Starting chemo Dec 2007

loriann

Morning all!  Sorry some of you are feeling yucky! 

I hate to say it but I am feeling great!  I think it has a lot to do with knowing the end is coming soon!    I saw my oncologist on Friday and won't see her again now until 2 weeks post surgery.  She is just very impressed at how well I've done as far as how I've responded to the chemo and how well I've handled it in regards to se's!  If she was just saying that to make me feel better it worked!  She actually asked me if I would be interested in being on a panel when they have events where there will be women there who will be starting chemo soon to answer their questions and such from the perspective of patient.  I said why not...maybe I can help in some small way.

I have my surgery date now also...March 31st, and I have to call tomorrow after 10 to get the time.  One of the things I discussed with the oncologist was the Neulasta shot, which she said I didn't have to have next Monday.  I told her I was looking to have surgery 2 weeks after last chemo so she said go ahead and get it to be sure my counts will be OK to procced with surgery on the 31st!  Whatever it takes!  I'm sticking to my schedule...Vegas is waiting!!  LOL

I haven't really been bothered with the night sweats since I moved to the Taxol.  I still get hot flashes though!!  I will start Tamoxofin at some point (after rads I think?) for at least a year.  If I understood her correctly she is hoping the my period will not come back for that year I am on the Tamoxofin but if it does there is a clinical trial she may like me to take part in.  That's a while away so we'll just see about all that later.

I am just in such a good mood....Can't wait til Friday...LAST ONE!

My daughter doesn't have school tomorrow and it's my short day at work so we are gonna go out to lunch and then do the mall thing!  That will be fun for us!!

Sal, Suz & Amy, I sure hope you are all feeling better real soon!  We are all so close (or in Amy's case, done..lucky girl) to the end!  Keep pushing a little while longer!!  Hugs, Lori

suz45

Hello Ladies,

I hope everyone is doing well.

Sal, Have you tried ocycodone or something like it along with the gabapentin? Between the two of them (they can be taken together) I have found the bone pain and muscle spasms (or zaps) very tolerable. It only took till now my last tx to finally get it all worked out . Loved the pic of you with your Niece, she looks like a real sweetheart.

Lori, you should feel great, as of friday you've done it and you can put it behind you. We all will probably have something else after this (surgeries, rads and so on) but we made it through chemo! What a milestone that is or will be. I'm not doing the Neupogen, Neulasta for you, after my next tx, but I don't have Vegas waiting for me. I hope you have a great time!

Amy, I haven't tried Ambien yet, but believe me I have quite the little pharmacy happening here as well. How is your tummy & back? I hope you found out what the problem was. Yeaaa, for doing a friday without chemo. It can only get better from here.

Cindy, Hope rads are speedy as can be this week with no se's (or people delivering tmi)! You will probably be done as I'm starting mine. Way to go.

Kate, Hope all is well and you have se's under control. How has the hand been this time around?

Wishiwere, Are you going to be doing rads now that chemo's done? Hope your feeling stronger everyday.

Laura. Hope you are enjoying time out with dh and are relaxing somewhere warm under a palm tree. Think I should try hiding in your suitcase. I could use a warm, sunny break.

Joy, We haven't heard from you in a while. Hope all is well and your just busy with sorting work out. Have been thinking of you. Your last tx should be coming up in the next couple of weeks I think. Stay well and warm.

KMK, Hope your feeling great now that you've been done for a while.

Susan, Kimbly, Marie and anyone else I may have missed or that just reads, wishing everyone a beautiful day! Great big hugs for all, warm blankets for those of you stuck in the snow, sleet and cold. May our last tx and spring be upon us real soon!

Much Love, Suz

bibliowarrior

Amy, hope they figure out what is causing your pain and it's something very minor and "fixable". Keep us mother hens posted, as we worry. And I will look into the Ambien. The Tylenol PM doesn't always work for me, and my nurse wanred me not to use the Ativan too much since it is addictive.

I'm not familiar with that yoga move-- actually can't name any of the ones we do in class-- but I can picture it. I'll have to give it a try. I'm definitely finding that moving and stretching often keep the aches from settling in.

Suz, I have used Hydrocodone, which I'm guessing is related to Ocycodone. It made me groggy when I first started using it (which was cool before bedtime), as well as helped take the edge off the aches and pains I had. But the last 3 weeks or so I haven't noticed that it does anything for me. My body got used to it?? I think the Gabapentin is kicking in though because I haven't had the really bad pains since last weekend. And I find that when I do get sore, if I move around and stretch etc. the aches start to loosen up and go away. I start my PT tomorrow and am VERY excited to get my body back on track.

