Chemo Starting September 2018
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M-and-M37 - Thank you for your advice! Thankfully I'm already almost 4 weeks PFC so it seems to be healing ok. They gave me antibiotics and a mouth rinse too, and so far so good.
Piksie - Hope you're recovering from the pain. It is too bad you're having such a tough time.
Sunocean - Glad to hear you could move forward with round 5. Hope you can finish without getting too sick.
BeingPositive - I am using the gym at my office too. Since I’ve been only wearing hats at work, everyone pretty much knows (except the guy who didn’t get the memo). I suppose it is a little strange to suddenly switch from wig to hat/beanie..
Asknomore2 - Were you able to get the last dose ok?
PNWCyclist - I might dare to go bald outside if it's warm and I'm at the beach. But as it is,Boston is too cold for me to stay bald at home even.
On gym, after I got all excited about exercising, the periodontist's instruction says no exercise for 3 days after extraction. What?! I don't remember this kind of instruction when I was a kid. Supposedly if my heart rate goes up the site can bleed. So... I waited.
Few days ago I started feeling like my “hair" is getting pulled. This reminds me of the pins and needles I felt when my hair was falling off. I remember reading about our hair screaming as they fall off and then screaming again when they come back out. It's bittersweet really, knowing I'll lose them again when I go on AC. But it's nice to know they can bounce back.
Met the PS this week and was told he'll put a TE in during my UMX. It's too bad I can't do immediate reconstruction since there's always the possibility of doing radiation after. I'm leaning toward a DIEP flap and so was glad to show my belly fat for the first time in my life. Surprisingly he said I don't have enough for my 1 side reconstruction. DH's immediate reaction was disbelief. Ahem. Thanks.
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For those of you who have had/are having reconstruction, how do you refer to your new breasts? I'm having wording problems. I don't like to call them boobs at all, since the word is used to refer to stupid people. I usually call them bosoms (which is funny to my 23 y/o daughter!). But these aren't really my bosoms, and when I talk about the reconstruction, it seems wrong to call them bosoms. So what are they? Fake bosoms? Fosoms?
What do you call them?
I'm still mad at mine for the seromas.
Are you all ready (more or less) for the holidays? I still have no decorations up, but I'm wrapping presents like crazy....
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PNW - I'm so sorry to hear you are having a rough go of it - I can imagine where it feels more like a lifestyle than just a disease. Does the tumor being on your chest wall change the surgery they will do?
BeingPositive - My next-door neighborhood had that treatment with Lupron, when she was in her 30's. She is about ten years out now. She has some trouble with anemia, but no real bone issues, I don't think.
Tigerlily - From my perspective, you have an amazing amount of hair. I'm still so bald! I can feel stubble, but it's still nearly invisible.
sunocean - When I called my MO about mouth sores, he said it was thrush and prescribed diflucan. Cleared it up in a couple of days. Might be worth asking about?
brink - I hadn't heard that about pins and needles when the hair comes back. I did definitely feel it when it started falling out, though. When is your UMX scheduled?
fairchild - I don't know anything about seromas, but that sounds just miserable. I'm so sorry. As for my reconstructed breasts, I know I'm in the minority, but I call them my breasts. They still look like breasts to me. It's still my skin and my nipples, just something foreign on the inside. But for a while after my BMX, I was referring to them as "bags of skin filled with pain." My husband hated me saying that.
Trying to do a scaled-back Christmas this year. We put up a smaller tree, and have skipped outside lights. My husband and I aren't exchanging gifts but we're planning a brief vacation in February. I'm working on getting gifts together for the kids and planning a Christmas meal.So, I had to pick something up at WalMart today on a break at work and my cashier looked at my headscarf and said, "Do you have hair?" I was floored - seemed insanely rude. But I answered politely 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! We compared chemo and surgeries. At the end of our brief chat, she came around and hugged me. I was glad I hadn't responded sarcastically! I'm working really hard on letting kindness be my default position.
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Fairchild.... Foobs, short for fake boobs
Wander....I saw a lady wearing a lymphedema sleeve & struck up a conversation with her thinking she was a fellow survivor. Turns out she had lymphedema from a vicious pit bull attack on her arm. Glad your encounter turned out well.
You guys are all handling your treatment like troopers, keep up the good work. Come on hair!
