Starting Chemo October 2018
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Good Morning All
I am getting ready to meet with my RO this morning. I have been a bit emotional the last couple of days. Not really sure why. I am scheduled for my last chemo this Thursday. I have developed neuropathy in my feet and ringing on my ears. I will talk with my MO tomorrow morning about those. I noticed the other day that my eyebrows are thinning. Ugh. Some people are insensitive jerks. I am upset about my eyebrows and they say just draw them on. I would have rather lose my hair on my head than lose my eyebrows. I'm weird like that.
Rabbit I am glad you are doing well. Keep taking care of yourself.
I hope everyone else is doing well. Let's get this cancer beaten! Keep moving forward!
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hey ladies! Hope everyone is doing well! Well, #26 of 28 rads is tomorrow. I complete rads on Friday! My RO was on the fence on whether to do a "boost." Apparently, they can do an extra week of high powered rads and focus it on a specific area (usually where the tumor is). Since I've had a bmx and ALND (so everything has shifted around) and still plan on doing recon, he didn't see a benefit. I was kinda down because I'm of that mentality "give it all to me!" But, I need to relax and listen to the doctors. Once I'm done with rads, I'll start taking tamoxifen. Oh the stories I've heard. BUT, I'm determined to stay positive! Lol. I'll do my reconstruction either in August or January of next year. I've decided not to do an implant and instead let them use my own tissue. They will take it from my lower back/hips. It's a form of microsurgery I believe. So, still on this road.
Rabbit, sounds like things are going well with the postop! Little pain is good. Looking down is tough but you've definitely jumped that hurdle. Hang in there. Day by day 😊 Before you know it you will have rads knocked out!
Fritz, congrats on first rads! It's a breeze from there. Hoping all continues to go well.
Annie, yay on almost being done with Taxol! We will all be here to celebrate when the day comes!! Keep on keeping on!
Notgvingup, hope Thursday comes and go fast! I know you are ready for it. I feel the exact same way about my brows Losing your hair is one thing But I hated the way I looked without brows and lashes I feel like I looked “sick." The good news is they grow back quick In the meantime, you are definitely not alone in feeling the pain of losing brows 😔
Let's keep moving forward ladies We can do this
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Rabbit, I just love your husband. I'm glad you have him through all this. It took me over a week to look at my scars/foobs after surgery. I made my husband change my gauze and I avoided all mirrors.
Notgivingup, I'll be thinking of you on Thursday. Last chemo!! I didn't lose my eyebrows until about 2 weeks after my last chemo and I was pissed. It was like a big slap in the face. Luckily they grew back very quickly. Good thing because I'm garbage at eye makeup!
SadlyNew, wow you're already done with rads this week!? It seems like you just started! Though it probably doesn't feel that way to you
Don't listen to the horror stories about hormone therapy. I've been on ovary suppression and an AI for over 2 months, and so far my only side effect is hot flashes (**knock on all the wood**). Hopefully the Tamoxifen won't be hard at all. I'll finish my reconstruction right around the same time as you. This is like the road that never ends!Rad #2 today. Because of the schedule they have me on, I have to bring my 4 year old daughter every day. They didn't have anything available while she's at preschool. It was actually the nurses that suggest I bring her with instead of finding a babysitter for the next month and a half. Yesterday I had my in-laws watch her since I was going to be there for a long time so today was her first day. Well she had a blast sitting at the control desk. The nurses gave her so much attention, and I don't think she wanted to leave when I was done.
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Hey everybody!! #11 in the books!! My MO says the rash should start clearing soon after I finish next Tuesday. I hope the neuropathy does to. I found a topic that the women are discussing not having too bad a time on Hormone Therapy. It really helped me have hope that maybe it won't be so bad.
Sadly new - You have made me not dread rads so bad. I know I'll have fatigue but the thread on rads, most of the women think that exercise has really helped. My DH and I have started our walks again - when the fatigue from T doesn't landed me in the chair - which I am burning as soon as this is done!
Rabbit - I am so glad you seem to be doing well. Your husband is wonderful. He sounds so much like mine. He teased me about having a boyfriend tonight when I was responding to a thread. I said really, who would want a bald headed, no eyebrow or lashes, fat, old woman? He said that's not what I see. He has made a point of telling me he loves me (like I don't know) and making sure we touch each day- a hug, a kiss, something! Your husband is one of the good ones, too.
Notgivingup - I am so proud of you. Finishing on Thursday! You are amazing!
Fritz - what an amazing place. You don't find those every where. I hope things keep going well. I start soon.
