Chemo starting November 2018
Comments
-
hi Flowers I should beat from my MO in a day or 2 about the PET and Echo. I'm praying my heart hasn't gotten any worse. I'm seriously ticked off that taxol and/or Herceptin damaged me!!
0 -
Hazel, good luck with surgery tomorrow! Congrats on the new house! My husband and I had just started looking for a new place when we got the BC diagnosis. We put it all on the back burner. However, he just started looking again this week. Not sure I would be up to packing everything up, getting it moved and setting it all up again in a new place. You Rock!
Nanette, I hope your tests went well today! I don't know what Photon ionizing radiation is. Is that what your Center offers or are you traveling to get it? I just finished 11/28 rads. I have Tomotherapy Radiation. I am just starting to show a little pink.
Lisa, I've been thinking about you and hope all is going well!
F
0 -
frmthaheart... it's what the RO said would be most effective in cleaning up any residual cancer in the area. Its local...our once small hospital has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 20 yrs. Back then they refused my husband at that time to have MRIs because he has a titanium plate in his head from brain cancer. I used to tell radiology to call Moffitt hospital in Tampa about the safety of doing anti on him. They swore it would go flying out of his head and kill him. Now a days they dont think twice about titanium and MRIs. I have a titanium stent in my he as it and they're like oh okay.
Anyhow it's supposed to be similar to Proton therapy....
0 -
Flower - thank you!! It helps to know what you might be able to expect. I see my MO Thursday for Perjeta and Herceptin, and thought I'd ask him if they will do this mapping on my first visit. I appreciate that information, thank you. Hope you are doing well. (are you able to wear your bra? I would like to be able to wear my bra, since I will be working).
Nanette and Hazel - thinking of you girls today.
My husband told me of a book he saw a breast cancer lady was reading on Twitter called UPLIFT, by Barbara Delinsky. I bought a used copy off Amazon Smile and received it yesterday. I've only read the forward and the radiation chapter, but I would recommend this book. You can get a used copy for about $5 off Amazon. Think positive! Hugs, Lisa
0 -
If you wouldn't mind sharing, where were you when you found out you had breast cancer? My surgeon called me at work. My coworker that overheard the conversation came over and hugged me. I had asked this question on our Facebook group of folks that live near Joplin, Missouri and some of the responses just make me cry. Young women, with children. I don't realize how old some of you ladies are. Hugs. And some ladies did not like being told over the phone. How do you feel about that, I was a little surprised they would tell you over the phone, but I would rather know than have to keep waiting. I think perhaps my husband did not like the fact that he was not with me when I found out, and I would have liked for him to have been there.
0 -
Missouri the day my primary told me I got a call from their office first and the girl said Dr S wants to see you today. What time can you be here?? I was thankful she told me to my face with my BFF and DD there too. The 4 of us crying together. I had an anxious 2 hrs between the call and the face to face. I don't think I could have handled it over the phone
0 -
Thank you, Nanette. I'm glad you had family and friends to help you. Hugs to you thinking about it.
0 -
surgery went great! My breasts look fantastic, they look almost exactly like my old ones. The plastic surgeon said they had a hard time separating the flaps from the abdominal muscle and ended up having to tear the muscle up more than is usual so I’ll be on a ten pound weight lifting restriction for 3 months. The pain isn’t terrible, more annoying than anything. They come into my room every hour to check my flaps so there isn’t much rest going on lol. I’ve already been up walking the halls a couple times, I got to take a shower and I have to ask for help every time I need to use the bathroom. It’s kinda demoralizing to have someone stand there and watch you shower or be right outside the door while you pee. I’m trying to just pretend like that isn’t really happening.
Lisa - my primary called me while at work and told me over the phone. She was kinda cold and a little dismissive towards me when we talked, the conversation lasted less than 3 minutes and she wouldn’t answer any of my questions, just told me the breast surgeon would tell me everything I needed to know. My assistant was off that day so I was alone in my office when I got the news. I had to shut the door and I just cried like a baby. I wish she would have called me to come to her office to hear in person. I would have taken my husband along and maybe it wouldn’t have been so raw if I had him there for support.