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Y'all are great! Wanderweg, personally I like "bags of skin filled with pain" but mine really aren't filled with pain anymore. Just TE. I think I'll have to go with foobs, or fosoms, unless there's something better!
Wanderweg, you said something that stopped me in my tracks: You referred to nipples. I don't have any. I wanted them to leave them if they could, but then the surgeon took them. I asked her why, assuming there was some medical reason she had to do that. She just said, unconcerned, that it made a "better line" to take all of the tissue. I was so angry but sucked it up.
If this isn't too personal, did any of y'all have the same experience? Did you get to keep yours, and if not, was there at least a medical reason?
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Wanderweg Just read the rest of your post. I love that: Let kindness be your default position. I want to be like you!
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Fairchild - Hmm I'm not sure what I would call them as I'll have a real one and a fake one. It'll be strange to try to differentiate them.
I specifically asked if I can have a nipple-sparing mastectomy and my surgeon called me to tell me my primary tumor is unfortunately too close to the nipple for her to be confident to have clean margins. I’m sorry your surgeon was so heartless about it.
Wanderweg - My surgery is finally scheduled for 12/28. Just updated it in my profile. At least I can have a relatively "normal" Christmas before then... still haven't put up a Christmas tree yet.
Your “awkward” conversation with a fellow BC survivor brought a smile to my face.
I’ve been wondering how best to bring up the topic to total strangers when we’re not 100% sure. (Thanks for the example, 70charger!) Any ideas, everyone? 0 -
Brink, sorry to hear about the mouth troubles. Hope you're doing better. And good luck with your surgery!
Wanderweg, thank you. The hair thing is so strange. My eyebrow has a gash in it, but underneath (where I pluck) is back with a vengance. The hair is starting to look less horrifying in the am (think a disheveled clown), so I am trusting that means it is more real hear than the peach fuzz. LOVE your story.
Half way done with radiation yesterday. It's better than chemo. I have to say. But tiring going every day.
I have two raised bumps on my tongue and my throat feels scratchy. The MO gave me a prescription last time and I wasn't great about using it 4 x a day - it looked like bile and tasted like bananas. Nasty. But now I'm starting to obsess about these two bumps. I had a thing taken off my tongue a few years ago. Biopsy was fine. It was probably a cut that didn't heal well. Hoping these go AWAY. Anyone else? They are tongue colored, so pink I guess.
For the holidays, do what brings you joy. That's what I say. I got married on 1/1 last year and didn't bake my usual cookies. Was going to bail this year too, but now I want to bake. A few. Not the usual million. Will post pictures this weekend. I'm done with shopping and wrapping. I was so worried about being wiped out from radiation that I did really early. Now I feel like I'm missing something, but alas, if I am, I'll figure it out.
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70charger - Of, I didn't even realize there were other reasons for wearing those sleeves. A dog attack is one of my nightmare scenarios. But I guess the lesson in that is that suffering is suffering - there's a way to connect even if t isn't quite the same.
fairchild - I HATED my TEs. I mean, hated them with a passion. I found them insanely painful. I could feel the edges just under my skin. And there was a stitch into the muscle in the middle that made breathing hurt. I was so glad to have them out! There are definitely times when the nipples have to go because the tumor is too close, but to do it for a better line is inexcusable. It was something my BS and I had discussed in advance. She also let the PS talk her into making the incision in the inframammary fold, which she doesn't generally do because it's more difficult. After the surgery when she stopped by to check in, the BS said, "Well, you gave me a run for my money!" And trust me, I'm a work in progress when it comes to defaulting to kindness. Just yesterday an Salvation Army bellriner yelled "Merry Christmas" in a hostile way when I hurried past without making eye contact and I had to work on not flipping him off.
Brink - Oh good, you're getting that done before the end of the year. You know, I've seen women I'm pretty sure are also in chemo (or recently out of it) but I haven't yet worked up the courage to ask.
Tigerlily - Although I have nothing but fine baby bird hairs on my head, I have yet to lose eyebrows or eyelashes. I'm trying so hard to be patient! I'm glad radiation is easier on you than chemo was. It'll be good to have it behind you. When's your last one? I don't know about the tongue bumps. I had thrush in my mouth during chemo, but diflucan took care of that.
I've scaled back my Christmas this year. We got a smaller tree than usual and I broke the decorating it into three phases. Skipped the outdoor lights. My husband and I are just doing stockings for each other and I'm doing those and presents for my sons. And I'm looking forward to just having some time with family and friends and starting ot feel like maybe a normal life is possible again.
