Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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My weekly head shot lol.....
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Karen- that is crazy...I just googled Vulva cancer b:c a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she has it. Then I opened BC.org and read your post on your Mom. Hoping all goes well for her and they can do something that is minimally invadive for her.
...and your hair is coming in nicely!
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Wow Nola, I never even knew it existed and now 2 people this week. It is very rare too. I am hoping it won't be too invasive for her, certainly not a nice area to have it. I know if it's too much she mY just get it all removed and leave it at that. Unfortunately she has had them for over 6 months that I am aware of, likely longer. Can only hope for the best!
Lol I want my hair back! I'm pretty sure my son is sick of me telling him it's growing and to look at it
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oh...and I still have the watery eyes, not as bad at all but still watery a lot. I am always congested when I wake up in the morning as well. I'm thinking I suddenly have allergies, maybe because my blood counts are low? I sure hope it's notpermanent
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Nolagirl, what a story. That God that she is ok. Make sure you talk with your Doc.
I just finished week 1 of rads, and will be on herceptin only on til Feb 2017 as well. When does Tamoxifen start. I also did the genetic test yesterday. Results won't be back for 3 weeks.
I hope everyone is taking time to enjoy their summer and the world around them. I am much more appreciative for the little things
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Hi Fab Febs, I'm checking in. I miss seeing you all! I am halfway through 12 Taxol. I have had my dose reduced 20% because I'm having tingling in hands and feet and sometimes on my legs. Neuropathy can be permanent..... Scary. I'm Day 4 after #6 now and do have some tingling. According to MO, if it comes and goes, that's not so bad, if it persists that's not good. I also get very achy but I can deal with temporary SEs.
I met with my BS on Friday--couldn't remember much about our first visit in the haze of first dx. I am hoping to remove as few nodes as possible (I had 2 + by fine needle biopsy) to help prevent lymphedema. Her plan is to use the dye for SND and remove the first ones that show up. She has a certain amount of time she waits for the dye to travel, so it could be any number but unlikely high. If they are + and I choose to be in their study, I will be randomized for radiation only or ALND and radiation. Previous studies indicate rads only is as good as ALND and rads. I'll probably do it if my nodes are + as I'd get the ALND anyway if not in the study.
She also supports my new plan: Instead of BMX, I'll have the MX and a reduction on the left. This will give me pathology from the left "good" breast and ease my mind (hopefully). It will also allow me to get recon that would be symmetrical (I don't see anyone with a reconstructed G cup anywhere). And I want smaller breasts anyway. It will be a long process. MX and a tissue expander in August. Radiation likely to follow. I will try to lose weight and generally get stronger and healthier before doing the second surgery--I also really want to get back into the groove at work. So maybe second surgery (reduction and recon) next summer.
What a process. It has pretty much consumed my life and I really want something else going on to focus on! I hope you are all doing well and moving forward.
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It's been awhile since I've been here. The last few treatments were doozies and there was a lot going on outside of that. I hope everyone has made it through treatments well and are thriving. Much love to you all. It'll take me a bit to get through all your discussions.
Imani~ thanks for checking in on me. You're sweet.
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Hello Fab February ladies!
Asher I am very happy you checked in:) I really was worried.
I am three weeks post chemo and having an awful bout with swollen ankles and feet. I am down to flip flops only and achy feet and legs constantly. My MO prescribed a water pill and I am hoping it helps. I start rads in 2 weeks.
Be well ladies.
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Oh no, Imani! I hope it goes down
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Good to hear from you Reflect. This sure does take over our lives while we go through it!
Asher my last 3 tx's were doozies as well, the Taxotere. Was definitely harder than the FEC! So glad to be done all that.
Imani I think I just had body swell from eating. My MO always checked my ankles but surprisingly they were fine. I think you will find rads a breeze compared to that chemo! I hope your swelling goes down! Have you been set up for rads yet? They gave me about the same amount of time post chemo before starting rads but I had my setup done 2 weeks after my chemo.
Keep in touch ladies !
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Karen- hugs and prayers for your mom!
Myra- I'm sorry you had to postpone your chemo. I hope with your last chemo your SEs are minimal.
Reflect- I'm glad you have a plan for your surgery. That's great your BS is doing the dye to spare your nodes and you're able to get the reduction done with your surgery.
It's so neat to see everyone's hair coming in. I got kind of emotional thinking we all lost our hair together and now we've come full circle getting it back.
I had my 2nd MUGA today for Herceptin. The first did well. I'm going in to see the PS tomorrow, and my 1st Herceptin only treatment Thursday. My surgery is scheduled for the 5th. I'll be having a double mastectomy, axillary node removal, and tissue expanders.
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I'm having the craziest eye twitches as a SE! It's driving me nut
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Thanks Asher. Believe it or not my eyes still water somewhat! Just wish it would go away!!!!
I have my next Herceptin on the 5th so will be thinking of you. Going to ask them to do it over an hour this time and see if it makes me less tired. I would rather sit another half hour than be in my bed for 24 plus heartburn so bad!
