Starting Chemo May 2019
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I’m still here as well. I check in daily but don’t post much. I completed #8 yesterday. Didn’t sleep last night, and had a very productive day today before the steroids wore off. I have done fairly well with the taxol, no neuropathy. I do ice my hands and feet. From time to time a slight tingle. I have started with a rash on my arms and chest, some sort of reaction to the taxol and was prescribed a steroid cream which had been very effective. I have been very fatigued, with a queasy stomach. I have taken the anti nausea medication which helps. I spoke to the nurse yesterday about the fatigue and my RBC. It is currently 8.9, no wonder I’m tired. I’m still walking and doing lite weights, but it seems like the distance decreases weekly. I’m on the couch wrapped up in a blanket several days a week. I usually start the rebound on Friday. I’m happy to say dark thoughts are rare. I’ve remembered to let them come when they do and let them leave. Unlike most of you here, I will start the AC when I complete the 12 Taxol. On the bight side I have 16 total treatments, (taxol,carboplatin, and Tecentriq, 12 then 4 AC) so I’m half way there! You are all in my thoughts, peace
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Wow! ! Quite a lot of us are still going through chemo!
If all goes as planned without delays and rescheduling, my last Taxol will be on Sept 24.
Then a break to recover and off to radiation (5 or 6 weeks, tbc). So still a long road ahead!
Once chemo is over, I will be back on anti-hormonal therapy too. I asked for a possibility to add CDK4/6 to up my odds. My MO agreed that it would be good option for me, but... CDK4/6 are not yet approved for early stage. And as my luck has it, the relevant clinical trial (Pallas) is not recruiting patients anymore. My MO is still trying though...
I too love the idea of meeting up in 2020, when the ordeal of active treatment is over!
Hugs and positive thoughts from across the pond:)
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lacombattante, katiekins, Happyanyway, Britt, palmetto, UpstateNYer, etcWe do have a ways to go yet but it will get there!! Praying that all our numbers stay up so we can finish strong. Then on to surgery, radiation etc.
The idea of all of you being cPR’d and healthy at a 2020 gathering sounds glorious!
Praying for everyone 🙏
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Today was 7 out of out 8. The infusion went well. I think I have finally mastered how much lidocaine to use. My blood work is still looking great. My red blood is low 10.6 but not complaining! Doc said my tumor is getting softer and is still movable and on track. Thank you Jesus❤️
Has any thought about a gift for your infusion nurse? I always joke about my chemo being a vodka tonic for the taxol and the a/c was a cranberry vodka. I was thinking about doing a small booze bottle tree for them? Is that inappropriate?
Love and praying for minimal side effects to all❤️❤️
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G1973. Atta girl. Keep up the good work. Great news on the tumor and praise God!!! Excellent on the blood work. What’s your secret? I agree on the gift!! Our nurses are so kind to Nat!!
And thank you for praying for minimal SEs for all!! We have had minimal on our first 2 Taxols!!
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Jrominger. Thanks for the kind words. I always say that I study for my blood work lol! I just eat super clean and make sure that I always include almonds and yogurt every day. There are a couple of web sites that Have the foods to eat for red and white blood cells. I think the biggest thing is stress. I am trying to live like I did before - just enjoy everything as much as possible.
Glad to see that I am not the only one to want to do something special for our nurses!!!!
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G1973-Your gift idea sounds neat. I gave my infusion nurse freshwater pearl earrings, bracelet and necklace set at my final infusion. She was so efficient and kind to me. I had one specific nurse the whole time and the same one for each infusion. I think it wonderful to show our appreciation for all that they do to make us comfortable and be at ease during treatment. It is truly priceless.
Also, glad to hear you tumor is responding to treatment. Keeping you in my prayers.
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G1973, UpStateNYer, jrominger: I too plan to bring some gifts to my infusion nurses. They are so kind and so caring. I still have few weeks to think about what and how, but certainly some nice chocolate.
Hope that everyone is doing well today!
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BAMR, give it a day or two and let me know if works for you. I hope it does.
Hello Kimmh012! Things tasted sickly sweet for a long time when I was on AC. Vertigo, nausea and mouth sores, that's rough. I hope you feel better soon.
Katiekins, halfway through, that's great! Yes, 8.9 explains the fatigue. When addressing my low counts, my infusion nurse said that means the chemo is doing it's job. Horrible SE.
G1973, I'm happy that you're responding well to treatment! I haven't decided what my gift for the nurses will be. How are your brows and lashes? I bought some makeup and false lashes to up my game. I'll probably play around with them this evening.
Hey UpstateNYer! What a thoughtful gift that you gave your nurse. I'm not surprised though. You're a sweet lady.
Hi LaCombattante and Jrominger!
The past few days have been productive. I'm busy getting my girls ready for school next week.
Be well everyone.
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HappyAnyway, I have the capsules but decided to wait to start until after Taxol#7 tomorrow. Didn't want any changes that might affect that. I'll let you know.
