Starting chemo February 2020
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"although a flipped implant doesn’t sound too fun). Hopefully you can it fixed up, however that may be...oh the things we have to deal with!"
He flipped it right back over, it's kind of easy. It was funny because he flipped it over and then was like, now it's bottoms up, and then twisted my foob clockwise until the implant was in the correct position 😂
I decided to wear sports bras again just to be safe
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Happy New Year to all my feb chemo friends. Our holiday was very quiet and uneventful, but nice. I had a Kadcyla infusion on the 23rd, and brought some chocolates and starbucks gift cards for the nurses and staff. With all the heavy foods and unhealthy holiday eating right around infusion time, I got some serious constipation on Christmas, which was not pleasant, but also left me laughing at what my life is like now. Last Christmas was certainly different! Thankfully that's all over now, and I'll be back for another infusion next week. Going for an echo tomorrow to see how my heart is holding up.
My hair is awful. I'm pretty sure the Kadcyla is slowing down growth, and now it's just this awful awkward length. It's usually sticking up crazy. I can sort of style it acceptably with gel, but if I put a hat on, forget about it, afterwards I look insane. I usually just throw my winter hat on when I go out and let it be crazy the rest of the time.
mmorigan - i'm glad to hear the implant was no big deal.
I'm losing patience for the covid vaccine or for things to change, and life to get back to normal. Our schools are still all virtual, as they have been since March. I miss regular life alot lately.
Also obsessing on my peloton lately, I love that they have an app with restorative yoga, mediation, pilates etc. I've been really trying to focus on me, and carve time away from the rest of the family.
Take care all and hope 2021 can be a lot kinder to all of us!
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NJ just launched the website to preregister for COVID, I'm in group 1C as expected. They have not provided any dates, just said I'm on the.list and will get an email when it's time to schedule my group.
I go for Kadcyla 10 on Monday. I think the fatigue is starting to kick in.
Other than that pretty much same old same old.
Belated Happy New Year, Everyone!
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Fab4mom- hope the next infusion goes well! I’m with you on the hair...living in MN I have to wear a hat quite frequently and it totally messes up any attempt at making my hair look decent before I leave the house!
Morrigan- NJ sounds more on top of it than MN. I have no idea when I’ll be getting the vaccine...I was hoping as a teacher that works in person with kids that maybe I’d be “bumped up” to get it. I’ve heard nothing yet
My peloton delivery was pushed back a month due to demand. I know it’s totally not a big deal in the scheme of things but I was so looking forward to getting it...it was going to solve all of my weight and stress problems!!! (Kidding, kidding).
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Fab4, AJMinn - yep. My hair is nutzo. I bought a pack of cloth headbands and I feel like they make me look younger and more feminine - but same with hats, once I take them off, my hair looks absurd.
I'm making my kids meditate with me these days. I'm new to meditation, but we've made it 9 days in a row so far. They grumble, but they oblige. I figure we can all use some anxiety-reduction time so I make them do it too.
I got a small infection at end of my incision - a suture that hadn't dissolved. Antibiotics and PS pulled suture yesterday. I definitely have some implant ripples in my breasts now (I absorbed almost all that grafted fat) so I have to decide if I want to bother with more lipo and grafting at some point. I asked him if there was any point (i.e., would I just absorb it again?) and he said it's cumulative. So if they graft (via injection) more up there, some will get reabsorbed again, some will stay. I figure I'll give it a few months or so and consider having it done again when I get my port out. Apparently, the ripples happen more often with the over-the-muscle implants.
I also asked him about underwire bras. He said not for 3 months or so and then to be conscious of the fact that I don't have a lot of feeling around breasts - so the underwire can be an issue if it pokes, jabs, etc. and I don't feel it.
I was looking forward to not having to wear bras - but I find with these implants I much prefer to have a bra on - even when sleeping. The things are so weird and get all bent out of shape when I lay on my side. So I like to keep them strapped in place. Especially now hearing your story Morrigan!