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I am feeling tired but managed to go get a xmas tree. Had to please my babies
my blood work results are super low and I'm on decadron again for 4 days. Oncologist wants me to repeat blood work and if it doesnt prove may get blood transfusion. Specifically for my blood platelets. Anyhow xmas sure looks different this year but just thankful that I get to spend it with family. But yes I also scaled back. I met with plastic surgeon yesterday and basically I confirmed no reconstruction for me too risky. DIEP doesn't work for me I have no belly fat and he recommends LD flap but too risky due to low blood platelets condition i have. And frankly I cant bring myself to risk my life for boobs given I have 3 small children. Who know maybe I will change my mind but for now flat it is. I need to start squats then and work on my butt!!
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hey guys it’s been a while since I’ve posted and when in for treatment 13 of 16 on the seventh I was told I’m done and I got to go home. No more chemo i am so excited I’ve been celebrating and I feel a little weird life is changed and I am moving on to the next part radiation and that can minute faster than expected. I’m feeling overwhelmed and I just don’t know how to move forward because i feel like crap still. Everyone expects me to feel and be OK because its done. I don’t feel like I’m done I still have radiation and Herceptin for another eight months. I don’t feel like this will ever be over
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Sunocean What a beautiful family! I hope your blood counts improve soon. I’m behind you with surgery decisions, but I feel the same way as you. I’m leaning towards going flat as it seems too risky for me, it’s a personal decision for everyone. Best to you and your family this Christmas 🎄.
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Brink - I saw a woman at my church wearing a beanie and clearly don't have any hair, so I finally worked up enough courage to talk to her. I told her that I too don't have hair either due to chemo for breast cancer, she looked at me buffed and told me that she lost her hair due to other disease. It made me feel like a douche bag, so never again I walked up to anyone asking if they are going through chemo or have BC.
Speaking of hair, I can see some hair growing!!! I still look like a fuzz ball but they are finally coming out. I am grateful for it.
I started Tomaxifen last night. I was given two choices - 1. T or 2. ALs. I was told ALs is a better drug for about 3%, but because I am premenopausal I will also need a shot every 4 weeks. If I don't get the shot close to 4 weeks, ALs will hurt me instead. I also debated over all the side effects between the ALs, the shot and T, I ultimately decided on T. I was told that I will be on T for 10 years...
Hope everyone have a good holiday with your love ones. Kids will be out of school tomorrow until January 7, 2019. We are driving to Taos tomorrow, I have no idea what possessed me to agree to that. Now come to think of it, I was under the spell of chemo, that must be the reason! My dad will be coming to visit for the first time in 20+ year from Taiwan. I look forward to have him here, but I can sense that he is not feeling all that comfortable staying with us since no one in this household speak any Chinese besides me.
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JNKK I heard Taos is beautiful. I've been to Santa Fe and fell in love with the city. Great place to visit and learn about Native American culture for sure.
Newfromny thank you for the compliment.
merry xmas to you too. 0 -
sunocean- what a lovely photo of you and your kiddos! I have two friends who opted for no reconstruction and then went back some years later and had it done, so it’s always a future option. Right now your heath is what matters most.
Ginger - wow! I bet that was both a good surprise and also a little unsettling. Right after I finished chemo, I felt like everyone expected me to be celebratory now that it was “over.” But I was still in the midst of side effects from he last round and also know that there’s lots ahead of me - tamoxifen, getting my port out, and the cloud of uncertainty that comes with cancer. Not to mention being bald!
JNKK - Oops! But still, that’s a fair mistake. So you decided to go ahead and start the tamoxifen! I hope it goes well. I still can’t tell that it’s causing any problems with me and it’s been 3 weeks. Hope the trip is fun
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Fairchild, regarding nipples, I had a skin-sparing, nipple-sparing mastectomy the first time around. Because I had implants going into surgery, I was a candidate for immediate reconstruction, so it was out with the old, good bye breast tissue, in with the new. While the areola remained mainly unchanged, there was significant blood loss to the nipple, causing the top half to turn black and fall off. So from a distance, I have two nipples, on close examination, lefty is quite different. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind much if they both were replaced with tattoos. After nursing two babies and all the surgeries, these things just won't sit down… There are worse problems, I know.
