Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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I know there are a few other FEC-D ladies here. I've had my second D, and you guys might be excited to know my hair is growing back. It doesn't look like hair yet, it looks like legs that have not been shaved in about three weeks! But it is definitely regrowth, because I shaved my head smooth just before I started the docetaxel , and it does not shake out like my fuzz did before!
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Jill
You are like me, started in February, but have spanned into April. My last chemo is 4/18
I go to surgery next. Always something to be alarmed about. Clear margins, total PCR etc. My Mo has said from the beginning, chemo shrinks what they know about or changes how it grows, nor stops it from proigressing, and chases down what they don't, , and if you get a pcr great, surgery cuts what can be seen, and radiation mops it up.
Yes Piper that would be great, don't want any pink if you can help it.
Here is hoping for mild SE's. I'm feeling more like the human side of things today. Had a rough 3 days after Taxol on Monday.
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wardrobe at rehearsal gave me a wig...
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Piper love the wig
Frances love the scarves. I have so many but only wear there at home when my head is cold. I've been doing wigs. Summer will be the test
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Thanks Val. I am getting my stylist to cut and lighten. I just plopped it on my head from wardrobe for cap fit. It's kind of long Donald Trumpesque here. How many aliases does Piper have? LOL
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Good evening, ladies. Am I the only one here that's already completed radiation prior to chemo? I did the brachytherapy with the SAVI device back in January. That's the one that is inserted into the breast and left there with tubes sticking out of the breast. You have to go in 2x a day for five days, then done. I ended up having the device in for a total of 9 long days.
The chemo has made the treatment area red, but I hear that's normal per the radiation nurse.
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This was the actual device right before they inserted it. It was collapsed, inserted up to the white ring, then they turn a key and it springs open to fill the void where the lumpectomy was done.
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Hello Ladies,
All of you are looking great! I have seen some amazing wigs. I still have not gotten one. I have just been partial to the scarfs and hats... Maybe eventually...
Has anyone had trouble with bloodwork numbers being too low to receive treatment? I finally finished AC treatment and I have only been able to receive 1 Taxol treatment in 3 weeks.... Going to try again for #2 of 12 on Wednesday... Geez at this rate I will never finish!
Last question- Have any of you experienced any swelling in your shoulder area? It is the same side but above my port ( which was placed in early January). Don't think it's related... Just wandered...
Honestly, out of all of the side effects I have read I think I have had them all! I'm really over this experience... Lol....
Happy Sunday All,
Elizabeth
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Wow Dgail you have enlightened me. How are you doing now? I am reading about this and looking at your diagram in post. thank you so much for sharing.
Eliz - my red cells dropped another 8 points last cycle. My whites are good, especially with the Neupogen. I won't have my blood checked now until April 18. I know it cannot go too much lower or it will be cancelled.
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I'm going to an event and must share my joy as last cycle you know I was hospitalized. This cycle was so much better It is day 5 and I have done so much this week. I am taking advantage before Taxol starts. Sure, I have to take anti nauseants and one dexamathose to sustain but I will take it. This is my daughter's week of performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I had the Mamma ugly cry yesterday watching her holding his coat and singing with pride. Any Dream Will Do rang out at one point and the tears fell.
Today, I am going to a Masters golf event. I feel I can celebrate with all of the people who have supported us this year after my diagnosis. Sure, it is still a long road, however, this should be nice. I have my golf outfit ready and I had to share. Sorry if I sound braggy! I am still losing weight and look okay all over but my midriff is so distended. If this is any indication of my future with Tamox in a few months, I am not happy. I know this is other necessary drugs and I'mnot able to work out as strenuously. I also carbed out after being in hospital! lol
Happy Sunday Fab Febs
Piper
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Piper,
Each chemo treatment makes the whole radiated breast area red, which is about half my breast. It calms down a little between treatments but seems to have cumulative effect. SO glad I only have one left for the 19th.
This picture is what it looked like. I had to wear a front zip sports bra 24/7 throughout. In fact, I wore it until I got my port put in and the straps hit that incision. The radiation itself wasn't painful, I would have some stinging in the evenings and was very tired, but it was manageable. My main complaint was the device sticking out, very uncomfortable.