Doris - Doing OK? Still have surgery on the 30th?
What did we do today? Survived!!
Annie
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I’m out of town now for a few days, after chemo trip!
Annie60 I’m doing ok except for the neuropathy in my feet & hands. The hands aren’t so bad, but my feet are bad. I’m having trouble walking & keeping my balance. They also hurt quite a lot. My surgery is a week from today.
Fritz I bought some inexpensive bras from Hanes since I need them for a little while. They were about $12 each
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Doris, enjoy your trip! Hope it's somewhere relaxing!
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Hi All!
So yesterday I met with my RO. I have my simulation next Tuesday and I will start radiation the following week. I will be in the prone position and receive 20 treatments(16 treatments and 4 boosts). No break/breathing room from chemo. Ugh.
Today I met with my MO. She thinks that once I finish with chemo, the neuropathy will go away along with the ringing in the ears. She has decided that I won't be doing the clinical trial that she wanted me to do. She said had I not had liver toxicity delaying my surgery I would have not had the tumor regrow. There would have been nothing left. So she is thinking about a different trial that we will discuss after I complete radiation.
So tomorrow is the day that as long as my numbers are good, it will be my last chemo! I am so sick of getting chemo and I am looking forward to finally be done with it! It has been a long journey.
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Notgivingup - No break? My MO is saying 4 to 6 weeks. I wish I could move straight in to rads. My granddaughter will be having her second open heart surgery this summer and I would like to be through before that. But I do need the healing time. The SE's have been brutal through out chemo. Last one tomorrow!! I am so glad for you.
Doris - Enjoy your trip!
Annie
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tomorrow I will be 7 days post op. I feel like I am lugging two testicles tacked into one of the button holes of the button down shirt..."Do your drains swing low, do they wobble to and fro, can you tie them in a knot can you tie then in a bow, can you put them over your shoulder like a continental soldier, do your drains swing low" Ugh! Still have to wait til Monday to hear alittle bit of my final pathology from my breast surgeons nurse before seeing MO on the 2nd of May to go over the plan going forward. I'm struggling emotionally right now with just everything. Those positive nodes...ugh, they did me in emotionally because scans showed nothing in them... but my hubby says to hold off til we hear final pathology, we may learn good surprises then, he keeps telling me over and over if scans didnt pick it up at all, even on a microlevel, then its really really small in both of them. I still would of rather of heard the number 0 rather than 2. I'm sleeping alright thanks to Ativan, I had been sleeping fine on my own prior to surgery, but with the added acrobatics trying to find a non drain pulling way to sleep having alittle extra help is needed and helpful. Still not taking anything for pain, it just feels uncomfortable and tight and sometimes itchy which is a very very not fun scenerio. Hubby upon picking up my Ativan refill for me had inquired about drug interactions with Vicodin. I hadn't taken any Vicadin at all, didn't feel I needed it, but hubby wanted to make sure if I needed to take it at some point it would be okay with the Ativan just to make double sure, the hospital upon discharge had said it was okay....well....apparently I avoided serious issues. Pharmacist where he picked up my prescription said the hospital pharmacist should not have prescribed Vicodin knowing I was taking Ativan ( I did mention this to several nurses and they had it on file as it was noted in my discharge papers)...said if I had taken both I have may stopped breathing since those drugs interact. Hubby called me immediately upon finding this out and asked me if I had taken any Vicodin and I said no and he made the hugest sigh of relief. Upon coming home he grabbed the Vicodin and hid them so I didn't accidentally take them should pain have gotten bad. Hubby had gotten a RX disposal bag to destroy them too. Needless to say I am thankful for my advocate hubby....tattletails are good things. They save our butts!
Annie, you got one more chemo left! Woooooooo!!
So proud of you! I bet your going to enjoy this break once you finish. I'll be probably healed up by then and will probably be doing rads around the same time as you Notgivingup, you finished that dang freaking chemo today! Woo hoo!! I'm so proud of you and celebrate with you today....so sorry you have to start rads so soon afterwards, that really sucks!! I hope from here on out things are smooth sailing, you deserve it you've been through so much!
April, you finish rads tomorrow! It's like yesterday you just started, that was quick!
So very proud of you! You will definitely have to report on the tamoxifen, yeah too my stories out there, its a bad thing when you read too much, isn't it? I think I may be going that route too eventually, not sure, want to talk everything over with MO. But I did read some women started out at low doses and worked their way up and had an easier time sticking with it. So I think I may ask to go that route. Slow and steady wins the race!Casey, did you end up finishing rads? You my lady are a wonder and an inspiration, to go through all that you have on top of having to deal with severe anxiety...your just plain awesome!
