Chemo Starting August 2018
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Kelly-Anne, we are all here for you, stay strong and know you can always count on us to be there for you. I’m sure it was a tough day but you girl, are strong 💪, love, hugs thoughts and prayers go out to you.
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Kelly Anne, I am sorry to hear your news, but glad you are summoning your fighting spirit and not wasting any time being treated. Way to go. Love and healing from Santa Barbara.
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Well I started in June but my infusions had to be delayed a few times so I just had my last. My god am I sick. I have no idea why. None of the other infusions have been like this. I got nausea during the pre meds for this last one that were supposed to prevent nausea, and have had a day of stomach cramping, nausea and dry heaving on the bathroom floor. I can't manage the Zofran right now because it has such a bad taste so I am in bed trying to keep down a soda.
It's the old fashioned chemo experience I guess.
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kellyAnne, you have the outlook to beat this. You aren’t a victim, but taking control. You have been in my nightly prayers for God to give you strength — which He has. Keep fighting
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Kelly-Anne:
Sorry to hear the news. There are many new treatments these days and a woman with extensive metastasis saw her breast cancer revert to NED after T cell therapy and I think many people with stage 4 cancer will live long enough these days to reap the same benefits of such therapies.
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Kelly-Anne,
Be strong girl! We are all hear for you. Keep us posted and let us know if you need anything.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hughope1
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KellyAnne - I’m sorry about the bone met but glad it’s contained enough to spot treat it. Stage 4 has changed, and women are loving long, productive lives with it. I know it’s scary, but you’re very strong and determined and havesupport on your side.
Hughope and Mactaz - i’ve never gotten the flu shot beforebut I saw my primary care guy right after my first round of chemo and he said, “you know, your immune system is not going to be getting any better for a while. You need a flu shot. “ I got one and had no problems with it.
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@Kelly Anne, i am so sorry to hear about bone mets. it sounds really scary but hey please focus on positive it is just on one spot and can be treated . I wish you speedy recovery. You are in my prayers
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Anyone else having a harder time regaining normal respiration/wind between chemos as time goes on? My red blood cells are not rebounding as they once did. Ideas to help?
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santabarbarian, I am having a similar issue. Also when I take a deep breath it causes me to cough. This started after 2nd infusion. I told MO, because wasn't constant he didn't seem concerned. Now I'm only on Day 2 after 3rd infusion but have noted a tightness when I take a deep breath and causes me to cough.
Also, my RBC and hematocrit has been low the last to tests but they haven't identified it to me as an issue. I assume I'm a bit anemic due to diet and is a SE of taxotere. Not sure what to think
Here is info on drug.com, does talk about this. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/taxotere-side-effects.html
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Santabarbarian & Mactaz-I started experiencing wheezing on exhale when a little exerted about 10 days after #3, then mild shortness of breath. Mentioned it to NP before #4, and had a CT. It showed my heart was a bit enlarged, and a small area of atelectasis. NP thought there might be some fluid causing that, so gave me an inhaler and Furosemide. Not a fan of treating symptoms vs treating the underlying cause or pills in genera, plus have no swelling in my hands or feet, which I thought was more common, so I didn’t take it right away. Anyway, my upper abdomen was so bloated today, I broke down and took the diuretic. It helped a lot. Took away that “I swallowed a beach ball” feeling, and helped with the shortness of breath and wheezing. Both my RBC and WBC counts have not been a problem so far, so not sure we have the same issues, but it’s worth asking your MO. The only reason the NP ordered the CT was to make sure there was no clot issues. She didn’t think that was the case because my lungs sounded good, but wanted to be sure.
This is Day 3 after TC 4, BTW. Rang the bell!
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Kelly Anne I’m so sorry to hear of your bone met, but I really love your positive outlook. You are an inspiration.
I am also experiencing a cough/wheeze and just assumed it was due to allergies. Probably similar to the rash like bostoniangal said being due to a lowered immune system. I hope it passes quickly.
Appyfan congratulations on ringing the bell! So glad you are finished with this portion of treatment! Woohoo!
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Appyfan, thanks for the info. I will definitely bring this up at my next appointment. I do have some water retention so could be the issue.
Are you done with Chemo, if so congrats!🎉
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Any breathing issues or shortness of breath should be brought up with your MO because it could be a sign of pulminary edema or heart issues, which some chemo drugs can cause.
My bone marrow took a hit from my chemotherapy and I have been anemic throughout most of my treatment but this has manifested as general fatigue and weakness and muscle fatigue and weakness rather than breathlessness or wheezing.
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WC3- sorry for your SE, ask nurse if you can take premeds in the morning
Labenderlee- take Allegra better than Claritin - I switched -it’s better helped with hives.
SantaBarbsrian- beans, almonds , organic red pepper MSU help with blood cells to boost.
Mine WBC and Rbc were couple points lower than should be!
Sisters, I want thsnk you for enduring on this trip with me- I m done . I rang the bell in my mind😩because I finished at 5 with my cold capping and no one was there!!!
Overall it was doable experience, I did have mild SE on TC . Was able to keep my hair with Paxman caps , I have to put pics on that thread on cold capping.
I had heart racing episodically , after 3 and 4 chemo done G I problems- heartburn and stomach pain that resolved eating small portions and tums .
