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Chemo Starting September 2018

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  • SuefromSydney
    SuefromSydney Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2018

    Faith46, this is pain in your chest when you swallow? It's horrible! Whatever you have for nausea or indigestion will help. Mine improved a lot when I started taking Somac (pantoprazole). Don't just put up with it, as you need to keep your fluids up and eat well. Don't hesitate to call your clinic to ask for advice, especially with the weekend coming up.

    If you mean you have a sore throat, again, don't neglect it. The maintenance we have to do is exhausting, but it's our job for now.

    Hope you're quickly feeling better!

  • brinkofeternity
    brinkofeternity Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2018

    Piksie - I only started icing my fingers from Taxol #6, then again for #8 and 9 just in case. But now I started getting some nail pain too so I don’t think it really helps. The idea of icing is if you constrict blood flow to the area less chemo will get there and so less side effects there. But given how we have free blood flow after infusion, wonder how effective that is. Cold-capping for hair supposedly does work for some people though, so maybe give icing a try? I just fold an ice pack in half and tape it, then put my hand inside.

    Faith46 - I caught sore throat a couple of times in the beginning but rinsing my mouth and gargling daily with water and baking soda seemed to help it go away.

    MtKushmore - Congrats on getting the permit! So great to have something to look forward to! I still haven’t decided what I want to do yet.

    For anyone getting weekly Taxol, my white blood cell count did dip a little after the first infusion, but it picked back up afterward. So don’t freak out if your numbers go down! Not sure if this would apply to DD Taxol though.

  • JNKK
    JNKK Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2018

    Tigerlily, congrats on finishing with chemo! I am surprised that they don’t have a bell for you to ring?! I don’t care if you are not totally done with this whole cancer business, you are done with the chemo and that’s something to celebrate for!

    Suefromsydney, love the grandkids picture. They are so adorable.

    Piksie, I icing both my hands and feet. I just bring 4 ziplock bags with me since MD Anderson provides ice. I put socks on my hands and feet then fold the ice bag to cover my toes and bottom of my feet, I then hold on to the ice bags in my hands.

    MTKushmore - I get Neulasta onpro too. My doctor gave me two options, one is driving there to get a shot and pay for parking or put this sucker on then let it do its thing 27 hours later. I don’t live too far from MDA, but I chose to get onpro to save me a trip.

    The rashes have gone down but I still itch here and there. I was told to take zrytec twice a day, so I am still doing it. As far as my next and final round, I will have to wait to see my oncologist next Monday to make an informed decision. The biopsy result came back, and it’s hives not Erythema Multiforme like they thought. While it is only hives, both Dermotologist have expressed their concern about my next round of chemo. I trust that my oncologist to guide me to the right direction. She has also presented my case to the board, so I feel better about it too.

    Wonderweg, please post a picture of you ringing the bell today!!

  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 487
    edited November 2018

    faith - it could be thrush. My onco prescribed diflucan, cleared it right up.

    Just finished my last TC round, image

  • missouricatlady
    missouricatlady Member Posts: 894
    edited November 2018

    Could I please ask, the Neulasta Go Pro - I will get my first one next week - is the yelp because it hurts? I've heard it makes you feel bad too, although we are all different. The ice for your hands and feet, is this for neuropathy type of pain (sorry, I'm new). Just wondering what to expect, thank you kindly and best wishes to all of you. MTKushmore, congrats on your trip. Wanderweg - congrats to you, and you look beautiful! Thank you, Lisa

  • MtKushmore
    MtKushmore Member Posts: 29
    edited November 2018

    No, it doesn't really hurt. It hurts less than most shots, actually. It kind of feels like someone slapping you with a rubber band.

    The yelp is purely from surprise because of the way the device is designed. I honestly can't figure out why they made this design choice. Basically, the nurse sticks the patch on you (either behind the arm or on your stomach). Then you wait. For maybe a minute? Then it starts beeping. Beep, beep, beep. Then....... you wait. And then 30 seconds or so later, a tiiiiiiiiiny needle darts out and places a cannula right under your skin.

    It's the anticipation and not knowing when the darned thing is gonna lance you that makes you yelp. And it also sort of makes this weird staple noise. So it's just very surprising!! Or at least that's how it is for me!! I hate waiting for it. Once it happens, I always remember how not big of a deal it is, but I always still yelp.

