Starting chemo August 2014
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Gatomal, thinking of you and the twins today.
Bippy, I like that million dallah baby! Glad your RO appt went well.
Kellogg, good luck and please ease back into work. Take care and rest.
Eileen, good news! I have eaten a lot of eggs over the last few days and thought of you -- LoL. I even said <<cluck>>, <<cluck>> and my DH looked at me like...hummm you ok. And I just laughed out loud.
JeniE, like the quote and so glad to see you on the boards.
I got so sick yesterday, nausea, stomach cramping on top of the fatigue, etc. I haven't felt that bad in a while and definitely haven't up-chucked (gross right) since AC treatments. Slept most of yesterday and today and feel much better. Maybe it was a bug instead of chemo -- who knows.
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Cassie- I can only hope to have hair by three months!! I only have some fuzz so far. Though my hair grows pretty fast so I am holding out hope. I say on the commuter train this morning looking at the back of people's heads, wishing I had hair. It was a pity party for one!
Ladyb- normally I would be jumping right into work but I'm taking it slow. I don't want to overdo it and set myself back at all.
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Hi ladies!
Angie - glad you got the eye issue resolved and it was not serious.
Eileen - after losing 6 pounds myself I still have some fluid too slight swelling in feet and belly. I am not sure if it was just coincidence but I lost the fluid after wearing compression socks for 2 days and lying down (it was after surgery so it worked out), I am going to work the remainder of this week and plan to wear them. I didn't know (although sounds like common sense) but apparently you have to wear the socks before you step out of bed to get the best results, so maybe you can keep them nearby.
On the hair, I have a 5 o'clock shadow too! I keep touching my head
it looks a little bit darker today, I have pretty good coverage so far no huge bald spots but it's still not fully in, especially around the hairline. I was reading the hair thread and saw a hair stylist recommend a product called FAST. I read reviews about 2/3 rd says it works and in fact doubles the natural rate, and the rest pretty much says it did nothing but dried their hair. I got excited and ordered it last night. After ordering I did see they had also made a non sulphate no paraben version, so I tried to change my order but I was too late it had shipped. I think paraben is not great for hormone positive tumors although I am not sure. Anyway I thought I would mention. As soon as I have 1.5-2 inches I am gonna get extensions. Never got them before but this Brazilian girl on the forum posted pics of hers when she initially got BC and it looks great. I can find the name of the thread if anyone is interested.Nails, I got one lifted in the top half already and I think two others will follow. I have painted them and trying to keep them short. I'm wearing a bandaid around the lifted one when I go to bed and sometimes during the day to protect it.
Bippy wow your insurance sure had paid a ton! My insurance seems to pay about a quarter of the amount billed by the hospital/dr based on negotiated discounts (I see both gross and net) so it is nowhere near yours. Still when I add all the premiums I paid over 13 years of work life, it would pretty much equal the cancer billings through today, and radiation and many more herceptins are yet to come.
Had my first herceptin alone infusion today and feel great, hoping it continues to be uneventful. I wish us herceptin girls could only do this 6 months. I read trial results and the difference in DFS is so small, just a few percentages, but still the standard of care remains one year. Keeping this port until end of august is not going to be fun.
I am dreading upcoming rads so much. My first appointment with RO is next week, I am going to ask to see if I can do it using the prone position. I am so scared of getting lung cancer from this as I used to be a smoker on and off, and have read about the different types over the past two weeks. Proton therapy sounds to be the best but is only used in partial radiation therapy it seems and I think with my tumor size and her2 positive I would have to be full breast. So fingers crossed for prone position.
I hope everyone is doing great, take care!!
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Gatomal: thinking of you and those strong babies all day today hope everyone is doing great!!
Day 3 post 3rd taxol...body aches numbness headaches. No worse than last 2 rounds.but quite unpleasant nonetheless...oh and sharp pains in r breast at lumpectomy site ???
I can't believe it's January....surgery is next month...still getting panic attacks thinking about it ..and it's getting in the way of preparation..forced myself to start list of things I need (button up shirts, bandages,etc.....) mostly still scared about caring for little one I just need to be able to hold him !!!!!
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Gatomal: Congrats on your beautiful babies!