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mmorigan - your covid registration sounds just about like ours here in IL. But ours was by county. They did just send an update that each group will go first signed up, so I'm group 1C, and since I signed up right away, I'll be at the start of the 1C group. My parents are in senior living and no updates yet, they should be in group 1A.
ajminn - I think teachers are in group 1B here, before cancer patients. I hope that MN get's their act together for you soon. My kids might actually be going back to hybrid school soon. Well, at least my high schooler, they are going back Jan 19th unless the govenor closes schools. No more waiting. The elementary school is moving along, but it seems like it could be 4-6 weeks before my kids are actually back. Bummer about the Peloton delay. I highly recommend downloading the app and trying the yoga, stretch, mediation, pilates, etc. It's all really good. We've figured out how to cast or play on tvs, so we can work out on the big screen whenever.
micdpowers - your hair looks cute! Mine's still too short for a headband. When I put one in, it sticks up in front and back of it, too crazy. Bummer about the infection and the ripples. I didn't know you could wear underwire after implants. Mine are small, so I almost never wear a bra. I'm still so clueless when it comes to reconstruction. I had DMX and put expanders in, and I'm hoping to do the Diep in the fall.
When do you guys think you'll go for your first haircut? I'm not sure if I just let it grow crazy or to get it cut with some style in the way it grows out. I have decided to do nothing until I have the vaccine, but maybe afterwards I get it cleaned up a bit? Or just let it go, I don't know, I feel like I'm getting a mullet.
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Here I am after looking rosy after a workout. I tried a headband, but it was pointless.
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Fab4Mom - you look good! Yah, mine pretty much sticks up - especially in back of the headband. And then it leaves a big dent when I take it off. I'm planning to take full advantage of the lockdown and winter hats and just grow my hair and hopefully by April when the world starts to open up again it will be enough to get a little trim/style. I fear I'm going to be a big puff-ball til mid-summer though.
Turns out mullets are actually a hip thing these days - maybe not with 40+ yo moms, but my friend's 20-something daughter has a short mullet. More Joan Jett style.
I'm in IL too (Kane) and haven't heard a peep about vaccine sign-up yet. My husband has now had both of his though, so at least him bringing it home from work is no longer a worry.
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Fab4mom- you look great! I’ve tried headbands, but I have such a terrible widows peak and oval head that it just looks so bad on me! Oh well.
Micd- I’m also hoping after winter hat season my hair will be a little more manageable to work with. I think I’m going to wait on a hair cut for a bit. We’ll see as it grows. I’m nearing mullet territory...I guess the one nice thing is that I have a coworker who also went through treatment for a breast cancer reoccurrence at the same time I was in treatment so we both are at similar hair regrow the stages. We have another coworker who just ended treatment for Bcell Lymphoma, so she will also join us in our hair regrow this adventure. It’s kind of disturbing how many of us in the same elementary school had to go through cancer treatment over the last year.
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"It's kind of disturbing how many of us in the same elementary school had to go through cancer treatment over the last year."
I'm the 3rd woman in our office to get BC, 4th person to get Cancer (my coworker was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and passed in January 2020 - right after my diagnosis).
We're all in around the same age although the first BC is an 8 year survivor and was diagnosed in her early 30s).
We joke (gallows humor) that the company really is trying to work us to death. 😂
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mmorigan - that's crazy about your office
ajminn - that's awful that you have all those teachers going through this together, but it is nice to have support. Has MN moved up teachers on the vaccine list? In IL, they have been moved up to 1b, with essential workers. Supposedly our teachers should get vaccinated early February.
I went for kadcyla #6 this week. It was uneventful. Felt low grade yuck yesterday, like a mild hangover. I finally have felt more neuoropathy, with some numbness feeling today in the tips of my fingers, but it's still very slight. Also this week is my one year cancerversary, so I'm full of feelings. Recurrence chances are back in the forefront. My pathology at surgery this summer had a rating that put me at moderate risk, and I can't help letting that roll around. I know Kadcyla lowers that risk, but it just stinks. I might have to go off the Facebook groups for awhile, it's just full of people having recurrence.
I hope everyone else is doing well.
