Starting chemo August 2014
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Manhattanville sponsored a Breast Cancer Walk today, as they do every year. My sister and I look like crazy ladies in this pic, but the turn out was incredible. I didn't end up walking, but just going to support. Actually they parked us so far away that I did get my exercise for the day. Lol
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Jean, I second Kelly on the diaper rash. I went out and bought A&D ointment and the wet wipes after my first treatment. In the nether region I get the diaper rash and this last round seems to be a little worse and not sure why as I don't have the big "D" this time around. I thought I was developing a yeast infection but the doc side no? humm.. just dryiness which is a another SE
Bippy. BTW, did you save me a plate I am on my way over virtually for breakfast. Sounds so good, wish I could taste it ((big smile)).
Cassie, loved the video's. I am going to try the tip on the eybrows today. Glad you are on the up swing.
Cathie, love the photo. You and your sister look so much alike. I will be going to a walk (not walking but others in my family will). Can't wait.
Have a great rest of the weekend and thinking and praying for the group!
Hugs,
Angie
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I'm late joining in, but started four rounds of AC on August 12, four cycles every two weeks. I had a lovely "break " before my next regimen.... that third week I felt nearly normal!, and Thursday started four to six cycles of taxol and carboplatin. I have a weird dx: cancer of unknown primary origin. I had a metastases in a single axillary node, no other tumor burden showed up in blood work or scans. But the tissue pathology points strongly to triple negative breast cancer, so that's what my treatment is based on. I hope you don't mind me posting here.AC was rough, rough, rough for me... lots of nausea and extended, proufound fatigue. I seem to have less nausea with this first taxolcarbo, but weird dizziness and clumsiness, like my limbs aren't completely attached. Found myself holding on to the walls yesterday as I staggered to the laundry room to feed my six month old pup. I'm on Day 4, and feel better than Day 3, but not yet able to be up and about, but thinking about stepping outside for some fresh air. Still very weak.
Reading through some of your posts helps me feel less alone and it's reassuring some of my side effects are the common ones.
Kathy
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welcome Kathy, this chemo is a hell alright! I tried to be strong (even pretend to be strong), it helped a lot. There are few moments when I'm down and just let those tears come out to give myself some grief time too. It helped a lot . I usually get stronger after that boohoo boohoo time. Lol.
Thank you all for the advices. I will try to just open the door without any preps . Lol. It's already fun to think how they will react. Lol.
Jean, I could feel one lump on my lymph node. I couldn't feel it after 2 chemo rounds. I will do my BMX and remove all my lymph nodes on the left breast, don't want to take a chance with my Her2+. We decide to remove the 'good breast' too, the right one. I don't want to deal with them girls anymore. I'm still 36, I don't want to do reconstruction at this time. I may change my mind, I could do the delay reconstruction later.
At home, we installed the toilet seat bidet attachment (you can get it from amazon).we installed it before I got big C, not used to clean with the dry toilet paper only. I carry small bottle with me, I use it when I'm not at home and actually clean with the water. Wet wipes (baby wipes for the sensitive skin) will be handy too . There is A&D ointment for the diaper rash at the baby section. If it's not working, tell your MO, you may need the medicated ointment.
Nice picture Catie57!! Wear pink day at work on October 17 at my job. They are planning to do the pink glove dance again. Many breast cancer awareness events, this is our month!!!!
My good days, trying to eat and treat myself better before the next round hell days come.
Hope everybody has minimal to none SE.
Be strong ..... Hugs to you all
Shirley.
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Tomorrow is the day for Taxatore after the hell of trying to get Taxol Friday. At least I hope it's tomorrow. I'm a bit frustrated because my Chemo nurse told me Friday w she took me to the er that she would find out the time Monday and a bunch of other stuff and leave me a message in the er. There was no message. Now I have to take steroids at midnight and 6 am not knowing for sure if I'll even have Chemo.I also live an hour away so we have to leave not knowing as well and call on the way up once they open. My treatment center is amazing and I'm sure it was a mix up( me not getting the message) but it sure makes things difficult. I pray tomorrow is the day and that I can get that medicine in me without any problems. Thanks for listening to me whine
. Hope you all feel well and SE's are at a minimum.0 -
Justamy - good luck tmrw! I hope they just messed up because of wknd and time frame by not calling. Will be thinking of you.
