Starting chemo August 2014
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jean- congratulations!! Baby Valentina is adorable!!!!
LadyB- I know what you mean. I was exhausted, I couldn't imagine having 12 taxols. I am feeling nauseous now, no idea why. I didn't feel nauseous during taxol. I don't know how you worked during all this! I have been very lucky with my job and have been on leave since my surgery in July. I go back jan 5th and I'm not looking forward to it at all. I pretty much loved and breathed cancer for 6 Months and I tried to live my life the best I could between surgery and just being exhausted and feeling like crap but basically t all revolved around doctors and treatments. I'm having a hard time getting my mind around going back to work and getting past all this
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Zjrosenthal - welcome Valentina! Congratulations....
Went for my 4th rads treatment today. The machine got stuck in position over me for about 10 minutes. Tech came in to tell me they were doing films and would be doing them weekly. I had a blood test yesterday and was told today that I would have that weekly also. I called the RO up and told her I am not a lab rat and I will not do unnecessary tests. I had blood work done every 3 wks for chemo, no way do they need to do weekly blood work for rads. Also, never was told or explained anything about films being done. I was concerned was being exposed to more radiation then need be. RO assured me they don't use anymore radiation while doing films and It is standard procedure. I wouldn't have even know except machine got stuck. Interesting what they don't tell you about ahead of time. Can't sleep tonight and feeling down. Having family and friends over tmrw night for Xmas eve dinner. Hope I can snap out of it and enjoy the evening.
HPpy Holidays!
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Jean, beautiful pic of you both! How wonderful. There is still much joy in our lives.
It's almost two weeks since my last taxol (#4) and I am starting to feel good. Happy. Like myself again. My taxol wasn't debilitating since I only got through 4 treatments, so I was closer to "fine". It's nice to taste a bit of normal, gives me great hope that once we are through this and recover and get stronger, we can feel like our old selves again. It'll be nice when I can see my toes and reach the pedals in the car. I absolutely can't drive and haven't for months! 13 sleeps to go max before two more little ones, can't wait!merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah Happy Holidays to all. We are still here!
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Catie57= They told me the first day of radiation I would get films done the first 2 days. Then they are done weekly if needed. The tech told me it was to make sure of the correct position. As for blood work. That was never mentioned nor have I seen anyone there getting blood work. I see the RO once a week. That was for about 5 minutes on Monday. The initial consult with him was over $3000.00. I have not seen a bill for simulation. Wonder what that charge will be? I have made my out of pocket in Sept so, not too concerned New insurance starts Jan 1st. UGH!! $809.00/month just for me. Today is my 7 th rad. So far so good. I put aloe vera on my skin before leaving. The place I go you get a warm blanket and gown when you go back to the room.
Bippy=hope you are on the ned
Everyone Merry Christmas!!!!
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Catie57, I hope you're feeling better today. {{hugs}}
Jean, that's a great photo. I love your smile in it!
Gatomal, less than two weeks! So excited for you.
My parents arrive today. I need to figure out a vegan dessert for tomorrow, as the one I wanted to make? I'm having trouble getting the ingredients for it (namely, dairy free chocolate). Our niece is vegan and I wanted to have some options for her. Today I need to finish tidying up and getting ready for tomorrow. I feel a little stressed, I'm realizing, and that's silly. I need to let go of that.
Still no new eyebrows or eyelashes (thought I also haven't lost them all yet, so it's OK) and no real visible new hair growth to speak of (and I am still losing hair, which just seems unfair at this point). I go in for a CBC and appt. with my onc. this morning. I'm not sure what else we'll do or talk about today. I really dislike the guy. I'm still dealing with some big C issues. Things are better, but I'm also still getting some cramping that is really painful. It woke me up today. I'm hoping the further I move away from that last chemo and Herceptin/Perjeta, the better I'll feel.
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catie57= I asked at my rads appointment today about xrays. They have to do them weekly for mandatory medical regulations. My tech told me your state may require blood work.