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Fab4mom- as far as I know teachers have not moved up and there seems to be a shortage of vaccines overall. There’s no timeline for getting the vaccine for teachers right now as far as I know. I’m willing to take it as soon as I can get it! The cancerversary is a hard time. I went through that last month (let’s get real, I’m still going through it). I hear you on the fear of reoccurrence...I’m probably in many of the same Facebook groups (let me know if you ever want to connect of Facebook- anyone!) and I see similar things. Sometimes I wonder if being part of those groups does more harm for my mental health than good.
I have my last HP infusion next Friday. I’m some ways I can’t believe this time has come...it felt so far away last year...and yet, I’m not completely done and will never be (at least in my mind). Hope you are all well
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NJ opened Vaccine for 65+ or 18-64 at high risk. I just got my mom and appointment for 2/9 in her county Mega Site.
I still can't get an appointment in my County. I'm on the list to me notified when new appointments are available
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Morrigan- that’s so great! MN is still vaccinating healthcare workers and just got to nursing home/long term care facilities. My cousin is a director at one and just got hers Thursday, which is a solid 2+ weeks after they were first anticipating getting it. Hoping to get a chance for a vaccine soon. Our elementary schools are opening full in person on Tuesday (k-2 with 3-5 joining 2 weeks later). I still only have my 7 regular students due to being a smaller contained sped program, but general Ed teachers will have 20-25 kids in their rooms. They lowered the safe distance to 3 feet per kid vs. 6. Curious to see how it will go. I wish we could have gotten the vaccine as teachers before opening up.
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Teachers should be at the front of the pack, IMO. They want kids back in school (and yes, I agree it's for the best) but, they need to protect teachers
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Ugh, Ajminn, I'm sorry that MN hasn't moved teachers up the list. They are making special vaccination pods here just for teachers, so hopefully they'll start getting vaccines by early Feb. But it's moving frustratingly slow. My parents live in a senior living community, so they are group 1a, and the facility is still waiting for their date, even though they are working with CVS and had my parents fill out the registration way back in December. Every person I know in health care has gotten one, even people who work remote and don't see patients or anyone face to face, which is frustrating. I think our county released too many straight to health care facilities for employees.
My son starts hybrid high school on Tuesday. He goes for 1-2 classes, and then home. No eating or other interactions. Then the other half of the day is virtual. All the teachers are teaching to zoom, so you are basically doing virtual learning in the classroom with the teacher, since more than half the class won't be there. But he's a high school freshman and I think he will benefit from getting out of the house and seeing other people for part of his day. My other three kids are still completely remote. The district will bring them hybrid on Feb. 8th. I think they are holding off as long as they can, to try and start getting teachers vaccinated. They get to go two full days in person per week, and three remote still. It's all a big mess, and the teachers will also be doing remote and in person all together at the same time.
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Glad to see everyone is still doing well. I just had my checkup from chemo. Cancer markers look good. I won't be having my first mammogram until May. I am so happy to be back at work. It really helps to keep my mind off the last year. I had contact with someone that tested positive for COVID so I had to isolate for a couple of weeks. I'm grateful that I tested negative but it really scared me. I mean, I know none of us has gone through this long treatment to only get COVID. Now, I'm really wanting to just isolate from everyone until I get vaccinated. However, it seems like people take it personally when you isolate. Isn't that strange considering we are going through a pandemic?
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"Isn't that strange considering we are going through a pandemic?"
Yep. My cousin just moved into her new house and she keeps wanting me and my mom to come down for a visit. My mom is 84, lost a kidney to cancer, is overweight and has hypertension, she is in the highest of high risk category and, my cousin already exposed us to COVID right before Christmas!
I finally told her last night it will be a couple of months before we visit. Mom is scheduled for her first shot on 2/9, and 95% immunity doesn't kick in until 2 weeks after the 2nd shot.
