Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

IowaCindy

Today as I lay around recuperating from #7 I thought about my last treatment next week on the 13th. I almost started crying at those thoughts. Relief, fear....I'm pretty sure I'll be weepy next week.

Cindy

IowaCindy

I haven't gotten the Nioxin that they've ordered for me through work but this week I can feel some fuzz. Some of it fell out last night in the tub when I washed my scalp. But I'm thinking it may grow back quickly since it's obviously trying against the Taxotere.

It looks very light to me. Probably mostly white but I guess I'll know later this Spring and Summer.

I wonder how long it's going to take.

Cindy

TPPJ

Happy 38th Jan! Sounds like a bash! Good for you!

jonimb

Hello all:

I was out of commission since last Friday...very tough weekend, but I started bouncing back on Monday. I could not walk on Saturday, and Dan had to make several calls to the Cancer Clinic. I had not slept since Monday, and I think it just took its toll.

On Monday I met with my Radiation Oncologist. I will be starting radiation in mid May, as I still have 1 more chemo to go, and then they want to wait for 3 weeks to a month until I start rads. I will be doing 25, has anyone else been told this that had a mastectomy. My radiation oncologist is just wonderful. He spent a good 1 1/2 hours with me on Monday (there were lots of cancellations because of the snow)...we even talked about where he went to University. University of Toronto, and did his oncology at St. Margaret's (I think that's what he said) out of Toronto. I believe that there are some girls (Caya and Shorti) going there. I have to go to an orientation on radiation, and also do a simulation along with getting marked.

Today I went to Look Good & Feel Better. They sure give you a lot of stuff. I actually felt kind of purty coming out of there, and it was nice to sit and laugh with girls that are going thru the same thing. Two of the girls were originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and as my Mom was from there, and having spent many summers there, we had a very enjoyable time.

I hope all the Jewish ladies are enjoying their "Seders". One of the girls today was Jewish, and she mentioned she had attended one this week.

My sister is having Easter Dinner at her house, so I get off the hook on having to cook the ham and scalloped potatoes.

I have also had problems with canker and mouth sores this time. Chemo #5 seemed like it was going okay, and then it went to Heck in a Handbasket.

My last chemo is April 16, and I'm sure looking forward to this being over. Does anyone else have a bit of numbness on their faces? I think this time I got every S/E possible.

Love to all...

Joni

Amera

I know we haven't discussed it much on this board, but it's been a very hot topic elsewhere. I just heard that EE's cancer is hormone receptor positive so that's good news! She now has more to use. That little bit of news made me so happy.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Tina, Amera, Robbin Jaye, Dar, Brenda (who did I miss?!!)--

We now have a *group* of graduates, and it is time for recovery. Come on over the the Spa Thread with your exercise and weight goals, skin solutions, hair growth tricks....I'll put you on the chart.

BC Spa Gals

Maybe we'll move it back to the main January Chemo thread when more of us are done....

http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...SID=#Post576382

Mizsissy

Nancyab

Thanks Mary for the encouragement, I needed it just like we need a pat on the back every once in awhile. I am feeling a bit better, I went out to my office yesterday and 4 different people told me I looked good, I'm not sure how to respond to that because geez what did I look like before? Why am I super sensitive to comments like that? I know they probably don't know what else to say and I should take it as such. But I'm thinking here I am bald, my eyes practically are black underneath, I have purple nailbeds, crunchy dry skin, runny nose, watery eyes and I look good? Ok dokay? I realize that was my problem yesterday as I slept on it. It got scary cold here again, the wind is whipping around like January, UGH I hate it! Staying in today and the furnace is running again!

Lynn12

Saw the cute little birthday cake next to your name. So sorry to hear you had a rough weekend, but I hope you are feeling up to enjoying today!

hugs,
Lynn

skyedivine

Hey Ladies, happy birthday Joni from wet Wisconsin, too! Jan, your party sounds like it was a blast. Now that is the kind of chemo room disturbance I would LOVE to see in mine. Cake during chemo? You betcha!
TJJP I am amazed that your Taxol symptoms were so light. No fatigue or bone pain? Or gas?
And Melia, even though my SEs on TAxol have been heavier than TJJP's, it is still better than AC. I just don't feel so toxic. The first infusion of Taxol will take about 4 hours because they deliver it more slowly to gauge how your allergic system reacts, but then they take 3 hours after that, not including other meds and drips. I was worried because I have other allergies but did not react at all to it. I'll be so interested to hear how you do.
Nancy, I had to chuckle on your comment about the grumpiness. I've been feeling like I have PMS, biting the dh's head off. I got really mad at him the other night when he ate my last piece of dark chocolate. I think it's the Taxol rather than steroids because I was on same steroids with the AC.
On the weepiness over recurrence, I think we all grieve a little when we hear of a sister who didn't make it. The trick is not applying those stories to ourselves.
Speaking of sisters, one of mine is in the study at sisterstudy.org for sisters of bc patients. She had to fill out a lot of forms, do an hourlong phone interview, and they are coming to her house to take samples of every possible body excretion and more. I think it's a five year thing. Very proud of her for doing it.
By the time I get done reading posts I have forgotten half of what I wanted to say but hope everyone is finding some comfort and peace in this day. - Skye

Lynn12

Good Morning from dreary New England,

Skye, I gave the sister study brochure to my sister and she said she'll probably do it. She said 'anything to help'.

