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Starting Chemo February 2021

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Comments

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited July 2021

    Did anyone have the "flu-like" symptoms with chemo? After 15 effing treatments I have been feeling really ill last nigh and today. Stayed in bed with a little bit of chills, but I dug out my Chemo Guidebook and it said to call the doctor with a temp over 101. My temp is about 99 so I took Advil. I hope this doesn't last long.

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2021

    Hi LW422,

    I felt chills after my Neulasta injection after every AC chemo. No fever outside, just felt feverish on the inside. My body was aching everywhere and I was told it was a normal reaction as my body is pushed to make white blood cells within a short amount of time.

    I hope your fever passes and you feel better soon!!

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited July 2021

    Amary2021--thanks for that. "Fever on the inside" is exactly the feeling. I have not had Neulasta so I assume just the AC can cause a similar SE; thankfully the Advil I took last night seems to have helped. I feel much better today... except for the diarrhea!!! :shocked:

    Hope everyone is doing OK with whatever treatment you're in.

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2021

    Hi LW422,

    Glad that the advil helped ease the side effects. Ah, I had bad constipation instead of diarrhea, so not sure which is better to have! I was able to navigate through my constipation without meds. I know bananas are good to ease diarrhea.

    Take care,

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2021

    Jennie,They marked me with sharpie every morning...so you shouldn't have to worry about that...I used lotion in the beginning and then switched to aquaphor when is started getting sensitive/sore. Hindsight being 20/20 I would start Aquaphor from the beginning and use liberally. Also if you get any spots that are really sensitive...they make a spray on version. I could only find it on Amazon, but CVS says they carry it also.

    Mine was names....I couldn't recall names during the latter half of Chemo and a bit after but it is improving. Also energy and everything is improving each day. So I am grateful for that.

    LW422, I am done, all the burns are healed now and skin is just a bit dry, I need to be better at lotion. You should be one AC left I think....YAY if that is true....I knew you could do it.

    When is your surgery?

    Hope everyone is doing well....day by day...inch by inch.

    Blessings to you all

    Julie


  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited July 2021

    Hey Julie!! Yep, Thursday is my LAST AC. OMG, I can't wait for that to be done with. My surgery is August 23, so next I'll be obsessing about that. The fun just keeps on comin'!

    I'm glad you're done, Julie. That must be a great feeling. Hugs to you.

  • JN5000
    JN5000 Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2021

    LW422 -- thinking about you today. Your last AC!! I hope it goes well and that the side effects are minimal. You did it!!!

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited July 2021

    Thanks so much, Jennie!! I'm so glad to have that done. Now I just have to get through the next two weeks of SEs!! :hrmm:

    The chemo nurse asked me if I wanted to "Ring the Bell," which is kind of a little ceremony at MDA where the nurses and family clap and take pictures of the patient ringing a large brass bell that is hanging on the wall. I told her that I don't like being the center of attention, so she brought me a small black box with this inside...

    image


    She said to ring it with my family when I got home! Isn't that the sweetest?

  • JN5000
    JN5000 Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2021

    congratulations LW422!! That's so cool they gave you a bell. I rang the bell in the chemo room -- my MO told me to ring it loud enough so that she could hear it in her office, so I really rang it! I hope your side effects get overwith quickly! No more AC!! You beat the Red Devil.

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited July 2021

    Thanks, Jennie. I am SO GLAD to be done with AC. I'm feeling OK today but I'm sure that won't last.

    I hope everyone else in the Class of February 2021 is either already finished with chemo or nearly so. We did it, y'all!!

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2021

    Hi LW422,

    Wow you did it!!! Yeyyyy!!! You so deserve that magnificent bell!!

    I have my 5th taxol tomorrow, still soldiering on.

    Take care, everyone.

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited August 2021

    Thanks, Amary. I'm so glad to be done with chemo, but now I'll be wringing my hands over the mastectomy (in 22 days...ack) and whether I get the coveted "PCR." Seems like we never escape the on-going anxiety of a cancer Dx.

    Good job on Taxol #5. How's that going for you? Are you having any unpleasant SEs? I hope it's relatively easy for you. Take care!

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2021

    Hi LW422,

    Yes, I wonder about the "PCR" and I hope you get it!! That's right, we will not get over the anxiety, but I am really hoping with all the treatments we are going through, they will lessen our rate of recurrence.

    You did excellent with your AC really.