Lori, just in case my mind wanders I wanted to wish you a super, duper, excellent, marvelous last treatment on Friday. As each person finishes, the rest of us rejoice in knowing we are right behind. YOU'RE NEARLY DONE!!!!!!!!!! 

Lemme tell you, pain or no pain, I have been in SUCH a great mood this week. I tell everyone "Next week is my last chemo treatment!" and sometimes I just can't believe the end is near. Wow!!! I actually think that I am so pumped up for next week-- a mere 7 days from now!-- that it has made the other things seem like minor problems. I totally look at the sciatica thing as minor and reversable, so what's the big deal? Man oh man, only one more chemo to go. Sometimes I still can't believe I've been through this whole journey. I'm sure the fact that it is almost spring, the sun is out more and later in the day, there are occassional days of "warm" (40's) weather... it all adds to my believing that the end of this trial is near! LIFE IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!

Gotta scoot. Hugs and love to everyone.

-Sal 

suz45

Sal, I  didn't have much choice re: genetic testing. I found out after my dx that I had two Maternal Uncles and two Maternal Cousins that tested positive for the bcra1 gene. Being triple negative  didn't help (I have three sisters who wont know unless I follow through with the testing). My mom doesn't want to know........ she is over 70 and has so many other health issues. I have accepted all of this and hopefully can help someone if I follow through. Its all good , I think I would rather rather know now so I can deal with any issues. FUBC

Im so with you on the last tx. Just bring it on.......... its only one more (I have drugs) who cares about pain, I am so ready for it. I also tell everyone I'm down to the last one. I do the same walk every morn with the dog (about 1 mile) I was so happy and felt so strong that I walked it twice yesterday, so we did a two mile walk whoo hoo , all my morn dog people know me and about me, I tell them all I have only one more to go.

I dont think dh & ds quite understand the importance of it, but thats alright with me. In the end its my fight and Ive honestly shared it with you guys heart and soul. Really who else can understand what we have been through. You all mean more to me than you will ever know.

So with you all designated as my official cheering team on Tuesday. I will line my hedge with pink balloons(let me know if you want anything else up there) after all you are my champions, whatever else happens will all be a bonus.

I am so happy for all of us, and I truly don't know how to thank each and every one of you for just being there when I needed to just talk, ramble or rant. Every one of you is such a true hero in my heart and you will stay there forever.

           All of us doing a happy dance

Enough rambling time to finish my coffee. Love and big hugs to all of you ( I wish I could really hug you all).

Take care will talk soon,

Love Suz

beasgirl

aw, suz! you are so sweet. I feel the same way. Funny, isn't it, to feel so bonded even though we've never met.

Sal, it's great to hear you feeling so upbeat! 

I can't WAIT for all of you to join me in the All Done Club. It's awesome. I really am starting to feel better. The tummy/backache thing seems to be helped by Zantac (another pill!), which was a total stab in the dark from my GP, but hooray!  Last week was admittedly tough, with everyone congratulating me while I was still feeling terrible, but this week I genuinely FEEL better, so I can be more enthusiastic.

Today, I'm having my friend's little boy over here to play--she has been taking my little guy every Wednesday for months--I'm SOOOO happy to finally be able to reciprocate a little of her kindness!!

And it seems like the crummiest part of the winter is ending...though now we enter the "interminable" part...my rule has always been not to HOPE for anything until May, so as not to get my heart broken by an April snowstorm. Still, it'll be nice to have a sunny day here and there, like yesterday.  

beasgirl

oh--Sal--here is a site with little animated illustrations of the cat pose:

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/cat.asp 

wish I could do a live link... 

A 

suz45

Oh I forgot to mention, I was looking in the mirror, sadly the last of my eyelashes have fallen out. They kinda look like rabbit eyes now. A little pink and puffy

But on a good note, I can now see a very short fine layer of white sorta fuzz starting to grow ALL OVER MY HEAD. The few dark stubble hairs are definitely falling out. Hopefully this fuzz is the start of my real hair coming in.

Hip Hip Hooray!         Doin a happy dance.

Im so happy right now. Just wish I didn't have to wait till next week. Love ya all! Suz

suz45

Amy I think I can put the pic up...... suz

Cool it worked, Was this the right one?? S

www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/cat.asp

beasgirl

Nope, but that's the same thing...you're so cool, suz! on the one I posted, there's a long thingy of instructions about breathing and chakras and that kinda hoo-hah.

loriann

Hi Friends!  Another day of feeling great! 

