Starting Chemo in November 2017
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Kivens....CONGRATS!! You are almost crossing that finish line. So happy for you!
Hope
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CONGRATULATIONS, klevans! Another one of us finished with chemo, and I couldn't be happier about it. As I think I've said before, this is one club from which I think every one of us is happy to "graduate." Cannot wait until it is my turn!
Just back from my weekly PT session. I always feel "looser" afterwards, which is nice while it lasts. The sun is still out and looks to continue all week, so I'll do some more walking later. Will also give myself a pedicure since it's warm enough to be barefoot for a while.
Lots of appointments this week: echocardiogram tomorrow, lunch with a friend on Wed, and lab work Thu. All get me up and out of the house, which is a good thing.
I am off to figure out what to have for lunch and perhaps also organize something to make for dinner. Hope everyone is having a fairly good day today.
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What is this "football" game of which you speak?
I watched Star Trek on Netflix, and spent the day crocheting with my kid.Ready for something funny? My brother has been bald for years. We are just 15 months apart, so people always thought we were twins when we were little. I found a picture of my dad when he was in his later 40's. This may have been before he started chemo (bone cancer), because he still has a little hair. I am about 14 in that picture... and of course, my naked head today. I knew we all resembled each other, but holy cow! Take away our hair, and we look like triplets! This cracks me up!
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Meow, those pictures gave me such a chuckle! There is a resemblance. And you are a nice looking family too!
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Kivans - congratulations on your final treatment!
Meow - love the pictures. It’s great you can laugh at being bald. Did we ever dream this would ever happen to us? What? Not a football fan? I love to embroider as my stitching hobby. I just finished a sampler during the holidays, but haven’t felt well enough to do anything else new.
I forced myself to do some birthday shopping today and I lasted just one hour at the store. My back was nagging at me too much. This ongoing pain just doesn’t seem To want to go away, but I need to be patient and let time heal it. I think as long as these chemo drugs remain in system, it will be a while before this fades away. So tired of being this way, as I want to feel normal again. Got a lot to do and so behind. I discovered my W2 is wrong and my employer has retired this past year, so that’s a new mess to deal with. Just hope they get it corrected and IRS gets the corrected info. before I file. Always something
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Hi Everyone,
I trust we are all hanging in there. I had my final AC #4 about 2 wks ago and I must say the last cycle was the easiest for me. No nausea, no metal mouth, no stomach wringing out, no private part feeling like it want to drop out of my body. What I did have tho was some severe headaches, tiredness and sleeplessness. To my surprise I was extremely hungry and thirsty. So I have been devouring everything in my path still can't do anything too sweet, salty or spicy. I will be starting taxol soon maybe next week.
I just wanna say ladies this journey is not easy it is stressful (tears, anger, pain, doubt, fear and so much more). I too think about reoccurence but the mind is a powerful thing I cannot give energy to negative thoughts. Therefore that thought has to become a distant/faded one. I am only thinking about healing, strength and living to see my 100th birthday. My prayer every night is for chemo to kill the bad cells and for God to protect and rejuvenate the good cells. I am claiming victory, i'm going to be on the winning side because as a believer of the living God I believe in his power.
I want to encourage each of you stay strong. We can do this. We can beat this. Just take it 1 cycle at a time. Slow and steady. Stay the course. Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, which is our lives. No giving up.
When you're feeling down come on here and talk or cry it out either way we got you. I have found comfort and strength in this space.
Good Night. Warm hugs from the Caribbean as always.
Dark13.
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Hi sisters,
I already finish my 3rd cycles of FEC protocol and I will start Taxotere next Monday. I read a lot of experience here and it's generally horrible! especially first 7 days. so I'm afraid to take this drug. most of you took taxotere, DO you think it's horrible or I magnified the SEs ?
about FEC, it's tolerable in general. nausea was the most side effects that kill me and also I feel pain in the tumour itself until now. is that normal? I don't know, more than 12 days with this pain. also I had a little pain in my stomach, goes and back, not stable, maybe I ate something out of my home!
Kivans - congratulations. keep posting please
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Good morning...
