wardrobe to hopefully find something that looks decent without a bra!
my doctor has yet to put me on creams/lotions.. though the nurse did say for some doctors, they start the creams immediately, others later.. i went to a pharmacy and bought myself the "Aqueous" cream. .what did you use?
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Gonein, shall keep you in prayers! *hugs*
and oh.. i think i got my 'temporary' tattoos because my oncologist told me about it on the day i was to go for the markings.. he told me to ask in advance for temporary ones if i object to the permanent ones.. so in a way, he planted the idea and possibility! The technicians were rather uncomfortable with it, and tried persuading me to go for the tattoos in case i accidentally wash it off and they lose the markings. And, because of that fear, i am MARKED!!! it looks very ugly.. big Xs in 5 different spots.. and the one near the collar bone usually shows..because i can't find tops that cover that much of my skin! i was also told by a nurse that as far as she knows, only one hospital in my city does the temporary markings.
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Hello sisters!!!
As you may have noticed, I have been away for
awhile. NOTHING IS WRONG - I AM FINE! I apologize if I have caused
any of you to worry. As you may recall, I am organizing two fundraising
events. The first to be held Saturday Oct 25 in support of the
Trillium Health Partner Foundation - Credit Valley Hospital, Cancer
Services; the second to be held Friday, November 21 in support of the
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. For the past several weeks, I have
been devoted to this. Both will be held under the banner name - ROCKING
IT BALD. I have created t-shirts using my hubby’s design, bought the
domain name rockingitbald.com (the site will be up shortly - I have been
working on it for weeks!!), trying to get items for door prizes and
silent auctions, meeting with representatives from the Trillium Health
Partners Foundation, updating my ROCKING IT BALD facebook page and
trying to get volunteers for the events.
On top of this, I have
been rehearsing with my AC/DC tribute band BARE RUMP and classic rock
band LEFTY AND THE GOONS as both will be performing at the events in
addition to the Relay For Life, Friday, Sept 12 in Norval, Ontario.
On
top of this, I participated in a video to share my story sponsored by
Scottie’s in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I have
another video shoot this Friday for the cancer centre at the hospital
where I am being treated - Credit Valley.
In addition to this, I have been trying to go to the gym 4-5 times per week, and have been continuing my treatment.
Needless to say, I’ve been crazy busy so again, do apologize!!
Tomorrow
is my last chemo treatment of taxol. DONE!!!! Can’t wait - I’m too
busy for this! I can’t complain about the side effects. I had 3
treatments in a row then was off for a week, then the last 3. I am
starting to feel some needles and pins in my finger tips and have an odd
ache in my left rib. I’m waiting for swelling due to water retention -
after my first 3 rounds I gained 6 pounds of water. It was awful!!
I’v also had ringing in my right ear for WEEKS but this started off and
on last year. My mom calls it “age”.
lol
I will also get round 4 of herceptin tomorrow which will continue every 3 weeks until the end of June 2015.
If
anyone wants to keep in touch, I would suggest hitting me up on
Facebook if you haven’t already. I’m Angie Sandow and you’ll see a
picture of me in a beanie. I will continue to pop in but for now, I am
soooo busy that I hardly have time to reherase with my bands!!
I
would also appreciate if you would “like” my Rocking It Bald facebook
page. As I mentioned above, my website will be up shortly. In the next
few weeks, I will start volunteering at Wellspring and hope to commence
my volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society. I hope to use this
and my Rocking It Bald site to network in the hopes of starting a career
in public speaking down the road.I hope that all are well!!!!
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Gonein40,
How did your appointment go?
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bicque. My apt went good. Dr put me back on antibiotics for another 10 days drew off another 1-1/2 schringes of fluid n said it looked "better" lol whatever that means. I have another apt on the 12th n I was suppose to have implant surgery on the 18th. But it's been cancelled due to infection n he just wants it to heal before we go further. Thank god eh.
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Yay, glad to hear that! :-) I like shen dr appt make you feel better.
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Glad the appointment went well Gonein40.
Ladies question for you. It's been since yesterday that I have been feeling light headed and I thought it was low blood pressure, so today I measured it at my sister and it was 93/65 and usually it's 106-110/66-74. To my surprise though the heart rate was 104-106 and the highest it goes to 80-86.
I know that some of you had issues with the bp during taxorete but a high heart rate seems a bit weird. I have been eating and keeping myself hydrated so hydration it's not a problem. Also, feel muscles spasms on my right side just above the kidney. If it continues tomorrow I will call the MONTH to let her know and see what she says.
Hope you all are having a good day.
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Footballnut, glad to hear of the initiatives and that you're keeping well! way to go!
