Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

g94u67

Hi everyone,

Well TX#4 has kicked my butt like TX#2.  So nauseous.  I slept all day yesterday. Today I was all over town looking for a book to compliment the "Costume of Characters" theme for my son on Halloween. To no avail we could not find a book about the Grim Reaper.  Hopefully his teacher will understand. Pharmacy company also gave me so much stress last week.  I almost wasn't able to have my chemo. My authorization had expired.  Hello I've got 4 more TX's and they terminated it. This company is a real PITA!

Anyways...a lot of good news I see here.

Misty: I am sooooo happy to hear that it was just a cyst! Amen. What a relief for you.

Stacy:  Glad to hear about your DH good news too. I'm also having my lumpectomy and lymph node removal next Wed.  I'll be thinking of you too.

Roya:  So glad to hear about the peach fuzz growing!  I can't wait to get mine.  I will miss the "no mustache" though.

 Monique & Misty:  Happy to hear about your new "twins" coming soon! That should be exciting.

Thinking of you Lisa for a quick, safe and healthy recovery.

I'm sorry to hear about your horse Corrine. That must have been tough on your family.

Thx all for the vitamin B tip. I'll be off chemo for a month after surgery then starting Taxol (I think?)

Hey DF, try lemon & ice water.  That's been working for my yucky taste buds lately.

Wishing everyone well.

Jeannine

dlb823

Diedre... There was a time (maybe 3rd tx) when I couldn't even drink water, it tasted so bad -- really thick and weird.  I found that mineral water was much more do-able, and when I got tired of it plain, I'd mix it 3:1 with orange juice or apple juice.  You may want to try that for a change.  It has the tingle you mentioned.

Yes, that tea tree oil really does smell bad, but I think it stopped the damage/discoloration to my nails -- at least they didn't get any worse after tx #1.  I also started bringing ice (actually a bag of frozen veggies) and icing my nails during the taxotere infusion.  Be sure to do that if you aren't already -- something about the cold cutting down on the taxotere circulating to your nailbeds.

By the way, if you can find the tea tree oil in a gel or paste form, the smell isn't quite as overpowering as the liquid. 

The B6 I got is 100 mg.  The Biotin is 500 mcg.  Both are way more than the minimum RDA, but I don't think they're too much given the circumstances.

No sign of hair beyond the fuzz I kept throughout, but I think my nails are starting to grow again, which makes me very happy.   

Stacy... How's your DH doing?  Be sure to tell us your exact surgery schedule so that we can all be praying for you.     Deanna

alibug05

Well I went to my 1st rads appt today.  Appt time 8:15 - they were on time and I was back in my car at 8:34!!!!  Amazing how much easier this is than that stupid chemo!!!!!!!  Stacy - glad to hear that your DH's ankle wasn't broken - that would have sucked - BIG TIME!!! LOL  Just wanted to let you all know that there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!!  32 sessions left - let the countdown begin!!!!! Loves to all...............

mommy3abm

Ok here's my schedule:  Tues., Nov. 4 (election day)  check in at 8:30  hook wire placement and 10:00 and lumpectomy/mediport removal at 12:15. 

alibug- good luck with the same on Wednesday!  Are you having hook wire guided lump. too?

Stacy

Roya

Stacy, I am not familiar with wire guided lumpectomies.  Does that mean that they don't have to make a big incision?  How does it compare with a regular lumpectomy? What are the differences?

alibug05

Bumping us up!!!!

dlb823

Roya...  I can probably answer your question about the wire guided lumpectomy, since I had one in February.  Immediately prior to the lumpectomy, using ultrasound, a radiology doc inserts an ultra thin wire with a curved end into your breast and positions it around the lesion to be removed.  It marks exactly where the lesion is for the surgeon.  I was awake but numbed when they did it.  I also had my sentinel node removed with my lumpectomy and when they did the wire guided procedure, the same doc also shot some blue dye into my breast that lets the surgeon see or map your sentinel node.  I have no idea if either procedure is used in Europe, but I think they're pretty standard in the US.     Deanna

