Starting chemo August 2014
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thank you Bippy. My sister had reconst a year after she had her ovaries removed and 2 years after chemo,left simple mastectomy& radiation. She had to do few surgeries for reconst and she told me the muscle expander is the worst among all. I may have to remove my ovaries if genetic test is positive. Too overwhelming to think about the surgery while I'm still dealing with this chemo. Lol.I will get both girls removed anyway , I can get away without wearing bra . I may change my mind later and do it.
I'm happy you get your hair grow back!!! I duck taped my hair accessories drawer for now. Lol.
Stay strong ladies. Hugs to you all
Shirley
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BippyI, YAY about your hair!! I am partial to silver hair, since that is mostly what I had "before. " I never did lose it all and I have a very very thin 1/2-inch buzz cut right now. I imagine it will look strange when my new (curly?) hair joins my old. But I will take what I can get.
I am still horizontal this holiday morning, having some odd back and hip pain. Nothing major but definitely different. One more Taxol souvenir, I think. It should improve when I get up and moving. We are supposed to have sunshine today, and I am so excited to have enough energy back to enjoy it!
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Good morning everyone! Hope it's a good day across the board. I have no plans for today, so I need to figure out something or else I'll make myself crazy. I'm really missing having hair this morning. Mine, too, is very sparse but I won't shave what's left. Trying to give myself a head start for when it does start coming back. Feels like it'll be forever, but I know it won't. I have about 5 weeks left and then I'll be done with chemo, so my hair should have a chance shortly after that, right? If not sooner?
Still waiting for news on NurseShark! Hope all is going well!
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Good morning to everyone! I am taking advantage and relaxing today as it is a holiday for work. Watched some wonderful events for Veterans day this morning and of course slept in. I too have nothing planned today but to relax and sleep. I have figured out that Monday so far is my worst day for fatigue. Seems I was fine with energy on Sunday, took a nap but nothing bad. However, yesterday wiped out. I barely made it through the work day and want I did at work was minimal. I think that also as to do with my eating habits which I am really trying to stay on top of. Tabby, I too have back pain from the Taxol and also acid reflux. The back pain is not constatnt just annoying. WHere I use a heating pad if needed. Anyone else have this? Taxol is not that bad you just don't have the time to recover it seems.
Pangtidor, I plan on being a zombie today and coming back to life tomorrow.
Nurseshark, we are thinking of you. Remember, breath, breath, breath!
Gatomal, how are you doing?
My treatment has been moved to Thursday this week due to a nurses strike that is going on today and Wednesday. Glad they didn't try and put "substitutes" in the Onc department and have us go on with our treatment.
BTW, got the OK from MO to start L-glutamine and B6/B12 for the neuropathy. MO isn't convinced the supplements would help since in her words "only anecdotal evidence no scientific evidence that it prevents neuropathy" but said go ahead as it couldn't hurt.
Hugs to all,
-angie
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Hi Everyone. Taxol is kicking my butt. Had 2nd one Friday. Saturday night I had terrible chills but no fever. Sunday night more chills but not as bad. Monday woke up feeling like my legs went through a meat grinder. They are so painful. Today they are better and Advil is helping. I actually went for a walk hoping that might help. My taxol is every two weeks an I have two left, days like this make me wonder if I'll make it through them. I am also really missing my hair. My bottom eyelashes are almost gone and t eyebrows are thinning a lot. I hope the rest hang on!
Thinking about you Nurseshark!!
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nurseshark and little baby levishark? Thinkin if yas still.
Everyone seems better today, woohoo, me too! I made a very intricate chili recipe, lots of ingredients but very easy. It is unbelievable! Nice to cook, slow and low..... Worth the effort. What the hell, I can eat chili!!!!!! It is a christmas miracle!
I am going to bed very early. Slept so good last night, it was awesome...ready to do it again. Listening to murder on the orient express on audible books each night, love it and so relaxing...had lucid dreams too. So fun!
Cleaned my kitchen today and rearranged artwork, house looks better and cheery. I must have clean house! No stinky garbage, nice clean floors and counters......it really bothers me if I cannot clean. It gives me an outlet for my OCD too. So nice to have the house open, weather is stupid good. Hubby worked all day andhad nice, much needed, alone time. Danced around the kitchen a little while jamming on 80's tunes.
I was not going to do my last round ladies, but veterans here convinced me to. I feel powerful again, kickass. F&$@ cancer! This chit will be sawry it picked me.
