Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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hang in there Loves! Enjoy those ice chips
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Iceing nails and mouth!
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i have good news - finally! Just got the call about my genetic testing and I am negative! Negative for everything (had My Risk test)! I was so worried for my 12 year old daughter. Such a relief! I will go to chemo tomorrow with a new sense of resolve to kick cancers butt! I have not felt this good since my screeing mammogram in December!
Love and hugs to you all!0 -
Well I "outed" myself for my work colleagues today - those that I work with remotely anyway...
I hit send on the old blog post...still avoiding Facebook for some reason...just can't stand the idea of being everyone's gossip item there...lol.
Happy reading.
Lisa
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woo hoo Hanley!!!
Ltf- new tat?
My infusion has taken 3+ hours I am still not done… They switched up my anti-nausea meds which I'm really happy about and hope they work… Fingers crossed! But my veins are not liking the chemo and kind of shutting down flattening out and they had to push the AC really slow and slow down all the IV drips. I started the day here at 9:30 this morning and it is 335 right now.
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hello all...
I had my second round FEC yesterday and I have some cardiac abnormalities...do you have advice ??
The site of canula is sore as well.
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will read later chambo..looking forward to it.
hanley- such grand news!!!:)
MLP3 - I was given a new drug too..Emend for nausea. Hope you are finished soon and this all works for you. Is this happening with picc line or port ? I'm sorry it's been rough.
Hausfrau thank you
Mama3m if you have a primary onc nurse I would call or go to your emergency room. You can't fool around with that. Please check back in here too.
Piper
LTF love it!!!
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Drew it on with the marker from my lumpectomy, I think I'm going to buy a temporary tattoo for next time.
Good Luck to everybody in chemo. Docetaxel infusion was uneventful, but I know that the bad side effects will probably start in a few days, as the steroids come off and the bone pain comes on
great news Hanley! I am an Ashkenazi Jew and was tested negative In 2010, I redid the testing recently and still negative. I'm so relieved.
* Just occurred to me this is the February group, I started in January but posted in this one to give you guys some encouragement from somebody a month ahead. I hope you don't mind me continuing to post here!
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oh my goodness Jill! No not at all. I may pop over and give March starters some posts and when I start Taxol, thereis a thread just for that. You are just as much a part of our gang as anyone who posts!
❤️❤️❤️❤️ P
Hope you can do some binge watching tomorrow. I am very tired. The jaw pain has started. I wish I could skip past the hard part. Well isn't that just an obvious comment. Lol
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i'm having no problem so far, a bit sleepy and a bit of a metallic taste in my mouth, but nothing serious and no nausea like on the FEC. I was told to anticipate things getting bad on day three, when I will get my steroid withdrawal and bone pain will start if it does.
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Sounds like everyone is doing so well and staying positive, despite horrible SE and a few emergencies. Mama3M that definitely seems like something for professionals to advise you about, have you already consulted your medical team? Let us know how it goes please.
Hanley, I got a call from my genetic counsellor yesterday, to tell me I was negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2. She said it means that my Cancer is more likely to be a random occurrence. I was relieved for my 3 daughters and 2 nieces, that they don't need to have tests now, although I'm still sort of worried that I have it, that makes them more likely to get it, maybe I'm just being a bit neurotic
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scotbird,
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My genetic test came back negative for 19 genes. The genetics counselor said my daughters and nieces aren't at an increased risk. However, they do need to start screenings 10 years before my age at diagnosis, so early 20s for them.
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Hanley - Great news
MLP3 - That is a long day!
Great news for everyone whose genetic test came back negative.
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Wow Skittle I didn't even know there were 19 known genes associated with BC, that is a lot! I think they only looked at the 2 BRCA genes for my test and I think I will talk to them again and ask why they don't look at the others (probably to reduce the cost). I just had a quick look at some of the threads on genetics and will have to research a bit more about it. Part of me is happy if mine is just random, but another part of me would be happy to have an explanation, and if you have a known mutation, you sort of know a bit more about what you are dealing with and can take take preventative action.
