Chemo starting October 2017
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Petey, hope your arm feels better soon. I work for the company that makes Olay Regenerist so I appreciate the recommendation. I switch all the time, but I'm currently using Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Night Firming Cream. I really like it and my skin just drinks it in. While we don't command the same price as the boutique brands, we spend tons more on research and development vs. the higher priced brands, so don't feel like you're downgrading with a less expensive product.
That being said, Estee Lauder donates generously to BC issues because Evelyn Lauder herself had early stage BC. As a result, she started a BC research foundation that donates tons of money towards our cause (in fact, the BC center at Memorial Sloan Kettering is named after her), and in the early 90's she started the Pink Ribbon movement. So, if you like their products and can afford it, you're indirectly supporting BC awareness.
Jenn, keep pushing yourself! The research is overwhelming in its conclusion that exercise is the single best thing we can do to help ourselves overcome BC and prevent recurrence. 150 minutes per week is the current recommendation.
Simbobby, congratulations on ending chemo! Woot! I wish I'd have known that you wanted human hair eyebrows; I'd have sent you mine (unopened) for free. I LOL'd about it because I'm too self-conscious to wear a wig that most people don't even realize I'm wearing. How I thought I'd be able to sport fake eyebrows is beyond me. FYI, I do think that you need adhesive, too, to wear those eyebrows, so make sure you buy that, too. (I didn't or I'd send you mine!) I cracked up at your old lady housecoat.
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Lisa and Petey thanks for your kind words. I'm so thankful for all the ladies on this thread. Simbobby, congratulations on finishing chemo. I too, am doing every 3 weeks of Herception. Not sure what SE will be since still have SE from chemo. Ready to see what Herception alone will do. MamaFelice congratulations on clear scan. Petey, not sure if I will be on Tamoxifen or not. I was so stunned to have to take something for 5 years that my brain shut down. Will find out what it is on Thursday. Lisa, your brows look great. Mine were falling out at the same time they were growing back. so weird. No eyelashes though. As far as the OT, I am going to Turning Point in Alpharetta, Ga. They are wonderful. Don't know if they have places in your area but just be sure the therapy is from people who specialize in breast recovery therapy. Since I had lymph nodes removed the arm pit, down my arm to elbow and the side chest wall was all numb. They measure your arms, range of motion and then give you exercises at home to gain that motion back. They also massage those areas to get the nerves working again. And best of all they encourage you along the way so it's mental therapy. My insurance also paid for it for a period of time. Hope everyone is off to a good week and everyday gaining more and more energy. Press ON Girls!
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So finally got into the dermatologist to look at that spot I had my oncologist look at a few months ago. She said that it looked "suspicious" and sent it off to be biopsied to rule out melanoma. She said, "Of course, you're at higher risk for developing melanoma since you've had chemotherapy." Well, great. Something else for me to stress over!
Soooo, get your Vitamin D, ladies, but be sure to wear your 50+ SPF sunscreen!
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Hiker, I just now read your comment about sweets at night and YES!! I've had the same problem. And I mean problem. I have a big soup tureen in my dining room and it's filled with Hershey's nuggets, Dove chocolates and Reese's PB cups...I honestly have caused some raised eyebrows here because of how much of this junk I could consume after dinner.
It's concerned me because I've never ever been a binge eater of any kind and this sugar craving...and I mean craving...as well as the overwhelming need for steak, something else I rarely eat, my MO told me is a reaction to the chemo. Said she's heard it many times before and as soon as the poison is out of your system the cravings will subside.
Sure enough, in the last few days it's not all so tempting. I watched my husband eat a piece of apple pie last night and I had no desire to join in. I didn't run to that soup tureen, didn't open the package of Oreos. So maybe I'm coming out of it, I hope so. I had only one Taxol before my chemo was cancelled and that was on Nov 3. So this stuff really has stuck around for a while, even though I couldn't finish.
I'm very curious to hear how you've conquered this, how you're doing. Don't beat yourself up over it...This Too Shall Pass
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YAYAY SIMBOBBY! Congratulations!!!!!!
