Starting chemo August 2014
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Lo
now, catie57, you are just bragging! I'm sure I can't walk a mile, much less two. Good for you!
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cassie,
My onco gave me ok to take melatonin. It works very well, and it is nice as there are so many dosages, and liquid or pills or melts. I use 5 mg, but you can try 3. Also, it is cheap!
having issues with the camisoles. I have 2, both of which are way too tight in the armpit areas which is where my drains are. Rub, rub, rub!!!! They're driving me insane. What the hell, who designed these things? Cannot get comfortable in either one. I have a very oversized nightgown, it's basically like a enormous tank top. It's a soft warm material. We rigged it up with my drains and it's working much better. We just took the pockets from the Cammies and safety pin them inside. The only thing I miss from my Cammies is that they were snug enough to hold soft gauze on my incisions sans tape. So I just use a tiny bit of paper tape to put them on my chest now. It's much more comfortable this way. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Once again the one side is very aggravated and I am pissy because of it. I want to bite somebody.
Am cancelling our night out for Christmas dinner, the idea of attempting to dress around drains and being sociable are exhausting. I have heard women doing all kinds of activities with staples and drains and they are better than I! I want to see no one and do nothing until sweet release from my metal and plastic tortures. BTW, thanks Dr. for suturing me up with metal staples. Apparently it's his thing but really? I'm sure that's going to be just a wonderful experience getting those out along with having all the drains pulled. I am runnin out of xanax here people
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Bippy. The staples should be easy to take out, less weird than feeling the suture threads pull out. Can u cut the arm holes of the Cami a bit deeper? Or maybe fold maxi pads or panty liners around the arm holes to make it softer?
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Confession time. My name is Bippy and I am a bad patient. I am not proud to post this, but it mayhelp someone else...
All my troubles with the drains.... My own fault! Why? Cuz Bippy used her arms and did housework! And hubby warned me not to do anything.
I only picked up a few things off the floor, and reached higher than allowed. I felt good, so,hey, that qtip on the floor has got to go in the trash. Oh, and why dont I just put this dish up in that cabinet?! Also I can fold a few towels! I do not accept needed help with grace and willingly. Hard headed and prideful. At least I was before today.....
I have put myself on lockdown and am following all dr orders. OCD will have to wait till I am healed. I am respecting my limits. No laundry, no reaching, no over doing. My poor little drain sites are killin me. Not worth it
Seriously, watch yourself after surgery, listen to doc and do not push. I am really paying the price tonight and have delayed my own recovery.
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Christmas with the Hubby's family went well today. No GI issues of any kind(a Christmas miracle!) So I could eat what I wanted. The only SE today was fatigue but I just took a nap this afternoon and it was fine. We're staying at Hubby's brother's tonight then home tomorrow. We will be staying home Christmas day with our kids. Hubby's grilling ribs and we will do presents and just relax. Friday is my last chemo!!!Yay...still have to go through the use from that one but it's the LAST time! I can't believe this phase is nearly over!
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Yay for you Justamy! Glad you had a great day.
Bippy , I have already been through all of this surgery stuff.....no more for you..no hands above your head, no lifting, no sweeping...no nothing for a few days until you make up for this pain time. My husband cut up my meat after my tissue expander placement.....my plastics surgeon was very explicit about what I could do or not do. I waited a year after mastectomy for reconstruction, but either way, you just can't overdue without suffering. Please take care of yourself.
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Justamy= YEAH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost done. You had a rough time. I felt for you. The light is at the end of the tunnel and it is not a train.!
Bippy= After my simple lumpectomy which was super easy. I listen to my BS and followed his instruction. So LISTEN UP. TAKE IT EASY. you will heal faster. Just say to yourself. "Nothing matters except me getting better." It is your only job now. Nobody cares what your house looks like. As my Mom use to say "the dirt will be there tomorrow." Take care. Love you!!
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Thanks for the ideas gatomal, i will see ...Now that i am being good, that may be enough!
Beatmon, good advice....i will follow for sure! Feelin better since confession:
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Awww Eileen, you too! i am on the stick now and forgivin myself for doing silly things.
All packed into recliner for evening, behavin myself!
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Justamy - Friday! Awesome! You are so close now.....
Beatmon - Absolutely bragging! I haven't been able to walk up driveway to get mail this last month without effort. Feels so good to walk again. Still breathing heavy up hills, but not as bad.
My eyes and face have been swollen on and off since last chemo. I hope that goes away soon. Anyone else having this SE?
