Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Good luck with rads shopgirl. Hope you post here what it's like.
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"My chest looks like connect the dots roadmap!" Lol!!!
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yup Cajun and it was a bitch to get off. Prob gonna get scolded by rad techs tomorrow who told me to only wash it off with soap. I saw my ro today and she said I could wash some off. I rebelled and used alcohol pads to get it all off. Cripes that's all I need is to have an allergy to green sharpie. Bad enough I'm very allergic to adhesive. Now maybe sharpies too? Ugg. Gotta get some rest. I'm first rad appt tomorrow at 8:10.
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good luck, shopgal! I think we all rebel every now and again. It gets old having everyone try to dictate every step you take on this road.
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shopgirl I would have washed them all off too. I have some.marks from.my plastic surgeon that I can't get off maybe I will take alcohol to them.
That is my feeling is that I am so tired of my life being dictated and controlled by all of these treatments. Yes there is always another phase another thing. Then drugs to fix the SE of the thing. Gaaaaaahhhh
I also a little jealous of those of you that recovered quickly from your BMX. My drains were in 4 weeks. I was hammered. Maybe having my mom here turned me into a big baby. I just remember at 5 weeks wishing I had one Normal week before starting chemo. My advice is try to manage expectations at work and at home . If you feel phenomenal and can over perform than that's all the better. If you drag through and live to fight another day that's a win too!
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luzeelu yes this is the gift no one wants that keeps on giving.
A fellow BC gal told me about NAILTEK it's supposed to be a nail treatment that helps nails. It's expensive like 25 bucks but I saw it online and at ULTA.
Also checked into Latisse but with my luck I would get an eye infections or something tying to grow back my lashes and brows.
I am sporting a GI jane crew cut that is dark brown. I have a few powder white hairs pushing through. Qe will see if it keeps growing and what it looks like.
Still on pain meds from.the surgery but the drains come out Thursday. Oh and on the lower half so wish I had gone lapeoscopic but Naproxyn is my friend as by next Monday I hope to drain free and done with postsurgery antibiotics and Dr's bossing me.
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Yesterday I finally got a phone chat with an oncologist I've seen before and trust and like. She answered ALL my myriad questions about the next steps in treatment, and whether there was any possible way for me to get into HER2 vaccine trials or similar research going on in the States (no; but at least I can stop wondering/hoping). Best of all, she listened to why I desperately want my other breast removed ASAP, while it is still free of any suspicious changes that would require digging out lymph nodes on that side also --- and risk my developing painful lymphedema in that arm also. Instead of blowing me off like the other docs have done, she encouraged me to wait until 4-6 weeks afterward the Herceptin series--- so just before Christmas --- because surgery now would delay restart of Herceptin by almost two months (not good). She also told me that the senoir oncologist I will meet with Jan. 26 has a special interest in HER2+ BC.
The weakness of the Finnish health care system which has frustrated me most has been the lack of continuity --- no single MO whom you could get to know, and who knows you, just whoever is in the clinic the day of your appointment. So this phonecall was pivotal for me. I can't put in words how relieved I feel now
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exercise: GI Jane hair --- great description! I've noticed dark undergrowth on my scalp also this past week! Peaking out from under the curly-ish white/lt gray crazy hairs that for some reason never completely jumped ship :
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Hey everyone. I'm 9 days PFC and feel like pure crap. I have the usual diarrhea, but I've caught a cold and the coughing is making me even more miserable. I can't believe I've made it since Sept without getting sick.
Now the good news--My BS called me this morning with the results from my MRI from last week. He cannot see any cancer!! He told me that when he does my lumpectomy on the 29th, the pathology could still show some cells that may have scattered. Pathology will always have the final say, but he is very encouraged by what he sees (or didn't see rather). I was a little worried about doing neoadjuvant therapy, but it's nice to know chemo did good things and not just crappy side effects. Now if I could just get rid of my brain fog.
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fidget- so happy for you!!!!
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Tessu - I can't tell you how relieved I am for you. All of the questions and not knowing and feeling like you may slip through the cracks and not get the right treatment must be agonizing. While I have some differences of opinion with my MO, I do know I have been very fortunate with the level of care I am receiving (even if I have to drive 40 miles in traffic to get there).
I had taxol #4 of 12 yesterday. Still such a very long road. I know my MO wants me to focus on the treatment I am in now, but it is getting harder. With 8 weeks of chemo, 6 weeks of radiation, and two surgeries remaining... I'm struggling to figure out how I can go back to work for a few months in between (not that I have a job to go back to). I know we all have to put our health first, but the financial and practical realities of life are weighing heavily right now. For all you tough ladies who are working during treatment, and especially those caring for little ones, you are amazing and I keep you in mind for inspiration.
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fidget - WOO HOO! That is fantastic news - congrats! (Sorry about the yucky cold and cough.)
inSF - Also having a really long treatment plan (through end of April at shortest at this point), I am so sympathetic. I also share your admiration for those who have full time jobs and/or little ones.