    My taxol #5 went well, I am recovering in lesser time than when I first started. I hope this continues. I get a bloated tummy feeling, but they ease in 3 days while taking Goredex for tummy acid prescribed by my doc. I feel the joint pain from the Neupogen injection to boost the white blood cells, but overall pushing through.

    Take care all.

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2021

    LW422,

    I am so grateful you are done!!!!! Surgery will be a breeze in comparison. So proud of you, I remember after the first one you said you couldn't do it, but I knew you could...and you DID!!!!


    Keeping you in pryaer my frined!

    Julie

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2021

    LW422/Amary2021,

    What is "PCR"?

    Thanks

    Julie

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited August 2021

    Julie--PCR is "pathologic complete response," meaning the chemo killed all the existing cancer cells. From NCI...

    Pathologic Complete Response -- The lack of all signs of cancer in tissue samples removed during surgery or biopsy after treatment with radiation or chemotherapy. To find out if there is a pathologic complete response, a pathologist checks the tissue samples under a microscope to see if there are still cancer cells left after the anticancer treatment. Knowing if the cancer is in pathologic complete response may help show how well treatment is working or if the cancer will come back.

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2021

    Lw422, thank you, I had not heard that before,. I am sure that is the report you will get!!!!!

    One step closer...

    Julie

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2021

    lw422,

    how you feeling with the SE from your last one?!

    Cheers

    Julie

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited August 2021

    Hey Julie. Today is a week since infusion and I'm finally feeling a little better. No nausea so far but my heart rate is still higher than normal. I'm also a little dehydrated and need to chug some water.

    In other news, a nice surprise yesterday was that my ultrasound scan showed excellent response to chemo! Everything has "shrunk", and the US tech was not able to find the cancerous lymph node even with a clip in it. The surgeon was really pleased and kept saying "excellent!" which made me believe the horror of chemo was worth it afterall!!

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2021

    LW422,

    This news just made my eyeballs leak!!! Praise the Lord!!!! So beyond proud of you for sticking with it. I just know the rest is going to go well also!!!

    Blessings and cheers!!!

    Julie

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited August 2021

    You are too sweet, Julie. XOXO

  • JN5000
    JN5000 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2021

    Congratulations, LW422!! I'm so glad for the "excellent" news!!

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited August 2021

    Thanks, Jennie! How are you these days? Is your new hair still all white? I'm getting peach fuzz and it's also white! (I don't care if it's green...I just want hair!!)

    I guess the "Class of February 2021" is mostly done with chemo now, so I hope everyone is getting back to somewhat normal and feeling OK. Love and hugs to all of you. WE DID IT!

  • JN5000
    JN5000 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2021

    We DID do it!!

    I am due for #9 radiation today, out of 20. So far, so good -- minimal SEs other than soreness. If all goes well, I ring the radiation done bell on Aug 24.

    My hair is still coming in bright white. It's super soft, like mouse fur. It's growing very slowly. I see a few dark eyelashes, which makes me happy.

    We all have come so far!


  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2021

    Hi everyone,

    Wow LW422, very happy to hear the news!!! Praying that all will be well from now. I am sure you are very happy!!

    Julie, ahh yes, the PCR...that is our aim!!

    Take care, all.



  • ab45
    ab45 Member Posts: 153
    edited August 2021

    GREAT NEWS ALL!! What didn't kill us only made us stronger!! So happy to hear chemo is now over for everyone

  • lw422
    lw422 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited August 2021

    Hey AB45. How are you doing these days? Are you done with radiation? My mastectomy is in 11 days so I'm already getting nervous.

    I hope everyone is well.

  • ab45
    ab45 Member Posts: 153
    edited August 2021

    LW422

    I am about a week post radiation...my skin is raw but it beats having 2 do chemo for sure!! Please let us know how surgery goes..sending positivity your way...U GOT THIS

  • Amary2021
    Amary2021 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2021

    Hi ladies,

    LW422, hope your surgery went well.

    AB45, good that radiation is going well so far.

    I got my genetic test results and unfortunately I am BRCA2 positive so they suggested bilateral mastectomy and I’ll do immediate reconstruction too. My previous treatment plan was a lumpectomy with radiation, but apparently I’m at a higher risk. Let’s see how it goes.

    Take care, ladies

  • Jvfireball
    Jvfireball Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2021

    Hi ladies,

    How is everyone? Just checking in!

    Lw422 how'd surgery go?

    Cheers

    Julie

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