I am starting chemo in July 07. Anyone else?

gshoemate

Hello everyone, I haven't been around much.  Between work and radiation, I would come straight home and go to sleep.

Congrats to all of those that just finished chemo.  You made it this far, radiation will be a breeze.  I just finished rads last week.  Now I can try to adjust back to a normal life.  Yep, the tattoos are there for good but they are very tiny.  I have about 5 on my chest area and then one on each side that they used to line me up on the table.  Make sure to use lots of aloe after and at bedtime.  It will help take care of the skin.  I had some burn issues and used udder cream from Wal-Mart and it works great.  My radiation office was great, the staff, the thearapist, the doctor, I love them all.  Never once felt uncomfortable. 

Had my 3 month checkup since my last chemo and things went well.  Looks like I will have another PET scan in March to check the status of my nodes that glowed on my first PET scan.  If things look good I can bypass getting more nodes out.  So now I am in the "wait and see" mode...which is driving me crazy.

I have had a cold on and off for about 3 weeks now.  We can't seem to get it out of our house.  I've been trying to get back to working out.  I was supposed to do a half marathon in Feb. but I don't think I will be in shape for it.  I just can't seem to get into the mindset of working out. 

Here's to a happy and healthy 2008!!!

Ginger

brst26

Margie...so glad to hear that your surgery went well! 

Abbi...you will have to let us know how the tatooing goes.  Nobody told me about having to get tatoos for rads.  That's not cool.  That's good that your cold is going away, too.

I have an appt to see my surgeon tomorrow after school, so I should find out then what the results of my post chemo mamm and MRI were and when my surgery is going to be.

jbw3843

Hi everyone. Things sound like they are going pretty well for everyone except the colds floating around. I had a relative that came to Christmas Eve hacking away and obviously sick with a cold. I was paranoid that I was going to get sick, but knock on wood I avoided it. My mom, daughter, and son-in-law all came down with it!

I read that 35% of women get the nail problems with the Taxol. I unfortunately fell into that unlucky percent. It's been painful and the nails are extremely sensitive, but I'd still take this side effect over some of what I went through with the AC. 

The break from school has been great. I've been able to read, rest, and relax.

Yeah, I heard about the rad tatoos. Some radiologists use a marker, but I heard the tatoos allow for a more exact placement of the beam.   I see the radiologist on the 14th so I'll find out more then. Thanks for the positive comments about rads Ginger.

 Margie, glad all went well with your surgery.

 It was soooo great not having to have kept that chemo appointment last week! Does anyone know how long it takes for the chemo to leave your system?

Jane 

mmcp

Abbey, how did your appointment go?  Do you have a surgery date yet?

brst26

My appt went well yesterday.  My surgeon and I talked for over an hour about things.  My surgery is set for Wed. Jan. 23rd.  I am very pleased to find out that my surgeon is alright with not doing a full auxilla disection.  I had a positive lymph node back when I was diagnosed.  She said that she would be ok with just doing a Sentinal Node Biopsy.  Obviously, if she were to take 4 nodes out and all came back positive for disease, she would have no choice but to do the full auxilla disection.  She doesn't think that this will be the case though.  My repeat MRI showed that I had a very good clinical response to chemo...it shrunk my tumor down to almost nothing.  So, my surgeon will not have to take much breast tissue out with my lumpectomy!  I'm still a little nervous for surgery though...I've never really had any kind of surgery before.

LottaQuilts

Abbey - My lumpectomy back in May was really quite easy.  2 days later I was at my kid's band concert feeling fine.  Glad to hear that the chemo worked for you.

As of today, I am now PORT FREE!!!  Wahoo!!  My port is history.  VERY easy procedure.

On to my first radiation treatment tomorrow.

Abbi

figsgirls

Hi ladies. Just checking in with everyone. Margie, glad to hear your surgery went OK. I found that there was very little pain associated with the mastectomy. I had 4 drains. Two came out in a week, and the other two were in for 10 days. That was probably the worst part of it. Hopefully you continue to heal well and feel great soon. And Abbey, that is great news about your test results. I had a lumpectomy before my mastectomy and like Abbi, I felt really good soon after.

