Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Texas357 · February 2009

I'm with everyone on the hair. Have you noticed how many hair care commercials are on TV? And commercials for mascara??? Oy, my itching scalp! I've got the beginnings of a 5 o'clock shadow but that's it.

I still have a dry mouth, now the corners of my mouth are dry, and my nose is so dry that it's bleeding. Thank goodness I have next week off from treatments! Woo hoo!

colleen1960 · February 2009

I want to thank you all for the good wishes on finishing my treatment. Alot of people keep asking what I did to celebrate. Stayed in bed. I feel really bad and not up for much. All I want is a good nights rest and to feel more like me again. Hopefully they both will come in time.

Caroline- I am so happy that you received good news. You must be so relieved. We just get to much to deal with and I am amazed at how well we deal with it.

Well off to try and eat and then back to bed.

Colleen

havehope · February 2009

Updated list: Congrats to all that got to the finish line. Don't forget to come back and let us know how are you doing. I think I will be the last one to get to the end: my last tx will be May 26.

mimiwhite #4 -1-Feb 4xTC Laughing

Grancy11 # 2 Feb 6xTC

LindaBusEd #-4 3 Feb 6xTAC

mmliv #4 3-Feb 4xTC Laughing

zuffa #4 - 4 Feb 6xTAC

Brenny # 4- 4 Feb 4xTC Laughing

Catrenae #4 5 Feb 4xAC Laughing +12xTaxol

Romiles #3 5 Feb

isasayers #4- 6Feb 4xTC Laughing

bobcat #4- 6Feb TC

sdavis #4 9-Feb 6xTC

cebula #4 9 Feb 6xTC

Majanumba1 #4 9-Feb TCH

horsercn #1 9 Feb (TH) 4xAC Laughing +12 Taxol+Herceptin

Colleen1960 #8 9- Feb CMF

Bold #3 9 Feb 6xTCH

Firni #4 11 Feb 6xTC

ptjen #4 11 feb 4xTC Laughing

DrDecker #3 11 Feb 4xTC

CindaD #4 12-Feb 4xTC Laughing

swest #4 13 Feb 4xTC Laughing

simvog #4 16 Feb 4xFAC Laughing +12xTaxol

iktracey #4 17 Feb 4xTC Laughing

apfuentes #4 17 Feb 4xTC Laughing

Mandy1313 #5 17 Feb CMF

LindaBusEd #5 24 Feb 6xTAC

zuffa #5- 25 Feb 6xTAC

Romiles #4 26 Feb Laughing

DrDecker #4 4 March 4xTC Laughing

Firni #5 4 March 6xTC

Firni #6 25 March 6xTC Laughing

EleanorJ · February 2009

Simvog For the next update #5 is March 2nd & #6 is March 23

I'm on day 4, my MIL talked me into going out to dinner. I was barely able to finish my kid meal, that's how hungry I was. A bit nauseous, I did take a pill before dinner but it didn't help. Cotton mouth, bad taste.... Tomorrow should be better, I'm usually good on Friday.

busqueen · February 2009

Simvog ~ my #4 {last A/C} will be 2/20. And I think my last tx of Taxol will be May 29 {if all goes on schedule}, so you won't have to feel like you're all alone on the last lap.:-)

Lainey64 · February 2009

Simvog - I've been deleted from the list! I hope I haven't been kicked out of the December Divas! I have Taxol #2 today and then 2 more to go.

Catrenae · February 2009

Simvog & Busqueen,

I will be with ya'll most of the way... my last Taxol will be around May 14. I am glad to be 1/2 way through the chemo! I hear the Taxol should be a lot easier for us to handle. Woo hoo!

I woke up feeling really good this morning! It's been a while since that has happened. I almost forgot what it feels like. I have been so tired for practically the last month that it seem all I could manage to do was go to work and then go home and crash. It'll be nice to get out and do something, although I'll try not to overdo it. Smile

Congratulations to all who have finished their chemo! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and a Happy Valentine's Day!