This wasn't really a very pleasant experience, but what part of this has been? We're all going to be stronger women when we conquer this beast!
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oh Dgail that looks so uncomfortable. I know what you mean...whatever we have to do! You are one strong woman!
Thank you again for sharing this experience
P xo
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Dgail, Wow I have never seen or heard of that radiation treatment. I will have mine once I am done Taxotere/Hercepton which I start tomorrow . Nice to get radiation done so fast, trade off having the part sticking out.
Eliz I am getting an ultrasound tomorrow after chemo for the exact same thing. It was swollen after my port was put in quite a while ago and has never calmed down. It's likely soft tissue swelling but they want to check to make sure. When I had the port put in my neck area was the sorest spot too. Nothing bothers me now but it definitely is swollen. I took a picture, hope you can see. The swelling is above where they inserted the needle at my neck.
Mention it to your MO to see if it's related.
Have taken my 8 mg of steroids this morning and ready to again tonight. Hope I can sleep before tx tomorrow.
Glad not too many SE's going on this weekend with most all of you. Going to get out to get some groceries before the spring snow storm starts
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Karen and Eliz keep posted please!
I bought a padded bra. I had no way to check my comparables as left breast gone. This bra is my exact size always. Turns out my right breast has gotten much larger and more red since early IBC biopsy. I have to tell my MO. She is planning to do recheck all in 3 months regarless. My RO and surgeon wanted the first MRI and needle punch biopsy. Glad to have such a great team.
Anyway, other than a nose of blood and goo waking me now, I had a nice day out! My hubb and I in Masters golf green. I am in love more daily with this member of my army.
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Hang in there ladies! Get that checked out! Can't sleep with the steroids for tomorrows #4 TCHP. Yum!!
Piper so jealous, watched on TV. Love the hat.
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France's, all the steroids kept me awake until 2 am, finally took a sleeping pill and next thing I knew it was 6 am and all i wanted to do was sleep. My infusion this morning is a long one as they give these drugs slow the first time around and then my ultrasound at 1:15 pr 1:45.. Today I will be happy for the steroid boost! Tonight I am taking that sleeping pill way earlier!
Here is a better pic comparing my neckline on both sides. Can see the swelling better.
Sweeping is on the side of most the clothes. Will let you know as as soon as I find out anything! Does not hurt at all now but sure hurt when it was done.
Smile everyone, we are rolling through this! Beautiful pic of the two of you Piper! Enjoy your week!
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thanks Fran and Karen
In your pocket Karen! Xo
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Hi All, I am new to this site but have learned so much already from reading posts that I decided to jump in. I am inspired by the strength and courage of everyone on here. I am realizing I need the support from women going through this journey. Feeling overwhelmed, scared, and not in control which I hate. I am not working either so besides the financial strain that is causing it is hard to keep my mind busy. I am still really hurting from surgery. I had a lumpectomy to remove 3.4cm tumor with 4 nodes removed, reconstruction on both breasts (only my right had a tumor but they made the other match) and a port put in in advance for radiation. By the way, I think the port hurts or maybe it's the node removal not sure but under arm is painful and swollen. Has that happened to anyone?
I am stage 2a waiting for test results from my second surgery which was to get clear margins. First surgery results were that I have No lymph node involvement, however tumor was 3.4cm and second surgery was to get clear margins. I am wondering if dr is going to want me to do chemo. I am further wondering that if he says no chemo, should I Say that I want it so I can be certain I have attacked this in the best way I can? Has this ever been a choice for anyone? Has anyone ever made the choice for chemo? I know that sounds weird but how do I really know they got it all?
Thank you for your time. It's so overwhelming to know what to do!
Also has anyone come up with any creative ideas for making money while going through this! It sucks not to have my income anymore and I would like to think of something outside the box. I am a teacher and dr does not think I should be around the kids during this time. I had the hives from meds and developed a cold so he is worried about my immune system and further complications around more germs. Honestly I am not up to it yet with this port pain anyway. Suggestions welcome
Thanks
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Catherine,
So sorry you are struggling. My node removal (also 4 of them) caused me much more grief than my lumpectomy BY FAR. My underarm hurt so bad, stinging burning pain... Besides the pain, it was also numb, but apparently not numb enough to help the pain. The good news is that there is an end in sight. Mine lasted about 3 weeks and then started tapering off. I think what you are feeling is normal, but you may want to talk to your surgeon to verify. I hope you have one of those little pillows to keep your arm away from your side. That sure helped me. I lived with that thing under my arm.