I have had fingernail trouble too! The sensitivity went away almost as soon as I finished the Taxol, but one of the nails turned black and from the looks of them I will probably lose 4 of the 10. And they are ugly looking! But like Jane says, it's pretty minor compared to the side effects of AC!

Well my exciting news is that I met with my PS for the last time before the surgery to swap my expanders for the silicone implants. I am so excited! And he is going to take out my port, which I am really excited for also!

Hey Charlene I was wondering if you were going to do that race in Jacksonville. I remember you mentioning it. My sister in law and niece are thinking about it. I'm hoping maybe next year...

Have a good weekend everyone.

Donna

jbw3843

Abbi, how did they do the port removal? Was it outpatient or did you have it done in the office? How long did it take? Any stitches afterwards, discomfort?

Abbey, such good news about the tumor. Don't worry about the surgery, it was my first surgery too and it wasn't that bad. I also had the sentinal node biopsy. Do give yourself time to heal. Take naps and rest up. Are you taking some time off of school? 

I went to the Y today and did some light weights (really light, like no plates). It felt good to just feel the range of motion. I tried to do the elliptical machine. Oh my gosh! I'm so out of shape. I could not wait to get off the machine. It was the longest 5 minutes of my life. I couldn't do anymore. I decided to walk a mile on the track instead. I guess I'll have to ease back into my exercise routine. But I'll tell you, it felt so good to be back at the Y. I used to go at least 3 times a week. I think I've been there 3 times in the last 6 months. It's good to start claiming pieces of your life again.

Have a good week all.

Jane 

LottaQuilts

Port removal was just fine.  My doctor did it in the OR with me out.  It took about an hour plus another in recovery.  I have a small bandage that I have to keep on for 5 days.  No pain at all.  In fact, the next day I went to radiation and was able to put my arms over my head with no pain.

I was never much of an exercise person, but I've been doing some Pilates and light weights the last few days myself.  It is amazing how out of shape I am!  But it is a nice feeling to start to lead a "normal" life again.

2 rads down, 28 to go and then I'm DONE!!

Abbi

kkthom

It's been a long while since I've posted. Finished chemo 10/23 and just finished rads on Thursday!! I can't even describe how I really feel to be done with this part of the journey. Have one dr. appt. with different drs. for the next five weeks, but at least it won't be for any kind of treatment. I'll be nervous as you know what on the 20th for the follow up mammo.

Oh, what a ride this has been. I've noticed some of you have experienced the emotional roller coaster as well. I have cried more in the last month and been in such a funk. Also lost a dear friend, who was and continues to be such an inspiration, to colon cancer this week. It's been very hard. It's going to get better, I know.

 

My hair is about 1/4 inch long with many grays. I have hair growing in places I didn't even know I lost! I'm especially noticing hair on my face which I didn't have before. Am I going to have to borrow my son's razor? Of all things...

I continue to have pain in my joints, feet and hands. My fingernails are growing in with dents and curving at the ends, even though they're not long at all. Weird. Also still pretty tired.

Bought myself a new bible, as way I guess, to celebrate the new, better life I'm going to live.

Also redid my bedroom and my bathroom - no major construction, just paint, wallpaper, new accessories. Turned into more work than I thought. Everything takes longer to do now! Chemo brain seems to be getting better.

I gained 10 lbs as well during treatment. Don't worry about it. It will come off when you feel better. I've lost six pounds! Not doing anything extraordinary, just have more energy for the everyday things, I guess.

You are all inspirations to me. You are all strong. You are beautiful. May God bless each of you!

Kim

LottaQuilts

Hey, Kim.  I been wondering about everybody as well.  I've had 6 rads so far.... 24 to go.  So far no SEs and it's certainly a whole heck of a lot easier than chemo!

My hair's about 1/2" long and just curly, curly, curly.  Too much grey, but that's easily fixed!  I'm going to have to go for some kind of trim one of these days.... my "sideburns" and back-neck area need cleaned up to make it look like a "style" of some sort.

I gained about 10 lbs as well and started back to Weight Watchers this week.  Joined up with a gym as well and start there with a trainer on Thursday.  I want my health back as much as the weight gone.  I just feel weakened by all these treatments.