BonnieK · February 2009

Pam -- my next/last Tx is also Feb 19th and I also have a cold. I think they'll go ahead with Tx as long as lungs are clear, no fever and blood counts are okay. Let's hope the cold is history by then. Drink lots of water -- it really does help.

Next Tuesday I see the radiation oncologist for a consultation and she will tell me if rads or exchange surgery will be next. I'd prefer to do rads first, but am thinking it will be surgery because of metal in the tissue expander that can interfere with radiation.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

~Bonnie

Firni · February 2009

Simvog, thanks for putting my last Tx with Happy. It made me feel so good to see that even tho it is still two away.

Day 3 Tx4 and I'm feeling pretty good yet. I know it will hit tomorrow. So much for Valentine's Day. I think I'll get some laundry done today. Hate it when DH does it.

I finally got a letter from my ins. co. They have paid for my reconstruction!!! Yea. It shouldn't have been that hard. Now on to the oncotype test. I got a letter the same day saying they won't pay for that. Never ends.

Texas357 · February 2009

Bonnie, that's the first I've heard of the metal in the expander interfering with radiation. I have an expander, and both my radiologist and plastic surgeon recommend radiation first because the rads can damage the skin and the plastic surgeon says the best chance of a good outcome is to wait for it to heal before finishing the reconstruction.

I'll be curious to hear what your radiation oncologist says. I'm so amazied at the variety of schedules and options that we experience.

I'm Day #4 after my 3rd taxotere treatment. A little nauseous and tired, and still have horrible dry mouth, my nasal passages are also extremely dry, and my fingers are getting pretty sore.

That said, I'm very happy to be 1/3 through this portion of my chemo and even very happy that my doctor is on the aggressive side of treatment. My husband wrote me a beautiful Valentine's message talking about how we HAVE to beat this thing because he can't live without me. On a day when I'm not feeling 100%, that's exactly the kind of message I needed to hear.

havehope · February 2009

Lainey64 :I am sorry for taking you off the list. Of course you will always be a December Diva.

Catrenae and Busqueen: thank you for your kind words. End of May feels so far away and I am so scared about Taxol. I don't want to loose my nails! I don't have long nails but I need to go to work and my job is 90% computer work.

Monday I go for my last FAC. I know the drill so I am looking forward to put it behind me. I just hope my blood ( which i will do tomorrow) will be ok.

Happy Valentine's Day!