Magari....This is a busy week for you! Glad you have a bit of fun in the mix. Hoping for good results with all.
Meow...Love the pics! Thanks for sharing.
Dark13...You summed up this journey perfectly. Good luck with your Taxol infusions.
Hope99....Will you be starting Taxotere or Taxol? I am on the Taxol infusions. I find them very tolerable. I think the side effects for both drugs are pretty much the same. I wish you the best of luck.
Hope
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nonahope - Taxotere not taxol. no idea if its same or not.
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Hope99...They are in the same class of drugs, but have different chemicals. I had Taxotere, along with Cytoxan when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. That was my cocktail before I had radiation. I wish you the best with few side effects.
Hope
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Mindy, when I complained of neuropathy in my hands, my onc recommended Vitamin B6. I was already taking 2000mg Glutamine which I saw many recommendations for on the web. I took 100mg B6 daily. The tips of my fingers and webbing between fingers got dryer with each treatment. The tips of my fingers peeled and split near the nails, and it was painful to use my fingers. Typing hurt! The B6 helped with the tingling, but not the other symptoms. I still can’t use my fingerprints to open my phone. They change everyday. 4 weeks after the last treatment, no more tingling, and I’ healed but still super dry.
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Hi Everyone, Chemo #4 0f 6 / Day 9 (?) I can't remember
neuropathy - re: taxotere: Like I keep saying, its amazing how different treatment centers are. I am brought bags of ice automatically when my Taxotere treatment begins. I have Raynaulds, so I just ice until my Raynaulds kicks in. (lack of circulation) I didn't start having Neuropathy in my fingers until this last treatment. (#4) Feels like I tried to open a jar with ridges and got road burn on the tips. Mouth sores have started again. I was told Iron ( I am taking Iron and Potassium from MO) makes one constipated - but of course its just the opposite for me - I have Diarrhea. (weird metabolism I have) Now that I remember, I forgot to munch on ice - maybe that's why I got mouth sores this time.
No Energy, and No word regarding results of my MRI. I guess no news is good news.
And BRUISING. Oh My Goodness - my legs are covered in bruises. I look like I've been in a car accident. And AGE SPOTS. Never had them before all over hands, arms and legs.Meow - Your scarfs look so much better than my beanies. I'll have to give it a try.
Hope99 - yes, I have stomach pains every once in a while. Not nausea, some acid reflux. A full uncomfortable achy feeling. Like I've ate too much. But nothing worrisome. Pepto Bismal works for me for anything tummy related. Sometimes I think its my Ulcer flaring up again.
Take care everyone - You all are life savers...... rj0 -
Had my 4 week follow-up post chemo today. I assume blood counts were normal because they didn't mention them to me. I will be able to check them on the portal when they get them uploaded. Met with the NP instead of the MD. I had never met her before. I asked her about my arm and leg stiffness and swelling. My legs are still slightly swollen, but not too bad. She said the chemo can cause swelling. No other recommendations to get rid of it. I suggested that maybe being off my supplements for 3 months contributed to my stiffness. She said it was a good theory. I felt like I was the doctor, and she was the patient. I will start on Anastrozole as soon as Park Pharmacy gets things coordinated and figures out where the least expensive place is for me to get the drug. Them or Walgreens or mail order through my insurance. The list of side effects is as scary as the TC side effects. Sigh!
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Orangedaisy - I still have some swelling in my ankles, but not real bad. I think it will take a while for these chemo drugs to wear off. Also, hopefully the Arimidex will be gentle on you. My sister took it for five years and did fine on it. She has a real sensitive body when it comes to aches and pains. Her doctor started her on Tamoxifen, but it gave her more side effects. My sister had a hyperplasia mass in her early 50s. The only reason her doctor put her on hormone therapy was because she thought her hyperplasia was too close to being invasive, (she sort of disagreed with radiologist), so it was a precautionary thing. She has been clean 15 years later.
Rljes - I too noticed my age spots became darker all over my skin. Some appeared out if no where too. So you’re not alone on that. Hope your neuropathy fades away.