I don't understand why people are so blind to the risk, especially to older people or people with weakened immune systems
Sorry, rant over 😁
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dysonsphere - sounds like you are in the adjust back to regular life phase, I bet it feels weird. I'm sorry people don't understand why you would still want to isolate. I mean, if you have made it this far without getting covid, and getting through cancer treatment, it makes sense to hold off a little longer until things get better.
mmorigan - I'm so glad your mom is scheduled for her shot. My dad is 81, with diabetes, kidney disease and more, and we are still waiting for his shot. I am sorry your family doesn't seem to get it, as so many people don't.
I have to deal with people on both ends of the spectrum. My husbands family is insulted that I won't let them come to visit from out of state, even though they proudly won't wear masks. But then, other people are shocked that I am going to allow my kids to go back to hybrid learning, since I'm high risk. It's such a hard call, but we have to do what's right for our family. My kids have been troopers, but they really need to see people "in person". If everyone could be as cautious as possible, then school, shopping, work, even possibly dining out, could possibly happen without much risk. But everyone's so tired of covid precautions that they just don't care anymore.
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Hello there. I'm from the November 2020 chemo group, and I'm jumping into your group to ask anyone who has had TC how long it takes after ending chemo to start feeling less fatigue and less winded. I know there's no timetable for these things but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask.
Thanks,
Sharon
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took me a about 4-5 weeks
I was feeling good around 4 weeks. It took about 5 weeks for taste
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I agree 100% with everyone here...it’s baffling how little people understand or take into consideration covid exposure and health risk. My mother in law is the worst...she just doesn’t get it and is easily offended by our caution. This week my district told us they were given an allotment of 20 vaccines (we have over 1,000 staff)...so, health staff get it first, understandably. I’m hoping I’m able to get it soon after...
Sharon- it was about a month out of my last TC that I finally felt like I had more energy. It’s only gotten better from there (besides some fatigue from radiation). The last cycles of TC were the hardest for me.
I had my last HP infusion today! So weird to be done with that chapter. I still have monthly Zoladex shots for the next 9.5 years, so it’s not my last hoorah at the infusion center. My MO said he did NOT recommend nerlynx (neratinib) for me since I had HP and the studies were done for those who only got H...the disease free survival after 5 years for HP was 92% vs 90% for H and neratinib. So we decided to continue on with OS/AI with check ups every 3 months. I slightly thankful for covid for keeping my celebration of this milestone small...so many people in my life talk about how sad they are we can’t have a big celebration, but that’s not my style so I’m thankful to be able to just chill at home with my family and act “normal”.
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Congrats ajminn!! I hope you find the adjustment to post 'active" treatment well. Are you getting your port out? I'm with you, big fusses and celebration actually make me uncomfortable
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Hi All
New to the chemo world, met with MO today I will be starting a dose dense regimen of AC and Taxol. Is anyone else on this regimen? Tips? Are you too sick or tired to work? Scared to death, any information is appreciated
Thanks so much, Wishing all the best for all of us!
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Hi AB45 - I wasn’t on that regimen, but I can tell you that chemos not easy, but for me, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s crazy members in our group are a year out from starting, and you’ll be here and sort of not believe it next year.
Question for my reconstruction ladies. Met with my PS this week and he’s very happy with my healing from radiation. This summer, I felt like he was encouraging me to go for a Diep flap reconstruction. This time he said I was a good candidate for implants and he could do a little fat grafting with lipo from my abdomen. He basically told me I could do either, but the Diep would be pretty intense, and if I’m on the fence, he would say just do the implants. So here’s my question, did any of you have the lipo for fat grafting. My belly has been my downfall my whole life. Will the lipo make it noticeably smaller? But will it just look saggy? I never would have gone under for a serious surgery to get a tummy tuck before (even though I wanted one, but if I have to have surgery, and I have this amazing plastic surgeon, I’d like to come out looking really good. But I also don’t want to have an awful 8 week recovery like a Diep, I want to get on with my life. I’m going to ask my PS, but of course I didn’t at the time, so I’m just looking for others experiences
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ab45 I was on 4 infusions of Taxotere and Cytoxan. I don't think they compare to AC/Taxol. How many sessions will you need?