Cassiecat=buy a vegan dessert or serve fruit. I stress nothing now.
last night we went to someone house that knew my boyfriend. The wife very nice eluded several times I should have done alternative treatments. Wanted to give me a book "cancer free. " Changing my diet and adding many herbs and vitamins. After I informed her I had a super healthy diet and that there was NO WAY with triple negative BC was I not doing chemo and rad. They told about people cured with diet and vitamins only. She has not had cancer and no experience . Her husband was just dx wiht lymphoma and this is the route he is going. They told him he does not need any treatment at this point. Too early. PLEASE PLEASE stop giving advise. I had to sit there an smile. They are members of a service my boyfriend writes for.
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Jean, beautiful! Not just the baby, you as well.
Catie, weekly blood work for rads, are they insane? For what, their own amusement!
Eileen, people and their stupid comments. They all know what's best for us, don't they? They all have a cure. I think in my case there's going to be a lot of apologies when they contract their own cancers, and the odds state that yes they will. I never, ever, thought I would get cancer of any kind. I felt very smug and cocky about it on the inside. And yet, here I am. I've already had someone asked me if radiation is really necessary, a good friend and a good person! I'm almost ready to just tell anyone else that does this kind of thing to me that yes, I'll tell you what when you get cancer you can do whatever you want to yourself. My medical choices are none of your business. You handled it correctly though, we still have to consider these kind of things in dealing with people that are important to our livelihood.
I hope everybody's doing good this Christmas eve. We have all been on a very long very difficult journey together and I consider you all friends and sisters of mine. I just never could've made it this far without you. We canceled our Christmas Dinner plans, due to my drain issues and being uncomfortable. However by New Year's I'm going to be ready to party! My sister-in-law is making us care packages so we will be having wonderful Christmas food.
About my drains, I just posted a bunch of tips and tricks my husband and I came up with to make them easier to deal with. It is really been a struggle for me this past week and I did not anticipate being so uncomfortable. They may help some of you and their little bit McIver kind of things.I really don't want anyone to suffer like I have been doing so feel free to use them!
Happy Christmas to all!
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I had someone suggest ozone therapy. Um, no?! It's cancer and I'm not going to mess around! Apparently my neighbor across the street is dealing with a recurrence of some kind of cancer and told me how terrible the treatments are in our county. Our COUNTY. Please don't ever let me tell anyone else what to do with their bodies when they have something huge to deal with. Another mom about my age is treating her breast cancer with only alternative treatments. A mutual friend told me, and I'm almost afraid to ask how it's going.
I have only gotten about 5-6 hours of sleep the pat two nights and I can feel it today, both physically and in my mood. I'm a little cranky! Might be playing the cancer card a little bit more today, ha ha.
Oh wait, I do (DID?!) have cancer, and it's cancer's fault I'm not sleeping enough/well. I'll walk to my appt. and back today and that'll be some exercise, which will help.Bippy, I'll look for your tips on the drains. My BS said I'll only have one, thankfully.
Catie, I don't even have weekly blood work now. I think during one cycle I did, but mostly it's been blood work the day before or day of chemo and then about a week later. Why would rads require so much more? Very odd.
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Bippy !!!!' I am sooooo happy for you!!!!! I have teary eyes for that NED news. All those chemo and drain chits worth it!!! Happy dance for you. I will do double mastectomy on January 7. They will play around on my lymph nodes to the left side. Thanks GOd I'm a right handed. thank you so much for your update. Where do you post the tips? At the surgery forums? My insurance will cover 2 camis. Just got a letter that genetic test wasn't covered. I haven't called them yet, do not want to ruin my Christmas. Perjeta mortgage. Lol. I will have BMX mortgage too. Anyhow with the money we have and will spend, we will not enjoy the European vacation with the cancer chit...:-) mortgage with NED are still a nice combo..:-) kiss them staples good bye for me on the 26:-)
Kellogg . Congrats with the port out. I will still need mine for Herceptin.
Jean, congrats for a beautiful great granddaughter baby Valentina. One reason to be happy through this difficult journey.
Cassie no hair for me but the triangle area. They stay strong not like others...:-( my big C remedies after my C section were warm prune juice (mixed with apple juice to help you swallow it) and milk of magnesia and tons of water. Like Bippy said you probably eat less too.
Beatmom, have fun in Las Vegas. I got married in LasVegas, no Elvis style, traditional style and we get stronger each year.