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Love your post Bippy, your humor is so refreshing and good too see. I too cleaned today after I got up from my lazy morning midafternoon looong nap(s). I feel so refreshed.
My son came over last night and made on of my favorite dishes chicken and dumplings.He is a chef and boii it was like I ate my grandma's cooking (well almost
). I ate some today and it was delicious. Can I say delicious again. I was able to some what taste food, woot woot! I can some what taste food!! I am doing a happy dance! Go taste buds, Go taste buds! Go Go!0 -
update:no baby yet. Not in labor not even dilated yet as of this am:( starting to get stronger contractions. Doc will check me again at 10. I've been getting misoprostol every 2 h during day yesterday and today. Overnight they insert cervidil (looks like a tampon) if still no progress at 10 ill get that again... if dilated in morning we will start pitocin if not I may be discharged and try again in a few days....Fingers toes and everything else crossed for progress at next check
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Good luck nurseshark. It is worth the wait. A beautiful healthy baby boy is waitng to meet you. He is just taking his time cooking.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember PUSH PUSH Then BREATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you Aunt Eileen
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Sending you all kinds of positive labor vibes, NurseShark!
Angie, so nice to have those taste buds working, eh?
Bippy, sounds like a good day, and yes, you can do this! All the way through.
Kellogg, I'm sorry the taxol is so tough.
Hang in there. I don't want to do two more of my stuff either, but I will. We can get through this!!!0 -
Nurseshark, all Levi's aunties are cheering you on !! Thanks for the update.
Sounds like lots are having some better days. Yeah!!
Today was my 5th rad. No big deal so far. I am very very tired this evening, I meet with my MO on Thursday . Will be discussing hormone pill. Ugh. Not ready for more drugs. Other than very tired and legs still feel heavy sometimes, days are better. It's really cold here send my head gets very cold.
Gave a great evening !
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Hi Ladies, I'm having a pretty good few days so far. I got very tired midday at work today. Somehow found a second wind. My sister is preparing for Thanksgiving. She hosts every year. We get together and make my mothers eggplant parm recipe, but I haven't been well enough. Tonight I went by and we put 3 trays together. Tradition! I am hoping after my last treatment that my taste buds and appetite hold up, but not counting on it. This way can't be too disappointed. That's why I'm freezing a tray for another day so I can really enjoy it. Have to have a backup plan. Hoping everyone is having a good evening.
We are kicking cancers butt....
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hi all, going in for my pre-taxol clinic appt and blood work tomorrow. Afraid of how taxol will go fri, and how painful the cold mittens and booties are to wear. Babies are kicking up a storm. Moved back full time to San Fran. Sad to close up the house for six months, but necessary. When I go back I may be cancer free w two more little ones. Fingers crossed. I'll update fri. Praying for urseshark
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good luck nurseshark....thoughts and prayers for you and Levi...
Ohhh man.... Chicken dumpling and chilli sounds yummy.... I ate a great tomato bisque in the center, got the recipe online. Hubby will try to cook it and we hope it will be good on my zombie days. Back to work on Friday.
Gatomal , I could feel my little toes rubbing the sides of my shoes no matter how thick my socks are. I will try to pack them with the cotton balls and see how they feel. Popping out my Zantac and Immodium from their packages becomes a difficult task too. Pointy twister helps. Hope your labs turn out ok.
Kellogg, take something to ease the pain. I was all against taking more pills before but the long list of side effects made me stock my 'as needed pills' for all the side effects...:-)
Cassie, I haven't missed my hair yet. Getting ready is a lot easier, shower time is shorter but I do miss my eyebrow. It gets thinner and thinner.
How are you doing Eileen ? I could feel the GI tract SEs are getting ready to kick in. I have been taking omeprazole for few days, fingers crossed the acid reflux will not be bad this time.
Stay strong ladies...hugs to you all
Shirley
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Ladyb, chicken and dumplings yum! Glad you can taste. It is the little things!
Catie, love eggplant parm. How nice to freeze one for later too. We are not making a plan to attend dinner unless I feel okay. Otherwise DH will bring me a plate.
Pangtidor, hope no gastro happens!
gatomal, San Fran is on my bucket list. Must be amazing! Babies sound active.
Nurseshark and baby shark levi, hang in there! You must be exhausted.