0 -
I found out it was cancer when I finished the mammogram and ultrasound. The doctor came in and said he was putting me as a BIRADS 5 and to get a biopsy. He said he was 100% positive it was cancer and that if the biopsy came back negative that he was ordering another one! My response was well sh!t...only thing I could think as I was expecting something so completely different! Went back to work after and then told my husband and mother. My GYN and BS both called me within an hour of each other to let me know the biopsy came back as IDC, but we were expecting that news. My GYN said “Oh my goodness, but I am glad I changed my mind and ordered that mammogram because I almost didn't because you are only 35 and no family history, not to mention breast cancer does not cause pain! She said that she wasalmost certain the biopsy was going to come back as no cancer!
0 -
Thank you, Bookworm. We are going to be doing radiation about the same time, please let us know how you are doing. Sounds like you have a very good doctor!
Hazel Nut - You in my thoughts. I'm so happy things went well and you are happy! Hope you are able to come home for the weekend.
I had my Herceptin and Perjeta yesterday. Visited with my friend at the infusion center that has leukemia and will be going for a bone marrow biopsy in May (her third and they are painful), and a new older gentleman I hadn't met who has small cell lung cancer. Cancer does not discriminate. I felt a little different, just getting autoimmune drugs and no chemo. The MO is putting me on Arimidex, but gave me a choice of starting now or after radiation. You can sure get scared reading about side effects, I don't think I am going to do that anymore. I need to pick up my prescription, may as well start it now.
My friend that has leukemia told me that someone told her, you don't look sick. She has not lost her hair. It put a whole new light on me, everyone knows. Such a different perspective. Wishing each of you a beautiful day and hope you enjoy your weekend. Hope you get to go home, Hazel. Hugs, Lisa
0 -
I’ve been home 4 days and so far so good. My initial pathology results came back showing 4mm or residual disease and an additional 2mm of cancer in another area of my breast. They sent the specimens for additional pathology to determine if the second area is a new cancer or part of the existing cancer.
Hope everyone is doing well.
0 -
Hazel Nut, happy you are home. What is the next step for you, radiation? I'm still new at this, do they give radiation to those with reconstruction? I am hoping for the best outcome with your pathology, many hugs to you, and thankful your surgery and reconstruction is over now. Lisa
0 -
Hazel-Nut I second what Lisa (MossouriCatLady)said!!! Thankful for you that for now surgeries are completed and hope you are resting up.
0 -
Hazel, when you have time, could you let us know how things are going? I have sure been thinking of you. Thank you. Hugs, Lisa
0 -
radiation shouldn’t be necessary since the lymph nodes were clear. I do my post op with the breast surgeon tomorrow and hopefully they’ll have the final pathology report and then we’ll know more. If it’s a second cancer then who knows? Have to see what the oncologist says. I’m so glad I decided on the mastectomy instead of lumpectomy though. The surgeon said that they never would have found that second area if they had done the lumpectomy and a year from now I’d be right back where I started fighting cancer again.
All of the drains were removed yesterday, what a relief! I went out to the nature preserve and did a 1.5mile walk. My recovery hasn’t been bad at all so far
0 -
Good for you for having the mastectomy. A lady I work with had a similar situation, they wouldn't have found the second area on her as well. Yay the drains are out! Walking in nature is the BEST therapy (and kitty kisses)! Will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending good vibes, and prayers. Please keep us updated, hugs, Lisa
0 -
Hello everyone. Thinking of you, Hazel-Nut. Raining here this afternoon. We had quite an outburst of activity this week, five tornado warnings on the news at the same time, some here in Missouri, some in Oklahoma. Thankfully, no one was hurt and it was not in the middle of the night, when you can't see. My two stray cats both survived this monsoon, you have to wonder where they go, but they must know where to go. I have a doghouse and igloo for them to get in, but there is also an old barn just down a ways, I like to think they get in there, but who knows. My husband planted 6 Buttonbush trees for me on Sunday and we have not had to water them at all this week. The are native Missouri trees and are really pretty, have little things on them that attract bees. I was thankful he would plant them, that is not his favorite thing to do.
