Starting Chemo in July 2017
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My MO said to get a flu shot ... the harder part will be getting my husband and kids to get theirs.
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my primary care actually called my mo to ask if flu shot was ok, answer was yes so i got one
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dmjmom, Hope your last infusion has minimal SEs! I have my last one next week. Can't wait! My eyebrows have been thinning as well, but more towards the outer edges. I realized last week that I needed to fill them in more than usual.
Quick update: My hives have relocated to my legs. So the hives on my belly are mostly gone, but my hands are still a little swollen. I contacted my primary care doctor to see if I can see her today, but she's busy so I left a message with my symptoms and just waiting to hear back from her. My MO's office (nurse) also called to see how I was feeling and I explained that the hives relocated to my legs and hands were still swollen. She will check again with my MO to make sure it isn't chemo related.
I usually get a flu shot in Oct/Nov, when I have my annual checkup, but will see if I can get it sooner. My clinic has been offering flu shots for the last 3 weeks, so hopefully my MO will okay it while they still have a supply of vaccines.
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After complaining my MO agreed, yay, I'll get my shot tomorrow
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Paulette, with the Taxol I have more energy. The joint pain lasts a few days, gets better if I walk around, doesn't respond to aleve or tylenol but it helps if I use ambien or xanax at night. Then I can sleep. After # 2 there has been a weird feeling in my toes. That's about it, and it seems pretty similar to what is going on with others. I have # 3 on Thursday. Then I meet with my MO. The idea that neuropathy can get worse if nothing is done is new to me. I will ask about that. I'm going out to buy B6 today. and the nail and cuticle replenishing oil.
I don't understand the epson salt soak. How does that protect your nails?
Theresa, the lipitor research is interesting. Were you on lipitor before? The fact that the study lasts 2 years makes me wonder. Can cardiac effects come on that late?
Lordy, lordy. Flu. One more thing to worry about. I got the flu last year, first time in forever. I was still working as a nurse and was taking care of patients with the flu without wearing a mask. (such a moron!) My doc said that the shot last year did not protect from the flu that was going around, anyway. I was so sick, I cannot imagine having chemo on top of that. I'm on the west coast, hopefully it will get here late. We will all be done in November, right?
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Travel - I do weekly taxol so I won't be done until early December 😓😓😓 will ask about flu shot, but I doubt he will let me have one. Since I'm doing mild dosage I haven't had much join pains maybe I feel that after couple more infusions.
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I know everyone here has a story to tell.
Here is mine if you let me.
Been mammgramed since my 33rd Bday at a same place. 12/29/16 Mammo blew up on my face out of a clear blue sky. Stage 3A and 1A, 4 pos out of 19 removed. 5 tumors ranging from 7mm to 3.5 cm. Recon was not an option and highly unlikely it will happen. Turned 47 on official DX. 8DD chemos without a single delay(my last one was even 1 day earlier than was supposed to) Mom had ovarian and BC. 30 radiations done. As some of you know I have more related and recommended surgeries scheduled. Hence my new username.
Was I scared? Yes I thought I was going to die and leave my DH behind. I was not going to give up period. I lost as much as 13% of my previous body weight despite good eating, I am still 10% lighter than what I was last Christmas.
Was or am I blessed? No question whatsoever. DH drove me to every chemo. He does 95% of household chores. He travels a lot though. He was on a business trip for bad days after AC #3 and #4. My employer has been phenomenal enough that I still have my job Jan 2018 when I go back. I had phenomenal BS who cut me real good in terms of surgical margin which enabled no radiation on my left side.
Have I changed? No doubt. I was and will be treated at five different hospitals. I found all of my doctors made all the appointments and drove myself all over town. Found how to pay for this BC thing. My DH did not see any of the medical bills. I even got paid /reimbursed $1,400.00 YTD for getting this bleeping disease. I read all fine prints in my health insurance docs. I got twice max pt sessions. I got lymphedema pump to use at home. I know now I can survive at least one nuclear war no problem.
Do I think I wasted the entire 2017 especially that I am getting another major surgery? No, because I learned priceless lesson about life and most of all me!
Whatever my future brings, I am ready.
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Mimi - hugs ..... speechless you are one tough cookie, I give you so much credit. I only deal with it one day at a time, I can't think too much that gets me too scared. I just hope to get though my chemo if I can't complete due to sickness or major SE I wouldn't knock myself down. I do what I can no point to stress myself out, so you have another major surgery coming up? Wish you the best of luck and may God look after you all the time,
Wish everyone the best and God will look after all of us.
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Paulette. from what I understand, if you don't have the joint pain yet, then you probably won't get it. You have had 2 rounds of Taxol so far? Right?
Mimi, was that ILC that showed up out of the blue after all those mams? Sounds like you have a great DH, lucky girl.
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Always good to remember our blessings. I have a friend whose husband was paralyzed one year ago when he fell out of a hunting stand. She posted this morning that it's easy to get bogged down in the "why me," but her focus on noting the things to be grateful for has carried them through and made them stronger. She's spot on ...
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travel,
I have mild dosage taxol, I wouldn't say anything until I got more infusion. I still have 10 more to go.
JenRuns - yes we need to count ourblessings 🙏🙏🙏
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Paulette, I think you are a very special person. Filled with compassion and empathy. 💕
At the cancer center for final chemo and CT-simulation!!
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Yay dmjmom!! Congrats on hitting that awesome milestone!