Gonna give my arms a break typing, feeling alittle sore....Will check in when I get my pathology, because I know that will probably be the hardest time for me, knowing the full nature of my beast....I pray my mountain lion is at least lame or missing a tooth or something now...crossing fingers, toes and heart.
Love to all of you! Wish my fingers allowed for more chitchat right now, I have so much more I want to say to each of you, but i had to keep it pithy...well, pithy for me...and even that isn't very pithy...
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Good Afternoon Warriors!
I did it! I have officially finished chemo!!! I rang that bell really strong and loud! It took them 3 tries to start the IV, but they got it. My numbers were excellent. I am very happy to be done. Now it's time for me to get through this weekend with hopefully no se.
I hope everyone is doing well. Keep moving forward ladies!
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Notgivingup!! Yea!! I am so happy for you!!
Rabbit - I had the same exact reaction when I was told about my lymph nodes. Total shock and disbelief. My tumor was so small the surgeon said maybe a 10% chance of lymph node involvement. She was shocked. And thus began my journey into chemo hell that I was not expecting.
My husband is always telling me not to look to far ahead and "borrow trouble." After all we've been through, it's hard not to expect the worse.
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I’m on the last night of our vacation which has been a good time. I’ve had real problems with the neuropathy in my feet. No relief at all from the pain, tingling & extreme tightness in feeling. Gatlinburg is a high walking area, which is what we do here. I can hardly walk & now am having balance problems. I keep almost falling over most of the time. I have to hold on to my husband’s arm for support.
Wishing all the best to all still having treatment!
Doris
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well ladies, and just like that, I AM DONE WITH RADS! Woohoo! I admittedly cried my way through the entire session. Slowly. Softly. It was such a release. Of so much. Yes, I still have this pill to take and yes, I still need recon. But, this stuff is now behind me. It’s a weird feeling for sure. My advice on rads is to start moisturizing from day #1 even though you don’t think you need it. And don’t forget to do it in your armpit area and your back. I’m headed to Tamoxifen now so I’m sure I’ll have a lot to write!
Notgivingup - love the pic! And congrats!! Hope you are celebrating today. You deserve it!
To everyone else, hope all are doing well. Let’s keep moving forward!!
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Sadlynew - Done!! So happy for you!! You give us such hope that we too will make it.
Rabbit - Hanging in there?
Doris - Your day is almost here. Prayers are being sent up.
I am not having an easy time. I fell last Tuesday after chemo coming in the house. My ribs and back are really sore and I am worried since I am on a blood thinner. It is always something, isn't it? It hurts when I breath in. My logical brain is saying it's just sore from the fall. My scared out of my wits brain is saying what if you are bleeding inside?! No bruising to be seen so I still think it's just sore from the fall. Fatigue and the blues are ever present. One more is my constant refrain. You all give me hope that I can do this
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woooooooooo!! Here I am on the eve of getting these darn testicles...err drains outta me! I really hate these darn things, output has been very low last 3 days so i know at post op tomorrow out they come! I have been managing to sleep on my left side hugging a long body pillow and resting the drain bulbs on top of it so i don't pull or sleep on them. Pathology will be learned tomorrow, oh how long this wait has been...hubby will be there of course, just hoping for some good news somewhere in the pages.
Notgivingup - girl it is so good seeing you ring that bell, I hope you rung it so loud the whole building heard you! You've been through so much! I know you start rads coming up this week, although it sucks, try and look at it like this, finish line is within your grasp now, pretty soon you'll be able to goodbye to treatment and hello back to life!
April, I am sooooooooo proud of you! You did it! Now your just stuck with a darn pill, and be sure to let us know about the darn pill because oh the horror stories you read on those things! Still hoping to do the low dose work up type thing. Enjoy life April, you've done it all!
Doris, will be thinking of you as your surgery approaches on tuesday! You'll do great!
Im so sorry your dealing with such bad neuropathy, is there anything your MO can give you to help with that, I'd definitely ask, you shouldn't be suffering so. Annie, 1 more chemo left, just one more, i know these last few suck, April was so right about this stuff messing with your mood the last 3 were the hardest for me, just 1 more infusion of bullshit and your done! And when you finish stomp the heck outta that finish line, one more..you can do it!!
Fritz - hope rads is coming along well!!
Patrice - Hope your healing up well, did pathology come back for you yet?
