Chemo Starting August 2018
Comments
-
By the way: there's a still-active thread entitled "Starting Chemo August 2016"... just sayin.
I did my normal exercise for the first time in a month. I did not keel over and that is encouraging that my Friday blood test will show bounce! I still do feel quite tired but I know exercise can start the ball rolling to feeling better.
I hope our last-few-chemos crew is tolerating the crappy full body weirdness, the exhaustion, discomfort, and mental over-it-ness and swimming back up to the surface. It's a lion hearted task, to trudge through this ordeal.
You are nearly there!!!!
0 -
santabarbarian, I’m glad you are feeling better and able to get to normal exercise. I know your big day is coming, keep up the good work to get as healthy as possible.
I’m on day 11 and feeling better. You were right all, number 6 was different in that exhaustion seems 10 fold. I’ve also been more nauseous but guess what, I still don’t care as I’m DONE. 😁
Hughope1, we are thinking of you. Hope you are doing well.
I looked at the 2016 thread, seems like these gals have kept going through there whole journey on their thread. I would love it if we do the same, I have such a kinship for all you women and would love to stay in touch. We have helped each other soooooo much get through all these trials and tribulations, and we still have more to come.
Take care all, and enjoy your holidays. 💕 🤗
0 -
MGJ - Sorry about the cold. Before my BMX my BS told me that they can check for cancer in a lymph node during the surgery, but occasionally (not often), they can’t know for sure until they’ve been sent off to pathology. She said that during surgery, they slide through the node theyve removed and can tell if there are cancer cells in that slice. But if there are cells clustered only at one end,only the full labwork up can detect them. I just t. ought that was interesting. She told me it had only happened to her once that she’d told the patient she was node negative and then had to go back and change her story but that it was a conversation she never wanted to have again and that now she won’t say someone’s lymph nodes are clear until results come back from the lab.
Santabarbarian - that’s great that you are able to exercise normally again! I’ve noticed that the extreme heaviness in my thighs is starting to lighten up a bit so that I’m not exhausted just by walking across the room.
MACTAZ- it’s such a good feeling to know you aren’t going back for more!
I agree - ending chemo is still just part of this whole journey. I can’t see any reason not to keep the thread going
So, my older son and his girlfriend were here for dinner last night. They are in grad school an 8 hour drive away so I’ve not seen them since the day after my first chemo. My son asked to see my bald head and when I pulled off my hat, he burst out laughing. He’s lucky I love him so much
0 -
wanderweg—that would totally suck to be told you have negative nodes then with the path report comes out and the nodes are positive.
Santabarbarian—I think the exercise helps a lot, myself. Some days I have to throw my butt outside. I’m just so tired. Other days it’s not so bad and I want to hike a few miles.
My fingertips are getting numb now. My feet are perfect. One more Taxol on Thursday.
I had I glass of Prosecco last night. I couldn’t stand it.
0 -
Confession: one post-chemo rebuild was so gnarly and I was so food averse that when gripped by a momentary craving, I inhaled TWO croissants. In a row. Like a ShopVac. Felt so good it was nearly a post-sex high!
I say, bring that cold Prosecco to ice your hands, on the last one!!!
Thursday is near at hand!!!! -You must be so psyched!!!!
While you are getting chemo I will be getting dye in my boob for surgery for the following day (pending blood work being decent)! Big milestone week to end the year on for both of us.
0 -
Santabarbarian—I LOVE IT! Hoover down those croissants! I’ve had those moments, too. The gloves came off and I went nuts on a bundt cake. I also inhaled a piece of Costco cheese pizza on Thursday in one block while driving home. One block! My daughter was horrified as I disarticulated my jaw to shove the pizza in. Like a rattlesnake. Gulp. Should have bought 2 slices.
The Prosecco last night was great. I might just have one now. It’s almost 10 am 😃 I walked the dog so my to-do list is done for the day.
Thursday is on the horizon! Finish line approaches!
0 -
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings everyone!
0 -
You too KWilli!
