Starting chemo August 2014
Comments
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Cassie, my hair is growing back. I growing fast, where my DD even commented she can tell the difference from just last week. I have no bald spots on my head -- lots of soft fuzz all over. I have started taking pictures to capture the growth. Got the idea from Catie's video she shared a while back. Before it all fell out I had very little gray hair -- just strands that you would have to look for. Most of the new growth is grey sprinkled with black -- I kind of like it. I am still not at the oint I will go outside without a hat, scrve or wig. That moment probably won't occur for a few months. But I will look for a shorter wig to match my debut (big smile).
Kellogg, glad everything went well with getting your port out. So glad you are feeling good. How long did it take you to feel "better" after our last Taxol treatment?
Jean, Congrats ahead of time on your new addition. What a blessing.
-Angie
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jean, womderful news! Praying for a easy birth and recovery.
Ladyb, my hairs are all white. Had lots of grey before diagnosis, and I used to spend tons of money on highlights, low lights, every month. I've decided I'm going to be a Silverfox from now on, and I'm just going to spend money on getting the very nice cuts that I like. I hope my hair grows back as thick as it was before! My hair has always been one of my best features.
Cassie I hope you're doing better today with the big C. Amy I hope you're feeling well today too.
Everyone who's getting any kind of lymph node surgery listen to me! You'll be tempted to overdo it when you feel decent days. Don't! My one day of laying low has benefited me greatly. It's very frustrating not to be able to do anything but you have to just stop. I did not realize how obsessive compulsive I was about my house until this happened. Will be plenty of time to clean later!
I can't believe how well I am sleeping in my recliner and word about that. There is no way that I can operate it with my right arm. So my husband rigged up an ottoman for me. The recliner does recline back just by pushing your back into it so I can pretty much lay straight down. Rest is so important! There's no way I could be getting in and out of bed anyway. Another helpful tip from your aunt Bippy!
I'm thinking of all of you going into surgery in the near future, and praying for you to have a easy time. It will be very frustrating and upsetting at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
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Bippy: Guess what: going to Las Vegas next week. We will be there for New Years. The good thing about Paris are the small restaurants where u can grab s small meal, pizza etc... Or go for a big fancy at the Eiffel if you wish. The premium $ seating on New Years is 450 per person! Unbelievable. Look at there ad for NYears while u are relaxing. We have reservations early at the Venetian. Probably be sound asleep by midnight !
Anywhere u want me to check out, I'll be happy to. I go probably 4 times a year at least. Went two weeks after my initial surgery and pulled my drains there in my room at Hard Rock!!!!! I've stayed at a lot of the strip hotels. Many have recently updated.
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Jean, good luck to your granddaughter! Very, very exciting! I hope it all goes easily and smoothly for her.
I am still battling big C and feeling really crummy as a result. Miralax and Colace have not helped. I'm drinking water and eating a reasonable amount of fiber. What do I do now? I need to go!!!
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jeez cassie that is miserable, i know. Eat a large portion of pasta! That is what kicked mine into gear. You may not be eating enough to trigger it....after I had 2 colaces doses and the pasta, it happened. I had only been eatin small portions then DH made me a huge bowl of pasta.....Goo luck, I am rooting for a quick evac!
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Cassie, try a senekot, and if milk of magnesia. Works.
Jean hope she's doing fine. I've been having false labor I think all night. Have monitoring appt this afternoon, wondering if I may end up in hospital to get drugs to stop contractions. We will see. Feeling less this a.m
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Jean, I hope the delivery goes smoothly and congrats to both you and your granddaughter!
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my girls, my onco just called and NED I am!!!!!!!! There was zero cancer left in the breast, and they took 13 nodes and NONE of those had any either!!!!! That chemo that I hated saved me. Thank god for this day and all of you. I was afraid there would be some leftover. Best christmas ever
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Bippy! That is fantastic! What an amazing gift for Christmas! Did you feel anything in your breast before surgery? Or was is all gone? 13 negative nodes. Take that cancer! I would have a glass of champagne with my pain killers. ( just kidding! No alcohol!)
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Bippy that is great news. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!!!
Gatmol I hope all is well and those babies are staying put!
Jean yay! I hope your granddaughter is doing well!
LadyB I am just over two weeks post last taxol. I had dose dense so only four treatments but I was so tired and that is starting to fade now.. But I still nap during the day! I've had no appetite really and that hasn't changed much. I didn't have any leg pain after my last dose which was great!
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Bippy= YEAH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you. Speedy recovery
Cassiecat= Big C another of my favorite side effect. I drank everynight a 8 ounce glass of warmed prune juice. Worked for me. I also took 2 senna s. I still do 5 prunes a day. Good luck!!!
Jean= Congratulations of your new ggreat grandchild. WOW great!!
Gatomal+ You are always in my prayers. ONLY THE BEST!!!