I know as we phase through all the treatments, things will probably slow down for us on this thread, but I always want to be in touch with all of you, we have a bond that cannot be broken now
Love to all of you!! 0 -
Rabbit - we are praying for good news today!! I know getting the drains out will make you feel better. You'll be able to sleep so much more peacefully. I love Tim Conway! Thanks for the laughs. I have been reading some other threads here on radiation and and hormone inhibitors since this is my next step. I found a thread that is reporting on having a good experience with the hormone pills instead of the one that is really scary. It has helped put my mind at ease somewhat. Do you have to take these?
Doris - I will be in the chair, knocked out, tomorrow when you go into surgery. We are praying for you and hoping that your recovery is going to go smoothly. I know you will be glad when it's all over with.
Last taxol tomorrow. Thank the Lord!
Annie
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hello all! Here I am minus one drain, last one comes out Thursday. I’ve gotten my pathology.....was worse than I was expecting...3 sentinels and 2 axillary were positive for macrometasis, the largest was 1cm in the sentinels and smallest was .5cm in the axillary. 16 total nodes were taken. lymphovasular invasion was present..tumor measured 3cm, clean margins. I got my pathology from breast surgeons nurse, on my way out my oncologists nurse called me and asked how it went, said pathology wasn’t what I expected, I was scheduled to see her Thursday, but they are seeing me tomorrow because I am an emotional wreck, all that chemo did jack shit....I hope to get some answers tomorrow, am gonna watch something funny tonight and pop an Ativan.
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Oh Rabbit I’m so sorry your pathology wasn’t what you were hoping for. I know exactly how you are feeling right now. Do what you need to do while you process the info given to you today. I hope your surgeon can explain things in a way tomorrow that will calm your nerves. You’re not done yet! Chemo was just one weapon in your arsenal. You still have rads and hormone treatment to kick these rogue cells. Whenever I see my surgeon, she always talks about how powerful the hormone therapy is. It always make me a bit calmer when I’m freaking out.
Come here to vent if you need. We’re here for you! ❤️
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Rabbit I sure hate to hear about your pathology report. This disease just plain sucks as does the chemo.
Annie60 after the surgery I, too will be taking the hormone inhibitor Letrozole. I haven’t looked up anything about it yet, maybe I don’t want to know.
Tomorrow is my bilateral, not looking forward to the drains.
Best wishes to all.
Dori
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Doris, good luck tomorrow!! I’ve been on Letrozole for the past 2 months, and so far so good. The only SE I’ve had is hot flashes, but I’ve had those since chemo.
Annie, last chemo!! Let us know how it goes.
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Rabbit - Oh sweetie, my heart hurts for you. But Fritz is right. Hold on until tomorrow and then get a game plan together. You know that this stupid disease keeps us on a roller coaster. We are here for you. I wish I had words to help you feel better. Just know you have encouraged us and kept us laughing and we will be here to hold you up. You are in my prayers tonight. Let us know how tomorrow goes when you can.
Doris - Remember to take it easy on yourself while you are recuperating. It will be slow, but be kind to yourself. Prayers for tomorrow.
Fritz - thanks for the support. You all have come to mean so much to me. No one understands the way the fantastic people on these boards.
Annie
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Rabbit, I know this pathology report isn't what you were hoping for. I am so sorry! You are in my prayers and I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I will hope that you get solid answers and a good plan to move forward with. Like Annie said, you have been our greatest cheerleader and supporter. Now it is our turn - we are here for you! Hugs!
Doris good luck tomorrow! Let us know how you are doing when you are able. My thoughts and prayers will be with you too!
Annie, YAY!! Last one about to be done. I hope you do something fun to celebrate
Sadlynew, YipPY!! Finishing Rads is Awesome! I am just past the half way point. I am hoping for the best. So far, my skin is holding up and it has been a cake walk in comparison to chemo.
Here's to a better tomorrow for all! Salute!
F
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thank you ladies for your support!! At first when I heard the news I felt like Jack Jack from the Incredibles when he got kidnapped
but now I'm just hoping my oncologist can tell me the bad news in a good way so it doesn't sound so bad...
Annie, last stinking chemo today, you can do this!!! All roads now lead to rads and hormone therapy, let's be non hormonal together!
Doris, I will be thinking of you toda. The drains aren't a picnic mostly just an annoyance, after awhile you develop this “special bond" with them and then you get the immense joy of severance ....castration, whatever you want to call it!
