Chemo Starting August 2018
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Yes I agree Kelly Anne, on SEs... I reported my breathlessness, and apparently I am definitely pretty anemic, but not anemic enough.... (for anything to be changed)... Oh well, I guess I'd feel worse if they freaked out over it.
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hughope1: I just started Taxel #1 (not sure what to expect for SE's although I'm not asleep at 2am. Sure hope this isn't normal! I meet with my BS on Thursday. I guess we'll discuss lumpectomy etc then. My last treatment is Nov 27, so I assume surgery will be late Dec/early Jan. I am hoping for results for genetic testing for BRCA1/2. It will certainly decide the surgery I choose.
Santabarbarian: I wish we could know HOW breathless is too breathless or just how anemic we need to be. I'm in the same place as you right now. It's not cool.
K
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Hello All:
I just finished my 4th infusion (AC every two weeks). I am now moving on to Taxol every week for 12 weeks. At least with the AC infusions I would be bad for about 5 days and come out of it to have a week of feeling normal. Will Taxol be a constant weekly nightmare. Give me the facts straight up. What has your experience been with the SE's of Taxol. Thank you.0 -
Day 3 after chemo #4 (of 6), and I'm feeling pretty decent. I did a different form of fasting-mimicking diet (prior to chemo, through chemo day, and the day after chemo), and I think it helped. We'll see how tomorrow goes, but this is the first time I have dared not to take the zofran (no nausea yet) and I think that will me help avoid the constipation. Fingers crossed. Hope everyone is having a good week...
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I am interested in Taxol comments as well. I will start it after my next treatment (4 and 4). I do know it is a much longer appointment...they told me 4 hours. I am interested in side effects.
I just had my 3rd AC yesterday. They felt my PICC line was compromised so was sent for an xray, and ended getting chemo right in the vein. It was fine. I will never complain about over caution. So far so good I am feeling good. I have started using cannabis and I feel it has helped a great great deal.
I really really love the chemo nurses. They are so excellent.
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I get more imaging done tomorrow. That should give us a better idea of the shrinkage of tumor. We will also do another one before surgery. I was told I cannot have surgery until 3-5 weeks after my last chemo Nov. 16th. It takes that long for it to get out of your system. Then after surgery another 4 weeks before radiation.
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@Bostanangle25 i am soo soo happy for you...finally you are done with this crap...i wish you healthy and happy life for years and years
i am doing fine and tomorrow i will go for my AC#4. My mother in law is around and helping alot with house chors.. waiting for my last chemo too :0 -
Hi all, I’m on Day 7 of #3, and if everything runs like the last 2 I have 4 more days of SE. I’m trying to stay positive, I think most of you are ahead of me so I try to take comfort that you all are making it through. At least I’m 1/2 way through, trying to take comfort in that but it is hard some days.
I had some new issues pop up to add with everything else, constant runny nose and nose bleeds. Has anyone dealt with this?
I did go in for fluids yesterday, must have needed it as my BP was low, popped up after I was done. Felt a little better for a while, still not much energy. I just seemed more exhausted this round, not sure if it was because I had an allergic reaction to T during infusion. They gave me diff steroid and Benadryl to counteract so they could continue. It worked but wonder if that caused some other things.
Hugs to all, looking forward to day 12.
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Had 4th A/C today. Oncologist scheduling CT in two weeks to see how much shrinkage especially the originally large lymph nodes ( one was over 3 cm, 4 were individually mentioned in PET scan). If he and bs agree will do surgery ( hopefully lumpectomy) followed by taxol. If not satisfied with shrinkage 12 weekly Taxol before surgery. 6 weeks of radiation daily at the end, when ever that is, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine Day, 4th of July. My 50th Anniversary is in July so I am hoping to be finished by then!
I have been lucky with se’s. The worst was after third but still mostly indigestion and a little tired. This one feels better. I still haven’t missed mowing the lawn, weeding and trimming but no digging or planting. It’s been an interesting summer
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1st of 4 Taxol on Tuesday; had great energy and felt great. Some pain under my fingernails; combatting it with L-Glutamine supplements. I’m doing dose dense, every second week.
Over did it today, but it was such a beautiful day! I’m paying the price with a serious aching body.
I received GREAT news that I don’t carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. Yay!
My BS recommended a mastectomy with reconstruction vs lumpectomy. I have been referred to another surgeon and a plastic surgeon.
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Congrsts Kwilli on negative genetic test!!!
Good look Hughope, Benji on your scans !!!! Will keep you in my prayers!!!
Sundhine, thsnk ypu!!! I’m not done with treatment, I have to see oncologist to start hormone therapy that I absolutely hate...Glad your mom in law helping you out!!!
Still have hives, most of them I able to control with meds, but last night broke up again, because didn’t tske nightly Benadryl!! If it won’t stop in 4 weeks have to see specialist!!!
Stay strong and get over with chemo❤️❤️❤️!!!
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For anyone struggling with gnarly SEs, particularly those digestive tract issues, I want to let you know that fasting-mimicking has definitely helped me.
Eating minimally for 2-3 days prior to chemo, through chemo day, and the day after also (and picking the right foods for those days) is not too hard. And, it primes healthy cells for self-protection. By not having much in my digestive tract to begin with, there wasn't an issue when it shut down. I adjusted my time frame this time, so chemo day was mid-fast (rather than end of fast). It really helped. I have had no nausea and no painful constipation. My appetite is back... now on day 5. Fatigue and metal mouth on days 3/4 but otherwise pretty smooth sailing. I am careful to eat and rebuild as soon as I can after.
