Starting Chemo in June 2005

RebeccaH

My breast may not be perky, so you'll have to settle for a perky attitude. Had #3 A/C on Tuesday. Got permission to take phenegran later in the evening, and I feel so much better that the first two treatments. I've only had one nap today versus several on the other ones. I'm doing a mini-happy dance. Still don't really feel like doing anything but hanging out on the couch...but I just don't feel nauseated.

Reeny--my hair is thinning down there. I do think God is laughing at us by making the hair on our legs the last to go. I am ready to hang up the razor for a while...But, almost all the hair is gone on my armpits...don't get that...just something else to make you go 'hum.'

Pam--welcome to our clan! Thanks for the tips on taxotere. I'll be doing taxol, but it's great to hear what to expect.

Jo--glad to hear about the taxol treatment. Anything without the red devil is a blessing. I just laugh at the patients in the infusion room who comment about adrimycin being so pretty...they can have it!

I decided my husband and I should take a short vacation after A/C. I booked a trip to Jackson Hole, WY for the weekend. It'll also calm me down before my mother arrives! I just want to get away from home, and cancer for a weekend. I'm hoping after Taxol, we'll be able to head down to Moab for a weekend. I'm still working on what the big after treatment gift will be.....velvet box or Hawaii or a cruise.....

I saw on the news about a new breakthrough in breast cancer. It seems they've discovered the gene that causes metatasis....they are projecting a drug trial within months that will hopefully keep bc from spreading. It made me feel good and optimistic.

Hope everyone finishing the week with a bang!

Rebecca

LizFL

Rebecca...how about a cruise to Hawaii and you buy some jewelry on the trip? We took a cruise last year that went from San Diego to Hawaii and back and it was wonderful. They have some beautiful Tahitian pearls there. I ended up buying an imitation one...and everyone thinks its the real thing! That was one of the first cruises that went r/t from the US and at that time they had a great deal. We booked it over a year in advance...and the prices were so good it sold out in two months! I had always wanted to go to Hawaii...and my husband hates to fly! It worked out well since we only had to fly to San Diego. You get limited time on each island with a cruise...but I loved every minute of it! Made some great friends on that cruise and we still keep in touch!

The thrush in my mouth is much better. Doctor prescribed Difulcan. Two tablets the first day and then one a day for four days. Started meds on Tuesday and my tongue almost looks normal now. Sore throat is gone. I figure by the time I'm back to normal it will be time for chemo again. Looking forward to being done with A/C. Hopefully I will be able to sleep better then and not be posting here at 5:00AM

Liz

Scout

Reports came back from the GYN yesterday and I don't have Ovarian cancer! YEA! I really didn't think I had it, but the terror under my skin was still there eating me away. He said that the ovaries do not look normal, and with most people he would repeat the test in 6 months, but considering my condition, he wants to take them out. So, he has to schedule it around the onc. recommendations.
Anyone just have your ovaries out? What does it entail??
I went back to work on Monday and everything seems to be going ok, except I'm pretty tired. I worked 4 hours Monday, 6 hours on Tuesday, and 7 hours yesterday. Still can't decide if I'm going to go in today and take off tomorrow, or skip today and go in Friday....I think I'd rather get it over with!
My next chemo is on Thursday and I told them I would work M, T, but I want the day before chemo off so I can get some things done. My second chemo put me on the bottom of the ocean and I was really out of it for about a week..yuck!

Analemma

Jo, I'm so glad Taxol was ok for you! I think we all were waiting in anticipation, since you're one of the first. Also you deserve it, I know AC was giving you some trouble!

I'm surfacing from the bottom of the oean today. I wonder if I can expect the same pattern of illness on Taxol (day 2 ok, day 3 on the bottom, day 4, surfacing). I remember someone saying that it didn't hit them until day 4 or 5, which won't be good for me. I have treatments on Mondays, and shows on weekends, so I need to feel better by then.

Who said they heard the news about a new drug to prevent metastasis? Do you have any info? I'd like to read about it!

BTW, are all of us doing rads after chemo? I haven't seen a rad oncologist, but my surgeon said I'd have 7 weeks of rads after chemo, and med. onc. says they usually start about three weeks after last chemo. With luck, I'll be finished treatment by late November (my 51st birthday). What are the rest of you ladies' schedules?