My nurses are incredible. I have several in the chemo room and need to get a gift that will be for all. I've noticed other patients have brought baked goods, which would be a last resort for me. You guys all seem to have better thoughts than me, do you have any other ideas? Perhaps I could have flowers delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday before, or the week after, my last Friday treatment so they could enjoy them for a few days. I have several more weeks to think about it.
Hope it has been a successful chemo week with few SEs for all! I love reading your stories.
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Hi everyone!
Had infusion #8 (#4 of Taxol) today, so I’m officially halfway done with chemo! 🙌🏼 My counts were good and iron held steady. I did start losing weight again. Not sure why that’s happening. My tumor is super teeny-tiny now! Praise God.
Have major Benadryl sleepies and chemo brain, so I’ll check in with you all tomorrow.
Here’s my treatment day pic- had to wear a happy shirt to celebrate my achievement... and to remind myself I’m hanging tough! 😂
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Gorgeous palmetto! 14 year old me calls Joey!
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palmetto you look so beautiful!!!
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We need Like buttons for these posts
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beautiful pic, Palmetto. Lookin good!
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Palmetto, how are you feeling?
SJWhitten, lol. How are you?
Hi UpstateNYer! How's your shoulder?
I'm in the chair. Fighting sleep from the Benadryl.
Hope everyone has a fantastic day.
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Good luck today, HappyAnyway! Praying for no / minimal SES!
Palmetto : you look absolutely stunning! Congratulations on being half way through!
Wishing everyone a very nice day and relaxing weekend
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Thank you, LaCombattante. How's it going?
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Palmetto u look radiant!! So thrilled that the tumor is itty bitty. 1/2 way done!!!!!!
Praying for you Happyanyway!! One more in the bag!!
Nat’s SE have been very minimal after Taxol #2!! Praying the next 10 will be the same!!
Praying for everyone here, every day!!!
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Thanks for the love, everyone! HappyAnyway, my 14 year old self would have to take you down for Joey! Although a few years ago, I actually went on a NKOTB cruise and got kissed by Donnie, so that kinda swayed my allegiance a bit.
Is today a treatment or down day for you?
I'm glad you all started talking about gifts for the infusion nurses. I don't have a dedicated one since I go to a center, so I'm trying to think of something nice yet inexpensive to bring for them all.
Maybe you can send me some of that wonderful European chocolate to give out, LaCombattante! I'm glad you're on the same track I am to finish that last week of September. I think you, me and HappyAnyway are all due to finish then. I feel like I'm missing one more... chemo brain. Ugh.
UpstateNYer, your gift sounds extremely thoughtful and amazing. I bet she loved them!
Jrominger- how's Nat after Monday's treatment? Hope she hasn't experienced the stomach thing again and all other SE are minimal.
G1973- I'm glad your treatments are going well and counts are holding. As for the gift idea, I'm of the mindset you can never go wrong with liquor.
In fact, yesterday my nurse and I were talking about that dreaded flush she uses at the end of chemo that tastes horrible. She said she wanted to work on making one pina colada flavored. LOL
Katiekins and Kimmh012- I've not had the pleasure of speaking with you directly yet, but my hope for you both is that treatment goes smoothly and SE are minimal and tolerable. I've added you both to my prayer list.
That was a long one... I'm on that steroid high today! Love and hugs to you all today. You've got this!!0 -
Hey Jrominger! Thank you. I'm glad that Nat is feeling well.
SJWhitten, which NKOTB member did you have a crush on? Better not be Joey. 😠
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hi all-
Hoping for minimal se's for you, Happyanyway. Try to relax 😊One more under your belt.
Jrom- glad to hear Nat is doing well. Glad se's not too bad this time. Sure hope it continues throughout.
Lacombattant- hope your weekend is pleasant and everyone's as well.
I still am experiencing shoulder pain. I thought it was getting better, but no such luck. I am praying that it is there as a result of chemo and nothing more serious. I did consult with my surgeon yesterday. I will have surgery to rid me of dcis next Wednesday. I was very upset to hear that I will need another clip placement to mark area in my breast. The last one was horribly painful!! This will be my 3rd surgery- ugh!! Will need radiation after that. Wish we could get through these treatments quicker. I am too impatient, I guess. Those of you going through many chemos are the toughest and bravest. I should not complain, as I only needed 4 chemos.
Everyone is in my prayers several times a day.
Love to all, Pat
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Pat thank you for your prayers for Natalie. Her SE have been minimal. She has just a little weird pain by her left ovary. Praying and pretty sure it’s not diverticulitis and not anything to do with her ovary as she is BRCA2 positive. Once all this is done she will have those removed. So sorry to hear about the shoulder. I can’t imagine it has anything to do with the cancer!!! But it will be in our prayers along easy clip placement!!! NO PAIN!!
