Chemo Starting August 2018
Comments
-
Mactaz, I am so excited for you to be on the last day 4!!! Last recovery!
0 -
Hi Gang, it’s been a while, but I’ve been peeking at your posts. Last chemo hit me pretty hard. The stuff makes me so tired I just sleep all day and all night. I have been up and about more today so hopefully I’m turning a corner
The arthritis and the met in my spine are all aching, maybe the magic ouchie medicine is contributing to my fatigued state.
My family have made some quieter plans for Christmas and I’m giving wrapping the presents a go. Yay for Amizon this year for helping with the shopping.
Im hoping everyone here is getting ready for some seasonal cheer (whatever kind of cheer you like), KWilli thanks for keeping an eye out and looking for me.
0 -
Kelly-Anne, bravo for finishing!
My last one hit me hard too. I am still recovering from 12/3! It made it obvious why they stop at 6! Recovery-wise, 5 was decent and 6 was rotten.
The ache of the met might be a cancer cell death ache! My boob has ached too, off and on.
0 -
Nisha - Yay for finishing your chemo! That's good that you have the holidays to recuperate before your surgery. I had my BMX pre-chemo - I hope you heal quickly from yours!
MGJ - Great that you are all set up with the new onc. What a relief to be done with the old one! I still refer to my first condescending oncologist and his equally cold PA as Dr. Dick and PA Bitchface.
santabarbarian - Wow, you're squeaking that surgery in right at the last bit of the year! I am guessing it will be a subdued new year's, but so good to have the surgery behind you. I'll be thinking about you on that day!
MACTAZ - I found the last chemo to be the hardest physically but the easiest emotionally because I knew i didn't have to go back. It's so good to be done!
So, I had to pick something up at WalMart today and my cashier looked at my headscarf and said, "Do you have hair?" I was floored. I told her that no I didn't, because of chemo. She pointed at her own head and said, "Me, too, this is a wig." Oh! So just an awkward way to start a conversation about breast cancer! At the end of our brief chat, she came around and hugged me. I was glad I hadn't responded sarcastically!
0 -
wanderweg, that is a great Walmart story!
Today I took all my freezer gear (freezable socks, mitt, and caps) down to my cancer center in my rolling cooler. My navigator will give it to a patient in need who is starting chemo Thursday. That felt good!
0 -
wanderweg—I had a United Airline supervisor come around the desk to hug me and give me water when we missed our connecting flight. She has had BC, twice. It was very kind of her to try to calm me down. Guess we never know what others have gone through or are going through. I have a lot of people ask me if I have cancer. I look that bad. I always talk about it but mostly people just want to tell me their mother, aunt, cousin died of BC. Blah blah yeah yeah. People lack tact. That was a sweet Walmart story.
Santabarbarian—how are those naughty therapy kitties? Bring you lots of smiles I hope. I also am looking forward to ditching my cancer garb. That donation run is going to feel so cathartic. Please take these beanies! Away from my sight! Surgery is right around the corner for you!! So close!
I thought I was drama free! Yeah right! I was supposed to have chemo at the new place on Monday but they called me Monday morning to say they didn’t have an order thus they couldn’t do it and I was rescheduled to Thursday afternoon!?! What? You had way over a week with all my info. I have a high school reunion of sorts with my girlfriends at a friends house on Friday. It’s the only party I go to. I really wanted to not go the day after chemo. So I cried cried cried (so frustrated) and called the old onc who said come in a Tuesday and we will talk. I made her cry and she totally was kind and understanding and said I understand if you want to leave me. She acknowledged the mistakes and she wasn’t happy. She offered me drugs to help combat my anxiety but I declined. No thank you. Not now. Not after that Paxil incident. I had a dose of Ativan IV with Taxol so I was calm and polite and not a basket case. I had a good nurse so I felt no worries. No sitting on the toilet crying for me. 👍🏼
Kelly-Anne—it was only online shopping for me! I had my daughter wrap. I gave her big tip.
You hang tough! You’re in my thoughts.
Hughope—I hope you feeling ok and not too beat up. Sweet hugs to you. Surgery can be so tiring. Pain pill, nap, repeat. And Colace twice a day.
