2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "Whats Next"

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Comments

  • castigame
    castigame Member Posts: 336
    edited March 2019

    Very cute pupper, Neo. 

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2019

    Georgia1–. Awwww, the puppy is sooo cute. How great that you are helping with the helper dog process.

    Checked my medical portal this afternoon, it appears my blood work from MO visit is good AND clear mammogram!


  • jo6359
    jo6359 Member Posts: 1,993
    edited March 2019

    dodgersgirl- congrats on a clear mammogram and good labs.

  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 188
    edited March 2019

    Yay DodgersGirl!!

    ThumbsUp


  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2019

    Great news! Dodgersgirl.

  • runor
    runor Member Posts: 1,615
    edited March 2019

    Happy dance for Dodgers!! Woo hoo!

  • Vslush
    Vslush Member Posts: 117
    edited March 2019

    Good to hear, Dodgersgirl ☺️

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2019

    Two years ago today I started chemo with my 1st AC dose. In some ways, can’t believe that was only 2 years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago.

    Yesterday, I had a cortisone shot in my knee to help with the terrible joint pain. This morning I woke up with a RED face.... brought back instant memories of the red face I had from steroids after chemo.

    Hope everyone is doing wrll

  • legomaster225
    legomaster225 Member Posts: 356
    edited April 2019

    ugghh. Nobody needs a reminder. I hope that clears up for you soon. And that the cortisone works well for your knee

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2019

    Legomaster225– I wasn’t expecting the red face this morning. Hubby commented on it so I headed to a mirror... flooded with memories for sure.

    Thanks for the well wishes.

  • rljes
    rljes Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2019

    Hi Dogergirl & Legomaster - I am fortunate that steroids are my friends.  I started Tamoxifen 3 days ago and I am Exhausted.  Another step in the never ending treatments. Even thou you had a reaction - hopefully the injection will help.  

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2019

    rljes— one of the silver lining events during chemo was how the steroids took care of arthritis pains and boosted energy... from that stand point, wish steroids could be taken long term!!!


  • rljes
    rljes Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2019

    My silver lining was I was migraine free during chemo.  thanks for the positive side! 

  • oceanbum
    oceanbum Member Posts: 3,644
    edited April 2019

    I was lucky to not have a red face with chemo. I have rosacea so I was actually surprised that I didn't have it. I did, however, experience the red face after a cortisone shot in my knee, Dodgersgirl! My first chemo date was very close to your's. I know we had discussed once that our dates are very close. My first chemo was April 21, 2017. I'm coming up on 2 years. I agree - some days it seems like yesterday, other days it seems like a lifetime ago. Glad to hear you are doing well!!

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2019

    I have an MO appointment tomorrow. It marks the completion of the 54 week clinical trial I have been part of. Still don’t know if I was taking chemo or placebo. Hope to find out one day.

    Going to ask how long it takes to clear the drugs from my body. One of the rules while taking these drugs was no hot drinks. The 2 times I thought it would be ok to have a hot chocolate both resulted in mouth sores. Looking forward to having a hot tea at a Chinese restaurant or a hot chocolate when it’s cold outside.

    So starting tomorrow, I don’t have to get up early to take my meds (can’t eat for an hour after the pills) and instead can have breakfast like normal people.


  • Vslush
    Vslush Member Posts: 117
    edited April 2019

    Congratulations on finishing the trial, and Thank You! Anyone who participates in research is a hero! I raise a hot tea to you!!!

    Vickki

  • rljes
    rljes Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2019

    DogersGirl - you are so brave for taking the clinical trial !  


  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2019

    thanks guys. Felt a trial was a way to turn something awful (BC dx) into something positive... hoping it leads to new cures

  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 188
    edited April 2019

    Congrats DodgersGirl! I hear that hot chocolate with mescal in it is delicious!

    Winking

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2019

    Georgia1- ha ha ha!! It’s cold tonight. Thinking hot chocolate may be needed tonight!!!!

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited April 2019

    That is great dodgersgirl- congratulations on being done. I remember when you started. Enjoy sleeping in and hot tea and hot chocolate.

  • DazzlingEagle
    DazzlingEagle Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2019

    just thought I'd post an update. still off work on short term disability for now. still can't use my right arm or hand but finally got okayed to start therapy. working on getting grip strength back first. It's through palliative care so they come right to my house.

    next week I'll get my third Kadcyla chemo treatment. The major side effects is being tired and losing my appetite. I lost 60 pounds and am working on just maintaining current wait which is actually hard. I lost three pounds so far this past chemo round but it could be worse I guess. I was prescribed this crazy appetite stimulant Dronabinol. It really helps and puts you in a good mood too. But it's like you're high which was bizarre.

    A lot of the swelling in my right side from the clavicle to the fingers has gone away so I'm much much more comfortable. That was about 30 pounds of fluid I had gained so I could afford to lose it. I have had a few bad instances of crying jags. I just don't know what will happen.

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited April 2019

    DazzlingEagle,

    It has been a while since I've posted here. Sorry to hear about all of the issues you've been having. I have not been keeping up. I am working (started at the end of 2017) but it is still a lot harder than before all of this treatment stuff started. Hoping that things get better for you.

  • castigame
    castigame Member Posts: 336
    edited May 2019

    DazzlingEagle,

    You have got to eat somehow. The type of chemo you are getting sure sounds rough on your body. Hope you find better reliefs.






  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited May 2019

    Dazzlingeagle— hope your therapy helps you with grip strength right away. Glad they come to you, that’s a good benefit.

    I am not familiar with kadcyla. How often is it given? Sure hope it kicks cancer’s butt quickly.


  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2019

    How Many of you have experienced Heart Failure after Chemo and Radiation? I have just been diagnosed with Acute Systolic heart Failure with an EF of 25% ! My cardiologist believes that chemo and radiation were the cause! I am on two wonderful meds and I will survive this too!

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited May 2019

    Kindergarten— so sorry chemo damaged your heart. May your new meds do wonders for you.

    What were your symptoms? What should we watch out for?

    Cancer sucks in so many ways.


  • rljes
    rljes Member Posts: 499
    edited May 2019

    Hi everyone - 

    Dazzlingeagle - I had to google the rx your taking 'Dronabinol' - its cannabis based with THC - that's why your getting the high feeling! I wish my state had legal cannabis - even just medical.  Smoking Pot helps me with pain management, stretching, and makes me want to get up and do something!  wishing you well.  

    Hi Dodgersgirl, Scrafgal,Castigame.   Kindergarten, very sorry to hear of heart issues.  I had issues when on Herceptin, Heart Eco's every 3 weeks, sometimes having to stop treatment, but went back to normal after completing Herceptin. I know its not the same as what you have,  its scary.  Best wishes    Take care to all ! 


  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited May 2019

    rljes—. Waving hello to you!!

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited May 2019

    rljes...I am waving at you, too!