Praying for easy SE for everyone lacombattante and Happyanyway keep us posted! Anyone else in the chair today? We are back in on Monday for Taxol #3.
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palmetto you are SO beautiful! What a gorgeous smile. I love seeing pics to help put faces to the names.
Hoping for manageable SE and high blood counts for everybody as always 🤗. I need a calendar to remember who’s in the chair on any given day.
Love the talk about the gifts for our nurses as well. I’ve been blessed with some really wonderful women around me to lift me up and make this process as do-able as possible. I have a while to get a gift together (Nov 11 is supposed to be my last taxol) but it’s on my mind every time I see them. I am a bit crafty so I was considering making them all something... hmm...
I had my LAST AC on Thursday. I’m very happy to be through it. Even though I now have 12 weeks of taxol in front of me, just getting through this first bit feels like a win. Oh, and I had my PICC line pulled because of a combination of skin irritation from the dressings and a possible infection 😯. I was worried about having it taken out, thought it might hurt or feel *weird* but I didn’t feel anything at all. I’m waiting on an appointment to get a port, should be in the next couple weeks 👍.
Happy Saturday everybody. Sending love everywhere. ♥️.
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hi Jrom- will be thinking of Nat for her Taxol#3 on Monday. Things seem to be progressing well for her, I am so happy for her (and you). Hope the ovary pain subsides and it is nothing more serious. I have savi scout placement on Monday. Ugh. It was very painful the first time it was placed before my initial lumpectomy. My surgery is next Wednesday afternoon. I was squeezed in at the end of her day. Hopefully last "scraping" will show no DCIS.
Happyanyway- thinking of you, how are you feeling today? Is your daughter excited about starting school next week?
Lacombattant- thinking of you as well. Hope you are doing well.
Mountainmia- haven't heard from you in a while. Hoping that you are hanging tough.
Positive vibes to all of you. We all deserve a "high five" as this journey has been no picnic, but we all seem to be very brave and have given wonderful encouragement, and helpful advice to each other. Also we can "vent" to each other about the challenges we are facing. You are all very caring, and I am so grateful to all of you. It is priceless, and I value the friendships I have made in this group. Keep the faith. Pat
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Hi All!
Hope that everyone is doing well with no or minimal SEs.
UpStateNYer: so sorry to hear about the shoulder pain - what did your surgeon said it could be? The 3rd surgery is a bummer, hope they take it all out this time!
Jrominger: how is Nat today?
Happy Anyway: glad your Friday infusion went well, wishing it stays that way and you will enjoy your well deserved week off.
Palmetto: likewise, I don't have a dedicated chemo nurse in the treatment center. I am planning on a gift for each of them (I asked DH to quietly find out how many work there, at least six, I think).
My weekend has been quite good so far. I do feel more tired than before, but t I guess it 's a cumulative effect of treatment and was to be expected. Until now, my third day (Thursday) was always the lowest point, now the tiredness is creeping onto Friday. Oh, well...
On the bright side, we did a nice 3 h hike today, evidently I still have some energy left:))
Wishing everyone a lovely weekend, I am keeping you all in my prayers!
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Britt- good to hear from you. Congrats on finishing with your last AC. Hope you do well with your port placement. Glad the picc line removal did not cause you discomfort. Sending positive vibes for a minimal se weekend. 😳
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Thanks for asking, UpStateNYer. I read all the comments but don't have much to say for myself. Yesterday was 4 weeks since final chemo. Two weeks ago I was in pretty rough shape but I've bounced back more quickly than I could have imagined. This weekend I took a roadtrip to my hometown to meet up with some grade school classmates. They are tiring.
But it's good to be here, and it will be good to go home tomorrow. No evidence of new hair yet, and in fact my eyebrows and lashes, which had hung in with me pretty well, are falling out. The brows might not go altogether, but the lashes are already mostly gone.
Next Thursday 8/8 I meet with RO and have my CT/setup for radiation. That will start on about the 19th.
Blessings to all of you. You are an impressive group of people!!
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Britt: congratulations on finishing AC! It IS a milestone!
Good luck with port placement
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Britt. Hallelujah on AC done!!! All down hill from here. We r just a few weeks ahead of you. Taxol #3 Monday. Nat’s side effects have not been too bad at all. We hike every day!! Between 2 and 4 miles.
Lacombattante love that you are fellow hikers. It sure helps the soul and body!! Nat feels good today. Hopefully a hike and grocery shopping. She did have a ton of hot flashes and a slight headache last night. Makes for rough sleeping but her attitude is amazing.
MtnMia so great to see where you are at. Hopefully the hair will start coming back rapidly! Keep us posted on the rads!
UpstateNYer praying the clip placement is totally painless this time!! Also that DCIS is COMPLETELY gone!!! By God’s Grace!!!
Happyanyway praying for bare minimal SEs!! And a fun school year for your girls!
Blessings to everyone from N. AZ.
J
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