A couple gals I know who are fellow survivors have told me that the time after treatment was over was an emotional time for them.  Cancer has been our focus for so long, when it's over it's like "ok.... what now?"  Just get on with your life? 

One of my New Year's resolutions was to be easy on myself.  I know it's going to take time to heal, both physically and emotionally from this ordeal.  Even my radiation onc. said to expect a year until I feel totally well again.  So we take it one day at a time, right?

You ladies have all been my inspiration as well.  It has meant more than I could possibly say to have such a great group of women who really understand.  You've helped me be strong when I needed it.

Good luck to all!!  ........ and keep posting! 

Abbi

mmcp

Hi everyone!

It's great to hear you're doing well Abbi & Kim, hope the rest of you are fine as well.  I'm now 2 weeks out from my bilateral.  The bandages are off, it was scary but thanks to the photos I've seen on the web I was somewhat prepared for what I would see.  It's getting easier emotionally, but still harder than I'd imagined. 

I got my pathology report back, still had 2.3 cm of tumor & 6/13 positive nodes after chemo.  Yikes!  I'm getting radiation as soon as I'm healed from surgery.  I'll be on Herceptin of a year now and Tamoxifen for 5.  I'm considering doing ovarian suppression.  Anyone else?

kkthom

Abbi - you sound like you are doing better these days - good for you. After reading all the posts last night (for three hours it turned out!) I was getting worried about you. You started out on this journey so up and ready to fight. We will get out strength back! I feel pretty weak too, but a little stronger with each new day. How are your kids doing with all this?

Margie - that just really stinks to still have the tumor after chemo. I'm praying for you - keep your chin up. I don't know anything about ovarian suppression. I'm trip neg so no additional therapy for me, which makes me quite nervous. Radiation is really easy compared to the chemo. You do get tired, but I suppose that's a combination of the stress, the daily drive and therapy itself. I took a 3 hour nap yesterday (ended rads on Thurs.), but I keep telling myself, it's ok because I didn't take one all week! Plus my kids are at their dad's so it's nice and peaceful here and I need to reboot myself for the coming week.

Anyone watching the Pats and Chargers? I think I'll turn the volume down and curl up on the couch - again!

Kim

figsgirls

I'm not much for football, but the French Canadian in me loves hockey! But alas my poor Sabres are having a time of it lately. DH and I went to Friday night's game, which was great fun and they won for a change.

Hey Abbi, isn't Pilates great? I start class again this week. Ladies, I highly recommend it! You might recall I took a class during chemo and I like it because there are a variety of levels for each exercise, based on your fitness and strength. I'm not going wigless yet but I decided I'm going au natural for my Pilates class. I've got enough hair to do it, but the front just started to grow in so it needs another couple of weeks before I'll really stop wearing the wig. My hair is REALLY gray and still poker straight. I was really hoping for some curl! I, too, will soon need a trim, though. The top is getting pretty long and I will soon look like Don King.

And like Kim said, I feel like my face hair is growing in more than before chemo! But I think we just got used to seeing ourselves with no hair.

I agree with everybody who says it is great to be reclaiming your life!! I was afraid I'd have a hard time when tx ended, but so far I haven't. Just so happy to be feeling a little better every day.

Today I did a "long run" - 4 miles total, 5 min. jogs with 1.5 min. walk breaks. Oh so far from my marathon days, but it's progress! And it feels so nice to be sleeping normally again!

Margie, my onc. suggested ovarian supression in a year if my period comes back. So far it hasn't. Are you reconstructing? Has anyone else started Tamoxifen yet? I'm on it 3 weeks now and the only side effect I've had are a few increased hot flashes and night sweats, but they're beginning to diminish.

Well, since I'm not doing rads my next step in the journey is my implant swap a week from Thursday. I really can't wait to get the expanders out. I hear the silicone implants are way more comfortable. And at the same time, my plastic surgeon is removing the port. I'm REALLY excited for that!

It's great to check in and see everyone is coming along well. I hope you all finish rads without too much discomfort. Take care everyone.