0 -
Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Let’s look forward to a much healthier 2019 for us all. 🎄🍾🎊🤗
0 -
Hughope, let us know how your surgery went. We care!
0 -
Merry Christmas!
I made it to Christmas at my sisters so the whole family was together. I still needed my afternoon nap - but my mommy tucked me in. Just like being a kid again.
It is time for sleep, but I just couldn’t turn in tonight without sending some love out to all of you.
And to all... a good night.
0 -
Kelly Anne i am glad you got some good mommying! That's sweet!
0 -
Kelly-Anne—You take those naps! I love the idea of a good tuck in by mom on Christmas. That sounds cozy.
Hughope—Thinking of you, too! Hope you’re on the mend.
I just called the onc to see if I can take any cough suppressant. I’ve coughed all night for days. My hubby is not pleased by my hacking all night and lack of sleep. I’m finally sleeping on the couch as I’m so disruptive. The Great Dane is pleased to share the couch with me. All night long he snores. It’s like soothing white noise.
Santabarbarian—you getting ready for tomorrow? The finish line draws closer! Whoohoo!
0 -
MGJ, I hope you get better soon, I know you are scheduled for your last chemo - will your cold delay that?
Kelli-Anne, there isn’t anything better than a mom tuck. Some time ago I got the flu at a family gathering and my mom took charge and took care of me. It was just like being that little girl again.
SB, 🤗🙏🏻🤞
Hughope1, hope all is well.
I now have an appointment scheduled for a 2nd opinion on breast surgery options including possibility of lumpectomy. I don’t think lumpectomy is an option but might as well check it out. My biggest concern is the nodes since my BS seems to be inclined to take as many nodes as possible. The Dr I will see did a research paper some time ago on nodes so hopefully he will be better versed and open to a women’s plight regarding lymphdema.
Once I meet with him I also have an oppointment with my OC to see what other treatment options there are if a sentinel node shows cancer. I want to be fully prepared to tell my BS that she can only take up to x number of sentinel nodes and no auxiliary nodes. I will ask the 2nd opinion doc how many sentinel nodes should be tested because I want as few as possible taken and make my decision. My issue is I have multiple tumors and therefore might require testing of more than 1 node since the tumors were in different areas of the breast.
Thanks guys for all your support.0 -
Santabarbarian - So nuclear medicine tomorrow, surgery Friday? I'll be thinking about you!
And you, too, MGJ, for your last chemo! Woo hoo!
MACTAZ - I think second opinions are a great idea if you have any hesitation at all. I am so thankful I did that and switched MOs. When's your appointment?
Kelly-Anne- hope you are feeling better. I haven't been sick but so worn out that I took two naps Christmas day.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas! And I'm wishing us all an easier year in 2019.
0 -
MACTAZ—I absolutely agree with you about getting a second opinion. Just taking out nodes for the sake of removing a bunch of nodes doesn’t sit right with me. Especially in the axilla. I sure hope this rotten cough and cold doesn’t delay anything, too. I want to be done.
My hair is still really thin in the bangs area. It looks nuts! I actually shampooed (I hadn’t washed it lately) and it stood up like I was electrocuted. Not cute
0 -
Yes, dyeing my boob blue tomorrow. Wire placement and surgery will be Friday am. Home by early afternoon. Thanks for the well-wishing! I am feeling good. My surgeon called this am and we are on the same page. Enlarged node + 4 sentinels. She said the rate of false negatives goes down if you take 5 total nodes. My anesthesiologist called me to answer some questions I had, and he was extremely nice. I feel comfortable with the surgery and anesthesia plan and expect it will be fairly straightforward. All about pathology, really.
My hair has reached a mole-like, very-short basic coverage (not attractive, but not bald). Not yet long enough for badass Michelle Williams haircut I am envisioning, and my widows peak is waaay more severe, but at least it's hair, growing back in.
MGJ Yay for last chemo!!!!! You did it!!!!!
Anyone who is ailing, may it pass quickly. Hoping for good rest for all.
