Chemo starting October 2017
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Day 6 post surgery and I am feeling pretty good. I actually stayed awake for 9 hours yesterday. Only taking 1 oxy a day now, before bed. I struggled getting comfortable because I wanted to sleep on my side but no go with these drains.
I am trying not to do too much. That's hard for me.
On the subject of eyebrows, nope not a single hair.
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Glad you're recovering well, Jenn. I know how it feels to yearn to sleep on your side! It shouldn't be too much longer now.
My eyebrows stayed away for about 2-3 weeks, and then returned over 3 days. BC certainly tries to teach us patience, no?
Had my PS follow-up today. I'm cleared for all activities, including hot tubs. Woot! Immediately after, went to PT, where I was stretched and pulled every which way but loose. It felt soooo good! My goal is to be back to playing tennis by mid-May.
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My pathology just came back. I didn't get a PCR. There was 7mm of cancer left but clear margins and nothing in my lymph nodes.
I am guessing MO will want me to go on Xeloda since some cancer was remaining. But no rads since my nodes were clear.
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Jenn, bummer that you didn't get PCR but great news on clear nodes and margins. And, of course, surgery took care of the cancer that remained in your breast. Let us know what the MO decides to do given that stage 2 is still considered early stage.
Thanks for letting us know. Please try not to be too disappointed. You caught it early and the numbers are still strongly in your favor
Take care!
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Hey, Jennifer - I am sorry you didn't get a pCR, but it's fantastic that you had clean nodes and margins. I'm happy for you that you don't have to do radiation, too.
I second what Lisa said. Try not to be too disappointed. The numbers are very much in your favor. You are being aggressive in fighting this damn thing and will keep doing so. Please let us know what your MO says about Xeloda.
Concentrate on healing from the surgery. I'm sending gentle, warm healing waves your way :-)
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I realize its not quite the same body part but there's news today of some fairly significant advances being made with lung cancer patients who are being treated with immunotherapy techniques and showing some remarkable and hopeful results. This is good news for all of us as I see it. A correct step in one direction can lead to another correct step in my direction, someday soon. And some of the developments are happening rather quickly.
There is hope, it's out there, it's definitely getting better for all of us.
Chins up and stay strong! The news keeps betting better!
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Tewks - I can't imagine what cancer treatment will look like even ten years from now. There was a big to do about a study a few months ago where treatment was so targeted. The thought of the advancements in the next 10 years, helped factor in to some of our decisions and lower stress levels.
Not too much going on here. They did boosts this week instead of whole breast treatments and are giving my chest a rest! LOL Other than that, I'm still slathering on the Silvadene and using a paper plate to fan myself at every hot flash!
Hope everyone is doing well.
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Hope everyone is doing well.
I went to go see one of the Integrative Medicine doctors at the hospital yesterday. I wanted help with my lingering brian fog and neuropathy. Is anyone else still having neuropathy in their hands and feet? I hope you guys are all getting better. Unfortunately I'm not. And the chemo brain is not getting better either.
His #1 prescription for brain fog was to do restorative yoga everyday - twice if possible.
As for neuropathy he wants me to take Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements, but I can't start until 2 weeks after radiation has ended since it's an anti-oxidant.
Also for the neuropathy there is a physical therapy they've found useful. You put glass marbles in the bottom of a bucket and cover with warm water (enough to cover ankles or wrists). You submerge your hands or feet and slowly rub them over the marbles for 15 minutes. I haven't tried it yet -- I have to go buy some marbles ;-P
Yesterday was also my first radiation treatment. So far so good - but boy does that table hurt my ribs (I'm doing it in the prone position)
Have a good week everybody!
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I got my hair colored today. It turned out too orangish but I’ll correct that the next time I go, in about three weeks. But it’s a start! Happy healthy day to you all.Agatha, hope your neuropathy improves. I still have it in my feet a bit, but I’m able to sleep through it.
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Absolutely beautiful!! No one would ever know
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The hair looks great Lisa!
I admit I did spend a day bummed and goggling over my path report. The actual path report isn't loaded into my online chart yet. The BS just sent me a little note. She sounded pretty positive about it, saying only 7mm of cancer and the chemo worked. I meet with her tomorrow. I just had it in my head that after this surgery, I would have the exchange surgery and be done. Now wrapping my head around taking Xeloda and the side effects that come with it. The hand and foot syndrome scares me a bit.
The PS took out 2 of the 4 drains yesterday and it will probably be Monday for the other two. My right one is still producing a good amount. Not sure if its because I am right handed, so moving that arm more? Still not doing repetitive actions like laundry or unloading the dishwasher or lifting my arms above my head but just moving around the house more.
