Anyone starting chemo in June 08

Vinogal

Hey Junies......we all have such lovely positive attitudes on this thread.....I am very proud to be part of such a great group of ladies.........CL........enjoy your new TV......nothing like a chick flick in bed with comfy pjs.......unless of course it's a chick flick in bed with comfy pjs......wine......and chocolate......ha......I know what I'm doing on Friday night......

HunkyD.........good luck with your last poisoning.........I will be thinking of you as I get poisoned for the last time.........well with this nasty cocktail.......on to Herceptin after surgery.....or right away......not to sure.......I'll have to ask tomorrow........

Cheers to all

Jax

SuePeet

Hey CL - You know I have the club soda but I have like 10 things in my bathroom for whatever - all of wich I will be trowing out soon as I will no linger need them!  Yes I have thrush - one look i my mouth this morning and I knew so I got a prescription.  My one son was kind enough to share his head cold with me so trying to get that gone.  Curelean blue counds like a nice color!  I was told I was not aloud to rip down any walls or paint any rooms while I was getting better - bunch of party poopers!  The burning also comes from 4 cankers hanging off the end of my tongue!  My youngest has hockey tryouts this weekend and the arena where it is at make really good poutine - so I am having some!  CL what part of Ontario you hail from?

Hunky Dory - good luck tomorrow and may your se's be minimal.

Have been on a liquid diet for a couple days now - should be good for a couple more pounds - which I am sure will come right back after I eat my poutine!

Kellke

How many of us are doing the Race for the Cure next weekend?  I am walking it with my girls group in Denver.    Kelly

Westie

Jax!  Bravo!  You did it!  You are finished with your chemo---whatever side effects come, they'll be your last ones.  Feels good, eh?

Best wishes to all,

Westie

Vinogal

Yay......done.....over.........was hoping to have a bit of a break before starting Herceptin.......but no such luck........starting in 2 weeks.........oh well.........our candaian Run for the Cure is this Sunday.........  Kids made some great T-shirts........I'll be sure and post some pics next week.......now if only I could fall asleep......hmmm......

 How you doin HunkyD.......feels good doesn't it!

Best wishes to all......and I know I've said it before.......but please continue to post......I miss you guys when I don't hear from you all.

Cheers

Jax

KKing

congrats to Hunky D and Vinogal..... fingers crossed for minimal s/e... but hell it is great to know that part is over.

Chocolate Lover..... hoping you are doing alright.

 yesterday I went to get tatooed up for my rad therapy coming Oct 15.   Quite painless... so here comes another phase.   Word is... much easier than chemo.    How many Junies are going on to rads and when do you start???

Enjoy the day

Karen

Gina_M

Karen - My first rad treatment is October 7th.  I'll have 16 regular and 4 "booster" treatments and will finish on November 7th.  I went for my radiation orientation yesterday, had my simulation in mid-September and have a "mock" treatment tomorrow.  The mock is apparently a dry run with everything set up the same as for treatment, but no zapping!  The rad orientation was very informative.  When radiation is over, it will just be the Herceptin til next September.  Yippee!

Gina

hunkydory

Thanks Jax and KKing.  I did make it through the last one.  Yippie!  Just got back from my neulasta shot and am back sitting on my fat butt.  I have appt with rads oncologist on the 14th but don't know when I will start. I also have appt the15th for genetic counseling but don't know what will happen from there. I doubt insurance will justify the need for me to be tested.  I just hope I can get all the radiation done before December. 

Wyoming,,,,,today is your last if I am right.  YEA!  I have a feeling this month may be somewhat brutal in terms of being wiped, but I have to look at the bright side I guess. 

Well, better get something done before the pain sets in.  I am off work for two possibly three weeks,  Hasta Ladies, HunkyD

liz19

Hello Ladies: I got my wbc results back today and

they were low again .05 the nurse told me , i am going to the seafood festival ,this saturday ,the nurse said i she be ok ,they will be up hopefully

by then!!! i need more prayers from you nice ladies i keep my temp. checked so far its been good congrats too all who is finished with chemo, i go for rads in nov. 3rd, the Dr. said you have too wait for chemo to get out , before starting rads so i have a break for now still trying to take our family trip this month hopefully i will try and eat some seafood for you cl kking and all you nice ladies , i hope you all have a great weekend!!!! MY COMPUTER MESSED UP SO I HAVEN'T BEEN TO CHATROOM LATELY MISS TALKING TO YOU ALL , I HOPE I CAN GET IT FIXED SOON!! TAKE CARE ALL

LIZ19

GramE

HI everyone:

Congrats to those who are done with chemo.  Good luck to those beginning other treatments and rads.   Yesterday I had chills and stomach cramps when they hooked up the Herceptin.  All vital signs were normal and they added a liter of saline to help dilute, as they had done before.  

Next week I have the onco appt before tx, so I will discuss if saline is the key to getting thru the last 4 tx.   Taxol is supposed to  be worse than herceptin - and I have to be "different"...

I did konk out after a small meal and now have that wonderful steroid buzz at 2 am...   UGH.

