Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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Congrats to all who have finished chemo! Sorry to read about the problems others are having, especially Nolagirl! I've been sick from seafood. Been over a decade and still can't eat mussels. Not a pink fan, but um, not a camper either. Somewhere in the middle? Though, we'll see how much vacation I have at the time.
It's been a week since I finished AC #4. My side effects in the past week were blurry vision, mild taste changes, and more fatigue. They all have passed now. I do have some nail darkening from AC #3. Think my nail polish was a little transparent. Switched to black polish.
During my recovery after AC #3, I had some extreme spasms in my neck that took 2 weeks to go away. The first week was so painful that I could barely move (passed time binge-watching House of Cards). I had to use up my remaining vacation days, so I'm officially on sick leave until after rads in the fall. I didn't realize how stressful work was until I stopped working. It's nice to be able to sleep when tired instead of feeling the need to power through. I've never been a good sleeper, and the neck spasms started after a bad night of discomfort from the port. Looking forward to getting it out.
Weekly Taxol starts in 2 weeks. I've read some who had AC have hair growth begin during Taxol. Definitely "bald", but I never shaved my head. I still have some stubborn hair that never fell out after I buzzed plus a few patches of new dark hairs, not peach fuzz. Once a week I've been applying aloe gel on my scalp while taking a bath. Maybe that helped? Anyone else with hair sprouts?
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I started sprouting as soon as I finished AC. I finished dose dense taxol 4/18 and have fuzz all over, in random spots. It started during taxol.
Val
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Hey Nolagirl, so sorry about the crawfish episode, especially since you were feeling so much better! Hope you bounce right back. (I'm not doing any bouncing myself these days). Re: my link, it works for me --should open to a video on my son's facebook page. His face is in the front, I'm in the backseat leaning out the door. It's a few seconds long, but captures my state of mind precisely. My husband is making us late (again) for dd dance performance, making a last minute recon of his car for survival gear one supposes. Son titles this: 30 years of marriage. Happy Mother's Day Ma. Please let me know if it still doesn't work and I'll get help with it.
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I'm so sad tonight... Not great news from the SO.
Apparently, even though the contrast doesn't show active cancer cells, the "lumpectomy" if I choose it,will be more of a half breast mx and partial reconstruction, followed by radiation daily for 6 weeks. Why even call it a lumpectomy?! The other option is mastectomy and reconstruction but no radiation. Either way is followed by the rest of the year of Herceptin. I have to meet with the RO and find it it what kind of damage radiation might do to my heart.
Ok, I AM SO sick of cancer at this point. I'm on day 8 past round 5... I haven't eaten anything solid or pooped in a week, everything I try to eat tastes like a bag of pennies and why bother, I can't swallow. I'm also sick of everyone telling me..Just one more round! Oh yeah, that really helps while I watch the clock untll I can take the next Ativan.
And, oh by the way, I HATE PiNK.
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Oh Myra, I am so sorry. Cancer sucks. Is there anything else you can do for your SEs before you try to wrap your head around the surgery options? And maybe permission for some extra Ativan? A week is a long time for no solid food...you must be completely wrung out. Sending ((((hugs)))))
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thank you Reflect. I'm so damn tired and the realization that this isn't going away anytime soon hit me like a ton of bricks. This is a hell of a ride we're all on. My heart goes out to all of us
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Oh Myra my heart goes out to you. 24 years ago (25 in November) I had a "lumpectomy" that basically took 40% of my breast tissue I had a partial reconstruction, and honestly after a few months you could not tell that one was a little smaller than the other one. I was 32, and happy to have kept the majority of my breast. I too had the option of mastectomy and no radiation. I chose the lumpectomy and radiation. My kids were 3,4 and 6. I wanted to be as close to normal as possible. Thankfully I had no progression or recurrence.
It worked. I have a new cancer in a different breast (diagnosed 12/15) Just some thoughts while you make your decision I can't remember what stage I was, or even if they told you the stage back then. Things are so different now.
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Hugs Myra! I honestly don't know what I would do in your situation. Everything moves so quickly with decisions, dx, tx when this starts. I feel so much for you, I think I would be full of so many mixed emotions if I was thrown yet another decision at this point. Maybe there are other threads on here that can help too. I would imagine there would be. We are both 8 days out and my throat is just wicked this time. I try to eat pasta with a strong garlic sauce or rice and tasycki (I know I totally spelt that wrong) sauce.....anything with a real strong flavour that is soft. Been using the magic mouthwash to no avail other than it made me sick a bit. Feel like I am swallowing knives. Cancer sucks bigtime! I am so done with it! Now the worry of how long my LTD takes to get because why not make finances a worry too! Sorry....sick of it all and needed a rant too
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Myra so sorry about your news. Cancer is horrible. Nothing else to say about it. Sending lots of love. XX
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Myra, have you been on Herceptin with your chemo? I did lumpectomy first and basically, was told the same as you b/c I didn't have clear margins and had multi-focal DCIS. That's when I said to hell with it, and did the mastectomy. Then went through treatment and will have SGAP flap reconstruction late this summer. I chose not to do all at the same time b/c I would have needed to wait 6 weeks to start chemo and didn't want to wait that long for systemic treatment. But it took a good 3 weeks for me to get right with it and feel like I was in control in making my own decision. ((Hugs)) to you! Trust in the fact that you'll make the right decision.
