Starting Chemo in July 2017
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Leatherette - happy birthday to your baby! 17 !!! Send good vibes and prayers for your last infusion! So happy for people got to the end of the rainbow! I like to see that day soon! Love to see your two dogs hugged together so loving!
Jen - you don’t look like sick people and so glad that you are doing the 3 days Koman walk, that’s such a huge deal for us!
Teese - your grey and white cat looks like my old cat.
Love all the pets pictures .
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Absolutely love the pet pictures
Paulette, Mimi's picture made me want to go get costumes for the kitties.
Leatherette, your son is very good looking. I know what you mean, they're milestones are emotional things. My daughter graduates from college this spring, I'm going to be a mess.
Jen, Coal looks like the most laid back cat alive. What a sweetie!
Well, had the RO appt today. Went great and I just love love love him. I'll have 30 sessions and no boosts. I'll start the Monday after Thanksgiving, which works for me. 4 weeks after chemo would have been the week of Thanksgiving and I have company coming, so I was glad he suggested I enjoy Thanksgiving and then start.
My sister is coming for the weekend. We always have a good time together, at least as adults. As kids we drove my parents bonkers with bickering.
Tpralph, I think you have your last chemo today. Congrats!
Hugs and prayers,
Theresa
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Paulette, still one more after this one, but close to done!
Jenruns, concealer doesn't work because my eyes are tearing all the time, adding to the healthy look! And I agree, my son is very handsome. 😉
Teese, so glad you get to spend time with your sister! Supportive sisters rock!
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Teese, enjoy your time with your sister and family. So nice don’t have deal with all these SE during these time and rebuild your body.
From what I read, it will time a long time for our bodies to rebuild after chemo. I was thinking I should start doing research for healthy eating after chemo. Now I eat whatever my appetite wants because I don’t have appetite. But after chemo I really go organic all the way. Now I buy organic whenever I can but I should be more. Maybe we can share our recipes and how to eat well in FB in the future.
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Leatherette, your pups are so sweet, even if the love is kinda one sided. When we got our boys, they were so sweet together, then as they grew older they stopped cuddling togethe. I miss it, however they cuddle with me.
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teese-- glad you love your RO. I feel the same about mine. Sad to learn he is retiring at end of this year ( I will be done with rads long before he retires)
I start rads next Monday (10-23) and will have 28 treatments without any boosts.
Do you know if you will have bolus?
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Dodgersgirl, no bolus You?
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Teese- I will have bolus as there was skin involvement. The way RO explained it to me is that rads don't really treat the skin, they go thru it but I need skin treated, too, so the bolus is like a blanket that acts like skin so rads go thru it but infiltrate my actual skin. And I won't have any booster rad sessions as tumor was removed via surgery
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Dodgersgirl, I asked about a bolus, and he said I wouldn't need one. So I really didn't ask what it was. Now I know thanks
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Just finished straightening the house, taking a break then off for final blood work! Yippee!
My feet are tingly on the bottoms, since last infusion this has spread to the entire bottom of my foot. I would guess since no pain involved I'll receive the last dose at full strength.
I'm not dreading this infusion the same as I dreaded AC and he first couple Taxol because it was new and the fear of what the SE or reactions would be, however I'm just so done and DON'T want to deal with another week of SE's. Sigh, what a roller coaster ride.
On a good note, I realized that my sense of smell returned to normal somewhere in the last weeks. What a pleasure not to smell things I didn't want to and be sickened by them. Anybody else?
Well, feeling reenergized so I need to get going.
Paulette, you're in my thoughts and prayers today as you have your infusion today. Hang in dear one, you are stronger than you think. When this is all done you will look back and be amazed at the Wonder Woman you are!