    I haven't experienced any SEs from the Neulasta but I also pop a 24-hr Claritin every morning for the next 5 days.

    And yeah, the icing is supposed to help prevent neuropathy. I still don't know how much of that is fact vs myth, but I've been doing it every treatment just in case.

    @Wanderweg Congrats!!!

  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 487
    edited November 2018

    missouri - I agree with MTKushmore. It's like being popped with a rubber band. Just a brief sting. It's more the anticipating and then it still feels a little surprising. Definitely better than a shot in my book. I'm told it hurts less on the belly, which I saw how I get mine. I've not iced at all, and haven't had any chemo-related neuropathy yet. But others seems to find it helpful. As for the neulasta making you feel bad, I had some bone pain the first round bit changed my med routine the next. Now a few days prior I take generic both aleve (generic naproxen sodium) and Claritin (generic loratidine) morning and night and continue through until 6 days afterwards. Not a hint of bone pain the two rounds I tried that.

  • BT39
    BT39 Member Posts: 24
    edited November 2018

    MissouriCatLady: Re: the Nuelasta Onpro. I've had it twice now and don't find it hurts at all. The little puff of air / dart noise may startle you or make you jump just because it's something new and you don't know what to expect, but compared to a blood draw, an IV, etc., I literally feel like it's nothing. It's just my opinion but thought it might make you feel better. :-) Once it's in, I don't notice it at all. How the medication makes you feel once injected is very individual. I took Claritin the first 4 days my first infusion and found I got very manageable SI and hip joint pain on night 6 and into day 7. Two Advil were fine to manage it. So for infusion 2, I took Claritin for 7 days and didn't have very noticeable bone pain, little twinges here and there. I do get a fever between 99.4-100 on day 5, caused by Neulasta. Like clockwork the first two rounds. I think it can make people feel a little cruddy, but my approach was to go in thinking it will be just fine and adjust from there. While you don't know for sure, you might do just great!

  • dolceb70
    dolceb70 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2018

    Checking in on day 6. Rough few days. I had side effects from the Nuelasta shot on the evening of day 3 and 4. I took Claritin for 3 days but I am going to ask my Onc on Monday if I can take it longer as the bone and muscle pain was pretty uncomfortable. Taste and appetite are not great. I have a constant stomach ache. I find it hard to fall asleep at night with the discomfort. I am also combatting a rash on the back of my neck and my scalp is itching like crazy! This wakes me up at night too! Just feeling crappy/weary/tired and down. Tears have been flowing recently at the realization at what lies ahead. OK vent session over. No more feeling sorry for myself! I find a good cry or two pulls me out of feeling crappy sometimes.

    The positive moments have been that I have managed to get out and run 3 times this week. Being a runner for a very long time I feel most like myself and free from everything when I do this. I am slow but I find it brings me back to me even if I pay for it in fatigue after. Even better my daughter Emma was selected amongst 15 applicants to Stage Manage the High School Musical at her school. She is so happy and proud and I am so glad she has had a positive and happy moment this week. Counting the days until my other daughter comes home from college for Thanksgiving as she is a Freshman at GW and I miss her terribly.

    JNKK did I read you had rashes too?

    Tigerlily sending love to you. You made it through chemo and I am so inspired.

    To ALL OF YOU, Love, Peace, and Strength. <3

    XO

  • JNKK
    JNKK Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2018

    Missouri, I mimic what others say about Neulasta onpro. It doesn’t hurt but you get startled/surprised when the cannula inserted into your skin. I was able to work out with onpro, but I found myself bumping to it when I wash dishes. Claritin did nothing for me, but I was told that I can take zrytec, so I took zrytec last round. I found that I had very little bone pain last round with zrytec!

    Dolceb70, yes I had a very bad rashes... My feet and hands were swollen from it. I have read that’s a delay allergic reaction to taxotere. You might want to let your oncologist know.

  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 487
    edited November 2018

    dolceb- I take Claritin every day for allergies, and continued right through the chemo (my oncologists okay). I can't imagine it would be a problem to take it longer. I was also advised to use aleve or Advil for the bone pain. I did that starting with the second round and it really helped. Plan to this last round, too.

