Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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sounds like a lot of us are starting rads in Jan.
Moo glad your surgery went well.
Ladies on taxol be careful getting out of bed. I got up at 4am to pee and fell getting out of bed. I couldn't feel my legs; they gave out on me. Damn now my knees hurt. I had previous orthoscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus on each of them and they are aching this morning.
Southern I had a hot flash in Walmart this past weekend. I took off my hat. And then I saw another woman shopping who was bald also. Made me feel better to see another bald chick while out shopping.
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DL Cygnet - Great update - thanks for sharing your beautiful smile.
You're a week ahead of me on weekly Taxol - you go! I was just looking at yesterday's labs and they were lowish / decent. I've been eating high fiber foods like bran flakes, green peas (because for me it's constipation SE), protein, a little fruit.
I'm sorry alcohol + Taxol are a problem for you. For me, A/C was like anabuse: couldn't even look at the stuff!
Artista - Yeah good labs!
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Thanks for all the details about your rads Annie and others. I have my meet and great with RO this afternoon and I'm still trying to understand why I even need rads. Seems like overkill but I will listen carefully. Last chemo is Dec 30 so I will start rads mid January - sounds like a lot of us will be getting a little sunburned boobs in then!
Hope all are in the mend!
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Blood work came back great! I don't know if it was the last neupogen shot or the e-coli k-12 and I don't care. Cleared for treatment of DD Taxol on Friday. Praise God!!!!
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Sailorgirl, ask your RO specifically what you gain by doing radiation. Hopefully, he/she will be able to give you a ballpark about how rads will reduce your chances of a local recurrence.
Mom2: speedy healing!
Shopgal: I know two people who broke bones when they couldn't feel their legs while getting out of bed (not Taxol related. One just slept weird, and his legs were asleep.). My first cycle of Taxol was on a Tuesday, and my knees went out several times that Friday. I'm working from home this Friday.
Anyone else's WBCs going through the ceiling? Mine were 51.5 yesterday. No sign of infection (temp, blood pressure, and such are normal). The PA said there's sometimes a spike when you take fistfuls of steroids, but holy cow. RBC, HGB, and HCT remain low, but not alarming. I'm going in today for a reduced Neulasta shot.
DD Taxol yesterday. I can already feel the neuropathy ramping up after almost resolving. We've already talked about reducing the dose if it gets worse.
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Studies indicate that the combination of chemo and rads reduces recurrence more than chemo alone or rads alone. Every tiny bit helps!
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If I didn't have a positive node I would have been able to skip rads.
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Skittlegirl - it's diff @ each place i guess because if I had one less node positive I would have been a IIB & no rads
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Southern- I was going to order one from where yours shipped but thought I'd wait to see what you think, as in is it as pictured. So please post pic and your thoughts when you get yours.
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Rads isn't for everyone. My RO told me at first visit I may or may not get it. There are SEs to it too like no matter how great technology you have, some will nick your lung and heart for one. No way around it. At that time BS was saying no lymph node involvement so it was we most likely won't be seeing you. Then after sx I had a fu consult with RO and she said we will be seeing you..
Also it seems research shows the hormone pills the ER+ people take reduce recurrence the most.
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Had AC #3 yesterday and feeling great. The first 2 rounds I was feeling a little something but neither was too bad. I had to credit it to my stubborness to secumb to it, remaining positive, and my multi vits and supps I take. Diet is ok as I do have to have my sugar treat daily so not perfect. If I'm awake, tv is on in the background and I have my uplifting trance music going on through my Bose speakers and Bose headphones on my computer to keep the mood up. I highly recommend uplifting music as therapy. Even if I feel off, it always brings me up naturally.
Neulasta shot this afternoon. Found out if you're doing Taxotere alone which is only administered every 3 weeks and not 2, they don't do Neulasta unless you plummet. I guess they figure you're body will bounce back on it's own in that time frame before you're zapped again.
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Scotland - I hope the neuropathy is easing up. I'm definitely a little nervous about DD. But I'm optimistic about finishing txt on time with Neulasta and e coli k12. Target end date now 1/29. I proudly showed the nurse who was not optimistic about me getting treatment this week my ANC which needed to be at 2 and was 2.2.