Today is day 11 PFC. I have felt really good but today, I'm back to the same ole SE. Big D, very sore heavy legs and emotions all over the place today. I was thinking that I should be over all that until I realized it WAS only day 11....It seems so much longer since the last one. Tomorrow I have to take my 12 year old to the dentist and go grocery shopping... I will be riding in a cart to shop. I hate doing that but walking to the kitchen is excruciating right now because of the pain in my legs....I wish I could stay home. Anyway. I ordered 2 PJ sets with button tops and a button shirt today in preparation for surgery in a few weeks...need to call insurance and see if they cover camisoles for after surgery....so ready to be on the other side of it too. Well ladies have a great night! Hugs Amy
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happy Tuesday all!
Sorry those SEs are still lingering for some of you - ot seems inconceivable to me now all the SEs endured through chemo. And surgery is now behind me, with its trials. You will all make it to the other side! i just began to feel good yesterday. Goin over to a friends today, and for lunch, things I have not done for months. Rads do not freak me out, like everything else did.
I do recommend anti anxiety meds presurgery and post, for those that can tolerate them. It really stops the panic and fretting, and also, helps with comfort after. Please also ask for help after surgery, you will need it even to to basic things at first. The prep list here is great, and button ups are a must!
Hair, hair, hair.....mine is like yours Cassie, sproutin all over. Comin in fast and nice! i do really miss it. Soon I will be sellin my wigs on Ebay. They really itch too much now with the new growth.
Cassie and kellogg, I am lookin forward to returning to work too. And I was also doing waaayy too much pre-BC, so will not make that mistake again. Waiting till after rads though.
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Well, assuming today's CBC looks OK (and it should) I am a go for MX and a "few" lymph nodes this Friday, early in the morning. The nerves have really kicked in and I feel anxious. Thank goodness for ativan to help me sleep this week.
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Windgirl. I have my compression socks and super tight leggings on since this am. Wrapped my arm before I took my walk. I have now lost 7 lbs and can ride my bike. Still hurts to get into car. Tough to sit on floor and to getup. Have to sit down to put pants and shoes on. Probably should put a chair in the closet. I feel so much better. I had a hard time breathing.My hair is a 5 o' clock shadow for who ever wrote that. Has anyone noticed they have no filters left on what they say. I used to only have a few. Now I say anything and really don't care. I am not mean nor do I say anything to hurt anyones feelings. I just spill stuff out if you ask me a question. My son who is 28 has aspergers. I think I have it too. Oh well. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Nurse shark= good luck with your upcoming surgery.
Goodluck to all going to surgery.
I have done 9 days of rads. No SE's yet. My RO said last week my skin may start to turn pink. I told him " I will have non of that kind of talk". I love my 2 techs and the center I go to. They moved me to 8 am slot. It is great.
I will miss all my BFF beeps I met on this board when we all are done and have moved on. You guys are the best. You literally saved me. I had somewhere to go with people who understood how much chemo sucked
Last night a lady in my local thirft shop approached me.. I have been selling collectibles since 1997 on Ebay She asked me if I was had breast cancer. I said yes. She then went to the back of the store and came back and gave me a breast cancer survivors tee shirt. I was so taken back, it was wonderful. She wished me luck and told me I was a survivor.
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My hair, she is returning. The top was pretty much bare naked until just a few days ago, then WHAM! What's odd is, it normally was thin on top. Weird. The ratio of brown to gray looks about like what it was. Also please note my EYEBROWS! Hang in there, everyone, your hair will return!
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I still have a few pages of catch reading to do, but thought this would be an interesting experiment, seeing how I have changed because of this treatment, prompted by the swelling parts discussion a few pages back.
1st 2 pics with hair are before and after my pre-chemo haircut. Hat pic is post tx 2, shiny queue ball is post tx 3, then 7 weeks PFC, and finally, today, 12 weeks PFC. Yes, I officially have hair, but it appears to be all grey. Also, my face is still puffy.
I am finished with radiation as of 12/22, and started taking the 5 years of exemestane this week. Also started walking daily, only a mile & a half so far, but increasing to 2.5 next week. I am bound and determined to look completely different in a year!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years! I'll post more later after I catch up on the last few pages..
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Look at all the hair you ladies have growing! Awesome! I love seeing everyone's photos. I remember when we were sharing photos as we shaved our heads, and now we're sharing our hair returning. I love this group.
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Cassie, good luck with surgery this week. I have been thinking (prayiing for you). Hope you relax and get prepared.
Eileen, love the story! You (we) are survivors! Kick rocks cancer.
Tabby, looking good! My hair looks like yours. In the last week it has really sprouted. I have taken a picture each week of the growth, except last week during the holidays. Seems I have more grey now. I didn't really have any grey before i lost my hair. Strands here and there but my DH says I have almost all gray with specks of black.. LoL.