As for what I call them: lefty and righty. They are so different that a collective term hasn't struck me. Lefty tried to kill me twice. Righty hung around to be the model for rebuilding lefty twice.Tigerlily, I hope the bumps on your tongue resolve without issue! I'm curious to hear about your radiation journey. Have you experienced any topical burns?
Sunocean, Lovely photo!
JNKK, I hope your dad's visit goes well. Perhaps a chance for everyone to brush up on their Chinese.
And enjoy Taos! MandM, Beeline, PNWCyclist, how are you doing with Taxol? (And anyone else I missed!)
Hair: still the plucked chicken look that I assume will be how I go into regrowth as I had my last DD Taxol yesterday. I lost my eyelashes about three weeks ago, but my eyebrows have held at about 50%, so filling in with a brow pencil is an option if I want to go through the trouble. My 10 year old comments every time. If he thinks they're too dark, he's sure to let me know. I never did try fake lashes. I can't get used to the idea of putting glue so close to my eyeball, so I rely on really heavy eyeliner and try not to look like King Tut too often. I carry a makeup bag with me for the first time in my life, only because my eyes water so much that it takes off the outside third of my eyeliner. 2/3 of an eye is not a good look. Looking forward to regrowth, but I've read that they might grow and fall out several times before they're permanent. What torture!
Chemo: DONE! 1 day PFC. I should be jumping for joy, but I'm going to wait until I get through the pain this weekend. I anticipate being okay by Christmas morning. Thank God for small favors. MO said at the rate I was taking Percocet, I was maxing my Acetaminophen intake, so we dropped the 5/325 P and moved to 10 mg Oxycodone. Told me to take as much as I need to get through it. No risk of overdose, just the warning that I will be extra constipated. I love that guy. He seems to be intrigued by me. He's seen approx. 2% of his DD Taxol patients with Acute Pain Syndrome and none of them have carried through with treatment. Very minimal neuropathy that begins to resolve itself at the end of my two-week cycles, so hopefully I'll have no lasting effect; just a period of time where the weaker regrowth has to take its course. So all in all, chemo wasn't bad. I will fall off the planet this weekend and come back a happy camper. I'm doing this willingly, so no use complaining.
So now onto the next steps. Port removal in 3-4 weeks; Back to 28-day Zolodex shots and daily Arimidex; squeeze in a baseline bone density test somewhere; radiation will start mid-January; follow-up on lung spot and bone spot after radiation; possible oophorectomy when the dust settles. It's definitely a lifestyle…
All of my workouts since August 17 have been outdoors to avoid excessive germs. I'm now looking at being able to return to the gym as I'm able, but I'm sort of dreading it. Many people don't know why I disappeared, and it's such a clickly place that I'm sure there will be secret stares and gossip. I'm pretty sure the awkwardness will pass with time, especially when I have enough hair to lose the head covers. I just have to bite the bullet because I really miss it.
Christmas readiness? Heck no!!! We have two kittens we didn't have last year. I'm scared to death of what they might do to a fully decorated tree, so it only has lights. It's probably going to stay that way… Christmas morning pictures won't be all full of visual Christmas cheer, but neither will I.
There's always next year. I'm still contemplating Christmas cards (more like New Year's cards), but can't decide if I want to be in it. I could use a collection from the year, but because of Facebook, my loved ones have seen all the best pics. It might be something else I skip this year.Well, enough chatting. Sorry if I missed any major points, but I should get back to work.
Always love hearing from all of you! Happy Holidays! 0 -
Good evening.......JNKK, I have always wanted to go to Taos and to spend more time in Santa Fe. And I really want to go to Marfa. Also, you are not a douche bag. You tried, can't win them all.
Piksie and Wanderweg, radiation is ok. It's a major pain in the ass going every day but I'm starting to get physical comfortable doing it. I lie on my stomach and the table is hard on my ribs. So far I am only slightly red and a bit swollen and sore but advil is taking care of it. I can't wear underwire but wearing sports bras that hold my boob up. I'm most worried about the underside. I'm done with 12/20 so 8 to go! I get a 4 day break after tomorrow which is probably good and finish on 1/3 (was supposed to be 1/2 but there was a system wide computer outage at the hospital one day and had to skip a day. I had to channel the anger/annoyance big time. Shit happens). On 1/2 I get my first Lupron shot and start AI, if I have the terminology correct.