Amy I am so happy you finally feel better just in time for Christmas!!!! We go to Branson for Christmas, near your place, but this year will be too hard on me , I still have the fatigue, couldn't help my hubby with the a baby and a special need toddler.
Catie good luck with your radiation. I will have to wait for the surgery biopsy result before MO decides if I will have the radiation or not.
Eileen how's the left foot? Hope it's better now. Good luck with your radiation. I understand how you feel with the alternative treatment. I believe in GOD and a Christian but I hate it when people said God will take care of everything. God gives us knowledge, brain and abilities to do things, to try and deal with our problems. We do pray and have to work and try the best we could too.My home country culture is full of superstitions and herbal medicines ideas. I got tons of emails and messages of herbal and alternative medicines from friends and relatives when they know I have cancer. My friends who have medical degree still believe that cancer happens because one still hold the grudge or have an empty soul. Good grief!!! I believe chemo chits can help me deal with cancer and I do pray to GOD to help me get through this. At some points I may explore other things too out of my despiration but I will keep fighting and keep my hope up....:-)
Gatomal, stay strong. Thinking of you and your babies.
We will have Christmas at my MIL tonight. I had fun wrapping presents and hubby have me a really nice soup pan and a small one to reheat my soup..:-)
Merry Christmas everyone....:-) stay strong. Hugs to you all
Shirley
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Hi Everyone,
Want to thank everyone for feedback and support.Talked to my RO this a.m. and found out my WBC was 2.9 which is low. Average starts at 4.0. That explains why I feel tired, although haven't been sleeping at night. Nurse chimed in that it is normal after finishing chemo. She said it may go low after a few weeks and will return to normal hopefully on its own. RO said will need to do blood work end of next week to watch it. Also agreed to one other end of treatment.
Just spent the morning picking up last minute seafood and desserts. Preparing food that can be prepared in advance and set table. I hit a wall now and am resting. Luckily I told everyone to come at 6:00 pm, so gave myself time to recoup. My husband will help with cooking, so should be fine.
Hope everyone feels well enough to enjoy the holiday. Congrats to those who have finished chemo, and those almost there. Well wishes to those recovering from surgery and for those preparing for it. It has been quite a journey and not quite finished yet. Really close though!!!! Hang in there....
Listened to a tune on radio this a.m. "When you can't sleep because of worry, instead of counting sheep, count your blessings." Thinking happy, positive thoughts...
Cathie
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Jean - Valentina looks so adorable and as others said what a pretty name! I hope she will have the best of all in her life.
Cassie & Eileen - I've made some progress in the swelling department and lost 6 pounds in the last 3 days. I feel much better already. I did use the compression socks, cut salt intake and kept my feet up as I rested after surgery; I am not sure if any of those had an impact but will try to keep low salt intake for a while until the capillaries heal and I don't balloon up everytime I eat salty. I will see how my feet are after a full day of work, that will show the real situation.
Also I am happy to report that my path report came back with clear margins, so no more surgery needed for me!!! I also got clear nodes. My tumor, while being HER2+ did not disappear completely and there was residual disease of a couple mm in the tissue taken, but still it shrunk a lot from the original 3.3 cm so I will also take that as good news.
I will be resting for a while. Jan 5 is the first herceptin alone infusion and Jan 13 will be my first appointment with a radiation oncologist. Can't tell you how much I am dreading radiation. I don't mind the temporary skin issues but the long term potential effects are just so scary!
I hope everyone is doing well and having a great holiday season. Take care!!!
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Windgirl, so glad to hear your news! I share your concerns about long term SE's from radiation..as far as skin issues go, I haven't had any changes yet and I'm a little over halfway done now.
Catie57, I love that song! Thanks for reminding me. Nice thought to "fall asleep counting your blessings."
Eileenpg, OMG people need to learn when to stop talking! This is why I haven't told neighbors and certain people I know have a history of giving stupid opinions on topics they know nothing about. When my dad had surgery last year for an aortic aneurism some of his"friends" came up with some doozies that scared the heck out of him.
