Starting chemo August 2014
Comments
-
lol. Gatomal I like the idea of war bodies!!! I hate it when somebody heard the C news and will reply , ' oh you will be fine. My friend/auntie/sister had breast cancer and she is healthy as she could be now with new perky boobs'. Yayaya. You won't be telling or feeling the same until you actually go to 'the war'. Thinking of your babies all the time.
Strongenough my eyelids have been twiching all over. They take turn, sometimes right upper eyelid, left upper eyelid, right lower eyelid. Lol. Haven't told the Mo yet, they haven't bothered me a lot . Had low grade temp with the cold over the weekend but the temp still less than 100.
Can't wait to taste the food again.
0 -
gatomol, well said!
Finished my A/C today! Last neulasta tomorrow. Small milestones but exciting! No more ice to chew! Feeling quite tired but otherwise fine.
MO said to continue with Natural Tears. Said during Taxol they actually will probably change and tear more.
Anyone getting the flu shot? The nurse told me they'd rather not have it be after 10th day, but said could get just before Taxol which is 14 days. I'm confused. I think I will wait and ask dr. Next time.
0 -
I got my flu shot on day 7 of my last cycle. She was going to give it to me on day 14. She didn't seem to think it mattered.
0 -
cassiecat, i am so happy! I think I misunderstood, and will only be on Herceptin after chemo! Good news, I hate PURGETA at times, all credit to Beatmom for the name... No more Big D!
Strongenough, congrats on almost being done with this chit! What a nasty surprise that you had to do chemo too. Hope it gets better for you soon. PS, Capt. Crunch is delicious!
Thanks to all the incredible, brave ladies here for sharing it all. I get so down then come here and get lifted up!
0 -
Woo hoo, Kellya! Way to go!!!!!
0 -
Gatamol and Nurseshark - sometimes people say the stupidest stuff. They just don't get it. I don't know if I even got it before going thru this. I like the way you handled the situation. You guys are awesome.
0 -
me too with the dumb comments. I only got as far as saying my cancer is ER positive before a friend dove into a monologue about using estrogen cream on her ladybits due to a UTI, and then asking me if she was going to get cancer from it! Uhmmm, really? I thought we were talking about me. Then she just keeps on talking about herself, the excrutiating details of her drama filled escapades. Always all about her......funny how I never noticed before dx.
Feel better, all that are ailing today!
0 -
woot woot Kellya!!! So happy for you.
Bippy, we can see the ones who really care now. Some will just try to be nice, 'ohh I'm so sorry hon. Well, you got my number if you need anything. ' lol. Never heard anything else after that. Just be strong and pamper yourself now. Got calls from friends who will just complain in and off about their life even after knowing my C. I couldn't stand them anymore lol. I just simply cut the conversation and told them 'honey, I do have cancer now and I am doing chemotherapy. I have tons of my own problems to deal with. I'm sure there are things you could be thankful for.I do really need to rest. ' lol.
Justamy, I guess different MO has different view on flu shot and depend on chemo cocktail&labs you have. My MO told me he won't give me flu shot because I won't build my own immunity against the flu with the shot. He forced my husband and kids to have one. Mo told me my chemo cocktail won't effect my WBC as bad as the other chemo cocktails. Keep the fingers crossed. Another MO told his patient to get flu shot within 7 days before chemo round.Ask your own MO.
Still couldn't taste any food, at least no metallic taste. Making the food lists I'm going to eat when I get my appetite back. Lol.
Stay strong ladies . Hugs to you all.
Shirley
0 -
Aren't people amazing!!! Because my older sister was dying of metastatic BRCA around the time that I was DXd, my own daughter responded with "well, I'm not surprised!" when I told her my news. Thanks for the support!!! People just don't get it and that's ok. We don't need negativity in our lives, we only need to surround ourselves with people who can keep us up there, not drag us down.
I'm off for my #4 and last TX of A/C. So not looking forward to this because I was hit by a Mac truck after #3. Today I discuss with MO about what life will be like on Taxol for 12 weeks.
Hang in ladies!!! We do have this...we just haven't figured that out yet!
0 -
Kellya! Congrats on being done with AC! I can't wait until I'm there too, only one more to go.
CJT511-- good luck on your last AC, I bet this will be better, just knowing that taxol should be easier. I have been reading the weekly taxol board to get ready for it, and I'm getting my Elastogel mittens and booties next week. I also got super fancy black Chanel Polish to try and keep my nails and look stylish.