I meet with MO on the 30th. So will really see what the next steps are for me. Plus I want to ask for a referral for nutrition consult. I was planning on starting to track my calories and fat intake soon. I know with TN they say a low fat (20% or less) diet is important.
Oh and I was messaged last night by another woman I went to school with and she was just DX with BC.
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Hey Jennifer, didn’t you just have surgery about a week ago? You’re definitely zipping along with your recovery! I know youth makes a difference but it sounds to me like you’re doing quite well. I’m really sorry there’s a bump in the road for you; I don’t know a thing about Xeloda, but I’m sure you’ll feel stronger and more like yourself very soon. Staying un-bored and resting we’re the biggest challenges of my recovery. And I do believe being impatient helps to keep the beast away...
Lisa I love your hair! You’ve inspired me to go ahead and try temporary color on my silver hair. It’s still not growing much but just enough to creep out the edges of my reddish brown wigs so I gotta do something 😉😉
How’s everyone else faring? Petey your chest doing okay? I have a follow up next Monday with the RO so hope I get sprung by him too
Sprung makes me think of spring and somewhere in the distant past I do recall a thing called Spring. It’s certainly bypassed NJ this year. We’ve such a gloomy reputation on our best days...Mother Nature’d better change her tune soon.
Stay well and stay in touch!0 -
Just in case anyone’s wondering, the hair color didn’t work. I went from silver to senior apricot poodle...
Lucky for me it’s not permanent, and I have 3 wigs. 😢0 -
Sorry, Tewks. The temporary dye didn't work for me, either. I paid to have a beautician put on the permanent color. Wish the color looked more natural and had more variation, but beggars can't be choosers.
Jenn, glad you're seeing the positive side of things. It really is a good result.
Met with the NP today to go over my Survivorship plan. Didn't discuss anything I didn't know already. I'll meet every 3 months and discuss my overall health, but no scans or tests aside from a routine blood test that she described as pretty useless. It's just important that I get in tune with my body and know if something is "off." I'm also starting the LiveStrong program at my local YMCA. It's a great program, free to cancer survivors, and meets 2x per week for 90 minutes. We'll have a personal (or rather a group) trainer that will get us started on strength training, etc. Plus they bring in specialists, such as nutritionists, etc. It's a great program, so check to see if it's in your area.
Also had a nutrition class today, the 2nd in a series offered by my hospital's Integrative Health team. Talked once again about the need to switch to a mainly plant-based diet with lean protein or no meat at all. Also discussed once again how bad sugar and processed food are for our overall health and immunity. I have to get recommitted to driving sugar out of my diet. I can do without chips, but sugar is my bane. I've already ditched soda and now I have to get the sweets entirely out of my diet. I've learned over the years that I cannot eat them at all or I crave them. When I gave them up during chemo, the cravings stopped. So it's basically an all or nothing deal for me.
Tomorrow, I'm cleared to get back in a hot tub. Woot!
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Lisa, I’m so glad to hear about your NP’s comments. That’s pretty much what I was told by my MO at my last appt and it just wasn’t what I expected. I thought for sure I’d have tests or scans or something, but being “in tune” with my body was almost exactly what she said.
Also interesting about sugar...I never had cravings until I underwent chemo and I haven’t yet overcome them. Red velvet cake and frosted brownies for dinner tonight 😳. So unlike me. And is plant-based similar to vegan? Several years back I was a strict vegetarian.
So I’m really curious about the rest of our group here...how has this experience changed your food preferences and eating habits?
Oh yea, almost forgot...UTI started Monday. On macrobid and it’s taking forever to work. 😡0 -
Tewks, in the class yesterday, two of the things that they pointed out that was a clear indication that your gut health was out of whack were yeast infections and UTIs. They are a sign of inflammation and that the good bacteria is losing out to the bad bacteria. Most gut problems can be resolved with proper eating. We both know that all that sugar is terrible for us, especially since we have TNBC, and we need to act like adults and stop eating like we have no control over our decisions. I was successful during chemo, but have fallen off the band wagon recently. And I'm determined to get back on today. It's nearly impossible to avoid it altogether since they throw sugar in everything from pasta sauce to yogurt, but it's not impossible to avoid sodas, cakes, cookies, candies, etc. Our bodies are recovering from a big trauma and that red velvet cake and handfuls of M&Ms (that I ate yesterday) are not giving our bodies any nutrients! It's junk! We can beat this stupid cancer, but we're setting ourselves up for failure if we eat a crappy diet. So let's help each other make healthier choices.
