Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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Heartburn is taking over my life. Over the last two weeks I've had to sleep sitting up on my couch because my chest was burning so bad at night and early morning . My MO finally gave in and prescibed Prilosec because Pepcid was a complete joke. I hope to get some relief before #4 on Tuesday.
Congrats to everyone who has completed chemo this week. I can't wait until all of the Fab Feb women are done.
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Hope you keep feeling better.
IMeet my radiation oncologist on Tuesday, I've been told radiation will start in 4 to 6 weeks
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Imani, NOTHING is as good as nexium! It's like more valuable then gold:) Most insurance won't prescribe it but it's over the counter now. Take 2 at bedtime. I've tried everything and nexium is just the bestest of the best
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Congratulations to all you gals who are finished with chemo!
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So sorry Imani, in your pocket
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Oh Imani, I got the heartburn this round also. I actually got good relief from Good Ole Pepto Bismol. I have a script for Omeprozole (which I think is Prilosec) but be careful of rebounding if using too much. Sending cooling, non-burning thoughts.
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Congrats to everyone finishing chemo this week!!!! What a huge accomplishment!
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I do get heartburn a lot more, I find the Gaviscon helpspretty quickly. I just use the fruit liquid one.
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Imani, have you tried http://www.drugs.com/protonix.html (Protonix It's prescription but seems to be the only thing that works for me. Just woke up from that familiar flood into the throat. Not good!
Congrats to all finishing up! I've got 2 more TCHP to go before surgery and rads in June. Can't come a minute too soon.
Went in today for more IV fluids for dehydration.second round within a week but I feel human again! I'm starting to figure this out! MO and I were joking that by the time I do, I'll never have to do it again! Fine by me!
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Imani- my heartburn was brutal on steroids so they took me off and switched up my meds for nausea. If I get it now, I pop a few tums and they seem to work. Pepsid also works for me.
LTF- I met with my ro last week and we have the ball rolling! I head in next Thursday for my mapping and then may 5 for a dry run. Start rads May 9th.
Myra- I get the heart palpa too but more so on zofran and compazine. My mo told me to check my pulse when I get them. If there's significant pause or prolonged irregularity... Call. If it speeds up a bit and returns to normal that's ok. Mine happen when I think of certain things pertaining to chemo.
Chambo- I CRAVE protein during chemo. My hot flashes are also extremely interrupting my sleep... Hot, chills, hot, chills... Husband snoring... 94lb labs at my feet. I'm exhausted! And yes... Chemo brain rears its ugly head and I'm trying not to repeat the same questions so my family doesn't think I have some other illness going on!!
Reflect- my chemo #3 was better too.
Frances- the exhaustion is cumulative. We have all been through so much already leading up to our treatments, especially chemo. Then we get wacked with that... Then rads, endocrine therapies... But we will all bounce back!!
Val, suzted, dgail- congrats!!
Praline- you're doing soooo great! Hang in there;)
Yesterday I found out that my risk of reoccurance was 18-20% over ten yrs including mets. Chemo cut that down to 11-12%. A number that I'm not totally happy with as it can't be guaranteed accurate.
My rads will be a 3:1(4 weeks) vs 5:1(6weeks). They are going with hypofractionated whole breast radiation that's given in higher doses for a shorter timeframe. Supposedly less SE's and with the same outcomes according to studies in the UK and Canada. My mo said she can still give me 6 weeks, but with my age and type of tumor etc... Why add two more weeks if the results can be the same? Anyone else have this
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Hello All,
I think my heartburn issues are more complicated because I had my gallbladder out 3 weeks before I started chemo. Took my first dose if Prilocec this morning hoping that it will work. Thanks for the other suggestions.
Enioy your day.
Still in Piper's pocket. Hope the scope went well yesterday.
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I am starting to feel like a person again. I actually went outside and took the dogs for a brief walk ( just a few houses but it was enough).
Baby steps my friends. My vision has been better which is good. I am very appreciate of you ladies and the support of this group. listening to the concerns that you have and that we can get through this together has been really a big strength for me.