    I'm watching the clock waiting for 4:15 to roll around for this last neulasta infusion to hit. I think taking it off for the last time will really help me feel like I'm on my way out of chemo. My oncologist scheduled me to see him back in three months and if all is well, I can get the port removed then.

    In other news, I picked up my tamoxifen prescription and start that in 3 weeks. Anyone else on it

  • beingpositive
    beingpositive Member Posts: 70
    edited November 2018

    tigerlilly and wanderweg, congratulations on completing chemo rounds! You did it!

    Suefeomsydny, congrats to you too. Lovely grandkids! Such happy moments bring us back to wonderful life.

    Missouri, i have same experience as everyone has already explained so well on the patch. I had bone pain the first round though was taking claritin. Based on MO suggestion started taking advil and could manage it well in second round. Will continue it for next 2 rounds too.

    I had readabout icing and MO said i can do it as many ppl do it. They have ice at the center so my husband puts the ice in ziplock and those bags in the socks which i wear. I put icechips in mouth too during infusion. Had minimal sores in couple of rounds. I also use biotin mouthwash every couple if hrs. When i had throat pain in first round, MO suggested to gargle with warm salted water which helped. So i am continuing that for next rounds.

    One good news is that the 2 days training session that i had attended after second chemo round inspired me to study further. Past week i studied for the certification and passed the exam on Friday. Felt good that i can continue normal life during this treatment too. Piksie, beeline and all of you wonderful ladies have been my inspiration to think that i can do it. Thanks to each one of you!

    Have a great weekend and lots of hugs to all..


  • kk2018
    kk2018 Member Posts: 54
    edited November 2018

    Tomorrow is my first weekly Taxol. I’m nervous. I hate not knowing what to expect. AC was manageable and I’m glad it is done, but I can’t shake this negative feeling I have about taxol. I hope I’m wrong.

    Good luck this week.

  • SuefromSydney
    SuefromSydney Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2018

    Hi KK2018

    I’m off for my second weekly Taxol tomorrow. Let’s hold hands! I did find the first one easy for the infusion, but was very tired that night (bed at 7). And pretty useless for a couple of days afterwards. I’ve had mild diarrhea, a little joint pain, a bit of tiredness, fudge brain and what is referred to as taste changes. A constant unpleasant taste, and red meat, dairy or sweet foods taste the worst. Hope you don’t get that. Sucking ice during infusion has been suggested, so I’ll see if I can manage that.

    There’s a solid dose of steroids, antihistamines and anti emetic with these first doses of Taxol, and some side effects would be caused by those.

    Thanks for all the lovely comments about the grand babies! We have 9 altogether, so greatly blessed. The oldest is 6, so it’s a very cute bunch of cousins when they’re all together.

    Tigerlily and wanderweg, congratulations. I hope your next steps are kind to you, and side effects are soon a memory.

    It is interesting to hear about your Neulasta delivery. I had the choice of having a shot at the clinic or taking one home with me. I have to admit to failure at self administration! One of my daughters gave me the shots (there were three altogether) - after the first, she admitted she’d never done it before. Brave girl. Aunique bonding experience 😂 My other daughter is phobic about injections and makes me take her children for their immunizations.

  • beeline
    beeline Member Posts: 193
    edited November 2018

    KK and Sue - good luck with the Taxol infusions today and thank you for braving the path so the rest of us know what to expect! Sue, like you, they sent the neulasta injections home with me so my husband has been giving them. We joke regularly about whether I or our diabetic cat are the better patients.

    wanderweg and tigerlilly - congrats on ringing the bell!!

    I am on Day 8 of AC #3 and have more lingering nausea than I've had in the past. I also had a bad emotional crash over the weekend. We skyped my brother and sister in law who told us they've decided to homeschool their kids because "there isn't enough time to see them and do all the things we want to do." While I obviously don't begrudge them this at all and am happy they're in a position to do it, I cried for a long time when we said goodbye. I don't know how much time there is, but it is definitely not enough. I spent this round morbidly worried about how long I really have and my chances of recurrence. I'm sure I will find a way to move on, at least for a while, but it's hard right now.