Jennifer - Mine was different. It was in a red jar with a gold lid. Maybe the Vitality8 Radiant Cream Moisturizer. It worked well, but I looked yours up....Holy stinky...you got a way better one than I did! LOL
Taxol was reduced by 10% today. MO said that there are a few studies that indicate once you get through 85% of your treatment (the WHOLE treatment) the last 15% doesn't make as much of a difference to warrant pushing permanent neuropathy. So...if my neuropathy gets worse, she'll stop after 10 treatments. As much as that sounds nice..it's kind of like...I came this far, just do the rest!! But, then again, I don't want permanent neuropathy either.
My MIL took me to chemo today again. Between her and my awesome nurse, I laughed a lot. It was actually kind of fun.
I also found out something my SIL didn't tell me. They did find two spots in her sternum and one on her ribs. They said they will watch them. Her MO said it doesn't mean that it is cancer, they could be something else. But.... I am curious if they will wait for the pathology from surgery and do more tests. I can't imagine they just "watch" the spots! But what do I know....
Planning on reading a book tonight (It's called The Life She Was Given for any readers out there). Treatment day means up all night.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #Whattayado
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Seemaryrock, just reaching out to see how chemo went for you?? Hope you're breezing through!
An generally speaking, to everyone on here: I see very few posts about where or at which hospitals/facilities you're being treated. Is it a no-no to reveal or discuss that?
Just curious. Hope everyone's doing well!
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I think many people discuss it during the course of talking about their surgeries or treatments, but everyone is from places so different, we don't ever get into specifics too much. I don't think it's really all that intentional. I did a search for my city name a few weeks ago because I was curious if there were others that had received treatment where I did. I'm not necessarily from the most populous place, so I really only found one reference to it. And that person's biopsy results ended up being negative and she didn't post after that. I think it's more just because people on her are so geographically spread out. :-)
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Tewks, I think most of us go to whatever is our local cancer center/hospital. Some may live near the big name one's like Sloan Kettering or MD Anderson. I have two hospital systems/cancer centers in town. I once PM'ed a local woman I saw on the message boards and she happened to go to the other cancer center than I do. Typically at infusions, I am with more men than women. And most are 20 years older than I am. Usually when I spot a younger person they are on the GYN side. So sad to say they probably have cervical or ovarian cancer.
Lisa, sorry to hear about the biopsy and pray for benign results! Cancer the gift that keeps on giving. I knew taxol made you more sensitive to the sun but chemo causing higher risk of cancer, did not know that. Added seeing a dermatologist along with a cardiologist to my post-cancer regular doctor check up's.
I got my Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and foam. My husband and I joked, it says for noticeably thinning hair. I asked him, you think my hair thinning is noticeable?
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12Feb last chemo. 15Mar Right mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (TRAM flap)
My BS n PS are against removing the healthy left breast. BS words: "the cancer is more likely to recur in other parts of the body than the opposite breast. Double the risk, double the complication rate, double the cost; double the discomfort, slightly longer hospital stay"
Also PS said my tummy fats enough for only 1 boob. Actually I'm not too concern about the aesthetic look of my breasts. I go for reconstruction cos I like the idea of tummy tuck n my insurance covers 100%.
I'm happy that I'm done with chemo - the longest n most difficult part of the BC treatment. I hope my pathology results after surgery are good enough to avoid radiation.
Have a lovely weekend, my fellow October gals.
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Hi, Everyone! I feel like I haven't been on the boards for a week but it feels like forever. I've read everyone's posts - I love feeling connected to all of you. Congrats to everyone who's finished up chemo in the last week. Yay DKK, Lisa, Simbobby, Peoy and anyone one else I missed.
Petey - good luck with the neuropathy side effects. I really hope nothing is long-lasting.
Lisa - Good luck with that skin biopsy. Also, I'm sorry to hear about your family members that are facing cancer. As one of the nurses at the hospital said to me today when I commented how busy it was, "Sadly, business is booming."
Tewks - I think a lot of us shared where or what kind of facilities we were being treated at early in the thread. All of my treatment has been at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC, at that Evelyn Lauder Breast Center that Lisa mentioned up-thread. I like that it's a research hospital and all through out my treatment I've had the chance to take part in different trials or studies. Most of it is of no direct benefit to me in my present treatment, but I feel like I'm contributing something to help future patients.
So I finally got the results of my post-chemo mammogram and MRI. I got good news that the tumor is "markedly diminished in density and size" and "the mass no longer abuts the pectoralis muscle". Of course I wish that there was no sign of any suspicious tissue at all, but coming from my 7cm tumor that was nestling against the muscle, I'll take it!