Fritz, thank you! Also good to know the hormone therapy is treating you kindly. My cancer is 100% positive for ER and PR so I know that's In the future for me, since chemo hasn't really done much for me I'm hoping more of it is off the table, hoping for clear direction tomorrow!
Frmthahart, Totally wasn't what I expected absolutely none of it was seen on imaging, even sentinel biopsy/axillary imaging with the dye moments prior to surgery looked normal with no uptakes at all. Thank you for the support!!
See my MO this afternoon, will update tonight!
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You guys are amazing! I have been wandering around the internet and see a lot of negativity. Not us!! We may get down but get picked back up by the caring, supportive women on this site. I never fail to feel better after logging on to BCO and finding that someone has been where I am and made it through. The encouragement means everything.
Today is big for so many of us. Big deep breaths!! Lean on those who love and support you. Let us know how you are doing. Know that we are sending prayers and love up for you.
Annie
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Good Morning,
Rabbit- I am so sorry that your pathology wasn't what you expected. I get it, we all get it. Take a deep breath and let it out. This cancer has us messed up. I know you are a strong woman and we are all here for you.
Annie-One more! You can do it! I am very proud of you!
Doris- Good luck today!
This last chemo is killing me. I seemed ok on Sunday, not feeling well yesterday, but pushed through. I haven't been able to eat much. I keep hydrating, but it's not easy. I will be calling my MO today because this morning I almost passed out. Something has got to give. Going to take a shower and call at 8. It doesn't look like I will make my simulation appointment this afternoon. Ugh!
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Notgiviningup - I think the effects of the chemo gang up on us at the end and try to kick our butts one more time. Could you get a bag of fluids? Check your BP. My dropped so low, I passed out twice during A/C #3. Passed out at home on A/C #1 from dehydration. Hope you figure this out.
Thinking of Doris. I pray she is ok.
Rabbit - let us know how you are when you can.
I am so thankful to be done with chemo. :Thank you all for the support, words of wisdom, and humor. Couldn't have done this without you.
Annie
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Hi All
I had to go in for hydration. They gave me 2 large iv bags plus they gave me steroids to hopefully kick start my appetite(lost 10 pounds since Thursday) and some zofran through the iv. If I am still not better, they will have me come back in on Thursday for more hydration. I rescheduled my simulation appointment for this Thursday morning. They were not surprised that I wasn't doing well. They are surprised it took this long. My nurse practitioner said you're not one to complain, so they knew I wasn't doing well.
I hope everyone is doing good. So proud of you Annie for finishing chemo! Now take care of yourself!
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well ladies, I learned the nature of my beast, it is not as docile as i was hoping but in fact is aggressive in nature. My tumor shrunk from 4.5cm to 3cm, 5 lymph nodes were positive for macrometasis even after neoadjuvant AC+T chemo - largest 1cm in Sentinel, smallest was .5cm in axillary. 3 Sentinels were positive, 2 axillary were positive. 16 total nodes taken. MO said she had thought more nodes would have been involved and was surprised it was only 5. There was no extranodal extension in lymph nodes so all residual cancer was encapsulated in the lymph nodes that were positive. Lymphovascular invasion was present meaning cancer cells were found in the blood vessels of the breast. 100% ER and PR Her2-. Grade 2. She did mention the words chemo resistant in regard to my residual cancer. My next step is radiation, I am meeting the RO in the next couple weeks and will start radiation in about 3 to 4 weeks. I will then be put on lupron injections and start Armidex. Xeloda was mentioned but it would only give me a 1 to 2% benefit so I'm going to skip that I think. MO said my biggest weapon once i finish radiation is the hormone therapy (your right Fritz). Tomorrow my last surgery drain goes away, I'll be thankful not to have to carry around a ballsack anymore!
Annie you finished!!!!! I knew you could do it! Congratulations on getting through one of the toughest protocols around
Celebrate tonight and know you never have to go through that again!Notgivingup- sooo glad your being watched over, take all the extra fluids you need and rest! I'm glad you rescheduled your simulation to give yourself alittle more time. Hope simulation goes well Thursday! Congrats again on slaying 2 different chemo protocols, you rock!!
April - hope your enjoying life on the other side of treatment. Let us know how the hormone therapy goes!
Fritz- keep knocking those rads out!
I propose a vote, who wants to hear from Patrice and Casey?!? *stretches hand up high really and holds it up with other hand*
Have a great week ladies!!
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Rabbit- Casey is on Facebook more than here. She posted her Facebook information. I friended her. She is in contact with Patrice. I would love for them and Antigone to check in. I would like to know my chemo sister is doing ok.
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