Starting Chemo in November 2017
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Good morning, all! We are off to any extremely foggy start here in SF. I'm going to make some of the multigrain hot cereal that I picked up during my last trip to Trader Joe's, with some fruit salad on the side.
Orangedaisy - Congrats on the hair regrowth; sounds like you are doing everything you can to help speed up the process and it seems to be working.
Proudtospin - 2 inches of new growth sounds great!
klevans - Mornings can be tough. I've always been pretty low maintenance in terms of hair and makeup and could get ready in about 15 minutes. Now it takes me at least twice as long to look half as good.... :-(
FINAL chemo tomorrow; hooray! It's felt like a very long road to reach this point and I am looking forward to having this part of things behind me and moving forward. A girlfriend will be going along to help me cold cap and I plan to make a soba noodle salad to take along for lunch.
My nails have grown pretty much as normal, though my cuticles are very dry despite the vitamin E oil that I apply most nights. Because my skin has been extremely sensitive, I've been skipping salon mani/pedicures and cannot wait to go back and have my ladies take care of me again. My upper eyelashes might be filling in a bit where I have gaps but they're still pretty sparse. My facial skin is dry, but I use Cerave moisturizer and except for the rash I had a few weeks ago (which was cleared up with doxycycline) it's looking as good or better than before chemo.
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Wow, went to gym this morning, first time in months! It felt good to see pals whom i have not seen in some time. I did 5 minutes on a reclining tvpe bike. For now, that was huge , i used to do an hour on the indoor bikes so anxious to get back . Seems lots of folks asking about me so i am hoping to get back again this week.
Course now i am beat
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Magari, agree mornings are hard. Wow, your skin is better than before chemo. Orangedaisy said the same thing about hers. I'm trying to improve mine and hope to get to the point when I can say "better than before chemo." Going to be a bit longer though.
I'm so excited for you to finish your chemo tomorrow. That will be so wonderful! I will be thinking positive thoughts for you.
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Magari....Congrats on your final chemo! I love CeraVe products. My oncologist gave me samples and I've been buying it ever since. The best stuff I've ever used.
Iris...That is great that you're getting back to the gym. I doubt I could do five minutes on that bike...so, good for you. It's a start for you and I hope you will be back to that hour before too long. I'm hoping to get back to some walking when the weather breaks. I'll be lucky to do 1/4 mile, but it's a start. The neuropathy has reared its ugly head!!
Wishing all a good day/week.
Hope
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Hi Nonahope. I haven't heard you mention neuropathy before. Is it a new development? I hope in general you are well.
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hope, love my gym and admit it was an upper for me to get there yesterday. Plan is to get over again this week.
Having a reaction to my med. Horrible redness on bottom of feet and palms of hands. Took a tylonel a bit again and called my onc office. Since i am starting my off week of the pills she said i could skip tonights pill. Next week is pet scan so hoping for get good results and help with the pain in my hands. It is listed as a side effect, even says if it gets really bad, you can actually lose your fingerprints. A pal at the gym suggested my new career might be robbing jewelry stores, may be!
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Hi Everyone - Last Chemo tomorrow. Whew. Last 2 two were a doozy. Feeling Nausea, having to take more Compazine, and my hip pain has moved down to the back up my upper thigh. Nothing relieves the pain. Its horrible. (except Marijuana and its illegal where I live) CBD oil does nothing.
Mom4gma3 - Hi. Makes me feel better that someone else may not go with Radiation. I havn't heard any replies on what % were when taking Radiation. Maybe I'll post on the Radiation in November/December thread.
ProudtoSpin - I had the severe redness on my feet, and MO said I had "Hand Foot Syndrome" and gave me Rx UREA cream. cleared it right up. Atta girl for working out!
OrangeDaisy- I have skin disorder and my fingertips used to split open (before BC) and as I was working, A customer who was a Doctor - told me to use SUPER GLUE (i was using bandaides and it looked so gross) so I called my Dermatologist and he said go for it - it won't coz infection - just seals the split. Worked great!
TimesLikeThese - glad to hear from you - I think we have had similar issues - my eyes watered like crazy, but better i think than dry eyes. My fingernails held up, i have partial eyelashes and 3/4 eyebrows. I'm still bald except for baby bird fuzz Mohawk style on top. Its Going to be a bumpy regrowth ride! Sorry about your Job. Huggs.
Hi Klvans - sorry to hear your cold capping didn't work so well, I hear its alot of work.
Margari - Happy Dance Time - Final Chemo Treatment!
