Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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*hugs Southern & Edws* The fear and the unknown is awful. The waiting sucks. And I'm crossing my fingers for you and your tests too.
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Round 3 of A/C done! A year ago, I was happy to be headed home after a month in Cambodia. Today, I'm celebrating being 3/8 done with chemo. Life is strange.
I miss my nose hair.
My BRCA test came back "inconclusive." I have an unstudied BRCA 2 variant.
It is clearly nap time here. As soon as I fetch my daughter from school, I'm out
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my surgeon said that by the time cancer us big enough to feel you've had it for 3 to 5 years. It doubles in size roughly every month.
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Scotland - did they tell you which variant? I was able to get some information about my unstudied variant (BRIP1) online...
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Ditto for me, Annie. Even with a grade 3 tumor and a recent pregnancy changes/hormones, the breast surgeon told me that my tumor was probably 2-3 years old. Of course, every tumor starts off as a single cell....
Southern - I love the braids! Happy memories of Raggedy Ann & Andy.
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Unless you're HER2+ like me. HER2+ cancers grow and spread very quickly. They're aggressive.
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Mine too. I'm already freaked out by every twinge...
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Southern - Your yarn wig is GOLD
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Hello Ladies,
I started chemo in September. I have been reading along & would like to join in the banter and the support.
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Minnesota: interesting about the runny nose: I was told it was a 'side effect' but didn't get the full explanation..which actually does make sense....
and heartburn. Argh. Don't want to discuss it. I started getting it four days ago: just BEFORE round three. I figured that would be when I wouldn't get another SE right? and just when food is finally starting to taste different (edited to add: and by 'different' I mean 'decent'. but no, I've got it. Worse at night, has even woken me up a few times....
I was feeling very, very cranky and sorry for myself this weekend. A wise friend who has been through it said, 'there is no way around it. You just have to go through it.' and that is true. It still sucks!
Hugs to all!
Octogirl
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Welcome SuperMe! We are glad you found us! What was your start date for chemo?
Octogirl
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Southern - I'm envious of how pretty your skin looks!
I look like a zombie with this rash on my face.
I called the nurse and she had the Dr. call in an Rx for an antibiotic gel to put on my face. I'm picking it up after work and hope like hell that it works!!
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Wow! You can't tell at all!!
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I started chemo on September 3rd. I just did my 3rd round of TH
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Welcome, SuperMe! This is a wonderful community and we're glad you're here.
In other news.... Imma gonna whine. A/C Chemo Round 3 ended about four hours ago. Disgusting metal-mouth taste. That bizarre almost-nauseated feeling. (Can't complain about the "almost" part I guess.) Difficulty drinking water (although I'm forcing myself because I know I gotta).
Ugh.
Good news: minor but distinct pain in my tumor. KICK THAT TUMOR'S ASS, A/C!
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Thanks SuperMe! I added you to our list. Let us know how you are doing!
Best and Hugs,
Octogirl
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I have no family history of BC, negative for BRCA mutations, and negative for any other common mutations they are aware of right now. I am 33 with a recent pregnancy. It makes me so sad that they are trying to push mammograms out.
I had a confirmed breast cancer tumor but it was first said to be DCIS. I was currently nursing and ended up having 7 total biopsies in the end to check out other suspicious areas. One was a redo by a new doctor because a clip wasn't placed the first time. 2 areas came back as cancer and the rest were related to nursing. I would rather know than not. Until they actually know if cancer can "go away" I would rather be on the safe side.
I was aware of breast cancer. I didn't fully get what it does to your life though. I hate not knowing if I will be one to have a reoccurrence. I hate not having the luxury of taking time for granted. I want another baby so bad but nobody knows what the risk actually is for me. I want to think positive but I have days where my mind can't escape the reality of the situation. I just want to do what I can to be there for my family.
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Looks like several of you are having issues just before the next chemo round. And I thought it was just me! I had D all morning today, but was able to knock it out with some Immodium. All day I felt kinda blah, and was having stomach cramps, and as the afternoon progressed, I started feeling weak and achy. Haven't had any interest in food today. Suddenly it dawned on me that I'm probably dehydrated. So I've been downing lots of fluids. Then it dawned on me that I needed to check my temp just in case. Boom. 100.04. No wonder I feel so crappy!!! I'm checking it about every half hour, but it's staying pretty steady. Really hoping it doesn't spike
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On a lighter but still very important note: sorry about the Jays game, Lindy and Molliefish :-(
Octogirl
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Onc called. Bone scan showed spot on pelvis most likely not cancer so we are proceeding as a stage III to start chemo on Mon. If the spot on the lung disappears after I'm done then it was cancer. So does this mean if the lung spot is gone that I'd be stage IV since it had mets to the lung? I'm confused on how the staging works. But I am relieved that onc feels it hasn't reached the bone!
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artista that sounds like pretty good news, they would not move forward if they needed more tests or were worried about it. Hugs to you!