Related: 90% resolved that (unless my neuropathy gets much better or much worse in next 6 days) next Tuesday will be my final chemotherapy. (That will be 10 out of 12 weekly Taxol treatments cut short to prevent permanent, serious neuropathy from setting in.) Still many weeks of pre-surgery recovery, surgery and radiation to go after that.....
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exercise that's my cut too! Nice to know I'm not alone in rocking the gi Jane.
Fidget that's great news! MinnesotaLisa good news too with finishing early. Hope your neuropathy eases up soon.
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Just by chance, I met a lovely lady a few days before my UMX surgery who had battled breast cancer with my same team of doctors and nurses by her side. We talked about how much we loved our team and hugged each other as if we were long lost friends. She asked if she could contact the team to check on me. I said yes, I would love that.
Fast forward four weeks. She saw me last night for the first time since we met. She came over gave me a big hug and slipped this beautiful bracelet on my wrist. She had worn it during her battle and wanted me to have it. We both cried. She had been checking on me too. I cannot put into words how touched I am. As awful as this experience has been, it brings the most amazing people into your life. I will pass the bracelet on someday.http://www.alexandani.com/blog/spotlight-on-stand-up-charm-bangle/
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Tessu, I'm so glad you got all your questions answered. It would drive me crazy to see different people all the time. It's kind of like being pregnant.
Fidget, yeeeeeeah! Woo hoo!
southern, I hate the mental fog. I go back to work f/t next month, I have no idea how I will manage it. What will do when I have a hot flash in court and my bald head starts sweating like crazy?
MNLisa, I'm going until at least April too.
I woke up today feeling like my toes had frost bite. Still coughing. Still can't sleep, wake up totally flooded with sweat and have to change clothes in the middle of the night. Final DD Taxol Monday, meet with radiologist Wednesday... If I can walk.
Keep on keepin' on, ladies!!!!
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I am so angry at my cancer tonight. Why is this disease taking the lives of so many young women and some men? A friend of one of my closest friends passed away from MBC at age 28 recently. 28!!!! She left her newlywed husband a widow. Reading about Holley Kitchen made me so sad...those boys growing up without a mother. I can't stand to think about it. 👿😡😠
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Three weeks post chemo and Im retaining fluid and I seem to be stacking on weight. Anyone else having that problem. Anyway no more food treats for me.
I too was surprised about being marked everytime we have Rads. The nurse told me they will get most off but if they dont to use baby wipes.
I got through the breathing not sure who posted about nose being clipped and air cut off but I have to thank you very much your advice to not panic helped me so much.
Congratulations to everyone who has finished chemo. Everyone else hang in there your getting closer.
Hair growth is exciting too.
Keep posting girls I find its a mental battle now and although I dont post much it is so helpful to read, get advice and to be able to post your real feelings among women that ununfortunately are going through the same crap.
Xxx Maria
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Cinque, I've had swelling in my lower legs the last two cycles. I have been able to control it by eating less salty foods and drinking more water and also wearing knee high compression socks and elevating my feet as much as possible. Note , my chemo book says to call mo if there is swelling with rapid weight gain of five pounds or more.
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Yesterday was my last chemo infusion. Still on herceptin for a year, so not done in the chair, but at least I am past the 5-hour infusions. Came home and slept for an hour and a half and then went to my warrior support group. Definitely a busy day.
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Skittlegirl - Congratulations on your last chemo! Keep us updated, we're rooting for you.
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skittle, yay!!!! What a long road, congrats on finishing.
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CONGRATS to all who are finishing and who are on their way
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Hi, Is anyone going to be on AI's or Tamoxifen during radiation? My doc says to start after due to skin sensitiviety but I wanted to see what others are doing.
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E lTigre - MO said I would start AIs after radiation (although she didn't give a reason for that one way or another).
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hi El Tigre. My onco says tamoxifen AI's start after radiation therapy. They don't want to suppress any cancer during radiation.
No high dose anti oxidants (multivitamin ok) either for the same reaaon.
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ahh good point AG3
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Minnesota - my doc said that as well no reason just "after"
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hi cinque. I gained 5 lbs post chemo
Started nutrisystem diet to see if it will help and will ask Dr about laxatives for water retention...
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Meeting with my breast surgeon on Tuesday to talk about the next step. I am floored he is getting me in so fast. It is how he usually books my appointments, but I figured since I just finished chemo it wouldn't be so fast. So I might have a surgery date to put on the calendar!
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I think the reason they start the hormone pills after rads is because you have SEs from rads and many have with the pills too. No need to double that. If it made a difference in recurrence rates I'm sure they'd start it sooner or give us the info to decide for ourselves.
I see my MO on Mon as taxotere 2 of 4 is on Tues, after 3 weeks of no SEs. Hopefully that holds up. I'll ask her what her thought is.
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