I finally met my new surgeon and I really like her. The experience with her and her team is night-and-day to how I felt with my former BS. Today I found out my lumpectomy is scheduled for March 5th and the bi-lateral reduction will be on March 19th. I guess I'll go join the March Surgery thread. Anyone else in there?
Still dealing with side effects of chemo. Although I guess I knew it logically, I must have been so laser focused on the date of that last chemo infusion that I thought all the bad stuff would be over on that magic day. It's been quite a whirlwind week. A cardiologist has put me on a beta-blocker to get my heart rate down and heart function up. I've been taking Rx lomotil to fight the diarrhea I've had for a month now. Have to see a hematologist on Monday to try to figure out why my platelets keep climbing. I've lost my big toe nails. Still fatigued all the time which isn't helping now that I'm back to work full-time. Thanks for letting me dump all that. I work hard to keep a positive, "I've got this" attitude with the "outside" world it feels good to be able to communicate with people who understand that cancer treatment sucks, even if it's working.
I hope everyone is having a good week. Good luck with whatever part of the process you are working on right now.
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Remind me - Did anyone stop Taxol after treatment #10? My oncologist said it's a possibility. She said research shows that the last two treatments don't have as great an impact compared to the potential damage of the neuropathy. As much as I would love to be DONE, it makes me scared to think of stopping early. I kind of think that we should finish it out and decimate all the cancer cells left. But my hands feel so weird. Nothing hurts really, but they feel like giant, tingly, unwieldy balloons. My feet feel funny too. So I'm scared of the neuropathy too. :-( I'm having a bad day today. I'm sore, I'm dry, I'm half constipated half big D, and my hands and feel feel bizarre. Lots of tears today. :-(
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Hi Petey- my MO said the same thing about being able to stop at #10. I have been having very minor tingling in feet more then hands that seems to come and go. He doesn't think it is enough to stop so I am getting #11 on Monday. Hopefully it will continue to be minor. I was doing the icing every time and take vitamin B complex everyday as well. So sorry that you are feeling this way! I hope it doesn't get worse for you.
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Petey, I guess I didn't read back far enough. I'm at Fox Chase in Philly for the main part of treatment and with Procure for my Proton radiation. Cannot sing enough praises about either one; they're both full of such amazing people. We'd go into FC and wonder what kind of happy pills everyone was taking. So warm, professional, so personal, just not at all how I felt with other doctors I checked out prior to being here. I was terrified I'd become just a number, just another patient and with both places we chose I've had exactly the opposite feeling. Bedside manner is so critical. And I think that's made such a difference in my recovery.
Peoy, that's the surgery I did, all in the same day, almost eight hours long. And because I was under the whole time it didn't bother me a bit that it took so long
. I was in the hospital from Tuesday until Saturday. This was back in June 2017 and I'm still super thrilled with the results. Just take all the drugs they give you, that's what they're for, and you'll be fine. I hate pain, I'm the biggest chicken on earth and I fought the TRAM idea until I asked my PS what he'd tell his wife to do...and then I consented. I will forever have the flattest stomach I could ever dream of and at almost 70 I'm back in my skinny jeans and loving it!! The reconstructed boob is beautiful, still a little numb on the side, but looks perfect. Good luck!!!Agatha, you're fortunate to be with MSK in NYC. They wouldn't take me because I'd been diagnosed and biopsies elsewhere first, and they told me once I'd been biopsies elsewhere they wouldn't take me, which I found odd but I'm glad I ended up where I did. And tell me about your nails...mine are on the way out and I'm sporting really dark red polish to cover up the ugly black and brown blotches. I'm just hoping they'll be recovered by the time flip flop weather gets here. Shallow, I know, but all part of this dumb game we're forced to play. Between the wigs and the nail problems I sometimes feel like I have a big CANCER PATIENT sign on my back. Ugh. Can't believe no ones figured it out yet.
And Petey, I had to stop chemo and Taxol for that very reason...and a lot earlier than you, neuropathy being more of a concern than the cancer. I figure there are two ways to look at it and if my MO was really that worried about the cancer she would have insisted I stay with both AC and Taxol. So I just keep telling myself she feels pretty confident that this glass here is half full. Try that thought for a while, it really helps! Even though it's taken three months since I stopped Taxol, I do finallynotice an improvement in my hands especially. 600 mg of Gabapentin 3x daily has provided wonderful relief. It makes me sleepy but I can get around that.