HUGS and BLESSINGS,    Nancy 

Wyoming

I had my last chemo YEAH!!!. I'm more tired this time. Good thing this is the last as the next one would knock me out longer. I ses rad doc end of the month to get started on my rad.Hunkdory, I have about 5-6 pounds to get rid also. Hopefully with my last dose of steroids the weight will come off.

Good luck to everyone else as we go though this experience good or bad.

hunkydory

Wyoming, is your rads going to interfere with your trip?  I hope not.  I just want to get mine done and over with before December.  I am really sore today after my shot.  I just barely got showered.  Ended up taking something a little stronger for pain just now.  Son should be here shortly and I didn't want to look like I feel.  Like sh#t!  I also have some weight to take off.  Onc put me on some iron vitamins cause my red counts are still pretty low.  That's why I have been such a slug lately. 

Everyone doing a race this weekend, good luck and enjoy. Post some pics if ya can. 

And to all you other lovely ladies.....Happy Friday!   Enjoy the weekend.  HunkyD

GramE

ACK... no toe nails on my big toes.  They lifted off the nail bed, so I snipped them off to keep from getting anything under and causing problems.   No pain, just weird.   

My taste buds are coming back, so I need to find some good veggies and do a stir fry.  Chicken, pork or fish?  that is the question... And a very short halo of fuzz on my head - can hair be coming back?  The sun had gone into hiding, but I am determined to get out and about today.

Hugs, Nancy 

KKing

Nancy

Did you loose the toe nails due to taxotere or taxol??  How many treatments did you get?   I just finished my third of taxotere....no more...and I have noticed my nails in general feel very sensitive.   Hopefully, it doesn't cause you any problems.    Yes, I have a fuzz as well, it has been developing over the last couple of weeks.

Wyoming....congrats on your last chemo...  YEAH... good feeling isn't it.

Hope everyone else is having a good day

Karen 

Wyoming

It is a great feeling knowing you are finished. Rad will not interfere with my trip.  So far nails are OK. Between treatment my hair tries to grow so I have slight fuzzy halo. I was a dark blonde (sp) and my fuzz looks really white. Time will tell.

Hope everyone is feeling better and enjoying the start of fall. I planted pumpkins, so far three have ripened. Not big but fun.

Everyone have a good week.

Rovergirl

I am really envious of everyone finishing chemo ...... I still have 10 weeks to go - @#$!  Heck, you all will be done with rads about the same time I'll be done w/ chemo. I just completed AC infusion #5. 

Rover

GramE

My goodness, Rover - a total of 15 A/C???  that is a lot. I had 4 dose dense, every 2 weeks and will have # 9 Taxol and Herceptin on Thursday.  Then only 3 more weekly doses of that before surgery decision.   My tumor is down about 75%, which is what was hoped.   

Karen, I get taxol and herceptin every week for a total of 12.  Last one coming up October 30.   I was thinking of starting a journal with the "body part of the week" - hair, nails, eye brows, lashes, dry skin, taste buds, etc.  I think I said before, the ear lobes seem to be the only part exempt from side effects - so far !!

Have a good week and keep happy thoughts.  HUGS,  nancy 

Gina_M

Hi everyone -

I just started a new topic for those of us who want to share experiences with recovering from chemo and starting radiation.

Gina

SuePeet

Hey Rovergirl - we will still be here for you! 

Its nice to be done - I have a nice halo too!  Am glad I don't have any more as this one kicked me on my behind - am still trying to get rid of some cankers - they are going slowly but surely!

GIna idea GIna - will mosey over and seet he new thread!

I go for simulation on Thursday so that will be the start of the end of my journey and I cannot wait!

Everyone have a great week!

Sue

Vinogal

Hey Junies......hope everyone is doing s well as can be......still feeling very sore........did the 1 km version of the Run for the Cure yesterday.......the kids enjoyed themselves and it did feel good to be able to do it.........hoping that I feel better by tomorrow because it's Fair Day........what's that mean?......it means they give all the kids a day off school to go to the fair......which means all the parents have to spend $73 to take them to the fair.....

Have the Muga scan on Friday.......appointments with 2 plastic surgeons next Tuesday with Herceptin starting next Wednesday......somehow it doesn't feel like I am any further along......I am glad to be finished the AC & T, but not looking forward to this year of Herceptin......oh well.......enough complaining......I will post some pics from the run when I get the chance.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Cheers

Jax

hunkydory

Jax, I think it's great you had enough energy for the race.  I am still dragging.  I am doing some laundry and vacuuming today but have to take breaks quite often.  Bone pain and fatigue is still hanging around.  Have fun at the fair. Hope you are feeling better tomorrow.  Just get yourself some greasy fair food and enjoy (if you can).  Kids always love a fair.  Everyone says herceptin is not bad.  The ladies I have seen getting it said it only takes them a half an hour.  It's also good you are meeting with your PS.  That must mean your getting ready for the mastectomy and reconstruction.  No radiation for you apparently?  Hope you have good results on your MUGA.  I'm sure you will.  You ARE getting somewhere...don't dispair.  Look what all of us have gone through already.  Sit back tonight and have a glass of vino and relax.  I'll have one with ya!  HunkyD 

Vinogal

Thanks HunkyD........it's a date for the vino.......I know I am getting somewhere......I guess I just figured I would be getting a break before starting Herceptin........it's just the idea of going that gets me down.....feel like I know the nurses there too well already.  I will be happy to get it all over with though......so the sooner I start.......the sooner I finish.......I will be happy to get started on the reconstruction phase.......now you move on to rads?.........any herceptin or tamoxifen for you?