I had my seroma drained this week. You know, they don't mention anything about seromas before surgery. Just when you think you know a little bit about what to expect, you get this fluid-filled lump and wonder what the heck. I've bought a few new bras, being an overweight girl doesn't make it easy to run into Walmart and get a bra, so they come in the mail. I got a smaller one on purpose so things feel like they won't move. I called radiation today and asked the lady if this would be delayed. She said maybe, maybe not. She told me it was important for me to come in and have the first appointment evaluation, and I plan on doing that. You would think I would have learned by now that you can't plan anything. I had two chemo treatments delayed because of platelets. She then told me, I had a seroma a long time ago when they took my drains out, I liked to paint and do yoga, and my doctor told me then to put my hand in my pocket. She said that may not make it go completely away, but to try putting my hand on that side in my pocket and taking it easy, and maybe that would help. She just sounded so nice, and she knew these thoughts I'm having, and it just made me feel so much better. A rainy day when you feel like you're never going to get through all this stuff, and a kind word can help you see past it. Have a good weekend. Hugs, Lisa
0 -
Hazel-Nut, any updates? I guess I should quit coming by here since the chemo is all done - just thinking of you. Hope everyone is well.
0 -
Hi!
MCatLady...even though we may be done with chemo...I think we should check in with each other occasionally. We are now a long distance family/support system.
Today is day one for me and Arimidex….hopefully SE are not too bad!
How is everyone doing???
0 -
Thank you, Flower, I like that idea.
I started Arimidex about 2 weeks ago, Flower, and everything is going fine. I hope the same for you. I see my surgeon Wednesday to check on my seroma and then Thursday have a Herceptin/Perjeta infusion, and see radiotherapy (getting used to that word)/radiation for the first time. I am very hopeful to get started, but the seroma may mess it up.
My PCP asked me how long I was going to be on Arimidex, and informed me 10 years is the new research they are doing. I'm thinking my MO told me 5 years. I'll ask him again Thursday. Hoping minimal SE for you too.
0 -
MCatLady-thats wonderful you are doing well on Arimidex-I hope I am side effect free too! My MO said as of now I am on it for five years, but it can be extended if the new research shows its beneficial. As far as radiation goes, I put the cream on 3-4 times daily. (use the product your radiologist recommends). Fortunately my breast didn't burn, it just got a nice overall tan. The hardest part of radiation, is getting undressed/dressed part!! You will do great!
0 -
Hello everyone - I'm recovering well and enjoying my time off from work. It feels strange to take all of this time off for surgery when I barely took a day off for chemo.
I too developed a seroma, mine is in my abdomen, and they sent me to interventional radiology yesterday to have it drained and have a new drain inserted. My final pathology results are still pending so I'm still not sure what's up with the second cancer. My oncologist sent me a message in MyChart asking me to move up my appointment to next week so we could discuss options. The MRI had us thinking I had a complete response so it's a bit of a let down to not only have residual disease but an entire other cancer. I hate the doctors appointment waiting game.
I like coming back here to catch up with my chemo buddies. It feels like we spent the most time here with each other. I'm also enjoying taking some time away from websites and forums that dont have anything to do with cancer. I'm slowly working on returning to normalcy, as close to it as I can at least.
0 -
Hazel, I am glad you have some time off and are recovering. Sorry you have a seroma. I had mine drained a second time last week, less fluid this time, and he thinks maybe that will do it. Hopefully, yours won't give you any trouble. The waiting is no fun, I can agree with that.
I was set to have my autoimmune infusion yesterday and then see radiation for the first time at 10:30 am. I sat in the infusion chair 90 minutes and wondered, where are my drugs? Someone called in sick and it was going to be slow go. I was glad my husband was there, he went down to radiation and told them I'd be late, and they asked if I could come on down. I had my IV in already, so we walked down there. They asked if I could put on a gown. Hm, can I get my shirt off completely, something tells me no. I just pulled up my shirt for the doctor. I don't know, I've seen what seems like so many people in the last 6 months, I don't mind too much showing you my boob, but the doctor was just kind of strange. It was like he was reading a script, talking to me about what to expect. He told me he would leave the lotion I could use to discuss with the girls that worked there, there were plenty of girls. The radiation tech talked to me, I have to tell you, he reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite's brother, if you remember him. He told me, you and I are going to have a lot of fun together. Hm. I have my mapping on Monday (let's take another day off) and, somewhat thankfully, a girl radiation tech will be doing that.
