Chemo starting December 2018
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Oh Becky - that sucks but you handled yourself with poise, grace and yes, beauty. Your hair will definitely grow back. That girl's heart? Well, we can only hope and pray it grows bigger than the petty little thing it is now.
The worst part is that she still expected you to comfort Her. Tears as a defense, indeed. Manipulative b**ch. (Sorry - but she must have been at least 21 to get served, and 21 is plenty old enough to know better. I'd die of shame if my 13 year old daughter behaved so horribly.)
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Becky,
You have the kindest heart. It’s obvious that the young woman was in need of some social manners education. It’s a sad state of affairs, because I often too do run into folks like her. I’m sorry that this interaction caused you pain. You handled the situation with so much class and grace. By offering her an educational moment, I hope that she will have learned an invaluable lesson on how to treat another human being. It takes an amazing person, beautiful inside and out, to respond the way you did!
And you have every right to be proud of how far you've come through this journey. Losing nearly 100lbs even before chemo is an awesome accomplishment! Finishing chemotherapy is also no easy task! I hope when you put on makeup in the morning, that you know how much you inspire us all! Thank you for sharing this with us. It shows that we all are vulnerable and so very human.
You know what I would love to see more? Instead of the same beauty articles in all these popular publications, that they actually would print an article about women’s health and what we go through when dealing with breast cancer, or any cancer to be honest. Not only are we questioning “why me”, feeling sick for weeks and months on end, losing all our hair, and ourselfves, plus not to mention also dealing with the reaction of society at large once it’s apparent that we are undergoing treatment. I don’t want to be pitied or regarded as some hero for going through it; I just want people to show kindness towards one another. It’s not too much to ask.
I will continue to represent my fellow BC sisters and do all that I can to help change the stigma of this disease. There is still so much that can be done. I’ll do it one step at a time. If it means only reaching one person at a time, then, that’ll be fine too.
Peace and lots of hugs to all my sisters.
xx
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Angie, very nicely said. I agree more needs to be done about what we go through.
Keep shining!
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Kber, Angie, Flower, thank you for your kind words. Angie, agree wholehearedly.
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Hi everyone,
Have had 4th round of Taxol this week. SE’s have been manageable, except for the constant feeling of fatigue and cold/flu like symptoms. Have been fighting a heavy cough and chest cold for 3 weeks already. Temperatures have been borderline fever at about 99.3- 99.8 degrees. Not enough to be overly concern; however, cough has gotten worse. MO did chest X-ray last week and blood count, but didn’t see anything unusual.
Could cold/flu/cough be side effect of Taxol? Anyone else experiencing deep chest coughing as SE of Taxol? How long is too long for cold/flu symptoms to continue?
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.
xx
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hi Angie. I’ve had body aches and chills, plus a sore throat, but not a cough. However, my friend picked up a cough near the beginning of her Taxoll run and didn’t shake it until after she finished. She had a chest X-ray and was told she had an inflammation, but it was not pneumonia. She did not have to take a chemo break
I think my sore throat is mostly due to post nasal drip. I could imaging a cough being agrivated by the same thing.
Add in a weakened immune system, and well...
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I got the cough during Taxol and I used Nyquil for it. Seemed to be the only thing to help with the cough. Watch out for breathing if you feel like it's getting hard to breathe call your Dr. Ihad the chest xrays too but nothing. I have breathlessness and have to be careful not to overdo it. I got rid of the cough but it came back recently with the Herceptin. I now have a prescription for hydrocodone cough syrup for the cough and use it mainly at night so I can sleep.Kber you're right the cough and the sore throat both can be from the postnasal drip. If it's not running down your poor face making you look like Rudolph, it's running down your throat trying to drown you 😥
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Thanks kber and Nanette, I believe it could be due to cold/flu epidemic going around. I agree the extreme post nasal drip and compromised immune system have also contributed to the cough and chest cold. That pretty much started straight after the 1st Taxol.
Will keep an eye on breathing. Inflammation could become a concern. Will ask doctor for prescription cough medicine. Over the counter cough meds do not seem to cut it.
Hope this will not be the entirety of Taxol treatments. Maybe warmer spring like weather will help. Hopefully that will be in the next couple of weeks.
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Hope you're feeling better all of you with the cough/flu symptom SEs from taxol. That does not sound like fun at all!!! Sending the hope of sunshine and positive vibes.
Week one of radiation complete. No sunburn and no discernible increase in fatigue. While I don't have nearly the strength or stamina of pre-chemo, I'm starting to feel more like myself. Walking more regularly, just not as far or as fast as pre-chemo.
Still no real hair growth, eyebrows keep thinning but the watery eyes have all but ceased.
Wishing you all a good week.
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Becky - sounds encouraging!