I'm sorry your daughter had that response. Maybe deep down she's afraid for herself too. I hope she will start checks early, as I will encourage (force, pay for, drag if I must) my girls too. Once they get breasts, that is...they are only 2! But so far, they aren't the best listeners. Lol.
I think I am getting a cold, day 6 after my #3 AC. Hope it doesn't get too serious, I'll be laying low and staying away from the Petri dishes that are my children. They got it from dada. I wouldn't even let him sleep in the same bed as me, and I have been Clorox wiping my phone and iPad, but we will see how bad it gets. Hopefully it will be just a day or three.
0 -
Hi All! I am on day 5 post last AC. In pretty tired and stomach is not feeling great. But I am doing on. Just happy to be done with this step. I move on to taxol in 2 weeks. I'll either be doing dose dense taxol for 4 treatments or 12 weekly. I won't know until my first one on the 17th, all depends on my labs as my liver functions have already been elevated but seems down a bit last week.
I have also been a victim of the stupid comments and learning a lot about people who say they are therefor you and really willing to help. I have had a few friends who I didn't expect really come through for me and others who I have been pretty disappointed in and have had to let go. Such is life I guess.
Hope all are well!
0 -
My daughter is 14 and this has really hit home for her. I know she now thinks about the fact that she could have breast cancer someday, whether or not the genetic testing comes back positive. I've only had one particularly negative experience with someone coming over and wanting to talk about what cancer is like and how it will be, based on their experiences with someone else. It was a challenging visit! But otherwise, I feel really lucky to have all the support that I do.
Tomorrow I get my blood counts checked and if all goes well, Thursday I go for round #3 - the halfway point for me!
My daughter and husband are getting flu shots, but I don't know if I am or not. It's on my list of questions for tomorrow's visit.
In non-cancer news, today I got to bring home the dog we've been looking at. We're fostering her until we know it's going to work out (we have three cats, and while she seems completely non-reactive, I guess you never know). Did I mention before that her name is Hope? It was meant to be.
CJT - good luck today and congrats on hitting this milestone!
0 -
Hi friends, I've been MIA lately, but you all have still been on my mind and in my heart.
Today is my 54th birthday, and I really don't feel very well, but I'm determined to make it a good day. Chemo #3 was last Thursday. Only one more to go - YAY!!!! Yesterday, I was lifeless with no energy, had a little subtle bone pain, and didn't even make it to work. Today, I'm a little better, but having a little diarhea and no energy again. The bone pain has subsided though - thanks Claritin and Tylenol! I'm not sure how food tastes, it's not yucky, but it's not good either. And it does have a little taste to it, so I guess that's good. Emotionally, I'm kinda down, but trying to stay positive and upbeat. My friends wanna meet after work for pizza, so I'm looking forward to that. Also, we are going to the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama on Saturday-Sunday and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous.
Oh, and my daughter makes 25 in December, and when I asked her where she wanted to go for her birthday, she suggested a cruise. Well, I already have a girlfriend cruise from Dec 7-14, so it looks like I'll be cruisin again right after that with my baby girl. We're looking at a short cruise out of New Orleans on Jan. 1st. It's the wonderful things ahead that keep me pressing forward through this ordeal!
I hope you are all doing good, with minimal SEs. Stay encouraged and hang in there!
One love,
tp4ever
0 -
@pangtidor I like that response ...putting that in my pocket for this weekend s baby shower, many family members attending that haven't said boo since diagnosis.... should be interesting...pray for me lol.
I got my flu shot at 7days after last dose AC. MO said it was fine.
I am 11 days out just starting to get some energy back but definitely more foggy than last 2 doses. I get it every 3weeks though so a little more time before next knock down.
Happy birthday pink4ever
0 -
Today is day 5 after my LAST AC and I am starting to feel good again. Usually by day 7 I am close to 100%. I'm a little concerned about Taxol coming up because the AC wasn't as hard on me as it could have been. Taxol is a new thing and my nurse (another not so helpful one) detailed all of the possible reactions I could have to it during my infusion. I also have to take steroids the night before and I never had to do that with AC. Steroids don't play nice with my anxiety disorder....I guess I'm just a bit leary of the change. Thanks for listening to me whine. Good health vibes coming to all of you!
0 -
For the comments people make. Sometimes they do not know what to say or will be fearful they say the wrong.thing. I saw my aunt last week for the first time in months. Her first comment to me was"why don't you have bangs attached to your scarf" That was a feel good comment!!! I was polite but,that is it.