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catie 57: I am the queen of swollen body parts. My face,arms,legs,and feet. Everyone has assured me it will go away. I was informed 8 to 12 weeks. So, I wait!!!!! Lovely side effect of taxotere. Again, chemo the gift that keeps on giving.0 -
Hi Ladies!
Thanks so much for all the good wishes and support, it really means a lot to me.
I wanted to report back and let you all know that surgery went well - well that's what the dr. said at least. I didn't have any reactions to anesthesia and have not had to take painkillers yet, although I do have some discomfort I figured that's expected. The wire placement procedure was not bad at all and I got the blue dye for the sentinal node after I was passed out so did not have to feel the pain. Also I must say that the anesthesiologist was HOT!! Always a good thing seeing pretty things before surgery I presume
I'm not sure how this can be related but the pain in my nails has gone since after the surgery. My nails almost all of them look red, as they all bled inside, and they hurt and some started lifting. Today I don't feel pain, so weird but hey I will accept it as it is
Doctor told me I could shower today but I really don't want to as I feel so tender when I move, so I kept the gauze and tape on and have not seen my breast. Path report is Monday and praying for clean margins so I don't have to go in again.
Thanks again ladies. I hope you all are doing well and take care.
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Windgirl, how nice to hear from you. Glad the surgery went well. Please don't be a hero and take your pain meds if needed. Studies say you heal better if to stay ahead of pain.
Bippy, glad you were able to confess. I also try to do too much. Pain is our reminder. Humbling..oh yes. This whole journey is humbling. Reminds me I am not in charge. I was amazed that the world actually kept spinning when I stopped pushing it. Teehee! Love, Jean
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I did too much the past two days and didn't drink enough water. Dealing with painful cramps from big C now. Had me doubled over, crying in the kitchen as I tried in vain to finish cooking something. I feel terrible still this morning. No swelling here to speak of any more, though. Maybe I lucked out? I need to drink ton of water today. The thought of it makes me gag though.
Windgirl I'm glad to hear things went well!
Bippy, take it easy today. Easier said than done sometimes, I know. We all just want to feel normal again!
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hi Cassiecat,
Just wanted to say that the swelling I've been dealing with since the 4th treatment always went down for the week or ten days after chemo and then started to build up again. I don't remember going down much after my last but that was my experience. I'm now 3.5 weeks post final chemo and I still have all the fluid retention. I wish I had been more careful of my salt intake after my last chemo maybe that would have helped. My surgeon, when I showed him a pic of my giant foot from the night before surgery, got concerned and asked me to start wearing compression socks. He even said it might be permanent
( and that it could cause blood clots. I will see Onc on Tuesday and ask him more about this because in the past he has dismissed me. Make sure you keep your feet elevated if it does come back and watch your salt intake. I hope that it does not come back for you and this was it. Take care!0 -
Windgirl= The swelling is a side of effect of taxotere. I have posted before about this. It takes 8 to 12 weeks to go away. You can google taxotere fluid retention. My MO put me on Lasix. Works ok. Many people have emailed me from these posts that they had the same SE and IT DOES go away. Even if I elevate my feet the fluid just goes to my calves and thighs. I am carrying about 8 pounds of fluid in my body. My left foot is more edematous.
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thanks jean!I am behavin and yes humbled......my DH has orders for me not to lift one darn thing. Already I feel better for not using the arms. Bippy is on the dl!
Windgirl, so glad you are doing well. My BS is ridiculously handsome, but he gives tough love apparently, to lymph nodes! I am rethinkin my unrequited love for him
. The drain on the left is no problem at all, no pain. The right lymph drain is much better today and I finally am cuttin the rx pain meds, switchin out to tylenol, half and half. Slept well last night, doing zero today, but will walk around. Cassie, ugh, that sounds awful! I hope you can get it going. I was able to get things rollin with the prunes, miralax and water. What a switch from the big d! We pay when we do too much. Give up and it gets better! So hard to not do things when we feel good, but it bites back, i am learning.
I want my staples out, not painful but feels really tight and uncomfortable. Am watching the nanny show from the 90's. It is silly but quite funny too. Ha, that shall be the culture for today
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hey gals,
I'm planning our trip to Vegas probably for March. We been there once and stayed at the Luxor, we are not big partiers or gamblers. We're planning a side trip to the Grand Canyon and I'd like to see some shows while were there. I think we wouldn't mind staying at the Luxor again but has anyone stayed at the Paris? Maybe MGM would be good. I'm looking into it since I have nothing else to do today! I'm taking suggestions. We can't stay any were super expensive though. And we have no children and don't want to be around loads of kids.
