Starting Chemo May 2019
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Congratulations, LaCombattante! Thanks for your post. It made me smile.
Hello jrominger. How's Nat feeling today?
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jrominger - thanks for asking, my progress is very good. I have now got one year down, out of the three-year peak recurrence window for TNBC. Clear blood tests and mammo. My MO phoned me the other night and answered a few questions i had emailed to him. He encouraged me to keep up w my complimentary practices, and said he's sure they helped me very much. (Which was very big of him!!-- I pushed him to the far edges of his comfort zone!) He intimated that my response to chemo was much better than he'd dared to hope when I walked in w/ a large TNBC with lymphatic invasion. When he asked how i was feeling, i said "fantastic" -- which is the truth. I feel really good -- though still need a bit more sleep than I used to. My hair is a "phyllis diller" mop but its very much back. Ive trimmed it twice and its at least 4-5" in the longest places,
I am still eating nutrient-dense, veggie diet w small amts of animal foods mostly fish. Very few carbs but the occasional treat, Still taking tons of supplements, mostly food based like reishi mushroom, egcg, indol 3 carbinol, etc. Still doing oxygen and high dose vitamin C weekly... but thinking of dropping off to bimonthly soon.
Zero pain and no ongoing effects, My only lingering issue from treatment is some skin sensitivity where i was radiated, Must be careful re sun or it can get irritated. Apparently sun sensitivity can be a long term effect, I love to play in water so I got a swim shirt for total coverage.
Kind of weird to be more and more "past" cancer and back in normal life!
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Santabarbarian so great to hear about your progress. It sounds spectacular and I’m sure it will continue that way. I would love to learn more about those supplements and practices that you do. Natalie is taking the reishi mushrooms now along with a few others recommended by our naturalpathic oncologist.
Happyanyway Nat is feeling very good today. Thanks for checking. She did a 3 mi hike this am. It was a tad warm! No SEs to speak of. It is a steroid day but now reduced. How are you? A little more quiet around the house with school back on??
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I followed recommendations of a MO called Dr Keith Block - an integrative oncologist in Skokie Illinois. He has a book called "Life Over Cancer." He had me on a bunch of supplements... besides above, also curcumin, omega 3 fish oil, super greens, B6, alpha ipoic acid, selenium, quercetin, calcium d glucarate, ubiquinol, resveratrol, magnesium, E, and probably a few more i am forgetting now. some were chemo specifc and some surgery specific. Lately Ive added feverfew, ursolic acid, luteolin, sea buckthorn, and astralagus due to some of the McClelland protocol recommendations and lowish WBC... it's a small dixie cup of pills twice per day. plus metformin, melatonin, and pentoxifylline which is a post radiation med to prevent fibrosis.
D block says to keep off sugar and booze, and no empty carbs. Eat veggie-heavy pescatarian organic-- only small amounts of meat, eggs, dairy, poultry. Only nutrient-dense carbs like fruit or quinoa.
I fasted prior to chemos and am still doing intermittent fasting (limited window of eating - 10 hours/24). Not hard and I feel great.
I did 3 IVs/week during treatment (2 high C one multivitamin w glutathione). Did hyperbaric Oxygen 1 x/week. Exercise is huge on Dr Block's plan. Either yoga or pilates + intervals or aerobic exercise like jog, hike, etc. 5-6 hours/week.
Its a healthy life plan and i am keeping most of it permanently. Very happy to see Nat is hiking up a storm. So good for her!
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santabarbarian what a ton of great information!! We follow a lot of the diet and exercise stuff but we have for years and still ended up here. But I know it is helping us now and will during recovery and for preventing recurrence. I don’t know DR Block and I will have to look him up!!! Lot’s of new supplements!! Thank you for all tinfo and I will keep referring back to all of this!! Nat’s workouts during chemo are mainly the tons of walking. Some stationary bike and light weights. She will get back to a more robust routine when treatments are over. The gym makes us nervous with her blood counts!! Thanks again!! Good stuff.
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Such great updates from everyone. So happy to hear of the great blood work and CLEAR margins! I really feel that God is looking over us all.
So today was a great day for me. Although I gained three pound since my last infusion my blood work came back in the normal range except for my red blood cells. They were at 10.7. So today was my last chemo!! Oncologist said I am way on track. The tumor is still there but much smaller. More proof that chem works.
This a horrible photo of my mom, sister and I. I look like a sausage from those dang steroids! I am the bald one in the middle.
Love, positive thought and prayer for minimal side effects to you all❤️❤️❤️
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Congratulations G1973. I'm so glad that you have completed chemo! You all look great. Woo-hoo!