I think, but not positive, that my back might be getting better, but until I run out of pain pills (one more left), I’ll know for sure. It still pulls a little in a dull way. Still have a few muscle relaxers left and a new prescription waiting at Walmart. I see my radiation oncologist next Tuesday. That should be interesting. I met her once, and I really liked her a lot, so I hope this will go better than the awful chemo. Still pooped by afternoon, but trying to push myself more each day. No appetite, but I try to eat small healthy snacks. I look like I aged ten years
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lizabeth, thank you for wishing me luck. currently trying to not got nuts between chemo and surgery. i am anxious about it... not the surgery itself but the changes it will bring to my life after it’s done.
rljes, surgery at the moment is beginning of next month. around March 3rd... but i just spoke with the surgeon and it looks like it will move a few more days later.
nonahope, glad you enjoyed the superbowl! in frankfurt i think some people also make an event of it. i enjoy watching the ads
i’ve been a bit down lately. with surgery coming up. i know it’s the right decision and it has to be done. i just wish it wouldn’t leave such a visible reminder of cancer. not having a visible reminder doesn’t exactly diminish what we’re all going throufh but i was hoping maybe that would make movinf forward a but easier for me. Less reminders of any regret i may have on not finding iut at an earlier stage or maybe taking better care of my health or wishing i had actually done 50 pushups a day or not having that small snack size pack of cookies as acceptable dinner. or less wondering about what caused it. something more concrete for me to avoid, rather than ‘environmental and lifestyle factors’. I wonder about the big things and the little things like will instill be able to carry a backpack on both shoulders with a laptop in it or will i be able to travel as often as i used to or what will life be like after after UMX. (And sometimes lighthearted but well meaning breast reconstruction quips from friends can be tiring too)
i look at the other threads sometimes to get an idea of what the new normal can be like.
Just been down quite a bit and for a bit longer than usual,that’s all. But... we must keep going. sorry for being a bit of a downer. just needed to get that out. It’s hard to express around people who haven’t gone through this.
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Mkn86 - don't feel bad about your apprehensive thoughts. It's normal and it helps to shout it out. Look at your surgery as getting rid of that tumor once and for all! That will make you feel better knowing it's not there. Your youth will heal you better/faster than us oldie goldies here. Yes, it's scary that your body will be different, but the breasts can be reconstructed to look very normal. Tell yourself it's only temporary. Ask your plastic surgeon to show you photos of reconstruction results. I know so much time is involved with your particular situation, and psychologically it wears you down, but try to stay positive. You're still and will always be a beautiful girl, and I know this time is very scary for you. Good grief - look how much I've whined onhere - and I'm old! Don't blame yourself for how you ate, or any other habits that you may have had. There's no iron clad research proving this or that directly causes breast cancer. It's only suggested by ambiguous research in a lot of cases. My big change in diet and exercise three years ago did not prevent my BC, so it means nothing in the cause. That's why I have an angry side to a lot that's preached to us. Again, there's not enough research, but we have to march on and deal with it the best we know how and trust our doctors.
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rljes...Have you always had the bruising? That sounds very worrisome for low platelets. I hope your doctor is aware of this.
Orangedaisy...Sorry for your experience with the NP. I absolutely love my NP. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing her all the time. She is so knowledgeable and never makes you feel rushed. All questions are answered thoroughly. She is such a people person and it shows up in all her visits. I love my onco, as well. But, sometimes feel a bit rushed with him.
I was on Anastrozole for five years after my initial bout of BC. I had no problems with side effects other than a bit of joint achiness.Kat...You wouldn't be "normal" if you didn't have those "down" days. You've had a long time to be thinking about your upcoming surgery. When I was initially diagnosed, I saw a breast surgeon and had surgery just a few days later...no time to think about it. You've been going through treatment prior to your surgery. That takes a toll on your body. Vent all you want...we are all here to support you - no matter the issue. Hang in there!
Blair...Glad to hear your back may be on the mend at long last. Fingers crossed it continues after you finish your meds.
Tomorrow is my day of scans. I'd rather be having my Taxol infusion. Scans always cause great anxiety for me. I will see my onco next Thursday to see what's next on my journey.
Wishing all a great day!