Donna

brst26

Hi ladies.  It's great to hear from some of you who are done now..congrats!  Abbi, thanks for sharing how rads are going for you so far.  That's my next step after I have my surgery on Wednesday.  I'm still a little nervous..not going to lie.  I think I am more apprehensive about the lymph node portion of surgery...mostly because I don't know how the results are going to come back.  I am really hoping that the SN's she takes out are disease free and that's the end of that.  However, if they come back positive, then she will have to do a full auxilla disection...which I would really be nervous for.  Good thing I will be out when that decision has to be made!

Margie...I'm so happy that you came through your surgery ok.  Did you say that you were having reconstruction or not?

Donna...I am jealous of your "long" run.  I have been trying to go to the gym on a regular basis this past week...that might have to be put on hold for a few days following surgery.  It amazes me how "out of shape" you get when you don't workout for a period of time.  I used to be able to go out my door and run 5-6 miles without a second thought!  Now, I am indoors on a treatmill, but everything is so hard.  I too have to take walk breaks.  But hey, at least I'm feeling well enough to do it!

mmcp

Abbey, I'm planning on having reconstruction but not until after rads.  I'll have to go on a waiting list though so I may not have it done for a year or two.  I'm sure your surgery will go just fine, try not to be too nervous.

I started running again on the treadmill in the beginning of December, slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things.  I had to stop for two weeks for my surgery but I've ran the past two days.  Yay me!  I'm signing up for a 10 k in May for motivation.

jbw3843

Abbi, Thanks for the port update. It was kind of being "suggested" that I wait until radiation was over and I was willing to do that. But lately the port has been pulling in neck and clavicle area, and it is located right under the bra strap and where the seatbelt settles across my chest. I've really put up with it long enough. After calling my radiologist, oncologist, and surgeon today, I finally got approval from all 3 to get it removed next Thursday. Since you had such an easy time with it, I'm not too worried. Since the radiation treatments won't start until the first week of February, I figured, What am I waiting for?

It's easy for the doctors to tell you to leave it in, but I'm the one with the uncomfortable port in. Glad to hear radiation is going well.

Jane 

brst26

My surgery went well on Wednesday.  I will get pathology back from my SN and my margins on Monday...hopefully all comes back clear.  I threw up three times in recovery...that wasn't too fun.  I feel pretty good though.  I do have a lot of swelling and a gross gurgling sound when I move/bend certain ways...all of which my surgeon said was "totally normal".  No pain really though...I haven't taken but a couple Vicadin the night I came home (and that was only because my sister made me take them).  It's a little uncomfortable when I sleep...only because I move around a lot at night usually and can't really lay on my sides yet.  I took a shower last night and removed my bandages...it looks pretty good...not a lot of bruising, just really swollen.  Looks like I will be starting rads towards the end of February.

mmcp

Good for you Abbey, I've been thinking about you.  It must feel good to have it over with.  I know I feel better!

figsgirls

Hi Ladies. Abbey, good to hear your surgery went well (except for the throwing up in recovery, which surely was no fun). For sleeping, when I had my mastectomy I bought one of those big pillows with the arm rests on the sides. It made it a lot more comfortable to sleep on my back. Hopefully your SNB will come back OK. For me, the lymph node part caused more discomfort than the lumpectomy because I kept collecting fluid around the incision after he took out the drains. So it was like having a golf ball under my arm for a couple of weeks!

And yes, I agree it is truly amazing how quickly one's fitness can diminish! There's an 8k March 1 I'm using as my goal race. Yesterday I completed 3 miles with a jog/walk. At least now it is more jog than walk, and I was able to run for 13 minutes straight at the end. I was quite proud of myself!! This year's Race for the Cure is on the one year anniversary of my mastectomy.

Well, I started working again. I've had my real estate license for about 1 1/2 years and never really did anything with it. Since it's so hard to get a job in a school around here (There was even an article in today's paper about how the education market is flooded in this area), I decided to start working on real estate instead (we don't get the wild highs and lows in the market around here, so things are still steady). I joined a friend who is very established and so far I'm having a good time. It's so great to be out doing normal things!

I hope everyone is still doing OK with rads, and Abbey I'll be thinking of you tomorrow since you'll be getting your path. results.

