Starting chemo July 2014
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Nancy, I still feel pretty weak, even though I think I'm past the worst of the virus. They are letting me do the heart scan, even though I feel pretty crappy. Yes, I only have one more Taxol to go; I hope my numbers are OK on Wednesday. I'm actually thinking of canceling classes tomorrow to give myself some more recovery time. Plus, I'm supposed to be taking one of my sons to the autism shrink tomorrow in the middle of the day.
Hope you make it through #8!
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Elaine I sure hope you feel better so you can get your last taxol and move on. Fingers crossed for you.
Nancy
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I went to my Survivorship Clinic this afternoon, and the appointment really did last 3 hours. They had about 4 of us each in our own private exam room, and they had a rotation schedule all written up so that by the end we had all seen who we needed to see. We had filled out a 4 page questionnaire last week so they knew our individual concerns and who we'd need to see. I visited with the dietician, a social worker, the physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema, and a nurse practitioner.
Dietician had good things to say about what I'm eating, need to work on getting more veggies otherwise diet looks good.
Social worker told me what was available if I had financial problems in the future, or if I get depressed or whatever
The physical therapist measured the circumference of each of my arms every 10 cm and recorded them, told me I look good now, gave me handouts of what to watch for, said it would be a good idea to wrap my arm with an ace wrap when we fly to Seattle just to be on the safe side. She also told me about a free exercise program available at the Y just for cancer patients, Mondays and Wednesday from 5:30-7. She thought they also offered a 75% membership discount if you completed the 3 month course. Certainly something I'll at least look into.
then the nurse practitioner did a physical and answered my questions. I asked about telling the difference in joint pain, whether it was a side effect of Arimidex or from aging or the weather, or when it could be a sign of metastasis. She said Arimidex pain would be more sporadic, vary in intensity, not always in same place - sometimes knee, sometimes ankle, etc. Mets would be same area, would get worse, would cause a change in how I lived my life, like it would affect my sleep, or I'd be doing things a certain way to avoid the pain, would start needing pain meds when didn't need them before. I need to call if I develop any skin changes, like redness or a rash on my chest, or unintentional weight loss, or shortness of breath with activities that I'd previously been able to do.
There was some waiting and delay between them, but not too bad. Definitely time well spent.I have a whole packet of material to read through, and they'll also be sending me a summary of what we discussed.0 -
BMx tomorrow... maybe I should throw more than a clean pair of underpants, paperback, cepacol and chap stick in the overnight bag.
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puffin, that sound like a good clinic, informative,
Twins,good luck tomorrow. Let us know how it's going.
I'm a little tired on taxol, more like my body is sore, but I keep doing things during the day. I crash after eating at night either before putting the kids to bed or while.
It's a little quiet here. I know most people r done. Feels wierd though. I have to say I'm starting to feel lonely:
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Dancingdiva -
You're not alone! I finished treatment about 4 weeks ago, but am still hanging out here. I still have edema, which is making my wrists and ankles puffy, and am still battling the neuropathy, but otherwise am feeling pretty good. I hadn't realized how out-of-shape I'd gotten, though. I am weak as a wet noodle! Have to get more exercise!
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Dancingdiva -- still here, still getting chemo!
knmtwins -- good luck with your operation! Hope that all goes well with no complications.
KiLin -- Yeah, I'm feeling out of shape as well. This stomach virus isn't helping; I haven't eaten much in three days.
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knmtwins -- I pray your surgery goes well. We will all be thinking of you. Hugs!
Hugs to each of you today....been trying to catch up and will do so later.
I find out today hopefully the results about my thyroid biopsy. I have Pre-Op today as surgery is Dec. 17th...not much longer.
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KiLin: I remember that wet noodle feeling. Just start doing what you can and then try and do a little more every day. I was using a cane to walk, and Lew would come home over the noon hour and walk outside with me. At first we'd walk across the street, around one house, and back across the street to our house - didn't even go to the end of the block, and I'd be ready for a nap. Now I'm going to the gym and walking the treadmill at 3.4 mph and going 1.8 miles. You will get stronger but you'll have to work at it.