We have a credit on allegiant air that we have to use by March. Typical in today's world, we had to cancel our trip in August because of my cancer. I wrote a letter and explained it all to allegiant and blah blah blah they don't give A crap or refunds just a credit. Nice! Anyway the bottom line is I need we need to use it by March. Hope everybody's doing good today. I'm hanging in there, at least the pain is not as bad. Weird sensations when the drains sometimes bubble. Not painful just strange feeling.
Planning a trip to celebrate the end of most of my treatment is just what I need to get me through this. If you been Vegas lately, and have any info for me I'd appreciate it. Thanks everybody hope you're having a good day today.
Thanks beatmon for the idea
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Bippy= I stayed at Paris years ago. Lobby is really nice. Rooms are fine. A great crepe restaurant in lobby. Now,that was years ago. Go down to old Las Vegas to Fremont Street. A great light show at night. Again that was years ago. I Love vegas. Fun to people watch. Have fun. I am going on a post cancer trip on May. Hopefully,will have hair!!!!
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I don't have any Vegas experience, but I hear the Bellagio is beautiful. I want to plan a trip too! Just need to know when I'll be done with rads. Maybe by spring break? That would be great.
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Warning wall o'text since I haven't posted in a a while (big smile). Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Bippy, woot, woot! So glad you are doing Ok and feeling well. Tell your hubby awesome on the great support! Glad you are staying ahead of the pain. I had an ALND too and it hurt a lot and I had to stay ahead of the pain otherwise I was more than cranky to say the least. I think my husband helped give me a shower for like the 1st week – it was interesting to say the least – LOL! I used very large nightgowns while recovering which had pockets for the drains.
Bippy, no housework, no heavy lifting, no reaching, no "soft" cleaning, nada for the next week or so. I had to leave my OCD at the door. It drove me crazy but the resulting pain of not following dr's orders and having to have them "mend" up the drain was …ewww. Glad you put yourself on lock down J. Now sit in your recliner, lean back and let DH take care of you! That's an order J.
Catie57: Awesome sounds like you had a nice evening. Two miles – you go girl! I can't wait until I get there. Along with Eileen's 4 miles..lol.
Windgirl, so happy surgery went well!! I would have loved to see have seen a pretty picture before I went under J. Remember to stay ahead of the pain and take pain meds even if it is Tylenol.
Eileen, hope your taste buds and feet are better especially in time for the party.
Cassie, glad you are getting into the exercise. My goal is to do a 5 K by this time next year. I had started strength and training before Taxol (during AC) but haven't been consistent since starting Taxol. Hopefully I can get back into it quickly after Taxol is done. Interesting on Thursday I didn't drink enough water and paid for it on Friday and yesterday. I now have my handy 32oz cup as my consistent companion again.
Justamy, glad you had a wonderful time with DH's family. Woot, Woot, you are almost done. You have had a rough time through chemo and glad when you will be finished and be able to be on the mend from chemo.
Thanks All, got Avitan prescribed for the sleeplessness. Worked like a charm last night and I am refreshed this morning and not groggy. Thanks for the tip. I have a lot of the big "D" this time around. Haven't had that since AC. Boii fatigue is kicking my butt. Lot's of muscle aches and bone/joint pain. I think I have told the story before (chemo brain) but I say Taxol is much harder on me than AC and I am not tolerating Taxol SEs as well as I did AC. Eileen as you say, chemo the gift that keeps on giving. LoL. I can I say I have enough giving for now. I would really like to return these gifts. LoL.
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Hey peeps,
I am so happy a lot of use are coming to the end of the chemo journey and moving on to the next phase. Love the support and updates I read. Although I visit and post on other threads. This is home base for me.
Nurseshark, how are you doing?
Gatomel, how are you doing?
Jean, any news about your great-grandchild? We are anxiously waiting.
Bippy, Paris is great and MGM. Do you want to stay in one of the casinos? If not there is another hotel that is casino/smoke free which is linked to the Aria it is called the Vdara. It is more like a condo than a hotel room so you have to go either to the Aria or Cosmopolitan to gamble, etc. It is on the south end of the Strip closer to the older hotels -- we use this hotel when we are there to shop and site see outside of the strip. If you want to enjoy the stripe for the price, location and restarants the Paris is nice and where we stay if we want to be in the midst of the "LV " culture.