❤️Love you beauties. Thanks for always understanding.0 -
gooooood morning ladies!
Kelly-Anne, nice to have you back! I was worried about you.
Hughope, you’re in my thoughts and I am sending loving vibes for a peaceful recovery from surgery.
Nisha, YAY! Done chemo!
Wanderweg, awesome story about Walmart!
MACTAZ, I hope you’re doing well!
Santabarbarian, take today to relax and breath. Find that bit of peace that we didn’t know we had until we lost it. Give yourself some space today. I’m thinking of you, my friend. I can’t wait to hear your surgery was successful and that the beast is gone!
MGJ: what a ridiculous journey for you. Sending you a warm hug. I hope stuff starts to go more smoothly.
My BMX is scheduled for Jan 8. I can’t wait to be finished with this shit. I have some neuropathy that remains, I hope it’s just going to go away on it’s own. The cold does a real number on my fingertips (and I live in Winnipeg, Canada where it’s sooooo cold)! My 8yo son started sleepwalking last night. I used to do the same in times of great stress. Poor kid.
I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday! Much love!
0 -
KWilli—I can't imagine how cold it is in Canada. Burr. That finish line is quickly approaching for you! Yes!!! I can't wait to get this right boob off, myself. Sorry your son is feeling stressed. I always feel guilty when I see my daughter sad. Bums me out.
I'm sick of this drama with regard to these oncologists that plague my life. Statistically, I've gone to the first one the longest and thus they have the most mistakes, however I've already been burned by the new place twice and have only had one visit. What's a girl to do? That's right, sit in that chemo chair and take it.
The nurse who ignored my panic attack last week had the balls to say to say to me at the end of the chemo yesterday 'I'm surprised you came back' Wtf? She wasn't even my nurse yesterday. She had no reason to talk to me. I swear if I was a raging asshole this shit wouldn't happen. Plus, if I had someone with me she wouldn't have ever said that.
0 -
santabarbarian, we are here for you and will be thinking of you tomorrow. I wish you the best on this next step. 🤗
Hughope1, thinking of you and sending you my good thoughts.
Wanderweg, loved your Walmart story. It does seem patience is sometimes the key, people just don't know how to begin those conversations. Me included.
Kiwilli, I think you are next for surgery after Santabarbarian, stay strong.
Nisha517, MGJ, Kelli-Anne, newfrommy hugs to you all.
I'm working thrrough my crap days and have about a week to go. Tomorrow is my surgeon, don't expect anything earth shattering as my date isn't until January 28th. I will need the time to rebuild my strength as all you wonderful women reminded me and told me not to sweat 💦 it.
THANKS SO MUCH TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND I WISH FOR YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS. 🎄
0 -
My date was bumped a week due to anemia. Now 12/28. Frankly glad to rebuild a bit more... Still pretty pooped but a little better every day.
I appreciate the good wishes and send them back to all! Kittens are sheer delight. So darling and affectionate and crazy-playful!
KWilli, my youngest son goes to college in Quebec!
0 -
hughope - I hope you are healing well!
santabarbarian - That was good of you to donate your freezer stuff. I'm planning to take my caps to the cancer community so they can find a home for them. Well, when my hair grows in, that is!
MGJ - That was nice of the airline agent. And oh my God, I can't count the number of people who have felt compelled to tell me who they know who died of breast cancer. Why?!?! I DON'T need to hear that. But oh shit about the delay. I just can't believe how complicated this has been for you. Are you going back to the old oncologist? And the nurse - that was totally uncalled for.
KWilli - That's great that you got your surgery date set. It's so anxiety-provoking - it will be good to have it behind you. Maybe having it when the weather is lousy is a good thing, since you will be spending some time healing up.
MACTAZ - So you have a single mastectomy scheduled? I know it's hard to wait, but it does help to have some time to recover from chemo. Do you know if an inframammary incision is a possibility?
I'm taking the day off and spent it grocery shopping and planning meals for the holidays. I'm planning a very low-key holiday. I'll have both my sons here for a Christmas dinner on the 23rd and back again for brunch on Christmas. I need the reminder of why I've put myself through all this.