Half way through my chemo. Three more to go and DREADING IT!!!!!!! Congrats to everyone finishing up. I will be there too soon enough. Super tired today. Food still taste horrible. 8 days post chemo.
Yeah Kellya
0 -
Haven't posted here for a while and I wanted to check in to send hugs to all of you. What a strong bunch you/we are! I am caught up on posts and have continued to pray for all who are struggling with SE's and complications. Special ones for those of you who are pregnant. I think I'll feel like an honorary aunt when the babies come.
For those who will be moving in to Taxol treatment, I hope it will be easy on you. I had my 9th of 12 weekly Taxols today and it has not been that bad. I told the nurse that I've been able to deal with most of the side effects with either rest, exercise, OTC medication, or modifications in diet. The fatigue has been cumulative over the weeks and I've had some mild digestive issues. Also some mild muscle aches and joint pains but not to the point where I can't function. Have had a dry nose that I treat with nasal spray to minimize the bloody nose problem. No symptoms of neuropathy or nail problems yet. I will be praying that it will be easier on you than some of the harder chemo combinations you have been on..
After the 12 weeks of TH, I will be moving in to 33 sessions of Rads, probably late November. I will also continue to get Herceptin only every three weeks to total a year. So that will bring me into next July. Sounds SO long when I think of it that way so I try really hard to just concentrate on the here and now. Not easy sometimes! Someone said it is an inconvenient year that will save my life. So that's what I try to remember.
0 -
So I had my LAST (I repeat - LAST) A/C TX today. Tomorrow I return for my LAST (I repeat - LAST) Neulasta shot. Because I was hit my a mac truck on Day 3 after the last infusion which lasted until Day 9, my nurse suggested that we hang a bag of IV fluid when I get the shot. She suggested that perhaps I was more dehydrated than I thought and that's why I was hit so hard. I am just so relieved that the A/C is over. Next I move onto 12 weekly doses of Taxol. My MO did say that Taxol is easier because there are less drugs needed. Steroids are needed for only the first two infusions to see if there is a reaction. No reaction, no steroids. I can handle that. I asked specifically about painting the nails black. My MO had spoken to a nail specialist and it was recommended to only use nail hardener and keep the nails short. MO will closely monitor my nail beds so she does prefer no nail polish at all. All and all, I'm thrilled that A/C is over with and I'm ready for the next phase. I'm curious to see if the IV fluid will work tomorrow as I don't want to endure that fatigue again. I'll also get my flu shot tomorrow. They ran out of it today so new shipment arrives in the morning.
0 -
mags, day from hell is over now...sleep well, hydrate and rest, rest, rest!
2 more days of freedom till chemo-prison round 4 resumes. No fatigue now and All things smell fine and food is wonderful, eating all the stuff I cannot next week! Ice cream, spaghetti, salads, cheese, sighs. I will miss feeling normal. Also, no digestive issues, no nausea, what a joy. I will miss that the most.. On a probiotic, it has really helped this week. Hope it continues.
Okay, each one down is one OVER. We will make it, yes? You guys are inspiring me!
0 -
CJT, Congratulations on all of those LASTS! That's great that your MO only uses steroids in the premeds for the first couple of Taxols. I continue to get them weekly, may have more to do with the Herceptin I get. I have been trying to keep a little weight gain from the steroids under control. I have used Sally Hansen Complete Care on my nails throughout and have had no issues. It is a moisturizing, strengthening treatment and clear so you can see how the nails are doing. Hope the extra IV fluids help you tomorrow. Good luck!
0 -
Thanks SandyLovesLucy!! I am thrilled of less drugs being pumped into me. Also, I'm trying to lose weight if being overweight was one of the risk factors for getting this son-of-a-bitchin' disease in the first place. So I was trying to figure out how to keep the weight gain to a minimum while on steroids. Hopefully we don't react!!!! I will be grabbing me some Sally Hansen in preparation. Thanks for the tip.
0 -
CJT, ditto that on the weight issue! I had been losing weight nicely since the end of last year and before my diagnosis in June. When I mentioned to the NP that I would love to get into the next lower 10 pound range she said "Honestly, with the steroids we're giving you, it AIN"T GONNA HAPPEN!" GRRRR, I did not like her very much in that moment! I was actually a few pounds less this week than last so I"M TRYING.
0 -
The weight thing does stink. I lost 7 lbs my first week so they told me to eat more and I did and now I randomly gain or lose regardless of what I eat. Last week I gained 5 lbs! I had weight loss surgery a few years ago and lost about 250 lbs so it really scares me to be so out of control of my weight. I will do my best then do whatever I need to after...sigh...
