Starting chemo February 2020
Comments
-
I never wear a bra anymore, it’s amazing. Now that it’s been cold here, and I’m less busy, I’m basically in tanks, sweats and leggings.
School is still remote for us, but my freshman is supposed to go back hybrid for two hours some days. Covid is rising here so rumor is that all the schools are going to pull back to remote anyway. I have so many mixed feelings about it all. I’m trying to prepare myself mentally for a long winter stuck home.
I go back for Kadcyla #2 this week and expect to get my tamoxifen prescription too. I’m not looking forward to the next Kadcyla, but I’m just reminding myself it’s not that bad.
Nothing else going on here.
0 -
My 4th grader goes everyday, but is home by 2pm. My two middle schoolers go every other day and it's actually quite nice having the more relaxed at-home day. Only a small handful of cases at their schools, so going well so far. I'm immensely grateful that our school district held out and let in-person be an option. Figuring out what is due when is a bit of a challenge - but probably less of a headache for parents and students than organizing the hybrid is for teachers. But... positivity % is climbing here - our governor just shut down indoor dining in our county again. Looking ahead to Christmas... we normally go up to MN for a very large week-long family gathering. 12 adults, 13 grandkids - over half staying in the same house. I would enjoy hanging with family who I will not have seen in a year - but I just don't see how that can happen. I feel like my MIL will host it against better judgment because she can't imagine not having Christmas as usual.
Meanwhile... I'm still walking around with one big boob.
Trying to keep a sense of humor about it. I tell my husband that the extra weight on one side is hurting my back so that he'll give me a backrub. 0 -
micdpowers, use anything to your advantage lol
0 -
Ladies, it has been four weeks and they still cannot remove my last two drains. We are going to recheck on Friday but I don't think it will happen because it is still above 35 ml daily.
Did that happen to anyone? Did your doctor give you advice on how to help slow down the drainage?
TIA
0 -
Im shocked they let it go that long. My understanding is the risk of infection outweighs the benefits once you get to 3-4 weeks.
Also you might be too active. That causes more drainage. Maybe be a couch potato for the next 2 days
0 -
I'm not even cleaning but I have to make breakfast for the kids, help my daughter with her viruak schooling and homework, and do laundry sporadically. I'm not cleaning or doing anything else.
I'm in pain sometimes. This sucks.
0 -
SE, sorry you have to put up with those for so long! It makes a huge difference!
0 -
Just got a call from my MO. My hormone tests came back. I'm post menopausal so I have to start taking Anastrozole, which is a hormone based chemotherapy.
Also, saw the Radiation Oncologist today. Radiation will be for about 28 days. If insurance approves it will be Proton Therapy. They will do the area under my right arm, all of my right breast, my neck and chest, and between my breasts. I need to call her once I know when my last breast filling will be so we can start.
0 -
SE - that's the exact sports my Radiation was done in. I did 25 sessions. It wasn't bad. The AI is something most of us will end up on at some point. Just keep in mind there's several different AIs available, you're not locked into Anastrozole. If your body can't tolerate it after a few months ask your MO to try another.
0 -
morrigan_2575, thank you. Good to know.
0 -
SE - hope those drains come out ASAP. My surgeon said 3-4 weeks is usually her limit even if they are still producing. And good luck on the AI.
I went for my 2nd Kadcyla yesterday. Feeling fine today. Tonight I took my first tamoxifen, hoping for no bad side effects. I had to get a pill box to help me remember and make sure I take my meds. I’m taking claritin and Pepcid too, plus my Gyn suggested vitamin D. I’m too forgetful these days, sometimes I literally can’t remember if I just took my meds or not. So, the pill box it is. I don’t want to mess up the tamoxifen.
How’s everyone’s hair? Mine is annoying. The good news is that it feels pretty soft and thick. But it’s just still short. I want it to grow already.
0 -
SE- ugh the drains! Bummer they’ve been in so long...once they come out life feels so much more manageable in terms of movement. Like others have said, I thought at a certain point it was better to just remove them for infection risk but idk. After I got mine out I did need to have fluid aspirated out a week later, which was fine since I couldn’t feel anything anyways!
Fab4mom- my hair is about 2-3inches now and pretty thick. It’s stick straight with lots of cowlicks so it’s in kind of a rough stage right now..I was close to going scarf less, but until it gets a little longer and lays nicer I’ll have to wait! I do have a few more grays than I did before...maybe from all of the 2020 stress lo
0 -
Thank you ladies. My appt. is at 11:30 a.m. I hope I get them out.
My hair is still short. The sides and top is straight but the back looks curly.
0 -
I'm finally JP drain free. Crossing my fingers that my body absorbs everything from now on.
I have right now 120 CCs on my left and 240 CCs on my right. They still look small. I hope I'm able to tell when they are big enough.
0 -
You'll definitely notice. I remember going to the PS and finding out that I had 120cc in both to start. I was shocked because they looked so small. By the time I got up to 400cc they definitely looked big. I ended up going to 520cc and, they're a pretty nice size. My right (cancer) breast shrunk during radiation but my PS says he can still do the same size implants as we originally planned.
