Starting Chemo June 2017
Comments
-
so I asked my oncologist about the echo results..states mild calcification on the tip of the mitral valve and trace to mild regurgitation..the nurse states it is so mild it should not be causing palpitations or tightness in my chest and that the chemo most likely did not cause the issue ..keep in mind i was having some palpitations from time to time prior to chemo when in the heat or over doing it. She said it could be anxiety or what I'm thinking is costrochondritis or inflammation of the sternum or ribs causing the tightness ..said to consult my primary doctor if I keep getting palpitations. On a lighter note my husband took me and the kids on our little boat the other day. Made me feel like a million bucks..it was so great to be put in the warm sun with my family. The last time we went out was right before I started treatment back in June. Sounds like everyone is hanging in there for the most part..today my pain has lessened which is awesome ..but my bowels are a mess..cramping, urge to go but nothing there, etc..I see a gastrointestinal doctor on the 27th so hoping we can get that resolved asap
0 -
thanks hapb, yes they are new..the trace regurgitation is not new..that was there the first 2 times but the calcification is new..I'm going to wait and see what my next one says or if I get palpitations after herceptin Friday I will think about maybe going to one..I know these nasty drugs can really affect the heart and the last thing I need is an irreversible heart condition
0 -
Huey- having a relaxed day with family really helped to feel better. I hope palpitations is not coming back on Friday, yes this nasty drugs can do so much harm.
TSue - I have done the nasal rinses and it actually dried out my sinus. Now I use Vaseline it helps, 7 more weeks to go
0 -
We are all so different with what SEs occur and what works to ail them. I guess one size does not fit all -- as long as we find relief that works for us.
hhuey, I do pray you will not have any heart issues, and I am so glad you got to boat and enjoy the sunshine. When I looked out at the clear evening sky the other night and saw the stars, it felt so wonderful -- something so simple as that. As far as bowels go, I've now got an issue with constipation. I am going on 5 days! This is not good. My husband says I am not eating enough fiber. You mean chocolate covered cherries aren't enough? It's fruit!
Bananas usually work for me, but still waiting...T-Sue, I will click on the links. The Ocean spray helps moisten things. I am truly trying not to blow too hard.
I am sure it will get better when those nose hairs starting growing back. My hair seems to be fuzzing up nicely! I did not feel my best yesterday, but today was a new day. I got out and walked my 2.2 miles, and I feel better. Had lower back pain for several days. (It's probably those bowels!)
Y'all have a GREAT day! It's beautiful here in N. IL!0 -
hhuey hope the heart palpitations and bowel troubles are lessening. I'm almost 4 weeks post chemo and I'm still gassy as all get out.
Paulette and Kim hope the nose issues are getting better. I never had any issues with bloody nose but certainly had some drainage. It seems better now.
HapB it's good to have inspiration to power through this. Your daughter is your energy source.
My follow up with the surgeon was postponed a couple of times. First because my MRI results were not available in time for my appt. Then, I had to attend a funeral and again because she got called into surgery so I got moved again. Right now, I'm scheduled for this Friday. Fingers crossed 3rd time is the charm.
I did see my MRI results which seem pretty good. I guess?
- The palpable mass and enhancement at 1 o'clock significantly diminished. Residual enhancement extending 1.7 x 0.9 cm reduced from 2.8 x 1.6 cm.
- The second area at 5 o'clock has a tiny focus of enhancement present decreased from 0.8 cm. Linear enhancement extending between the two sites has resolved.
- Previous prominent left axillary node has decreased in size to 0.9 x 0.5 from 1.2 x 0.7 cm.
- Nothing suspicious on the right side.
So I feel a little better about going through chemo since it seems to have done some good. Still not sure if the sizes of the 2 sites will keep lumpectomy as an option or if mastectomy will be needed. If I have a choice, I still don't know what I'm leaning toward in my heart.
