Starting chemo July 2014
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what a great pic of you ringing that bell Coyote. Congratulations! Your hubby looks very happy too.
Nancy
Just had my second round of taxol. Gee only 10 to go blech
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Blownaway: we get to ring the bell after each type of treatment, I rang after radiation, I would think you'd ring after chemo, and again after the Herceptin.
Someone was going to be meeting with their naturalist and discussing what to do to help our bodies repair after going through chemo - can't remember who it was now. As our July group continues to cross the finish line, what did you learn?
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twins, I'm in Canada, the land of the waiting and on top of that I finish chemo before x-mas!! I might go to the guys private clinic before then. I know I want a BMX, like u, I've wanted it since the beginning. I'm scared of it but I know it's the right thing seeing that the USound didn't even pick up my bc. I had a lumpectomy because what the mass they did see on the US was small. During surgery , he took out more. I have to have rads after so that changes everything. I don't even know if I can have expanders in because of rads. Some say yes. Some say no.
I didn't ask if there is positive margins after the BMX , if there is more chemo like u had mentioned. U mentioned they will be taking out the nodes during the mastectomy? How come? Did they take any nodes out during lumpectomy?
Coyote, love the wig and the bell!! Can't believe u gals actually have bells. That's awesome!!!
Elaine, love the mono story. That's hysterical.
Red heeled, sorry about the pneumonia. You will get better. Take it easy. How come u can't have an MRI with expanders?
So many questions....
Some of us still have a long road ahead...don't even want to think about it.
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Thank you one and all. I am so glad to have that behind me. DH says that 1000 pounds lifted when the bell rang.
I can already tell that this one is going to be a tough one. I haven't had to take a #1 nausea pill this early since #2 infusion. It could be that I overdid a bit today. We went to Outback for lunch, shopped at Costco, stopped at a casino for a bathroom break, went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items that only they have, (Their fried onions for green bean casserole are the best and half the price of French's) then went to the studio to feed cats and horses. After we got home, I made meat loaf so DH can fix dinner for a few nights. (The price of hamburger - and beef in general - is outrageous.) I'm done in. But, the smile is still all over my face.
Mags, has post #6 been more difficult for you?
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Actually, Coyote, so far I've been good. Appetite is fine, had Panera for lunch between Neulasta shot and lung function tests, then spaghetti with cousin's homemade sauce for dinner. A bit of nausea last night but it passed. So far so good. We'll see how it goes when I come down from the steroids. Hope yours goes well.
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Congratulations Coyote! Loved your pic!
Knmtwins, I don't get neulasta shots anymore. Just taxol and herceptin. Not sure what the bone pain is all about but is comes and goes. I have such chemo brain I can't even remember what number infusion it will be tomorrow, 4? 5?6? Feel like a ditz but when you aren't working, the days start to run together. I'm supposed to have 12 weekly infusions of the taxol/herceptin.
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Dancing - I haven't had any breast surgery yet. I'm HER2+ and in order to get Perjetta, in the US, for Stage 2, you had to do chemo before surgery. Perjetta is some new wonder antibody that is used in combination with Herceptin. So, with the exception of my port placement, and chemo nothing has been done yet. They did another MRI after the 4th cycle, and the tumor was shrinking. I will have the Sentinel Note Biopsy of the 'cancer' breast, when I have the BMx. They will do pathology on that during surgery, and if cancerous, will then do the full auxiliary node biopsy. They will not do anything on the nodes in the left breast, but will do a full pathology on that breast's tissue, as well as the cancerous breast's tissue. I've heard of SNB on the good breast, but am confused. If there isn't cancer, how do they know which one is the sentinel node.
Maiden - why aren't you getting the shot? Did you not like it? Also, my guess is, our body still has to make replacement white blood cells, it is made inside the bone, so even without the shot, it still might hurt. Also, if in same location, remember to tell MO.
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kmntwins, I'm like maindentired and am not getting Neulasta either. They don't give it for taxol/herceptin; taxol's not considered to be as hard on your immune system as AC. Yes, our bodies still need to make WBCs, but mine have been in normal range since I began taxol/herceptin/perjeta. In fact, I was just informed that my blood counts are "good," though I'll wait to see the results for myself (they're sent to my online portal).
maidentired, I'm in the chair today for taxol/herceptin as well. Even though I'm working, these infusions also run together for me. It's the weekly nature of them. I believe I'm on #6 -- only six more to go! Looking forward to scheduling my surgical appointment next week.
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Hello everyone! I haven't posted in a while, but I've been lurking and try to keep up with everyone's progress. Congrats to those who have finished all their treatments and wishing everyone's side effects lessen soon! I took my first of 12 taxol / Hercepin treatments yesterday, it went smoothly and so far I feel ok. My MO told me that I will do 3 weeks straight, then they will try stretching my treatments out to every 2 wks and then eventually every 3 wks. That is if I can tolerate the heavier dosing. Guess it will be a wait and see on that for now. I'm guessing I will start my radiation treatments after the first of the year. New year & new deductible to meet, lol.
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Mags and Coyote: Way to go!! Congratulations to you both.
I've been absent for some time and will try to catch up with each of your updates over these next days. Final radiation for me was yesterday (21st.).
Today I am consumed with the terror attack in Ottawa. God bless us all...
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tadover -- I'm doing 12 taxol infusions as well; we're just doing 12 weeks straight. That's interesting that your doctor is spacing out some of your infusions later on. Good to hear from you!