0 -
Way to go CJT!!! Let us know if the extra fluids seem to help. That Neulasta shot does a real number on me.
Bippy, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying lots of good food right now. We take what we can get, right? Enjoy the good days!! And yes, one down is one DONE!
SandyLovesLucy, thanks for the nail treatment tip.
Eileen, hang in there.
JustAmy, I hope the steroids don't bother you too much. Fingers crossed for you.
tp4ever - happy birthday!!! It's a bummer to not feel well on your birthday, but I hope you can enjoy it.
0 -
First off, Thinkpink4ever, Happy Birthday and hope you enjoy your evening out with your friends. I would love to plan a cruise soon after all this is done. Sounds like you will have wonderful well deserved time in December.
CJ511, JustAmy, Kellya, Kellogg and anyone I left out -- congrats, congrats, congrats on the last AC! I am joining you tomorrow and can't wait. I am hoping what I hear about Taxol is true and the Side Effects are much easier to handle.
Sandy thanks for your input on how you are handling Taxol. I will need to visit the Taxol thread, but this will be my home :-).
NurseShark, I haven't said welcome so welcome to our wonderful group. NurseShark, I may have missed it, when are you do?
NurseShark and Gatomel - I ditto Sandy and will claim to be an honorary Auntie :-). Agree that some of the things we have to deal with and the stupid or insentative stuff that is said! Loved the way both of you handled your sitution.
I have (or maybe had) a very good friend that I shared my diagnosis with and we cried together she encouraged me the said things that really touched. I have not heard from her since. I believe she is having a hard time with my diagnosis and she is not sure how to still handle it and be around me and that is why she has not called. I have to say I miss her much but have to give her the space to "process".
Weight, well I continue to lose, but it also fluctuates. To date I have lost over approximately 20 pounds (give or take 3 pounds) since beginning this journey. Which my MO is not to thrilled about but not sure what to do but continue to try and "feed" myself as much as I can.
Well going to bed to relax before tomorrow's treatment. I have to say the additional medicine they have me on due to the blood clot has it's own share of side effects which I am now trying to "adjust" to and deal with and one is fatigue and dizziness.
Hugs to All,
-Angie
0 -
hi everyone, well don't remember enough to do personals here. So if I forget you, I really did not forget you! ☺️
Thinkpink, happy birthday, the next one will truly be a celebration! We just canceled a cruise that was to take place in February. I'll be in the middle of radiation so will have to do it hopefully another time.
Gatomol and nurse shark, think of you so often, you have an extra set of worries, hoping you are getting some pampering!
All with insensitive people in their lives, I know what you mean. But I think they just don't know what to say. I have good friends who at the beginning listened, said great things but only hear an occasional comment on a caring bridge blog I do. I know things will pick up like nothing happened when it's over. Guess that is enough. Then I have another group of friends who stepped up beyond what I ever dreamt. They are taking me to chemo, bringing meals, keeping tabs on me. It brought us really closer than I thought possible. So I think it's just how people can deal with this themselves.
Cjt and everyone having treatment...and last ones of AC...woo hoo! What a great feeling to be moving forward.
Sandy, so good to hear from you. My MO said Taxol should be much better, not that I consider myself to have struggled through the AC. So I'm really happy to be done with phase 1.
Weight gain, I had a steroid in my drip before the AC and take the steroid the first 4 days after treatment. I don't belive I take or get it during Taxol. I've gained 5 pounds and I hate that my jeans feel snug! I hope it doesn't get much worse! If it does, I'll either be in sweats or have to buy a couple new pair of jeans soon!
Today is usually a day I feel pretty lazy, we will see if I can get out for a walk, suppose to be a nice one here.
Have an easy SE day everyone and a good treatment day if that's you
0 -
ladyb... I'm technically due 12/4 but we are being induced 3weeks after last AC around 11/7(ill be 36 weeks then).
0 -
ladyb... Good luck on your last AC tomorrow! Can you believe it? Hope it goes smoothly for you. Yes everyone on this board will be an honorary auntie, I can't wait to post photos. I'm hoping to hold off on delivery between Dec 22 and New Year's Eve. Keeping everyone on here in my prayers. Hugs to you tomorrow, be gentle to yourself, you've been through a lot.
0 -
I had a good check in today, blood counts are all decent, so chemo #3 is a go for me tomorrow! After that, I'm halfway done - woo hoo!!!
0 -
Yay for halfway Cassie!!
0