Pangtidor - sounds like you are feeling a little better. Most of my friends usually call rather then just stop by fortunately. If they did just stop by on a bad day, I would either not answer the door or phone. I would text them later letting them know not feeling well enough for company at this time. Take care of you first at this time in your life. They will understand. You are doing great, hang in there!
LadyB - hope stomache issues remain at a minimum as far as discomfort. We are getting closer to the end. I made the mistake of eating my husbands chili not even a week after treatment. Oh boy! Much better now. I think I learned my lesson on what not to eat that week.
Feeling pretty good right now. Took a good week or so to get here. Just the annoying eyes and nose running. Next treatment on Halloween. Planning on dressing up with my daughter. Counting down!
Wishing everyone a comfortable evening with minimal SEs.
Cathie
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Welcome Kbmur to BCO as an active member. We have many lurkers (readers not yet joined) as many people just need the information but don't join for a range of reasons. That’s fine, as we are still providing an educational resource for them, and that is one of BCOs primary focuses.
You will be able to obtain valuable feedback on
your own concerns now you are a member of the community. You will find
excellent responses to questions and sisters with similar problems and
interests that you can chat with in the safety of this forum.Note: If you fill in your Dx section in "My Profile", people will understand your post more. You can also add any information that the Dx
section doesn't cover with text in your "Signature", if you'd like.You are welcome to contact the Moderators for any
questions or assistance and we'll help as best we can.All the best,
The Mods0 -
Round 4 has been HARD! It has hit harder and quicker. The fatigue and severe stomachs pains and big D has been awful. So glad it was my last one because I think I would have quit. I'm on day 3. I'm going tomorrow morning for fluids and my 2nd neupogen shot. I probably over did it in the beginning. This has been brutal. My whole body hurts. My dr calls it the chemo flu. My face has been extremely red this go around. Odd how different times it hits us with different SE.
I want to do stuff that I have no strength or energy for and that frustrates me. I just need to let go and take care of me. Everything else can wait. Just so ready to feel better. I know it's coming, just takes time. Sometimes it's hard to feel strong and positive.
Sorry if I'm a grump. Just feeling rather yucky. So glad I have you guys who seem to understand.
May you each have a good week and will be thinking about you all. Thanks for listening to me.
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Hope - CONGRATS on last treatment! Sorry fatigue hit so quickly. I am on same chemo cocktail. My third treatment hit like ur fourth. Usually like clock work with me, the 3rd and 4th days are my worst. You will start feeling better soon, so hang in there.
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Justamy - good luck, I can't imagine going through what you experienced and hope that taxotere will be much better.
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Hope50, I am also on the same regimen and will be doing #4 on the 31st. I am sending positive energy your way so you will recover quickly. Hope you have a good week.
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Hang in there, Hope. I have my last treatment on Thursday!! (YAY!!!). Those steroids make my face really red and hot. After about a week it goes away, but it sure does scare the stuffings out of my boss.
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Hello Kathy/kbmur - so sorry you've had to find your way here, but this is a terrific group of ladies as I think you've seen already.
Hope, give yourself some time to recover, and CONGRATS on finishing! I'm jealous, but so happy for you.
Cathie, I love your photo of you and your sister.
JustAmy, good luck tomorrow. I hope it goes smoothly.
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Welcome Kathy/kbmur. I have added you to our list. Our Dx is similar and I have only ran into 1 other person with a similar dx. It actually took a while for me to get a biopsy as they thought I had reactionary lymph nodes and finally one grew into the range that worried them and me. My biopsy revealed BC that was heavily ER+. However multiple scans and blood work did not reveal a tumor. So I only had an ALND which revealed 8 nodes positive - which I was most unhappy about since I had been going in saying something was not right but nothing pointed to BC until one of the nodes grew. To date my lymph nodes on the pathology report still indicate that they resemble reactionary lymph nodes and not the normal presentation.
