Chemo Starting August 2018
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I went to my first SBRT radiation treatment. It was pretty nifty if you forget why you’re there. I get another treatment on Friday this week and then a few days rest before chemo next week. The thought of the bone met and what it could mean longer term is so scary.
The switch to Docetaxel is really making me tired. I wasn’t this tired on FEC. I’ve pretty much had to give up driving. It’s hard letting that bit of freedom go. (FEC I could drive after the first week).
Hughope im still here. So are many of us. I passed half way on chemo (I had 3 FEC / 3 docT prescribed). I’ll be here for a while to come.
Hugs to evy
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thanks moongirljess. I’m not sure what CBG and CDB is, can you let me know. I’ve thought about icing but I’m always so cold now I think I would be miserable. But I might regret it later....
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Hello Mactaz, I hope things are going well for you? I have been sick since last Friday's chemo #5, last one on Nov. 16th. Lumpectomy is pretty much off the table, due to the calcium deposit in the breast. Doubt we can get clear enough margins. We are waiting on the plastic surgeon to get back from vacation and hopefully schedule the mastectomy. All I know is I am sure tired, and have days I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this. Nausea is not to bad, but the sour stomach and the other end does not want to give me a break.
Kellie-Anne, Please stay in touch, we have to keep each other strong.
:)Take care my strong girls, hopefully we will be putting this behind us someday. xoxoxo Hughope1
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KellyAnne: I am glad the radiation is pretty tolerable, and lets hope that spot just disappears. I have a friend w lung cancer who has had bone mets and they have disappeared with treatment. Sending healing thoughts your way.
HugHope: you are at the finish line of chemo and you can do it! Magnesium Citrate helps "the other end" too...
Mactaz: she may mean CBD - cannabadiol?
xox SB
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santabarbarian, did you have your MRI yet, when will you get the results. Let us know how it went.
I have a question for the Keto , mimicking fasting diet guru. I have determined with MO that I probably have GERD. In reviewing dietary changes i need to move to more of an alkaline diet reducing acid and uric acid foods.
When I looked at the list it seemed quite similar to some of the things I read for Keto diet. Have you ever run across this food list for alkaline versus acid and is it similar? I don't want to impose but if you happen to have a few moments this website has a fairly good but quick food chart that might give you a sense if it is close. http://www.acidalkalinediet.net/acid-alkaline-food-chart.php. No worries if you don't have the time. I appreciate all you do for us on this thread.
Take care, hope your MRI is good news. 🤗
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Hughope1, I guess the good news it ONE MORE LEFT 🎉🎊🛎. Hold on, you can do it.
I know and understand, the constipation and diarrhea can be brutal, I finally broke down and took Imodium this last time but fretted because I go from constipation to diarrhea then back again. Honestly I can’t say one is worse than the other, a constant battle of what to do next.
May I ask if you are doing a BMX or UMX. I decided for UMX as other breast is clear, at least for now. My Plastic surgeon has said they won’t be completely uniform but should have good aesthetic look. You can send me personal note if you feel more comfortable discussing offline. I can’t really find that many people doing BMX, I’m considering asking to set up a new thread.
Take care of yourself, stay strong, 🤗😘0 -
Hi MACTAZ, just dropping in from the September chemo thread to say I also chose UMX. I decided I'd rather keep my "good" breast (long may it remain so), especially after reading a thread I think on the Living Without Reconstruction boards about how much people missed their nipples. That and double the surgery can mean longer/harder recovery and more chance for complications. Happy to answer any more questions. Good luck with whatever you choose!
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Kelly-Anne— you're in my thoughts, girl. Hope your treatments are going well.
MACTAZ— CBD (cannabidiol) I have tabs that I take. Helps prevent neuropathy (along with the CBG) or so I've been told. My Taxol dose takes 1 hr 15 min so I have to ice for about 1 hr 40 min. I'm so stinking cold now most of the time that when I stick my hands in my ice packs I just hope they go numb quickly. I hate being cold. Being 113 pounds now isn't helping. I can't get my tea hot enough. Lava hot cuppa tea, sign me up. I had to chuck so many boxes of tea because they have licorice root in them and that mimics estrogen. I had no idea about that but my acupuncturist filled me in. And soy is in everything! Ugh.
I haven't started running again but do I want to so badly. I have been walking my dog but I miss my run. I would have to hide my running from my husband because he would probably tackle me and shove a pastry in my mouth. Nicely, of course.
Jess
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Mactaz,
Keto is very alkaline with lots of greens, veggies, healthy fats, nuts and seeds, some berries, and very few carbohydrates. My 'cancer' version of keto is also low on animal protein and dairy (some keto diets do not limit cream/ cheese/ meat). But I keep those low due to inflammation.
I bet an alkaline diet, other than fruits or protein foods, would mostly also be keto.
As for my images.. I do not get my MRI till the end of chemo. So, not till the first week in December. I saw my surgeon today and she said I am online for lumpectomy and the imaging will be to determine whether or not there is residual cancer, and exactly what the surgery & node plan will be. She estimated she'd remove 3-5 lymph nodes.