Mumford -- congrats on finishing rads! I, too, am following the story out of Ottawa. Hope they catch the bad guys soon.
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Congrats Mumford on last radiation!
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congratulations Mumford! Is that it for you? Really done? If so, a huge huge ((hug)) you lucky duck!
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Mumford and Dancing - I've been thinking about you both during the attacks against your beautiful Canada. Canada is such a wonderful loving place. I'm so sorry you are also having to deal with such terrible people.Congrats to you Mumford for completing all the treatments. I remember you have a lot of positive activities going forward. Please keep in touch.
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Congrats to everyone who finished! Woohoo, I'll be there after next week. I can't believe how good I have felt since the blood transfusion. Other than my fingernails and toenails hurting and some acid reflux, I feel normal, like before chemo.
I'm meeting with the plastic surgeon tomorrow morning and I hope I don't get overwhelmed. I was reading about the different types of surgeries, there are so many options. I'm pretty sure I'm going for the bmx.
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coyote, yes i was surprised and yet not surprised when i was listening to the news and 1st found out. it's been 2 attacks in 2 days. These terrible people are everywhere unfortunately.
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Mumford, Mags and Coyote - Congrats! It feels so good knowing you don't have to feel that crappy again...Coyote, we've talked about the Triple Negative before. It's also very scary knowing that I've now done everything I could do and no other drugs can help. Prayers and more prayers!
I met a surgeon who will perform the DIEP procedure on me for reconstruction. I meet his surgical partner next week. Together they spend 10 hours on me in one surgery! Kinda' scary, but it will all be done in one shot. No going back each week for fillers like TE, plus I get a tummy tuck! DH and I joke that this is the first surgery they're giving something back! This surgery probably won't happen til late January. Have to heal first....
So officially I've had all my female parts removed - or at least it feels that way! Had hysterectomy last Thursday and feel good a week later. Out walking and feeling mostly normal. I check back in with doc today to see if I can start driving again. That's been a bear!
Good vibes to all!
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Congrats to everyone finishing up/moving to the next phase! I can't wait to ring that bell next week!
Looks like I'm experiencing some peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet. It's gone from a couple of toenails hurting last weekend to all of my nails (fingers& toes) feeling like they've been stomped on and pain throughout my hands and feet, and swollen hands. Some occasional tinglys, too-my feet went cold a couple of times yesterday after I'd been on them for a while. My onc says he might reduce my chemo dose for my next treatment... It's kind of scary considering how fast it's progressed so far but I understand that it usually gives away over time once treatment is finished.
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WalleGator -- Glad to hear that your hysterectomy went well! I'll bet you're healed enough to drive, but then again, I drove two days after a C-section, so I might not be the person to give anyone medical advice about when it's safe to drive. Wow! They're going to do all that in 10 hours???? Sounds good to me. If I decide to go BMX and get reconstruction, maybe that's the way to go.
JenKay -- Sorry to hear that you've had another complication, but many thanks for sharing your symptoms of neuropathy. I haven't had any yet, but you never know.... Plenty of infusions left to mess with my system.
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jenkay, my toenails and fingernails hurt a lot too. I wash washing dishes this morning and the water was hot and actually hurt really bad.
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Baby is here! We named him Zachary. He was 8lbs, 10oz, so chemo does not appear to have stunted his growth. And I feel about 8 million times better now that I'm not lugging that belly around! Have to go back and catch up on all the posts, but for now here's a picture of Zack striking a pose:
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He is so darn cute! Congratulations and welcome Zachary!
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Too cute. Welcome Zachary and congrats to you and your family rockstar!
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so super cute rockstar!!! Congratulations!
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Beautiful boy! Congratulations!!
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What a cutie! Congratulations!
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Yay for you, Coyote ! So glad to see you rang the bell!
I think I would yank it right off the wall myself! You GO girl!
I have been away as this peripheral neuropathy in my fingers has been annyoing. Left hand much worse than my right hand though. I am on Gabapentin now for it and hope it kicks in soon.
I will update in a few -- Have the Blue Angel jets flying over my house at the moment and I keep getting up to see them fly by practicing...love those jets!
HUGS to all of the newbies and each of you....nice to see you all here! *S*
( At my infusion center they do not have a 'bell' for us to ring! I think I am gonna change that! I need to talk to those ladies.. I want a bell to ring soon! LOL I guess I could bring my own! LOL )
AJ
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What a gorgeous boy! He has more hair than I do! LOL LOVE IT!
Love his name too.....he really is a handsome baby! Congrats to you!0 -
he is just precious. Congratulations - that's exactly how much my son weighed.
Nancy
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Ladyb1234 :
I am on Taxol right now and have 5 more to go, out of 12. I have horrible neuropathy worse in my left hand than I do the right hand at the moment. SO frustrating.
My Oncologist had said she would see about changing my Taxol dosage but apparently she can't and ordered Gabapentin for me, which I just started taking last week. I hope it kicks in soon.
Have not had any issues with my chemotherapy. So far I have been lucky. Just a bit of nausea in which I take meds for that each day.
My last Chemo is Nov. 24th. YAY! I have my Mastectomy surgery in December on the 17th. I am a bit nervous about the upcoming surgery I'll admit. I have 3 weeks of recovery after the surgery, and then start the 6 weeks of daily radiation. Still nervous about everything. But glad Chemo ends soon. That will be one thing down on the list!
Hugs to each of you reading this.... take care everyone!
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