I worked throughout my chemo (3 months in total) but I work from home. I do have regular hours and I had to do client webcasts for groups of 40-50. I did take more breaks the week after chemo and took a nap if I felt like it. I also scheduled myself light that first week. Not sure if I helped - maybe more with the same regime will respond. You can also look back at threads to see what other women like you did and ask questions on those threads. you can do searches too and see what you come up with. Good luck and prayers!
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Hi
16 weeks of chemo but administered every other week so a total of 8 treatments
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@AB45 - Sorry, I had 6 cycles of TCHP. I did work through everything but, I was working remote and I have a desk job.
My friend's mother had AC+T but she did weekly Taxol. She's 71 and handled but, she did end up with really bad Neuropathy. I Know she had to take a break because it wore her down and her feet got so bad she was in a wheelchair but , she managed to complete Chemo, Lumpectomy and Radiation (she just needed a long break in between).
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Fab4mom, I had implants placed in mid-November, with fat grafting. My implants were placed above the chest muscle (they used to do under - you might ask what your PS would do as it makes a bit of a difference with recovery, likelihood of rippling). My stomach was definitely more sore than my boobs and I had to wear a tight wrap for 10 days, but it was not awful. I hardly remember the level of pain, and I only took ibuprofin.
Hard to say how much fat they took. Prior, I had a lot of belly fat. Not like... a lot lot - I'm only slightly overweight overall - but enough to spill over top of pants a bit and prevent me from wearing any kind of tight shirt. Post-surgery, I still have plenty of belly fat and I would say that I did notice a slight decrease in belly fat, but not significantly so. And I can't say exactly where they took it from - it seems pretty even. It's not like the skin is now loose or anything. It's also not like I magically have a flat stomach. My implants fit into a size 38C bra. The fat grafting was meant to fill in a sort of "indent" above the breast. To make the transition from chest to breast smoother. And to fill in between the implant and the surface/skin. My breasts came out looking super fat and kinda...just... fat.
Two months later... I have absorbed most of the fat that was grafted up there. The indents are back and I have rippling on top part of both breasts (you can google or I can upload a pic if you want). I asked my PS about it - he said they could do more lipo and grafting (they inject with a needle I think - don't need to cut you open). I asked if there was any point - "Won't I just absorb it again?" - and he said it's cumulative. So each time they graft, some gets absorbed and some stays behind. Maybe I will do this - if insurance pays - because I'm not thrilled with the rippling.
And my implants - while less saggy than my real breasts were - are way less perky than the expanders. Maybe he did that intentionally since I'm 46. I don't like that I can feel the implants under the skin on bottom of boobs and am a little disappointed that I can't go braless. I wonder if the under the chest muscle method might have been better for me. Recovery would have been much harder (lifting of arms, etc.) but maybe they would have worked out better long term (less chance of rippling, less movement, less feeling like they are moving around). The good news is, under clothes, they look good and normal. Maybe that's all I can really expect.
My advice... we all have different expectations and outcomes... but the implant surgery with fat grafting was pretty easy. While I still have ample belly fat, I feel like I got a little head start on getting it down a bit. Ask your PS about chance of rippling with your implants and what would be involved in fixing that. Ask about over/under chest muscle options and - if you think it would bother you - whether you will be able to feel your implants under the skin. Ask him which will take more belly fat... grafting or DIEP.
I might have opted for a harder initial surgery if the end result would have met my expectations better long term.
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AB45
I did 4 doses of AC every two weeks then Taxol weekly for 12 weeks with Carbo every three weeks. With the AC I always felt really good the day of and day after treatment, but began feeling fatigued/weak that 2nd day. My taste buds were affected; the way I describe it was that everything tasted like wax. Others I know would say all they could taste was salt. I tolerated the Taxol pretty well, less fatigue and not as weak. Neuropathy started about 8 weeks into Taxol; I'm still struggling with that, but I'm currently taking Xeloda, which could be contributing. I had heard horror stories of AC&T and so mentally I was a wreck trying to prepare myself for the worst. Thank God it was tolerable. I hope it is tolerable for you too.
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