Prayers to you all ladies! XOXOX. Cheers to all of you beautiful ladies and kickin this cancer!
Fran
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Fran...glad you are starting to feel better! Yesterday was finally my turn around day. I woke up and felt good! Sure was a tough one and I dread the next 2, thankfully I found the first 3 relatively okay.
Been out in the nice weather, got shopping done for my mom, laundry done. Little things but they feel so huge when you accomplish them at this point! I'm going to try to really enjoy this next 10 days or so before the next round!
Thinking of you all!
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MLP I saw my RO before I saw my MO. It was my first visit to the cancer centre and I went alone. I think it all hit me that day. Anyways, my RO told me something very similar as you have written as far as my radiation but I had no clue-and still don't - about what he meant by those numbers 3:1 ect. I had not heard yet if I was getting chemo and was so overwhelmed I now barely recall the visit (I had a meltdown in the room).I do know he said either 4 or 6 weeks as well and that he would see me weekly as well. Sorry I can't be of more help!
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Had my last chemo yesterday. How bittersweet, found out my 48 year old very sweet, personable RO passed away last week from an unknown genetic cardiac issue. I'm in shock and so sad. He was an awesome doctor, was so caring through my treatment and just recently treated my husband's stage 4 mets to his spine.
Remember his wife Kim and their 12 yr old twins and 9 yr old son in your thoughts and prayers. So sad. Rest in peace, Dr. Englemann.
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I am getting ready to see the plastic surgeon at 11am est. But wondering this this morning if I should go ahead and have my ovaries removed at the same time. ????? Genetics were negative and I have already had a hysterectomy. And my cancer isn't estrogen based. Left message for my surgeon to get her opinion. I'm enjoying the lack of acne with my menopause side effect.
MLP how did they come to those % number for recurrence?!? I love statistics. And every day I see new findings and studies that say there are new treatments and ideas. I have TNBC and saw a report this week that says even if my nodes are negative that it can be out there circulating and hiding dormant in my body and since it isn't active the chemo won't touch it so in 2 years it is more common to pop up elsewhere in my body. ugh really?!? I didn't need that information.
Imani if the Prilosec doesn't work there is also OTC Prevacid which I find works for me. But most proton pump inhibitors require daily use. You want to prevent NOT treat the symptoms. Harder to get rid of heartburn than to just keep it away in the first place!
We bought an adjustable bed a few weeks ago so when I feel worse or over eat ( I had a gastric bypass) I prop it up more.
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got my genetic results back today. I am brca 1 and brca 2 negative. I could go for more testing to see if they can find out why I got it but I don't really don't want to. It's not going to change anything.im just happy it's brca negative
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HausFrauMi I had gastric bypass in Dec 2014. I've gained back about 30 since chemo and I really need to get back on track.
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Greetings Fab Febs,
So sorry that I have been MIA lately. Had a cold which completely wiped me out for 4 days. I just caught up on what was going on...
CONGRATULATIINS TO ALL FAB FEB CHEMO GRADUATES! 🎓 You are all truly inspirational! Hoping surgery or rads is the downslope part of this journey.
DGail- I will keep Dr. Englemann and his family in my prayers. My children are exactly the same age as his. Gone too soon.
Imani- I hate heartburn...hoping Prilosec works out...but I also think Nexium is "Da Bomb"!
Praline- One more to go!! Yay!!! I am happy you can sleep. I can't. My mind races at night, and between the mind racing, hot flashes, stopped up bloody nose...forcing me to breathe through my mouth, tummy issues, snoring DH, and cat that wants to sleep on top of me...it has been "challenging", to say the least.
Haus Fraus and Deaconlady- one of my best friends had gastric bypass and when she "overeats", which is just a few bites, I can see the pain she is in. She is miserable. Haus, I am hoping the adjustable bed works for you! I have gained about 6 lbs, but can see it and feel it. I am just going to keep drinking water and hopefully get the OK to detox after I'm done.
