Starting chemo August 2014
Comments
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ladyb. My MO said they tend to do hormonal so after rads, to separate the SEs or just cause it's not really necessary to do both immeadiately. I am having killer hot flashes the past few days. At nighttime and in the morning. I think it's chemopause. We are planning on doing supression w me and AIs. Can't believe w all you've been through your ovaries are still so strong! Amazing woman! I will see how supression goes (like lupron shots once a month) and if I don't like them, I may consider getting my ovaries removed. I'd kinda like to get off medications, not take more. Not ready to start on Effexor just yet, although they say it helps with hot flashes. I want to try to get my 20 lbs off first, before antidepressants. Skinny with cancer, Not pudgy with cancer is the look I'm going for.
Good ideas Eileen! I am thinking twice about engraving w end dates of treatment. Something more inspirational, meaningful seems more positive. Like strength, fortitude, perserverance
Or " when you're" "in hell" " keep going" lol!
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I wasn't close to menopause before BC, and my MO has been talking Tamoxifen for me after rads. I'm having mild hot flashes at night and haven't had a period since the beginning of chemo, but it's still too early to tell what my body's going to do.
gatomal, I like the quote idea! I posted that same quote in my blog at one point. I like it. I'm not a tattoo kind of person, but I might do something at some point. Hadn't considered engraved jewelry, but I like that idea.
I'm feeling kind of grumpy this weekend and am not sure why. I'm tired of my fingernails hurting, and I'm not feeling all that pretty these days. My skin's starting to react more to the rads and is a constant reminder that treatment is still continuing. I just want to stop thinking about cancer.
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My oncologist said I will start hormonal therapy after rads, think it affects skin and they want the skin to be as strong as it can for rads.
I did do Lupron shots during chemo to hopefully protect my ovaries. The fertility specialist told me I would have bad side effects, mainly being moody, forgetful, and having hot flashes. I didn't really feel any of this maybe cause they were blended with the side effects of chemo, but I did not ask my friends and family either
I stopped after last chemo. The warm flashes disappeared within a month but don't have the flow yet unfortunately. So this was my experience with it.On removing ovaries, think you would still be getting the hormonal pill, only you would have achieved menopause with surgery rather than shots or naturally.
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Thanks all for the quick responses. I was no where near menopause before BC and I actually had never had a hot flash even though most at my age have. I had my first real hot flash during chemo and they continue and they are NOT mild -- LoL. I think that is why the MO was surprised how active my ovaries still are. Well my family history is complete menopause usually in the late 50s or early 60s and we usually start the periods between 9-11. I am leaning towards asking my MO for ovary removal.
Eileen so for TNBC only Chemo and RADs? I thought there was a follow-up regimen for all BC. I am asking as I close friend of mine just was diagnosed with TNBC.
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Ladyb=No follow up for us. There are a few different ideas on what might prevent a reaccurance. My MO says none of these have been proven to be effective for prevention. Told me I could try one of the trial meds but,there are side effects. I take 2000 units of Vit d3 and calcium with Vit D and magnesium. Tumeric also. Low fat diet and exercise. On the TNBC board some people are trying different ideas(food,exercise, and vitamins) I am just going to live my life and not get crazy about what I can and cannot eat. I think a healthy balance is the key.
FYI= All TNBC get chemo. Does not matter size of tumor. My tumor was 6 mm and no lymph node involvement.
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I started Femara about 2 weeks after chemo. So far praise God no side effects. Love, Jean
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Hi everyone, Just checking in to see how you are all doing.
LadyB - I started my hormone pills after Rads. I am on Arimidex because I am post menopause. So far no noticable SEs.
Gatamol - When r they talking about doing your surgery?
Beatmon - Wishing you good days ahead.
Bipsy - Maine sounds awesome. Just returned from my week get away with DH and friends. Didn't want to come back. We were delayed on return flight for several hours, so we sat in bar. Got to see the planes come in and out, drank and got more quality time w friends. Also getting $75 credit each for inconvenience.
Didn't wear a hat or wig the whole time I was away. Too cold in NY to not, plus hair a little too short. I know if I went into work I would be answering questions all day about it. I don't want to explain myself to all the patients. So wig again. Maybe by end of month I will be ready, when hair a tad longer.
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Im getting shots to shut down my ovaries and taking Arimadex. So far no side effects. I hope that continues!