DH and I are taking travel trailer out to state park Friday. Looking forward to it, nice weather here. Will be good to get away from the house. Also, camp food time!
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Wow!!!!!! jealous of people who can eat. Second day post #5 chemo. Taste buds already starting. Attempted to go out to dinner last night. Very tiring and only had hummus and some cheese. Barely, could eat it. My feet LOOK much better today. Second day on Lasix. Able to fit into some clothes. So that was nice. Overall,pretty tired and feel down today. Just came back from a walk Weather here is gorgeous.
Hope everyone is doing well. Minimal SE I am so SICK of this this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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got discharged home as of last night barely 1cm dilated after 2days of cervical ripening drugs. taking a break today going back in Thursday for foley bulb and pitocin induction.....Levi moves at his own pace
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He's taking his time, I guess!
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I am cleared for round #5 next Thursday, the 20th, and we went ahead and put #6 on the books too for Dec. 15th. The end of chemo is getting here!!! 33 days...
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Nurseshark - Levi will come out when he's ready. Rest up!
Cassiecat - Good news about # 5 & 6. Yes, we are getting close to the end of this chapter.......
Bipsy - Hope you are still enjoying the taste of food.
Pangtidor and Ellenpg - Hope you are having minimal SEs.
Gatamol - Will be thinking of you on Friday, good luck w Taxol.
Hope - Thanks for update on Rads. Hoping you more energy today.
LadyB - So glad to hear you enjoying some food. You deserve a break.
Ended up having today off, so started a new book. I like Debbie Macomber's books, so reading " Christmas Letters". Always can count on a happy ending... I decorated my mantle for Thanksgiving holiday. Feeling a little festive. My arms and legs are not achy, but very weak. Just listening to my body and relaxing w my book now. Taste buds still ok. Swear by icing! Eyes and nose running still. I have had a bloody nose, so using saline nasal spray. Not sure its made a difference so far yet.
Wishing everyone good week ahead and minimal SEs.
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Today is pack up prep day for weekend away at rv in the woods. Going to cookout burgers and hot dogs, (organic, no nitrates, grass ed, etc.) and try to be normal. Looking forward to seeing folks and not focusing on the big C. We ride our bikes slowly around the park, see wildlife and just relax in front of the campfire. Also our rv has all the comforts should I need those...
How is everyone today. Eileen, can you taste yet? I go for labs today and to onco tomorrow am, and really resent it when I am forced to face reality. Today, yesterday, when feeling good I can almost pretend I do not have cancer at all. All this medical chit makes it real. Damn this real life.
Been educating myself on lymphodema, oh joy. I need to because I will have at least one node removed, and likely alot more plus rads, whic really ups my risk. I will ask surgeon to please do only what is necessary and hope for the best. Also, need to really lose that weight and move to cooler climes, as heat and excess poundage aggravates it. Fantastic, I live in a freakin spa called Florida and need to drop 30 lbs.....oh, also, I should become very skilled with my left hand because it is more common in right handed/right lymph node involved ladies. Super news!
Ech, sorry to be debbie downer but it is very, very depressing. I know it may not strike me, but then I never thought BC would either. AND I quit drinking so no nice glass of wine to sort me out! Hmmm maybe just a glass at camp.
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Bibby= I have not given up my wine. On days I feel good I have 2 glasses. I have done this for 27 years and do not intend to stop. We have a bottle of wine with dinner. I have talked to MO and GYN about it and both say Ok. No more than 2. I hardly drink now at all. As for losing weight. That is tough. I have never had that problem but, you need that to live a healthier life. . Good luck. My taste buds are slighlty there. The fatigue has set in. My arms feel like they weigh 100 LBs a piece.
Wishing all well. The lasix worked and I now can fit into my clothes and shoes. Feel like I can breath again.
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Eileen, the lasiks is amazing! Glad you got relief!! MOs are all different aren't they, mine told me don't drink, not sure why, but I guess I'll stick with it. Can't wait til I can have one though.
Bippy, your weekend sounds great! Wish we had something fun we could do. Going to be cold and chance of snow. Try not to worry about the lymphodema, not a guarantee that you'll get it so you may be worrying for nothing.
Was feeling weak but decided to go have lunch with my mom. Glad I did, it was a nice afternoon. Not much else, going to go rest
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In the chair tomorrow for #6 of 8. This is the second taxotere. So...steroids tonight at midnight and 6am...I'll be glad w it's over...it is getting so hard to be positive or make myself do anything. May be time to talk to doctor about my anti depressants... I need to be positive to kick this stuff! Good luck to all of you no matter where you are on your journey.