Today I left the house without a hat - just my bald head. I got more than half way to work before I noticed. I thought about just going bald, decided the world isn't quite ready for that, so turned around, drove home, got my hat and headed back to work. Now I'm trying to decide if that was a chemo brain episode, or just my normal ditzy self. Probably just my normal ditzy self!
on edit - I work in a pretty buttoned up corporate HQ environment. Strictly guys in ties and girls in pearls. Now I'm second guessing myself and wondering what the reaction would have been. It was controversial enough when I decided to forgo a wig in favor of hats in the first place. I think I may have caused some genuine pearl clutching if I'd come in au natural from the neck up!
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Good morning ladies! Tomorrow is my round #6 of TC, last and final chemo. My onco doesn't think I have to do radiation but referred me to Radiologist at the last minute anyway. I am little apprehensive for tomorrow; i had some GI issue after #5 that went away and I have excessive watery eyes - hopefully will not get worst.
Becky, I'm glad your watery eyes got better, did you use any medicine? I am using Systane eye drop but its not working.
Kber, I am still getting use on seeing myself bald, the weather has been cold here and I always wears a beanie 24/7. Yesterday was a little warm here, for the first time, I went bald at home...I felt weird...I want to put make up on but I can't due to my watery eyes.
Angie and Nanette, hope you feel better!
Take care everybody, and have a great day!
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Anxious - congrats on your last session! I am all kinds of jealous! (Not really. I'm really very happy for you and also it's sooo encouraging to see members of this group start to reach this milestone! Gives those of us a little behind you a real sense that our current reality is not forever and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.)
I can't wear much eye makeup. I can wear foundation and powder to make me look less pale and sickly and I found an OK eyebrow pencil. I wear lipstick that is moisturizing as well. Whatever else I use on my eyes washes away before lunch, so I don't bother with much. More of it ends up under my eyes and on my cheeks than on my eyes where it belongs.
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Kber - you gotta do what feels right to you. I love the description "guys in ties and girls in pearls."
It's such a weird journey. I've found it somewhat liberating to be open about what's going on with me - no wig, just hats, open frank conversations when asked (most of the time). And in this, I've had numerous people open up to me that I never knew had cancer. It has created relationships of mutual, yet unique experience. People want to talk about this, want to feel less alone I think. I'm an extrovert, so these conversations aren't that difficult for me and I feel like I'm putting good back in the world (gotta get me some good karma) by listening and conversing. Even with my extrovert nature, though, I haven't left the house sans hat (it's been too cold, but that might just be an excuse) but I often go hat free at home. The relief from the watery eyes is sooooo wonderful!!!! Hang in there. Anxious, I tried some eye drops in desperation, asked my MO, my radiation onco, my very close friend an optometrist and none of them were of any help. I think you just have to endure until the damn drugs leave your system. It sucks because the tears are caustic and made my cheeks rather raw, I felt somewhat ugly with lack of eyelashes and hair and having continually leaking eyes did not help my self esteem. But.... it's temporary. I think the bitter cold exacerbated it too. You're almost there!!!!
Stay strong sisters!
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OMG I went to the Pantene website because they supposedly have a a wig donation thing. It ended but while I was in there I decided to take "Hair Advisor" analysis and you should take a selfie, so I did and when I was finished it said my my hair was longer than 27% of people who have used this thing before! Seriously more bald women have been here before me LOL I just had to laugh because at a little over 1/2 inch long isn't longer than most too funny. I've attached the screenshot... who says God doesn't have a sense of humor!!
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hello y'all I will be going for my mastectomy of left cancer breast and of right healthy breast with temp implants in both. My surgery is to be April 2nd....at least it'll be after our wedding anniversary of 14 years...17 all together. I'm so scared as I've NEVERhad major 3in my life!
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As they start your prep, any you are laying there on the gurney, but before they insert a needle, tell them that you want to get up and run away. See what kind of reaction you will get.
Don't worry, it is not like open heart surgery, you will be out of the hospital in a day or two.
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Nanette, you made me laugh at the Pantene site.
I'm sorry you're facing major surgery. Surgery is scary, I agree. I just had a lumpectomy, so don't know much about the mastectomy. My best friend had a mastectomy, it wasn't fun. But, like the rest of this nonsense, you can handle it because you have to. You are so brave, not because you're fearless, but because you're doing what you have to do, in spite of the fear. Hopefully someone on here that has gone through this can offer some advice or suggestions that will make it easier, but know, we think you are amazing - funny, strong and beautiful.
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Nanette...I totally understand how you feel. But, you picked a surgeon that you have confidence in and will take excellent care of you. Pre op nursing staff are very compassionate and will reassure you! You are in good hands and its your next step into fighting this "thing" we have!
MCBaker...I have to laugh. Right before my lumpectomy, I told the nurse I needed the bathroom. She walked with me there and I said, "maybe I don't want to do this-I think I just want to leave". She stopped short-turned to me-and said "I cannot stop you from leaving But your family will be really angry if you don't have this surgery for your future". Then she gave me a hug!!!
Anxious..congrats on your last chemo!!
Today was 7/33 of my rads treatment. I told the RO that I finally feel like I am getting my pre-chemo energy back. His response was that's great, but in another week or two the radiation exhaustion will hit! UGH! That's all I can say!! Some hair is trying to come in....it looks like it may be salt and pepper..but they are teeny tiny little things right now!