I still look like a cancer patient. My eyelashes are coming back but still sparse and my eyes are puffy and the area right by my eyelashes is reddish/brownish. I found some good eyeliner from Tarte where I can get a good thin line close to the lashes and it stays on when my eyes water. Of course when the bloody things fall out they fall in your eye. And I have a slash in one eyebrow. Like David Ortiz, but not intentional. Eyebrow pencil works, though it rubs off during radiation because I have to lie on my face. I like the pencils better than the gels.
Piksie, congrats on being PFC! But totally get you that it is not over. But will be. Hope the pain gets better.
There is a very nice bell at radiation. A ship's bell (it is Boston after all). Some of you lamented I didn't ring a bell after chemo, but I'm realizing it would have seemed strange, not being done. Ringing this bell will feel great. I felt similarly with chemo angels. It's a great thing but for me it occurred at a weird time, in the middle, and just stopped but I still have radiation. I'm not complaining, I just see it all as a continuum and 1/3 will be my day to be done (notwithstanding the 10 years of drugs).
Great picture sunocean.....
And ginger, at least something is done....that's good news.
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Piksie - First, YAY for being PFC! Yes, you have to get through this round of side effects but it's so good to know you won't be back. Also, my BS had warned me about the possibility of necrosis of some or all of the nipple tissue. One of mine started turning a dark purple but then recovered, so they both looked jus like they did pre-mastectomy. But my well-behaved breast went, too, so no model.
Tigerlily - I'm glad the radiation isn't so bad. So, you'll be ringing the bell on the 3rd? I can see why it made sense to wait. I hope you ring the hell out of it when you do, though!
One more half day of work and then I'm off until next Thursday. I'm looking forward to having some time off where I'm not recovering from chemo or surgery.
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Tigerlily, I have taken one lupron shot and have been taking letrozole for a week now. Thankfully till now it is going good and seems doable. Good to know that your radiation is going fine and soon will be over. Hope the tongue bumps are not bothering you anymore.
Fairchild, I don't know about seromas, but hope you are recovering from it. I specifically asked for nipple sparring surgery, my surgeon has said that as of now she thinks it will be possible, unless some unexpected things come up during surgery. So keeping fingers crossed.
Brink, I am also going for DIEP flap but with BMX. Had my abdominal and pelvis MRA done this week, results are yet awaited. I don't have too much fat on tummy. But my breasts are small too. PS informed that reconstructed ones will be smaller than my current ones. But I think I will prefer if DIEP works for me. Wishing the best for your upcoming surgery.
wanderweg, thanks for sharing your neighbor's experience on lupron. I hope 10 years down the line I too will be saying that it was not bad! Loved to read your encounter with the lady at Walmart and will take inspiration from you on being kind. I still get 'why me' feelings when I go out rather than being thankful that the treatment is working for me. Then I feel bad about feeling that way and I try to look at positives, but it is really hard. It is encouraging to hear from you that 'normal life is possible again'. I have a long road of surgery and recovery, but those words are good enough to hang onto until then! Thanks for that inspiration. Enjoy the time off!
sunocean, that is such a lovely pic. Wishing that the next blood work goes fine and blood count improves.
JNKK, hope the Taos trip is fun and that you enjoy time with your dad when he visits. The decisions are the biggest part of the treatment. Glad that you decided on T. Hope it goes well.
Piksie, congrats on finishing chemo. Best wishes for next steps.
My surgery date will be 1/18. This week I have been doing some or other test. Did my MRA, then baseline bone density, then met with a new doctor as 'Medical clearance' is needed before surgery. And I did not have any primary doctor, I know sounds surprising. But I was not very careful about annual checkups and thankfully did not have any health issues earlier. For small health issues I used to just find doc as and when needed. So met with new doc who has ordered blood tests and said will need meet cardiologist too. Both of those are scheduled for next week. On better news, my eyes are not watery anymore and ankle swelling has gone too. I have continued to walk for an hr everyday. I am trying not to think much about surgery during holidays and enjoy this time with husband and son.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!
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BeingPositive - Those "why me" feelings are so normal. Please don't beat yourself up about having them. I think it is necessary to acknowledge the times when having cancer feels unfair and scary and like you've been cheated. Because that's all true. I have to let myself have those moments to free me up to appreciate what is good in my life still. That's good that you got the baseline bone density test so you can see how any hormone therapy affects your bones. I had mine done coincidentally when I had the mammogram that started this whole mess for me.