Urgghhh, There is just so much we have to learn about BC and frankly I'd rather not know about it. Today I am just feeling annoyed that we are in this situation and having to worry about all the boring details. I know we are trying to be positive but this is not fun and I think just for today I will give myself a day off to be wallowing self-indulgently, listening to gloomy music and generally feeling sorry for myself. We are allowed to do that now and again. Anyone else who wants to join me in a little self pity for a day is very welcome. Yours crossly and good luck to anyone having treatment today. XX
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LTF yes I was told day 3 as well maybe day 4,5. I was reminded that SE get worse every time because chemo is cumulative. It may be worse for me but I'm not anticipating it because everyone's different. You are on number 4and had some SE but felt good too like my first. My sleeping patterns are all over the place. Raging headache and a little nausea this morn and have to take meds later than normal.
MLP3 how did it all end up?
Mama3cm - again please get cardiac issues checked. For me, Doxorubicin (red liquid) that is an IV push can have an effect on the heart. Don't worry it's a possible effect...I know I watch due to family history.
Hi scotbird! Hugs
Here's to you ladies with great genetic results!
In pockets of Wednesday ladies! Love and strength!
Piper
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I have not found that it gets worse. My first cycle was OK once I learned to take the antinauseant at the first sign of queasiness. My second cycle was actually my easiest one, I could barely believe I was on chemo and flew through it with almost no side effects. My third one was worse, but I got a horrible cold around day seven and I'm pretty sure that made it worse than the chemo side effects, because what really made me feel awful were classic cold symptoms.
I'm on day 2 now, and feel great, but I always feel great on day two! Still on a steroid high and no neulasta yet.
I was not tested for all the genetic testing, we went through all of them and look through the history and risk factors were, and I was tested for ones where I had a related family history, personal history, or risk factors-we drew a family genogram. After going through them with the genetics counselor as I did, I felt confident that I was getting the tests that I needed. She did say that as new genetic tests come up, she will get in touch with me if there's any that she thinks I should be tested for, and I am also supposed to let her know if there are any changes in my family that might change my testing requirements.
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Scotbird, I'm absoulutely joining you today!!! Ugh, I'm so upset and frustrated today too. God forbid I have a good day without some chemo issue rearing its head! It's just not fair... And it is wearing me out. Post round 2 seemed to be going better with the body aches and fatigue. I mentioned my tastebuds being horrible this time around, well I've been having issues staying hydrated. The other night before bed I tried to drink some water and vomited it all back up. I wasn't nauseous prior so I chalked it up to the tiny bit of ginger I had added to make the taste more bearable. Last night, after having a pretty awesome normal day, it happened again. This time much worse. I woke up with a migraine and left a message for my MO to see if I can go in for an IV. I just don't want it to get worse. I was expecting chemo nausea which I luckily haven't had to deal with, but what on earth is this no nausea water vommiting?!? Have any of you experienced this yet?
Lord help me! I'm allowing myself a ride on Scotbirds pity train until this evening if necessary. You know where to find me!
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33triple - I'm so sorry. You can climb on any pity train! I hope you can get relief. My headache is now dull. I do,however, have bad heart palpitations this round. I have a call in to MO as my heart is something I have to watch. I've always been health strong but Dad died young and almost lost a sister at 44 both having a heart attack. I'm thinking if you! 💕
Pipe
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Good luck ladies. Keep an eye on that heart piper
33triple I hope you get it sorted out and hydrated soon!
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Beautiful post Chambo, and it seems we have a lot in common:
https://fancypansy.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/what-to-say-what-not-to-say/
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No, the 19 genes aren't all related to BC. Some BC and some are associated with other cancers.
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33Triple - I hope you are feeling better.
I walked out of the hospital last night at 9pm with no answers. 9lbs down and still unable to eat or drink with out severe abdominal pain and major D with cramping. They cant figure it out, but will run more outpatient tests this week. so frustrating as they say - cant be from the Chemo! Really - never had stomach issues before..
scotbird - hang in there and just breathe - one day at a time right!
lovestofly - stay strong - the next few days wont be fun, but you can do it!