I think I spent half the day crying yesterday. Heard about the passing of an acquaintance. Then while waiting for rads treatment Italked to a wonderful couple and when he made an innocent comment about making the most out of life I just lost it. Could not stop crying. Turns out he is a pastor and asked if he could pray for me. Cried through the prayer. More crying all the way through CT scan, x-rays, and treatment. To top it off there was a really sad sounding Christmas song playing in the treatment room. At least I could laugh at that when I told the techs that it was the last straw! I haven't cried very much through these past six months but I guess I was due. Feeling better today and so grateful that both daughters and my son-in-law will be here for Christmas. I'm blessed to still have my parents and they will be here too. It will be a wonderful Christmas. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Hugs, Sandy
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Ugh, I really don't like my MO. He does not listen to me! I need to fire him. I swear, I am nothing but a computer screen on a laptop to him. There is no human connection whatsoever. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I go back in a week to get my test results. I can't even picture him being happy to share a result of NED. He'll probably just say "Well, as of right now, but that doesn't mean it won't come back..." Mister doom and gloom. I like everyone else there except him. DH feels exactly the same way.
Sorry. I was grumpy before and now I feel worse. Sucky way to usher in Christmas Eve.
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Windgirl=Thanks for making me feel better. I am SO UNCOMFORTABLE with the fluid in thighs,ankle,and feet. My BF says I have thankles. No calves. Just all thighs. Now my left arm is swollen. This started yesterday. UGH Will ask at RO on Friday if this is normal. I swear if some one put a pin in me I would just ooze out G2 gatoraid since I drank a lot to that.My SIL told me start wearing dresses like Scarlet Ohara. She says I am skinny from the waist up. Just say it is a new look. That and bald. Oh Yeah!! Really new look.Cassicat=Sorry you hate your MO. I realy like mine and it has made this journey so much better. I really like my RO too. Never too late to switch.
Going out tonight. Across the street. Well, I think I will wear my BF flip flops. Mine are too small. I need this to be over. I am done with Cancer and the SE's. Enough is Enough!!!!
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chemo on fridays And my port is stable
Neublasta to follow And Bills on the table
Bright happy faces that are cancer free,
These are a few of my most hated things
Nausea and vomit Oh They like to hang
But the Big D is a whole other thing
Who needs depends at our tender age,
These are a few of my most hated things!
When the onc calls, when the labs suck, when I am going insane.......
Xanax prescriptions and able to drink,
Drains coming out soon, what do you think!
Stupid dumb people say stupid dumb things,
NED for christmas, a glorious thing!
Now lets all sleep well and I cannot sing
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Love the song Bippy!! I had to sing it as I read it lol.
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Oh Bippy= You are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
hahahahahaha, you can relate!!!merry christmas all
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bippy, thank you! You crack me up.
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Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas. Love, Jean
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Bippy, it is my new favorite carol! Merry Christmas!
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Have a lovely day today everyone.....i have found my drains are puttin out nothin!!! That means no worries about gettin them removed tomorrow. Another christmas miracle.
Please do not overdue today either, if you can help it. We still need to conserve our energies!
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Merry Christmas, everyone!
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Oh ladies, i so wish i was windsurfing right now. Not sure I mentioned this before but that is my main hobby. I spend my days dreaming of things I will do when this breast cancer mess is done, and kind of get frustrated I can't do them right now. I almost started shopping for windsurfing equipment out of frustration, and stopped when I realized I don't have the money for it, well thanks to BC again
Anyways, I just watched one of the videos I had taken last year while doing it, and wanted to share in case you were bored, and wanted to see an amateur girl windsurf
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Merry Christmas to you all.
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I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!
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We had a wonderful Christmas at our daughters house with all the family. Of course the star was Valentina, our beautiful great granddaughter. Hoping today finds all of you well and at peace. Love, Jean
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Well I'm sitting in the chair for the LAST time! I also talked to my MO and she said she is going to give me shots to be sure I'm in menopause every 3 months and hormones for 5 years. She also is fairly certain that I will not have to do rads since my tumor was 3cm and there appears to be no lymph node involvement. Another Yay! Surgery is yet to be scheduled but she said probably 4 or 5 weeks. So I get a little break. So today is a happy, happy day even though I still have 1 more round of SEs to go through!
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yay Amy!!! Last one! The day has finally arrived.
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Yeah Amy!!!!!!!0