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G1973 congrats!!!! And I’m with Happyanyway you all 3 look great!! I agree with you, I do believe God is watching over this entire group!! Please keep us posted on your progress!! Your blood numbers inspire all of us and give us hope!!!
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G1973- You look terrific. Congrats on getting through your last chemo. Isn't that a wonderful feeling? It was for me.
What comes next for you now?
I am still having left upper arm and shoulder pain. I have a very limited range of motion. I will be calling my doctor tomorrow, as the pain has gotten worse. Hoping it is only the after effects of chemo and will eventually improve. I never had this kind of issue before.
Hoping that everyone is doing well. I know that God is watching over our group.
Hugs to all, Pat
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Thanks everyone. Next week is my MRI to see how small “big Bertha” is. Thursday is my meeting with the breast surgeon to set a date for my DMX. Hopping it will be soon as my plastics already admitted to a row week vacation in September.
Upstate- sorry to hear about the shoulder. I am hoping they can show some exercises for your arm. Wonder what the heck that is about but chemo does wierd stuff for sure
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G1973: CONGRATULATIONS on finishing chemo! You all look wonderful! Please keep us posted on the MRI results and your next steps.
UpStateNYer: can you ask for a referral to a physiotherapist? Some gentle massage and stretching could help and, as G1973 said, they can show exercises to do at home. My PT advised me that I have to stretch and exercise my arm daily; according to her, swimming is the best as it has double benefit of exercise and massage.
Palmetto: good luck with your 6th Taxol today.
Wishing everyone a great day, you are in my thoughts and prayers
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UpstateNYer, Ask about the brachial plexus when you go in. There is a nerve cluster in the shoulder blade area that affects shoulder, arm and hand.. You could be having chemo induced neuropathy in this network of nerves.
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Hi Alice!
First time for me posting.. I initially got a wig; uncomfortable, etc.. recently got halo. Love it so much more! I wear a baseball cap ( long bill) with it. I had never worn cap before! Feels more comfortable and husband & daughters like it too.
Just finished my 5th chemo, began May 15th( one more!) taxotere & carboplatin And Herceptin & Perjeta. Then 1 year of Herceptin & Perjeta, surgery & radiation & 5 years of tamaxifn. Been tough. Trying to take 1 day at a time with God’s help & love. I’m praying this chemo is the worst of everything! Any thoughts are appreciated :-)
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Thanks Santabarbarian, I will mention this to my doctor. Hopefully, it will be something else not related to chemo.
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Hello all!
Welcome Ivy60.
Thinking about you, palmetto.
UpstateNYer, I'm so sorry about your shoulder. Praying for a quick recovery.
I hope everyone is relatively well.
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Hello!
I created a new picture, inspired by DogMomRunner, one of my buddies from the Taxol thread.
No. 7, done! Only 5 left. I only slept for four hours last night (thanks to steroids). Between that and the Benadryl today, I am sleepy. My oldest dd is going to get my youngest dd from school. I will will take a nap soon.
My labs look good. I dislike the steroids, in case I haven't said that before. 😁 I have a decent amount of energy in the morning to early afternoon, then I get progressively tired. Otherwise, I am well. I am motivated.
Thinking of you all. ❤️
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Happyanyway awesome one more down. So pleased that the labs are good!! That is my biggest concern but Nat’s went up slightly last Monday Love the new picture. I would not have the slightest idea how to do that!!! I am very grateful that both you and Natalie are doing so well We are off to get a hike in! Hopefully a cookout in the mountains tomorrow with family. Then #5 on Monday!
Welcome Ivy60!!
God bless everyone of you!!!
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Happyanyway- love your new pic. You are doing so well, despite those nasty steroids. I admire your upbeat attitude and positive vibes.
Welcome Ivy60. We are a very close supportive bunch here.
I saw my doctor yesterday for shoulder pain. She gave me a steroid injection with a numbing agent. Also she prescribed a muscle relaxant and prednisone. She did not think the pain was caused by chemo se's. I do feel better today.
Especially thinking of Happyanyway, Jrom, Lacombattant, Palmetto, g1973, kimm, and Mountainmia.
Mountainmia- have you started rads yet? I have my rad consult next Wednesday.
Wishing everyone a great day today. (((Hugs))) to all.
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Jrominger, I believe Nat's counts will only get better. I have an app on my phone called Bitmoji. I saved it to my phone, then used it here. Enjoy the hike and time spent with your family.
Hey UpstateNYer!
Enjoy the weekend, everyone.