Suz, I know exactly what you mean!  I am so thankful to have found you all and to have gone thru this with you all!  I never felt the need to attend a support group as I had all of you...who were at exactly the same stage as I was...starting chemo in December!  And look at us now...we are all but done (with the chemo stage at least) and we have made it!!

Sal, I hope you get some relief with the stretching!  Glad you are feeling better at least!  We are almost thru girl!!

Amy, SOOOO glad you are feeling better already!  Hope every day continues to get better and better!

Oh yeah, Suz...the hair thing!  I have a head full of the white fuzz too!  I actually get lather now when I shampoo and I've been loving it!  I, too, hope it is the start of hair regrowth!!  My hubby pulled one the other day and I felt my scalp pull back!!  LOL  That one was not coming out as they had been so maybe it's here to stay!  I hope so but if not the real stuff can't be far behind!!  I have been calling myself a baby snowy egret!!  LOL

So, I went to the radiation oncologist today for the first meeting and I really like him!  I've been blessed with my team of doctors and I'm sure that has helped along the way...being happy and confidant with them!  So, to all of you who have already had surgery and will be moving straight to rads, I shouldn't be too far behind you.  The plan is for surgery on March 31st...then my simulation planning appointment is on April 11th and possibly starting rads on the 14th....or at the very latest the 21st.  Even starting the 21st would put me done at the very end of May, which would be perfect....Insurance deductible & coinsurance start again June 1st and I'll have a bit longer to recover before the Vegas trip on June 23rd!!  Can you tell I'm excited for that Vegas trip!  It will be so nice to "get out of dodge" for a bit and leave the whole BC experience behind for a few days!!

Hope all of you are doing great and feeling good!  We are another day closer to moving on with our lives as breast cancer SURVIVORS!!  Go us!!  Have a good evening, Lori

bapnkat

Kimbly, Thanks for the info on the cream.  My last treatment is April 2.   I can't wait.  Of course, their is still radiation, but it will be nice to be finished with Taxol.

A question.  Does anyone else ever get a dull pain in the lower back that kind of feels almost like it travels up the spine when sitting or sometimes lying down?  This seems to happen to me after every treatment. 

The taxol was pretty bad this week, probably made worse by the neulasta shot I had to have.  I've had lots of leg pain for some reason which I never had before.  It wakes me up, I can't sit for very long and feel much better when moving.  Really strange.

Well, I'm trying to fight a cold that wants to come, so I need to go drink some Vit C. 

So happy that everyone is almost finished or finished!!!  Yay for alll of us!!!!

Kate

suz45

Amy, OK I think I worked out how to do a link.

www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/cat.asp

I just got rid of the http:// and then clicked on the rest and it highlighted and underlined itself. I edited my post above and added the link there as well.

Kate, This has been my biggest problematic se, so its hard to say. I have so much pain all through my lower back, hips, butt, thights, knee's, ankles and other areas that seem to flare up. It does move around. I find I have bone pain, mostly thighs, hips and lower back from neupogen shots, and then an odd zapping sharp pain that moves around through my legs, butt, hips and back from the taxol. It has been different every treatment so I just work on the meds with the doctors and hope to keep the pain at bay.

Suz

wishiwere

Hey ladies!  It's good to hear more are finishing up these treatments, and getting past this!  Hope those of you continuing are getting by with the least pain.  I keep you all in my thoughts in and prayers every day.  Been trying to get past this all and having problems with it.  Crappy stuff that is just a pain in the arse!  Nothing near what some of you are though, so I keep reminding myself, it could be worse!  You're the best ladies, and don't ever forget that!  Just the best!  {{hugs}} to you each!

JeannieBell

Hello to everyone!

   I'm new to this... Just happened upon this post last night while I was searching for some info on mouth sores... I was dx on 11/21/07 w/ Stage IIB Grade 3, ER+, Her2+...9 of 21 nodes....I'm 43 and had Mastectomy (left) on Dec.3, 2007... began Chemo on 12/28/07... I am currently on Taxotere - Carboplatin - Herceptin....I go every 3 weeks for TC and every week for Herceptin  and will continue Herceptin for a year....I just completed my 4th cycle of TC on 2/29/08 and have 2 more to go... YIPPEEEE!!!...

