Starting Chemo May 2019
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palmetto, good to hear from you. Sorry you missed the marching band performance, but let me assure you, there will be A LOT MORE!!
Love, a former band mom (and currently Air Force mom, after Son traded one uniform for another.)
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hi Mountainmia, Thanks for answering my question about breast moisturization before and after rads. During my simulation, techs told me to not place anything right before my appointment. They said It was ok to place Aquafor after. How are you doing with rads? How many are left for you? Hope it is going well for you. Take care. pat
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Hi UpstateNYer Pat, it's one more phase in the process, but it's rolling along fine. I've done 9 of 20 and now starting to feel it. My whole left side, breast quadrant and underarm and upper arm, are all mildly uncomfortable. Mostly it's just achey and tender, nothing terrible. I'm about to go to bed and will take an ibuprofen or 2. I took one this afternoon and it helped a lot. I'm really glad to have the 3-day weekend, and only 4 treatments next week.
How are you feeling about it coming up? Do you feel recovered from surgery and ready to go?
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hi everyone! Finally, checking in and catching up
Work wise, we are finalizing our business plans for the next year, hence the workload ... and I can tell you that chemo brain is not helping my efficiency:))).
HappyAnyway, of course you can PM me anytime! I hope you are doing well this weekend. No wonder you are growing tired of chemo - you have 9 checked off! Almost done!
UpStateNYer, I was on Femara for three years and the only SE of concern was osteopenia in my spine. At the beginning, I had some joints / muscle discomfort in the morning, but it was easy to control with light physical activity. And after four to six months this SE leveled out.
Jrominger, sorry to hear that Nat starts to feel the effects of chemo, I also found that the 6th treatment that kicked my butt more than previous ones - my MO shrugged it off on cumulative effects.
Palmetto, congratulations on No 8! Sorry about missing the band performance but as MountainMia said, there will be more to come!
BAMR, you have only one left, YAY!
Sending positive thoughts and prayers from across the pond:) Please be well!
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Hi all- Thinking of all of you, hoping you are having a good Labor Day weekend.
Lacombattant- You've got to rest that chemo brain occasionally 😜Please don't let that workload overwhelm you.
Mountainmia- So sorry to hear that you're experiencing aches and tenderness with rads. But, you are halfway through. That is great. I know you'll be happier once it is completed. I have to go one more time for "initiation of treatment" before rads start. I had my simulation last week. Did you have to go twice before your rads started? Yes, I am a bit apprehensive about this , but looking forward, as you are as well, to getting it all completed. My surgical area healed up beautifully. Have an appointment to see my MO next Wed. to talk about AI's due to my being er positive. What is next for you?
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UpstateNYer, yes, I had a "set-up" appointment with CT, and a week and a half later had the simulation. Then the next day I started real treatment. It goes fast and the techs are so good. I think you'll do great. And you're moving toward the finish, aside from AIs. It's exciting and a tiny bit frightening to be moving to the end of this treatment. For me, it will be the end. Since I'm triple negative, there isn't anything else they can do for me. Then it's just moving on to getting a lot more active again, getting to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, remotivating to do more quilting again, making plans for something to hold onto and look forward to in the next 3-12 months...
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Great attitude, Mountainmia. I do feel the same as you, excited but somewhat anxious about the future as well. You will find yourself getting back to normal again soon, and all of this will become a faded memory. That is what I am hoping for anyway. I am also trying to stay active, exercise more, and eat healthier, but then again that's what I have been trying to do as I get older. I wish that I could avoid taking the AI's. I am not looking forward to the se's, as some women have reported to have, from taking them. Time will tell. Have a good day.
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Good to hear from all of you. Mtnmia and UpstateNYer please continue to keep us informed on your rad experience as we may also be there in a couple of months. Hope it all goes smoothly
Nat had the best week yet after #6! Weird!! But grateful. MO told her to take Pepcid AC for 3 days after infusion and she has had basically no SEs this go around. However the attached picture may explain the amazing feelings. What a glorious weekend!! We were only missing our eldest grandson who had a cough and did not want to risk giving anything to his grandma. He was bummed. What a great kid. We are back to PX for Taxol #7 tomorrow.Praying that WBC’s will be up!!
We sure hope and pray you are all doing well and having a happy SE free Labor Day!!
J
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Thanks everyone keeping us all updated! It is very much appreciated. Checking in from end of cycle Taxol 6, going back in Wednesday for #7. I felt better than during last cycle, slightly more energy overall. I still have no major side effects to report. Taste is a bit off, dry lips, a little body ache, but it is all very minor thankfully.
I made a table with my blood values throughout treatment. For Taxol 5 I had quite low neutrophils (1.15). Could have been a technical outlier. My oncologist did not seem worried as I received the treatment (we actually did not even discuss it at our meeting). For Taxol 6 it had recovered a bit to 1.54. I did not have super high neutrophils before treatment, though those "before chemo" values were done by a different lab. I have not received any Neulasta during the Taxol phase yet.