Lolis, i remember my cardiologist telling me that when my heart rate starts going up, it was to compensate for my bp going down.. cos i remember mine went to about 55 or so beats per minute, and starts going up when my bp plummets from normal to the range of what's normal to what you're experiencing now. hope your doctor can tell you more, cos sometimes fever and infections could also increase heart-rate.
Gonein, glad the appt went well.
Bicque, Amazon, how are you doing?
Over here, i've had 3rd radiotherapy session, all is fine, though some pain around the surgical incision, eating loads of cooling and detoxifying herbal stuff (while happily enjoying deep fried chips with a lovely sprinkle of himalayan salt + some turmeric powder!!!) lol, gotta balance the good with not so good stuff!
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I had my shiatsu on Tuesday then IV C (25g) # 7 with 1g Magnesium and Calcium yesterday and my pain level went considerably down. I didn't have to take any pain killers for 2 days!!!
Rant: On bad days the pain feels like as if my chest got really abrased by sandpaper then got smeared by cayenne pepper and taped up really tight with a strong tape (especially my neck that feels as if I was wearing a very tight collar) plus a sharp needle biopsy like pain in the deep tissue. Sometimes I have a pinched shoulder feeeling on top of that (rant over).
After the consult with my Naturopath I realized I might have been low on Magnesium which is essential for any muscle repair, so now I am supplementing 300mg daily and
hoping it will speed up recovery.
The pain level fluctuates from day to day and from morning to evening. I noticed it gets worse with increased activity and at the end of the day, so it must be related to my muscles or bones.
I am doing stretching, self massage, hot baths and smearing a lot of Calendula oil on the area to help heal this thing.
I have my appointment with a pain specialist lined up for next Tuesday, but when they told me it's in the C section (palliative care) of the centre which freaked me out. So I am still pondering on the idea if I should go or not.
Lolis: I recall my heart rate going up after infusions, but not sure about the BP, because I didn't take it. My BP is usually on the lower side.
I also developed similar pain in the ribs around the liver area that stayed for about 6 weeks after chemo. That's why my RO ordered a liver US and MRI.
YEen, Lolis: I was able to wear my underwire bra during rads for a limited time only meaning only a few hours a day when I went for rads then took it off when home. I used to wear very loose shirts - mostly my hubbies'. LOL
Football (ang): I am very happy to hear that you are doing fine and keeping busy with organizing your events. That must keep you focused and determined.
Gonein: I hope that infection clears up for you soon. It must be frustrating for you to have the surgery postponed. I too developed an infection (abscess) that landed me in hospital for a week right after my first FEC. Then I had to have it drained and packed while on heavy duty antibiotics for weeks until it cleared up.
Bicque, mudwmn, all: How are you, ladies, doing these days?
All: Did you get your periods back after chemo?
How many of you have any allergies?
My period came back once after 6 weeks PFC for two days of cramping and spotting then nothing ever since (in 6 months), so I wonder if it's permanent.
Here is my hair growth update plus pic.
I dyed my hair yesterday with a regular hair colouring product first time after 22 weeks PFC. I only had it on for 15 min instead of the recommended 30 min, but it worked anyway. Hubby was pleased with the results. Lol
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good morning all
Well I rang the bell hard and loud yesterday - twice and will do so again once herceptin is done next June!!
I dread the thought of my period returning. One of the few benefits of chemo. No periods, no shaving of legs and no fall allergies!!
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Yensmiles, your 'not so good' snack sounds yummy! Turmeric is definitely going on my shopping list. What are the chips made from? Potatos? I'm a Pinterest fan and have been pinning chips made from all kinds of vegetables and some fruit.
Amazon, I'm happy to see that you are getting some pain relief with the magnesium. My mom was in palliative care for the last two months of her life and I do not know that I could return to the ward she was on without it being very painful. Perhaps the specialist would see you somewhere else for your consult? A number of my doctors worked in multiple clinics and more than one hospital so perhaps the specialist you're seeing could accommodate a change of venue?
Footballnut, congratulations on the end of your chemo!
Do you need anymore volunteers to help with your events?
Lolis, what did your MO say?
Gonein40, fingers crossed that your infection clears up quickly and that you can get your surgery done.
I hope all are well and pain free.
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Amazon, i love your rant.. it's a learning for me.. and also something to watch for! am glad the calcium and magnesium along with shiatsu works for you!
it reminds me to eat my greens too.. since i've been slacking now that the worst (to me, that's chemo) is over.. i can relate to your hesitance on going to a palliative care section.. even though i've never been to one.. the oncology section in the public hospital that i went to initially was so depressing (i'd get crying spells after each consultation) that on the actual scheduled chemo day, i switched to a private hospital ... it's bleeding my bank account, but am confident that the hotel-like setting would more than make up for it by giving me the psychological-edge in healing.