   I have been having mouth sores (ulcers) to some degree, but this past treatment, I have REALLY had mouth sores...I am trying to find relieve... I called my Dr. this morning and they are going to call in something... any suggestions for things I can do at home?

loriann

Hi Jeannie!  Sorry you had to join us but glad you found us!  Congrats on having only 2 more to go.  I have my last one tomorrow!  Then I will be having a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection on March 31st then rads. 

When I was on the AC I ate ice chips during the whole infusion...don't know if that's the reason (for lack of mouth sores) but my friend (also a BC survivor) highly recommended it and I have not had a problem with mouth sores.  I have not done that as much during the Taxol so who knows....maybe it worked because I believed it would.  LOL

Anyway, maybe you could try sucking some ice chips at home and try again during treatment and see if it helps at all.  Best wishes!  Lori

wishiwere

Loriann~  Good luck on the last one tomorrow!  WTG!  You've made it the long haul!  Your surgery will seem like easy after all you've been through!  Be thinking of you tomorrow!  Rest well tonight!

suz45

Hi Jeannie, A very warm welcome, yet sorry you had to find us. I haven't really had a problem with mouth sores but saw this the other day posted by Lorenab, I copied it from her post.

"I went to the dentist for a pre-chemo cleaning yesterday, and we talked about possible dental-related side effects.  He told me that if I get mouth sores, there is a great home remedy that he recommends: mix half a cup of Kaopectate or Mylanta (I think that's what he said) with half a cup of the pink liquid Benadryl, and swish it around your mouth several times a day" 

It sounds like it might work.... personally I used biotene mouthwash & toothpaste from the start of chemo. I hope you find something that helps.

Big hugs, Suz

loriann

WOO HOO!!  Up and at 'em this morning!  I wonder why!!!

FINAL CHEMO TODAY!!

It feels really good to be crossing the chemo finish line!  I can't wait till you all have your day! 

WishIwere, Thanks for the kind words & thoughts!  You're right...my surgery will be a piece of cake....just knowing that the chemo is already done makes having surgery seem easier somehow!  Maybe because chemo took 4 months and surgery and rads will only take about 2!  Just really looking forward to the day I finish rads too!

Take care everyone!  Lori

P.S.  We are expecting a lovely day here today...Sunshine and 50!!  That will match my mood perfectly!!

clsd

Lori !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am holding my hands up high with a super WOOOOHOOOOO !!

You did it girl, and will breeze through this final one, just knowing that there are NO MORE Chemos left !!!!!  Hoooorayyy !!

I am so happy for you. ....One at a time, we will finish this fight !!

Now go kick some serious BC Ass today !!

xo  cindy

suz45

Go Lori, This is your day, enjoy it along with the sunshine! I'll be cheering and thinking of you all day every step of the way. Here's to a chemotini with no se's, thank you very much. Now for a happy dance.....

   

Enough love and hugs to last ya all day. Suz

wishiwere

Sending positive thoughts {{hugs}} from north of you too, Loriann!

Suz, love your little guys there!  Where do you get all those neat additions?  Too cute!

beasgirl

Lori!

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

you did it! congratulations! enjoy the day, bask in good will and attention-- it was a long, long road, and you did it.

yipee!!!

loriann

Hello all!!!  Well, I'm home!!  It's over!  It feels so good!  Thank you all so much (Suz, WishIwere, Cindy, Amy) for all the Yahoo's and smileys!!   It almost hasn't sunk in yet!  Did you feel like that Amy? 

Now I just have to go back Monday for my shot!  Oh, this feels great!!

My mom brought me flowers this morning and when I got home there was another delivery from my BC survivor friend (the same one I'm going to Vegas with).  Then during my infusion my mom snuck back down to the car where she had balloons in the trunk and brought them up. 

Also, if some of you remember I had been talking with a young girl (27) who got infusions at the same time as me (she was 2 tx's ahead of me).  On her last tx day I brought her a balloon.  Well, today her mother showed up with a lovely card and some bubble bath for me.  She included her phone # and email address.  I can't wait to email her.  We have all the same Dr.s and the last time we talked she was planning on a lumpectomy but today her mother said she did end up having the mastectomy.  She had it Wednesday and came home today.  Prayers for her would be nice!!

When DH gets home we are going to dinner to celebrate!!  I brought the nurses a thank you card and my mom made her famous cookies for them.  When I was done they blew bubbles at me and hugs were shared!!  They have been great!!