Donna

brst26

Hi...just wanted to give you all an update on how my pathology came back on Monday.  Good news was that my residual tumor was only 9mm (when I was diagnosed back in July, it was 2.0-2.5cm) and I had clear margins...so I won't need anymore breast surgery!  However, the sentinal node she took out (which was the one that was positive when biopsied following my MRI in July) still showed traces of micrometastasis, so obviously standard of care is to do the full auxillary disection.  My surgeon said in her heart of hearts, she really doesn't think there are anymore lymph nodes involved, but the problem lies that she can't be certain.  So...now I'm in a bit of a predicament...to have or not to have auxillary disection??  I really do not want to have another surgery, which will keep me off of work for an additional 2 weeks...I meet with my surgeon tomorrow for my 1 week post-op, so we will talk more about it then.  The tumor board at my hospital also is meeting on Thursday morning, so she is going to discuss my situation with them also.  What to do??

figsgirls

You've got a tough decision, Abbey. It sounds like you have a really good doctor and the benefit of the tumor board's recommendation. Keep us posted of course.

Well ladies, the effects of chemo live on! Last night I was washing up for bed and I noticed that I have a TON of hair on my cheeks, chin, and above my lip! I had a brief moment of freaking out, wondering if it was my imagination or what. I even went and looked in different mirrors to see if it was the lights or something. But alas it was not the lights. So I took out my razor and shaved my face, all the while cursing cancer again and lamenting over the strange turns my life has taken over the past year. Never thought I'd be shaving my face, that's for sure! Lord, what a world.

So this morning I got up and came right to the forum, as I remembered seeing a thread on this very subject. Sure enough, it's sort of a side effect of the chemo and those who have been there say it eventually it goes away. Fortunately it's very, very fine hair, not like man whiskers. 

 Have a great day everyone. It's REALLY windy here. Hope my wig doesn't fly off when I'm out and about!

Donna

LottaQuilts

Abbey, I had a similar situation.  I had 3 nodes removed and the sentinal node had 4 cells of micrometastasis....... that's why I had to do the chemo.  My surgeon decided not to take the remaining nodes.  She said it was ultimately my decision, but if it were her sister or mother or self, she wouldn't set them up for a lifetime of potential lymphodema problems for nodes that were probably clear anyway.

Of course, I did my chemo AFTER my surgery, so I figure the chemo would had killed anything left anyway (and there was probably nothing left). 

Not trying to sway you one way or the other.... I don't want responsibility for THAT .  Just giving you my experience.  Whatever you decide will be right for you, I'm sure.

It's really windy here in Pittsburgh too, but I'm commando these days, so I won't have to worry about losing my top!!   My hair is really growing like crazy and looks a bit crazy at this point.  Tight little curls that just kinda stick out in weird ways.  I just put a little gel in my hair and let it do it's thing.  Whatever..... I'm just happy to have hair again!!

A good day to everybody!!!

Abbi

mmcp

That's a tough call Abbey.  Personally I'd say do the surgery but I tend to go to the extreme in dealing with this beast (I had a bilateral & will be having my ovaries removed shortly).  Which way are you leaning?  You need to make whatever decision you are comfortable with, in the end it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Donna, that stinks about the furry face.  I've got that going on here too.  Just when I think I can't feel any less attractive cancer throws me something new!  It would be great if it is only temporary.

Abbi, I'm so jealous of your hair!  Mine's growing but still so patchy.

figsgirls

To weigh in on the SNB/axillary thing: My sentinel node had 1mm micrometastesis and my surgeon went straight to the axillary node dissection. All the other nodes were clear, but I'm still glad he did it. I haven't had any lymphedema problems, knock wood. I tend to think more like Margie I guess - I also went with a bilateral, and will have ovarian supression if my period comes back. But then again, I'm in the "gray area" for rads and chose not to do those. I agree - you gotta do what you think is best.

