Starting chemo July 2014
Comments
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That is great news ElaineT: I'm so happy for you. It sort of makes me wish I had done the neoadjuvant chemo rather than surgery first. You can really see that it worked. With the surgery first method, you can only assume that the chemo did its job.
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I don't blame you about being impatient. Me too. I haven't even finished chemo and already stopped by radiology to find out what I am suppose to do. LOL. If you are having a lumpectomy maybe they will let you do it sooner? I think it's a good idea to take out a few nodes. I had three taken. Of course one of them had cancer which bought me a ticket to chemo. Hope you get your surgery date soon - maybe we will start radiation together. I finish chemo dec 30th (fingers crossed) and my MO said four weeks until radiation. She's going to start me on tamoxifen at the same time. Let me know when you find out more. I'll be impatient with you - I am good at it lol
Nancy
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that's great Elaine. I have a ct scan on Tuesday. Blown away I know how you feel. I'm so strong in my own litle world.tha world seems to sometimes get smaller And smallerAnd I feel like I'm going to disappear
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Great news Nancy! I also cry at the drop of a hat but within my area of solitude. To others, not sure why but they will rarely see me shed a tear. But crying in solitude just helps me so much and I talk to me self while I cry :-).
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Elaine, congrats on the excellent report! You have the worst behind you, the lumpectomy caused a little discomfort but hardly slowed me down, I got a little pink from my rads and had some shooting breast pains that just lasted a second when they happened (I was expecting worse since I sunburn easily), and so far am not having any side effects from my AI. You'll do fine. Tell Santa you want a little pillow to cushion your boob in bed after the surgery.
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dancingdiva - I'm sorry that you are struggling so much. I hear you about your world getting smaller and smaller. I often have to stop and really think about when was the last time I left the house, or when was the last time I spoke with anyone other than my hubby and kids. Even if you're coping well, it's harder when you realize how isolated you've become. If you ever need someone just to chat with, feel free to PM me here.
I just had scans that showed stable disease, so I've been cleared for another 3 carbo/taxol treatments. That will take me through the end of January. Since I've gotten this far, I'm really hoping for another year on it. Fingers crossed.
All the best wishes coming for those facing surgery. I'm sending out vibes for no complications and easy recovery for you all.
To those of you worried about the long stretch on AIs, I would say try not to worry too much. The first few months as you get used to the drug and its side effects will be the worst. Once you're used to it though, taking those pills just becomes daily routine and you can forget cancer most days. You'll all do great. :-)
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Kebab -- That's awesome news about your scans! But...you might be one of the few people who are actually looking forward to more carbo/taxol treatments..... I understand what you mean, though. You've got to stick with what's working for you, and that's what's working for you right now.
I also know what you mean about feeling like your world is getting smaller. I went to work for the first time in a week today (have been working at home), and it's weird to be interacting with so many people. I even skipped the department Holiday Party this year because it's so food-centric, and I don't have much of an appetite these days. Plus, I guess I really didn't want to talk to that many people about my prognosis. Everyone has been very kind and generous, but I sometimes wonder whether some are thinking that I should just go on disability so they can use the money to hire someone with some energy already.
Thanks for the advice re: the AI -- the ladies on the Triple Positive board spend maybe too much time talking about their AI experiences -- they make me a little nervous. And, thanks for the good wishes re: surgery.
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kebab - So glad to hear that things are level. You have been in my mind frequently lately for some reason. It had been awhile and I have tendancies to worry.I had rad #22 this morning and I seem to be tolerating it pretty well. Mentally... Maybe not so much. I went into the $ store and the crowd freaked me out. I left the cart in the aisle and charged out the door. Almost got hit as I ran to the car. What's that about? Still shaking. I went to breakfast and it's sitting in front of me. Guess I'll over eat now.
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Isn't it weird the way it is sometimes so difficult to be out among "the people"? I remember during my chemo in 2008, at the end of one of my treatments, as the nurse was unplugging me from the iv, I just started to sob. It felt so safe in the infusion center and I just did not want to have to go back out into the real world just then.
I'm sorry you didn't get to enjoy your breakfast Coyote. Hope you are feeling better soon. Gentle hugs.
ElaineT -- just remember, on all those boards where people are complaining/venting about side effects, there are likely an equal number of people who just aren't posting, because it feels very, very odd to be the person who, amongst all those complaints, says 'oh hey, it was an easy ride for me!'.
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Hi ladies,
Kebab - yay! Glad things are stable.
Also Elaine, terrific news. Agree w Coyote, I am kind of envious.
For folks worried about the 10yrs of hormonal therapy, I have the same. Am now 1.5mo into tamoxifen and it's absolutely fine. No SEs I can discern, other than the hot flashes (which could also be chemopause...I haven't got my period back since treatment. Given I turn 40 in 2 weeks, I think it might not come back at all).
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kebab, lol "the people" !!!!! Ur so in my head! Oh we're gonna talk.. I really think I'm coping well by myself considering, BUT I'm on my own....in my world....away from the rest"the people". I'm either not geting the support I really need/want. And most off teh time speaking or hanging out with others is difficult. I could care less. I get depressed. Especially this time Xmas.....I say "the other world around me" ALL. The time.
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Pathology report "NO RESIDUAL INVASIVE CARCINOMA AFTER PRESURGICAL (NEOADJUVANT) THERAPY." So a complete response and my nodes were clear, so no more chemo and no radiation. As to post surgery, still sore but can do much more daily. Will see PS today, to get more drain out, so I'll be down to only 1 on each side.