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what a difference from the first time! I'm on day 5 of round 2 and as long as I stay on top of the SEs and take it really easy, this is totally manageable this time. Of course, that could all change next time but it's nice to know I don't have to be deathly ill every round. As soon as I get the least twinge of nausea, I'm on it.
I had genetic testing the end of Jan and I'm still waiting for results. No family history but I'm also an Ashkenazi Jew so it was advised.
Piper, I'm having bad heart palps too if I try and do anything other than lay on the sofa so I'm taking it really easy. I have an arrhythmia so I have to take it easy in general but this is definitely heavier palps than usual and I'm trying to avoid passing out. Did you have an echocardiogram
I'm thinking about all of you and sending hugs today. Feel better
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Myra, I learned that as soon as I got the slightest twinge of I could be queasy, I would take that antinauseant! Made all the difference. Sometimes I wasn't even convinced I really was queasy, didn't care after letting it go too far ones, I never made that mistake again!
He prescribed a low dose of lorazepam for me, because I was worried about insomnia on the steroids. The day before chemo I took two Tylenol p.m., fell asleep easily but was up at 3 AM for the rest of the night. I tried 1 mg of lorazepam last night, I did have a bit of a restless night, but not nearly as bad as the night before. They said I could try 2 milligrams, so I may try that tonight.
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The Zofran really seems to do the trick as long as I stay on schedule. Like you said, the first possible twinge and I'm on it.And the Ativan is a miracle for sleeping! I took 1 mg and slept straight through. Weird dreams though!
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At the infusion center getting my fluids on. Woo hoo!!! Floating on clouds getting some relief.
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Sending love to all you who had treatment this week. I was doing Tuesday's, but we'll do Thursday next week so dh can be there for me if the SEs are as bad as last time. So glad to hear for some of you they're not.
LTF- Claritin if the bone pain starts. I already have my order in. I think that was the hardest part for me.
Piper- I'm so mad for you! How frustrating to deal with all that with all that you're already
I got my genetic testing back yesterday. I'm BRCA1 positive. 😢 I'm upset for my daughter. My doctor hasn't done my Oncotype, but he said he know if he did it it would be high. So it just means I have to load up the big guns and look at an oophorectomy with a bilateral mastectomy. We're fighters, though, right? 👊🏼
HausFrau- I'm losing my hair, too. I think I'm more bothered by losing my brows & lashes. The lack of nose hair is just irritating! Drip, drip, drip. Ugh!
I didn't know that about the nails an Docetaxel! I had no issues with my first round, but maybe it's just different with everyone.
Since everyone was sharing, here are my not so littles.
And, here is my beloved.
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Hey Fab Febs!
Piper, Myraknits - chemo and some other medications that we take may trigger an electrolyte imbalance (http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/electrolyte-imbalance.aspx) that could lead to irregular heart beats
MLP3 - sorry to hear your veins weren't cooperating. Do they plan on giving you a PICC line? I have a port since I'm just starting chemo
Frances - glad you're out of the hospital, but really sorry that you're still unable to eat or drink. No promises, but have you tried homemade jello? I like mine made with cranberry juice.
asher - I'm sorry about your results, and yes, we're all fighters! Beautiful family!
For those who are having trouble with side effects, I found a few things helped when I had no appetite:
1) Coconut water - for potassium and hydration, I felt like one of my neglected plants perking right up after a good watering
2) Unsulphured blackstrap molasses - not tasty, but it's a good mix of minerals (also good for skin, hair, nails), take a tablespoon of it and that makes you want to drink lots of water
3) eating a few nuts here and there - walnuts, almonds
4) milk kefir for probiotics - I can eat about 1/4 cup with lots of frozen blueberries to help with the taste
5) homemade jello - less sweet than boxed jello, gelatin is good for tummy issues (also good for skin, hair, nails, bones), not vegetarian
6) Broth - tasted better than water, my favorite was just drinking the broth from takeout Thai soup
I took Emend and 1/2 the dosage of the steroid on day 2 with no meds since. Day 8, my appetite returned with a vengeance. Coffee is back on the menu.
Hope everyone feels better soon!
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