0 -
wanderweg, I had never heard of an inframammary incision, is this someth8ng I should discuss with BS or PS? I meet with BS tomorrow. I have to admit though her bedside manner isn’t very good so not sure I will get much info from her. She is a good surgeon though
0 -
Helloo everyone! i hope everyone is fine and happy as almost all if you have done with chemo. Guys i have to do 8 cycles of chemo i am done with 7 and my last one is on 2nd january. but i am experienceing severe pain and burn in my hands and feets ... i can barely walk ... my oncologist said its side effect of texotere... i really dnt want to do last cycle its so painful and it make me cry ... what you guys think how much difference one chemo cycle can make? should i skip last one
0 -
i think finishing the treatment vs damaging SEs is a tough call that you need to make with your oncologist... hang in there!!
0 -
have you been icing hands and feet?
0 -
Sunshine, my onc told me that they’ll stop me early if the neuropathy gets too bad — that 10 taxols is as good as 12. Definitely worth asking yours! Good luck! (and hello from the Sept thread).
0 -
MACTAZ - an inframammary fold incision is when they make the incision under the breast and up along the outside, rather than straight across the middle. It makes the scar less visible. It may depend on where the tumor is whether it’s possible and I guess also depends on if they are able to leave the nipple. With that incision, you can’t tell by looking at me from the front that I’ve had a mastectomy. It gives the best cosmetic outcome but I think it’s also a more difficult surgery. Anyway, it would be worth asking about just to know what your options are.
Sunshine - That sounds terrible - I’m so sorry. I only had four rounds of taxotere so I was out before the neuropathy was a big issue. I hope you and your oncologist can find a solution.
0 -
thanks wanderweg, I will definitely ask.
Sunshine, I was on taxotere and after my 3rd dose started to have neuropathy in hands and feet. After number 4 my OC reduced my dosage by 20% to help with SE. It didn't get better but I didn't notice a significant change after that. Sorry I don't know much about taxol but agree you should ask your OC.
Wish you the best.
0 -
actually i don't have neuropathy...i have hand and foot syndrome...where skin of my hands and feets become red and purple and very swollen...with burning pain ... its very very sensitive to touch ...even i cant bear touching of fabric with my foot ... and after couple of days my skin become black and it peeled of ... most importantly when i elevate my hand and foots thn i feel no pain ... but when i try to sit or walk i feel alooooot of pain due to blood circulation...:( today i went to ONC she gave me more pain medication and some ointment for skin...and she said next chemo as scheduled...and she also lowered my dosage last time but it was not helpful:
0 -
And thanks everyone for you reply ... i had 8 chemotherapy cycles (AC 4 and texotere 4) ..
0 -
sunshine - I'd heard of hand and foot syndrome, but wasn't sure what it was. That sounds dreadful - I can sure see why you'd want to just stop.
0 -
Dear Beeline, we have quite similar diagnosis... i also had paget's this time with skin involvement. how come you went from stage 1 to stage IIIc
0 -
Sunshine, hand and foot sounds miserable! I hope the pain meds give you some relief. I was “clinically node negative” before surgery — they couldn’t find any evidence that it had spread so dx’d me 1A. So imagine my surprise to find 10 positive nodes. Good luck with your last infusion!
0 -
Hey gals, I’m hoping you might know something about auxiliary node treatments or non-treatment. I met with my BS yesterday and she had on the surgery schedule extraction of sentinel nodes and also auxiliary nodes. She said the auxiliary nodes would only be done if cancer was found in any of the sentinel nodes. I’m not comfortable with that as I’m really concerned with lymphdema. I know you can use radiation on auxiliary nodes but she said the rate of occurrence of lymphedema is only slightly lower (15% vs 25%). Not sure I agree this is slightly lower. Also I have seen much higher rates of occurrence.
Anyway, I have to give her my decision whether to move ahead with aux extraction if sentinel nodes are cancerous. Any info or where I might look to get some info would be appreciated. Also wondering if there might be other types of treatments depending on the spread of cancer in the sentinel nodes.