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rjiles.......thanks, good to know your onc had a solution. I sort of think that is what i have as well, my doc said for now i could use cortesone 10 cream, hurts to open containers or well to zip my jeans!
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Kivans...Yes, the neuropathy started with my 12th Taxol infusion. It's more noticeable in the evening while I'm sitting and watching TV...it's a horrible burning sensation. I've just been taking an Advil in the evening. Someone told me Aspercreme may help. I'm going to try that. Other than that, I'm doing okay.
Iris...I have heard that some chemo drugs will cause you to lose your fingerprints. I love your friend's suggestion for a new career!! LOL That's the thing with these drugs being cumulative. We start out doing fine, but as time goes on those "listed" side effects seem to find us. I hope you get relief. My feet feel like I'm walking on hot coals. I hope your scan shows good results so maybe you can move on to a milder form of your chemo drug.
rljes...We will be doing a happy dance for you tomorrow. Congrats on reaching the end of chemo.
Hope
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rljes - Thanks for the happy dance; I love the joy that Snoopy conveys in that pic! I will be doing the same for you tomorrow, and hoping that both of us have it slightly easier following these infusions than last time.
I am officially PFC as of this afternoon!! Removed my final cold cap about an hour ago, took a nice warm shower and am getting the paraphenalia organized so that it can be packed up and shipped back. I will still have Hereptin/Perjeta infusions every 3 weeks for 8 more months. But I am strongly considering skipping radiation, given the limited benefit I've been told it will offer me.
My plan is to return to work mid-April, taking off my infusion days as disability. Not sure how my stamina will be to put in full 8 hour days plus commute time right away, but I am going to start there and cut back to part-time if need be. My supervisor supports this idea.
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So happy for you Magari. I remember the wonderful feeling of the last cold cap. I sent my stuff back pronto, lol! It sounds like you have a solid plan for getting your life back to normal. I hope you recover well from this last round.
Rljes I didn't realize you were so close to being finished! We will be celebrating your finish line tomorrow. Happy dance again!
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Magari - Rljes
Last day of chemo - hallelujah! Ring those bells tomorrow and dance away!
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Proud to spin- My fingers hurt off and on so bad - I had to use a pair of plyers to zip up my jeans, wear gloves to dig into my purse and i Use those dishwashing yellow rubber gloves to open jars. I know alot of tricks!
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Happy Last Chemo to Magari and myself - Yeah! Happy Dance.
They went full throttle today - done in 4 1/2 hours opposed to the 6. Only bad thing is my Heart Eco. Before Chemo it was tested and at 68% - above normal (normal is 66%) now I had the eco last week and its down to 55%- down 13%. MO thought the cut off point was 13%, but read new outlines and its 16% - so I get to go ahead with Herceptin, and monitoring my heart every 2 months instead of 3. No mention of Radiation or Anti estrogen pills. Fine by me. I need a long break.
Ring That Bell!
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rljes,good thoughts, i did go to walgreens for cortesone cream, helps somewhat, also usng biofreeze, question, is it cronic for you now or what?
Went to gym, felt good and good to see folks,
hey hope, did 20 min on bike and it felt almost normal?
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Rljes, Much happiness and good cheer to you! So wonderful that you are done with this portion of treatment. You have been such a trooper! Congratulations!
Proudtospin. I bet it feels great to get back to your gym. I went to one today and will join soon. Good to do something that feels normal.
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Rljes- I remember being told I would have to have an echo every 3 months on herceptin. They did one in the beginning but haven’t since. I am going I have to ask about it when I see my onco tomorrow. Not that I want to do another test, but I already have a wonky heart, I don’t want it getting any worse.
Tina
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Good morning...
A big CONGRATS to all of you who ended chemo!!
Iris...Good for you! That's a big step forward from 5 minutes!!! I'm going to get some Aspercreme with Lidocaine and try it on my burning feet...sure hope it works. This is really getting to me.
Have a good day!
Hope
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Hello ladies of November chemo. I started in December but have been lurking here and love hearing all the positive news about finishing and diminishing SE. You have a very supportive bunch here.
From the beginning of chemo, I had very painful neuropathy in my hands, feet and legs due to the taxotere (a taxane, like taxol). My MO and PA recommended two supplements: acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid. I started taking them right after cycle 2/6 and have found some relief (took about 30 days to really kick in). More importantly, my PA explained that I should keep taking them after chemo ends because they are essential to the rebuilding of the nerves that the taxotere was affecting and this would help avoid permanent neuropathy. I'd read about women who were still experiencing neuropathy and pain over a year after the end of chemo and that freaks me out. So supplements for me. Also, they dropped my taxotere concentration by 10% in the rest of my treatments since I was getting the max dose. Might be something to ask your MO.