Sorry everyone if I've crossed several threads at once here, but I've only recently joined and still learning how to navigate this amazing and so so very helpful site. You're all wonderful support for me, especially since we've chosen to tell no one but my kids and two other couples. No one anywhere knows what I've gone through for the last 17 months. I've managed to remain private...boy do I have some great wigs...but I've sacrificed having a support system and that's been a little rough and, I'll admit, lonely sometimes too. So, thanks all for your shoulders and let's keep up our collective chins!!
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Tewks, that's weird MSK wouldn't take you. I had my biopsy done somewhere else - in fact I had to send the pathology report in order to get an appointment with a surgeon and MO. But I'd believe it -- they have A LOT of "rules" there, reminds me of my Catholic school days :-)
Petey - I'm sorry you're having a sucky day. I know them well. I'd give you a big hug if I were in Nebraska! I didn't stop Taxol after #10, but I did switch halfway through from dose dense to weekly since it's supposed to be gentler. I don't want to worry you, but just want to warn you that the my neuropathy has continued to worsen more than 2 weeks past my last infusion. Hopefully it will level out and eventually reverse itself. i can see how you might be tempted to skip the last two since you still have radiation and hormone therapy to come. This neuropathy business is not good.
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AgathaNYC: MSK got real pissy with me so I'm fine with going to Fox Chase. Bedside manner means a lot to me. plus, I don't have to deal with NYC traffic
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Tewks - thanks for the encouraging words. Your good TRAM experience is comforting.
Petey - sorry that you have a lousy day and neuropathy. Hope it gets better n you're able to continue Taxol.
HikerVA & Lisa - your surgeries in coming week. Good luck. Hope pCR and beautiful boobs!
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MamaF: So glad to hear about your good test results, I was sending prayers.
Peoy: Happy to hear you made your decision on surgery and have your date set. I know that once mine decision & surgery date was set it was a relief.
Petey: So sorry for the neuropathy problems, mine in my right foot is nearly gone and the left feels normal most days. Hang in there and trust in your doctors... it has helped me.
So good to hear from you Agatha, sorry you have had problems but good to hear it is getting better. So glad we have this place and the support here to lean on. It has been a lifesaver for me, not only for the support but for the knowledge we pass along to others!
I have my surgery in the morning, I have been thinking about it a lot, but not really fearful, mostly trying to remember to do all the pre-stuff. I have laundered everything I need, spent most of the day yesterday cleaning & doing laundry. Today I do my bedroom, so that it is as sterile as it can be for tomorrow and when I return home. I bought food and have things ready as much as possible. I dread having to get up at 3 am in the morning, taking that sterilizing shower w/product provided and then getting to the hospital over an hour away. (I think I am more anxious about getting there on time than I am about the surgery itself). Worrying about my son dealing with all this, he is only 23 and a lot of responsibility taking Mom to surgery & care-giving.He is very quite and does not talk much. I am the same way. We make a VERY quite household (lol). I think he is talking about it to his friends because they are arranging a night out next week for him, which he told me about. From what I have read in the surgery section, it will not be so bad. I have LOTS of pillows lined up for propping everything up & comfort. I got everything I need on the "have on had before & after surgery list. I will be checking in later this week after I am able to let you know how it all went. Everyone have a great week.
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GOOD LUCK tomorrow HikerVA!! I'll be praying for you.
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Hiker - praying for you tomorrow!!! Most of us have been there or are going there. Lean on us for support. Check your inbox xoxo Kim
Petey - I have also heard that not finishing the last few Taxol is A-Ok. If I remember correctly, my first round with BC, way back in 1999, my friends who were node positive, Her 2 negative did AC and 4 Taxol. I think. I know it was dose dense but from what I understand, the every three weeks is still a good option but they went to weekly at some point due to the time the cells were actively dividing and killing every stage they go through. I may be completely wrong in my thinking but I look at it this way. Even with antibiotics, sometimes we are prescribed 250 mg of Amox, sometimes 500 mg of Amox. Who is to say that the 250 mg didn't do the job? Trying to send you a positive
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Thank you ladies. I am feeling better today. I know the emotional roller coaster that we get on and knew I would probably feel better today, but it was a hard day.
