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Starting chemo July 2014

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Comments

  • knmtwins
    knmtwins Member Posts: 438

    SHINGLES - YUCK. So, I was worried maybe I was getting lymphodema, as I had strange pain on my SNLB side. It reminded me of the nerve pain after the lipo for my recon. My BC said, probably nerves regenerating, all looks great, so great, you now only need to see me once a year... fast forward 1 week, I get a weird painful rash in that underarm, go to the doctor, their not sure, so they do a 'swab' for viral and one for bacterial, but to be on the safe side put me on anti viral and 100mg Neurontin (gabapentin) twice a day, and say call back if it gets worse... so Saturday I'm back with it on my back and going down my arm. My eye is twitching, my ear hurts, my throat is sore, along with this rash in my underarm, back of my arm and 3 batches on my back. Dr. says, no guessing now, that is the 5th case of Shingles I've seen today, and the worst. Eye is OK (seems if it gets in the eye you can go blind) LOVELY... but what is even worse, is it is now 1/4 of my back, down my arm to my elbow. Beck to yesterday, so he upped my Neurontin to 300mg am and 600mg pm, as I'm waking up WiDE AWAKE every two hours. Nothing on the reconstructed breast yet, but it hurts. Oh, and the doctor I saw yesterday at my primary care's weekend clinic (so not mine) said, because you are imunocompromised from chemo, I can't tell you how this will go. You see, you shouldn't still be breaking out in more places 48 hours after starting the anti virals. GREAT... Are there shingles experts?

  • Beachbaby65
    Beachbaby65 Member Posts: 39

    ah knmtwins, I'm so sorry. I've heard of getting shingles during chemo but how are you considered imuno compromised after over a year has gone by since chemo? Like you haven't been through enough ((hugs)).

  • knmtwins
    knmtwins Member Posts: 438

    BeachBaby65 - according to the doctor, since I had chemo, I'm compromised, and therefore may not follow the 'normal path'. Seems it was unusual that the rash showed up more than a week after the pain, so I guess he was just letting me know, since I'm not the norm to begin with, don't expect it to follow the normal path. I know the onc is still trying to get my D and B levels back to normal...

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    Hey girls, the fun just never stops, does it?

    Had a PET scan this week, and the result is not pretty. The tumors in my lungs are stable, but the cancer has spread aggressively to the bones of the spine in two areas. The tumors in the lumbar spine are past the spinal cord, but the ones in the cervical spine are worrisome, as if they grow too fast there's a danger of paralysis. I'm having an MRI Friday specifically to look at that.

    So I start a new chemo tomorrow, halaven, and we shall see how I do. Love to all my girls

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635

    Oh Mags. I'm sorry to hear about your new diagnosis. Yeah, you said it. The fun never stops... Here's hoping the Halaven does its job. ((Hugs)) and prayers.

  • Beachbaby65
    Beachbaby65 Member Posts: 39

    Hugs Mags! Damon cancer sucks

  • Beachbaby65
    Beachbaby65 Member Posts: 39

    Hugs Mags! Damn cancer sucks

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239

    Mags, I actually logged in today to see if there was a post from you. I always think of you and hav you in my prayers. Darn, this disease! Praying that your new treatment works and stablizes the cancer in the bones.

    Always thinking of you!

    Angie

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    Aw ❤️ My girls. Chemo was easy today

  • nancy2581
    nancy2581 Member Posts: 408

    Hugs to you Mags. Cancer sucks. I'm glad chemo went well today and I hope it kicks nasty C's butt!!!!! I too think about you often. Despite what is going on your attitude is great!!

    Thinking of you

    Nancy

  • knmtwins
    knmtwins Member Posts: 438

    DancingDiva, calling DancingDiva --- take a break from all the rest but us. We are the original family, at least in my mind.

    Mags - WELL this not nice, I mean you supported ALL of us from the beginning. As I said back in July, all sorts of new things out there, and that lady at our local support group, didn't even have hair loss, mind you, hers was a pill too, but, at you said, at least you still have your port. As it is now Friday, I'm saying extra prayers today for you.