0 -
Peachy, I'm so glad your chemo shrunk the tumors - great news! Did your surgeon originally say that lumpectomy was an option with two tumors? I had lumpectomy as an option until my MRI revealed a second tumor (9 and 11 o'clock) and my surgeon immediately said that we needed to do a mastectomy because the tumors were too close. Part of me was upset to have to lose my breasts, but in a way I was relieved to have all my tissue removed and out of harm's way.
Sending you hugs as you wait and wait this week!
0 -
peachy- your surgeon will give you the best advice. Send you prayers and good thoughts on Friday. Once you get your turmor out you will feel so much better.
0 -
Thanks for the encouragement and prayers HapB.
Paulette - thank you. I'm hoping the meeting with the surgeon provides more answers and not more questions!
T-Sue - no, lumpectomy was not an option once the second area in the lower quadrant was found. She said she would have to remove half of my breast to get both areas plus margins. That and the positive lymph node made her send me to chemo first. Along with the systemic treatment, she wanted to see if it would shrink enough to make lumpectomy an option. Thanks for the hugs and well wishes. So many decisions ahead. It makes my head hurt
0 -
Peachy, I am glad you have had some positive results with chemo. I know this is a tough decision, but I pray you will trust your doctor's clarity in helping you know the best course from here. Everyone means so well that we speak to, like "you are almost done!" Yes, with chemo, but there is a lot more ahead and for a long time when you consider Tamoxifen, too. Trust me, I am so excited that my last chemo is Friday. I celebrate each day.
I met two ladies at an event for BC last night. One had it in 2009 - now in her liver and spine. Another had it in 2013 and now in her brain. I know this is not what I should post, but of course it left me thinking even more how each day is a gift and not promised. These are very difficult decisions we must face and treatments to go through, but we are doing and have done so much of it! Look at what we have endured!
Peachy, we are here for you as you make continued decisions and we stand with you. I hope we will continue to hang out here post chemo as we go further into our treatment.
(My nose seems just a little better. Super gassy, still...lol. Fingernails are stinky and painful. Toenails still fine. Odd! I should not complain about one thing, really.)
We have a great bakery near, and I ordered a cake for my nursing staff for Friday. I will take a picture. I just hope I can get a piece of that! HA! I will miss them. It's a mixed bag of emotions.
0 -
Kim is Friday your last chemo?? Congrats! And ring that bell. I’m in the July group many people finished chemo treatment and I’m behind because the 12 week taxol. This is so long and painful one,
0 -
Just checking in on everybody - Peachy, I'd take that as great news on the MRI! Like you I am ER/PR+, Her2- doing neoadjuvant chemo, and my oncologist has told me a couple times that a total response to hormone+ is very rare and not what she expects to see. But she DOES hope to see shrinking like yours and will consider that a very positive outcome. So congrats!!
And congrats to Kim on nearing the end of chemo! So sweet of you to bring in a cake! Hope you get a piece and it's the sweetest cake you've ever had.
I have 2 weeks of Taxol left. Feeling pretty good. Tiny little bits of hair are growing back! Still a ways to go but will be glad to have the AC+T complete. Regardless of my results from chemo I am certain I want a double mastectomy with reconstruction, so it has been scheduled for December 15. Was thrilled to learn from my plastic surgeon that I'm a good candidate for direct-to-implant reconstruction so I don't have to deal with the tissue expanders.
Thinking about you all.
0 -
Paulette, Yes, Friday is my last chemo! Cannot wait. You hang in there. It won't be long for you. We are here for you!
HapB, You can do it! We will be here for you until your treatment is over. There's plenty more to be done for me, too, but having one more thing behind me will be good for my psyche! My team has been awesome! I am thankful for them.
Curly, Such great news that you can have one surgery to handle things. That is truly a blessing. I'm growing back hair, too. It feels so good to see it come in.
Big hugs to all y'all!
0 -
Thinking of you, Peachy. You will make the right decisions -- right for you.
0 -
Ok I need advice 😔
Had my lumpectomy last Friday after MRI came back clean. Pathology just called, not clean at all. I need a mastectomy now. It’s invasive lobular, all on one side, no lymph nodes involved.