My period did come back, not in the same intensity (or rather heaviness of flow), nor do i know if it'd be a regular affair.. too soon to tell i suppose..
Your hair colour looks lovely!
Congratulations Footballnut!
you're looking good!Bicque, i made potato chip, and sometimes sweet-potato chips too, depending on what's at home.
do you make those healthy kale chips too? i don't use pininterest, and would love to know what you make. I just have the urge to snack sometimes.. and eating nuts, nuts and more nuts is making me feel nutty.. so would love alternative healthy snacks! it is quite challenging finding sugar-free or even low sugar products in the market.0 -
FBN- ang: Congratulations on being done with with chemo! You did it!!!
I love your: 'Rocking it bald' shirt design. Did you do your design?
Lolis: How is your BP and muscle spasms been? Any better?
Yen: It's good that you made the right choice about your hospital. It's important how a place makes you feel.
Bicque, gonein: How are you doing?
Anybody has a good recipe for kale chips?
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good morning all!
Football has started. Woo hoo! May sound nuts but I had been so looking forward to this since starting chemo April 30. I always knew that when football started chemo would be done!
Amazon my hubby drew the rocking it bald design. It's actually a drawing of himself that had hair. I told him to draw it bald. His original drawing is below. I've always wanted it on a tshirt!!!
:-)
I have what I consider to be a discomfort on my left side near my lower ribs. It's been off and on for 3 weeks. Feels a bit like a pull - when I lie on it at night I can feel some sort of pressure and then within 15 minutes of waking up it is there. Not a pain. More like a dull ache. Called my nurse today to see of dr might want to see me. I don't think that it's anything serious but just curious why it's there. Hubby suspects a pull or maybe chemo liked that spot. I have a few aches left from taxol but this is the only consistent spot
For those in the area please try to come out to relay for life this Friday sept 12. It's at the croation church on Winston Churchill north of the 401. Address details on relayforlife.com. My acdc band is on at 7:30 then my classic rock band lefty and the goons at 8:30
Bicque yes I can use as many volunteers as I can get!!!! Please private message me so that we can chat. If anyone else is interested please let me know!!
Now for brekkie, gym and practice the geetar!! Rock and roll!
Have a great day all!!
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Morning everyone,
Hello again Football - you all have a great friendship in here - it's lovely.
I'm the newbie starting my first FEC-D this Friday (Sept 12).
I'm going to read, listen and learn from you lovely ladies.
I was diagnosed and had the surgery in July, then found out mid August I was HER2+ and needed 6 rounds of Chemo.
Needless to say it's been fast and furious and for the last few weeks... and I've been internalizing how damn scared I am.
Reading your posts has helped me a lot to realize that I will get through this and kick cancer's ass, right along all of you.
Thank you all for being a little light in my dark tunnel right now.0 -
Welcome Serenity,
Sorry to hear that you have to go through this.
This group has been amazing and very helpful about tips and general support. Take your anti-nausea meds as soon as you feel it coming.
I live in Ajax, let me know if you would like to meet up for a coffee :-)
Stay strong, even though this treatment is hard it is doable and don't forget to do the water salt/baking soda rinses. I found the water and salt worked best during the FEC and for the D part water and baking soda, at least for me. I would rinse evrytime I went to the bathroom.
Welcome!!
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serenity I too am triple positive. There is a great triple positive group on the board as well. I'm just taking herceptin now. Approx 10 more months to go. You will do fine.
I was nervous at first but was amazed at what I was able to do. I still for out, lived my life and exercised when I felt up to it.
You will do just fine
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Lolis - thanks for the info. I will definitely take the anti-nausea (and the new pain med if I need it for the Neulasta).
Great suggestions on the salt/baking soda rinse too - thanks!!I saw my new Oncologist today - Dr. Danny Robson from NYGH. It was a bit of a shock as he looked a little like a stoned hipster...lol.
But I really loved that he knew everything about me and talked through everything. The best part was he didn't "poopoo" and natural alternatives that I want to do, like others.
I'm really glad I got a second opinion and switched over to him.Football - thanks - I'm so glad I found this site and all you ladies - it's making me feel so much better.
xo
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serenitynow: Welcome!
I am glad you found our group as this time can be filled with anxiety. I too felt nervous before starting chemo. My first post here says it all. LolI would recommend reading through the thread though as it contains a wealth of information in a relatively short format.