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dancingdiva - I'm still here too. I won't be done with chemo until dec 30th. Boo
Knmtwins - I hope your surgery goes well and recovery goes smoothly. I am thinking of you.
KiLin - try to go out walking if you can. I swore up and down I was not stopping my twice a day dog walks and I haven't throughout chemo. I walk my dogs for an hour in the am and a half hour in the pm. I think it's really helped me get through this although my body does have some sore spots.
Puffin - wow I don't think my facility does anything like that. That's pretty impressive.
Well off to taxol #8 shortly. Shall we place bets on my bloodwork holding up lol. My guess is I will have to get neupogen shots this week. P. U.
Nancy
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Hugs to each of you today!
My Thyroid biopsy came back as benign! YAY I admit I was a bit nervous about it.
Had Pre-Op today and I admit I am nervous about my upcoming surgery, but then I suppose it is expected.
My hair is now about half of an inch long. My Doc today says some times for many it comes in curly. I can handle curly, just NO dreadlocks anytime soon! LOL
Take care everyone!
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AJ62 -- what awesome news about your biopsy! I haven't even scheduled my surgery yet (Boo hiss!) so you are further along than me. And, with the hair, too! Half an inch!
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AJ62 congratulations on b9 results - makes you want to jump up and down with relief doesn't it. I am jealous of the hair. Lol
Elaine even though you don't have a surgery date I am so happy your last chemo is tomorrow. YAY ok yes I am jealous of you too.
I fell asleep during taxol #8. My blood work actually went up a bit today so no neupogen shots yay. My oncology nurse put a happy face by the absolute neutrophil count lol. I can't figure out my blood work. Sometimes it goes up and sometimes it goes down. It's the same drug and amount so I don't get that. Only 4 more to go yippee
Nancy
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Knmtwins, nah, that's all you really need in your bag. Chances are you'll be too out of it to care about anything else until a day or so later. Hope all went well!
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Yay Nancy! Glad you got your Taxol yesterday and that you were able to avoid shots. I woke up feeling better today. I hope that means that they will let me do MY LAST TAXOL today! Who knows about my numbers, though. That stomach virus hit our family like a ton of bricks, and I felt awful for three days.
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AJ - congrats on the good news. What a relief!How wonderful it will be when the July Chemo group will be finished except for the high fives. I had my first "port flush" since chemo ended. Hint- Don't forget to put the pain killer ointment on beforehand.
I'm still dealing with a couple se's - mostly runny nose and eyes and low energy. All are improving daily. It's been 6 weeks. Today is #16 for radiation.
We'll get there.
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Coyote -- can you eat real food yet? I'm still tolerating only a limited diet, which is sad because when I suffer from insomnia, I watching cooking shows that show people making food I can't eat.....
Well, my numbers are "good enough." I'm doing my last Taxol (and my last Herceptin for awhile). I'm so happy be done with this stage of my treatment!
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YAY Ellaine so happy for you. What a relief. I can't wait to be there too. Glad you are feeling better.
Puffin are you getting your port out? I think mine will be coming out a few weeks after chemo (I already asked lol)
Nancy
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AJ: congrats on your biopsy results, cross that worry off your list.
Nancy: since I'm not having any problems with my port my onc talked me into keeping it for at least 6 months until I have my 6 month mammogram and check up. Already used it for my IV access for the procedure I had to embolize an angiomyolipoma on my kidney last month, and maybe will use it again next week for my follow up CT scan. I have valves in my good arm that cause problems with getting IV's placed, so I just might keep my port for awhile.
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Hi Everyone,
I've been mostly lurking since July, but I thought I would tie up my loose ends by letting you know that I finished my last of 12 Taxol treatments today and I am DONE! I practically danced out of the center, then my husband and I hugged and cried in the car, so glad it is over!
I never had any horrible side effects, no hospitalizations or fevers, just some nausea, fatigue, runny nose and eyes and terrible taste in mouth from AC (and ruined veins, so I had to get a port for Taxol - should've gotten one in the first place in retrospect), and then bloody noses, aching nails, no taste, fatigue and edema from the Taxol. It may have been a lower dose weekly, but it was tough to never get a break. I have appt with RO on Dec. 12th to get rads going, and I should get my port removed on Dec. 16th.