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paintersdream—had #2 Taxol this week and getting ready for #3 on Monday. They premeditated me with Benadryl, Pepcid, Aloxi, and Dex prior to Taxol. The Benadryl IV wiped me out. There was no way I could have driven home. I iced my hands and feet. My nails are more ridged but not lifting or discolored. My Taxol takes 1 hr and 15 min to infuse. The body pain and bone aches are by far the most annoying SE. My jaw is always achy and my femurs. I had a couple of runs to the bathroom episodes to let loose but that wasn’t major. I never got constipated. I am tired with fatigue. I’m not sleeping either. No mouth sores, no nausea blissfully. Speaking from the girl who was absolutely gutted from the AC—this is much less harsh. I’m now dreading every Monday but this too shall pass.
SantaBarbarian—that fast works like a champ. The less I eat, the better I feel post chemo. Amazing. I’m sold. Thank you for the suggestion! Helped me not quit AC when I wanted to oh so badly ❤️
Jess
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MoonGirl--- I'm so glad to hear that! Finish Strong!
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Hello girls, I went for imaging, mammogram did not show much buy ultra sound seems like it has shrunk. I will wait for my surgeon to read these results over the next couple days and post more. Hughope1
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Yay for shrinking tumors!!
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wooohoo! Shrinking tumours!
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My Taxol went well on Thursday! Only. Real side effect is fatigue and some bone aches. I think I’m going to snooze in my lazy boy chair for the day. It’s a little warm with my puppy guarding me. But kinda cozy. Maybe DH will deliver chair lunch today
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Those of us who are out of the woods this cycle are cheering for those of you emerging from the woods! Hang in there.
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hughope1–that’s great news! I’m so happy your tumors are shrinking.
Kelly-Anne—what number Taxol are you on? I go for #3 tomorrow. Then I’m 25% done with Taxol (Small strides).
My eyebrows are disappearing from the inside and tails. I accidentally rubbed my left eye this morning and out went the eyelashes. 😭 for some reason being bald (on my head) doesn’t really bother me however the loss of my eyelashes/eyebrows is such an insult. I’ve used Latisse for years on my lashes and brows but of course chemo nuked them.
On the plus side, I’ve started walking again since AC is behind me. Only about a mile a day but it’s better than nothing. I hope I can eventually start running again, too. I did buy an arm compression sleeve for working out. I can’t believe its been almost 5 months since I got this crap diagnosis.
Best wishes to everyone getting treatment week!
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SE’s from A/C were somewhat minimal for me (aside from the obvious hair loss, hit/miss nausea, and fatigue); manageable.
Taxol has really done a number on me; it’s causing me to have intense body pain. Couple that with the Filgrastim; I’m a disaster.
Moongirljess; I JUST got somewhat used to being bald; my eyelashes and eyebrows are also starting to fall out. I feel like I’m looking at an alien version of myself. I really am trying to avoid mirrors.
Up to this point I have been able to be positive and “hang in there, chin up”. I have not been feeling so positive this last week. I keep telling my husband how I really feel when he asks; it’s hard to see the look on his face because I know it makes him feel helpless. I know he wants to know the truth (he told me); I just feel overwhelmed with guilt.
Boo. Today’s a tough one.
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Who is still in chemo...? I am on this threat till end of November!!
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KWilli
It is good that you can be honest with your husband, and that he creates that space for you. He'd feel worse, if he sensed you lying. You're allowed to have human emotions and worries too. Positivity is great but it's not an obligation!!!
Be nice to yourself!!!
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Santabarbarian I will be on this until mid December but assume not many others. My 4th and 5th happen in November then the last mid December.
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I just got to my chair. Taxol #3.
I will have chemotherapy until Christmas Eve.
KWilli—are you on dose dense Taxol? AC is aggressive but there are a few who are worse with Taxol. They changed my dose dense and put me on weekly. I have the Taxol body aches but since I'm weekly I don't get Neulasta.
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Hughope1, I wrote yesterday but in the morning didn’t find my thread , apparently I didn’t log in! So here we go, hughope- congrats on shrinking the beast!!!!
Other ladies- you will be st the end of this road named Zchemo !!!!
You are amazing and can beat for your loved ones!!! Don’t give up emotionally . Everything eill grow back, you can use fake eye lashes and draw beautiful brows!!! Love , Irin
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Hi, Bostoniangal! And again congrats for ringing the bell. So jealous.
My onc practice just built a new center and they just attached the bell to the wall in the chemo room. I got to my chair today and saw the bell and almost burst into tears. You know where you can't blink or the tears will start flowing? I had to stare at that damn bell with freezing iced hands and feet for 1.5 hours. Trying not to bawl
Jess
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I'm going to head butt that bell
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LOL santabarbarian!
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I have such mixed feelings right now about the bell. On one hand, I think it's a good symbol, but on the other hand, I feel bad for the people suffering who watch you ring it. I know it is supposed to give hope, but there is something about it that makes me uncomfortable. Maybe its my current negative mindset...I almost wish there were two bells...a public one, and a private one, so we can choose.
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