Just Amy, hope you are feeling better.
Windgirl, how is your recovery coming?
Cassie, I am starting a blog (wish I would have done it sooner). I did journal however, and maybe I can post some of my past journal entries.. Did you open yours up to only family and friends? Excited about your DD auditions.
Gatomal, thinking of you and those beautiful babies. Can't want to meet them virtually.
Prepping for #11 of #12 tomorrow. Blood work looks good. I have to say I had a hard weekend. Fatigued as usually, but what was unusually I got very nausious and Big D on Sunday and Monday. Feel a lot better today. As I write this I am thinking did I post about this already.. Oh Well, chemo brain...big smile.. hopefully soon to get better PFC.
Well have to go catch my ride home and will post more later.
Hugs All,
Angie
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Surgery is tomorrow for me...woo hoo! Lumpectomy, sentinel node, hopefully no more than that. Cleaned house today, shopped, got some exercise. All set. Just might take an an atavan to help me sleep. Glad to get this done!!
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Angie thanks so much, doing well, still sore around my underarm but getting better
Hope all is well with you too, almost done!0 -
Jenifer good luck tomorrow! Hopefully it will go smoothly, and you will get good path report soon. Recovery was not hard for me, still a bit sore because of the SNB but I read that that is common. Best thing afterwards is to take Bippy's advice, even though we are only getting a lumpectomy, it still heals much better when you take it easy for a week.
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JeniE, good luck tomorrow!!!
Angie, only one more to go after tomorrow - yay! I shared my blog with family and friends. I let people know I was writing one and that if they wanted the URL to let me know. It's been a really nice to way to feel connected to people in the midst of what has been fairly isolating.
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Jen=Good luck tomorrow
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JeniferE- good luck with surgery! I seem to be a few months behind you but same plans. I start THP tomorrow.I haven't found a lot of us with this THP neo treatment plan. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. You are an inspiration for me
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Jennifer, I have been on THP for 10 weeks. 2 more to go then node removal in early Feb. fI'll owed by rads when surgery heals. Chemo is almost done but a lot more to go. Love, Jean
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jenifere, you will be home before ya know it. The node thing smarts, but I had 13 removed along with one that had loads of scar tissue...maybe less pain for yours! Best wishes and let us know.
Strongenough, LOVE the pics! I am starting back walking today too, and you inspire me.
Angie, ugh, I so understand your SE. You are getting close to the end so hang in there! The end was hardest for me too. Hugs!
I drove myself yesterday first time post surgery on 12/17 and my node side was stiff and sore afterwards, so I will take it easy today. However, feeling very good now. Still need to be careful and not push it, and I will keep with that plan.
Well, movin on.....I posted two of my wigs on ebay and they sold in a few hours! I am only keeping one, it is a chic short one. It is kinda hard to say goodbye to them, yet I cannot wait to ship them away.
Goin for a pap today, before BC I had a very mild dysplasia, amd we were just watchin it. Hopefully it is healed up, but i am fearful they are gonna tell me now my choch is fallin out with cancer. Sighs. Doctor phobia! I am runnin out of parts to remove.
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Cassiecat - Thanks for posting pic of hair. I totally lost all my hair and most of my eyebrows. My hair is starting to come in but spotty and white. Still have to pencil eyebrows in. I think it's going to take longer then I hoped to grow.
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Ok, I'm all caught up...
Reading through several pages of posts, I laughed and I cried... Jean, beautiful GGD! Bippy, hilarious song! Windgirl, loved the video, you look like you are having such a good time! And YAY for clear margins! Nurseshark, can't believe that adorable baby is already a month old, and love the onesie! Gatomal, thinking of you, hoping no news is good news, and waiting for pics of the babies! JeniferE & Shirley, hope all is going well for you today, sending warm fuzzies. Cassie & Bippy, WOOHOO for NED! LadyB, glad you got to the eye doc! JustAmy, YAHOO on finishing chemo!