We are tentatively planning a vacation at the end of chemo, a week in Maine in late September. This is our favorite time to go there, and I think we can do in between chemo and rads. We haven't taken a vacation in a year and a half, and were planning on this trip before dx in May, so I hope we can still swing it. I love the Maine coast and New England in the fall. Hopefully, the thought of eating seafood will appeal to me again by then! That's one thing I just can't bear the smell of - fish! And before chemo, we ate it 3-5 times a week.

Dana, I was glad to see you back yesterday, I was beginning to worry about you.

Minerva, welcome to this gang of chatty women!

Brenda

Jenster

I'm so glad, Scout!!! Not nearly as happy as you are though, no doubt.

JoMac

Scout that is great great news.
I will be having the same operation in Dec. or maybe Jan.
I still feel great today. I have walked and made phone calls and taken photos of marbles ( what I want to paint next).
I haven't felt this good in months. I know it won't last but I am enjoying it so much.
Plus no nausea. Oh what a feeling!
Along with this comes (of course) a better attitude overall. That maybe I really will beat this thing.

Watson

Yippee Skippee Scout!

Brenda, I'll be doing rads, but at my snails pace chemo schedule I probably won't start them until December or so.

JoMac, so happy to hear you're better. And next time you post, delete the word 'maybe' when referring to beating this thing!

Pam, I sent you another email about lunch. Let's do it! I look forward to meeting you.

Take care ladies!

MichelleB39

Quote:

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anyone experiencing rib pain? I am wondering if it's my expanders. Have been uncomfortable the last couple of days and haven't taken anything to relieve it. Of course I am starting to think that maybe the cancer went to my bones. Am I ever going to stop thinking like that with every ache and pain that I have? Two more days until I have my first Taxol treatment and I am getting nervous! But am hoping that all will go well!

Cathi

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Cathi - I had some rib pain too and with all that when on in that region, no wonder. I don't have expanders but had a partial mastectomy. I was worried about it spreading to my bones and was very relieved when my bone scan came back fine. We've had so much bad news, we just assume the worst.

Congratulations Scout. Great news!!!!! I know you must be doing the happy dance!

danahollis

That's great news Scout! I'm so happy for you!

Here's a link to that new info about BC Mets....
BBC News It sounds pretty interesting. I just know they'll have this awful cancer figured out one day soon.

JoMac... so glad to hear you still feel well and even happier that you're feeling emotionally stronger about this.

I think I wanted to reply about some more stuff.... but I can't remember what!!! CHEMOBRAIN!

Anyway...Happy Thursday ladies!

HUGS!

Reeny47

Hello Ladies,
I had my first taxotere yesterday(Thursday)and it went very well. So far no naseua, just a little tired. I was so thankful. The a/c was bad and glad to have graduated from it.Doc said I was a half/way graduate..Yeah.

Minerva and cnmpam welcome. cnmpam, I read the post for a while before I joined in also. I am a newbie myself. It is such a relief to talk to a bunch of nice ladies that know what you are going through. You can also get a lot of information and help,but most of all you get support.

JoMac,I was happy to hear your taxol treatment went well.
Way to go.

Minerva, My primary doc gave me a med called Bellamine for the night sweats and hot flashes. I take it at night and It helps me sleep also. No side effects and although I had severe hot flashes and awful night sweats, they seem to have slowly but surely diasappeared. I made have a mild one every now and then. Nothing I can not handle.

Jenster and LizFL, thanks for sharing.lol

Happy Friday to all. Will talk later

Scout

Thanks, Dana!
Does anyone know if you go through menopause when your ovaries are taken out? Or is it if you have everything removed. My GYN suggested having my ovaries removed because they were not a normal ovary shape and for most people he would just repeat the tests in 6 months, but in my case, he suggested that I have them removed. As soon as he coordinates ith with my onc, I will have a date..probably in a month or so.