My counts have never been that high. My WBC was 13.4 today. In the 50s, you might be able to survive a nuclear war!
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Had labs done today. Counts all good, WBC slightly elevated but thats normal for me because of the nuelasta. Had shortness of breath the last week or two. Blood oxygen level checks out great at 99% so that's not it. I guess lying flat on my back for days on end has had an effect on my endurance. I'm exhausted after very little activity. I told MO about the joint pain not getting easier after the 2nd round so she agreed to reduce the Taxol dosage by 20%. I go in tomorrow and hopefully the weekend won't be a wash with me doped up to handle the pain.
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southern, falling is good. It's used as a tumor marker with rising levels indicating progression of cancer.
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Hello ladies, hope everyone is doing as good as possible,
Am at work with one cancellation from one of my patients so this is link about breast cancer and page four talks about radiotherapy:
And this is a breakdown on the pages:
1st page general work up
2nd page with path staging (there was surgery first)
3rd page clinical stage (no surgery just imaging and biopsy info)
4th page treatment
5th page eval for mets
6th page eval for recurrence
7th page IBC
8th page markers
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hi ladies!
ElTigre- you and I will be celebrating new year's together. I have my last chemo on 12/31 as well.
This morning I met with my BS to talk about surgery decisions. I'm more confused than ever now. When I met with her initially she said I have two choices - axillary dissection with radiation OR mastectomy with radiation. That the research shows no difference in outcomes between them. My MO said she felt strongly that I should go the mastectomy route.
Then I got my genetic test results back, which showed that I was positive for a genetic variant related to breast cancer but of "unknown significance."
I went to another BS for a second opinion. She felt strongly that my young age at dx (43) paired with my family history and this variant was enough for her to recommend that I do bilateral mastectomy. I was surprised, since that had never come up before with the other BS.
Today when I met with the initial BS again, I shared the genetic test results. She didn't seem to be fazed by them. She says she still recommends axillary dissection/radiation OR mastectomy/radiation. She seemed to be discouraging me from going bilateral mastectomy, saying the research doesn't show that it makes a difference.
Now I'm stuck. I don't know what to do now.
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Southern- I would ask your MO about your CEA #s. I'm not sure if that's the tell all since it seems so many factors are involved in this crap. 1 more AC then on to Taxonotsodear!
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edwsmom - it'll be a happy NY indeed
strange i would think a bilateral mastectomy would help some preventing it from popping back up in the breast. I agree with Southern and get a 3rd opinion. seems weird to discourage a bilateral. I did it to prevent having to go through this again in my chest area and for "looks" might as well get 2 new ones instead of one
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I went in knowing I'm getting BMX. I was in no way going to possibly go through this again no matter if I had low chances of recurrence. I've seen too many low this and that's come back and say I wish I had just done BMX. The only time I can see a bs discouraging is if the pt is really waivering and the sx needs to happen 'now.' Otherwise it is up to you. It's really no worse than doing 1 in terms of pain or SEs which I had none. Plus I rest assured my foobs in the end are going to be pretty even and no more sag!!
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Artista - oh yes my sx was delayed partially because the surgeon's schedules were busy (the facility's communication was horrible but that's another discussion board lol) so I would ask about the schedule or timing as well Edwsmom
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Thanks guys.
Either way the surgery will be at the very beginning of February. I don't have a date on the calendar yet.
So the other question is....should I stay with my BS or switch to the other BS who recommended the BMX? I really think that if I'm going to go through this that I should just do the BMX so I don't regret it later.
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You should go with your gut on who you like and trust most. I'm leaning to the one who recommended it just because it seems logical over the one who didn't. Who knows if it may effect other decisions or such going with someone who is discouraging you on a choice. I can't imagine going in with someone who doesn't appear to be in my corner with this discouraging stuff. My bs when I had 4 cm said lumpectomy was an option and I said no. All he said is are you sure. Yup. That was it. My choice.