I am getting a 2nd opinion from a surgeon who can do direct radiation to the tumor bed when he does the surgery. (You still do regular radiation after). As I have a high grade TNBC I think that it is worth exploring...
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thanks santabarbarian, Keto does sound very similar. I like the alkaline as the charts are very straight forward and they do allow some dairy and meat but reduced as a percentage of total intake. I was struggling with the info on mimicking fasting and keto, my chiro had been pushing Keto for some time due to inflammation caused by osteoarthritis I bought books and just couldn’t see it working with me. I need some dairy and meat.
I’m glad you where able to do lumpectomy, that is what I wanted but unfortunately being multifocal with three cancer locations wasn’t an option I wanted to consider after all my research.
Good luck and truly appreciate the info. Take care.
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I hope you are all doing well. I haven’t been on for quite a while. I’ve been trying to work full time or close to it. Finished the AC portion of ACT and have had two Taxol doses. I’m doing the dose dense every two weeks. Adriamycin/Cytoxan was literally a bitch!! Taxol has been better as far as NO nausea. I’ve had bone and muscle pain and I don’t sleep the night of injection. My nails have ridges and are discolored about halfway up. I’m curious about hair loss. I lost head hair on the AC and was told to expect to lose eyebrows and eyelashes as well as any remaining body hair on Taxol, but I haven’t. I’ve had 2 doses of Taxol and for in for 3rd on Thursday. I’m wondering if I should still expect to lose more. I’ve also had some new hairs growing on my head. (No leg or underarm hair).
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Going in Monday for Oncologist appointment and Tuesday for chemo #5. My recent blood work shows anemia still, but that seems to be it. I do not think that it is significantly worse than the last time, so I expect the same chemo. I am into my fasting-mimicking as of today. I do feel the cumulative effects of chemo, but the treatment itself does not seem to get worse, it's more that the recovery that is less and less "normal" &/or takes longer to happen. I am really looking forward to ending this poisoning of my system, so my body & bloodstream can get back to actual normal!
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KL—I left DD AC with my lashes and brows intact. I started weekly Taxol and have #5 on Monday. My lashes and brows are gone. Probably started a month after my last AC. I cut my remaining eyelashes down yesterday. I had like 5 super long lashes left only in the middle so I chopped them. Same for me with my nails. Ridges and brownish areas. I am icing. I think my head is growing some fuzzy bits.
I am pissed about the eyelashes and eyebrows.
Santabarbarian—I’m fasting for tomorrow. I’m tired and feel just low energy. Really felt it this week. Chemo wasn’t worse just I’m not popping back as fast. I can’t wait for these poisonings to be over. You nailed it there. I also want to get back to my plant based diet and doing yoga 😩 I haven’t eaten any meat but I did add back cheese on occasion. Since it seems like I’m always fasting I will throw a piece of cheese pizza down when I can. I hadn’t had cheese in 3 years! Or bread! Good luck with #5 chemo on Tuesday.
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We're all nearly done, and only have to endure for a bit longer!! The finish line is in sight!!
MGJess, I think I may grant myself some pizza this recovery too -- good idea!
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off to Taxol #5 in a minute. Trying to keep the pre-chemo anxiety to a minimum. It’s not working, I’m afraid. My wbcs were 2.3 last week. Hope they are hanging in there.
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Mactaz,
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Round #5 kicked my ass. I have been down for about 11 days. Hopefully today I am turning the corner. The constipation and diarrhea was brutal. And not being able to eat anything but maybe a meal supplement shake. Yuck! But I know I need the calories. Lost quite a bit of weight this time. Is the UMX the single mastectomy? They say my other breast is clear, I did send my Dr. a note today asking if they were going to check the other breast before surgery. I will write more soon have to get back to work. Hughope1
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Yep, me too-- my wbcs have dropped into the 2's as well, and my rbcs are mostly enlarged, and also in that territory. Platelets took a dive this time but still on the low edge of normal. Liver enzymes are now way up. But most of my other values are smack in normal range, and nothing is in the territory of needing any medical treatment or blood products .... so I'm getting my full chemo tomorrow, after which Ill only have one left! Hooray!
I am exploring a few follow up ideas for in case i do not have a pCR. Saw my onc today. My onc is testing my tumor cells for PD-L1 and ERb (Estrogen receptor beta) as those can suggest follow up possibilities too. There are two well-tolerated chemos i can get if I do not have a pCR, one is Capecitibine and one other one I forget the name of. I asked my doc abut this, because I am trying to be prepared, in case there is cancer alive in there upon imaging or surgery. Based on tumor palpitation, it appears to be all gone-- but w TNBC I am not going to assume anything!
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hi all, it's 3AM and I'm up sitting in the bathroom. What fun. This is day 5 of number four and OMG I'm tired of this, seems like everyone else is also.
Hughope1, I did mean single mastectomy, I think I was having a fog.
