Chemo Starting August 2018
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Thanks for the kind words. I despise this much drama. It’s gross.
Elizabeth—I have weekly Taxol. Did they offer that to you? It’s a lot easier than the DD. (Although, I never had DD Taxol). Or Abraxane which is supposed to be for those who have allergic reaction to Taxol? I’m not sure how bad the reaction was but I’m so sorry that happened.
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Elizabeth - that’s great that you will be finishing up chemo soon. But those are crazy new guidelines. My cancer wasn’t palpable and was only found because I had a routine mammogram. I don’t understand them discouraging even self-exams or exams by doctors, either.
Hughope - I met with my breast surgeon today for a follow-up. It’s been six months to the day since my mastectomy. Seems like it can’t possibly have been that long since I was lying awake nights worrying about the surgery. There’s just no getting around it being scary, but once it’s done, you just start on the path of healing from it. Do know that at first you’lll have very limited use of your arms. A friend recommended to me that I pin my elbows to my side and see what I’d be able to reach and arrange my house accordingly. That really helped - you need to make sure you have the basics (food, drink, toilet paper, tv remote) within easy reach. Do you like/feel comfortable with your surgeon? And I can’t remember, are you planning on reconstruction or not? The worst part of the mastectomy was the drains - seemed like it took forever for them to be ready to come out. But the helsing from the mastectomy itself wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared. I agree with MoonGirl that the chemo was worse. I know you’re terrified, but you are doing everything in your power to prevent a recurrence and there is a great dealof comfort in that. Sending all kinds of healimg thoughts and virtual hugs your way.
MGJ - I think you’re absolutely right to switch oncologists of all your providerd, that’s the one youlll see the longest and most intensively and it’s so, so important to feel heard and respected. I changed oncologists just a few days before I was scheduled to start chemo because he was just cold and condescending - and refused to let me get a port! I really like the guy I switched to and am happy I trusted my gut.
MACTAZ - Last chemo Thursday? Do they have a bell at your center? If they do, ring the hell out of it!
Funny note: when I went for my appointment with the breast surgeon today, I met first with her nurse she told me to put on the gown “open at the boobies.
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wow! I have missed A LOT!
I’m SO EXCITED to hear your news santabarbarian! F U TNBC! Yeeeaahhhhh!! You CRUSHED it! Amazing! This gives me great hope.
MGJ, I hate your docs and the nonsense they’re putting you through. I hope things level out for you soon. Keep at them, you’re the best advocate you have.
MACTAZ! Almost there! Woot woot!
Hughope, it’s scary stuff. I’m going to have DMX soon (no date still); I feel your nerves, girl. Reconstruction or no?
Wanderweg, take it easy! I hope you heal quickly.
Elizabeth9, I’m Canadian, checking your article out ASAP.
Take care ladies! X
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Okay girls, this is probably going to be my last post for awhile. Surgery tomorrow. I really appreciate that so many of you reached out with your mastectomy experiences. You have all been such a great support system I don't think I could of done this with out you girls. Our families are good support systems in some ways but until you walk in our shoes it's hard to really understand. So thank you all.
Best wishes to all of you finishing up chemo! Keep ringing the bell girls. xoxoxoxo0 -
Hi MAGTAZ I’ve also had the flashing bolts it’s something like an eye migraine, I’ve actually had it years ago so I’m not worried, thinking it’s related to chemo now, I’m sure that’s the case with you too. Best wishes
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Yes, an ocular migraine! I had one of those too, a long time ago, but mine was actually a *warp* in my vision, like looking through a prism. It's the ocular nerve that is affected, so that makes sense.
KWilli, thanks for your cheer! I wish you dead tumors too! Dead tumors for everyone!
hughope: we will be thinking of you, sending blessings to your surgeon, and hoping for a great outcome and a speedy recovery.
MACTAZ tomorrow you will cross the finish line and that is a damned good feeling!
I am proud of us!!-- and so grateful for the encouragement and camaraderie of this thread.