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979

    Mags, I hadn't checked in for a few days and was so sorry to read your post. Good to hear your chemo went well, now just praying it stabilizes the cancer.

  • slappy-squirrel
    slappy-squirrel Member Posts: 200

    Mags,

    Saying prayers for you every night.

    Shirley

  • WalleGator
    WalleGator Member Posts: 80

    Sorry to hear but your great attitude can only help, Mags. You'll be in my thoughts.

    I'm getting a bone scan in 2 weeks for some hip pain. Never had one. As a TN, I'm still within my 3 year window of awfulness, so hoping it hasn't come back. Will keep you updated. I put the looming C possibility in a little box in my brain, wrapped it in duct tape and put it out of my mind. ( :

    And as knwtwins said, this is the original family, and nice to get updates from everyone, good or bad.

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635

    Ugh, WalleGator. I'm sure you know that hip pain can be lots of things other than cancer. Thinking of you....

  • nancy2581
    nancy2581 Member Posts: 408

    Wallegator you will be in my thoughts. Praying it's not nasty C. I had a bone scan after we learned I had one lymph node involved - piece of cake and you'll do great! Hugs

    Nancy

  • boxofrockstar
    boxofrockstar Member Posts: 54

    Thinking of you guys, Mags and Wallegator, and saying a prayer. This stuff never stops being scary and I just want all of you (us) to be ok. I am so sad to hear about kebab. That hits hard.


    knm I hope you are feeling better. I am still in the clear cancer-wise, but having surgery next month to fix an inguinal hernia. Nothing major but the recovery is going to be a huge pain in the butt. No heavy lifting for 8 weeks! I also started taking an anti-anxiety which is helping a lot, as I have been pretty stressed out in general.


    Hugs to you all.

  • WalleGator
    WalleGator Member Posts: 80

    Boxofrockstar love you're profile photo and how you're updating it! We remember when he wasn't even born! Thanks for all your kind words. Scan Friday, meet with doc next Wed the 7th. I'm sure it's something else. My father died of prostate cancer this summer - thank you BRCA 1 gene - so I know he's watching over me. Prayers for Kebab, Mags and others just reading who are in a lot of pain and are trying to figure this crap out. This cancer just leaves wreckage in its path, but I'm trying to find some of the positives. Made a good friend by email. She found me, asked a lot of cancer questions. She's about a year behind me in treatment, so we've been able to help each other out. The nicest person ever...silver linings.

  • pinkninja9560
    pinkninja9560 Member Posts: 178

    I haven't on here in so long! I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to request prayers and good vibes or whatever works for you :)

    I was really sick after Christmas and finally got better but I've had a cough that won't go away.
    I went to the urgent care place on Monday because I couldn't stop coughing and I have bronchitis. The dr took a chest X-ray and the radiologist called me after he got a second opinion and said I have several nodules under 2 cm in both lungs and to follow up with a cat scan.
    I've had lots of rib and back/lung pain over the last several months and actually had a chest X-ray in November. The report said my lungs were clear and it was just costcochondritis, inflamed ribs.
    Of course, I'm trying not to freak out but you know how that goes. I sent both X-ray reports to my oncologist today and she has scheduled me for a cat scan and pet scan on Tuesday.

    It's hard to freak out over test we have but it's hard!

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    Aw pinkninja! You've been on my mind today! I was telling my home health physical therapist about your wonderful creativity in head wear. She's only ever seen me bald except one time when it was cold and I had a funky cap on I got from the basket at the clinic. It makes me think of you because it's something you'd love.

    Please let us know what your results are Tuesday. I have a PET scan Wednesday and MO appointment Thursday, but I have already decided it's time to stop trying to treat this crap. I think I'd be better off never having had any, since some of the damage is permanent - like my tooth loss, and my damaged eyesight.

    But you have a lot more reasons to fight, honey, that sweet guy of yours and those delightful gbabies! The faslodex managed to slow my lung mets down, and the halaven reduced them by 23% in 2 months. Wednesday's scan will show if there's any effect on the spine mets.