As far as chemo, your tumor should be sent off for tests to determine the probability of its recurrence as well as the gene typing, etc. That will likely indicate whether or not you will need chemo. Ask your surgeon. That test takes a couple weeks or so. In my case it was called a mammoprint but there are other names for it. When they remove the tumor, they require clear margins of a certain measurement. In my case, I had to go back in for larger margins, although the original margins were clear, they weren't large enough. Chemo was highly advised as my tumor came back with a high recurrence rating. So, here I am, one treatment left.
I hope this has answered some of your questions. I hope you find a way to get some extra income while you are going through this, but yes, if you go through chemo, your immune system will def be compromised so you will need to consider that. Can you do tutoring?
Hugs!
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Hello All! Anyone heard from Praline? Its been a while since she posted.
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Good morning. I was just thinking of Praline too. I hope she is feeling well.
Catherine, my lymph node removal was done separately since my initial diagnosis was DCIS. It was more painful than my lumpectomy by far. After a while it settled down, but it took a month or two.
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Hi all, I was missing Praline too, hope you are doing well my dear, must be nearly done by now, but I know how tired you were getting so please don't post if you don't feel like it. Just know that we are thinking of you and sending you all our love and good wishes.
Hello Catherine3, sorry you have to be here but sure you will find a lot of support and your questions answered here. There will be people in a similar position I am sure.Hope everyone is having a good day. XX0 -
no idea why the second part of my post looks as though it is crossed out btw.....I must've hit some key or other sorry. X
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Hi there! Thank you for the reply. I am hoping for my test results to be back tomorrow. I really appreciate talking with women who really understand. I am going to talk to my surgeon tomorrow and hopefully get answers. I am glad to hear a time frame for healing from others as well. Sometimes I feel like I should be feeling better by now but I am just not. My second surgery was last Wednesday so I guess I have to relax a little. Kinda hard right?!? Anyway, thank you so much! So good to get to speak with women who truly understand.❤️
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Thank you that is very helpful to know. I had my second surgery last Wednesday so I guess I need to just give it more time. I have never been good at sitting still long. Urgh. Thank you so much for the support! It really makes a world of difference to not feel so alone.👍
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it's okay. Thank you for the response. I feel better already being able to reach out to women who get it-truly get it.👍Thanks
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By the way-I am sending my hubby off for a little pillow. Thank you! Great tip!
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Hmmm... my swelling and discomfort is further down from my neck coming from under my collarbone. The inflammation goes into my under arm ( not the armpit, the side boobs those of us have that have not had reconstruction yet
I have weirded myself out I think.. Possibly an ingrown stitch from my port or a port problem? It's definitely sore... I have an appointment Wednesday for treatment. We will see... All I need is more tests and prolonged treatment!Argh... I already fell like Humpty Dumpty...Thank you ladies for input! I appreciate it! Keep me posted Karenc1744!
Elizabeth
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Had My new regimen today. Was yapping away despite 4 hours sleep due to the steroids. Once I got the benedryl that was it though, became tired but didn't sleep. Took 4.5 hours for this one since they give it slower. Then had my ultrasound and I don't think the swelling is any concern by the looks of the ultrasound. Tissue swelling maybe that's lingering. 6 hours at the hospital wiped me out
I got home from treatment exhausted, did a few things around the house and promptly took a 3 hour nap. Depicts taking my steroids I am still exhausted. Day 2 and neulasta shit tomorrow. Will definitely be on top of any bone pain that comes right away. My nurse could not stress this enough!
Have a good night everyone!
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Welcome Catherine. Keep checking in, I wish you good positive vibes. I am thinking of Praline too ladies. Thinking of all of you. Maybe all down with SEs?
Karen - I am still only taking one steroid a day after AC last Tuesday. Should I ask my MO tomorrow about Claritin and Benadryl at my video conference Wednesday for Taxol starting April 19? Do they just suggest if you have SEs that need it? I have so much going on in April and June I want my Taxol treatments to be good to me. Thinking of you.
Piper
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