I certainly feel better hearing everyone's stories of stopping early. I need to ask about the vitamin B. I remember my Nurse Navigator mentioning that a while back. I'll also ask about the gabapentin.
Hiker!! Good luck tomorrow. My SIL goes in tomorrow too, so prayers will be said tomorrow for sure. I know you will come through with flying colors!
Tewks - Glad we can be here for you! I think a support system is super important.
Kim - that is a good analogy. I am sure that she wouldn't recommend it if it wasn't a good idea. I need to remind myself of that.
Thanks for the support gals! I hope you have a good rest of the weekend!!
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Hiker - Lisa
I have been thinking about you both a lot over this weekend.
Frankly, I'm jealous that it's not me. So happy for you that you will have this next phase done. I still have 4 weeks to agonize over this. Though realistically, there is no reason for the anxiety. Just my nature to ruminate and be a worry wart. Wasted emotion.
Praying for a beautiful outcome and speedy recovery for you both. Please keep us posted when you feel up to it.
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Good luck tomorrow, HikerVA. I'll be thinking about you. 3 more days for me. I'm getting a little nervous about it because of the reconstruction part. It really makes me anxious to have that implant inserted into my body, after all it's been through. I hope I'm not making a mistake by reconstructing instead of going flat.
Simbobby, thanks for the good wishes. If it's any help to you, the last month of my chemo treatments flew by for some reason, and I hope it does for you. (Now time has gone back to crawling again because I'm so anxious to hear back re my skin biopsy. Part of me cannot believe that I have melanoma and the other part thinks, "Why not?" after all the other cancer diagnoses our family has gotten recently.)
I swear, if my biopsy comes back clean, I'm headed somewhere warm to celebrate in 6 weeks, bald or not! (I'll wear my 50+ sunscreen!)
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This question is for those of you ladies who've already had their lumpectomies (Petey, DKK, TriLady I think...)
I'm starting to stress about the pre-op marker. At my hospital they do Radioactive Seed Placement instead of the wire. Did any of you do that? Also the nuclear dye to map lymphnodes right before surgery. Do they necessarily inject the dye through the nipple.
Just how painful were these pre-op procedures?
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I don't think they injected the dye into the nipple, (not sure) but the only thing I felt to be slightly painful was when the numbed the nipple area. They numb the whole areola with several shots. I remember her saying,"you will feel like a pin cushion. " After that I did not feel any pain.
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Hi Agatha- I had the wire placement which actually hurt brieflywhen they first put it in but then it was ok. I don't recall that the dye hurt though. It wasn't bad considering. Good luck with everything!
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Thinking of Hiker today and praying surgery is going well.
Today was my bloodwork/office visit for chemo tomorrow. Met with the actual MO (a lot of times I get the NP). He is happy that I am not having any neuropathy (knock on wood) or major SE with Taxol. So Taxol #5 and #6 is on. He would have stopped at #4 if I was having problems. My last chemo is scheduled now! I woke up this morning sick to my stomach and my stomach hurting. It was anxiety based, you think I would be over that by now. I actually took a Ativan. I usually never take during the daytime.
Had probably best convo had so far with MO. I was trying to get an idea of what is next after chemo...after surgery. And it depends on pathology and if I get a PCR. If anything is in my nodes during surgery. Meeting with RO sometime in next few weeks. I asked about oral chemo and he said yes, I could be on that for quite some time. I have pleased he was open to it, my MO has come off as a bit old school. I know their are unpleasent side effects but want to throw the kitchen sink at it!
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Sending prayers up for Hiker and Petey's SIL today on their surgeries.
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hello - I’m in the December 2017 chemo group and I’m looking for some advice from you who are ahead of me on this journey.
I want to plan a family holiday when I’m done my 12 taxol (4 AC before that) when I get a break before radio. I’m fantasizing about a lovely sunny break BUT maybe I’ll be too worn down ????
I’m 40 and have 2 kids under 5 (ie very active).
All advice most welcome - TIA
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Geneva, I'm just shy of 2 weeks past 4AC + 12 Taxol and physically, I'd be fine going on holiday now. I still have neuropathy and fingernail issues, and am still bald, so I'm not sure I'd want to head to a place where I'd be uncomfortable wearing a hat, but I'm actually feeling pretty good.
That being said, I recently learned that BC survivors are at a higher risk for developing melanoma, so be sure to sunscreen up!
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thanks Lisa! Big bottle of sun screen it is
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