0 -
Wanderweg, my apptment is Jan 8th the I meet with my OC to discuss possible treatment options if cancer is found in sentinel nodes. Once I have those conversations I’ll decide what to do. I’m cutting it close because my surgery is scheduled for Jan 28th, if my BS won’t honor my wishes I’ll have to find someone else, delaying it any dirtier frightens me but excising more nodes than necessary frightens me also.
MGJ, good luck and hope all goes as planned on your final chemo. I’m on day 12 after last and finally feeling good, I’m so happy to be done.
SB, good luck.
🤗 to you all, thanks for all your support.
0 -
I’m here. I’m hooked up to fluids. I’m strangely calm. I’ve almost been in a zen like state today and yesterday. It has been great. I wasn’t my typical screw loose, highly emotional, over reacting psycho self that chemo has brought on.
MACTAZ—thank you for your kind words. I’m ready to get off this rollercoaster. Glad you’re feeling better after the last chemo. Save every node you can 👍🏼
Santabarbarian—good luck today with the blue boob! Your team sounds amazing. Love that.
Thanks to all for the kind words and unending support. This is one long 100 mile marathon. You are all amazing kick ass women! Warriors!
I have both infra-mammary and across the breast incisions. The infra-mammary scars are barely noticeable. I think someone asked about the difference in incisions. Sorry I posted that late
0 -
MGJ, 🍾🎉🎊. So excited for you.
All, just a note, I did hear from hughope1, she is doing well.
0 -
Hello My Girls,
Sorry it has been two weeks since surgery. Tissue expander put in still have drain, hopefully it will come out tomorrow. Path report was as good as I could of wished for, Chemo did its job. I have another round of chemo tomorrow and see plastic surgeon, just wanted to thank you all for all of the support. You all have been with me every step of the way and just want to say thank you!
0 -
hughope1, so glad to hear you had good results and are doing well.
0 -
Whoo hoo, yay, so glad to hear the good news Hughope.
0 -
So So happy for you Kenna!!!!! I just finished radiation today. They have a bell for that too! I guess Radiation is not in your future? Again, so happy for you. You’ve been in my thoughts a lot.
0 -
Santabarbarian! Good luck today! We’re all with you! XO I will be thinking about you and hoping for the best news and a comfortable recovery.
MGJ & MACTAZ; glad you’re feeling better!
Hughope!! Woohoo!
Wanderweg & Kelly-Anne; the exhaustion is unreal. I’m there, napping has become a need, not a luxury!
0 -
Santabarbarian, we are here for you, good luck today.
KiWilli, I’m with you on those naps. Every day about 3 my brain is fuzzy and I’m exhausted so to bed I go.
0 -
Santabarbarian—sending you positive vibes today for great pathology findings and a smooth recovery!
Hughope—good to hear you’re feeling on the mend. Ecstatic that the chemo did it job! Yes!
Cefinkc—congratulations on being done with rads!
I have an appt with the radiation onc on Saturday. Hope I like her. I have no idea what to expect. I’ve not read up on rads other than to moisturize your skin well.
I took a glorious nap post-chemo yesterday. It was awesome. I haven’t napped in months.
0 -
That’s me yesterday!
0 -
MGJ - LOVE that picture! And woohoo!!! Seeing photos of people ringing the last chemo bell always brings tears to my eyes.
and another Woohoo! to cfinkc on ringing the last rads bell!
santabarbarian - I woke up thinking about you and sent my good thoughts to help guide the surgeon's hands. I am hoping all is well and you are soon back in your room recovering.
hughope - Did you get the drain out today? That's something else that you have another round of chemo right on the heels of your surgery, but I'm so glad it did the trick with the tumor.
So much going on for the end of this year. I am wishing healing for all of us!
0 -
MGJ, What an awesome pic and CONGRATULATIONS 🎊🎉🍾. I’m so happy for you,
Santabarbarian, I hope everything went well for you, thinking of you and sending you fast healing mojo.
0
