Chemo starting June 2018

But going forward don't you still need to mamo the remaining girl ?

lilyChi, yes I will with the UMX, need on the natural breast only. If you have BMX my understanding is no more mammon's. I plan on trying to get MRI and MAMMO on natural breast since they pick up different issues, don't know if insurance will go for that.

timetobebrave70:

I have much of the same road ahead of me, though I don't plan on radiation but I might still need it depending on how my lymph nodes/margins come back.

I had a lot of things to contend with before the cancer though and I find that when looking ahead is overwhelming, it's better to focus on the elements of life you can take pleasure in. At some point in the very near future I am going to have to pay my taxes, decide which PS to use, have surgery, etc etc etc, but right now, in this very moment, I am going to go have a banana flavored popsicle and try to take the bigger things in smaller bits.

Washington4: just yesterday....9 weeks out from TC ending ...I've noticed that I think ALL my finger nails are separating at the tips and are very tender. I've kept them covered with nail polish so I didn't have to look at the purple beds and has shown how quickly they are growing at the base. I'm wondering what the signs were before your nail fell off? I'm hoping the good base will hold them on. Most of the things that make me mentally healthy through all of this is working with my hands - art - gardening - cooking and now this!

I've got 3 more weekly cycles of Taxol left. They reduced my dose by 25% last week and the MO said we will be going with this dose until I'm done. They abruptly made the change while I was getting my premeds last week because I mentioned that my feet were kind of like walking on bricks. They were concerned that I might fall or that the neuropathy will be permanent. MO said that I'm still getting 90%+ of the overall dose and the target is 80%. Chemo is a science, but also an art. Trying to get most benefit with the least harm he says. Not happy, but I really want to be able to exercise when I'm done. Some fingernails and toenails sore, but still hanging in. Lashes and brows still thinning, but still have some.

Herceptin will continue, but he said I won't be starting endocrine therapy until after chemo. Yeah for small mercies.

Radiation consult on the 31st. Will be getting my planning apt. then. At the planning they give you your first treatment date/time. It will be after the month washout at the end of chemo. So early/mid December.

Apt on Monday for my echo to check heart for damage from Herceptin. Actually hoping it will be better as I had some issues with the A portion of the chemo and my heart function. Or at least not worse.

So, like all of you, I'm looking forward to being done chemo. But it really doesn't feel like done with all the upcoming appointments. Have apts booked through April already.

I don't think people get how time consuming all this is. 6 weeks of radiation sounds short, but actually means 30 treatment apts + a couple of followups with RO. Have a friend who thinks that I'm too focused on treatment. How can I not be when each day involves SEs and uncertainty about what I can do. Also, with cold and flu season starting to have to be careful - Hello! Immune compromised.

Just focusing on getting to the other side. Glad to see everyone is moving forward with their treatment plans.

YES, bgirl, I agree completely with rachelcarter35, for sure. It is our full time job to get through this and out the other end of the treatment as healthily as we can, so it is completely consuming. You’re right to give it your all, we just have to. Probably this really is hard for anyone else to completely understand. Thank heavens for this forum. Take good care of yourself

bgirl:

I lost 30lbs and became obsessed with watching food videos on Youtube because I wanted to eat but couldn't for various reasons. I never thought things tasted metallic, like I have often heard about, just ungodly variations of "bad" to the point that they were unpalatable (and I don't have the most refined taste in the world), and the first week after my infusion, eating rice was like eaty little razor blades, and then there was the instant stomach cramping and tender esophagus and swollen taste buds and acid reflux that made everything burn.

I could always eat egg white sandwhiches though. I'm curious to see what recipes chef's like Gordon Ramsay would come up with on chemo. That would be an interesting show. Master Chef: Chemo Version.

My second to last infusion wasn't bad but last infusion was the worst. I came out of my "taste nadir" yesterday though and with the help of imodium, had a pretty good tasting burrito and soy free vegan brownie.

I'm sending good food thoughts your way!