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Bippy, congrats! Such good news! I'm so happy to hear it! :-)
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Congrats Bippy! Way to kick Cancer's butt!!
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Bippy, what great news. God is so good. Merry Christmas!
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now all of you, follow me directly! NED for all and to all a goodnight. I am thinkin of a second mortgage to buy perjeta stock.
Gatomal, hahaha, you bet, with the drankin!!! but not till new years! I did have that tumor death sensation right up to surgery, in my armpit and breast, but maybe phantoms. I will never forget that feeling.
Cassie, any luck in the eviction?
Jesus I cannot wait to remove the staples. Ready to start myself! Not painful but sooooooooooooo annoying. Where did I leave my staple puller?
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Congrats Bippy!! So happy for you
a celebration with adult beverages is in order )I was supposed to get my path report today too but they did not call, praying for clean margins!!
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windgirl, hoping for very good news for you ASAP!
No real luck here yet. The cramping has stopped but not much is happening. It has only been a couple of days, so I'm not worried yet, but it's annoying! I have an appt on Wednesday so will mention it then if for some reason things aren't mooooovinnggg.
My daughter has been busy in the kitchen making all kinds of treats! Apparently she's giving most of them away, though. I need to talk her into saving some for me/the family.
Toffee, peppermint bark, sugar cookies, peanut butter bars of some sort...oh my. Yummy. She also started decorating the tree and trying to catalog all of our ornaments. Good luck! She's determined to do it. I got a few holiday things done around here and a slow 30-minutes on the treadmill, so the day was not a complete waste for me.0 -
bippy: such great news!!!I am soo happy for you !!!
Zjrosenthal: congrats. Can't wait to see pics of baby. Prayers for a safe delivery!!
Gatomal: thinking of you and babies !!!
cassiecat: I got big C. Throughput AC I took colace and every few days drank smooth move tea (sennakot) actually tastes kinda good. Taxol has given me the opposite problem :x
Day 3 after 2nd taxol don't feel awful ..headaches foot/leg pain hand numbness..
Baby is sleeping better at night so that helps with fatigue
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Feeling as good as I have since I startef chemo. No D or C or nausea. The only SE's are fatigue and the really achy sore muscles and joints but I can deal with that. Haven't even had to take a pain pill of any kind for a few days. I'm hoping this will last through Christmas. Then the next day my LAST treatment...I never get tired of saying that...lol...This is the first chemo that I'm looking forward to. I hope you all are feeling well wherever you are in your journey...surgery is next for me so I'm trying to learn from those of you that are there. If I don't see ya again...Merry Christmas!
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Here is baby Valentina.
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oh jean.....welcome baby valentina!!!
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Jean, congrats! She's so cute! I love her name.
Justamy you are nearly there!!! I am excited for you. And glad to hear you're feeling better too. Woo hoo!
I am a little bit better today and things are trying to move. What a relief, literally. Maybe today will be s better day all around!
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Congratulations Jean! What a wonderfully beautiful little girl, and a great name too! What a wonderful gift! Hope mom and baby are well.
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Cassiecat, so glad things are improving! After flipping back and forth between C and D after surgeries and chemo, I admit I'm still pretty excited now when I have normal movement.
Your daughter sounds like a busy Christmas elf! My younger daughter is here with me for a week and we're having so much fun. We are going to have our bake-a-thon today. She asked me to join her when she took a Zumba class last night but I passed. Can barely walk on the treadmill still and I thought that class just might kill me. Jean, what a beautiful baby with a beautiful name! Congratulations!
Bippy, I am so thrilled to hear your news! Will be seeing you on the rads board!
Amy, coming to the end of what has been a hard road for you. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Windgirl, Praying for good news for you.
Gatomal and Nurseshark, loved seeing pictures of the adorable babies! Levi keeps getting cuter. Can't wait to officially "meet" the twins!
Kellogg, glad the Taxol tiredness is starting to fade for you. The last three of my twelve weeks really kicked my backside in terms of fatigue.
I'm on my every three week Herceptin schedule and have few side effects. The drippy nose continues for about a week after the triple dose and I have some mild nausea. Not sure if that is coming from Herceptin or radiation. I still have some neuropathy in one foot but I think it's improving. I kept enough hair to cover my head for almost nine of my twelve weeks of TH. Within three weeks PFC the rest of my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows fell out. So I will be a fuzzy head for Christmas asking Santa to bring me hair
Lashes and brows are already starting to come back. Nurses and docs (and I) were pretty surprised at how long my hair held on! I know everyone gets busy through the holidays and I'm not sure how often I'll be able to check in. I just want to let all of you know how much your sharing has meant to me this year. Ladyb, thanks for getting our group started. You've all made some really difficult days easier and I'll always be grateful. I wish you all happy holidays and a truly happy, healthy New Year!
hugs, Sandy
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Justamy= Good luck with last round.