Power went out today when I was 3/4 thru my treatment! Had to wait for the computers and machines to come back up and them to do their equipment check. They said it would be an hour but it was not that bad. Got the final Zap done ...17 more to go!!
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Asher- good to hear from you! And a big YES to the eye twitching!! If I sneeze, or blow my nose, it's worse! Ugh...
Hi Imani! Good to hear from you too! I feel puffy too...don't have a water pill though. I guess I could ask for one.
Karen- when I'm tired my eyes water so much, the tears just flow down my face
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I finish taxol on Thursday and then I am done chemo. 3 weeks off then start rads for 4 weeks. I'm nervous to see what the 3 weeks will be like. My liver enzymes. Have been up and down the doctor isn't worried she thinks it's from the chemo I go back to see her mid July for another blood test. Onward and upward
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I've been having eye twitches too! I didn't even connect it to the chemo until just now...
In other news I finished chemo today! 4 AC and 12 taxol in the books. Onto surgery: bmx!
All my lovely nurses
My homemade tie dye shirt!
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Yay, Julia! Congratulations! Do you have a surgery date
Blamoms, congrats to you, too. I hope your liver behaves.
Karen & Nola, my eyes water, too. Sometimes they actually burn to the point I have to remove contacts. It's crazy all these SEs!
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Hey girls,
Karen, Asher, Nolagirl my eyes are still watering too. Very annoying b/c reading is my great escape.
Julia, big congratulations on finishing AC and Taxol. It's a bitch (I have 6 more T). Good luck with your surgery and please keep us posted.
Imani I don't have swelling but my belly feels bloated all the time. Maybe b/c I've gained weight, hmmm?
blamoms you go! ONE more, you are home free.
Still having tingling fingers, toes, feet and sometimes top of thighs and arms. Onc says only the hands and feet "fit the pattern" so....the other stuff doesn't count? Really? Can't reduce the dose any further. Will see what Thursday brings.
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Still around, but posting on Taxol thread. Halfway through it. Rads to follow. Fatigue is slowly improving. Easing into exercise program. Hair looks like a newly-seeded lawn where the old grass was removed.
Nolagirl - Scary story! Thanks for sharing. Good to know what to watch for. Eye twitch- see below on magnesium.
KarenC - Sorry to hear about your mom and BIL. Hope they can manage their treatments. Hope rads go as well as possible. I will start in the fall, but I've been lurking in the rads threads to prepare. Great to see your hair coming in. My watery eyes stopped before AC ended, but I don't know why. I was very careful to use disposable makeup applicators and no double dipping!
Frances - 1 week down rads! I'm excited for you! Yes, I feel more appreciative of what I have.
Reflect - So sorry that you're experiencing neuropathy. I've had 3 years of sciatica, so I'm too familiar with nerve pain. Has the MO suggested anything to help besides reducing treatment? Cancer treatments have definitely consumed my life. It will be a year since diagnosis until active treatments are over. I stopped working during AC, so now my focus has been on getting back to exercising to fix my sciatica. Think I finally found the right program after years of different therapies. I hope you find the right program to lose weight and exercise.
Asher - Hi! Welcome back! Eye twitching - Do you take magnesium? Chemo depletes it, and it's hard to get it from food (less mg content in food due to poor soil, not all absorbed). Used to get them long ago. Good luck with your surgery! They should give you an exercise regimen to get your range of motion back as quickly as possible.
Imani - Ouch! Hope those water pills work fast.
Blamoms - congrats to almost finishing! Hope your liver enzymes get back to normal. I've had low blood counts from AC that have been slooooowly coming up during Taxol. Good luck with rads! Will be reading about it.
Seejuliago - congrats to finishing! You look great! Great pics! Good luck with your surgery.
Whew! Had chemo today. I'm 'roided up!
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Reflect- Ugh! That sounds frustrating! I hope Thursday goes better.
Serenity- No I haven't done magnesium. Do you think it will help? I know my potassium was low at one point. Yay! 1/2 way done! Cheering you to the finish line!
Anyone have pain in their biopsy sites? I swear mine are still achy from time to time
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Still awake
Low magnesium may result from chemo treatment. Magnesium is involved in hundreds of cellular processes, so different symptoms can appear when deficient. Many are variations on muscle spasms (eye twitching, leg cramps, heart arrhythmia, etc.). Your electrolytes also need to be balanced.
I used to have intermittent eye twitching long before chemo. I think I started supplementing magnesium for a different reason. Don't think it worked for it, but I noticed the eye twitching stopped. It helps my husband with his arrhythmia.
The best way to supplement magnesium is through your skin. Magnesium doesn't do so well through your digestive tract. Too much will trigger diarrhea. Last thing we need.
I try to get magnesium through a mix of food, oral supplements, and transdermal supplements.
1) walnuts, prunes, dark chocolate, unsulphured blackstrap molasses - these are multi-tasking foods, best one is molasses, but not the tastiest
2) magnesium calm powder (magnesium citrate) - inexpensive, just a little to flavor water sometimes
3) epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) - cheap, in weekly bath
4) Ancient Minerals bath flakes (magnesium chloride) - expensive, easiest to absorb, in bath with epsom salt
5) Ancient Minerals in aloe gel - on scalp, face, blood draw wounds, a few times a week
I didn't start my weekly baths until chemo started. I soaked my feet every so often. But the bath was better with the dry skin and helping my blood draw wounds heal.