mimiwhite #4 -1-Feb 4xTC Laughing

Grancy11 #3 2 Feb 6xTC

LindaBusEd #-4 3 Feb 6xTAC

mmliv #4 3-Feb 4xTC Laughing

zuffa #4 - 4 Feb 6xTAC

Brenny # 4- 4 Feb 4xTC Laughing

Catrenae #4 5 Feb 4xAC Laughing +12xTaxol

Romiles #3 5 Feb

isasayers #4- 6Feb 4xTC Laughing

bobcat #4- 6Feb TC

sdavis #4 9-Feb 6xTC

cebula #4 9 Feb 6xTC

Majanumba1 #4 9-Feb TCH

horsercn #1 9 Feb (TH) 4xAC Laughing +12 Taxol+Herceptin

Colleen1960 #8 9- Feb CMF

Bold #3 9 Feb 6xTCH

Firni #4 11 Feb 6xTC

ptjen #4 11 feb 4xTC Laughing

DrDecker #3 11 Feb 4xTC

CindaD #4 12-Feb 4xTC Laughing

swest #4 13 Feb 4xTC Laughing

Lainey64 #2T 13 Feb 4xAC Laughing +4xTaxol

simvog #4 16 Feb 4xFAC Laughing +12xTaxol

iktracey #4 17 Feb 4xTC Laughing

apfuentes #4 17 Feb 4xTC Laughing

Mandy1313 #5 17 Feb CMF

bkokie #4 19 Feb 4xTC Laughing

mombos #4 19 Feb 6xTC

busqueen #4 20 Feb 4xAC Laughing +12xTaxol

Grancy11 # 4 23 Feb 6xTC

LindaBusEd #5 24 Feb 6xTAC

zuffa #5- 25 Feb 6xTAC

Romiles #4 26 Feb Laughing

cebula #5 2 March 6xTC

Majanumba1 #5 2 March 6xTCH

Bold #4 2 March 6xTCH

DrDecker #4 4 March 4xTC Laughing

Firni #5 4 March 6xTC

cebula #6 23 March 6xTC Laughing

Majanumba1 #6 23 March 6xTCH Laughing

Bold #5 23 March 6xTCH

Firni #6 25 March 6xTC Laughing

Bold #6 13 April 6xTCH Laughing

L-Total Mastectomy, 4xFAC+12xTaxol, mosaic tumor weak ER/PR +
Dx 10/10/2008, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/8 nodes, HER2-

Majanumba1 · February 2009

Simvog:

Thanks so much for keeping the list up to date. My tx #5 is March 2 and the last #6 is March 23.

Congrats to all who are finished this week! For everyone else....live strong!

Bold:

How are you feeling after treatment #4?

lisasayers · February 2009

Well I'm back! We have been without power for the last 41 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The storm came through Wednesday night and they just got us back up and running. We had the fireplace in the living room and we had water...but that was it! Been an interesting couple of days!

Firni....I'm so glad to hear they are paying for the reconstruction! I'm sure you will get the test taken care of too. Think positive!

Today is day 8 after final TX. Taste buds are still funky and my finger nails are still sensitive, but not as much. This week I'm getting back on all my vitamins and supplements....so that will help!

Well, off to bed...a warm bed!

Hugs to all!

Lisa

BonnieK · February 2009

Texas357 -- I'm really hoping for rads before surgery, but will wait to see what the rad onc has to say on Tuesday.

Your husband sounds like a great guy! Hope the SEs are better every day.

Firni -- It's great that the insurance paid for your reconstruction, but you are so right that it should not have been that difficult.

Simvog -- Thank you for adding my last Tx to the list! Good luck with your last FAC on Monday.

Lisa -- Glad your power is back on and your family is warm again. Hopefully, your SEs will be much better by next week.

I'm still sniffling and sneezing and have a minor sore throat, but it's not too bad. I'm starting to get anxious about next week's Tx and the anxiety makes me want to eat, eat, eat. It's really strange -- I have no appetite for 2 weeks after Tx and then a raging hunger for a week.

Bonnie

Firni · February 2009

Bonnie, I think that raging hunger comes from actually being able to taste something by the 3rd week. I do that too. It seems like I can't get enough food for that week. Maybe it's a good thing I don't want much the other two weeks

I've never heard of expanders interfering with radiation either. But there are different types of expanders. Who knows?

Bold · February 2009

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY:

This is one of my favorite holidays. The reason is that it is a celebration of love. Not just romantic love but love of everyone and that means us.

Majanumba1:Thank you for asking about me I cried at you kindness. I am also pretty pooped and emotional. I made though through the hardest days. Treatment Monday crash weds. night. Sleep and sleep. Now back at it. Only three more to go. YIpeee! (ugg). Lots of Bone aches and constipation. All that are on the way out. Bring on the good times.

Simvog:March 2nd and 23 for 4 and 5 tx. What a month. AND NUMBER SIX IN APRIL 13th. Thank you again for all you do. You are appreciated.

Lisasayers: You are already have survived. You are a champion. As well as all the other Divas that have finished there Chemo. I am so proud of you. I hope that I will have the grace that you have shown..Lisa I would like to talk to you about hormone therapy. I understand your position and wanted to see if you have looked into alternative solutions. So much research has is being done on that. But nobody has the money that Tomoxifen and AL has. Tomoxifin made over 500 million dollars last year. WOW. WHO is going to put money in a 10 year study of Mistletoe. Sorry no place for a soap box.