A shout out to those that may read but don't post. I often go down this list and pray for each one of you individually: your journey, your family and support structure. I am so glad we not only share things about this journey but just life. Wish I could meet each one of you in person, although I feel like I have a new set of "good" friends.
K, i am done being emotional and sentimental -- just couldn't have done this without each of you!
Hugs Always,
-Angie
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lovin the vegas tips! i did like the location of the paris, & it is very affordable. Hmmmmmmnnnn makes me happy to plan!
Ladyb, my aches in my bones finally stopped about a week ago from the taxens. Hips and foot ached at night, weird. Felt like 100 years old! Taxos are rough. I am soooo listening to you about the drains. Did not realize you had to get mended. Ugh! I was headed there too. It is sooo much better today. A week sounds doable. I am very hopeful to get the staples out day after christmas, and pray also the drains! They are quite a bother.
Do you think they will frown on me bringin booze to the removal? I am scared!
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Bippy I'm sorry to hear your problems. I was browsing internet for the drain pockets. I saw one in the amazon, shower pocket surgery drains, the one that hangs on your neck. Do you think it will be helpful? Take good care of yourself Bippy. I will be eligible to take 12 weeks sick leave for surgery, will take most of it...:-)
Cassie, I still drink water a lot. Big D stopped, thanks God, I don't want to deal with big C now.
I enjoy every bites and tastes of my food now. I feel like a real normal one, (except without hair), hopefully 10-14 days before the surgery and Herceptin.
Praying my nails will stay intact. I don't do anything but clip them and rub coconut oil on them.
Beat mom , chemo first for me because of the tumor size and my HER2 + status. Chemo started right away, MO told me surgery will delay my chemo too. He told me sometimes MO will do chemo to shrink the tumors so the patients may only have simple surgeries. I choose BMX anyway due to my triple positive and don't want to deal with 1-2 mammogram every year.
WindGirl I'm so happy that everything goes well with your surgery.
Glad to see other posts and updates...:-)Stay strong ladies . Hugs to you all,
Shirley
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Hi pangtidor, the hospital gave me a camisole, like a very loose stretchy tank, with velcro pockets that can be adjusted to hold drains. I am sure they will give you one too...also, they gave me three lanyards with clips for shower. I have 3 drains. The lanyards work fine, the drains are surprisingly heavy But I need much help right now with all physical tasks
After trial and error, the cami works fine. I did not understand how to use it at first and the nurses at hospital did not give any helpful tips. It is good to have all the hosing tucked inder the tummy panel, so there are no loose tubes around your waist, so you can pull down pjs without fear of pulling drains! can post a few pics if you want, it takes some getting used to.
When is your surgery, and are ya gettin double mast or uni?
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Anyone have hair coming back? I feel like I have some very light peach fuzz, but no real hair showing yet. I'm obsessed. When I'm feeling good I feel like I can go out without a hat (though I don't) but in the down moments I just feel so unattractive. I bought some Retress serum but have no idea if it will help or not. I'm also using Rapid Lash on my remaining lashes and brows.
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Cassie I can feel peach fuzz too! Strangely the whole bald thing has been easier for me than any other SE. I even posted my bald self on face book. With that said, I too feel insecure about going out bald though...it looks so strange to me to be bald after having long hair for 10+ years...but not for long...we are growing our hair back!
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cassie, my hairs are growing fast! Lots of white soft fuzz all over. Looks freaky and I love to scare people that I am not fond of! Enjoy it I say. It is their problem, not yours! Seriously though, i know what you mean tfeel that way too at times.
BIPPY HAS HAD AN EXCELLENT post surgery BM! it is such a relief. Thank you miralax, prunes, pepsi and fiber! I feel free!
My 3 drains are puttin out about 30-35 total per day total. I am prayin for their removal on the 26th.
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Bippy, windgirl, randomchance - glad you gals are doing ok after surgery. I agree with everyone else. Rest, relax and let others do for you! This was so hard for me too.
I had my port out last week. They had such a touch time getting an IV in, they ended up with it in my foot and now my foot/ankle is still swollen. But I'm feeling pretty good. Was hoping to start getting some exercise in soon.
Good thoughts to everyone!
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My grandaughter is in labor! By tomorrow I hope to greet my great granddaughter. Woohoo...God is so good. Praying for her to have an easy delivery and for mom and baby to be healthy. Love, Jean
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