    In happier news, I got that job I interviewed for hairless and pirate-boobed on the day of AC #2 and will start in January! I am hoping to resign my current job and take most of December off if I can make the money work.

    Hope everyone is hanging in there.

  • SuefromSydney
    SuefromSydney Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2018

    oh beeline, I’m so sorry you’re feeling like that. The issues are real, but the way they’re affecting you is driven by the drugs. This too will pass, but it makes you miserable. Please consider yourself hugged. I know a few of us have mentioned feeling very low after AC#3. I can’t comment on #4 as I didn’t get that far. Volatile emotions seem to be par for the course. I am certainly not sunshine and light at the moment. Trying to be civil, though:-

    Congrats on the job! Hope you can give yourself the gift of December off! Time is precious.

  • kk2018
    kk2018 Member Posts: 54
    edited November 2018

    Beeline-Congrats on the job! How inspiring! Between you and Piksie I feel like I need to get my ass in gear!

    Ac#3 was harder than #4 by far. Just knowing there is one more definitely left me in a weak emotional place. I’m not ready to adjust my dreams of the future yet. Sometimes I’m overcome about possibly missing some milestone with my family/kids but I shove.that.shit.down fast. I’m also trying not to spiral out of control about my self esteem. No one has mentioned this much in this thread but I’m having a hard time with feeling like I have lost my sexuality. I had 2 high risk pregnancies, so we have had to deal with “pelvic bed rest” in our relationship, but this isn’t just 9 months-I’m permanently altered, currently bald, pale and bloated, and soon to be in hard menopause at 40. It sucks. Ugh.

    Anyway, First taxol went fine. Definitely felt wonky from the Benadryl. No reactions so that was nice. I was really anxious about it. Came home, took an hour nap and have felt “normal” all night. Wondering how the 20mg of dexamethasone will effect my sleep. Still nervous about SE

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited November 2018

    hi I'm new to the board. Started TCHP on September 18th. Have a total of 6 rounds and then Perjeta and Herceptin.

    Had my 3rd round 6 days ago and today the mouth sores came. Ugh. They are the worse. First round landed me hospitalized with neutropenia fever for 7 days so doctor reduced dosage and that seems to have helped.

    I'm 39 and will have masectomy and radiation after. Dont know my stage but I'm assuming I'm 3 since it went to my lymph nodes. My mom had breast cancer and went thru that 3 years ago. Everything went so fast. Found the lump on July 16. Saw my primary doctor Aug 15. Got ultrasound/biopsy on Aug 27 then started chemo on Sept 18th.

    I am er pr negative and her2 positive.

    Now my biggest fear is landing back in the hospital. Any cough or ache I hope its just a minor side effect.

    Wishing everyone well. This forum has been great for soul.

  • JNKK
    JNKK Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2018

    Met with my oncologist today, we had a long discussion about whether or not I should get my last infusion due to the rashes I had. Well, since the biopsy came back as hives not the other deadly skin reaction to medication, she felt that it’s ok to go for it. However, she didn’t want me to get Neulasta this time, which leads me to wonder if she thinks it might have caused the rashes. She has prescribed a 4mg steriod for me to take the next 7 days. I was also told not to eat or use anything that I have not eaten/used. I hope I will not have any bad allergic reaction anymore. image

  • SuefromSydney
    SuefromSydney Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2018

    KK2018, thanks for sharing how you are feeling about your body. It is really confronting! I get a shock every time I look in the mirror! And I'm 62, not young, fresh and pretty like you. But I too am blessed with a loving husband, and if he can find me attractive still, then maybe it's up to me to love both him and myself enough to wrench my head into a better space. (I'm not lecturing you here - I'm working it out myself as well!) It's hard labour finding a new way to be ourselves, in bodies that are changed in ways we didn't ask for and don't want. And our bodies are so unreliable while we are going through treatment!

    For myself, I'm working at finding space to think and feel, and just be quiet. And some of that with my dh as well. I'm praying for real peace for all of us, even in the midst of all this. It is only a portion of our lives, not the one I want to give centre stage to. For now it's consuming a big share of my time and energy, but even so, I don't want it to own me. I'm giving it this much time and energy only for the purpose of leaving it behind.