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dmjmom - 🙌🙌🙌🙌 yay!!! Our July group one by one are making it to the end.
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dmjmom - woot! Ring that bell and wake up the whole place! I plan too, it's so uplifting to here it ring, so go lift a bunch of spirits!!!!
Mimi - you're a survivor that makes me continue to fight. Thank you for getting your story out, especially to those of us with a bunch of our journey still ahead.
Travelhound - this stuff is mostly anecdotal and complied from others who've related what they're MO or neurologists have told them. Some neurologist's suggest Epsom salts for neuropathy, and many MO's suggest it when nails begin to lift to keep them clean and ward off infections. I'm proactive in that it might help neuropathy and it could help the nails. Plus I just put it in a bath and soak about 15 min, very relaxing, I also add a couple drops of lavender oil, my favorite.
No, I've never taken Lipitor before and my lipids have always been textbook normal. Unfortunately many times the cardiac effects from Adrimycin don't show up till later. However since they became aware they have lowered the dose allowed and the incidence has dropped to less than 1%, plus there are lifetime limits and we will never have that drug again.
Jen - you're so right, we can't afford to get overwhelmed with the "why" it's a dark place that we can't get pulled into. You ladies help me move forward and I thank you, God bless you for it
Sunnyjay- hope your hives are continuing to improve. Interested in what your MO has to say.
Have a good a day ladies, prayers and hugs,
Theres
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All done with chemo!!!🎉🎊
Met with RO, waiting for CT-Simulation.
Moving on!
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Congratulations, dmjmom!
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I need some advice from the ladies here, I had my surgery 3.5 months ago, I still have some swelling on my upper arm. I went to see Le PT for prevention and learn about movements for my left arm. She ended up wrapped up my left arm up all the way to my hand, asked me to keep it on for three to four days. I really can't deal with this now since I'm still doing chemo. Honestly I have enough stress just dealing with my weekly chemo.
On my first evaluation meeting, the PT even suggested me come back after radiation because dealing weekly chemo with the PT appointment will be too much for me. Since my insurance approved I went ahead to make appointments. So I went home and took off the wrapping, too overwhelmed for me to take at once.
Crossed posting ...
Congrats again dmjmom!!!!
..
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dmjmom- woot, I can't wait to say the same words in another 26 days.
Paulette-I have no advice, I had a small amount of swelling on my lower right arm and wear a sleeve for a good part of the day and it keeps it away. If I do this and manual lymphatic drainage then the chance of it being a real issue are nil. The sleeve is very tolerable to me.
So today I made my RO consult appointment for 10/12 and I'm going to squeeze in a colonoscopy before rads start. I'm also due for a bone density test so I'll get on that tomorrow. Will these appointments ever end?
Day # 3 DD Taxol, just now noticing the weird pains starting. They are the oddest thing, they are pulses of pain that jump from one joint to the next, is it like that for you guys too? It's only really annoying when trying to get to sleep. Took Aleve at bedtime last time, but with elevated liver enzymes I'm going to see if I can tough it out. We'll see.
Hugs and prayers,
Theresa
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Teese - I remember you said about this joint pains once, it happened at night also. Hope it won't last long. On my next week PT appointment I will order the compression sleeve so I can wear that during the day hope that will take away some of the swelling. My swelling is on my upper left arm instead of lower.
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Teese- I need a bone density test, too m, at some point. When you have your, please share what's involved.
I had joint pain that jumped from joint to joint for a couple of my 12 Taxols. Then it went away. Hope your goes away, too.
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Dodgersgirl is very simple, I had one done 4 years ago. There's no prep, they'll scan like one large bone, maybe two and then it's over.
Theresa
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Teese- thanks! Have not investigated above density test and wasn't sure if it was like a bone biopsy.
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Dodgersgirl, thank goodness, no. We deserve one easy test. How is recovery going
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Teese- drain came out Monday. Waiting for occupational therapy to be scheduled. Sleeping in my own bed and, last night, slept on left side for 1st time since surgery. BS said incision looked good and I didn't need to return til April/May.
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Never have bone density test before maybe I should ask for one after chemo.
DodgersGirl- you are making process, so proud of you.
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Paulettek- thanks!
I think the bone density test is due to AIs and bone issues from taking them so you take AIs as long as bone density isn't a problem. I think MO wants a baseline.
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Bone density test is a nothing burger! I had mine last month. Wear clothes without metal and you lie there. Machine passes over you a couple of times, takes 10-15 minutes at the most. Dodgers Girl, you got your drain out fast, congrats.
Re Paulette's swelling. Theresa, when you say "manual lymphatic drainage" are you talking about that light massage in the direction of the lymph drain fields? My PT taught me that after surgery and it helped. Did your PT teach it to you, Paulette?
The joint pain is the same for me, starts up at night, moves around and nothing helps but sleep meds.
Taxol #3 tomorrow. I've got my ice, my OPI nail oil, my Vit B6. Hopefully I'm armored enough.
djdmom, it must feel wonderful to be done with chemo.
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Congratulations, dmjmom!!
I hope your radiation set-up went well. I got my tattoos last Friday. I kind of like them in a weird way. It means the next phase is here!
I hope you find a nice way to celebrate this milestone! :-)
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hi travel
Yes the PT taught me how to masssage my incisions and show me some exercises that improve my arm movement. Somehow she wrapped my arm up to avoid more swelling which I can't keep it due to some itchy on my arm. I have to remove it.
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