Hugs and prayers,
Theresa
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hey gals... rough day. I think it might be the fabled "steroid crash," or it's just exhaustion. Felt overwhelmed and on the verge of tears all day. One meltdown at work (privately, thank goodness) and another at home when I saw the bread I wanted with salad was moldy. Seriously felt like a 2-year-old who was irrationa and cranky. *sigh*
Spent yesterday evening in the ER, to rule out anything serious with this pain in my chest. No blood clot and not cardiac, so take some Aleve and/or Zantac and call it good. I'm sure that didn't help with the exhaustion today.
Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend. It's homecoming dance for my daughter and then dinner with my inlaws for my birthday. Really don't want to do it, but recognize I'm being that cranky 2-year-old
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Happy Birthday!!! 🎂🎂🎂🎂Jen you went through so much yesterday in ER, you have every rights to be angry, meltdown and cranky!!! I had my rock bottom days so often now, Hugs!!!! 🤗 🤗🤗🤗
I have an uneventful Long infusion day, when I got home it's almost 4 pm. I'm going to try to eat smaller meals and make sure I have something in the stomach this time hopefully I don't have nausea anymore.
Trying to eat good so my wbc won't drop so much. Not sure what to do but will try. I tried to make an appointment with ear and nose specialist but the front desk won't make it until she can talk to the doctor. I really dont understand why? I saw him before!
Hope everyone have a good weekend and not much SE .
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Glad your infusion was uneventful, Paulette! Mine was as well, and I was at work from 8:15 to 4:45 today. I am paying for it now-totally exhausted, but got enough done that I will only have to work a couple of hours all next week if needed (generally a bad week, days 5-10!).
Jen, hope you can enjoy whatever good comes your way on your birthday. I still forget that I am 46 now, because my birthday was a blur of whatever.
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Leatherette- 46 is a good age, once you passed this journey, make sure enjoy life and don’t let BC takes over your life. This is only one of the hurdle in life which God gave us, we will be a stronger person when we came out of this.
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Happy weekend, ladies! It's tough for me to get on here during the week because after work I just want to veg... I'm so glad I'm doing the Live Strong program so I at least get some activity during the week. I do get updates by email so I do read how everyone is doing throughout the week.
Loved seeing all the pet pics this week! A bunch of us in my family have allergies to dander so I grew up with no pets. I have since outgrown the allergy, but I've never had the opportunity to be a furmom... My husband has had pets his whole life. He has a Lab that has been staying with his dad who lives alone. He is a great companion to my FIL, so he'll stay there for now.
Teese, I'm hoping my lymphedema is also temporary since it's just my hand that's swollen. I can't tell with the rest of my arm, but it did measure 1/2 - 1 cm more than my last measurements that were taken when I had PT after surgery. I got so excited last week when the swelling went down a little, but this past week I had no such luck. My PT said it could be that my body is still adjusting to life after chemo. I am 2 weeks PFC as of yesterday, so hopefully my body can get adjusted and get this swelling down. She gave me a prescription for a glove since my fingers are a bit swollen. They're not as puffy as they were a few weeks ago, but sill not able to wear my rings on my left hand. She also mentioned that rads may aggravate LE, so I'm not looking forward to that.
Speaking of rads, I will meet with the RO next week. My MO initially thought I might not need rads but referred me to the RO back in June just to consult with him. That was when he told me I was a borderline case. This RO will be on sabbatical, so I get to meet a new RO. I'm going to treat this as a 2nd opinion and will ask him to go through everything with me again. So we'll see what he says.
I still have some neuropathy on my feet, more so on my toes than the balls of my feet which I felt before. So it seems like it has reduced from when I was active with chemo. Hopefully it will eventually go away.
Jen, hope you're feeling better today. Enjoy your birthday weekend and hope it includes some time to relax!
Paulette, I've been trying to eat clean and cut carbs and sugar, but it's so hard! I just take it one day at a time, and most days I do ok. Hope you can figure out what to eat to boost WBC. My labs in the past before bc would show lower than normal WBC, but I was never given any suggestions how to increase it.
Hope those that had infusions today have minimal SEs this weekend.
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Sunny - keep us posted you know we all want our friendship continue, we have a secret FB group, would you like to join us?