I removed the 1st paragraph as I thought I was in a different topic, so had info that made no sense here. Oh, love the drugs!!!
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great news knmtwins!
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Awesome news, Kmntwins! You must be thrilled. Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.
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Fantastic news knmtwins. So happy for you. It must be a relief to know the chemo worked. Heal quickly
Nancy
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knmtwins - That is wonderful news. 2015 is going to be a good year.0 -
While on our way to the movie this afternoon (Theory of Everything about Stephen Hawking) my tongue discovered a big chunk was missing out of one of my teeth. I'll call my dentist on Monday and have him take a look at it, hope I don't need a crown.
The movie was very good, the actor does an awesome job with the role, he was nominated this morning for a Golden Globe.
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yay twins!!
2015.... I hope so. I've seen a surgeon, plastic surgeon and radiation doc this week. Next week, ctscan,pre-op,testing , and last taxol. I think I'm going to be wiped!
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Wonderful news knmtwins! Speedy recovery!
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Thank you for all of they 'yeas'! It was hard to leave the cancer in, back in June,but because I was HER2+, thye said that was the only way to get Pergeta AND this way, they could actually see if the chemo worked on my tumor, opposed to the 'normal' way for stage 1 and 2, which is do it after cancer is removed, hence you don't get to watch how the tumor reacts.
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Ladies who had Mx (BMx) with TEs. How long did you hurt doing normal things, wiping a counter, opening the microwave, reaching up into a cabinet for a plate, getting out of bed, drying your back, putting on a jacket, putting a shirt on over your head or opening/closing a sliding glass door?
When do they start filling them? How badly does that hurt?
I think because I am a SAHM, and didn't need time off from work, I just never asked. My husband was off the first two weeks, and I guess we thought that would be good enough. NOT!!!!!!!!! Fortunately someone is taking them to school, as I'm too doped up to drive, but not being able to do stuff makes me nuts. I never realized just how regularly, I grab a dustbuster and get the dog fur dust monsters, or wipe a toilet seat, or clean the bowl, or wipe the counter, or rinse dishes in the sink to put in the dishwasher.
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Dentist was able to replace the filling that broke off, didn't need a crown. At least not yet. It did take some tooth with it and this filling might have a shorter life span, but at least for now $230 beat $1300 for a crown.
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puffin yes 230 is much better than 1300 any day. We no longer have dental insurance and pay out of pocket. I told hubby he better hope nobody needs something major done lol.
Soooo I had taxol #10 today. Blood work was low so I have to get neupogen for the next 3 days. Oh boy. I also have cording under my arm. Lucky for me it doesn't hurt though. Well only 2 more to go. My onc already told me to call radiation to get that set up. YAY for me. I think I am the only one in the group still doing chemo.
Nancy
Knmtwins sorry I can't answer any questions. I just had a lumpie
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Nancy, your not alone in the chemo. I'm doing #8 Taxol & Herceptin this morning. I'm starting to see the finish line, lol. I'll be so glad when it's over! But, like you I still have radiation to look forward to. Hopefully that part will go smoothly. Keeping my fingers crossed for us!
Terrie
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Puffin -- Glad to hear that you don't need a crown. I hate going to the dentist, and dental work is never any fun. Hope your tooth feels OK.
Nancy -- sorry to hear that your numbers have been low and that you need some shots. But, only two more to go! The end is near!
tadover -- Only four more Taxol/Herceptins for you! I still have radiation to look forward to as well. But, I'm getting my surgery done first.
I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow; maybe, I'll finally get a definitive date for surgery. I'll also hear what he plans to take out, now that my lump is gone. I have a friend who calls my surgery an "ectomy" since the lump no longer appears on the MRI and Pet Scans.
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tadover I didn't know you are still doing chemo too. Lucky for us it almost over. Hooray
Elaine good luck with the surgeon appointment. Do you know whether you are having a lumpectomy or masectomy? Let us know.
Nancy
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Nancy - you can get physical therapy to break up the cording It's not easy to do. but I broke up the cording myself.0 -
Blownaway you got it too? How did you break it up?
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Made it thru #8! My appointment was at 8 o'clock this morning and I left the treatment center about 11:15. That's the quickest I've ever gotten out I believe, it's usually about 5 hours. That place was packed! They had patients stuck in every room and corner they could find room for. I guess everyone is trying to get treatments taken care of before Christmas. #9 is scheduled for next Tuesday the 23rd. I guess I will make my deductible for 2015 on that first treatment of taxol and Herceptin in January 2015. Then on to finishing taxol, radiation and Herceptin for a year.
Also I found out earlier this week that the administrative assistant in my department also has breast cancer. She goes Friday to talk to a surgeon about her options. She was just getting to the age of thinking about retiring after about 30+ years and now this. We are the only 2 women, amongst about 10 men, in our department, so she came to me as soon as she found out. Broke my heart, it was just like hearing it myself for the first time all over again. She asked lots of questions and I pointed her to this website and I gave her the book I was first given. at least maybe she can get familiar with some of the different terminology that will be thrown at her soon. And at least we don't have a very stressful work environment up here on our floor, so like me she can easily take time off for medical treatments and doctors appointments when she needs to.
Terrie
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My last taxol today!
Hooray! Took a tray of cookies and candies in for the nursing staff as a thank you for taking such good care of me. Now to the next phase of treatment and exchange surgery.
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