Plant-based diet is vegan, yes. Fruits and vegetables should comprise the majority of the foods you eat, with some lean proteins (if you wish) thrown in.
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Met with the BS this morning. The 7mm residual cancer was my original tumor, as it had the biopsy clip in it. I asked if hormone receptors were retested and yes they were. It was TN. ER 0% PR 0%. It's strange because my MRI a month ago said the tumor was almost imperceptible and very minimal subthreshold enhancement but I had another mass hiding behind the tumor that never changed from my dx MRI. That mass turned out to be just fibrocystic tissue.
Well now I know and can move forward with what now with my oncologist. I don't regret getting a double mastectomy one bit. I see the BS again for 1 year.
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I agree, Jenn. Get that bugger out! Wishing you a good weekend. Every day will get easier with the mastectomy.
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Lisa, thanks loads for the heads up Re sugar and UTIs. I should have mentioned that after the sugar overload last night I also had baked salmon and steamed asparagus. I’m not 100%abusive...
I’ve been reading vegetarian recipes all am and we’ll making the move in that direction. With summer veggies soon it’s very easy to do and I cook like crazy so I’m looking forward to it.
Jen your quick recovery continues to amaze me!
Have a nice weekend ladies
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Enjoying a beautiful day on the trails with my fur baby! Enjoy every moment 😊 Tracey
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Agatha - I still have pretty bad neuropathy. I got a whole list of things from the OT to supposedly help, but I can't say they really have very much. Here are the ones I can remember: Stick hands and feet next to the jets of a whirlpool tub if you have one (I just leave my hands under the pulsating stream of the shower head), run hands and feet on textured items, try to pick up things with hands and feet, hand and foot massages.... My hands were extra bad this weekend. It's like they went backwards and are more clumsy and "swollen" feeling than ever. :-( It's my one lingering frustration. I'll have to ask my oncologist about the Alpha Lipoic acid when I see her in a week and a half. Let me know what you think.
Lisa - Great hair!! I've got a layer of fuzz and dark-ish and gray-ish hair going on. It's still thin, but I'm excited it's growing. Eyebrows are growing back and so are eyelashes! yay!! Progress! I'm totally ready to check into the Livestrong program here too. Glad to hear that it looks good! I want to meet with the dietician, but yet...I don't. LOL I know exactly what they are going to say pretty much. Exactly what YOU said. Lean meat, lots of veggies, cut out processed foods, cut out sugar. *sigh* It's all so common sense. LOL Now if only I could do it!
Jennifer - That's a lot to take in. I'm sorry you are overwhelmed. Just try to take baby steps. One milestone down and then the next. I'm sorry about your friend too. There are too many of us nowadays.
Tewks - My chest is doing great. The boost treatments really gave it a chance to heal up. Now I have 8 more days of the whole breast treatment and then I'm done. So I feel like I can get through it for sure. So glad they gave me the break! Shoot about the hair!!!! Good thing you've still got wigs, but maybe it will grow out fast. After two more days of snow last week, we FINALLY hit spring the last several days. Yesterday was gray, but today is beautiful! I'm sooo glad and ready for it to stick around. Other than not being able to give as much effort to eating right, the last 8 months haven't changed my habits too much - which is a problem. It's now time to get committed to eating better. It's a life issue.
Looking good Tri-Lady!!
8 more days of radiation, then I meet with my oncologist the same day as my last day of radiation. I assume we'll talk Tamoxifen and survivorship in general then.
I'm feeling really good the last few days and ready to tackle things and do better about diet and exercise. I am grateful for the fantastic teams I've had along the way. I can't believe the lack of communication and attention to detail that some people have to put up with. We are headed out for a walk in just a bit. A chance to enjoy the weather!! Have a good few days everyone!
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I have to vent here about something.