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Myra I'm so so so sorry. I'm hugging you tight. I was never pink. Ever. I have it strewn through clothing but as a straight colour, I get it. I will use only one shade of pink and it has to be on charcoal grey.
I had around 6 ( 2nd of taxol ) today. It's pushed to a Thursday in two weeks due to staffing. I'm anticipating the horrific bone pain soon
Piper
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Thinking of you all. Hugs especially Myra.
I am trying not to think ahead too much myself, but also want to know what options I have. But it is such a long road, right? Chemo is my step 1, so I'm about to start step 1B with Taxol, now that I'm done with the Red Devil & Cytoxan. Then surgery (?mx or bmx? recon?) and probable rads, Tamox/AI.
Right now I look like crap, my skin color is horrible and most lashes and eyebrows gone...kind of mutant. Too bad it's not October I'd make a killer zombie.
xo
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Oh Piper I just saw your post. I hope your next goes without pain and by the way, you look beautiful..
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Thank you. I love you guys. And so appreciate going through this together. I'm over my initial shock. Now it's time to do the research, weigh the options and figure out which way to go.
And Piper, that hat is adorable
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Myra - Hang in there Girl - we are here for you. Prayers for you.
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I am in on a Nola trip! Just can't come during spring break (I think first full week of April every year). I don't camp but I don't need fancy! Must have a comfortable bed, no cooking or cleaning!
They had a PINK the Park at the Detroit Tigers baseball game on Sunday and hubby was like we should go and I was like evil spewing mean "I $&@!? Hate PINK and I don't like baseball." I only go for the food and it's my Mother's Day why should I spend it doing something I dislike surrounded by a color I loathe!!
And I've gotten even more grouchy about the pink stuff after an NPR interview about how much $ is spent vs raised for breast cancer. We are a big business
Taxol #5 tomorrow and I see my MO for the first time since finishing AC.
I'm meeting with a therapist at 2pm to vent
. My son def has anxiety but needs neurological testing and sleep study completed before they want to try Zoloft so the results aren't skewed. Of course insurance won't pay for the neurological testing. But they will pay for unlimited therapy appts. Stupid. Maybe if they know what to focus on the therapy would be more effective. So there goes several hundred $$$. But it has to be done he's hurting and needs help still waiting to see if we get any financial assistance to help pay for summer camps when school gets out 0 -
Oh, HausFrau, it's so hard when our kids struggle. I hope he gets the help he needs. Re: summer camps, there is a free one for kids who have a parent with cancer, my friend's daughter has been going for years and loves it. campkesem.org There are many locations I think.
I'm pissed off about the breast cancer $ not getting to research too--watched Pink Ribbon Inc. and had my eyes opened. It's all about the corporate sponsors getting their needs met, and diverting the activism of so many good people from where it would do more good to where it supports the continuation of the same old same old. Capitalism trumps all. (environmental toxins anyone?)
I'm really pondering how long I'll be able to continue to work, and how much, and how I'll pay the bills if I can't. I'm the income earner in the family. I do have a LT Disability ins but would have to be out of work completely for 60 days before it kicks in. We don't live large but there isn't anything set aside (besides retirement which I can't touch). I suppose it will work out one way or another.
Hope all of you are well tonight.
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HausFrau - Hope all goes well with your son. I had a sleep study done years ago that confirmed I had sleep apnea (from a connective tissue disorder). It was corrected with surgery, and I felt a huge difference in well being once I recovered from surgery.
reflect - I recently stopped working since I ran out of paid time off. Have you checked your hospital to see if they offer financial workshops to cancer patients? My hospital does although I haven't attended one. I have a co-worker who went through cancer treatment last year, so she's been a great resource for me.
Hoping everyone has a weekend free of side effects!
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So my son had a freak out at a friends yesterday after school so ended up calling the after hours # at the new clinic. We got in this morning and now have a script for Zoloft for him. Dr didn't think it would affect testing too much and since its 3-5 weeks away before testing we can't wait that long for him to get help. He's getting worse with his outbursts and feels that he is in misery and very depressed. Meds will take a bit of time to work as well but I can't have a suicidal almost 10 year old!