BTW, How are you feeling after your bilateral, Margie? I'm having my implant swap tomorrow at 8am, and having the port removed. I  CAN'T WAIT.

mmcp

Hi Donna,

I'm feeling good physically after the bilateral, emotionally it's taking some time to get used to.  I didn't have immediate recon & I'm too sore still to wear the fake ones, so it's weird.  I was very surprised how easy of a recovery it is physically, I thought it would be a lot worse.  I'm on the list to get my referral for recon but I'm told it can take 1-2 years.  It's nice to have free health care but the wait times sure suck! 

brst26

Well, thanks to all who gave me your imput on my situation!  I saw my surgeon yesterday, and she was very pleased with how well my incision was healing!  She removed the stri-strips so I got to see it for the first time.  I am truely amazed at how thin the incision is...it should heal into a very thin scar.  She did very good work!  The tumor board was all in agreement that it is not a reasonable option for me to do nothing as far as my axillary lymph nodes are concerned knowing that my SN came back with micromets.  So, I've decided to go ahead and have ALND and told her to go ahead and schedule it.  I'll have my surgery on Feb. 13th.  I do have a little bit of cording from my SNB, so I will see a physical therapist next week to get rid of that.  Anybody else experience cording following removal of LN's?  My surgeon said that I'll have a little more PT following my ALND to regain full range of motion prior to returning to work.

Margie...I'm glad to hear that you are healing well from your bilateral.  Do you know when you start rads?

Donna...how did the wind situation pan out for you the other day?  It was really windy here too...however, I have gotten brave enough to go without a hat or anything on my head.  I have enough hair that's grown back by now! 

figsgirls

I opted to stay indoors the other day. It became ridiculously windy - gusts at near hurricane strength they say. I am working up the nerve to go topless. Everyone says I look cute, but to me it's just so short!



I had the surgery yesterday to remove my expanders and get the silicone implants. I also got my port out. HOORAY! I don't yet know what my breasts look like now, because once again I have the lovely surgical bra and some gauze, and the PS said I absolutely can't touch it until Tuesday at my follow up appointment. But if I peek down in I can see the tops of the breasts and the cleavage, and they look a lot more natural than the expanders. The pain level is similar to the mastectomy, so it's really not bad but I do feel a lot more tired after this surgery. Probably because I'm still getting my strength back from the chemo.



Abbey, I didn't have any problems after my lymph nodes were removed, and I have full range of motion. No lymphedema either, thankfully. I'm glad you're having the ALND. ALthough we all say it has to be your choice, I was secretly rooting for you to have it.



Margie, they put you on a waiting list of 1-2 years for reconstruction? I'll keep hoping it happens sooner for you. I have to say it was emotionally easier waking up with the expanders already in place. But, I can relate to the mourning you mentioned. Every once in a while it hits me again that these are not my real breasts. they have no sensation so they sort of feel like plastic boobs. I wonder if we ever really get completely past this whole thing.



Have a great weekend ladies. My baby (my one and only) turns 21 this weekend!



Donna

mmcp

I'm glad to hear you're having the full dissection Abbey.  It's just too scary to take the chance.  Even if they all are clear of cancer you'll have the ease of mind knowing you got it all out.  Too bad about the cording, does it hurt?  I haven't got my rads dates yet but I meet with the radiation onc. on Monday for the first time.  I should find out then.

Happy birthday to your baby Donna!  My oldest turns 4 on Sunday, but the big bash is next weekend (Superbowl messes it up every year.  I remember it being on while I was in labour with him!)  I've meant to ask you what running was like with the expanders in, was it uncomfortable at all?  I've been back at it now since early December (well with a break for my surgery).  It just feels so good to do something normal again!

Can I just say I'm jealous of you all with hair!  Mine's coming in, just VERY slowly.  I look like a balding guy, complete with the whole horseshoe shaped bald spot right in the front.  I'm starting to worry it will never come in there.   

brst26

Yeah, I am at peace about the ALND...it's the right thing to do.  Margie-the cording does hurt a little bit...nothing too bad though...just more of an annoyance than anything.  I can still lift my arm up over my head and stuff...it's just a sore/tight feeling when I do...or when I touch my armpit.  You can actually feel the "cord"...my mom wanted to feel it last night..she was funny.  Your hair will come back!  Have faith

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I started going to the gym (especially since I have nothing else to do with myself while I am off work) and  biked for 30 mins, then walked on the treadmill for 30 mins.  I decided to try to run a little on Wednesday, but that only lasted about 20 secs...it was still to early (too bouncy!).  I think I will try again this week and see how it feels by Monday.  I also am going to try lifting some light weights and see how that goes.