Hope
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Nonahope I'm wishing you the very best on your scan day tomorrow. I can understand why it would make you anxious. I'm not good about them either. I hope you let us know how they go. I also love my NP. She is also less rushed than the MO.
Kat Yes, like the others say, vent away. It's not easy to face surgery and having it at this point in your treatment is a different experience. It's ok to be upset about it. It's different for everyone, but what helped me was making a commitment to myself to love my body no matter what. I'm not young or good looking but I accept my altered body and have even come to embrace it. I think of my body as my ally. It may not be perfect but it doesn't need to be and I accept and like it. It took me awhile to get to self acceptance but I did get there. It's normal to feel down and I hope you feel better soon. We are here for you.
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Kat Just wanted to add before I could accept my new body I had to grieve the loss of the old one. It's ok to grieve our losses.
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Chemo #4 in progress... only 2 more after this. Wahoo!
Perjeta was approved 2 weeks ago for more widespread use in HER2 positive. It was neoadjuvant and metastatic only before, but clinical trials have shown it effective when combined with herceptin for the rest of us. My doctor is adding it to my last two chemos, and for the rest of the year with the herceptin. I appreciate that research is constantly being done to improve the treatments available for cancer. When my dad had terminal bone cancer (45 at onset in the early 80's) all his chemo was done in patient, and the side effects were terrible - with less effective management. The reality that we can do this out patient is huge - even if some are having difficulty with side effects. It is still an improvement over the past. Some day, I am hopeful that it will be even better. (Call me Suzy Sunshine!)
My side effects these days: super gassy, NAUSEA, FATIGUE (thankful for steroids), taste buds are not reliable (metallic, flat, and some things just taste off), eyes watering & itchy - and the left eye has started twitching for long periods, nose running all the time, hot flashes, some areas of my skin go numb for a while after a treatment - but feeling seems to come back before the next chemo. Hair mostly gone... bald head, very little body hair, but I still have eyebrows. Eyelashes are starting to go, top lashes are holding on a bit longer than the bottom lashes.
No bone pain, no flu-ish feelings, no mouth sores, no fevers. I do not get neulasta, and don't seem to need it.
Thinking of all of you - and sending positive, healing vibes for good test results, minimal side effects, and death to the cancer cells!
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Meowmmy- our side effects are nearly the same, the eye twitching makes me crazy, I feel like people can see it when I am talking to them. I also have what I asssume is intestinal twitching. I feel like I have a toddler kicking around in there. I just ignore it. Runny nose constantly, claritin helps there, gassy as well, have anti gas meds for that, works like a champ. Can’t be tooting around the patients. One bout of the big D, always at 1am, popped some Imodium, problem solved. Taste is coming back on day 8. No nausea at all, very little fatigue but muscle weakness. I think it’s from just not moving as much as I normally do. I am bought about getting a membership to LA fitness to use on my days off to start some strength training. I worry about who used the equipment before me though. Swelling is starting, I’m taking less lasix and adding the occasional steroid to combat that as needed.
Rljes- I have the bruising as well, my platelets were 112 last go around so I’m assuming that’s why. It’s minor but I keep a close watch for anything major and try not to injure myself. I’m seriously accident prone.
No mouth sores, but sores seem to pop up elsewhere like blisters, bought some baby diaper rash cream (balmex) and that keeps them from getting worse. Not so bad this go around, but last one it was really bad.
On a good note I made lasagna for dinner (even made my own pasta). So everyone is fed for the rest of the week, Florida state fair starts today, so Saturday I am hoping to get my boy out there for day!!
Tina.
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Tina and Meowmmy Chemo #4, day 4. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has twitchy eyes. They drive me crazy. I also have a very metallic mouth, nose running, and some muscle weakness. I also still have some eyebrows and some eyelashes. I'm thankful too that we can do chemo as outpatients. Glass is half full . . .
Take care everyone.
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My glass has room for vodka!