Nancy, I hear you about people telling me I look good. Now I do try to look good, but I think some people just go overboard in expressing it. Again, I know everyone is trying to be nice, but it's so hard when people tell other people who then call you to tell you how good you look and they didn't even see you! hahahaha! That happened to me last week.

My foot/ankle is still swollen. Called onc yesterday because I remembered way back at my first appt. he said to call if I swell up at all because they need to make sure it doesn't go to my lungs or heart. Of course I remembered that at 11 at night so didn't sleep too well. The swelling seems to go down a bit at night but then flares up during the day. The onc called me back (it's amazing how it's always him that calls me back, not the nurse), asked me to sqeeze my calf muscles and see if I get pain, I didn't. So that'll be my indication to call and go in if I get pain in my calves.

Joni and Cindy, only one more!!! Way to go! I can't wait until I can say that!

Going to have my birthday lunch with my mom and sister today. The three of us always go out for lunch for whoever's birthday it is. Gee, my birthday was 10 days ago...nice extended birthday this year!

Have a nice day!

Nancyab

Big Birthday Wishes Joni!!
Skye, Maybe your right it is the taxol!!! My step-son ate my tuna salad Monday and I could of ripped his head off! I didn't say anything to him I just went to my room and cried like a two year old. I don't know what is wrong with me.

Caya

Happy Birthday Joni - Hope you are feeling better today. Your onc. must have trained at Princess Margaret Hospital, the big cancer hospital in downtown TO - I had my mastectomy done there, my chemo is at Mt. Sinai Hospital next door, and the plastic surgeon I saw for possible reconstruction, Dr. Joan Lipa is the Toronto General across the street. These 3 hospitals form the University Health Network.
Nancy - vent all you want. We have all been there, and know how you feel. I think people don't know what to say to us, so they tell us we "look good" - they mean well.
Tina - the XMAS picture is lovely. Regarding the Her2 vaccine, I know someone on the her2supportgroup website is in the Seattle trial, and I am sure the goal is for the vaccine to work so it can be given to all Her2+ BC women to prevent recurrence. Wouldn't that be nice?
I made it to my brother's house for the seder last night, and it was really nice to be there with the family, and to enjoy the festivities. I had to lie down between dinner and dessert, but that was okay.
The muscle twitches from the Taxotere are driving me crazy, I 'll see how I am tomorrow, may have to go see the onc. They told me I could take Tylenol extra strength or Tyleno #3 - I'm sick of taking the meds, but do either of these work? I tried Tylenol extra strength the other day, didn't seem to make much difference.
thanks for any suggestions,
caya

sharon56

yea happy birthday joni ....
Caya : use the Tylenol 3 its helping me and use it before you get the pain to offset it . So far I am ok today yesterday was my last day of zophran and steroids , maybe it will hit tomorrow ? One day at a time at least I am getting out of bed and tramping about more.
Going to try and get the next 3 weeks gone by fast so I ca do my last infusion on April 23rd .
I am doing my radiation at Sunnybrook Cancer Center a University affiliated clinic within the Toronto , I have an appointment with my radiologist May 11th . Do not know when my rads start yet .
Its supposed to snow here this weekend ..... how did you ladies i the Midwest make out ? Spring arrive yet ? As for your southern gals in NC its hard to imagine no winter .... we are not green here yet ....but I plan on getting some fresh cut flowers for the house this easter weekend . My son is coming up Friday with hi girl and turkey s going to be on .( DH and kids are cooking ) me I am going to relax .
Then the next weekend we will be going to look at kayaks my 2 teenage daughters want one .... going to get my son to drive and get out for a good family day ...... bout friggin time I need it ... just to get the few weeks i have left move fast ..............
Cannot comment on the gals that are node positive as I am triple neg , so no hormone therapy for me ... just regular tests and keeping an watchful eye on my own body.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hi Nancy,

You CAN look good doing chemo...no there's not much you can do about the fatigue, and the crying at the drop of a pin, but you can have fun dressing up and making yourself up. Just pretend you are going to be in a play and you are an actress playing the part of young, glamorous, healthy woman. Think of your bald head and face as a blank tabula raza on which you will paint a beautiful face and decorate with fashionable accessories.