Congrats on being Drain Free! I hated those things.
0 -
morrigan_2575, yes, my PS wants to do the replacement after radiation for that same reason. I have a feeling I'll go big like you.
0 -
Yay for drain free! Hopefully your body just absorbs any excess fluid. If all else fails they can just aspirate it out I think. I don’t even know how many ccs my implants are...I had surgery pre chemo and it was my first “cancer” thing I did so it’s kind of all a big blur. Hard to believe it’s almost been 1 year since I found my lump. Crazy.
0 -
ajminn3, I didn't know how many CCs either but I asked because I know that's how breast talk happens lol
Next month it will be a year for me as well since I found my breaat iceberg lol
0 -
I never found out my cc’s either, but I definitely didn’t wake up flat, they had been filled. I only got one more fill, they are probably a B now, I think they are a perky little handful. My husband and I both think they look better than my old breasts and they are just temporary. I’m still leaning towards a Diep Flap, so I had to stay small. I didn’t like being larger, I found them annoying, so if I can lose some belly fat and get perky breasts, I’m all for it. But I have to wait until I’m done with Kadcyla. That’s May/June, and I don’t want the surgery next summer, so my ideal timing will be nezt September.
I had Kadcyla #2 last week and I’m doing much better than the first round. I’m not sure if it was just reacting to my first one, the combination with radiation or what. I also added Pepcid and Claritin, so I think that is helping with the crusty nose and nausea. I had the slightest chills feeling on Saturday, but not huge fatigue episodes.
I’m not sure if any of you are into exercise, but that was kind of my thing before cancer. I was never a perfect body or anything, but I worked out most days for my sanity and health. It is a major mood booster for me. During chemo and after surgery, I was down to mainly walking. We got a Peloton a few weeks ago and I’m loving it. I’m so out of shape, but there are so many amazing workouts, stretches, mediations. I really believe that the exercise is helping me deal with treatments. I don’t over do it, I just do what feels good.
0 -
I miss exercising. I'm getting fat because of it lol. We want a Peloton but don't have the space for it. Hopefully we can move somewhere else next year.
0 -
Glad to hear you're getting back into fitness Fab4. I'm getting my tennis game back. My first showing was pretty poor, but after 3 weeks, my cardio capability is improving and I think the chemo-induced weight loss made me a little faster.
But I have a ways to go to get muscle and muscle tone back - and I definitely put on some more belly fat. I did start going back to the gym too - but only on the times they have "extra social distancing" and I wear a mask even while running on the treadmill. My genetic mutation makes me at risk for pancreatic cancer too, so I really want to get my body fat % down - as that's a high risk factor. I went in for my surgery pre-op appointment on Friday and he filled my leaky expander back up - but I could tell by Saturday that it was leaking again. I'll be back down to one boob by this weekend, so I'm anxiously awaiting the call to schedule my surgery.
My daughter's 14U softball team made a big deal at their game this weekend. Pink jerseys for both teams with my initials on their shoulders - pink jersey for me - lots of pink ribbons, balloons, decorations, chalk messages on the sidewalk. They surprised me (and her) when I dropped her off for warmups. Dedicated the game to my family (and breast cancer awareness) and had me throw out the first pitch. I had to sit in my car... bawling... for about 5 minutes. That's me and my family on home plate.
0 -
micdpowers, that's so sweet 😭
0 -
That's awesome. How sweet of them!
0 -
micdpowers - How awesome is that! What a great team.And good for you on the tennis and hitting the gym.
0 -
Micd- that is so awesome of the team! I would have totally needed a moment in my car as well! I also feel like my weight is settling in my mid section...I def haven’t been bikini worthy for many years, but I don’t like how much it seems to be collecting there. I’m blaming the new lack of estrogen from my treatment and too many “celebrations” of chemo/rads being done.
Fab4mom- we’ve been seriously debating a peloton...I miss being able to do workout classes, which is the best way I can exercise. I just can’t risk the gym and home workouts on the tv just don’t quite do it for me. I may need to look more into it!
0 -
Has anyone else had radiation to armpit area? My skin looks like scorched hamburger meat. The doctor prescribed bactroban and I've been using a qause sheet to keep skin from touching but it still hurts! Just wondering if there is anything else I should be doing.
0 -
I will be having radiation there but I have not started yet. I have been told real/natural aloe vera helps, like straight from the plant.
0 -
i had it there, I just used Aloe Gel 3-4 times/day and aquaphor
0 -
Dyson- that’s the perfect way to describe it! Ugh, I’m so sorry. I went through similar. I found metipil patches over my rough skin spots, which seemed to help the pain from touch/rubbing.
0 -
Checking in to see how everyone is doing. Had a Chemo brain moment today...well realized it anyway. My Checking Account was super low...turns out I paid my mortgage twice this month oops.
I guess that means I'm off the book for December. 😁
0