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Hello all - After 4 of 6 rounds I am right there with most you on many of the SE: Yes to the twitchy eye thing! Also bouts of gassiness, taste bud issues, constant runny nose, limited body hair, lower lashes mostly gone but uppers mostly hanging on (minus a small gap on one side), brows thinning but still there. Also wooziness from time to time that never escalates to true nausea, thank goodness. I pop a Zofran whenever it starts. And fatigue that's not debilitating, but increases as the day wears on. Am usually ready for bed about an hour before my usual time these days, sometimes earlier than that. I just submit to whatever my body is telling me and turn out the light if I'm tired.
The biggest thing for me is the ongoing swelling and tenderness that I continue to have from my surgery. It is worse on some days than others, but there is no day where it isn't present and it is sometimes pretty uncomfortable.
Still, I must say that overall this process has been less physically traumatic than I anticipated, and I am grateful for that. My echocardiogram results from earlier this week were strong/normal, and today's labs were also good. Looking forward to a quiet, relaxing weekend with nice weather. Farmer's market tomorrow morning and perhaps firing up the grill!
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Congratulations to all of you that are done with treatments and going on to your next phase. Blair, good decision. Don’t look back. You struggled enough.
Tina, thanks for that “twitchy” stomach comment. I guess that is a better way to explain what I call my “jumpy” stomach. That is my worst ongoing problem. My constipation issue was finally releived by 8 senakot S and now I’m taking miralax 2times a day and 2 senakot s every day. So far so good. I had infusion # 4 on 2/6 and nuelasta pod. My wbc was 1.76 and with the nuelasta back up to 7.
Like everyone some days I want to forget this whole thing. I’m tired and can’t do all the things I like. Call me crazy but I love to do the laundry and the thought of lugging it up and down the stairs makes me wish I had a laundry Shute. The flu is bad everywhere and going out is scary. I usually go for the ride and let my friends run into stores while I watch the car. At least I’m out.
I’ve been reading everyone’s posts and I’ll try to post more consistently. Sometimes I think we all feel like whining. We ought to all pick a date, like Sunday, February 11th at 12 noon and all whine, yell, curse, pray all together. I’m doing it! Kate
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Thank you Margari for that statement. You know, I still feel guilty about missing last treatment, but I think my body got beat with the third. I feel I’m so pathetic. That back pain is still lurking and I can’t seem to feel normal again. My appetite is just gone. I force myself to eat, but only small meals. I’m not nauseated, just very tired. Napping by afternoon - I hate being so lazy. Maybe I need to force myself to take a short walk. Muscle relaxer pills are part of the tired problem, as its side effect is grogginess, so must be patient - ugh!
Meow - what an adorable photo of you and husband. If you two had put your chins closer together, do you realize your heads/chins would make a heart? Just in time for Valentines Day!
My brows/lashes thinned out, but are still there. I have hair on my arms, but not legs, underarms and elsewhere. I also noticed these really fine hairs on my head that are about 3/8 inch long, but the darker hair brizzles are still 1/8 inch long. I suppose it will be another month before my hair grows - if taxotere hasn’t permanently ruined it! I’m getting tired of wigs and scarves, but can’t pull off the bald look. I still scare myself seeing me in my bathroom mirror!
Hope everyone’s aches, twitches, and pains go away soon!
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Not my husband. Neil is the gay son I never had.
. He lived with us one summer when he had nowhere to go between college years. His family is challenging, so I am one of his positive mother figures. I just thought I looked particularly good in this picture - even with my bald head! 0 -
Oh dear- sorry Meow. He’s a nice looking man, and it’s still a cute photo. You look as young as he does - yes good photo!
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rljes - thank you for sharing. I will do my 4th chemo on Monday and I'm afraid from taxorere. Meow is the nearest sister to my infusion here . actually when I read stories about taxotere I feel nervous. permanent bone and muscles pain, regular pain in head and so one. no one write a good experience with TAXOTERE so if you know please link me.
one more thing, first time I know there is brain mets with the HER2- . I thought it's risk only for HER+ but I saw ladies with brain mets here and HER is negative.
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hope99- I haven’t had any pains from my Taxotere, just the swelling in my feet. The only aches and pains I have are when my counts are low, which after my 4th infusion I haven’t even had the aches which should have started on Thursday, but she did decrease my dose which may be why, my SE’s were nearly non existent this go around.
Tina
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