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Happyanyway I’m going with your prediction on Nat’s blood counts!! Thank you for your prayers!I attached a photo of our hike. 3.6 mi at 9,000 ft. The mountains behind Nat go up to almost 13,000 ft. This is what our part of AZ looks like!! No desert here! She is a bald little beast!!
UpstateNYer with your doctors assessment and a little PT I bet your shoulder will be right as rain soon!! Tell your hubby that the Dr said a 30 min shoulder massage daily is mandatory, in fact twice daily😜
May God’s blessings be upon all of us in this group!!!
Have a glorious weekend
J
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Jrominger, beautiful background and beautiful wife.
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Jrom- loved the pic of Nat. Praying her counts stay on the normal range.
Hoping to avoid PT with shoulder. My hubby does do shoulder massages for me. I am lucky in that regard. 😊
Hi Happyanyway. Hope your weekend will be more restful for you.
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Hi gang! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I had #6 yesterday so I’m officially halfway done with Taxol. Yessss!
Thursday I had my appointment with my surgeon. Got my referral to the reconstructionist. They will call to set up a consult. If everything works out, I’ll have my surgery on a Monday or Wednesday in late October. *fingers crossed*
I have a girls cruise planned Oct 9-14 and am really looking forward to it. I may even have some decent head cover by then. My hair is starting to grow back! I have a little fuzz here and there. The lashes and brows are still gone. I’m asking my MO for a prescription for Latisse on Thursday when I see her.
I’m super sleepy (you can read my response in the Weekly Taxol group if you want the nitty gritty) so I’ll cut this short- but know that I am thinking of you all and wishing you much health and minimal SE. I’ll by-name you guys a little later. <
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Palmetto- Congrats on completing Taxol # 6. Nice that you are halfway through. Your girls cruise in October sounds fantastic, something to look forward to. You deserve to let loose and have some fun. You will have finished your Taxol by then. Hoping your surgery is on schedule and goes well for you. Always good to hear from you. Keep the faith.
Pat
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HappyAnyway: love the new avatar! Congratulations on getting another chemo done - you are getting closer and closer to the finish line!
Jrominger: beautiful photo, Nat looks fantastic!
Palmetto: congrats on hitting the mid point. All girls cruise is just the right thing to do after all this chemo jazz:)
UpStateNYer: hope your shoulder gets better soon, and what can be better than home massages:)
Welcome, Ivy60!
I hope that everyone is enjoying the weekend. The weather here is unpredictable, but Hans and I are planning a hike tomorrow nonetheless.
I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, please be well!
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Lacombattante. How was the hiking? Natalie did over 24 miles last week!! She feels good except weird sharp abdominal pains. They feel like ovary pains and side aches. They come and go. I hate it for her! Otherwise she seems to be doing well. We are off tomorrow for #5 of 12!
UpstateNYer praying that the shoulder pain is subsiding!
One day at a time! Praying for everyone on this page. Have a SE free week!!
J
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hi all. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers daily.
Glad to hear that you are staying so active, Jrom and Lacombattant. Good for the body and soul.
My shoulder pain is subsiding. Possibly the steroid and muscle relaxant are helping.
Hi Happyanyway. Hope you are getting some rest this weekend.
Jrom-tell Nat that I also had many abdominal stabbing pains during chemo. I was very concerned about it, but they all went away after my final chemo. Hope they do the same for her. You are almost halfway through treatment. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. Things are rolling right along for everyone.
I meet with RO on Wednesday to consult about rads. Hoping I will only need 3 weeks instead of 5.
How are you feeling today, Palmetto?
Take care everyone. Pat
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UpstateNYer THANK YOU for the info on your similar SEs!! That makes us feel a lot better!! Which is sad but at least it is reassuring that this too will pass. We are very happy to hear the shoulder issues are subsiding but we will continue to pray until they are gone!! Keep us posted about the rad treatments!
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Hi All!
Jrominger: we had a great hike today, thank you for asking. We did 15 km ( slightly over 9 miles), the weather was beautiful. Nat's miles count is incredible! She is a motivation, really! Sorry to hear about the pain, I agree with UpStateNYer that most likely it is Taxol related. From time to time, I get sharp pains in my joints (usually happens around 5th day after chemo), luckily it is very short lived.
I will be thinking about Nat tomorrow, you are nearly half way through!
UpStateNYer: happy to hear that your shoulder is improving. Please do keep us posted on your next steps and on Rads plan. I will be meeting with RO somewhere in September, likely I will need 5 to 6 weeks but we'll see.
Palmetto: i have some peach fuzz too! No eyelashes or eyebrows though.
Some photos from today.
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I love seeing all the physical activity you May people are keeping up!! It is life affirming and beautiful to witness!
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