Mindy
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hope, the cortesone cream helps, i also used biofreze which is like super duper menthol. I am definitely feeling better after my gym time, it is my social lifej to be honest, during my infusion period, i could always count on one of my gym pals to help me with a ride
Well waiting on cleaning gal this morning.
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Dr Clearerd me to start going to the gym!! But sadly she said no to the mani-pedi I so desperately need. Maybe in a few more weeks. She said my nails aren’t strong enough, but I am cutting them every week so I don’t see that as the case.
Mindy- the dropped my Taxotere and carboplatin two infusions in a row by 20% and I didn’t get the neuropathy until after the dropped it. No said the feeling should start returning in 30 days or so, I hope she’s right. My feet are so uncomfortable by the time I am done with work at the end of the day.
She did send a script for the echo before next infusion, so that got checked off the list, and so far I am still hanging on to the April 4th appt with the RO. Although I’m a little concerned because for some reason my insurance didn’t pay anything on my consultation appt with her, and I need to find out why. I may have to switch if there is an issue with them and my insurance.
So happy for everyone who is finished with their chemo, it’s been a harder road for some of us but a road we have taken together and walked out the other side of the tunnel in one piece. I know some of our journeys are being taken in different orders, but I wish everyone the very best there is.
Tina.
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Blair2 - HAPPY for you, those who are finishing CHemo!!!
Rljes - Ringing the bell!!! Love love love, Snoopy Happy Dance!
I have 6 Taxol left. I went to Costco on the weekend and left the keys in my truck, with it running! Shopped for an hour... Luckly it was still there, but I felt so stupid. The Chemo Brain is a real thing. I forget my words a lot too!
I paint my eyebrows on every day, and without any left its hard to get them even. I do have 1/2 Inch of white fuzzy hairs on my head. It seems to be growing back in. I use a bar of natural hemp oil goats milk soap on my head, hands and feet. My nephropathy is gone and hair is growing YAY!!!
I want to thank everyone in this group, for all the support thus far. Everyone's stories have helped me feel not so alone. I hope the next 6 weeks go quickly,
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great for you, my manicure place has started drawing on eyebrows. A pal did it and it looked great. Dont know if i will try, they say it lasts about 2 weeks
Never asked my mo if i could use polish, guess i just did it. The nails were thin and splintering i an awful way but they now are almost normal again
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I haven't checked in for a while... the warnings about chemo #5 were spot on. Man the last two weeks were rough! I'm very lucky I was able to work from home. Some days, I barely left my bed. Just completely wiped out! Feeling much better this week, glad to be back in the office around people again, and getting myself geared up for the final poisoning next week. So exciting to see everyone ringing the bells and doing the happy dance!
Her2 positive people - YES you should be getting an echo every 3 months. I had mine on Monday.
Neuropathy - full on now. My hands are numb and tingly. Hoping that goes away, as it is making fine motor skills difficult.
Chemo brain is definitely real.
Alright warriors! We got this!
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Hi Meow - Yes my last 2 chemo's were the worst. Exhaustion, and bone pain, nausea so taking alot of Compazine and afraid to drive. Hope you feel beater soon(i cant spell anymore! stupid brain fog) I forgot to ask about my drop in my eco heart test - i was so shocked, I just forgot to ask if it would get stronger as the chemo wore off or if there was a chance of perm damage, and since MO was in a hurry to get me out of the office - he didn't offer any advise. I got back for Herceptin, so I'll have all my questions written out. (and ask my Pharmacutical MO to come in with - she knows everything!) How was your eco Meow?
Proudtospin - i have never in my life had a manicure - :O / I get migraines from the smells of nailpolish. But my nails are hard and strong and have had no problems with them.. thankfully. I was surprised. glad they are getting better.
Blair - did I miss that you finished Chemo ! Good for you! there was a long discussion on the thread (chemo in Nov I think) that talked about how important Denistry was (spelling again) and how easily it is to crack your teeth during chemo - thought of you. My dentist didn't tell me anything, and I asked.
I've been so tired since Last Chemo on Tuesday - can't seem to get going. so going back to bed. take care, I'll catch up later.
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rljes - Thanks for checking in, and CONGRATS on being *done* with chemo! You too, Blair!
I have also been very tired and woozy, with a nasty bout of the big D since my final infusion on Monday. Haven't been able to eat much and was actually feeling a bit light-headed this morning. I too am taking extra Zofran and Compazine and possibly on the upswing this afternoon. I made myself an omelet for lunch and am drinking tea and pushing fluids.