    Sorry for the ramble! I suspect we all resent the intruder and its demands, and seek to live our real lives as completely as we can despite it. And the most real thing in our lives is our precious relationships.

    Love to all.

  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 487
    edited November 2018

    KK & Sue - I’m glad to see this topic - surely it is a concern for most of us, if not all of us. It is indeed a shock to look in the mirror. I look like my dad bald, and as much as I loved him, that’s not a good thing. And I feel like my reconstructed breasts are mutants. My husband gets impatient with me when I say things like that, but I can’t help it. I mostly believe it when he says he still thinks I’m beautiful but I fight against the feeling that he’s just trying to make me feel better. This is the week after my final chemo, so I’m working on learning to see me in a new way. I’m off work this week and yesterday I took a long bubble bath with music and candlelight. Maybe if I act as if this is a body I cherish, I’ll learn to actually cherish it again. When I look in the mirror, I’m telling myself (out loud) - this is the body of a woman who walked through fire to stick around for the people who love her. I remind myself that I am strong and that I have battle scars. And you know, if I can look at other women in genuinely believe that about them, I feel like I can get to a point where I believe that about me.

  • piksie
    piksie Member Posts: 132
    edited November 2018

    This is a topic I've shoved to the tip of my little toe. I'm a single mom. It took me about a year after the first mastectomy in Jan '16 to consider dating again. (mostly online… ugh!!!) It was an awkward conversation that I never knew when to bring up. When the conversation did get that far, it was usually met with "Wow, you're strong. I'm glad you told me. Doesn't change my position at all." I also heard "My wife was taken by cancer and I just can't handle the emotional toll. Do they match? How big are your scars? Do you have nipples/feeling/sex drive?" It was disheartening then, and I had hair! Someone asked me recently if I was dating now, and I almost spit coffee out my nose. WHAT???? NO!!!! I'm bald and sickly. I do have good days, and they're dedicated to my children and training. When chemo is done, I get some hair back, but God only knows what six weeks of radiation is going to do to me and my foob. Then back to annihilating my hormonal womanhood. I don't know if I'll ever get the urge to date again. But in the grand scheme of things, that's okay. I have my kids, a loving village, and Spartan.

    DD Taxol #1 for me today. Neuropathy fear has set in. I went back to the April chemo group to get some insight, and let me just say… ugh. Even though Taxol is "easier", I'd kind of rather continue with AC because I know what it does to me. I'm icing hands and feet, so taking a couple of backpacks for cold packs, an extra blanket, and a cooler full of ice. MO says it's fruitless. Ba humbug.

    Tigerlily, Wanderweg, JNKK, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Here's to the next phase of kicking this stuff!

    BeingPositive, congrats on your certification. Beeline, new job!!! Yay!

    Sunocean, welcome. Hopeful that the adjustment will keep you safe and out of the hospital.

    Question to all: do you treat food prep differently after infusion? About annually, mom and I make approx. 20 dozen burritos a freeze them. I'll be on day 5. Should I take efforts to not touch the food? I would never even consider it until the story of the co-workers who didn't want to share a bathroom. Asking MO today, but curious to hear your opinions.

    Wanderweg, I also look just like me dad. I make a point to wear makeup and jewelry ever day. (Mom's advice) Loopy

  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 121
    edited November 2018

    I am having a double mastectomy and I probably wont have reconstructive surgery since I have low blood platelets and dont want to risk my health with multiple surgeries. I also will need radiation so I know that's a higher risk of infection, complications etc. I'm still going through chemo and surgery wont be til January or February.

    I am married and at only 39 it's hard to imagine my life without breasts or even having sex without them. My husband keeps assuring me he doesnt care and he doesn't want me to consider getting any due to the risk. But I know it's going to be a hard change especially looking at the mirror. The forums here have been helpful (the surgery forum) so I'm glad I found this website. It is definitely a tough subject. Everyone keeps telling me you're almost done with chemo...3 more rounds...hang on..blah blah...I know they mean well but i feel like this is just the beginning of a long life changing road.