The kids are attending the cancer "Camp Kesem" thru the U of Michigan chapter mid August and very excited. Plus it's about 10 days after my surgery so will give me 5 days no kids while I continue to heal! And it's free!!
We had planned to vacation Labor Day thru Sept 10 out in Portland Oregon (Univ of Virginia plays Oregon Ducks and in the past we have always done one travel game) but I'm paranoid something won't heal right and will delay or cause problems. So we aren't planning anything that can't be refunded at this point! I have a back up plan for a trip in November after we finish radiation and the kids already have 2 days off school so they wouldn't miss but 3 more days. Instead of the first 4 days of school. But not sure of destination for back up- I'm sure kids would love Disney and weather would be good in Florida however I already priced it and it's just so ridiculous! Nothing else is really exciting me with me chemo blahs. Pale white red heads aren't beach people! But it would be nice to do something fun and celebrate the"end" for all of us!
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I had my last chemo on Friday. SEs are already horrible so I don't feel quite like celebrating yet. Just trying to stay out of hospital.... Nice to get it over though and now I'm "looking forward" to surgery and rads...
Haus, hope your boy is feeling happier soon with the meds.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Lots of love to all, we're nearly there. XX
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We're with you ScotBird! You are almost there. I laughed at your comment --Looking forward to surgery and radiation-- and I know exactly what you mean. I look forward to feeling some energy again.
Haus, glad your son is getting some help. So glad both kids are going to Camp Kesem also, I've heard good things.
#1 Taxol Thursday.
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Scotbird- I can completely relate to you. Last Taxol was Thursday. Still dealing with SE's myself. Maybe by end of this week we can celebrate...just a little bit 😉
I too am "looking forward" to Herceptin only every 3 weeks and surgery in August.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend!
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I'm with you all, 'looking forward'. who knew. My last taxol kicked my but, but if finally has let me get back to a normal, but then surgery is 5/24. So much for normal.
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HI Ladies, checking in - all is okay here except the eye sight. It is getting much worse. It is nice to not have all the really bad side effects this go around. Last treatment is on Monday then I will see what is next. I will hold off on radiation until July if possible.
HAUS - so sorry that you are going through that with your son.
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Eyesight is rough here too. Eyes water so much and they tire out so easy. Other than that this go around was not as bad as the first Taxotere. Last one for me is Tuesday as Monday is a holiday for us. I will be going for rads after. Need to get this over with so I can get back to work.
Haus- my son went through several years is therapy, meds and many other things. Would take me a long time to explain it all. His was mostly situational and soon as his situation changed he asked to go for his meds and said he never needed them. It didn't all end there but the majority did. Hang in there, I am thinking of you. It's so devastating to see our kids go through these things.
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Hello Friends!
It's been a while since I posted bc AC knocked me out. Tomorrow, I start taxol. I'm going to ice my hands and feet as I quit capping bc it intensified my nausea and vomitting.
2 questions:
1. I hear taxol is easier than AC. Thoughts?
2. What is the supplement to prevent neuropathy? Glutamine?
Thank you for the help!! Sorry, I'm not more chatty. I'm still not at 100%.
Cheers,
Michelle
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Michelle- I've found taxol MUCH easier than AC but I know others here have not had the same experience. As bad as it's ever gotten for me is mild fatigue and muscular soreness about two days after I have chemo. Hopefully you have a much milder time too
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Frances, last one for me on Monday too! This was definitely my worst round yet but I've turned the corner today so I'm looking forward to a week off before the final bout. I'm joining you guys in looking forward to the Herceptin only phase. Still debating the surgery options so it's Herceptin and Perjeta till surgery and then Herceptin only afterward.
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Hi Michelle
You may find taxol easier. Those of us on Taxotere every 3 weeks seem to really get bogged down with some nasty side effects probably because it is dose dense. I hope you get through yours with little problem. I added B 6 to my daily meds which is supposed to help with neuropathy. I think I may add biotin after reading up on the benefits for hair and nails. Can't hurt!
Myra I am going to enjoy this week and our long weekend coming up before my last tx as well. I feel really good other than the watery eyes, cough and stuff I usually get this week, which is really nothing too bad. Off to rads I go after that. Not sure how many yet but it didn't sound too bad.
Still waiting for my LTD to be approved. Should only need it for 2 months but certainly has left me with no money. I really can't imagine how anyone could go through this without benefits of some kind. Because I work retail there is no way I could work being exposed to all the ailments out there (not that I could have worked anyways!)
Enjoy your week my Monday girls....I'm only off by a day this round but will be thinking of you!
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Ladies,
I found taxol easier, though intense the first few days afterwards. Seem's like on AC I was sick the entire time, Taxol after the first week, I felt like I'd not had any chemo.
I'm exactly 1 month PFC and truly feel like I've had no chemo at all except for a reduced appetite which is always a good thing. Just my experience.
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