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Happy Birthday Jen! Hope you have a good birthday dinner and better days. This is all overwhelming...I say we are all justified being a cranky 2 year old at times!
Sunnyjay...glad to hear things are continuing to improve post chemo. Hope you get radiation answers soon. I had a lumpectomy so that is the next step in this this journey for me.
Leatherette..I was diagnosed at 46. Will turn 47 about a month after I finish chemo. Looking forward to celebrating with friends this year.
Had treatment #7 on Thursday. One treatment left. Some tiredness today and mild neuropathy. Hoping it stays that way. My blood work at last chemo was good. RBCs have held their own...still right below normal at 3.50 and my liver counts went down quite a bit...must have been the Tylenol I took for the bone pain from Taxol. Starting to think ahead to life post treatment...I am finding it somewhat overwhelming right now.
My family went to the our local university's football game today. We have season tics...its one of my favorite things to do in the fall. Saturday afternoon game as! I haven't been to a game yet this season. Missing it but am content today to watch game at home. I dont need to surround myself with 20,000 people right now. But looking forward to going to a home game in a couple weeks post chemo and there will be playoff games to enjoy late November!
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TRunnermum - I still have 6 more taxol to do, 12 weeks is a bit too long, would be happy if he let me finish in 8 😂😂😂😂 I haven’t think about much about post chemo since I still have radiation for 6 weeks. That will be next year for me. I would love to see some of my SE disappear, have better appetite, no pains on fingers, don’t have to worry about bloodynose and pick up other people virus.
When is your surgery date? Enjoy the home game, we all need to have some fun and relax.
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Happy Birthday Jen!
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In the chair for 4th and final Taxol!!!!!
Woot, I've just been smiling the whole day. This time next week the final SE should be done!
So the plan is to start Aromatase inhibitors after rads. No more scans, she said I'll only have them if symptoms warrant them. I'm glad, I hate scans and the anxiety they cause. She said studies have shown that those who get routine scans and those that don't, have the same outcomes. The only difference is those getting scans are being over scanned with all the problems that causes.
I'm in a clinical study and will likely join two others in January. One for Ibrance in women with locally advanced early stage BC, estrogen pos and Her2 neg. and another for weight loss.
Can't wait to ring the bell, someone here just did 5 min ago.
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Teese - will like to find out more about clinical study in the future with you.
Ring the bell, you earned it girl!!! 💪💪💪💪 I’m so glad to meet you here, you have been the positive vibes in here, and always give us so much supports.
July ladies, we’ve been through so much together and I know our tough journey is ending and hope everyone get back to our normal life little by little.
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Teese-- congrats on finishing chemo!!!
It is such a great feeling.
Ring that bell 🔔
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Teese...I am smiling with you today. I woke up feeling great and in the best of moods...now I know why! Ring the shit out of that bell! You earned it!
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Paulette..so agree!Looking forward to the return of somewhat normal life! We so deserve it.
I am looking forward to getting together with friends this evening. I belong to a mom's group and there are about 20 of us. We all became friends thru our kids and sports over the years. Our boys have all graduated HS now but we still get together once a month. They have been a tremendous support for me these past months. The week my sister in law passed away, another mom lost her mom and another lost her brother to cancer. There will most likely be lots of hugs, tears and laughter tonight.
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Inviting you to preview two videos on managing hair loss – featuring community photos!
Hi everyone,
We'd love your feedback as we're finishing up our hair loss management videos!
These videos are intended to help women prepare for chemotherapy-related hair loss. They include submitted photos of our own community members. Since you are bit into it, and maybe even past it, we thought you could provide some good insights.
These are still in the editing phase so they close to final, but not final yet. You'll notice a male voiceover on the "How to manage chemotherapy hair loss" video. This is a placeholder. A female voice will replace it in the final. The photos and text will scroll across the screen in the final rather than popping out.