Wanderweg, she said she could could do a inframammary incision and also nipple saving could be an option. She would just need to test the tissue at the nipple and if cancer free is good to do. She said the PS will work with her to let her know what incision he needs and whether it makes sense to save the nipple based on the best cosmetic result. Seems I find out more and more each time I visit these guys. But the questions alsways come from me, wish there was a one stop shop with all info. 😀
Thanks to all. 🤗0 -
MACTAZ, my surgeon had a similar concern... I too have a strong reluctance to taking extra lymph nodes having had a friend who had horrible lymphedema.
She and I decided I'll get a dye injection, and she will take the marked node that we know had cancer in it, as well as another four or five likely nodes per the pathway of the dye, and then we will wait for pathology. If there is live cancer, she will go back for more lymph nodes in a second surgery. If there is no live cancer, then I will have spared myself the more invasive surgery.
I also told my doc in writing that any choice she needs to make about cosmetic vs sensation, I want her to preserve sensation!
0 -
santabarbarian, that is interesting. My BS said she will take all sentinel nodes and didn't give me any other options. All scans and tests have said no nodes effected, so wondering if there is any other route to test. She is very one minded and hasn't ever talked to me about other possibilities. In fact she uses the word “scoop “ up the remaining aux nodes. My reading is it is a very complicated system and damage could be main culprit of lymphdema. Problem is she is a good surgeon, just not bendable. But this is my life and body, maybe I need to target 2nd opinion on nodes to see what other alternatives there are.?
So scarey.
0 -
I had one enormous node -- that one is still enlarged, so it is easy to pick out and take. She will have it marked with a wire prior to surgery. (My oncologist said everything looked dead to him, from the shape of the node.) But the question is which nodes might have had secondary exposure that we don't know about. Hence the dye to predict the flow of lymph and which would get touched first.
In my original imaging the surgeon thought one (or maybe two) node/s had cancer. There were apparently 3 enlarged and one very enlarged and definitely cancerous. Stage 2B.
However, I am TNBC (a very different cancer). In TNBC the stats say that lumpectomy + rads is just as good re survival and are less invasive/fewer SEs. So they may be more comfortable with not taking everything when you are TNBC. I am also for sure getting radiation. Are you?
I would get a second opinion if I was in your shoes. It's all about walking the fine line of enough treatment to kill the cancer, but not too much where unnecessary side effects happen that make life miserable.
0 -
MACTAZ - My BS said that she wanted to avoid axillary node dissection if at all possible because of the lymphedema risk and it wasn't even scheduled, just the sentinel node biopsy. I had the nuclear medicine injection and she took two nodes out. I found this link on an NIH study that has a much bigger difference between LE risk with a ALND (27%) and SLNB (2.6%). That's basically a tenfold increase in risk if they do the axillary dissection. The study here.
Also, I do not have sensation really in my nipples - they look normal but I can't feel them. But they are reactive to cold, which is interesting!
0 -
thanks guys, I am really leaning hard towards a 2nd opinion. I just struggle with any node extraction since 4 tests, 2 mri’s, ultrasound and a mamo all said no node involvement. I know there can be misses on those tests but I’m also getting continued targeted treatment for my triple+ issues.
Appreciate your insights. Merry Christmas.🤗
0 -
Hi beauties! I’ve had a wretched cold and have been coughing up a storm. So annoying.
Regarding, the sentinel node and axillary node dissection—at the hospital I used to work at the BS will inject the cancer/area with the dye and watch the flow to see what nodes are the sentinel nodes for the cancer. Then remove and look at those nodes to see if there’s tumor and then keep removing nodes down the line in the case where tumor is present. Or stop right there if there is no tumor seen by the pathologist.
You are a weird pasty bluish color after the dye.
I wouldn’t think an AND would be necessary if the SN were tumor negative.
If you can avoid your axillary nodes coming out then by all means keep them! The arm is pissed for months when those nodes come out. Seriously pissed.
Sunshine that hand and foot condition sounds brutal. I’m so sorry!
0