My questions are, anyone do tne flap reconstruction? And how hard is it to recover from a double mastectomy as to a single? Do you still have to do hormone therapy?
I just want this to be done with, so disappointed to know that the horrible side effects that I now have from my neoadjunct chemo were worthless.
Thank you for any help.
0 -
LTWJ - hugs!! You must be stunned and shocked. Prayers send.
0 -
LTWJ, Sending good vibes your way. You can handle this. I had a double mastectomy and the healing was not difficult. I hardly needed any pain meds but everyone is different. I can't tell you about the flap surgery as I decided on no reconstruction.. I found the ebook for sale on this blogger's page very helpful in reading about the mastectomy and the different options for reconstruction (or not).. It only cost a couple of bucks. Scroll down on the page until you see the book Facing Your Mastectomy & Making Reconstruction Decisions. It comes as a PDF file. http://nancyspoint.com/
0 -
Julia jazz, what is the bloggers name? I’ll read that. Thank you :
0 -
LTWJ, Sending love your way! What a crappy discovery. So frustrating!
I opted for a double mastectomy over just the needed uni mastectomy. The surgery itself had a solid 2 week recovery time, but I don't think it would have been much different from a single. You'll decide what works best for you. Hugs!
0 -
LTWJ: disappointing news for sure. Don't think of the chemo as wasted. It's insurance to keep the BC from coming back. You never know what cells may have broken away from the tumour and taken up residence elsewhere. The chemo will have destroyed those nasty rogue cells. The good news is that it's not in your lymph nodes. The chemo side effects will eventually go away. I'm four weeks PFC and each day it does get better. But, it is a slow process. This whole cancer train is a slow process.
I went for what I thought was going to be my first radiation treatment today. Turns out it was only to make calculations, measurements, take x-rays, and put sharpie marker all over. I thought that's what the last two visits were for. Tomorrow will be my first official treatment.
Because I'm being radiated on both sides and lymph nodes on the left I'll have to keep my arms in the upright position for at least 25 - 30 minutes. Ouch!!! Even today by the last five minutes it was really starting to hurt in the shoulders and arms. After the set up was done I went to visit the physiotherapy dept to see about getting some exercises to help ease the soreness.
I still have muscle weakness in the morning but most of the other side effects from the chemo are slowing going away except for the runny nose and watery eyes. The muscle weakness usually takes most of the day to disappear. I now have a tiny bit of chording going on in my armpit likely from the chemo. I also have it in my arm where they did all the infusions.
Oh my gosh, some days I feel so old. Energy levels are coming back. I get up with great intentions then my sore muscles tell me to slow down. Taste buds are back 90% but there's still some things that taste odd. Sugar seems to be bitter.
0 -
HapB - so what do you put on your skin afterwards? I heard people put lotions three times a day?
0 -
LTWJ, I am stunned for you. I am truly sorry that this is not the news you wanted nor needed. I am sorry I have no experience to help, but I am thankful it is not in your lymph nodes. Whatever you must do, we are with you, and you CAN get through this, too. Prayers that you have a peace and clear direction as to your next steps.
HapB, Thank you for the advice about not using lotions during radiation. I have learned so much from all of you.
Pink, Yeah that tastebuds are 90% back! BOO that sugar tastes bitter! I guess nothing surprises me anymore.
Tomorrow is my FINAL chemo! Oh yeah! I would go on Saturday to get my port out if they'd do it.
Hugs to all.
0 -
LTWJ So sorry you got that news. The fact that test results aren't perfect is one of the most frustrating things about this whole deal. Right up there with the "everybody's different" response when questioning what to expect from treatment. It must feel like the rug was ripped out from under you. I have not had surgery yet so I'm sorry I do not have advice for you. There are threads on this site discussing different reconstruction options. I've read through them trying to absorb as much info as I can but after it all, I'm afraid I still feel mentally paralyzed. Good luck and know you have a place to come for support or to vent.
Kim Congrats on your last chemo tomorrow!! woohoo!! I hope you and your team enjoy the cake. I'm sure you are one of their favorite patients!