So now I'll be counting down for Laura (last one the 17th), Suz (last one the 18th) and Sal (last one the 19th)!!  There will be much celebrating next week! 

You all have truely been a blessing and I am so thankful for you all!  I really hope we can all meet someday when we have all of this behind us!  I'll talk to you all soon!  Enjoy the weekend...you're almost at the finish line!!  Love, Lori

suz45

Wishiwere, I get them mostly on photo bucket. They have to be loaded on this site just like a photograph. Its a little more work but I think there fun.      Suz

                                     

                            FUBC

bapnkat

Lori!! Congratulations!!!!  I am so happy for you!!  What a relief to be finished, huh?  I hope you had a wonderful celebration dinner. 

I wonder if anyone else feels that this time has really passed rather quickly, but as you get closer to finishing, it seems to slow down some.  My second taxol seemed to affect me more than the first as this time the pain slowed down but did not stop until last night.  Today is the first day my legs aren't aching.  I go back next Wednesday and this will be the time that will pass quickly.  My "feeling good" time. 

Still, I try to look at this cancer as a gift and a journey.  Not a gift or journey I would have asked for, but it really is amazing how much I have learned through it.  I thank God daily for life itself.  I have come to a realization of how important my time with my family really is.  I suddenly have a desire to clean out all the clutter in my life, to become healthier, stronger.  I feel that having cancer has caused me to slow down and really look at things.  I am thankful for this time, although it has not been an easy road, and is still not over.  Still, if not for cancer, I would never have found this website or "met" any of you, I would not be slowing down and really looking at life, and I would not have to rely on my faith as I am now. 

I thank God for all of this journey.  I pray we all only take it once.  I pray each of us will become stronger because of it.  True, cancer is a horrible disease, but God is bigger than cancer. 

Sorry for the rambling thoughts.  I am so happy almost everyone is finished with chemo.....

beasgirl

Hi all--I was just reading the news about Femara, and wondering if any of your doctors had talked about using it with you. It's not for me, cause I'm er-/pr-, but it seems like good news for those of you who are. No idea what the se's might be...

I was back in the hospital yesterday, first for a MUGA scan, then a herceptin treatment, then I had to go get my port checked, cause I think I moved the catheter around, or popped a suture on it, when I did my yoga the other night. They said it was fine, but now I'm feeling like getting rid of it... what are you guys doing about your ports?

The yoga, btw, was marvelous. I was wishing I had done it through treatment, though I don't know if I really could have twds the end. It was very slow--over 1.5 hours we did only about 5 poses--but I came out feeling more comfortable in my own skin than I have since before my surgery! Can't wait to do more.

more snow today. ugh. My sister, who lives in AL, was going to mow her lawn today. This is the time of year that New England causes the most pain and sorrow to its inhabitants.

Lori, it was great to hear about your day yesterday--sounds like people made a proper big deal out of you!! It did take a while to sink in, and still is...I feel like if nothing else, I am learning the patience to take things gradually, which I have never been very good at. 

And Kate, though I'm not religious, I know what you mean about gratefulness and appreciation of life...I certainly have experienced a touching amount of love and support, and I really do feel that a lot of the stuff I used to fret about before seems kinda silly. Though I'm sure I'll still fret, it's good to have a different perspective to draw on.

love to all

a 

JeannieBell

Hi Beasgirl!  I am Jeannie and I joined this post for the first time the other night...I would like to first say, that it is a pleasure to "meet" you.  I was just reading your post and wanted to respond to the Port issue... I plan on leaving my port in until ALL is completed... I will finish the "Big Chemo's" on April 11..(have 2 more to go).. but will continue the Herceptin until end of the year (Dec.)... My port has been a blessing!  No Fuss, No Muss with mine...since I had the Lymph node removal, I only have one good arm, so to speak...Will have it removed later in the year when I have reconstructive....

Also, I noticed that you have a sister in Alabama?  What part?  I live in Alabama... just north of Montgomery (about 20 mins)....And yes it is warm here today... husband also mowing the Lawn today....

To Lori- and anyone else currently finishing tx....Congratulations!! YIPPEE!!!  Hallelujah!! Praise the Lord! and God is Great!!

Can't wait until I can join that club... Won't be long now though....

HUGS to everyone.....

Jeannie

bapnkat

amy,  I'm thinking of keeping my port for a couple of years, but I have bad veins.  I really don't mind having it flushed as I have never really experienced any major pain from it.  We have TONS of snow here in northern Maine, too.  I am so ready for spring. 