  • beingpositive
    beingpositive Member Posts: 70
    edited November 2018

    All of u ladies are so amazing. These r the exact thoughts that I have have started pondering overabout ‘looking at a new me in the mirror’. Frankly speaking it gives support to see everyone has same fears and same positivity to still bounce back. I am really blessed to have found all of u here.

    Had my 3rd TC round yday and MO asked about my plans on surgery. I am still split between lumpectomy n mastectomy. One has radiation which I am afraid of considering my left breast and other has looooong recovery and even more time for reconstruction. These decision making sucks. MO asked to take decision n appointments soon so that after 4th round everything will be already planned. Seems I am gonna make a toss in front of God 😊 So far doing fine due to steroids. But as nuelasta will pinch in later in the day, body ache n bone pain will start. Taking advil in advance in the hope of minimizing the pain.

    Beeline, congratulations on the job! Hats off to your spirits.

    Piksie, i usually avoid makingfood for first 6-7 days after infusion. I don’t think there is any rule like that. But feels safer to keep family away from any toxins that might be coming out through pores. And also reason to take rest and not sweat over what to make for dinner tonight 😉 i let dear husband handle it for few days. He has been so very supportive.


  • Faith46
    Faith46 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2018

    @suefromsydney, @brinkofeternity and @wanderweg, thank you for your comments on my throat.

    @suefromsydney, the problem was swallowing, but I did have pain in my chest at that time too. Bad pain. I took something for heartburn and that helped. My throat was better too, but I don’t know if one had to do with the other. My husband got me some ice cream that helped too, thankfully.

    @wanderweg, Congratulations! That must be a great relief. My last one will be the day before Thanksgiving, so for the first time ever, I’m not looking forward to Thanksgiving, but that’s okay because I’m still grateful.

    And I’m very grateful for all of you and this community.

  • Tigerlily318
    Tigerlily318 Member Posts: 115
    edited November 2018

    Hi all and a good welcome to you sunocean. Thank you all for the congrats on being PFC. I greatly appreciate it!

    I too am struggling with my looks and feelings of doubt but trying to be positive. I got married in January and I have thought many times, what if I'd been diagnosed before we signed on the line. I find myself trying not to complain to my husband too much about my hair, puffiness, etc. He says all the right things. Sometimes I feel like I'm not being honest with him by talking about it but I also feel that it is one of many relationships I have and pointing out that I feel bad about myself is not good for romance. I went for a sauna the other day and the woman thought I was in my early 30's (I'm 45). It was good perspective. I may look different to me, it doesn't mean I look like a horror show to everyone else, especially those that don't know me. 

    You all are so beautiful and kind hearted and I hope that everyone can appreciate it and that you have people in your life that tell you how beautiful you are.

    @beeline, congrats on the new job and keep trying to squash the negativity!

    @JNKK, I'm glad they think they figured it out. I have hated the steroids and was going to argue for less but I was glad to have them this last round. 

    @Piksie, uh oh about the food! I did read early on about pets and how to make sure I don't poison my dog and how to recognize if I do. But, I'm steadily made food and fed me and my husband throughout chemo. I just have kept washing my hands and using antibacterial stuff. We've probably consumed too much of that. But no one said anything to me about that. So I guess I wouldn't worry about it? 

    @beingpositive, good luck with you decision. I think it is hard either way. I am having radiation on the left side and there are techniques, protocols to protect the heart, so if you go that route, make sure you get specific radiation or that they can offer it.

    I am one week PFC. This round was much worse in some ways, better in others. Now that I finally have the hang of it! I slept a lot over the weekend and my brain malfunctions are worse. The fatigue is now much better. The rash in my mouth I'd been ignoring the last rounds because it was not that bad is back today like clock work, but I have prescription stuff (Ny something) that is helping. It's gross - tastes like banana and looks like bile - but working. My pain in my knees and shins was really bad. I finally stopped taking 8 aleve a day because it did nothing and I really think the magnesium worked. So, for any of you experiencing that, add magnesium twice a day. I went for my abdomen ultra sound last week and it became a vaginal one. That was awesome. Turns out I have three tiny fibroids, which may be why I had some pain. The recommended treatment is Lupron which I start 1/2. So that was good news all around, nothing to worry about. My eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to go....curious to see how much I lose. Probably all of it. No neuropathy. 