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I am on my way to hospital for surgery, all you brave women will be on my mind and in my heart. Love Hughope1
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Hugehope1 You are the brave one today, we are all with you. Hugs from NY
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Good luck Hughope1, will be thinking of you while I finish chemo today. Hug
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Love from Ontario hughope!
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Hughope - the scary waiting is over and it’s all just healing from here. I know you’ll do great!
MACTAZ - So happy you are wrapping up the TC today!
I just realized I’m 6 weeks PFC now. My partner at work to,d me that I seem like my old self again. I don’t feel like my old self, but I do feel better than I did during chemo or after the BMX and reconstruction. I’m also almost 2 weeks into tamoxifen, without any serious side effects that I can tell. That gives me hope
I will echo Santabarbarian in my gratitude for this amazing group of women!
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I met my new onc yesterday and she’s awesome. Unfortunately, not all of my records were forwarded. I will have chemo at their facility on Monday. Last chemo will be after Christmas sometime. She started talking about tamoxifen rather than AIs for me initially (Paxil was not a great choice for hot flashes!) We also discussed the burning urethra and me peeing all over myself at any given moment. She thinks it’s related to the massive drop in my estrogen levels. She loved me icing my hands and feet for Taxol and said it was discussed at the last conference she went to and she was so pleased I have zero neuropathy. Ice (plus the CBD and CBG) might have saved my hands and feet. We shall see. I was disappointed in myself for crying on the toilet rather than icing well on Monday during chemo. Had I had my ice packs I would have just had my Taxol in the toilet by myself and sat there leaking pee. The only reason I left the toilet was to ice.
I came home to find a message from my old onc on my machine saying to call her immediately. Wow! She knows who I am? (Insert sarcasm) Guess my grotesque behavior on Monday got back to her. I called and cancelled my last 2 appointments there. To cancel the treatments I had to leave a message on the nurse voicemail. One of the chemo RNs called me back (who I became friendly with) and sounded sad and said she canceled my appointments and to call her. She’s busy and I’m not going to bother her but that was nice at least.
The new onc will order the Oncotype that my first onc said she would order and never did. I’m within the limits of the Oncotype barely (having 3 positive nodes) but I still want to know what I’m dealing with. New onc also thought it might possibly would have changed the chemo I received to something not so aggressive but that’s water under the bridge. At this point, I’m just looking forward.
Hughope—you got this! Sending you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!
Talley Ho!
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MGJ good for you, for taking care of yourself, and finding the right practice going forward!!
WHOO HOOO to mactaz for winding up chemo!!!! Way to go!!
HugHope, we're here for you wishing you well.
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MACTAZ—So awesome!!!! Your’re done!!!!! 🍾🍾🍾 whooohooo! 🔔🔔🔔
Wanderweg—6 weeks out! You made my day saying the tamoxifen isn’t wrecking you! I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better. I get scared that I will feel this old and tired forever.
Santabarbarian—So well stated!
I’m in awe of how supporting and lovely all you women are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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MGJ, how awesome is it you found someone that you like and will work with you to ensure you get the right treatment.On my last drug as I post this, carboplatin, then out of here. The bell will be ringing loudly....
They did find a suspicious spot in my brain MRI but it did not light up with dye. Since it didn't light up chances are high it is not cancerous but they can not definitely identify what it is. Since there is a slight chance it could be cancerous or turn into cancer I will have to repeat MRI in a couple of months and then continue watching for two years but testing will be stretched. They will be looking for growth of lesion or if dye shows up, will review the cells to see if benign or cancer. This is good news, but just one more thing to worry about.
Guys, I repeat what everyone is saying, you ladies are awesome and I don't know what I would do or have done without your support. Thanks so much . I am hoping we can figure out a way to stay in touch. 💕
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I finished today. Jack was my chemo nurse my first infusion and now my last. How fitting. I’m so glad to be done.
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MACTAZ so happy for you, you look great!
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Cheering for you!!
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Yay, MACTAZ!!! So glad you crossed that finish line!
MGJ - I'm sure that's quite a relief to be scheduled in with the new onc. Hope things go more smoothly from here!