I started chemo June 4th and after my third treatment I had really bad dry eyes. I mean to the point were I need to walk around with tissues, blotting my eyes due to watering throughout the day. My eyes tear up when I am walking - anytime air hits them. The watery eyes interfere with reading and wearing the little bit of make-up I try to wear so I will feel presentable during my cancer treatments.

I am now 4 weeks out from my final chemo round and I continue to have dry eyes. I have been using Zydra eye drops two times daily but it doesn't really help that much. Does any one know of a good remedy for this condition? My MO tells me it will lessen and should go away in about three months. This is really a nuisance and it interferes with quality of life as much as other SE we chemo patients must deal with.

My doctor thinks taxotere should me called tax-o-tear. My eye issues were at their worst AFTER I completed my last infusion about 10 days out. They resolved at about 4 weeks out.

Loved reading all your posts! Tax-O-Tear idea is way funny...but real. I go nowhere without tons of Kleenex....I should have purchased stock in the tissue market. Only one infusion to go after today. My nails are all dark brown/ purple with white spots. Saw podiatrist finally about big toenail coming off and she said rest should hold. I hope so. These final treatments are just evil...exhaustion, nausea back (thank goodness for anti-nausea pills) and food really tasting bad. No great weight loss as hubby cooks and carefully encourages to “eat just a bit more.” He has been great. You alll are so right. The only people who understand are those going through it or have done so. I certainly value those friends who send cheerful, encouraging cards. The cards always seem to arrive just when I need a boost!. Hang in there

Just 2 more AC infusions... I am so happy. In a few hours, only 2 more Neulastas, as well. :subdued chemo patient party of ... tea and a couple prunes:

Also, pcranky came and visited during my infusion yesterday. There's something really heart-warming about getting to see each other in real life -- it felt like family you don't get to see often. If any of you guys are nearby to each other, I recommend it!

Kat22:

Good luck on the surgery! I hope you don't mind me asking Are you having a lumpectomy or mastectomy?

Thanks. My memory isn’t the best at the moment

LOL! most of our memories aren’t at the moment. I was talking to my sister, hung up, few minutes later i called her back and asked how we ended our phone call and she was like i got another call and told you i would call you back 🤪🤪🤪

kat22, Good luck tomorrow!!!! I hopr you have a speedy recovery and able to go back to work earlier. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Are you taking anything for your ankle and feet? I have the same problem and the doctor prescribed me diuretic but i try to correct it myself first. i elevate my feet above my heart at night and its normal in the morning. i drink more water and use the restroom more often. i elevate my feet whenever possible when sitting. watch my salt intake and eat more protein. it seems to be getting better. I can’t bend my knees and stuff though. its weird kind of pain. like my skin is so dry and its going to split open.

Tomorrow is my day 3/33 radiation. I am scared that i am going to have skin issues..i have very fair and sensitive skin. i already have a weird sensation like a sunburn. hopefully its just in my head. my doctor prescribed me Radioplex, recommended aquaphore and coconut oil. I also ordered a hospital gown that looks like a wrap for my daily radiation treatment. it’s called a radiant wrap. it’s hospital approved gown that looks cute and i don’t have to change into their hospital gown everyday. my center don’t even give me new ones everyday. i have to leave it in a box with my name on it and we wear it through the whole treatment! Boy, what a way to try to save money with dry cleaning. Anyway, i will handle it with care so if anyone wants it after me let me know:))). i can’t wait for it to get here.


yellob! You are almost done! Woo Hoo!!!!

Timetobebrave: Love that wrap! So cute MO said she thought the ankle swelling was because my protein was a bit low. So for a couple weeks I went back to hitting the Boost and Ensure high protein hard. Didn't help. The other day I started thinking about what else changed 3-4 weeks ago. The only thing is that she put me on a potassium supplement. So Tuesday I didn't take one and the swelling and pain was noticeably better. It always goes down at night, but then right back up when I stand all day at work. So it'll be hard to test that theory being off for 2 weeks. We'll see....off to the hospital in about an hour. Forced myself to sleep in today so I have less time to think about what's ahead.