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i know, I canot wait till tomorrow! Seeing onco in am, then off to rv. I may be out of internet there, so wish all a SE free weekend.
Justamy, hang in with me, I too have the taxotere and it is vile, but needed. You can do it! Just had conversation with DH about last round of chemo plan:
1. Asking for Emend tomorrow, the best anti nausea drug. Recommended by a gal here....going to try since nothing else, including the devils lettuce (pot) works totally,
2. Stocking up on foods BEFORE chemo, and doing all trips necessary too, so I do not have to car ride for at least 7 days after. Car riding makes me very sick, very nauseated. As does food shopping after. So, hermitville here I come. I already know what I can eat and want to have.....easy frozen dinners and pound cake!
3. Doing whatever I want, as much as I want, or not doing anything, whenever I want. Sleeping, lying around watching garbage tv or good movies, I mean, whatever. No guilt, and No pressure to walk, which also nauseates me! Plenty of time after final SE wear off to hit the exercise. I miss walking though.....
Oh, I will be scheduling surgery too. Mid December is my best bet. I am geting delayed recon, so thinking of geting double d prosthesis just to screw with people for a few months
But that may be close to hangin a chandelier in a haunted house.0 -
Bippy, have fun! Sounds like a great weekend.
Justamy, I'm having trouble maintaining my positive attitude too, and I think it's OK to not be positive all the time! But do talk to your doc if it's overwhelming you. {{hugs}}
Eileen, I'm so glad the edema is going away! Finally!!
I'm doing OK. Walked with a friend today, but didn't do a whole lot else. Mentally, the days are really wearing on me. But I'm trying to keep my head up and not let it all get me down. I've got 32 days until my final chemo...
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so disappointed! The RN called and said the infusion center won't give me chemo since it's my first taxol and I'm pregnant and my MD is out of town. There are 8 other oncologists at UCSF! What's the difference? I painted my nails black, got everything together, and was getting mentally ready to go. I just hate adding another week to this
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Gatamol - Delays are so disappointing. Having said that, safety is also top priority. You have a unique situation and that is the main concern. So sorry for your setback, I am feeling it with you.
Justamy - I too am on Taxotere and it just plain sucks. I have one more but of course anyone would be an absolute nut job to look forward to it. I talked to my MO about trying something new to get thru next and final treatment. I'm really hoping it makes a difference. Either way, "cancer is our enemy, and chemo is cancers enemy". Talk to you Dr with your concerns.
Ellenpg - glad that the swelling has gone down.
Bipsy - You had me laughing out loud with the size D prosthesis. Go for it! I am a small size B cup and wouldn't know what to do with size D myself. Lol
Hang in there my friends. We are coming to the end together. This is a journey I hope to forget about someday. I just know I will always remember all of you
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Well...really ambivalent about treatment today. My white count is really low (1.5) so they had to Decide if I would have treatment. They decided I would get it and nuelasta tomorrow. I want to get this done but i don't want to end up in the hospital again. They said I have to wear a mask everywhere. I guess I'll know if this was a good decision in a few days...right now I don't think it is wise... But MO is supposed to know best...hmmmm....good luck to all of you wherever you are in your treatment.
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Gatomal, I would be super disappointed too.
I'm sorry you had to have a delay. Catie57, I too look forward to when these hard days are just a blur. And like you, I am going to remember the support from this group forever. Makes it all just a little easier to bear.
Justamy, I can't remember if you've had the Neulasta shot before or not. It can really help, and it works up to two weeks, if I recall correctly. Just be super vigilant about hand washing and germs, and let's hope that you get through safe and sound!!!
I'm in the time period where part of me wishes they could just give me my next treatment already. My counts are decent and I feel about as good as I'm going to. I should just be grateful, I know, for feeling pretty good. All of my SEs are manageable at this point in my three-week cycle. I just want to be DONE. Two more to go still...
I scrutinize my head every day for any signs of new hair. I've decided that one of the worst things about this SE is that it only gets worse as time goes by, unlike other SEs that seem to come and go. I think I found two hairs that seemed shorter than all the others. This is what my life has been reduced to, ha ha.
Thinking about you all, about baby Levi and hoping we all have as good a day as possible.
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