Jeannie, I finish my chemo on April 2 and I can't wait!  Of course, I still have radiation, but at least no more taxol! 

Kate

suz45

Amy, I plan on talking to my Oncologist this week about the port. I don't see a reason to keep it in, as much as it has been great for chemo I find it uncomfortable at my collarbone. But I will listen to what she has to say about it.

Is your yoga class a cancer class? I would love to start something once treatments are done. It will also be time to hit the local community center gym.

I feel so puffy or swollen right now, big round bald head, swollen red eyes (no eyelashes) sigh... sounds attractive huh. Add to that a very bloated midsection and I'm really not so quick to pull out the camera. Have tried hiding behind make up but my eyes are now tearing constantly so it just causes beige and grey streaks. I'm so relieved that this part of the journey will be done this week. I have never looked this sick before. As much as I want to document and celebrate my final tx, I don't want anyone to see how sickly I look. Even after all this I'm still vain. Go figure.

On a positive note Ive turned my daily 1 mile walk into 2 -3 miles this week. Soon I will have it back up to pre bc about 5 miles every morning. That is outdoors rain or shine, today I noticed all the crocus's are in bloom and it looks like some of the early daffodils are ready to open up as well (I love flowers)

Kate ,hopefully spring will be at your door real soon.

Take care all, Love and hugs, Suz

bibliowarrior

I'm several days behind, ladies, but you were all in my thoughts. Especially Lori, who is now in the "Chemo can kiss my butt goodbye" club

Kate-- the pain you described sounds exactly like what I had (have)... ask your doctor about the possibility of sciatic nerve problem. I'm very slowly getting back to the point where I can sit for short periods of time without pain. Still working on being able to sleep on my side or back... sleeping on your stomach with tissue expanders (aka hard-as-rock temporary boobs) isn't as comfy as it might sound

And Kate, I agree with your philosophical thoughts about getting BC. None of us would ever want to go through this, but none of us can say we didn't learn a lot about ourselves and our families/friends. I especially agree that I hope none of us ever has to go through this again. It used to be that my biggest fear in life was getting cancer, but now it is the thought of having to go through chemo again. May we all rebound and remain healthy after our journeys.

Welcome JeannieBell. Good luck with your treatments.

Amy, I haven't done the yoga pose that you posted, but have done the one that Suz posted. I'll have to try altering one for the other. And glad to hear you have started some yoga too... hope it helps you to heal in many ways.

If my port wasn't so ugly, obvious and sensitive when I lay on it, I'd leave the sucker in. I LOVE my port. But I suppose I'll have it removed once I've finished all my "stuff"... whatever it all is. By the way, anyone know how long and often we'll be going back in for labs or checks or whatever after we finish chemo?

Suz, I miss my eyelashes and eyebrows too, although I still have a couple left. Oddly enough, I miss the eyelashes more than the eyebrows. Please come back soon!! 

I've been doing slightly better with the sciatica this week, once I found out that moving around was a key to getting better. I've been playing music every morning for 15 minutes and dancing around the house (making a total fool of myself). I'm now up to 25 minutes, and have been able to work in some of my cardio-kickboxing moves into the workout. It is amazing how quickly I lost the stamina in my leg muscles... I am very shaky on my feet now and get winded so easily. Feel like I'm 90 years old. It angers me... chemo will NOT do this to me! Thus my incentive to get better. Plus the lack-of-sleeping thing I alluded to earlier.

Having some more trouble with the neuropathy... tingling in my feet and fingers. My feet feel like the are "asleep" pretty much all the time now. My nurse mentioned that since I'm taking the Gabapentin for the sciatica pain, which means it is also numbing the tingling that I feel, it's probably worse than it feels. My onc dr said possibly we will try a totally different drug for the last tx, one that doesn't cause neuropathy, since he doesn't want permanent damage. But we'll wait and decide on Wednesday. Not sure how I feel about not taking Taxol all the way through.

But all things considered, I'm still floating on "last time coming up" highs. My best friend is either going to come up (she lives out of state) on that day or the next day to help me celebrate. I'm taking Thursday and Friday off from work. I figured I've taken enough "sick days" off... I'm gonna take some vacation days off!! I haven't had a positive day off from work since September.

Laura and Suz, good luck on your last tx's Monday and Tuesday. LONG TIME COMING!!!  BIIIIIIG  HUGS!

Hugs to everyone,

Sal