Jean= Congrats= Super cute baby. Enjoy her.
Bippy=Yeah You!!!!!!!
Last night was one of my roughest. My left foot really became swollen, I felt so good after radiation yesterday I went to a bar that sits over looking the ocean and had wine. I ate the snacks at the bar. Pretzels and nuts. Not that many. Most have been the salt in them. At 7 pm I was so miserable I took a lasix. I was not sure what to do. Three weeks ago I stepped on a super tiny piece of glass under my desk at work. I take my flip flops off as they are too tight. I now wear booty slippers at work. Well.that appeared to be infected. Yes,left foot. So,at 9:30pm I sent my BF to CVS for neosporin. CVS my new favorite store since starting chemo. He had this look of should we go to the ER and get it amputated. I was thinking. Dam,have to wait on getting a pedicure. This am both feet swollen but,much better. Area I stepped on glass really cleared up. I asked my RO yesterday. He told me it will resolve on its own the fluid retention. Takes time. So, waiting I will do. More lovely side effects of chemo.
Rads are going well 5 down. My tech now shows me short movies of her dog. I really like her. I love the dog.
Happy Holidays to all!!!!!!
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awwwwwww sorry eileen, that sucks. Wine! Yum. You deserve a treat. I a sensitive to salt all days, and have to watch it. I am drinkin tonight as I am outta pain pills and believe I will get thru to Friday surgeon appt only with alcohol! I am bitchin up a storm on the surgery boards about my freakin frackin flookin drains. They are slowly, incessently, and increasingly making me insane. Oh, dont get me started on my staples!
No pain except for irritated one in lymph area, but the tight weirdness!!! I hate it.
The great news then is i had been so afraid of pain in pullin drains and staples, now though, bring on the sweet removal!!!! Hurts so good!! They will have to stop me from whippin off my shirt in reception and screaming that I'm ready!!
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Bippy=Live it up tonight. Good luck Friday!
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Bippy, I thought I posted yesterday to congratulate you on such important good news. Well I guess I didn't hit submit or somethinglike I really didn't post and just read -- this doggone Chemo Brain has been at it's best these last few days. Anywho back to you...I wanted to say ALRIGHTY THEN, WOOT, WOOT on your news and so very excited on the NED and no lymph node involvement. Thinking of you for your follow-up. I say live it up Girlfriend!
Eileen, glad your swelling is doing better today! Selfishly I am glad you were able to have some fun last night; but sad that swelling occurred. Glad you are counting down on the rads and it is going well so far.
Amy, almost there to ring that bell, if not a real one -- we will hear the virtual bell on Friday! Can't wait for you to come on and say I AM DONE!!!! So glad you are feeling better.
Windgirl, ditto -- Praying for good news for you.
Gatomal, how are you doing with the Holidays etc. Are the ILs gone?
Cassie, how are you doing as Bippy says with the eviction. I literally laughed out loud when I read that as that is what it feels like when the relief comes. Glad you are doing better. The smooth move tea (senna) works well and fast for me for the big "C". I usually do the smooth move after my infusion as the steriods stop me up. After that Taxol kicks in the Big "D" until my next treatment.
Sandylovelucy -- glad the eyelashes and brows are coming back. It is interesting the hair on my head is growing but my eyelashes and eyebrows are thinning. Go figure.
Kellogg, thanks for the response on the tiredness and how long it took PFC for you so that I can at least have a gauge -- even thoough I know each of us is different. The fatigue is really kicking my butt and now I know what they mean by cumlative...urggghhh. The fatigue has pronounced my chemo brain too..so.....I ask for forgiveness from my co-workers, DH and children if I have to ask abot something mutliple times or I forget where I was mid-stream in talking. At work I usually keep good notes, but I now have to write more detail..lol -- I feel like I write a novel during meetings. Glad I have OneNote to track meetings, etc otherwise I would be lost.
Well just went to get my blood work done. Hopefully all is in order for my treatment tomorrow! Wow! treatment on Christmas and New Year's Eve -- not happy about that -but that is the way the cookie crumbled. The good thing I will still be amp'd on Steroids for Christmas and New Years day :-).
Hugs as Always and Merry Christmas to All!
-Angie
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Bippy, I am shedding some happy tears for you. The BEST news!
Jean, congratulations on that gorgeous GGD! Just lovely.
Am typing on my phone, which is a royal pain so will add more later. Good wishes to all! Look how far we have come these past months. I agree with Sandy - big thanks to you, Angie, for connecting us! Couldn't have done this alone.
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Saw GGD Valentina for the first time tonight on the way home from 10 of 12 Taxol. The end is getting closer. Saw the surgeon after taxol to discuss the pros and cons of ALND vs radiation to the area the clinical trials are not all in yet so it is pretty much up to me. I am hoping that God will make clear what I should do.
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