My sister-in-law, who I totally adore by the way, is a very happy go lucky, oblivious kind of gal. She doesn't really try to find out information about things, she just goes with whatever comes up. Well, the week after her first chemo treatment, she didn't feel that badly. Tired mostly and slept some, but as the week wore on, she kept up her normal running around. When she went in for her off week blood draw, her ANC was .1 and her WBC was critically low as well. I tried to tell her she should probably lay low for the following week and that maybe the Nuelasta just hadn't kicked in yet, but she still would need to be careful. The nurse, not knowing my sister-in-law, stated it as, "If you do have to go out, maybe wear a mask if you can. Use hand sanitizer. Just be careful." So what my sister-in-law hears is, "You can still go out and do stuff." Two days after that, she goes out to lunch with her mom and aunt on their standing Friday lunch date. When she told me that my mother-in-law called during that time, she said she felt like she got busted by the principal. I told her I understood, but to keep in mind that those numbers were as low as they could go before they practically put you in the hospital. She listened a bit and didn't go to church that weekend. The following Tuesday, she has chemo. Her MO tells her that her numbers are perfect now. And he says that the Nuelasta is working and they don't need to do a blood draw on her off weeks. Again - to my SIL, that just meant, "You have free reign to do whatever you want." Despite the fact that there might be days again where you have practically no immune system. So...she takes the girls out for groceries, goes on her lunch date, goes to church, goes out to lunch again.... AAAAAANNNNDDD...now she's in the hospital. :-( They admitted her to get her fluids (she threw up a lot last night) and give her antibiotics. I feel so bad for her, but I hope that this will be a wake up call to her that she needs to slow down a bit for the next month or so....not forever....just until AC is done! I will never in a million years say this to her but...dang it...I told you so!
*sigh* Good news is that she is on the mend now. Hopefully, they can keep her system under control the next few days and she be home and resting soon.
I had to get that out of my system. Now I am going to go on a walk because it's beautiful here. Have a good day!
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Ugh Petey! After my first chemo, my ANC dropped to .1 too. That scared me enough to stay home! It's so hard when you want to keep to normal for your own mental health and your kids but things are not normal when your on chemo.
I still have 2 drains in and I don't want to leave the house with them. They are still producing, so I haven't called to get them removed. As a pain as they are, rather have the fluid in the drains instead of me. Overall I am feeling pretty well and my energy level is improving each day. Not napping during the day anymore. Getting tired of sleeping on my back! I am still tender in my arm pits and sides (where the drains are). I think my arm pits are tender because they are not numb like my breasts.
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Hello my October Beauty's,
So glad to read that everyone is doing well and slowly but surely getting to the end of this journey.
Jenn so glad your recovery is getting better each day. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, taking it slow and taking good care of yourself.
Lisa - your hair looks great! I still have not colored my hair. When my hair first came in it was white and fuzzy like a Qtip. Now at the root it is dark and the tips are white (so weird). It even has spots of dark, like a Dalmatian dog!!! Lol But I can't wait to loose the wig and I need a normal color. How are your nails? Did they grow in OK? I never did loose my finger nails but I did have some lifting of my two toe nails.
Petey- I think we are pretty close in our radiation treatments. My darn chemo brain... I thought I was going to be finished last week only to find I calculated wrong.
I will be done this Thursday. My skin has been ok during the 35 rads but I am feeling a bad burn on my shoulder blade. It should not zapped in that spotanymore because I just have the boosts left. Hopefully it will heal fast. Sorry to hear about your SIL I don't think any of us realized how sick chemo can make you until you are hit!!! Ugh so glad that is behind me NEVER want to go through that again.Next journey to to get rid of this painful gall bladder ( I see the gastro dr tomorrow).That will be a breeze compared to what I've been through
Will I was getting my radiation I realized I will soon be a CANCER SURVIVOR not a CANCER PATIENT.
Wonderful feeling 🤗
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DKK - It IS a good feeling!! I'm so happy you are almost done! My blisters under my breast healed really well and really quickly. I ultimately had 9 days off and it really was mostly healed within 7. Still some skin peeling and discoloration, but mostly healed. It feels good to be on the right end of things doesn't it? Good luck with the gall bladder!!
Jennifer - I'm sorry about the drains. I am sure they are a huge pain!! They will be a relief to get out when you are done I'm sure.
Sister-in-law is febrile neutropenia. They think that the infection she has might have started as a UTI, but last I heard, they weren't sure. She feels better and fever is down today. But she does have to stay in the hospital until her numbers come up. I would imagine they would put off next week's chemo, but we'll see. At least she is where she needs to be and is on the mend!
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Finally got my drains out today - 28 days after surgery. Went directly home and took a nap - ON MY SIDE.
Now I can move ahead.
TE fill today
PET scan came out clear.
I am now taking letrozole.
First RO appointment scheduled for May 1.
I can now begin physical therapy on my right arm where the nerve and lymph nodes were removed.
My right underarm is still very numb and feels like there is a softball under it- but nothing is there. Really weird sensation. When I asked the breast surgeon if I can shave under that arm, she told me to check with the PS. I asked him today and he referred me back to the breast surgeon
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Hi Simbobby
Congrats on your clear PET scan, what a relief!
My last drain was taken out on the 26th day. I'm also on letrozole, 9 days, so far no side effects.