Go the www.chemosavvy.com and invest $25 in some bangs and hats or turbans. Wash your face,and saturate it with some really soothing moisturizer (Eucerin cream is very mild and doesn't sting). Put on makeup, using stick eye concealer to cover the dark circles, line your eyes top and bottom, color in some brows, use a little light eye shadow (like pale green or blue), and use some blush, lip liner and lipstick.

Now, put on your bangs, your hat and viola...



Now add some dangly earrings and a colorful scarf. Forget about being tasteful or conservative, hey you're a cancer patient. Take liberties!!! Paint those black nails red!!!!

Mizsissy

PS...you can also buy fake eyelashes and eyebrows at this website!!!

PSS...The ladies at church tell me I look more fashionable in my turbans than I did in my real hair!!!!

Robbin65

How do I get on the spa chart?

Nancyab

Mizsissy,Is that the same turban you are wearing in your avatar? With the hair? You are so funny. I can do that, yes I can ! And Phooey on what people think.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hi Robbin,

Here are the links to the chart and the thread Chart

Thread: http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...SID=#Post576382

Nancy, yes you can do that...my turban and bangs are different. I just buy the smallest, cheapest, curly bangs but they look great...now, I am waiting to see the New Nancy....just think of yourself as a health imposter!!! Chemosavvy ships very fast, usually just 2-3 days.

Mizsissy

sharon56

here is me and my free wig . Not much of a makeup nut , I am planning on getting one more a darker one . Had to add brows and just used eyeliner instead of mascara .

This was me before LOST it

IowaCindy

Happy birthday from Iowa!!!!!!!!

Cindy

mer1957

I think you look great in your new wig! It's a good match.

mer1957

Joni, Happy Birthday. Did you think you could keep that a secret? Not with us girls. My rad onc said about 33 rads for me although he's not sure until after my mastectomy and pathology report -- 28 plus 5 boosts to the scar - sounds like fun?!?

Tomorrow is my CAT scan and Taxol #4 (the last) yahoo! I am nervous about the scan and worried about driving home after all of these drugs. I have to take steroids and benadryl before the scan because I have asthma and am allergic to iodine. I hope they take that into account on what they give me before my chemo. Also I have to go to a different clinic tomorrow as that is where the doctor is, so everything will be a little different. If I feel too bad I guess I'll call dh to come get me, but that leaves my car stranded. My 18 year old son is coming home this weekend for Easter so I'm looking forward to that. I am going to my brothers and then across town to my brother-in-law who is not doing well with his lung/liver cancer, then taking son back to college. It will be a long day in the car but worth it. Hopefully my legs can hold out. It is so cold and windy here in Michigan, blowing snow. What happened to spring? At least in a week I get to go to Houston to see my other son, it should be warm there!

IowaCindy

to post for me if you would. I'm just not with it computer-wise to figure out sizing and all.

thanks!

Cindy

IowaCindy

That's what I'm taking now for the Taxotere twitches and it helped right away. All except for the eye twitches. They still get pretty crazy but my legs are back to normal. I take 0.25 mg every night at bedtime.

Cindy

TPPJ

Nancy, I hear you on the crazy OH weather! It was 80 on Monday and this afternoon it was 27 and flurrying! I figured soccer practice would be called off, but noooooo....

Try not to take the "you look good" comments bad. You prob. look a lot better than you think and in general, I think people expect us to all look terrible...and we don't. Some days are better than others, of course, but I know there were plenty of days I hated running into people pre-chemo/cancer because I wasn't looking my best. One plus of living in OH: I am fairly anonymous and don't run into people often because I'm not from here. However, I've met so many new friends since my dx because everyone wants to help, so I'm not so anonymous anymore... I'll need to pay better attention to my makeup, etc. You are prob. feeling down today because of the gloomy weather.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Ok, IowaCindy, here's your photo of you and your uncle. Didn't you say he had Hodgkins disease?



How about a picture of YOU!!! Your mother and brother look so sweet, you come from a nice looking family!!!

Mary, isn't it creepy the way Winter came back!!! I had a nice springy Easter outfit, and now I have nothing to wear!!! Sorry I can't keep you company on your long drive.

Nancy, have you put in your order yet???!!!

Robbin Jaye, you need the Spa thread. You seem depressed. We need to *PUMP YOU UP*!!! Give me your data, I'll grab one of your neat photos from your Myspace plcae.