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I started the dexa today, next chemo tomorrow. Aside from the drippy nose and weird taste I had a good weekend and now I'm going to feel like crap for the next 2 weeks. I already have a headache and feel jittery. The cycle starts again 😣 I had labs on Monday. I only get them 2 days before my next treatment, no other time.
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artista--let's take it as good news. Yay!
Sorry to see others are having SEs when we didn't expect to. Good news--I was able to make it to work and teach my class (social work graduate students). They showered me with gifts, plant, balloon. I am so touched! They gave me a chemo kit of stuff as well as a book called "Fuck off cancer". Love my students!!
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Artista I think if that spot on your lung disappears after chemo then it was a bad picture. You have no biopsy proof it's anything so dismiss it until you get another picture. Labelling yourself stage IV will only take away your psychological edge to kick cancer ass during chemo. No bone involvement is your pre chemo gift. Take that gift, fortify your resolve and head into chemo like a mad woman on a mission to survive! We're with you through it all!!!
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Well my thyroid blood work came back and I have a/some parathyroid glands that just need to calm the hell down. So the gland(s) are causing high calcium levels. Biopsy on the PET positive ultrasound-detected nodules will be on Thursday. The endocrinologist also wants to do a nuclear medicine study, ultrasound on the kidneys to check for stones (because of the extra calcium in my blood), and a bone density test (since the calcium is probably coming from there). So definitely some surgery.
I had a follow-up with my surgeon today about my biopsy wound. Although he's listed as doing thyroid surgery, it's been like 5 years since he's done one. So the mastectomy plus parathyroid surgery will be a team effort. The biopsy wound is looking better. Just very slowly healing. So I joked that by the time it heals it will be time for surgery. He also checked the incision from putting in the port about a month ago. He is thrilled with how well it has healed. Although he'd love take full credit as an awesome surgeon he says a lot of it is just my physiology. We also discussed my course of treatment. He tried to make me feel better that after tomorrow I will be 1/3 of the way done. Still feels like a long road. We talked about recovery from surgery. He tried to reassure me that radiation won't be as bad as chemo. He's a very nice, and talented, doctor.
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Arista, my MO told me that it they can't find the spot on my lung again, it may have been cancer. Or it may just be so blasted small they can't find it. My best case scenario is that they find it unchanged when they rescan. Stage III sounds pretty crappy until they start talking about Stagge IV. Turns out that I'm happier with Stage III than I originally thought.
Annie, I think I have the name of the variant. I'll google it eventually.
My longer lasting fatigue is actually anemia. It's not severe, so they'll keep an eye on it.
Southern, you should wear that yarn wig everywhere, with great authority and nonchalance.
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I just got over quite a scare. I had been getting increasingly short of breath with minimal exercise since Monday afternoon. Woke up during the wee hours yesterday morning feeling like I couldn't get enough oxygen, but no cough or fever, and just the chronic scar pain on the right. Had husband drop me off for pre-chemo bloodwork and had CRP and a heart-related one added (Herceptin can be toxic). Came close to passing out leaving the LAB area, but after the tech let me be on my back with legs up, I just went home to rest, NO WAY I was going to wait in a room full of sick people at the ER. Rested home then went to my lymphedema therapist. She said all my chest muscles were in spasm from the scar area edema and scar pain, and started a gentle-handed "decongestive" lymph massage. I've had many painfully heavy-handed OMT physical therapy treatments in the past, so at first I thought her method too gentle --- but IT WORKED, I could feel the muscles relax, breathe easily again, and even the scar pain has been less since she did that. Bonus: all my bloodwork is ok, should be able to get chemo #3 as scheduled tomorrow Thursday.
Had my flu shot yesterday.
Hoping everyone has an easy Wednesday
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I was wondering who has been able to work thru chemo and what is it you do and how do you manage the side effects?
Also who has had to stop working? Do you anticipate going back during chemo?
I planned on working thru chemo. I was still recovering from surgery during the first round, so we delayed until the second round. Now after the third round I seem to be realizing I am just not we'll enough. I don't have a job where I can go in when. I can & take off when I'm too ill. When I go back I have to be reasonably sure I can show up every day, even if I start off with a 3 day week.
Wondering how others are navigating this.
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Fortunately I'm self employed and all the family is involved. My daughter has taken over most of my duties (quite well in fact, I'm considering retirement) but I'm in a rhythm now where I know it's infusion day and approximately the next 6 days are out then the good week to resume duties at work.
Hope this helps.
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Hi Superme Whether you can or cant work depends who severe your side effects are. Everyones experience is so different its not a matter of being tough or weak its pot luck. Ive had two roundsmy cycle is every three weeks so I get a good recovery period. Each round ive needed two days off. My third round is tomorrow so fingers crossed. I think the side effects are cumulative. Its hard to plan much at this stage we just have take things as they come and do the best we can. Wishing you all the luck in the world.
Arista your results are promising hoping for the best outcome xxx
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