Deaconlady- did you get #10 today? You are so close!
Finished #9 today, 3 more Taxols to go!
We are off to a 3 day stay at the beach for the weekend! Orange Beach, AL. One of my dear friends and business associates gave us her condo for the weekend. I am up for the change in scenery, and got the OK to use 50spf and a hat from my MO. Maybe my DH will bring the kids to the poolfor a couple hours, and I can get some peace and quiet. I love to be near the water. It is therapeutic for me. Even if I sit on the balcony, drink tea and people watch, I'll be happy 😎
Hoping you all have an enjoyable weekend 🌺
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Yes, #10 done! Super sad though, I found out Prince died while there. My nurse and I were jamming to Prince on BET and MTV. I'm more tired and dizzy than usual. Also I've been really hot. Think bedtime is very soon, just got to make sure my teenager goes to bed too!
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waiting for stomach biopsirs. Tomorrow is rush thoracic spine snd chest X-ray to start check for lung cancer mets. Love you Piprr💚💕💖💪🏻0 -
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congrats blamoms!!!
Hausfrau- they take the numbers from my oncotype testing and factor in other features of the grade, size, LVI... And great report that you saw... NOT!
Looking good Piper!!
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nolagirl- that change of scenery sounds wonderful. Enjoy!!
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2 down 10 more to go. Had my grumpy nurse today but the good side was a man came in for a PICC line flush and told her he just came back from Mexico with a sunburn. She ripped him a new one. You can't suntan while doing chemo what sunscreen did you use? He said oh level 4 bronzer what's the worst that will happen a sun burn.i felt sorry for the nurse because I'm sure she wanted to say more Hubby and I jusshoke our heads. Some people just don't get it
Hope everyone is doing well. Onward and Upward
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2nd taxol yesterday. Feeling ok so far! Crossing fingers it's just the tiredness on Mon/Tues/Wed and the "diarrhea" is about the same. Still prefer it to the constipation and the hemorrhoid it gave me.
Going shopping for my Mother's Day present!! Hold your breath it's exciting!!!!!! A new Bosch super quiet dishwasher. My current one is less than 5 yrs old in our house that we moved into in August. It is the noisiest thing ever and 2/3 of the washes come out dirty and at least a few items in every wash need a 2nd go. Hopefully getting the new black stainless version. Hubby said something about jewelry but I'd rather get a step up than what I originally budgeted for. So much for romance but I hate handwashing. My hands can't take it and wearing gloves-I can't feel if they are clean.
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oh and my eyelids are itching like crazy. Watery allergy eyes are bad enough but this is annoying!!!! Not sure it's safe to rub Benadryl on them!
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Anybody experience any symptoms of lymphdema? My arms the past couple days feel really heavy and I feel like I am dragging them. i . I dont notice any swelling but Im keeping a watch. I see my MO on Monday and #4 on Tuesday.
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Hello Fab Feb Fighters, hoping all quiet means all is well. Piper, wondering how XRays went and if you have any info yet from biopsy. Thinking of you.
I am feeling increasingly fatigued but otherwise OK going toward #4 AC this Thursday. My mom (80, 2x bc survivor) has come up from FL to help me. She did 3 loads of laundry yesterday, that was wonderful. She wants to come to Monday's mtg with MO (to meet her and find out "what's going on"). I'm a bit uncomfortable with this. I've told her what we know about my bc, and what the plan is so far. I also have to talk with MO about the chemo supervisor, who I do not want to see again and that could be uncomfortable too. Maybe I could invite mom in for a minute at the end to meet MO? Mom is also a retired nurse. Any thoughts?
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Hi Fab Febs
Hope all are doing well. I've had a rough weekend, last taxol was last Monday, but the se's really put me on the couch more than usual. Today I can finally see light HausFrauMI I have the itchy eyes too. I think it's because my eyelashes are leaving and/or allergies.
Reflect in your pocket for your next infusion and all the rest.
Sending hugs to Piper.
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