WelI am just happy you and I were able to get things looked at. I am sorry you are here but you are with a great group of women. Welcome again and dive in.
Justamy thinking of you tomorrow.
Hope, woot woot!! Ringing the bell for you. Congrats on finishing. Do you go to rads next? Recover quickly so you can do the happy dance.
Cathie, thanks a bunch. I can relate on learning quickly about what not to eat :-). Enjoy your up days.
Hugs All
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justamy I hope you have a better day with chemo on Monday.
Hope50, sorry to hear that hell 4th. At least you are going to be done with chemo soon, another thing to be thankful for.
Catie57, I feel better now. My worst usually day 3-5. I get chemo on Tuesdays and Friday to Sunday are my zombie days, just lay around and rest. I used my break time to nap in the car if I work. I will be off for a week for the next round. If it gets worse, I will have to take at least 5 days off after chemo. Still 3 more to go. Yikes....
My 3rd was the worst for my taste buds. I did chew ice the whole 4.5 hours infusion even though I was freezing cold. Lol. I couldn't taste anything for 11 days, metallic taste once in awhile. I only drank smoothies, milkshakes, almond milk. I hope the next round will not knock me harder.
A friend's sister in town with breast cancer has to stop her chemo. Her heart couldn't handle the Herceptin. Oh my, I do wish and hope my heart could handle everything till I'm done with the chemo and targeted therapy.
I learn just not to answer the door or meet anybody when I'm weak. It's better. Lol.
Stay strong ladies. Hugs to you all..
Shirley
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zj, i cannot help either, but try to pm SpecialK--she is quite knowledgeable and has been through alot. You can search members names here.
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Justamy, I'm thinking of you today and praying that you will have an easier time with the new drug.
Kathy/kbmur, sorry you had to join the club but happy that you found us. I don't know how I would be getting through all of this without this amazing group of strong, beautiful women.
Hope, thinking of you and sending hugs.
Cathie, LOVE the picture of you and your sister! My sister is coming tomorrow and will stay for a few days. It will be so nice to have her here so we can be silly together. I'm hoping it will push me out of the emotional funk I've been in. The mental part of this experience has gotten more challenging as the weeks go. Trying to get back to a more positive and hopeful place.
The fatigue has hit me big time this past week. I spent the better part of three days in bed. I am also having some symptoms (tingling and numbness in my toes and feet) of peripheral neuropathy that I hope won't get worse. They changed my infusion day this week so I'm going today instead of my usual Tuesday for #11. Just gotta make it through two more!
Sending love to all. Even if I haven't addressed you personally, I hope that this will be a good week for you with minimal SE's.
Sandy
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ladyb1234, I can't imagine your anxiety waiting for your lymph nodes to be analyzed. I had a long delay between dx and beginning chemo, setting up a second opinion and more slide analysis. Talk about anxiety....
Today I'm on Day 5 of my first taxolcarbo and still very weak. Sure hope I can emerge from just laying on the bed soon. At least I don't seem to have signs of increased neuropathy (was hit after the first cycle of AC) .... yet.
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Well I'm still hooked up in the Chemo chair but I'm done with the taxatore and there was NO REACTION! 5 down 3 to go! The only down side is that they are giving me an infusion every 3 weeks instead of 2. I was going to be done black Friday, now it will go through Christmas with surgery in Feb. Oh well at least I have a drug my body is OK with...Now hoping for few SE's.
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Out of the fog of Round 4. Thank God it was much easier than round 3 which knocked me out for a week. I can now say I am 6 weeks from my last round and I feel like I can see the end of chemo. Hopefully the last 2 will go like this. I am really tired, but it's doable. I hope everyone out there is handling SE's ok. I think about you all the time and having this forum has been a lifesaver, or at least a mental saver.