    In any case, I'm ready to go. I know where I'm going and who's waiting for me there. Hallelujah.

    Praying for you, pink

  • pinkninja9560
    pinkninja9560 Member Posts: 178

    thanks Mags! I thought I was done with breast cancer! They said I was ned and no lymph nodes involved when I had my double mastectomy in December 2014.

    Thankfully you and I have strong faith! I'll pray for you too my friend!

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635

    Praying for you both pinkninja and Mags!

    Hope your scan brings you good news, pinkninja!

    I hope you find peace, Mags. I also hope you have as much pain-free, quality time as you can with your loved ones.

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239

    Praying for you pinkninja that there is good news!

    Mags, prayering for you always! I hope that the treatments have reduce the lungs mets even more. I also hope you have as much pain-free, quality time as you can. And yes we know where we are gong and who is waiting for us there.

    Love across the miles,

    Angie

  • knmtwins
    knmtwins Member Posts: 438

    Mags / Pink - sending love, hugs, prayers and crystal power for calm. Keep us posted, we are here with you!

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979

    Sending prayers and hugs to both Mags and pinkninja, will be waiting to hear your test results.

  • knmtwins
    knmtwins Member Posts: 438

    Mags - I wrote a long and I think beautiful post letting you know how much I love you and all of us, but then got timed out, so here is a summary.

    It said that I have read your posts in other forums and want you to know, my God, is not the God of Thunder and Lightening, as Tennessee Williams portrays him, but a kind and loving God who does not want any of his children to be in pain or to hurt. I wrote that if I hadn't had a 6 year old, in July of 2014, I might not have done my second treatment. I wrote that if our cancer returns, WE have not failed, but CHEMO FAILED. We won, we did it. Some of us will then be faced, as you are, with what next, as the cancer has returned and you are doing more chemo and are in such pain you no longer can do many things for yourself (this is all if I am understanding your other posts correctly). As the treatments have damaged your teeth so much, you no longer can even enjoy eating. My selfish hope is that the PET, this week, shows that the chemo is working and with just one more round, you will be well enough to get dentures/implants (that fit and don't hurt), that some miraculous plan is set up to cover the full expense and that you will be able to chew steak, tear meat off the bones of spare ribs and bite into a crisp apple, but if that isn't what it says... find a good palliative care physician/social worker / hospice worker. One that listens to you and what your new goals are that you and God have come to, then do what my mother always said, turn it over to God. I never knew what that meant until I was in my darkest hour, back in July of 2014. God sent me breastcancer.org and you guys and somehow I did my next round and the next etc. I did it with all of you. Be comfortable my sister, that I never had, but consider as much a sister as if you were my biological one. now this part of the journey is between you and God and not anyone else. Know my prayers are with you, and that this is the time for you and God to decide what is next.

    Kay

  • pinkninja9560
    pinkninja9560 Member Posts: 178

    Just got the report from my petscan and catscan yesterday. I've got lesions in both lungs, both kidneys, adrenal glands and some bones. I was on my way to ER because I've been in so much pain so I'm here now. Not sure if they're going to keep me overnight and start chemo or not. I'll talk to oncologist tomorrow to discuss treatment plan. Please pray for me and my hubby

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635

    Oh, pinkninja. I'm so sorry to hear about your progression. I pray for all my BC sisters, but I will light a candle at church especially for you and Mags. Many prayers going your way. Cancer sucks. ((Hugs))

  • nancy2581
    nancy2581 Member Posts: 408

    Hugs Pinkninja - I am so sorry you got this news. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Wish I could make it all go away for you. Please let us know how tomorrow goes with your onc. Cancer does suck and I hate it.

    Mags praying for you too. This is so unfair. Hugs to you too

    Nancy

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239

    Oh, pinkninja I'm so sorry to hear about your progression and the pain you are in. I will pray for you and your hubby. Also for your medical team as they discuss and prepare your treatment plan. Let us know how it goes with your Onc tomorrow. ((Hugs))

    Mags I continue to pray for you

    Love across the miles

    Angie