I'm so glad that all of us are almost done. I've been following everyone's stories and this board was a great source of support as I went down the same path. Thank you sincerely!
Best of health to everyone!
Kelly
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congratulations Kelly! such a great feeling to have that behind you. Be sure and check out the Rads forum.
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Yes, congrats, Kelly! I finished Taxol as well today! But, I won't be joining you in rads until after my operation, which should be scheduled next week after all my scans are done. Will you also be doing hormonal therapy? That's also in my future. Lots of choices to make there.
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congrats to you too Elaine on finishing Taxol. Good luck with your surgery.
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Congratulations to Kelly and Elaine. So very happy for you both. Yep I am jealous lol.
Nancy
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Congrats Kelly ! YAY YOU !!
YAY Elaine !!!
Nancy -- When will you be done with Taxol?
I was done on Nov.17th, I did not get the last dose on the 24th cause of the neuropathy in my hands being so bad. Driving is getting tough. The tingling in my left hand is worse than my right and my finger tips are bad. I am on Gabapentin for it but its not helping at all.
I found out yesterday from my surgeon that she will be taking my lymph nodes from my left side, as the one hot spot has shrunk according to my recent MRI.
My left arm apparently is swollen....more than my right arm. I had no idea! She measured them both. Not sure what is causing that. She said that she wants me to wait about a month after surgery before I start radiation. After she takes the sentinel lymph nodes, I will find out my true diagnosis at that time. I was 'clinically' diagnosed as Stage 3 as the largest tumor was 8x9cm. They have responded well to chemo.
I found out too that once I do the molds for my arm for the rads, it will be about 2 weeks after that before I begin radiation.
I am nervous about the surgery. I do not care I will be boobless, and only have one boo-doo! It's the healing up and then the rads. AND PAIN! I have a ways to go but I am ready!
I pray each of you take care as you carry on this journey we have found ourselves in and WE ALL STAY STRONG !! And stay in touch here, too!
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I'm just checking in and glad to see many of you still here. I had my last chemo Oct 29 and I'm finally feeling almost normal. I still have the neuropathy in my legs and some fingers and I'm going to lose a few fingernails, gross. I'm scheduled for bmx for next Wednesday. I still have to finish about 8 months of Herceptin. It's hard to imagine that on one week I could be cancer free!!!!!
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Defiantely congrats to Eileen and Kelly. And Kelly, I understand what you are saying - all the cruddy side effects, but nothing life threatening. It makes me feel as if I got off easy.
Eileen - I do eat - still with a preference to salt and sour - and I do think there are still more digestive tract issues than normal. I went to an arts and crafts show after my rad treatment today and got pretty tired before I got all of the way through it. Chemo brain is better but not gone. ... and my fingertips tingle ... and unlike sister Puffin I'm still bald!
A really good thing is that I want to make stuff again. I know when the creative light turns on, I'm on the mend.
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pinkninja: good to hear from you, praying everything goes well with your surgery. I'm feeling pretty much back to normal, can walk 3.4 mph on the treadmill for 1.8 miles, eating fine. Can't multitask quite as well as before, and legs aren't back to normal - in my Sr Fitness Class the 82 year old lady is kicking my butt with leg reps. My legs are burning and I look over and she's still doing hers. Today I even got brave and went to the gym without my scarf.
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hi ladies,
Just wanted to let you all know I am still here, cheering from the sidelines.
:-D
Have settled into almost normal life at this point...I say almost because I am still more tired than usual, and the hot flashes and night sweats (I think this is from tamoxifen?) are a reminder that things aren't quite the same (not to mention the tissue expanders...I can't WAIT to get these rocks out now...PS doesn't want to schedule exchange till next year so we are sure the infection is totally cleared....Jennliza I envy you your foobs!)
I've also realized I've lost quite a bit of weight through chemo - like 20lb. Think it's mostly stabilized now, but combined with skin rashes (which I have always been prone too), Puffin's note above made me a little panicky.
Anyhow, so wonderful to see everyone 'graduating'. You guys were really the most important support network in my life this summer.
Thank you!!
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Just saying we need a QUOTE button on here to reply back to posts!
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