Be well everyone!!
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Nanette, I had left breast mastectomy done but no reconstruction. The surgery itself is easy, its the emotional component of it that is hard. I remember crying a lot before my surgery, I got too emotional and felt so anxious when I woke up in the recovery room because I'm worried about my lymph nodes. I had one sentinel lymph node removed and thanks GOD its negative. I had limited movement on my left arm after surgery for about a month. I also had swelling because of the lymph node removal. Good luck to you, you'll be fine.
Flower, thank you.
The nurse mentioned to me today to ask my Onco if I am cancer free since its my last treatment. That question never come to mind, did any of you was ever told by onco that? As far as I know all my markers were good before chemo. Is there any scan/tests that need to be done after our treatment? My Onco said only blood test unless there are symptoms that will raise concern.
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Anxious...thank you
Hellllooooo ladies!!! How are all of you doing?? I'm just checking in. I hope and pray you all are well and doing well.
((HUGS)) to everyone!! My what a ride we are on!!
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Had Taxol #5 this week and cough still is pretty bad. Radiologist looked over chest X-ray from last week to see if he saw anything unusual. He did see a slight infection of the lungs. This could be due to radiation treatments and now chemotherapy addding to the damage. He prescribed antibiotics, but didn’t really think it would make too much of a difference. It’s just an extra set of defense.
Though, still dealing with flu symptoms and stomach cramps. Onco nurse seems to think that it’s part of SE. Even though fighting low grade fever with diarrhea (4x within 24 hrs), she still said that it’s the side effects of chemo. For the past 4 weeks, still haven’t had a chance to rebound from Taxol treatments. Between SE of flu like symptoms and lung issues, Taxol has been the worst! In my opinion, AC was easier to manage. But, I know everyone is different.
One thing that is different; haven’t sauna for past 3 weeks. I do believe going to sauna to detox really helped during AC. But with the recently placed PICC line, read that sauna is not allowed. Although, is it really forbidden? I’m at my wits end with finding a way to feel better. Better do more research before attempting sauna.
Hope everyone is doing ok.
xx
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My onco said no sauna until a week after the last chemo. Sauna blunts the cancer-fighting properties of chemo by sweating the "good" stuff out.
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oh Angie you poor girl!! I'm sorry taxol is being so bad for you!! I hope and pray it starts getting better soon and that your lungs clear up too!
(((HUGS)))
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I discovered that sleep is one of the best ways of reducing the SE of Taxol. If necessary, your doctor can give you meds for that.
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am sitting in the chair waiting for my next treatment. Unfortunately I will need neupogen shots and my insurance is taking their time authorizing them. My Onc doesn't want to do the chemo until the shots are approved.
God forbid we take a doctor's word for it when he says a treatment is necessary. As it is, I feel like I'll be here all day waiting on some paper pusher to do his job.
I called my health advocate and left a message. She's been helpful in the past in cutting through the red tape in the past. Hopefully she can help again.
Update: I think my advocate must have worked her magic. Within 5 minutes of talking to her and her saying “I’m on it!” It got approved.
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kber I think its just awful that your insurance company just can't send a pre-authorization letter to your onco office for x amounts of neupogen. Sorry you had to to get it done. Sometimes I forget every ins company does things differently
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Nanette- we finally got it preapproved after today, but what a pain. It was almost frustrating when my advocate got it cleared in 5 minutes after waiting 2 hours because it proved it wasn’t that hard. Shame on me for not calling earlier, I guess.
Now the challenge is going to be to switch them from clinic administered at done at home.
At first I I didn’t want to give myself the shot, but when my friend offered, it seemed ok. My friendis a certified health aide. She works in a nursing home and is trained to take care of various residents shots ( the kind designed for home admistration). so she does this several times a day.
The home shots are designed to be easy. You dont have to be a nurse to manage them. I guess more like an epipen design than a traditional syringe?
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Angie - oof that sucks! I suppose if saunas are forbidden, so are baths? If not, I find a hot bath with a few drops of tea tree oil does wonders.
( And if baths are ok, maybe the same protective measures would also work for a sauna?)
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hi kber the neulasta is designed to be given as an injection or with a device that your friend should have to 'load' and you stick it on your skin. Neulasta has a great website with tons of info. But I also found info here in the forum about and here's the link
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Kber, you can inject the Neupogen yourself, you inject it to your belly, around two inches away from your belly button, where the fat is. Search it in YouTube. I did it during the Holiday.
Angie, I'm sorry you having a hard time with Taxol. Its probably the cumulative effect of AC, it will be better.
Today is day 5 of TC #6. I feel weak and tired with some stomach discomfort and my eyes are still leaking. I can't drink water anymore, I feel sick to my stomach when drinking water, I am drinking Costco coconut water and Gatorade. Yesterday was bad, I felt very sick and warm but no fever (99.3). I am glad my chemo is over but don't feel like celebrating. I just want to go back to my usual routine and take a well-deserved vacation.
Take care everybody!
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