    Oh, and my cousin had her surgery. It remained DCIS and she got clean margins, so that was good news too.....

    Keep posting, hang in there, and this too shall pass. 

     

  • brinkofeternity
    brinkofeternity Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2018

    Tigerlily318 and wanderweg - Congratulations on crossing the finish line!

    Beeline - You are so awesome for getting a new job now!

    JNKK - It's good that your allergic reaction is not that serious. Pray your last infusion is uneventful!

    dolceb70 - I had a rash at the back of my neck too, but I'm pretty sure it was from the immunotherapy drug I'm getting. It went away after a couple of weeks. Hope yours will too.

    On self-image, I've been telling people I feel better than I look. The reason being, on top of my hair loss, my skin has been reacting to all the skincare products I had been using. My face broke out in red patches that have now turned into dark blotches. They're not noticeable from a distance but enough that I have to put on makeup at least couple times a week, which also causes my face to break out if I keep them on longer than a few hours. As a result my face goes from uneven color to red to dry throughout the week. I've found skincare products that work for me now, thankfully.

    After a day of particularly bad skin reactions and 2 days after shaving my head, my friend went to infusion with me. The acupuncturist who came around saw us and without thinking asked me "oh, is that your mother?" Loopy I needed to hear that!! That was his first time seeing me and my friend, who is only a few years older than me. That certainly made my day!

  • brinkofeternity
    brinkofeternity Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2018

    Piksie - On food prep, I’ve never heard of any precautions about that. I've been cooking and baking without any extra measures. When I heard about the pregnant coworker not wanting to share a bathroom story I actually thought it was because pregnant mothers are afraid of shingles. Which we are more susceptible to because of our weakened immune systems.

  • piksie
    piksie Member Posts: 132
    edited November 2018

    Thank you for the food prep feedback. I found one source that said 24 to 48 hours, be diligent. That’s it. MO said don’t worry about it, so I am making 20 dozen burritos on Sunday! Mmmmm!!!

    Taxol #1 went well. The whole thing was over six hours, but comfortable. I iced, ate, gabbed, etc. My mom went with me for the first one to ensure I was able to drive home after all the extra meds, and I was fine. She slept in the chair next to me for at least two hours. We had a few good laughs about it. “There’s my ride, in case I’m sleepy.....” Towards the end, found out that my chemo nurse is a Spartan. He wears his finisher shirt every day under his scrubs. That gave me a huge boost! I also found out that the new Breast Health Center at UCSD does NOT have a bell to ring. There is one at Moores Cancer Center across campus, but I’m not making the walk. I might take my own bell. December 19 - they should be plentiful...

    I finally asked about something for hot flashes and night sweats. Why didn’t I ask sooner??? Gabapentin, which I’ve taken at high dose for nerve damage after all of my surgeries and hated, works wonderful for hot flashes at a lower dose. With Gabapentin and Ativan, I’ve slept better the last two nights than I have in two years. In fact, I slept so well last night that I must have turned off my alarm but have no recollection. We were all late for school/work. Whoops!!!

    My aunt is visiting. She had breast cancer and went through chemo about seven years ago. In conversing about it, she keeps saying that she hopes it’s as easy on me as it was on her. She remembers that she was able to work through it, but has no recollection of the pathology of her cancer, the chemo regimen, side effects, etc. I can’t decide if I feel sorry for her for her loss of memory or envy her for having no horrific memories of having cancer. I can’t imagine wiping this from memory, but wouldn’t that be nice? In seven years to have forgotten?

    In other news, my 13-year-old spent an hour and a half on the phone with a girl last night. First sign of a teenage crush. It was off-the-charts cute! I’m grateful that life is moving along like it’s supposed to for my boys, even though it freaks me out as a mom!

    Feeling super chatty, but I’ll end it here. 😁 I hope you all can make the most of the day. Xoxo

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  • anx789
    anx789 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2018

    Hi there, I'm dropping by from November group. I hope everybody is doing great and congratulation to all who's done with the treatment.I'm looking for advice regarding my pet, due to high risk of infection, do i have to stay away from my beloved canine? My baby sleep with me, it will be hard to keep her away.