Watson

Scout,
I'm probably the least qualified person to give medical information, but I had a hysterectomy about three years ago but he left my ovaries so I would still be able to go through a normal menopause years from then. So I'm guessing, with my feeble chemo brain, that it's the ovaries that do it.
Hope that helps and isn't too wrong!

cnmpam

Scout...the ovaries are what dictates your hormone levels
(estrogen and progestrone amoung some others that keep you ovulating). The ovaries are what causes our cycles. The uterus is solely for housing for our babies. Removing the uterus does not do ANYTHING to the hormones...does nothing to put us into menopause. So if we have ovaries without a uterus we still cycle...still have the PMS and the whole bit just don't have the blood shedding endometrium (lining of the uterus) each month. I have had a hysterectomy but left the ovaries for 10 years so I can still tell exactly when I ovulate and can tell when I am "on my period" just with out the bleeding. Take home message...you are not nessassarily menopausal if you still have ovaries, and taking the ovaries out definately makes you instantly menapausal (called surgical menopause). Hope that helps. I am an nurse-midwife and OB/GYN practititioner in my pre-breast cancer life.
I have one ovary left and am not menopausal. I am hoping the chemo does the tricK because I have (had) 100% estrogen receptive tumor. European women have the ovaries removed alot when diagnosed and some studies show they do better. I really wanted to get my ovary out right away but my doctor talked me out of it.
I have my third dose of Taxotere today and start back up on the Xeloda by mouth for 14 days today as well. I still have not had any menopausal systoms and it bothers me. I would really like that ovary to stop it's estrogen production! Good luck with your situation!

Pam
Overcomer

Scout

Thanks, Watson and Pam. I have one ovary that needs to come out, so maybe I will leave one. I still need to go into the office and discuss all of this with him before the surgery. We are waiting until he talks to the Onc. to see when the best time would be. I will have both taken out if it reduces my risk of complications, but I would rather keep them. I jut turned 48 and my mom didn't go through menopause until her late 50's so I think I have a number of years yet (I'm guessing) to go.
Why can't anything be easy??

Jenster

Had my two-week post chemo labs done yesterday and, as usual, my WBC's were low. So, again as usual, I'm on antibiotics and had a Neupagen shot yesterday and one today. Those things HURT!

Last night I told the kids I was hurting and tired so we were all going to bed. My daughter is 10 and she wasn't feeling so good. So my son - 13 - who has been acting like a typical 13-year-old boy, ended up taking care of her. It made me cry. That was my job, asking how her tummy hurt, how bad her headache was, seeing if she had a fever... A 13-year-old boy shouldn't have to have that kind of responsibility. But she knew I wasn't feeling good so she asked him. He was so good and gentle and caring with her. So unlike the norm around here! lol.

I did get up, then, and tried to deal with it. But neither of them wanted me near her in case she was sick. Made me cry even more. I think she had just overdone it for the past couple of days, but it was so sweet of them anyway.

So now my dilema - do I tell DH or not? I'm afraid it will just make him feel even worse for having to work out of town and not being here to take care of us. But on the other hand, I want him to know how good his kids can be during all this.

Argh!! What to do, what to do...

Jen

mtngrl

Thanks all, for the reports about Taxol. Sound like it might not be so bad.

Finished last A/C (#4) three days ago and am NOT sorry to be done with it. The nausea usually hits within 2-3 hours, does anyone else get it that quickly?
I ended up puking on the side of the highway. My sweetie was in town and had brought some barf bags from the plane. At first it was a joke, but now I'm really glad he did.

Pam,
thanks for your reply, it's good to get info from a educated and sympathetic source. Sometimes I feel like an idiot for not being able to keep all the drugs, hormones, procedures, etc. straight. I seem to have to ask questions several times before the answers sink in.

Taxol folks-
are there side effects that started during AC that will continue (runny eyes, dry skin, sleeplessness, metal taste) through tihs phase?

Jen-
Everyone' s situation is different, but for what it's worth, my sweetie is having a pretty hard time with not being able to be here with me all the time. Having said that, he gets on my case about being tough and not telling him everything. So far he's never accused me of complaining. We're definitely learning alot about character and honesty, and he keeps stepping up to the plate. It's not easy, but I guess I'm hoping that this will make us even stronger.
I bet DH would be proud to know great his kids are, even if it's not under circumstances anyone would wish for.