DesertRider

Hey everyone! I'm celebrating! Just got home from the last treatment - #4. And dex is keeping me wanting to do all the chores I haven't done for days.I had a huge drop in white blood count the last week and had to have 4 daily Neupogen shots  - really worked though. Tomorrow I'll get my first (and only) Neulasta. I will take a Claritin with it like someone here suggested.I feel like I just got out of school for the summer - FREE!  I know there's next steps but I just want to celebrate this moment -  I will have faith I am strong and healthy and go play now. For me it's getting on my big white horse and riding in the desert canyons. Love to allGail 

Misty1

Gail-

Congratulations!!  That is wonderful.  I know what you mean about feeling like you "just got out of school."  I am still having that feeling over one month later.  Just get over this next week or two, and you will feel GREAT!!  What are the next steps for you?  Have you already had your surgery or are you doing reconstruction of any kind?  Rads?  Tamox?

Stacy-Four days and counting!!  I can't wait for you to get past your surgery.  That will make your pre-chemo worthwhile.

Hood-I saw you joining the Nov. reconstruction group.  You and I are having our surgery on the same day!!  I don't think you will have too much of a problem with the expander.  I'll be getting mine out as you are getting yours in.  How funny!

Alibug-are you still breezing through your rads!!!????

How's everyone else?

Happy Halloween, everyone.  Enjoy the weekend.

~Misty

Monique

Gail,

    Just a heads up - I have had four Neulasta shots and the last one was given to me in the belly instead of the arm -  The bone pain was almost nothing this time, especially compared to the other three injections.  I would recommend getting it in you stomach.  Good luck

Monique

alibug05

Hi everyone!!!!! Rads are a TOTAL breeze compared to chemo.  I already have my countdown on - 30 left!!!!!! Seems like a lot but the time will fly by (I am hoping anyways)!!!!! Hope everyone is doing good and for those of you finishing up - HOORAY for you!!!!!! It is a great feeling!!!  I have been feeling great so I hope those rads don't get me down!!!!!! Happy Halloween and have a GREAT weekend!!!!!!!!!! Loves to all..............

DesertRider

Monique - read your input re the Neulasta shot just as I was leaving to get my first one. The nurses had never done it that way and said they didn't think it made a difference but the gave in when I was committed to getting it that way. Thanks!

And to all the congratulations on my last treatment - thanks! I look forward to celebrating your last ones soon!

Now if this expander would just allow me a little peace - as SE's get better - it seems to be more painful - had to actually have some of the saline removed it was so painful - guess there's a message board for that, too!

Strength & hugs,

Gail 

g94u67

Happy Halloween all,

I'm so happy for you Gail finishing your TX! Hope you're feeling better.

Deanna: I believe I'm having that wire guided lumpectomy and sentinel lymph removal too. I asked why my pre-op is 4 hours and they explained it's 2 surgeries. 

I heard the RADS are a lot easier than chemo but there is one lady at my chemo clinic who responded very poorly to it. Her poor skin is very raw from TX.  I hope it's rare.

Still feeling some lingering SE's.

Prayers to everyone,

Jeannine

Misty1

Hey Jeannine,

Are you done chemo?  When are you having your surgery?

~Misty

Anonymous

I just got home from a 5 day hospital stay. Monday I couldn't breathe and spiked a 102 fever. I had pneumonia and also low RBC's Had a transfusion yesterday and finally started to feel better. I remain very weak.

I have decided to go on short term disability at work. No guarantee I will have a job to go back to, but they were pushing so hard and I have to take care of my health. My numb fingers and toes from Taxol are making it hard to type.

I will have to read the boards to catch up on what I've missed.

Bette 

Anonymous

bettelou68 - just take care of YOU!!! 

I'm soooo jealous, everybody here is just bout done, I still have like 3 months to go!!!!

TXBadboob

Hey all!

    I also started my neo chemo in Aug.  I've been following this board since I started, so I feel like I know all of you.  I can't tell you how much you have all helped me through this. 