Catie: I'm so jealous! My hair is as long as yours in places then just stubble in others. Can't wait to go out without a hat! I may never wear one again after this.
So I'm sitting home with a 101.5 fever which has finally started to go down. Dh had a respiratory infection last week and I think the rest of us are getting it...it's really weird being off chemo and not having to go to er at 100.5. Hate hate have ng a fever though!
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Catie57= We have the same head. I dyed mine a little more brown. Came in all white. I was totally confused. How could a 28 year old have white hair. The I realized I was 56. Oh my feel 28 now that chemo is done. So glad you had funny with your hubby. Nothing is better than that!0 -
LOL Eileen! My hair is shorter than you girls, despite using a shampoo called "Fast". Guess its time to take that Biotin.
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I take 10000mg D a day plus biotin and still look like a mangy dog! Oh well patience I guess.
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Mine is coming in thick on top and I may end up with a mohawk.
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Very nice thickness and length Cassie! You can probably run your fingers through your hair now
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Justamy - Really hope ur fever goes down soon. You don't need to get sick at this point in time. I was told to take 2000 mg of vitamin D daily. Then I was told it builds up in ur liver, so I cut back to 1000. I will have to google more about that.
Ellenpg - I dont know why I was so shocked that my hair grew in white. I am 58 after all. I died it as soon as I had enough hair. It bleached out a little being in the sun all week. I also used a more natural color that doesn't have alcohol in it. Probably doesn't last as long.
Cassiecat - Looking great! Nice and thick hair. My hair grew in thicker in back and sides. Top seemed to be last to fill in.
Wishing everyone minimal SEs and a good night.
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I take 10000 units of dry d because I had weight loss surgery years ago. Dry d is absorbed ddifferently. I have to get my levels tested every year and I'm still low on D every time...
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LOL, hair!
i too have a fauxhawk, it is growing faster on top! And so now, unwittingly, we become Miley Cyrus. Sighs. Have we not been through enough, all for this last indignity?!
So today I am temping for my old job, the one where my BC became so inconvenient. I am looking forward to seeing it!
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good luck Bippy! Yes Miley Cyrus haircut, and Scarlett johansen. Maybe if you can have scar Jo's figure to go with the hair? Tell us how the old gig goes...deep breaths. It'll be nice to see some peeps, right
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oo nice hair ladies!! My eyebrows grew...like overnight...Still faint but I see them !!! Head is slightly longer than peach fuzz but not thick like you cassiecat. Seems to be coming in like my natural color dark blonde.
Unfortunately leg and armpit hair too:( good thing it's still freezing here because I don't think I can shave either. Hopefully starting physical therapy soon... fingers crossed surgeon gives okay Wednesday. I am so stiff. Still can't lift or put arms above head for 2 more weeks but would like to do something!!!!
M
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well, coloring the fauxhawk now...we shall see! It will be fantastic or putrid. I am optimistic though....
Was weird and fun working today. Goin back for more tomorrow. Nails are done, feet are getting a mask treatment, woohoo brangin sexy back
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Love it Bippy. Glad the gig was fun today.
Nice hair everyone. Love that my hair is growing back on my head. Not so happy that it seems to be appearing in places that I didn't even know hair could grow in. LoL.
Cassie love your hair -- growing in thick. I seem to have a bald spot on the top of my head. My DH and DDs swear there is hair there and I can go without a hat. Not ready yet. I still have a few more months of growth. DH says I shoudl invest in a toupee -- he got a good hit from me. LoL. I hear toupee clips for women are a hot thing now. Cheaper than getting the extensions LoL. My DD says if Amber Rose can rock the short style so can I -- that made me feel good at my age.
Justamy, how are you feeling?
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I had a bit of a scare today on the way home from radiation. DH and I are in the car about 5 mins from our house and my heart began to palpitate and within ~ 30 secs twice where I felt dizzy. Went to ER because of the dizziness. ER ran several test -- blood, sugar, and EKG. All checked out. I hadn't had palpitations like that since AC and it scared me. I am glad I remembered the breathing technique the Onc Nurses showed me to calm myself down. My blood pressure was a little high initially but came into range while at ER. I was impressed by the ER Docs/team, he the Doc read my medical profile and dug in a little deeper into a few areas but all came back Ok. He saidi they always dig a little deeper and review profiles of those in cancer treamment especially. In addition, he sent off messages to my PCP, MO and RO so that they could review if needed during my appts this week. I had a PT appt I was able to get to after the ER visit. I needed the stretching, pulling and massaging after my eventful morning. Came home and have been relaxing. Whew, treatment is almost over. I have 6 more treatments. I am very tender around the underarm, nipple and under the breast.