For the first time today, I found myself able to imagine a life beyond being completely immersed in cancer. I am starting to think about wanting to travel again and imagining projects for this summer - life gardening and cooking, which I totally gave up this year. We went to a Winter Solstice party last night and are going to a Christmas party tonight and it feels really good to want to be around people again. I'm especially looking forward to having my sons here for part of the holidays.
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I wrote to you ladies two days ago on my way to Dallas, but I guess I didn’t hit “post”, so here I am posting again...
Piksie - congrats on finishing chemo! It is such an accomplishment. I hope you get over all the side effects soon and start feeling good again. You have been keeping up with your exercise throughout chemo, it’s something I admire.
Tigerlily - yay on almost done with radiation! I didn’t have any issues until soon after starting chemo, my left nipple started to change color and burnt, then the boob got significantly bigger than the other one.
Wonderweg - yes, I decided to start taking T sooner rather than later. I was told by my MO that hormonal drug is the most important treatment out of all, so I decided not to delay the inevitable. I am really happy that you started feeling like you are moving on from cancer and started to enjoying life again. I am like you, I also have my moments of why me, but I also trying to move on from this. I try to eat healthy but I can’t be good all the time, I still want to live my life. I guess I am not very disciplined.
Sunocean - beautiful picture with your babies. I hope your blood work will come back normal next time you get it checked. A friend of mine has blood transfusing when going through chemo for lymphoma, she said she felt like a vampire. I thought that was funny.
So my left boob has been bothering me aside from being swollen. It hurts a lot when I do push ups. I was told by a nurse that it is the scar tissues from my incision sites healing up. I am hoping that it won’t be a problem further down the road. I am trying to do stretches to help with the healing.
I can’t figure out when you ladies use PFC, what does F stand for?
Can I just tell you that I hate road trips?!!! There is nothing relaxing about it! I actually researched for flights out of Dallas since we were already on the way there, but at $2500 for 4 tickets, I just couldn’t do it. We did 475 miles today and tomorrow we still have another 210 miles, I just want to shoot myself...
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JNKK - I'm sorry your conversation didn't turn out very well... Now that I think of it, maybe not a good idea after all. If we're right it's great, but if we're wrong it reminds me of the "are you pregnant?" question.
My father is also Chinese but thankfully he speaks enough English to communicate with DD. I was about to say have a great trip and then I saw your new post about hating road trips. Well... hope you tolerate it well!
I assumed PFC stands for post final chemo. Pls correct me ladies if I’m wrong!
Piksie - Lefty and righty sounds good to me. I'll stick with those names.
This week has been a bit difficult because I became allergic to the antibiotics given by the periodontist for my tooth extraction. Very possibly the immunotherapy pumped up my immune system and made me extra sensitive... having red bumps all over is no fun, but this should go away in a few days...
At almost 5 weeks PFC I’m seeing baby hair come out from both sides (above my ears). I suppose they’ll eventually meet up at the top.
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JNKK - Any reaction yet to the Tamoxifen? Sorry the road trip part of your vacation isn't fun! I don't particularly like long car drives period, but I especially didn't like them with my kids! But Taos should be beautiful. I don't think we need to be good all the time in terms of diet and exercise. Or at least, I don't think I even can. But making some general shifts with allowances for times when that won't work. Like holidays!
Brink - That's right, PFC is post final chemo. Or Private First Class. ;-) Your reaction to the antiobiotics is unfortunate. Is there nothing chemo doesn't affect?
I'm now 7 1/2 weeks PFC and my hair is so painfully slow to come in! I keep checking everyday to see if I'm moving beyond the baby bird stage. The hairs I do have a blond or white (I can't tell), which is weird since I had brown hair before chemo. I think my eyebrows have thinned recently, too. And my skin is extra dry these days. It just sloughs off like I've been sunburned. I hope all this regulates out!
My sons and older son's girlfriend are coming over tonight. We're making game hens, broccoli, sweet potatoes with a maple bourbon glaze, and cranberry applesauce. And pies for dessert. I am so looking forward to having them here. Hope everyone s having a good Christmas Eve Eve!
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Lol, I thought the F stands for"f***ing", I mean it might as well being that word.
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JNKK - That’s WAY better, and what I will mean by PFC from now on
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Wonderweg - I am on day 4 of T, I have not feel any side effects, hoping to be the case into the future too.