Hazel, I will keep you in my prayers. Try and not think about it too much before your appointment (easy to say). Let us know, will be thinking of you. Hugs, Lisa
P.S. Give your kitty some kisses. I bet she LOVES you being home more often! Hope she is giving you some comfort.
0 -
Hazel-Nut oh honey I'm so sorry you have top goop through this. You've been through so much already. Sending you ((((hugs)))) from St Augustine. Will keep you on my pursuers honey. Keep us posted
0 -
Logged on to catch up with you ladies and gents after some time away. I'm on day 8 of radiation and I'm already pinky pink pink. I've been lotioning 3X day - my radiologist and techs didn't say anything specific but any of what I had was ok (Lubriderm, Eucerin, Aquafor, Curel - whatever is unscented and doesn't make my excema flare). Since I had a complete axillary node dissection, radiation increases my risk of lymphedema, so my PT-L therapist is keeping a really close eye (and so am I). Still going to PT-L 2X week, I have some fatigue already but work has been a bit crazy so it's hard to tell what the fatigue is due to.
My hair is growing like crazy - I get my first haircut since stopping chemo in March this upcoming weekend! We're going to cook out at my mom's in between rain showers. Looking forward to the long weekend and a day off from work. Hope everything has been ok with you MC lady - those tornado watches and warnings have been all over the middle of the country! MB1
0 -
It is so nice to hear from you Maddie. I am glad you are getting through radiation! I start in about a week. I did order some Calendula cream that someone had recommended. I'm not really very impressed with the radiation department at our hospital, they are not very forthcoming with information and the doctor is a little odd. I may be wrong though, guess we'll see. They won't give me a time to come every day until the first day I come in (I was trying to plan with my work schedule), and that makes it hard to figure out what time you need to get off work.
I'm glad your hair is coming back in, you are getting a haircut, yippee!! Good for you!! Today is actually the first day I have not worn a hat since November. I took my courage from you guys, it is a little scary for me, it is still really short on the front, REALLY short!
We were in our shelter Wednesday with the radio on and that tornado came very near our house. I've lived here all my life and that was the closest call. We only lost a couple of trees thankfully. Sadly, there were 3 fatalities in Golden City, Missouri, which is up the ways to the northeast, elderly couple living in a mobile home. This all happened on the Joplin tornado 8th anniversary. A lot of folks here have anxiety over that day, but our news stations and weather people are all very good about being a little gentle. One of my neighbors had the dog tied to the tree, which causes me huge anxiety (she got loose, thankfully, without my help), and my other neighbor had all the dogs in the shelter with her. The difference in people! Thank you, Maddie.
I hope you can have some rain free time this weekend and enjoy the cooking out! We have an appetite again! Please keep us updated on your radiation and I hope it all goes well.
Hazel-Nut - I hope things are going well for you too.
0 -
Maddie, could I please ask you a question? Are you able to wear your bra? Did you buy any certain bra for radiation (one that opens in the front)? Thank you very kindly. Lisa
0 -
Hi Ladies!
Maddie...sounds like you are off to a great start with rads. I turned pink right away, and I kept over moisturizing, and it never got much worse. The boosts made the area turn brown, but that did last long. But I am SOOOOOO jealous. I finished chemo in feb and my hair is growing so slowly (at least its growing). A haircut is not in my near future!!MissouriCL...I have been watching this crazy weather on the news-its terrifying!!!!! From my rad experience, I wore a bra, even at night, it felt more comforting. No underwires allowed. I wore the genie bras at night. I usually wear underwire bra, so I bought some inexpensive, SOFT bras from Kohls. Also, since you are putting cream on 4X daily, they get quite "messy", or u can put a soft guaze or nursing pad in your bra to keep clean.
I am almost finished two weeks on arimidex. I feel pretty good, but starting to feel mild stiffness.
Be well everyone!!
0 -
Flower - thank you so much! I appreciate the tips on bras, and trying to keep things from being messy, thank you! I went ahead and started on arimidex when I started my Herceptin/Perjeta infusions a month or so ago, although MO gave me the choice to wait until after radiation. So far so good! I hope you enjoy your haircut, I look forward to that day! What a celebration! Thank you and best wishes to you! Lisa
0 -
MissouriCL… im so silly!!! I meant "a haircut is NOT in my near future"! OOPS
0