In any case, everyone keep up the good work!
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Thank you, LaCombattante, I will PM you this week.
Don't work too hard. Hi palmetto, UpstateNYer, MountainMia and Mightlybird01!
Jrominger, I love that photo! Your grandchildren are so beautiful. You all have a strong family resemblance. Nat's scarf is cute, too.
This round has kicked my butt. I wonder if the Neulasta has more to do with the exhaustion than I previously thought. It could also be the cumulative effects of the TC. Don't know, but I am ready to move on.
I'm thinking of everyone that is dealing with bad weather. My sister was in South Carolina for vacation and was forced to evacuate. Be safe!
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Happyanyway thanks for the kind words. I’m so sorry to hear that this was a rougher one for you. I bet it is the cumulative effect plus neulasta. I couldn’t agree more. I’m ready to move on to the next thing!! Chemo sucks. Praying blood will be better than last week and get #7 behind us. Hang tough!! Hopefully you’ll be stronger each day this week.
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HappyAnyway, yes, Neulasta could have to do with the exhaustion. The day after Neulasta was always my worst when on the AC. I really hated the Neulasta.
Hang in there!
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Hi all
Jrom- Just love the pic. Everyone looks so happy. Grandkids are precious, Nat looks beautiful. You are truly blessed. So happy that Nat is feeling so well. Praying that #7 goes well tomorrow and no se's. You are nearing that chemo finish line.
Mightlybird01-Hoping #7 goes well for you on Wednesday. Wishing for continual minimal se's like with #6. You are also nearing that finish line. Glad to see bloodwork in normal range pre chemo too.
Happyanyway- Praying that your sister will be safe. That impeding storm is certainly not to be taken lightly. Part of me is wishing that will end up changing course and goes back out into the ocean. Sorry that you are not feeling very well after this last T/C. I would bet it is cumulative effects. A comforting thought is that you will be moving on soon to the next step of your journey.((hugs)) Pat
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Hi everyone! I'm finally feeling a bit more like myself after #8. I did what I could to enjoy the long weekend. Mowed the grass (gets me zen), went for a 3/4 mile swim on Sunday, actually went JOGGING yesterday. Sometimes the mind truly does limit the body... or in my case, the voice of my parents! :P They are always worried about me exerting myself too much. I accomplished a lot this weekend physically and feel really good! Of course, I did become a couch potato and watch A LOT of college football! That helped with the rest I needed to get. Only side effect this week is an increasing pain on my right middle finger nail bed. It's pretty sensitive. Other than that, no complaints. I go in for #9 on Thursday!
MountainMia- thank you for the kind reminder that there will be MANY more performances. Of course as a mother, I want to support him for every one, but he understands that isn't always an option these days. At least my parents are here to make up for my absence. Congrats on being halfway done with rads!
LaCombattante- I hear you on the chemo brain! Take it easy... for me, I know the more I try to fight it, the worse off (and more frustrated) I get.
UpstateNYer- best of luck with rads. I hope you will have a smooth experience and achieve maximum healing.
Jrominger- you have such a beautiful family!! That picture brightened my day. Good luck on #7 today!
Mightlybird01- you are a woman after my own heart. I LOVE the bloodwork table! I think I may need to create one for myself.
HappyAnyway- I hope you feel better soon. We are so close to the end!! I'm glad your sister was able to evacuate... what part of SC was she in? My dad is there now, but will be coming back to TX tomorrow. He's in the upstate so didn't have to evacuate. I'd be a mess if we lived by the coast like we used to!
Sending hugs and healing thoughts to all of you!
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Thinking of you today, MountainMia.
LaCombattante, do you have treatment today?
Jrominger, thinking of Nat today. Praying for improved counts.
My sister is home now, safe and sound. Thanks, UpstateNYer. Hugs back to you.
I feel tired today, but otherwise fine.
Thank you all for your encouragement. It's nice to know that you are here. Blessings to all!
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Mightlybird01, how are you feeling today?
Palmetto, sounds like you are doing well! Hope your nail problem resolves. My sister went to Folly Beach. Hugs and healing to you, too.
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HappyAnyway, I am doing very well. Thanks for asking :-)! I just baked some brioches. I know, not exactly a health food, but I like baking and thought I'd try. Very windy and rainy today (Midwest, so no hurricane), so that put a damper on my plans to get some repairs of the fences done today. My farm hand only has time on Tuesdays, and that's when I am fit and active, so now we have to wait another week to get it done.
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Hi everyone!
Got my 9th cup of poison today. My blood counts improved: Hgb is 11.3, WBC at 3.8 vs 2.8 last time. No clue why, but good news are always welcome:))) I am sleepy and spaced out from premeds, which by now became my 'normal' for Day 1.
Jrominger, I keep Nat in my thoughts and prayers today, wishing an easy treatment and no SEs afterwards. You have such a beautiful family, thank you for sharing the pic; it put a smile on my face and warmed my heart -love and care for each other that you all share is evident!