The information in these videos is intended to be a general introduction to preparing for and managing chemo-related hair loss. We will be adding web site content sections that go into much greater detail on wig, hat, head wrap, turban, and other options – much more than what we are able to convey in these short videos. Please know that Breastcancer.org also intends to create a video and other content addressing how to manage the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes; we are currently seeking funding for production.
We very much value your opinions and feedback. Please post your feedback here, or us Mods!
Questions for your feedback:
Keeping in mind that the videos are intended to be a basic introduction, did you feel like any major piece of information was missing?
If you've already had anxiety about losing your hair, did any part of these videos help to reduce that anxiety? If so, please describe what was helpful.
Did any part of the videos cause you to feel anxious or increase existing anxiety about losing your hair? If so, please describe which part made you feel more anxious.
Did the videos hold your attention for the full duration?
Any additional comments?
Links for viewing:
How to Prepare for Chemotherapy Hair Loss
https://vimeo.com/239530917/2dac72e84e
Options for Managing Chemotherapy Hair Loss
https://vimeo.com/239530912/e26dbd5236
Thank you!
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Congrats Teese... so incredibly happy for you!!! Don't forget us
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Teese - So happy for you! I hope you enjoyed ringing the bell! Welcome to the other side, and into Rads.
I am more than halfway through rads (just did #16 of 28 today!) and it is going well. I do think that those of us who have chemo first have a different experience, especially if we start rads very quickly after chemo. For me, every day is still better than the last because the chemo side effects are still going away. I've been to three concerts, a few dinners with friends and am working. Food tastes better than it ever has before, and I'm enjoying the increase in energy. I walk every day (at least a couple miles, sometimes more around 4 or 5 miles) and I do think this is helping (walking really helped fatigue during chemo, even when I could only make it down the block and back!).
I know this is not everybody's experience, but a couple friends who did chemo and then rads in the past let me know that rads would not be nearly as bad as chemo, and that I might actually feel better as it goes, for the most part. So far, they are right! I can see how by the last few days, I might be a little more fatigued, as I'll be 1.5 months PFC and not having such drastic upswings from SE's going away, but overall, this is so much more do-able than chemo. I'm using my Miaderm cream three times a day, religiously, and so far, the skin irritation is minimal. Mostly, it is pink, and itchy around my port, which we expected. I use the Miaderm soap in the shower, as well, to make sure my skin is getting the most sensitive treatment I can give to it.
After shaving my head down to practically nothing so everything can grow in evenly, I'm seeing more hair growing in. It's all about 1/8" and growing at a decent pace. My hope is that I'll be able to go scarf free by Christmas. We shall see! I'm thinking I'll be keeping my hair shorter for awhile, I'm kind of liking the idea of a really short 'do, and never had the guts to do it until now! :-)
I am still reading the posts in this group, but not as active in posting in the forum right now. All of you are almost to the end of the chemo phase! I send out good thoughts and much love to all of you throughout the week!
-LoJo
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LoJo - so happy to read your post, it always good to read the other side of the train journey. I’m still have 6 more weeks of chemo train, and dying to get off this train. So happy when I read that food actually taste better now. I’m so looking forward my taste buds will turn back to normal.
Yes this thread has became quiet now, most people are moving to next stage now. I will be jumping up and down when I’m done with this chemo phase.
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so nice to hear from you LoJo! Interesting comment about the time between chemo and rads.. how long was your "break"?
I was pushing my RO to schedule me quickly because of a vacation we had planned. Decided to cancel the vacation, and now thinking I'll put more air in between the two (we were planning 2-3 weeks).
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JenRuns - It was 10 days between last chemo as first radiation treatment. I had my 'calibration' appointment the day after my last chemo. By doing it this way, I'm done before Thanksgiving and the MO said it was okay, as long as it was more than one week between (it sounded like the time between was somewhat dependent on the chemo 'cocktail' a person is on).
I'll have my port taken out the week after Thanksgiving and will also start Tamoxifen at that time. So, I'll have a little break with no treatment or drugs!
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