    I have been on Abraxane weekly with Neupogen shots the day after for about 12 weeks.  Did my last one yesterday.  I have terrible neuropathy, but onc says it will go away.  Other than that my SEs have been pretty mild.  Feel like crap most of the time but sounds like not as bad as others here.

  Stacy, thanks for starting this thread and congrats on finishing chemo and getting your surgery next week.

    Bette, I'm so sorry for the bad times you have been going through.  Nobody with these health issues should be treated like you have.  Congrats on your upcoming marriage.  No matter what happens with your job, please take care of yourself first.

    Chelli, I now also have 3 more mos to go with FEC every three weeks.  Hope yours goes well.

   Praying good things for everyone,  Deen

Anonymous

Going crazy being housebound already!

Checked my tumor today and I can only find it because I know where it is. The chemo is working, which is a big relief considering what treatment has cost me in terms of physical and economic suffering.

I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to check my progress. I have a lot of questions for her. Friends have been saying things like "If I were you, I'd have them both off and not worry about it coming back" I do have an increased risk of recurrence with inflammatory breast cancer, so am starting to think about the bilateral question.

Have any of you out there gone through this decision? With the tumor so small now, It's seems hard to have to have a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy. I have no choice about that, but I feel I want to give my "healthy" breast a chance.

Bette 

DFOnt

Hey ladies

Bette, sorry to hear about your time in the hospital!  Hope you're feeling better.  I have quarantined myself to the house because I'm paranoid about ending up in the hospital.  I also didn't let my daughter go to a couple of Halloween parties.  My temp has been up and down the last few days.I did ask about bilateral before I had my surgery (left mastectomy due to size and location of tumour, and lymph node involvement). My surgeon just said lets just deal with this for now. I still think about it in the future.  I think surgery recovery from a bilateral would have been harder than just one side.

Just over a week from my first Tax treatment.  I seem to have had lots of little side effects, nothing too bad.  My right hand feels funny - thumb and index tips area little numb, but baby and ring finger and that side are like the skin is tight when I bend them, not numb though.  Mouth fuzzy, no taste, bleeding gums when I brush (that has me most worried), some diahrrea, aching stomach (not really nausea) slight sore throat, temp bouncing around.  Oh and low energy, I have spent a good part of the last few days in bed dozing on and off.  I hope this passes soon!  Trying to think positive. No muscle aches so far.

Hope everybody had a fun Halloween and congrats to those that are done chemo!!!  2 more for me!!

Anonymous

Happy Sunday to all!

I am feeling better this morning although I slept part of the night in my recliner due to coughing. Today I will not go to church: too tired and want to protect myself from cold and flu germs. I really underestimated the potential of becoming sick. I didn't think it would happen to me, but it did. So now I will stay home and be cautious, and rest.

Has anyone had muscle pain with Taxol? I have a lot of pain when I reach with my right arm. I also have to operate my microwave with my knuckles, since I can't feel my fingertips. Typing is not as bad as my fingers know where to go.

I am proud of Tom. He is meeting with a couple struggling with the BC experience today just to talk about what we've been through. They came to him at church and told him they feel incredibly isolated, so he is taking some time today to meet with them.  I think I'm going to call his cell and tell him to give them the breastcancer.org link. These boards have been helping me keep sane. 

Have a restful day, and don't let the SE's get you down.

Bette 

Roya

Deanna, thank you for the info regarding the guided wire lumpectomy. 

Bette, with me, the muscles and bones seemed to all ache together in my legs. Yes, the numbness in the fingers. feet & toes is very bothersome and uncomfortable.  Deanna suggests vitamin B6 and I have heard that it really works.  I am using it now and I feel much better.  My doc says to report if the fingers get so numb that I can't write or if my feet get so numb that I can't walk.  I am so sorry that you came down with pneumonia and I'm glad that you are feeling much better.  Sorry that your job is giving you such a difficult time. 

Deen, what is Neo chemo?

Chelli, 3 months seems like a long time, but it will go quicky!!!!!!!

lisahugs1

Hello ladies,,back from surgery. Had 4 days in hospital,,came home,,went back in the next day with infection for 3 more days.

Tumor was 6 cm's  and 11 lymphnodes cancerous,,,he took 20.