Keep on bringin' it,
Mountaingirl

JoMac

Ack...achy and loosing my eye lashes. Darn it.

saleboat

Welcome Minerva & Cnmpam. So glad you found us-- this site has been a wonderful resource for me, hope you'll find it helpful too.

SCOUT!!! Yippie yippie yippie!!! So glad to hear your good news. I too have been told that the ovaries put us in or out of menopause. And it is likely that we'll all go into it a bit earlier than planned given what the chemo does to them. As for removing one ovary (I considered doing this for fertility preservation purposes) I'm under the impression that one menopausal ovary still gives off a low level of hormones and therefore could make your entry into menopause a little less dramatic then with both ovaries removed-- although having just one ovary also increases the likelihood of an early menopause. I'm 35 and not quite ready to tackle these questions for myself-- hopefully my genetic testing will come back as I expect-- negative, and these questions won't be as immediate for me. Good luck with all of it.

Jenster-- it's funny-- I was reading your post about your daughter and son and had so much admiration for them and what a wonderful mother you must be-- given a challenging situation they are rising to the occasion and treating one another with compassion and care. You should be so proud! And I would think that your husband would be thrilled to hear about it. Maybe if he sees how mature your children can be, it will give him less to worry about while he's away? Good luck and hope everyone (especially you) is feeling better soon.

Mtngrl- my Onc told me today that the weird A/C taste will be gone with Taxol. Good riddance!

JoMac-- glad to hear that your initial impression of Taxol was positive. Hopefully the aches aren't too bad.

Me, I just had my last A/C. So thrilled to have a milestone and be halfway through this toxic crud. I didn't go into it feeling very good-- my counts were great, but I've been having too much fun lately-- went out to dinner last night and to see a play-- if anyone has the chance to see the Putnam County Spelling Bee-- do it. It is a feel-good hoot and just what I needed. But I'm just not used to this fatigue-- it is weird-- my mind isn't tired, but my body is exhausted. Usually, for me, it is the opposite.

Good luck to everyone-- I'm off to bed (8pm!)

JoMac

I freaked out about the eyelashes. I took some advil and the aches are much better now.
This is much better than the AC treatments I have to remember that.
I can loose it over really little things.

Jenster

Mountaingirl and saleboat - thanks for your nice comments about my kids, etc. I think you're right. While I don't want to tell DH about every little ache and pain, he probably should know about how well the children handled that particular situation. They are growing in so many ways this summer and, while I'm sorry we're all having to go through this, I'm thankful for the character it's building in them.

JoMac - I'm sorry about the aches and the eyelashes. I'm sure I'm right behind you! And the lashes and eyebrows thing is more disturbing to me than losing my hair was!

Saleboat - My last A/C is next Thursday. Yippy for us!! When this is all over I'll be moving to the Philadelphia area. One of the first things the kids and I want to do is go see Putnam County Spelling Bee. The little bit we saw on the Tony Awards was hysterical! (We also want to see Spamelot.)

bmck

Well I survived my first Taxol treatment today and I feel great! It has been 6 hours since I came home from the cancer center and I still feel great! No nasuea, nothing! I get my Nelasta shot tomorrow morning so I am sure come Sunday I will feel like crap!!! I am so glad that A/C treatments are over. I saw a lady today getting the "red devil" and I thought to myself, poor lady! Only 3 more treatments to go and then I will be done! I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel!!! I hope that my good feelings last until next treatment but that would be asking alot! Okay! Have a good night ladies and a good weekend!

Cathi

nosurrender

Don't you guys sound great!
I guess you caught up to me... well good!
Umm let's see:
Re: CHEMOBRAIN- Don't let your docs tell you that is an urban legend- At the last ASCO conference a study was reported that CHEMO DOES AFFECT CEREBRAL WHITE MATTER which can make us a little befuddled.

Ovaries....why is it the minute we are diagnosed they paint a big red bull's eye on them?
Scout I have abnormal shaped ovaries (why not?) That is not reason to yank 'em!

You Taxol girls sound great- I am so happy to see no one has written " As soon as she put the IV in my port and started running the Taxol all my nails fell off- in fact, I had to shake out my sneakers when I got home because all my toenails stayed inside after I pulled my feet out." heh heh heh

Mountain girl- you can turn to me if you need to- since these girls don't need me anymore I am feelin kinda lonesome....:-(

Seriously Junesterettes- I am very proud of each and every one of you! You are doing better than GREAT.