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Thanks all, I’m excited and actually much more mentally ready to go through SE’s this time. I’m just ready to get moving on the next phases. I start HP on Jan 3 then rinse and repeat every three weeks. I’m also ready to get path report but have 7+ weeks before that so being patient will be my toughest issue I think.
Take care all, and HUGS TO HUGHOPE1!!!!!!!!
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hi everyone!
Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile, but as many women on this forum, I had my last chemo on Tuesday! Phew so glad that’s over. Bilateral mastectomy with direct to implant is next on January 18. Hope all of you are doing well and happy holidays
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Nisha517, Congratulations 🎉🍾🎊🎈. I know how it feels, I finished on Wednesday. Keep us updated on your progress.
Will you be doing adjunct therapy with HP now?
Take care.
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MACTAZ! Nisha517! Woooohooooo!!! Congratulations!!
Wanderweg; I'm so pleased to hear you're feeling like your old self again.
MGJ: yahoo to the new oncologist!
Kelly-Anne: how are you holding up, girl?
Hughope: I hope your surgery went well yesterday and that you're doing alright, lots of hugs and wishes for a speedy recovery.
I have an appointment on Tuesday with my surgeon (hopefully I will get a surgery date?) and one on the 31st with my oncologist. I'm not really sure what any next steps are and I'm scared that if they wait too long this aggressive TNBC will take over (I still have a sizeable lump in there, hope it's dead cells). I put in a call to my Oncology nurse.
Isn't it amazing how far we've come? I couldn't have asked for better comrades in this war. Thank you, my friends
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mactaz-
My oncologist wants to wait to see the results from the surgery to see if I’ll be getting only herceptin or herceptin and perjeta. So for the next five weeks I don’t have any infusions
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Nisha517, that is what my OC wanted to do also but since my surgery is 6 weeks and 4 days after chemo he wanted to give me the extra layer of protection and reassess after he gets the path results. My HP will continue with my 3 week interval and starts on Jan 3rd. Seems like there are always differences in approach, not sure what is right but just be comfortable with the path
Take care.
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mactaz-
Yes it's so odd that doctors don't follow the same prot
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MACTAZ—that’s exactly what I wanted to see! You look beautiful ! 🎉🔔🔔🎉🔔🎉🔔🎉🔔🎉
Nisha—congratulations! Well done! 🔔🎉🔔🎉🔔🎉🔔🎉🔔🎉
I drugged the crap out of myself to finally get some sleep last night. I actually felt good enough to hike around today. Got 4 miles in. I miss sleeping well. Damn nightsweats 💦💦💦 it’s gross. I soak my hubby.
With the new oncologist, I had my labs drawn today so those will be ready to roll on Monday for chemo. She also had me do a UA just to make sure my angry bladder/urethra isn’t a UTI. She thinks it’s the loss of estrogen but we shall see.
My hair in the front still isn’t coming in like the rest. I still have a semi-circle of poor growth. Fingers crossed that fills in. I’m channeling George Costanza.
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MGJ, You are the best and I wish you so much success with your new OC. You take care and I love how you can throw in humor during all the stuff you have had to deal with. 💕 ya girl. Take care
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MGJ, My hair has some lagging patches too. Hopefully they will come along soon!
Bravo Nisha!! Welcome to the party at the finish line!
My surgery date is 12/28. My blood work is still pretty low on platelets and R & W blood cells... but they think in another 2 weeks it'll be good enough. Surgeon will take a jawbreaker-sized chunk where my marker is, and 4-5 lymph nodes. Cosmetic repair will have to wait till we see if she needs more lymph nodes. My surgeon prefers I wait for a few months after radiation for cosmetic repair.
KWilli, crossing fingers for you!
New fromNY, wanderweg, mactaz, kelly anne: sending good vibes to all.
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SantaB, hope all goes well and hope your blood work improves so you can move forward on your surgery.
KWilli, hope your appointment goes well on Tuesday, fingers crossed.
I'm on day 3 after last chemo - feeling better than last time but day 4 and after is usually hard. I'm hoping this time is better, but if it isn't, oh well I'M DONE WITH THAT DAMN CHEMO so I can get through this.
All take care.
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