Pink Good luck with radiation. So much prep. That's a long time to raise your arm. Definitely a good idea to look into exercises to help.
Curly If you don't mind my asking - what makes someone a good candidate for direct to implant reconstruction? Will you have the implants on top of pec muscle?
0 -
Congrats, Kim. That will be a great day. I don't know about you but my oncologist wants me to keep my port for awhile. I think it is a superstitious thing - if they take it out they will need it again. I will play along for awhile but I may rebel at some point.
0 -
Kim and Peachy, today is a big day for you both! Congratulations Kim on finishing up chemo! That is a BIG box to check. Rest up this weekend and then you are on the road to recovery.
Peachy, I'm thinking about you today. Hope you get some answers and peace on mind from your surgeon appt today.
Pink, hope the beginning of radiation goes well!
0 -
Kim.....last Chemo? No way!!! I feel so far behind you even though we started around the same time. Congrats and I hope you ring that bell loud and long!!!!
My Taxol #7 didn't go as planned today. My left arm where my port is was swollen last week. They did ultrasound, they said it was normal. I had CT Tuesday and not all of the veins were visualized. So today they sent me for Venogram. Dr said it appears normal but cannot determine why its swollen. So I'm now on a blood thinner, Xarelto. Not going to make up todays taxol but will resume next week with #8. I'm disappointed I didn't get to do chemo today because I feel fine. But Dr assures me the most benefit I will get from Taxol is in the first 6 doses and I got those.
Hoping you all are faring better than me this week!!
0 -
Ugh, sorry that your arm/port isn't cooperating Susie. I'm sure that was frustrating to not receive treatment as planned. Sending patience and hugs your way!
0 -
T-sue....it is frustrating because I feel Fine! I told them I probably lifted to much over the last 2 weeks but they want to run every test known to man! And the sad part is I feel as if the swelling has improved and I forgot all about it until today when I sat in infusion chair! There's no pain, no swelling, no redness....nothing!! And i feel fine!!
0 -
Thanks to all for keeping me in your thoughts. My appointment went well. The options presented were lumpectomy plus radiation or mastectomy. The recommendation from the surgeon was a unilateral mastectomy on the left side would be a little more beneficial due to my having 2 separate areas in the same breast and that I am under 50. She did not recommend a double mastectomy because there was nothing remotely suspicious in righty. I was told there is not an increased chance of breast cancer in the right breast just because there was breast cancer in the left. It doesn't jump from one to the other. They are independent of each other.
I hope to be able to do a direct to implant reconstruction. I do need to decide if I want to go for nipple sparing mastectomy, My cancer was not involved in nipple or areola but was on the border of what she considered close (2cm) when originally diagnosed. It has since shrunk from chemo and she feels it may now be far enough away to make that an option. I found it a little uncomfortable making that decision myself. How do I know what's truly far enough away? So the paperwork now says total mastectomy but I can change it.
She said symmetry shouldn't be a problem based on my current shape. I speak to the plastic surgeon on Wed to see about that.
Sentinal nodes pathology at time of surgery will determine if additional axillary nodes are taken. Let's hope not. It will be determined after surgery if any radiation is required.
I'm scheduled Nov 20.
0 -
Kim: woot woot. All done with chemo.
Peachy: seems like you’ve come to a decision on what to do. Sometimes the decision is made for us. Whatever you decide will be right for you.
Hap: thanks for the sound advice on lotions. Experience is the best teacher.
Susie: chemo will be over before you know it. It’s disappointing but as Hap says better safe than sorry. You don’t want to spend time later dealing with additional side effects.
Radiation went better and quicker than expected. One down 19 more to go. Chemo side effects slowly going away.
0 -
Susie sorry to hear your arm was swollen and you didn't get treatment as planned. Happy to hear you feel fine, though! It sounds like my fever episode. I felt fine other than spiking a fever every time the tylenol wore off. They kept searching for why. Eventually they got it but the poking and prodding was frustrating.
0