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Justamy, I got on just to check during my break on how it was going with you this morning. I was hoping you would have an update posted -- just 3 minutes ago so great timing. You were in my prayers last night and glad it went well. Praying for minimal SEs for you. I am also glad they have something that works even though it puts you on a longer schedule.
Kbmur, anxiety was 4 fold not sure which was worse being in the wait and see "line" or after the DX all the scans that I went through, deciding treatment, etc. However, once treatment was decided and scheduled it seems like such a heavy burden was lifted. Now chemo until mid-January with Rads after that . Seems we were DX'd within 2 days of each other. I was DX'd on 6/9.
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justamy I am so relieved for you!
purrrana, that's a great way to look at it.
I'm happy for you.I got some GREAT news today. I went in for a diagnostic ultrasound to check on the two lesions in my left breast. They were both very easy to find in August - 13, 14 mm, somewhere in that neighborhood. Today, neither the tech nor the radiologist could even FIND them!!! They couldn't see them at all! So while there might be a microscopic clump still there, the chemo is ABSOLUTELY working. I cried with happiness when I called my husband. It's the first good news I've had since this all started.
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Congrats Cassie! That's awesome!
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OMG, two posts, they both disappeared! Thinking of you all, will see if this goes!
I had my first Texol treatment today. It went well. I had some backpain and just let it go thinking it was a little discomfort but no big deal. I told the nurse at the end and she said next time tell him right away. She hooked up with Saline bag and let it drip. It took the backpain way. Hubby and I went out to lunch afterwards. I'm back home and relaxing. Feel good. 11 more to go!
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wow, CassieCat, that is tremendous! I am a little teary myself. Absolutely wonderful!
JustAmy, excellent to hear that today went well!
Kellya, hope the Taxol continues to treat you well
SandyLovesLucy, thinking of you today. You got this! Next week is it!
Sending good vibes to all, and hugs and prayers to those struggling with SEs.
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Cassiecat - Wonderful news that the tumors shrunk. Good reinforcement that this Chemo is cancers enemy. You are winning this battle, hang in there.
Justamy - Glad to hear you tolerated the Taxotere. Wishing you minimal SEs.
Kellya - Glad the Taxol went well today. Do you go once a week for the other treatments? Stay hydrated.
Purrrrrana - Happy to hear the 4th was manageable. That's all we can ask at this point.
Hope everyone is doing well and having more good days then bad. Reading a book called "Cancer Kickin Warrior " by Inez Whitehead-Dickens. I know there are so many books out about cancer. This one was given to me by a friend. It's a quick read and reinforces the strength all the women in this group have to me. Everyone's story stems from different places, but connects us all.
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Hello everyone, My concern is I have been waiting for surgery AND for the Chemo oncologist to contact me concerning treatment. I am worried it is taking to long for anything to take place. I was wondering if anyone has heard of Hyperthermia along with low dose radiation treatment for breast tumors?
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Hi BlessedBianca-
Welcome to Breastcancer.org, we're so glad you found your way here! The forums here are a great source of support and information for our members. We're sorry for what you're going through, the waiting is truly one of the hardest parts. I'm sure some of our experienced members will answer your question soon, but in the meantime, you can find more information about hyperthermia and radiation here. Again, welcome to the community!
The Mods
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Hello Blessed Bianca - I don't have any experience with hyperthermia and radiation, but I did want to say welcome to this group. I'm sorry you've had to find your way here, but it's a really great resource and these are some super women.
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justamy, glad things went better. Hang in there everyone.
Great news Cassie!
Tomorrow is a new day. Maybe same cardboard/metal tasting food that us bald or nearly bald people are enduring, but it will be another day on this very often rough and rocky journey that causes not only physical ailments but messes with you mentally as well. We are warriors and will be victorious even when you might can't see the end in sight.
Cheering you all on as I'm battling my own crap. Glad to not be alone.
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