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For those of you still fighting the Chemo fight you are in my prayers and thoughts. I know it feels long and tough. Its hard to stay upbeat. Just keep fighting the good fight.
I am really appreciating reading about everyone's choices post Chemo and how things are going with RADS. Please keep posting. I really appreciate it.
Well I am two weeks PFC and still feel like a dog. Lost my eyebrows and my eyelashes almost completely but hanging tough and getting ready for my next Monday when I start my Herceptin infusions.
My nutrition has been poor so I need to get my protein and colorful veggies up.
My big Surgery is December 28th.
edwsmom I would go with the BS you feel is most qualified to get clean margins. That is the most important.
The decision between a lumpectomy and a BMX isn't easy. With a BMX you don't have mammograms anymore and you lose feeling in your chest wall and your fake nipples have no sensation. Its something to consider. Did they atleast tell you what GENE it is? If so you could look on the FORCE website and better understand it. Many of these Genes they will not know about for a very long time so for women facing these choices now we have to go with out GUT and our own personal feeling.
I have tried to read the papers they site for recurrence with lumpectomy vs mastecomy. Personally I couldn't keep my right breast as it has DCIS all through it and so the decision of Mastecomy was made for me.
I think doctors are getting pushback from their hospital groups because the rate of BMX is increasing. I don't know what I would do in your position. I think it is worth asking more questions because it is your choice.
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4th round of FEC done! Now it's on to weekly Taxol and 3 weekly Herceptin. First Taxol is on Dec 23rd, hoping SE aren't too bad so I get to enjoy Christmas with my family.
Finally bought a wig. Driver's licence needed to be renewed and no way did I want to have my photo on it for the next five years to be in a head scarf.
Hoping everyone has a good week
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Cajun sounds like you have a good holistic Dr.
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Lindy I did feel better with a reduced taxol dose. My 3rd was reduced by 40%.
Edwsmom go with your gut for your surgery decision. You will know what is the best choice for you. As for surgeon choice that's a tough decision also. Throughout my treatment my team has used shared decision making. The surgery decision for me was driven by my choice after facts from my bs. I asked him what he would choose if it was his family member and the choice was the same as mine.
As for genetic testing did they do a full panel or just brca 1&2? You can always ask for an extended panel for genetic testing if that would help in your decision making.
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Ozigran - lol speaking of drivers licenses, I still get carded and espeically when i wear a hat. The poor clerk took a doubel take since in my licenses I have hair! Her face was like WTF?
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had my first rads today. Beforehand I was A MESS! First I get word that the final signatures for my FMLA intermittent leave were not signed until two weeks ago--what!?!? Then HR says I can't have intermittent and I explain that I already did it. I'm done chemo lady! She gives me "oooh I'm sorry to hear that" and then the RO's office calls on the other line. I switch over and a voice says "Jennifer, are you planning on coming here today?" (It's 11am). I say yes at 12:10 as the calendar you all have me yesterday says. She then asks if I can come over sooner. Of course I quickly get ready and have no time to mentally prepare. By the time I get there, I'm in tears and the one rad therapist patronizingly says "don't fret (pat pat)...take some deep breaths". I tried to explain that for your first time, it's less than ideal to have to rush. I get more "don't frets" and the correct calendar of times (grrr). I went into the changing room, changed and sobbed and then got radiated (10-15 minutes). Very easy!
Good end to my long story: Ms "don't fret" signed me up for the massage therapist who is there on Wednesdays. She was wonderful!! The massage felt great and she played a meditation that helped me put the stupid stuff in perspective.
My breast feels a bit tender so I'm trying to figure out how best to keep comfortable. Ordered seat belt strap cozy as that is not going to feel good soon...I can tell. That's my story for the day :
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thanks southern. FYI--soft camisole under the bra = problem solved!
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Aga, I wish I could gift you a visit to him! Hugs.
Edwsmom, that is such a hard and personal decision. All I can say is that I'm a mutant and have never once regretted my choice even though there was nothing at all on the right side. Cancer is a damned if you do damned if you don't situation if you end up with a recurrence or metastasis because naturally we will all wonder if we made the right choice back when.
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