Cheers

Jax

hunkydory

Jax, I move on to rads.  Have appointment next tuesday.  Don't know when I will start.  Onc says he will put me on tamoxifen too, and I am borderline for herceptin so that is not completely ruled out.  Port stays in.  I have a long way to go to.  I won't even be able to consider reconstruction for months after radiation from what I hear.  I'm more concerned about developing lymphedema during rads.  I have been lucky so far.  I had a lot of nodes removed and unfortunately a lot of them positive, so I will be getting those remaining blasted hard I am sure.  I am just going one day at a time.  That's all we can do I guess.  One thing about it....our hair should start coming in.  I'll believe it when I see it though.  I have some up there but I think they are all just little stubborn soldiers who never gave up.  I WANT SOME FRESH STUFF!  HunkyD

cdccpa

Rovergirl, I don't have quite as long as you do but still have 8 weeks until I am done!  I started in mid-June and did 4 regular AC as opposed to dose-dense so many seem to have had, and I am now on 12 weekly Taxol.  I'll be done the week of Thanksgiving if all stays on schedule.  Anyway, just wanted you to know you won't be totally alone (I don't post here much but I do read often.) 

Carolyn

KKing

Jax

congrats on doing the run..  1km seems along way to me... I am totally out of shape.

Hunky D.. I did start tamoxifan last Wednesday... onc said two weeks after the last chemo.  I know there are side effects but so far nothing.  I assume it will take awhile before the s/e rear there ugly head.  

Rovergirl... yes, we still be here for you.

Hoping everyone is having a good week.

Karen

SanDeeLou

Hello everybody

Haven't posted in a while.  Seems everytime I get ready to submit, my lap top has chemo brain and more than half of what I write disappears.  So here goes, survived the DD AC, am half way through Taxol ( 6 more),.  lost my big right toe nail last week and the left one will probable come off in a couple more weeks.  I got my hair buzzed on 07/08/08 and it seems to be filling in the bald spots but not growing any length.  Can't really teel if it['s blone or white yet, depends on the light.  Any how, everyone hang in there.

LOL

Sandy

GramE

Have a good day, everyone.  HUGS,  Nancy

Wyoming

I start rad in November. Meet with onc rad on June 22. I had 4 nodes involved so I'm also worried about Lymphedema. So far I have been lucky.  No Tamoxifen or Herceptin for me as I'm triple negative. I'm keep my port until doc says it is OK to take out. I have to see him every three months with blood work.

Seems like everything takes so long and we don't get anywhere but then the next thing you know you are finished with one stage and it feels so good!!!!!!!

Nancy I like the idea of the body journal but because of chemo brain I would forget what I was doing and why I was doing it. HAHAHAHA

Everyone good luck and keep chins up.

hunkydory

Wyoming, How you doing?  Getting any more energy?  My legs burn while climbing up the basement plus two level house.  I feel like I'm ready to be put out to pasture like an old race horse.  I used to fly up and down these stairs. Are you working this week?   

Nancy, I'm not sure if my earlobes haven't been effected.  I guess they are ok cause I am not taking a pill for them yet and am still able to wear earrings.  Toenails and fingernails still intact. (So far)!  Nancy, are you sure you didn't lose your toenails kicking over "pink displays" at grocery stores?  Hehehe! 

Karen, I hope the tamoxifen keeps treating you well.  I read on the other posts that the lack of side effects sometimes indicates that your body isn't metabolizing it.  I do think it takes a while to work however like you said.  I read there is a test they can do to make sure you metabolize it or something.  I hope it works in any event. My onc said he wants to put me on "Tammy" for two years and then on AI's.  I hope I don't see Aunt Flow anymore.  We'll see.   

Rovergirl, Sandy and Carolyn, we'll be here for you.  Not to worry. 

Gina, I will be over to the rads site you set up when I start.  I've got it marked.  Sue, good luck on your simulation and let us know what they do. 

Vino....how was that fair?  Bet you were tired when you got home.  Hope you are able to rest up easy the rest of the week. 

CL....How are you doing?  How is the new TV.  Our new dishwasher came in yesterday.  It is in a box in our garage.  I think I am not going to help with the installation as much this time.  DH might have to call in some muscle to help him this time although they are pretty light.  He may be able to just handcart it in and then there won't be a problem....unless this one leaks too.  Eeegads...I don't want to be here if that happens. 

Hasta la Pasta!  HunkyD

GramE

Hi everyone:

Tx today went well.  Next I begin another round with doctors:  primary for referrals, rad onco to discus rads after surgery,  surgeon, and see what and when.  Onco feels a lump will take care of it.  The waiting game once again.  Ugh.

Nancy