I saw you sign off on the Triple Positive thread (and agree that it's been contentious rather than helpful lately.) Hope that doesn't mean that you are leaving the community entirely.
Meow - Hope that you are finally feeling a bit better as well.
Best to all.
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Haven't heard the echo results yet, so I'm going with "no news is good news." I'm sure they will tell me next Thursday before my final chemo. My understanding is that any damage done to the heart from herceptin is reversible. If there is a problem, we just take a break from the herceptin to let the heart improve, and then start those treatments again.
They added perjeta to my cocktail last time, and OMG - the diarrhea is intense. Perjeta and Herceptin will continue all year, so there is THAT to look forward to! lol.
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Rljes, Magari, and Meowmmy65 I sure hope all three of you feel better soon. The first days after infusion are hard. Hugs and healing thoughts to each and everyone of you.
Nonahope I hope you are doing better. You don't like to complain so when you mention anything I take it seriously!
I have been using Latisse on my eyebrows and lashes. My eyebrows are already filling in and getting darker. I hope my eyelashes follow. It has only been one week so a good response so far. Some hair is coming in on my front hairline. I can't see what is happening on the rest of my head. All I know is that my hair is still a scraggly, dead looking, extremely thin mess. It's pathetic. Hats are my friend. Just hoping my eyebrows can somehow make up for the lack of hair on my head...
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Rljes - Magari, I’m laughing at you because that happy dance note was for you two, not me. (See where I had your names above it?) So, I guess I confused everyone. I finished chemo Jan. 12, and was to have my last one Feb. 2nd, but my OM said she didn’t think I should have it, so I went along with it and felt like a complete failure, but my third treatment made me too weak. I didn’t start feeling normal until the end of February. Lost weight and my back was killing me too. I still have back pain, but not as intense. Chemo did something unusual to my back, and I’m only giving it time. Since my cancer crew is not concerned- it will be my primary’s concern after I get through with radiation.
I finished my Accuboost treatments Wednesday. I was given a nice bag, with drink cup, blanket and a fluffy pink robe. I thought that was nice. I did a survey for them that apparently donates money to this organization (breast cancer. Org.). It was a surreal experience and I found the physicist in their suits most interesting. (Only I would think that!) I thought my RO was doing the calculations, but they do it. Yesterday and today was back to the TrueBeam machine. A tech showed me how I was set up on the screen and pointed out the frame that the beams are shot through. I’m glad I got to see that, because I know my heart and lungs are away from that beam frame. I could see my ribs on the screen. I’m in the prone position on the Truebeam platform, and so the machine beams underneath me. I have 21 more treatments left. So far no irritation at all. I put Aquaphor on me every night. I’m sure as I get past the half way mark, I will begin to feel something. I feel tired, but nothing like what chemo caused
Anyway, I’m glad most everyone in this group are nearly at the end to awful chemo. I think if I should have a recurrence, I’d avoid chemo and let myself die. It must effect people so differently. My body could not deal with it. I hope my back is not permanently damaged. I still ice it, and take Advil when I’ve moved too much during the day. (Just standing for two hours makes my back throb). I wish they would find something better to kill cancer cells. The treatments are so barbaric. It’s a shame.
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Hi Everyone,
Meow - what does Perjeta do for you? I keep forgetting to ask my MO why I'm not on it. He has never mentioned it.
Hi Magari, I'm having the opposite - Big C. I'm staying here on this site. You gals are wonderful.
I,m sorry Blair, that I havn't kept up with you lately. You've had so many issues, I'm so sorry. What is this "accuboost" treatments? Some sort of special Radiation Treatment? Sounds just what you need to avoid the heart area. I don't know if I mentioned it - (chemo Brain) but my Heart Eco dropped 13% - My MO said 16% was the cut off where they had to stop Herceptin. I was at 68% and now I'm at 55%. I am not even sure what I'm talking about. I said the same thing "cancer treatment is barbaric" when I first found out what they were going to do to me. I still have horrific bone pain and nothing is relieving it. Hope for your back and my hip after all of this is over.
Hi klvans - I don't think I'll be seeing any hair for awhile. I don't know what I'll do this summer. GO Commando! (beanieless) I still have 3/4 of my eyebrows and little eyelashes. Not much hair on top at all. Too tired to care. This last chemo whipped my butt. Latisse - that's Rx isn't it? My insurance won't pay for it. But like I said, they are hanging on.
later - back to bed.
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