I plan on taking cake and coffee to the Radiation Center, Breast Center and again to the Oncology Center next week. I just want to thank my entire medical team for the awesome job they have done and especially making me feel like an individual and not just a Medical #. The stories I have heard of on this board and with other groups of "cold" medical teams. I understand how fortunate I am. It has been a long year. It is interesting that my last RAD appt is very close to the day of the visit last year that started this journey. I would never have thought BC as I didn't have a "lump" nor has anyone had it in my family that we know of. With this said I am the 3rd SIL to have BC within the last two years. I never thought I would have grown so much emotionally, physically and mentally in one year at my age and that I would meet so many wonderful ladies that I would grow so close to in a way I never thought possible.
Have a good night ladies.
Hugs Always.
Angie
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I don't seem to be making much headway with the hair....no pun intended. It looks like I have male pattern baldness. ....yuck Using minoxidil and biotin. I have 3 lower lashes on my left eyelid....holdouts. I still have very thinned out eyelashes. So irritating and depressing
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Someone asked how I am doing (Angie). I am doing OK as far as the BC stuff is concerned. My TEs are very uneven and I have points on the opposite sides of them. They are not fully filled but they are annoying. I get to exchange them for silicone permanent implants on the 26th. I will be so glad because this is my final step besides 5 years of armidex. My hair is baldish on top too but there are sprouts so there is hope. I am fighting a respiratory infection and had a high fever yesterday. It should be gone by surgery time in a few weeks. I also have a liver test next week because of elevated enzymes. Praying everything is back to normal. Hugs Amy
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angie! So scary that you want to the ER. Do you think it was medical in any way, or anxiety? There is still a lot going on for you and the year anniversary will be a big deal.
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Hi! I am loving all the hair pictures! Mine is coming along well. Coming in very grey. My husband says I can go without a hat but I don't feel comfortable yet. We just booked tickets to go to Ireland in June to see his family so I am hoping by then my hair will be looking somewhat normal.
I've been on Lupron shots and aromasin for a little over a month and doing ok. I've had some "warm" flashes and horrible headaches. Not sure if the headaches are related or from changing weather, stress or me being really bad at stayin hydrated. Drinking water makes me nauseous again.
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here's my hair pic, it filled in but very short. This pic is after a shower when it is most voluminous
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Your hair is kind of swirly!
Mine seems to be growing straight up, almost like a flat top. It's an adventure, watching my body rebound from chemo. Kellogg, I haven't worn a hat or scarf in about 5 weeks now (other than for warmth). Go for it!!!
Angie, how are you doing now? Feeling better?
Amy, beatmon, Catie, bippy, NurseShark, everyone... it's good to hear from all of you. I still think of you all and this group as my "home" here. There's something about going through the hell of chemo together that is bonding.
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angie, oh no! Are you ok now?
Amy, you get well soon.
Beatmon, oh, the freakin eyelashes are now nearly gone on me. So frustrating.
Windgirl, my hair is real similar. It is weirdly swirly though, growing in odd ways!
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Bippy and all, I am ok. Rested the rest of the day. ER didn't find anything "medically" wrongso not sure if it was anxiety. I was pretty relaxed talking with Hubby while riding home when the episodes occurred. But with this journey it may have been stress and I just don't know it.
22 of 25 Rads completed! YaY! My radiated side hurts like the dickens though. RO looked today and said ouch. She then went and got medicated gauze strips -- name I don't remember! Oh they were so soothing. I start Tamoxifen in two weeks according to Med team. Still need to talk to MO about the SOFT study.
I am also getting use to a quiet house. Me no likey. I miss my DD and grand kids. They were over this evening and I just enjoyed them. My youngest is going back to school in August in Florida. She took the year off after my dx. I couldn't convince her to go back - she is a momma's girl.
I have insomnia tonight. Urrgghh!
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Angie,
I sure have had some anxiety issues too. Had a few scary ones, not as bad. I am jealous of your tight, large fam. What a gift you have there!
Insomnia has me last few weeks. Up and down all night. Now that 99% of my tx is done, I am nervous about Tamoxifen. Will start soon, then just wrap up herceptin in July, then.......try to put my life back together I guess. I admit it feels weird.
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