Developed hives but with Allegra and Benadryl kept st bay !!
Good luck to my good friends- Sunshine89, Hughope1, Santa Barbarisn, Mactaz, Kavenderlee, Kelly Anne- you will fight it with vengeance, will pray for you, WC3- big hugs to all and to other girls cefinks, Drbert!!! Whoever I forgot mention- you in my heart!!
I will see many of you in Yhread Hormonal treatment- don’t want to do it , but don’t have a choice!!
Once in a while I visit you here !!! 😍😍😍❤️❤️
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Thanks for the tips Bostonian, and WHOOOOO for being done; I can't wait to join you....!
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Appyfan- congrats on finishing chemo as well🎊🎉🎈good luck with life without cancer/ I hope so very much!!! We will survive!!
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Santa Barbarian here is about white counts https://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/eating-well-when-unwell/white-blood-count-diet/
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red blood cells boosting - for Santa barbarian- mostly legumes, green leafy veggies, fortified cereals . I would eat beef liver for me!!! https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-red-blood-cells#foods-to-eat
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Bostoniangirl, I’m so excited for you. I’m looking forward to the day I get to ring the 🛎 also. Many hugs and good wishes, and thanks for all the advice and support.
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Bostoniangal Congratulations on finishing chemo! Keep in touch and let us know about your next steps. You are so strong. Thank you for sharing some of it with us. Biggest hugs.
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Bostonian your hair looks great!!
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Did anyone experience deep wrinkles on face that came rapidly? I did number 2 AC treatment week before last and within this week I have horrible lines and wrinkles around my mouth. Will this go away?
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Kelly-Anne your outlook is inspiring; I am thinking of you and sending you tons of positive vibes.
Appyfan and Bostoniangal!! Wahooooo!! Awesome news for both of you! Wishing each of you the best on the next steps of this wild ride!
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Kelly Anne— Girl, you got this. Kick ass.
Debert—AC wrecked my face. I think I am just so dry my face didn't stand a chance. I have never looked this wrinkly. I asked if I could get my Botox touched up and that was a big 'NO!' from the NP. (The nerve to deny me my neurotoxin!) Plus, all of these nasty little brown marks have sprung up. My face is going to cost me a small fortune to re-do but I will do it just as soon as they let me. And then of course my thinning eyelashes are driving me mad! Arg. To be vain.
Weekly Taxol #2 Monday. Damn, my stomach is churning. I always dread day before chemo
Congrats to those done with chemo! Strong work
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Congratulations bostoniangal! That’s wonderful news, I’m ringing a mental bell for you! Good luck in your next phase of treatment.
Moongirljess I always dread the day before chemo too. #4 TC this week.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!
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when are you looking at the lumpectomy? Both of us are still in chemo. They are trying to schedule my surgery right before xmas.
You as well are still in chemo, when are you looking at lumpectomy? And are you going to do radiation?
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HugHope: I am guessing I'll get surgery then too, depending on my surgeon's Christmas plans... I get my last chemo 11/26, so mid/late Dec seems like the surgery window for me too. Then radiation. I need to talk to my surgeon and pin a few things down... Having had a few friends who had more radical surgeries I am hoping for whatever is least invasive and still safe in my case. I wonder whether my lymph nodes come out or get biopsied. Two were affected originally (per pet scan and palpable enlargement).
Debert: my wrinkles sprang to life right away too... but I think it might also be dehydration, and that I have not been using my retin A. (I was warned so much about skin sensitivities that I thought it was prudent not to use it, but I have not experienced any skin issues other than prominent wrinkles!)
Chemo #4 is today.... I am slipping over the hump and hitting the 2/3 mark. My last two chemos are Nov 5 and Nov 26.
I live alone, and have had lots of offers from friends to help. So the help I have taken is having a few days of post chemo company and someone on hand to run out and procure unpredictable craved foods. My adult son covered me last time; two of my best friends from college are covering this week. It's giving me something to look forward to about chemo.
xx SantaBarbarian
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Thsnk you very much, my support group!!! I m so touched by your well wishes!!! I want you all be strong and finish chemo!!! 🤞🤞🤞
My next step I m dreading anout hormonal therapy! At age of 41...I have appointment with oncologist in 3 weeks!! So fun shall begin😩😩😩
Kwilli- good luck to you as well!!!
KellyAnne- you are in my prayers!!
All if you actually in my prayers!!
Santa barbarian- I was trying hard to keep my hair!!!thsnks!!
There is my sunshine girl? I hope she is okey!!!
Debert- stay on s top of moisturizing- I was slethering do much cream in my face- it helped, even my hubby said I look not so bad for chemo!
So , I hug ypu all and keep kicking that csncer’s Ass!!!
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It is Oncologist day today. I hate going in so that he can listen to my SE’s and say oh yes that’s normal and to be expected. If it was expected why wasn’t it on the list he gave me?
Taxotere starts for me on Thursday so here’s hoping all goes well. I’m getting more tired with each round. I’m turning into a champion napper.
Hope everyone is doing well today. I’m still eating the Halloween candy so I’m going to have to sneak away from my keepers to buy more and hide the evidence hehehe....
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