Santabarbarian good luck tomorrow,
All take care, and I can't wait to eat some 🍕
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Mactz, I am waiting for surgery date, suppose to be from Dec. 17-27th, looks like we are scheduled for about the same surgery. I may be right in front of you. Last chemo is Nov. 16th.
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Just because, I am wearing my pink pussy hat to chemo. I put a sticker on it that says "pre-existing condition." Then I'll vote on my way home.
I had wanted to do more for this election and then the cancer hit. So this is my bit!
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MACTAZ—sorry you had a rough night. I hope you will turn around soon and get that 🍕 in you
Santabarbarian—good luck today! Placed me smack in front of the bell yesterday. Somebody got to ring it. I was happy for them. I only teared up once. I feel like I’m making progress.
I’m freaking exhausted. I just ate and food was gross. Off to get a massage to try to push this crap out. Then vote! I’ve grown quite tired of this already and still have 7 to go.
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Curious if anyone else who has had taxotere has experienced this. I finished my last (4th) round of TC Friday. My thighs feel like they've been filled with cement. It's not muscle pain, just insane fatigue in the muscles. I can walk across the room and it feels like I've hiked up a mountain for hours. It started happening a couple of weeks ago, but has gotten worse. I feel awake and alert, just utterly bogged down physically.
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wanderweg, that started for me on number three and also now with 4. I am getting some neuralgia so thought it might have something to do with that but also I’m really struggling with eating so I am guessing it is just weakness for me. I tried walking on treadmill after no 3 but didn’t get very far but just keep pushing up my distance. Eventually it did get better. No 4 has been bad so I haven’t been able to do much. Just trying to find anything I can eat to get calories and some strength back
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I am 10% more tired than usual, but that's probably cumulative. Not more sick, so far, & not more distressed, just less fully bounced back to begin with. I started chemo more tired.
I had metal mouth tonight, so after dinner I ate 3 sour lemon drops, and they were delicious.
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#5 done this morning! I fell asleep in the chair drooling. The Taxol really seems to just tire me out. Nap time for this afternoon I think might be a little longer than usual.
I’m having more trouble relating to the world outside... Office gossip and politics just have no spark. Friends and family still send little messages but I can’t seem to answer the “so how are you” question any more. Emojis seem to be the only answer. What else do you say?
I hope everyone here has a good day and you all find the best corners for an afternoon nap.
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#5 done this morning! I fell asleep in the chair drooling. The Taxol really seems to just tire me out. Nap time for this afternoon I think might be a little longer than usual.
I’m having more trouble relating to the world outside... Office gossip and politics just have no spark. Friends and family still send little messages but I can’t seem to answer the “so how are you” question any more. Emojis seem to be the only answer. What else do you say?
I hope everyone here has a good day and you all find the best corners for an afternoon nap.
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I am a firm believer in getting a massage to push that crap out. I had Taxol Monday and Tuesday I was so exhausted. Had my massage Tuesday morning and then was able to take a 2 mile walk afterwards.
Santabarbarian—sour lemon drops sound good to me! I have healthy hard candies and they just aren’t as satisfying. I sucked on many Mike N Ike’s to get me through the rough days.
Kelly-Anne—Enjoy your nap. Good job #5 done! If I didn’t have a thumbs up emoji I don’t know how I could communicate.
I woke up and the dog water was frozen this morning. Winter is going to suck. I’m so cold unless I’m having a hot flash.
I’m also getting peri-orbital edema (Puffy eyes). Never had that before. I called the onc and the nurse hasn’t heard of that being a side effect of Taxol. I didn’t see anything on Dr. Google about it. No edema anywhere else. Nurse thought it might be a side effect from steroids but I’m not puffy anywhere else.
The universe didn’t think I looked f’d up enough so perhaps we will add in swollen eyes to really round out her appearance 😡
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Okay! As long as all goes well with blood work next Wednesday for last round of chemo next week, then I am off to surgery on Dec. 13th. Keep me in your thoughts girls. I hope everyone is hanging in there, we have come a long ways together our Aug group. We are all approaching the end of chemo. xoxoxo
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Right now I'm hitting my catatonic phase... day 3 crash.... but not feeling bad, actually, just spacey and tired. Kelly-Anne, I hear you on social disengagement! I am having the same trouble tuning in and working up interest. Going into nap #3 of day shortly...
But we are hanging in there! We are apparently closing down the last table in this place!
MoonGirl Jess, put some cold cucumber slices on your eyes, it can help.
Wanderweg, Mactaz, KLWilliams, we are thinking of you.... anyone else lurking here? Pull up a chair!
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Ugh. The Taxol makes me ache. The steroids have me wanting a box of chocolates. I’m pretty sure my dog has now stolen every dirty sock in the house tonight to torment me. I’m hiding from my daughters math homework in our hot tub and she keeps looking to see if I’m coming. (I can’t make pocket change any more, gr 10 parabola’s just look like someone sticking their tongue out at me.).
I needed to whine cause I’m pretty sure that actual wine would not be good for my system.
Here’s to the last of the Halloween candy I hid in the garage!
Thinking of you all.
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