I CAN hold my baby  and can take care of her. My recovery was great until that darn infection.

Husband decided to go into a pill addicton which I got to find out about in the hospital.  My family about has disowned him ( he's not an honest person when in addiction).  Anyways  its been CRAZY for me.   But with the help of valium,,a morphine pump,,,and adivan  LOL  I made it thur.  Sorry,,but  I couldn't handle a damn divorce too.  He seems to be doing better nbw,,,we'll see.  I am not holding back though and will do what I have too to take care of me and baby !!!!!

Roya,,I will be figuring out how to get that message in a minute. 

I will now be doing rad's and then chemo pills,,,,,I'm a little upset. I thought chemo was done

I don't know which pills.. IS THIS going to make me sick like the other chemo??????   I HATE THIS.

dlb823

Lisa... So glad your surgery is behind you!  Hopefully, you'll be feeling much better soon. I'm so sorry that your husband hasn't been the support you need right now.  I hope he will come to his senses and be there for you in the future.  Please know that I am praying for you.

Chelli... Hang in there.  I know 3 months sounds like forever right now, but it will go by, and you'll get through it. 

Deen... Glad you've joined us.  B6 has helped several of us ward off neuropathy.  You may want to give it a try.

Stacy & Jeannine... I've been praying for your upcoming surgeries on Tues. & Wed., and will continue to this week.  I'm sure you'll both do just great.  Please let us know how you are as soon as you can get back here.  Stacy, how is your DH doing?  I'm sure you're grateful to have family nearby, especially if he's had to stay off that leg.  (I feel bad for any DH who has an injury or gets sick while we're dealing with bc.  They probably don't get their fair share of attention when we're so focused on our own tx's and needs.  At least that's been the case in my house.)

alibug...  Please keep us posted on your rads experience.  Have you noticed any fatigue from them yet?  I am still trying to figure out if I should do them.  Evidently, they're not the standard of care in my situation, but would probably be beneficial, which has me totally confused about what to do!

Bette... You are also in my thoughts and prayers each day.

I hope the coming week brings continued healing to everyone...    Deanna

alibug05

dlb823 - I haven't had ANY problems with the rads so far.  I am only 4 sessions in but no fatigue so far.  My rads girl told me probably about 4 weeks in is when I will start feeling it!!!!!  I hope I can fight it - I did a pretty good job at fighting off that darn chemo so I am hoping I can fight off the rads fatigue too!!!!!!  I will keep everyone posted.  Bettylou - hang in there - maybe time off from work is just what you need (I am sure your pocketbook doesn't need it) but hang in there!!!! Loves to all..............

Roya

Lisahugs,  I am sooooo glad that you are back from the hospital and doing better!!!  Are you getting all the help that you need with the baby?  I was wondering if your DH is self medicating as a reaction to your BC.  I have heard that sometimes family members react that way to escape the reality of it all. 

Deanna, my Dr. also recommends Vitamin B6 for neuropathy so you are right on with your good advice!!!

Alibug, I will start rads in January so I am especially appreciative of your keeping us informaed about how your rads is going.  Thank you!  I will have my last chemo in 10 days.  After that they will give me 4-6 weeks off before starting rads.

Misty1

Stacy-good luck with your surgery tomorrow!!  Let us know how everything went!!

Jeanine-good luck to you on Wednesday.  Both of you girls are getting one step closer.

Lisa-glad your surgery is over.  Hopefully, you are recovering quickly.

DF-hope you're doing better after the tax TX. 

Chelli- I will be getting the Herceptin until beginning of July, so I'll be bringing up the rear even though I finished the chemo first!!

I am going for my pre-op (before implants exchange on 11/19) with my PCP tomorrow.

Still no hair yet-five weeks since the last TX.  Oh, well, maybe soon!  Roya-how is your hair growth?!

~Misty

Anonymous

Hi all!

Thanks for all the care and concern for my health. 

I am definitely on the mend, but needed a 2 hour nap after doing one load of laundry.

Stacy and Jeanine, I will be praying for you and wish you the best with your surgery this week.