We are back from visiting my parents in Missouri. It was a nice visit, long overdue b/c of treatments. Got to catch up with some of my coworkers (worked in the office for a couple days to save paid time off), spent some quality time with my former next door neighbor/bff, and spent most of the week with the parents. My mom's alzheimers is getting worse; that's kinda hard to watch. My wonderful step-dad is doing a great job helping her, but I think the time is approaching when they will need home health help a few days a week. Gone are the days when Mom had every meal planned, thoughtful Christmas gifts wrapped & tagged under the tree, homemade Christmas cookies, etc. She only hung candy canes on the tree this year, and I had to help her find the Christmas stockings (in a box, clearly marked "Christmas Stockings" on the shelf with the rest of the Christmas stuff in the basement). We were going to bake the cookies together, but never got around to it. Between us being broke and them being disorganized, it was quite a scaled down affair this year. But the most important part was being together, although my brother and his family could not make it, which was very disappointing for us all.
As for the new year, I was very fortunate with the timing of my Dx and tx, as all my treatments (except the 5 years of exemestane) were finished in 2014. Mammogram, 2 ultrasounds, 2 surgeries, 2 biopsies, countless labs, 3 MRIs, an echo, 4 rounds of chemo, 3 radiation sims, 35 radiation treatments and a dexa scan, all sandwiched into one year! 2014 will heretofore be remembered as "the year from Hell." I am truly starting anew this new year, and it feels great! We will all get there!
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Briefly had fuzz but got patchy after 3rd taxol....I hate the feeling so I shave it off....still have brows... -2degrees this am with wind chill definitely felt it taking dog out this morning ....today's plan staying inside snuggling baby drinking tea
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Nurse Shark= you are so cute!!!!!0 -
Jeni and Angie, thinking of you both today!
Jean, hang in there. It's a marathon, for sure.
Bippy, glad your wigs sold! I'm sorry you've got other issues to worry about. I have to follow up too, but I just couldn't bring myself to add another appointment this week, so it'll have to wait now until I'm up and around after surgery.
Catie57, one eyebrow is very thin, and the other one is half gone - literally, the outer half, toward my ear, all fell out! I have enough overall that I can still use pencil and/or powder when I want to look more normal.
StrongEnough, that must be hard, watching your mom change. I hope 2015 is a much better year for you and your family.
NurseShark, you look adorable! Radiant!
I go in early tomorrow for surgery. I've got dinner going in the crock pot, I baked 2 dozen pumpkin muffins with prunes in case the big C shows up, my parents arrive today. I have button up tops ready and a front-close mastectomy bra with a pouch, plus a camisole coming any day. Prescriptions are filled and picked up. What am I forgetting? Thank goodness for Ativan.
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cassie, you will do fine! Thinking of you for tomorrow. Ativan is the most important thing, haha.
Nirseshark, adorable head you have. Mine is comin back, cannot wait. Comin in more gray than brown.....
I start rads Jan. 20. Want it overwith! I seem to be coming down with a cold now. Pounding zinc and Vitamin C, but sneezing and stuffy nose. Crap.
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nurseshark- you look amazing!!!
Cassie - good luck tomorrow! Sounds like your ready. Ativan has been my BFF since this whole thing started!
It's been a hard week here with going back to work. My boss is known for being an ass and nothing has changed. I shouldn't known better then to expect anything else upon returning. He couldn't even give me 5 minutes to talk in the 2 days I've been back on the office. I guess I expected a little more from him since he literally almost died from a heart attack a few years ago.
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Cassie cat= Wishing you the best. Speedy recovery.Kellogg= I hate your boss!!!
Bippy= I have done 11 of rads. So far smooth sailing.
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hi all..
I had the girls removed yesterday and discharged home this morning.they took 2nodes out and pathology came benign. They decided not to remove the other two suspicious ones because the pathology showed the negative report.two drains only, not as bad as I thought it would be.
The worst part was the nuclear medicine before the surgery!!!!! They could have told me to apply my happy cream for that test. Oh my goodness : they injected 4 shit intradermally around my nipple for the test. It referred as 'the 4 bee stings only' to them. Oh hell they hurt. It's for the sentinel lymph nodes images.i could have applied the lidocaine cream 30 minutes before which they said to me 'help with the pain'.
Dilaudid made me loopy all day after surgery and they switched the pain shot to Toradol and I was back to my normal state again and pain free. Norco helps with the pain for now.worshipping my new camisoles now.
Hope everything goes well with you Jen.
Good luck Cassiecat.the surgery is a lot better than chemo. Chemo sucks but it kicked my cancer but so I'm still thankful and all the side effects during the zombie days are worth it. 2 degree in here when I was discharged but I was so happy with the pathology report, best day of the year!!!!
Stay strong ladies. Hugs to you all
Shirley
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ohhhh no hair yet. No problem, still a happy day.thank you for the tips hilly Bippy.
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