My right nipple did not survive after TRAM FLAP surgery. So i need to have a surgery tomorrow to remove it. PS said nipple reconstruction only after 1 year.
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Hi Ladies, haven't been on in some time - had lots of doctor appts lately. So glad everyone is doing much better after surgery and radiation treatments. I'm getting ready for another surgery on my reconstructed breast. One side ot it has hardened and PS said I have fat necrosis from my tram flap. I am very apprehensive going into this and praying for the best outcome in order to set up surgery on the other breast for symmetry in 3- 4 months. Still on Herception and still have same SE's as chemo...I'm really tired and trying to see light at the end of the tunnel but seems like it won't be till next year. Question, my MO doesn't recommend having scans unless there is a symptom. I see several of you have had PET scans, wonder why I'm not getting any. Hope everyone's hair is growing and your getting the courage to go out in public without your hats. I have and I've accepted the fact that I'm going to be a salt and pepper girl for a little while. Thanks so much to all of you for being part of my support system through this ordeal.
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Hi everyone. Been making great strides getting my life back. PT is going well. Now that spring has finally sprung, I'm getting a lot more exercise in. Yesterday I walked 3 miles and played 3 sets of doubles tennis with my husband. Today I walked 1.5 miles and then spent 4 hrs trying on every article hanging in my closet. I have 4 huge bags to donate to charity. And it was a great way ro stretch all my new chest muscles! Tomorrow I meet with the LiveStrong rep. Our session starts 5/7. I'm really looking forward to it. The following day I'm returning to work for the first time in 6 months. My husband encouraged me to quit because this cancer scared the bejesus out of him, but I am getting a little bored lately and need a mental challenge. I agreed to go back for two days a week. I was working 4. We shall see how that goes.
My skin is all bumpy now, as if I have permanent goose bumps. Hubby thinks it's my body hair returning. Very odd.
My husbands aunt is sadly losing her battle with non metastatic liver cancer. They have called in hospice. So very sad but she's lived a really good life. BIL will win his battle against tonsillar cancer but he's having a really rough go of it. They hadn't to put in a feeding tube cause he's lost his ability to eat solid food without vomiting. He's in the hospital now but should be done with his treatment by next Wednesday. So take that, cancer!
Been either wearing ball caps or nothing at all these days. My hair is absolutely crazy these days, sticking up all over the place, but I'm getting over it. It'll grow when it's good and ready.
SO glad to read everyone managing so well. I'm so hopeful for all of us that this will be just a temporary roadblock in our lives. Jenn, the drains will be out soon and you'll be so happy to sleep on your side again. Simbobby, woot on the clean scans. Peoy, sorry that you have another surgery. Hope that it goes well. DKK, congrats on ending radiation soon. Petey, hope your SIL recovers soon. Tracey, wishing you more sunny days! And 2brandy, sorry for the setback. Hoping all these surgeries are behind you soon.
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TriLady that is the most beautiful picture! I cannot believe that's not your own natural hair...lovely!!
I've been reading all the posts but haven't responded until now but it sounds like we're all making our own way to success.
SimBobby I'm really sorry about the softball under your arm but you did make me laugh with your description. I've had the same thing since last summer and I've never before heard anyone describe it so clearly but that's exactly what it feels like. I've asked my husband to double check it for me a zillion times cuz I just “know" there's something there and of course there isn't. So thank you for sharing that and,yes, it will eventually get smaller. Funny too when it itches and I can't find the right spot to scratch. Oh dear, such troubles.
About letrazol: I took it for 5.5 months, took a week break for surgery, then another 3 months and started again on 3/28. The first time I was on it was to reduce the tumors before surgery and it worked extremely well. Now I’m back on it for probably 5 years. Zero side effects!!! I’m hoping it does it’s job again cuz with my awful reactions to AC and one Taxol I don’t have many other options should the BC return. But my gut feeling is that it won’t.
I’ve also found a nutritionist and am awaiting a menu plan to get rid of the sugar I shouldn’t be eating. And the cravings are subsiding somewhat. One of the good things about NJ is our abundance of vegetables and farmers markets. Having grown up in Ohio I really do miss homegrown food but we have amazing tomatoes here.
Lisa your energy level is awesome. You’re inspiring me to start walking and hiking again.
I know several of us have radiation and more surgeries ahead and we also have a few family members with their battles. But the positive outlooks and the support here are so helpful!
Please stay in touch everyone! Hearing about your progresses is really an inspiration! Enjoy the sort of warm day!
PS...wigs are kinda itchy 😟0