We drove in to Tucumcari last night at 7:30 pm but that’s with one hour time difference. It was pitch dark when we were driving with 40 mile per hour wind and tumbleweeds were rolling onto the freeway, it was a nightmare. I was really scared. It’s not funny driving in the dark, I don’t think I will do that again. With a 5 and 8 year old in tow, there is nothing relaxing to it.
Brink - does your dad live in the States? My dad lives in Taiwan, speaks very limited English. I plan on sending kids to learn Chinese next year.
My hair starts to grow out but not fast enough.
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Hi everyone, just wanted to say a quick pre-holiday hello. Sunocean - love the pic of your kids! Piksie -congrats on being pfc. JNKK - totally agree that middle word should be f@&king! Hope you’re surviving the road trip. Fairchild - so sorry about the seroma. I just have one very persistent one, so placed that it sort of looks like a mutant boob growing out of my armpit.
So far Taxol is easier as promised. I am apparently just doomed to be nauseous with all treatments, but it only lasts a couple of days and is nothing like AC. I’ve also started running again in earnest. Well, only 3k at a go, but have to start somewhere. I have convinced myself that this is the thing I can do to prevent recurrence so I am determined
We are doing the full on Christmas thing. I insisted on hosting because I thought it would make me feel more normal. The idea was that I would do a turkey and my in-laws would do everything else... turns out they are only bringing dessert! It’s ok though, we’ll keep everything simple, and as my husband and I keep joking, no one can say anything if I ruin dinner because I have cancer. In fact we keep one upping each other about terrible things we could do or food we could serve, and then turning to each other and saying, “but I/my wife has cancer!” It’s what passes for humour in our house anyway.
I will admit I am looking forward to it being over. I have Taxol #3 at 8am on the 26th and then am planning to stay on the couch all day.
Hope everyone is hanging in there. Extra thoughts to those of you with surgeries coming up. Sending lots of love to all of you from NZ.
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Hey, y'all! I'm just sticking my head up to say hi....It's a few days after I got my LAST chemo, and I'm still sick but getting through it. I should feel better by Christmas, fingers crossed. The kids will be here on Christmas day and I'm so looking forward to seeing them. Wishing you all a peaceful, relatively side effect-free holiday with those you love!
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Hi All-
Sounds like everyone is soldiering through! It’s a crazy busy push until Christmas, and my youngest celebrates her birthday on Christmas Eve so it’s party party party around here. I do really well until about 5pm and then it’s like my energy seeps out of my like a flat tire. Fortunately my husband has picked up my slack so all is getting accomplished, and he is in charge of the Christmas meat (beef tenderloin and shrimp for tomorrow, 2 legs of lamb for Christmas dinner) so even if I half-ass the rest of it everyone will be happy. Candles and dimmed lights hide a multitude of housekeeping sins!
The weekly taxol is “accumulating”. My fingertips feel bruised. The number of good days before the next infusion are decreasing. I have a head cold still. Makes me wonder if it’s a cold or just chemo. I’m congested and cough all the time. Have a painful sore on my tongue which I assume is from sleeping open-mouthed bc I can’t breathe through my nose, but maybe is chemo related too? Either way it is damned inconvenient and uncomfortable. My hair is definitely growing, but so far is the blonde baby bird fuzz that I don’t imagine will last. My head resembles a fuzzy peach. AND it has started to return elsewhere, causing a crop of razor-burn like bumps which is also a cruel joke. But my eyebrows and lashes are slowly disappearing. I’d much rather have eyelashes than pubic hair but so it goes 😂. My appointments move from Mondays to Wednesdays bc of Christmas and I’m happy for the 2 extra days this week. 5 more weeks to go.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday
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JNKK - My dad lives in HK. He tried staying at my house one summer and was almost bored out of his mind. So he’s still staying there now.
Believe it or not, I was sent to Taiwan one summer when I was young to learn Mandarin and it worked for me. I did already know Cantonese though.
KK2018 - I’m sorry but Taxol does build on you. I felt like I had a head cold for the last 2 weeks but I’m not sure if it was the Gabapentin or the Taxol or if I really developed a cold. The neuropathy does last but I’m happy to say I’m completely off Gabapentin now, at 5 weeks PFC. my fingers still feel numb and I still wouldn’t pry anything open with my fingers/nails, but they do feel better everyday.
Glad to hear everyone is holding up/recovering well! Merry Christmas!
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