THAT'S THE STUFF!

JoMac

We need you , we need you......
today has started out pretty good. I had a good walk and took Advil. Now I don't know what to do with myself. I could try painting but I can tell my concentration is not good.
Every day is such a challenge.
Yesterday my husband moved plants for me in the garden.
it was very nice of him to do it. I wanted to jump in and do it so badly.
Frustrating.

Analemma

Hi, everyone, just checking in. I feel good, and went to Jazzercise this morning. I've had my kids in and out for the last three days, and had a great visit with my granddaughter (4) whom I don't see very often. They got in late Thursday night and Friday morning she crawled in bed with us. My son had told her my hair was mostly gone, and she couldn't stop looking at it. She thinks it's just like her baby sister's and looks "cute." LOL! It is very fine and almost bald, though, like a baby's. With Taxol in a little over a week, I'm expecting the cue-ball look. So sorry about the lashes, Jo. How about the brows, are they leaving, too?

I accidently started on the June 2004 thread, and I was thinking "who ARE these women?" before it finally struck me I was on the wrong thread...

Have a good weekend, ladies! Weather in Cleveland is gorgeous (a rarity)!

LizFL

Excuse me coach...but who said we don't need you! Just because we are all rolling along pretty well at the moment doesn't mean you get to sit on the bench!

So far the taxol/taxotere news is encouraging to those who are waiting to get to that point. Last A/C for me will be this Thursday. I've had the most trouble with this past third one...will be glad to "graduate" to Taxotere.

Does anyone know the safest amount of time you can delay beginning radiation after you finish chemo? I am going to ask the doctor, but just thought I'd ask here first.

Liz

minerva

Scout-Thank God for you! I had a parcial hystorectomy 17 years ago and still have my ovaries. I wish I could give you some insite.

Reemy-Thanks for the infor on Bellamine. I am going to ask the doc. I feel like a baby waking up every two hours to have a hot flash.

To all who are taking or headed into the Taxol. I have taken 12 weeks and other than being tired somedays I couldn't have felt better. I had no nausea or body pain. I almost felt guilty. I am starting my new chemo on either Mon or Wed, depending on when they can get one of the chemo's, it is a special order. From what I understand it is a stronger dose and think I am headed for more than being tired. I still have some hair, in fact my 70 year old father and I have the same amount, haha. I am sure that I will lose what I have left with the new chemo. Speaking about eyebrows, mine have never looked better! I always wanted to have them thinned and it has happened.

Jenster- I want to also say that you Should be proud of your kids. My kids are all in their twenties and they help all they can. You have a couple of brave little souls. My children came to me the other day and told me that they understood that we didn't have a lot of money when they were growing up but that they got more from me than money. They said the gifts I gave them like repecting and helping other people, loving each other and family being together were better than anything. I think you have given you children these gifts. Hang in there.

RebeccaH

mtngirl--my nausea hit me about 4 hours after getting home. I asked my onc if I could take something when it hit. Between the aloxi and emmend I didn't want to take anything without approval....Man, what a huge difference it made. He said I could take phenegran...I don't know if it really knocked out the nausea or just made me sleep through it!

I am so happy so many of you are through with A/C...one more treatment for me...I think I can, I think I can....
I will probably do the happy dance when I leave the infusion room. There definately should be a party!

YES...someone else got caught in one of the other threads. I'm not alone

Rebecca

LizFL

Taxol/Taxotere question...do you still need to get a Neulasta shot the day after treatment? Since this is every 3 weeks instead of 2 like those of us on dense dose A/C, I was wondering if it is still needed.

We have such a great group of women here. Certainly helps in getting through this!

Yesterday was the first day I felt normal in a while...feels good

Liz

saleboat

I'll still get the shot after Taxol, but I'm going to be doing it dose dense. From what I understand, those who do a three week schedule don't automatically get the booster shot.

LizFL

Thanks Saleboat...I seem to have more side effects from the Neulasta than the A/C...so I will be glad if I don't have to have it!

Liz