HappyAnyway, sorry about the fatigue, Taxol and Carbo is a mighty combo, but it does take its toll... Hopefully you will regain your strength during your week off. And great to hear that your sister is safe!
Palmetto, You are a superwoman, no less! Hopefully your nail pain will go away soon.
UpStateNYer, Hope the rads will not be too harsh; experiences do vary and I pray that yours will be an easy one!
Mightlybird, good luck tomorrow
Wishing everyone a very nice Tuesday, please be well
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number 9 taxol completed for me as well.
Jrom, loves the pic ❤️
HappyAnyway hope you’re feeling better
Similar experience as LaCom. I have a little tingling in my r foot. Thought I was seeing the Dr today but I didn’t. I found it odd as I have been seeing him every 2 weeks. I mentioned it to 3 different people (the check in lady, the schedule person, and my nurse). While they all thought it was odd, nothing changed. I’m guessing it wouldn’t have changed the plan. I just like the reassurance. They were super busy making up for those that couldn’t get in on Monday. I’ll call if it gets worse.
My labs also looked better than last week, to which I said that’s great but I feel like garbage
seriously it will be so nice to have some energy again. Got my swim in before I went in. Also power washed the back patio. I’m gonna sleep well tonight!
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Looks like everyone on this thread is getting close to the end of chemo! It will be soooooo nice to get to "bounce back" without more chemo to knock you down again! That is right around the corner! I send a hug to anyone who needs it and a high five to all of you. This is a strong group. Love seeing all the pics, and hearing about how active you guys are! It is LIFE-affirming! You will feel normal again soon, and you will look back on this experience as a major badge of honor and grit. Hang in, stay tough, be fighters! Plan something REALLY FUN for fall, to celebrate being done. I send you wishes for healing and energy and restful sleep. You are nearly there!!!!!
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Hi everyone. Hope all is going well and Praying for those who are getting infused today. We are all one day closer to the finish line!!
Natalie’ Blood work was up, praise God!! #7 in the bag. Just hiked 3.7 miles. Nat’s attitude continues to be amazing. We are sure praying that her SEs would be like last week.
Happyanyway, Santabarbarian Mtnmia mightylybird. Our MO at the CTCA said there is a new trial starting called “just in time” I think. It is specifically for TNBC. It is a vaccine. I don’t know much yet but will find out more. The Mayo Clinic is also doing a TNBC vaccine trial as well . It pertains to preventing recurrence I believe. Kind of exciting. I’ll try and learn more when we meet our MO again in a few weeks.
Hang tough everyone. Praying for all of us!!
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santabarbarian. I agree this a special group and it is life affirming!! We will all be victorious over this “temporary” malady!! Thanks for staying with us and keep us posted on your post recovery!!
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jrom and all, here is a link to the Mayo Clinic vaccination study for TNBC. I don't qualify but it's worth checking to see if you do.
https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20366156
I'm doing well. Did #12 of 20 rads this morning. My skin is a bit pink, and I'm increasingly tired and crabby, but that may or may not be related.
Saw RO after my treatment this morning and she has no concerns for my progress. My hair is coming back though it's not very dense yet. My scalp has a lot of little bumps on it as if the hair follicles are trying to push new hairs through. Honestly I've almost gotten used to looking like this and it will be kind of weird to have hair of any length again, just as it was weird to be bald.
I enjoy reading about everyone's progress and continue cheering you on. Wishing you all many blessings and much peace. xoxo
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Hello everyone,
Keeping you all in my prayers. Looks like everyone is doing pretty well.
Santabarbarian- Love your words of encouragement. It is always nice to see your input and concern for everyone.
Jrom- Glad that Nat's bloodwork is good and that you still keep up with those long hikes. I walked 4 miles yesterday and 3 miles today. Also am doing weight bearing exercises.
Mountainmia-you are past the halfway point with rads. So happy for you. Hopefully se's subside for you. My hair is also coming in. Mine is more dense at the top. It feels great to have some hair again.
Happyanyway, Lacombattant, April, mightlybird, and Palmetto - Thinking of all of you as well. Hope you are doing well.
I started my anastrozole (aromitase inhibitor for being ER positive) today. Saw my MO yesterday who said I didn't have to wait until after rads to start it. Just hoping for minimal se's. Gosh, I need to be on this for 5 years and possibly 10 years. I wanted to start it now as it has been 7 months since diagnosis. Anyway, my rads start next Wednesday. I will be completed Oct. 2nd.
Take good care everyone, Pat👍
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Finished chemotherapy! Woo-hoo! So happy to have Taxol #12 in the rear view mirror and now a month off before surgery.
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Wow, BAMR! Congrats!!! Huge step to get through. Now I hope you can rest and recover.
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congratulations BAMR!
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Congratulations BAMR! Let us know how your recovery goes!
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Folks moving forward to surgery, how do you decide what to choose - unilateral or bilateral MX?
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