TMI?
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Wow, Serenity! Thanks for all the information! Not TMI. 😊
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hello
I have not been here in ages. I finished 12 weeks of weekly Taxol May 2. I am feeling good. I still do not have all my energy back. I lost my hair and it is starting to grow back...just fuzz right now.
I started doing radiation May 25. Not fun!! I have large breasts and under my breasts where skin meets skin it is raw. It is really sore. I am almost done. Had to do 33 treatments I have 8 more left.
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Praline lovely to hear from you. Only 8 more treatments, then you will be free! I hope those raw places heal very soon. I had surgery 3 weeks ago, and got a complete response from the chemo, am now feeling fine and am due to start radiotherapy on 26th July. So I am having a little break from everything cancer related. Which is very nice indeed. Take care all. XX
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Praline, so good to hear from you. I'm sorry about the radiation soreness, guess I'll get to that part too. 33 treatments sounds like a huge number. How often is it? You have had a long long haul but you are reaching the end!
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Wow, Prailine, you've gone through some treatments! I'm sorry your having SEs. Sending you hugs the last 8 will go off without issue.
ScotBird,?thats fantastic you had a complete response! I'm hoping that will be the result of my surgery Tuesday. (Crossing my fingers). I hope radiotherapy goes off without a hitch.
I had Herceptin Thursday and boy am I tired lately! I'm off to bed & it's just 8:00pm
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So nice to hear from our Feb Fabs! Can't believe so many of us still have the watery eyes! Mine have stopped considerably compared to before but I have Herceptin tomorrow and I will see if that is causing any of it. I really hope not and that this is the tail end of it!
Congrats to those of you that have just finished up your chemo since I last posted. Such a relief for you!
Praline I am sorry to hear you have that rawness. I did read about rolling a cotton shirt or something up and putting it under there to keep the skin to skin contact at bay. I had number 7 today but I think the long weekend, having Friday off, helped a lot.
Serenity, you are a boatload of information! Great to know and I am sure a great help for others! I used all disposable one use applicators as well. I went to the Feel Good Look Better class before my first chemo, but I really am not a big make up wearer as it is. Apparently the Taxotere causes all the eye watering and it can take some time to stop.
Scotbird! Enjoy your break! Much deserved! Happy to hear all is clear!
Asher I am So tired a.l the time. I actually slept on and off all day Friday and Saturday ....the daily trek to rads (which isn't even far for me!) and rads itself wore me out. Yesterday I managed to go into Toronto to meet a friend and go to the Pride parade which I have always wanted to experience. It was a Long day! I was out 12 hours! Today my rads appt was early, then I came home and have slept all day. I am going to a festival Friday night and back again Saturday this week! Hope I can do it. I am sure my love of music by Eric Church Friday night and Zac Brown Band Saturday night will keep me going! I really had no idea I would be this tired!
Time to get a few chores done while I am awake! Not really looking forward to Herceptin and rads tomorrow but at least I can sleep in!
Happy Independence Day to my American friends! Hope you are enjoying your day
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asher - Hope it helps!
Praline - You're almost done! Hang in there!
ScotBird - Glad to hear the chemo worked. Enjoy your break!
reflect - Right behind you. Hope you're well!
KarenC - Good luck with Herceptin and rads! Hope the watery eyes stop. They were annoying.
I have Taxol #7
tomorrow. Got more fuzz coming in to fill out the bare patches. I tweaked my arm last week and seem to have more swelling in my underarm area. Trying to do MLD that I've neglected. Not looking forward to radiation therapy if this swelling remains.Take care Fab Febs!
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I don't post often, but I read all of your notes all the time and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I finished chemo (THC) on 6/3 and will continue Herceptin until Feb 2017. Had a sentinel node biopsy and a mastectomy on my left breast on 6/28. Good news -- initial results show no cancer in my lymph nodes. I am having a breast implant, so the plastic surgeon put in a spacer. Surgery was not bad. They gave me a nerve block on my shoulder about three inches from my spine. This block was super and even helped with the neuropathy in my left hand.-- gave me continuous relief until they took it out the day after surgery. Pain pills then took the edge off the pain. Breast surgeon was able to remove my first lymph node from the mastectomy incision so I went home with one drain tube. I did have my first herceptin only treatment and was pleased I had no side effects like I did from the chemo treatments. I'm gearing up for the next chapter in this crazy adventure. Indeed, I am very blessed with loving support and comfort from family friends & God. Hugs to all of you!!
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hi my friends, so great to read the posts.
Today is double duty. rads and herceptin. All is well here. Hair growing in.
I will tell you a few things. Noticing lots of bruising on my legs and I have not done anything to put them there. And still with the diarrhea everyday. I believe the taxotere and perjeta did a number on my stomach and bowels.
Let's see what they say... Waiting for the results of the genetics tests too
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