My church is bringing in dinner this week. What a blessing. I just heated up some delicious stuffed shells.

Neuropathy still a problem. slow typing and operating the microwave with my knuckles as my fingertips can't quite manage.

Oncology appointment on Wednesday. supposed to be Taxol #2, but the doc at the hospital said I probably won't be treated because I've been ill. That pushes back my end of chemo date. I am discouraged.

Some day I will reach the end of chemo and be ready for surgery. How long do you have to wait between the two?

Bette 

lisahugs1

Hello ladies,,:)

Got my drains out today,,,THANKYOU JESUS   They suck   (literally LOL).

 Roya,,your a dear And yes,,he's definately self  medicating. Its hard not to want to hate him right now honestly. I feel betrayed,,and let down. BUT  I am still strong,,and am happy surgery is over,,and I know I can handle anything now.  I am happy to hear you have a break in between.  I keep  keeping in mind that rad's is a "cake walk" compared to the rest of this.   But I was told I will need a sleeve to keep my rt arm from swelling??? Thats where the lymphnodes were removed.

Thankyou Misty..Don't worry your hair will be here soon. I saw a CUTE short cut while my husband was getting his cut today. It was soooo short,,but sooooo cute

Bette,,,how long in bewtween your chemo treatments??? Thats how long i had to wait. Mine were every 3 weeks,,,so thats how long after chemo I waited. I went in for chemo and was scheduled insted for surgery. They wouldn't have set that up if the chemo wasn't out.  Yours is coming soon  too:)

Thank ALL of you for your prayers and support.  This is something.  I go from being soooo positive,,,to WHYYYYYYYYY?????     But I am still me inside all this .

Deanna,,,thankyou,,,realizing God is wanting me ALL to himself this time around. He's really working on me,,and the growth I am receiving is going to be worth it all.  Its hard to say that right now.,,,,but I know it

lisahugs1

Hello ladies,,:)

Got my drains out today,,,THANKYOU JESUS   They suck   (literally LOL).

 Roya,,your a dear And yes,,he's definately self  medicating. Its hard not to want to hate him right now honestly. I feel betrayed,,and let down. BUT  I am still strong,,and am happy surgery is over,,and I know I can handle anything now.  I am happy to hear you have a break in between.  I keep  keeping in mind that rad's is a "cake walk" compared to the rest of this.   But I was told I will need a sleeve to keep my rt arm from swelling??? Thats where the lymphnodes were removed.

Thankyou Misty..Don't worry your hair will be here soon. I saw a CUTE short cut while my husband was getting his cut today. It was soooo short,,but sooooo cute

Bette,,,how long in bewtween your chemo treatments??? Thats how long i had to wait. Mine were every 3 weeks,,,so thats how long after chemo I waited. I went in for chemo and was scheduled insted for surgery. They wouldn't have set that up if the chemo wasn't out.  Yours is coming soon  too:)

Thank ALL of you for your prayers and support.  This is something.  I go from being soooo positive,,,to WHYYYYYYYYY?????     But I am still me inside all this .

Deanna,,,thankyou,,,realizing God is wanting me ALL to himself this time around. He's really working on me,,and the growth I am receiving is going to be worth it all.  Its hard to say that right now.,,,,but I know it

TXBadboob

Hi, everyone!

    Roya- sorry, it's neo adjuvant chemo, chemo first for 6 mos., then bilateral masectomy and ovaries out.  I'm BRCA positive.:(

    Deanna- Your caring and advice has been wonderful for me. I'm over with the Abraxane, but I'm gonna try the B6 to see if my hands and feet come back faster. 

  Which chemo is making everyone get neuropathy here?  Mine was Abraxane, but I don't think a lot of people are on that.  I will be doing FEC and I'm hoping this won't cause more.  It's really starting to affect me at work.

    Bette- hang in there!  I had to put my chemo off for a week because of a sinus infection and abcessed tooth, but you'll get back on schedule in no time.  Take care.

    Lisahugs-  My heart goes out to you for all that you have been through.  Your faith is so strong and really inspires me.

  Still praying for everone!  Deen