Ask away and let us know how you are doing.
My biggest piece of advice at this point would be to stay hydrated. Drink, drink and drink some more.
You CAN do this and kick cancer's butt!!!
I too live in Toronto. Maybe one day when we all finish and/ or feel better we can get together and celebrate!
ang: Thanks for the invite, but my energy level fluctuates so much these days that it is hard for me to commit myself to do anything in advance.
I also like the original drawing of 'rocking it bald'.
While on Taxotere I developed various spots around my body that just started to hurt- ribs, stomach near the belly button, and the liver area. It lasted for about 6 weeks after chemo.
Yay for another football season! I am sure you are going to enjoy every minute of it.
Lolis, yen: How are rads and back to work going?
Bicque: Did you do rads?
Gonein: How's the infection? Any better?
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I had a few good days in a row, but today I feel it's a crash day. Yesterday I even joined my family on a little walk through the Wilket creek park. The weather was gorgeous and walking made me feel so much better. Today, however my symptoms worsened (light headedness, sleepy, headachy with chest pains) and I have to take it easy.
I went to see another ENT today for a consult about my hoarse/sore throat.
He asked me to try antacid meds and to increase hydration.
He also cleaned my ear from impacted ear wax and that made me feel instantly so much better because I couldn't hear well on that side for a few days.
BTW, I cancelled my appointment with the pain specialist. I guess I chickened out because of the palliative care unit it was at plus I feel my pain level went down after starting on Pentoxifylline (2x1) and magnesium supplement (300mg).
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welcome serenity. Good advice from amazon said. Stay hydrated it helps.
Amazon my infection is getting better however they started packing it every two days now :-(. But sometimes we have to do things we don't want to.
Football you are so busy I don't know how you have time for football. Lol.
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Welcome Serenity!
Ladies, do you remember what drug you took to prevent nausea? also did you have anti-nausea meds injected prior to chemo? my friend doing this regime (2nd round) is having it so bad this time that she didn't leave the hospital, and got admitted instead.
thanks for asking Amazon, I'm 1/3 way through radiotherapy now..it's the 7th of 20 sessions.. and can feel that the skin in the area is darkening.. slight itch occasionally, and feeling of "heat rash" around the fold of the skin.. occasionally i'd just lift my hand up so that the breast won't droop and create that fold! LOL! was feeling bold and went to a shopping centre to hunt for a beanie, and while there did some shopping, and just my luck, two cashiers at two different places were having the flu.. that was Monday, and by Tuesday, i had a leaky nose.. that continues to today.. and the good thing about radiotherapy is that i sleep better at night now!!! checked with my oncologist and he said that the treatment would make people feel tired.. a good thing for now!
amazon, it's so good to hear that you've had some good days, and your ears hear well after the cleaning and that the pain level is going down!
hope everyone's having a good day!
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yen. I took stemitil n had a reaction to it but everyone is different.
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Yen - how are you feeling now? I used Metonia and I had another prescription which I didn't use as the nausea wasn't too bad. I will provide you with the name when I get home.
Amazon - how's your throat?
I got my tattoos yesterday. They look kind of cute (I have other tattoos) as I have a black freckle in the same area. I am expected to start radiation after Sept. 28 and the nurse told me that I should keep the are clean and that I can shower with warm water.
Hope you are having a good week so far.
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Gonein: Glad to hear that the infection is getting better.:)
yen: The antinausea med that really worked great for me was Emend. I was initially given Prochlorperazine, but that didn't work well, so I asked for Emend.
Maybe when your friend starts feeling better she can check out our thread here.
How are your stickers holding?
You are so fortunate to have had this choice over permanent tattoos. I feel that I got somehow cheated out of that opportunity by the medical system here.
Lolis: How many tattoos did you get?
I have 6 all together. It freaked me out that I needed so many. I remember I cried when they told me about them.
My throat feels different every day. Some days I feel some improvement, some days it gets worse.
My #1 complaint these days is light headedness and fatigue. My chest feels tight as if it was wrapped in some cling wrap, but I continue to massage it and stretch throughout the day.
I am getting a bit of a weird occasional twinge in my uterus. Is anybody getting that?
I am supposed to see my a gyn early October, so I can get that checked out plus I will be asking my MO next week as well.
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Morning ladies....
Off to 1st Chemo today (all my meds in hand) most likely they will get me to take the anti-nausea Emend when I get there.
Did any of you dunk your hands in cold water or wear cold mitts to help your nails? or did you have any issues with your nails?Amazon - I will drink lots of water today - thanks! and yes would be great to meet you or even better, have a group of us meet up.
More later...
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