I could help thinking how funny and said Nancy's story was about crying when her son ate her tuna salad. My last chemo was March 5 but I still think I've got a chemo head. Dropping my computer twice (at $200 a crack!!); I can lose things in seconds, they just vanish into the air; I am incredibly short tempered, mainly on the phone with people I don't know, you know, the people managing your bank account who try to explain how their "process" doesn't let married people with joint accounts both have computer access....oh, it's not even worth going into.

Tried to run today, and I managed, but very tiredly...tomorrow's my big day. A SECOND OPINION by the top man from UM...let's see what he says!!!!

Mizsissy

TPPJ

Skye, I'm wondering if my "Taxol lite" symptoms are due to the fact I had over 12 weeks...maybe it was a smaller dose over a longer period? I see some girls are getting it only 4x. Nope, no bone pain, no real fatigue unless I slept poorly, which I do a lot and did a lot even prior to dx. And gas? Me? Of course not....

Mizsissy, I'd love to join the "after" group. I don't care what the group is called. I just want to stay on w/this group because you all "get it". I read an old post of yours where you say it's such a pain to find the board, have to scroll through tons of pages....that's happened to me a lot. If I get lost, email me at my real address. Thanks!

Oh, last chemo went great. Nurse got the IV in without a hitch. I was figuring it'd be a disaster. I had a terrific benadryl nap. Everyone enjoyed the danishes from Costco...a big hit. So that's it until Herceptin in three weeks (except for an echo next Wed. and an onco appt. the following... wait a minute, the week after that is the Herceptin. So I guess I'm still tied up on Wednesdays right through April.) That's OK. No more chemo. That's my focus!

TPPJ

"the people managing your bank account who try to explain how their "process" doesn't let married people with joint accounts both have computer access....oh, it's not even worth going into.

Tried to run today, and I managed, but very tiredly...tomorrow's my big day. A SECOND OPINION by the top man from UM...let's see what he says!!!!"

Oh, Mizsissy, if that old "we can't talk to you, we need to talk to da man" thing isn't one of my biggest pet peeves, I don't know what is. Certainly, I realize due to privacy laws, they can't discuss your acct. w/anyone. I guess my anger is misdirected: my husband constantly tries to get me to call to sort out various issues and I know it's a total waste of breath to even try because I'll be met with the "can't talk with you people". And then I have to re-explain that to my husband...just draining. He is well aware of the policies but very persistent in trying to get me to take care of his less than desirable chores. As if I don't have enough going on...

Hey, good luck at UM tomorrow! I re-read some posts...sooo many....and I see you are getting a 2nd opinion. That's terrific. Will be very good for you I think!

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Shorti....love your wig, tho I think you look great topless too!! Can we talk you into a post-Chemo get together in Michigan or Ontario? When can you come?!!!

TPPJ...Here are the links to the SPA group. Come on over any time. You can look at the chart and send me whatever photos & data you want, and then we can keep tabs on you. Oh, I'm jealous of your benadryl nap...those can be nice.

BC Spa Gals

http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...SID=#Post576382

Mizsissy

TPPJ

Shorti, wig looks great on you. Your makeup too. You have the knack!

TPPJ

"Tina - the XMAS picture is lovely." THANKS, CAYA... I THINK I WAS 7 OR 8 LBS. LIGHTER THERE....THE WEEKLY STEROIDS HAVE ME UP ABOUT 10-15 LBS. TOTAL...I FLUCUTATE. I'M HOPING IT COMES OFF NOW THAT I'M DONE W/CHEMO. I THINK I NEED TO WORK AT IT TOO. I'VE BEEN LAZY RE: EXERCISE. A YEAR PRIOR TO MY DX, I LOST 25 LBS. BY LIMITING MY CARBS. I AM REALLY BUMMED THAT I PUT ANY BACK ON, BUT I HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES...

"Regarding the Her2 vaccine, I know someone on the her2supportgroup website is in the Seattle trial, and I am sure the goal is for the vaccine to work so it can be given to all Her2+ BC women to prevent recurrence. Wouldn't that be nice?" OH, ABSOLUTELY!!!

"I had to lie down between dinner and dessert, but that was okay." THEY ARE PROBABLY SAYING YOU WANTED OUT OF THE DISHES! HA-HA! JUST KIDDING. GLAD YOU MADE IT AND ENJOYED IT. MY SISTER IN LAW AND I HAD A GOOD LAUGH TODAY. SHE TOLD ME SHE THINKS SHE'S ADD. I'M LIKE "YA THINK?" (SHE IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR ADULT ADD!) ANYWAY, WE LAUGHED THAT SHE NEEDED TO GET OFFICIALLY DX'D WITH IT AND THEN SHE CAN USE HER ADD CARD AND I CAN USE MY CANCER CARD IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE'RE NOT PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN. LIKE DISHES!