Remember all we need is love. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Texas357 · February 2009

Simvog: try not to worry too much about the Taxol. I have the same concerns about the Taxotere because 100% of my job is on the computer. I'm three treatments in, 6 to go, and so far so good. My fingertips are a little tender but I'm not having any problems typing. My nurses told me to start using Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails. I don't know if that helps or not, but actually my nails look very healthy right now.

lisasayers · February 2009

Hi Bold...thank you so much for your kind words.

And yes, I'm all over the "alternative" solutions to Tamoxifen. I hate the word alternative...makes it sound like a bad thing. Have you read Waking the Warrior Goddess by Dr. Christine Horner? She has a lot of great information. I have a list of supplements I"m adding to my regimine, as well as foods that I'm adding daily.

The other thing...I exercise an hour each day, which also limits circulating estrogens.

On another note, I had a new student in Zumba today...she is 55. A 20 year BC survivor and was fourth generation BC. Get this...she had a bilateral mastectomy and that was it! No chemo, no radiation, no hormone therapy.

Well, heading out to spend the evening with my hubby!

Happy Valentine's Day!

EleanorJ · February 2009

Firni That's great about the reconstruction

Hubby & I went out this afternoon on a date, we played bowling. Phew! After 1 game, my poor joints started hurting, I handled 2 then had to call it quits. Also started sweating, I got so hot, had to take off the scarf, felt a bit weird at first, but then when it gets warmer, I plan on ditching them so I should be ok. I actually sewed myself a V-Day scarf yesterday, pink with hearts all over

Happy Valentine's Day everyone

Firni · February 2009

I'm day 4 of Tx so no fun Valentine stuff for me this year. I feel like I have so much to make up for this year. Birthdays, Mine and DH's, christmas, new year and now valentine. The chemo timing has not been condusive to celebrate much for any of the holidays. DH is a doll tho and totally is for what ever I can do ... or not. I'm glad some of you are getting out and doing some fun stuff.

Lainey64 · February 2009

Hi Divas. I hope all of you had a good Valentine's Day. It's nice to be able to enjoy as much as we can while going through this. My DBF and I were invited to our neighbor's house for dinner. It was a stretch for me as she cooked a lot of seafood. It's the first fish of any kind I've had since all of this started and it wasn't too bad. I had a couple of sips of white zinfindel wine and that was good! I made sure I only had a little bit though. I was exhausted when we got home. Today is day 3 since TX. So far I can say that the Taxol is definitely easier than the A/C was. Yesterday I was running errands and shopping and felt fine. I love the fact that there is no nausea with this drug. I can feel muscle aches though but those should go away in a few days.

Cat, Simvog and others getting ready to start Taxol - I think you'll find it easier. I have a bit of a cruddy taste in my mouth but I think this is pretty much normal with all of the drugs at this point! Don't worry though. It's definitely been easier. I'm taking 2 gms of L-Glutamine a day to help ward off any neuropathy or numbness. So far I haven't had any.

Bold · February 2009

Good Morning:

Lainey: I got a prescription for L-Glutamine too. I have been taking vit.B6 as well. I will get it filled today and hopefully make it through. I think having 6tx vrs. 4 makes a difference in build up toxicity. I also take fish oil and coQ10 Vit d flax seed 2 tablespoons a day. one baby aspirin. the rest of my nutrients have to be taken in food and veggies. I miss my daily supplements and will take them as soon as I can. It just that they are so chuck full of antioxidants that they would hinder the chemo. I have a life time to correct that. Now I will do as I am told(to some extent).

Last night my sister had a Love Fest at her beautiful home. We had stuffed mushrooms. And Jumbo with fresh shrimp. and a salad with clavato olives avocado roasted pecans, baby tomatoes and spring mix. Yum. We started with Vueve Clicquet Champagne. One of my favorites very brut very very good. I could only have a small glass. I felt like I had expanding foam in my stomach and intestines. grrr. Anyway the company was wonderful. I ended up talking from the couch but still loved being there. I love Valentine's Day so much. The fireplace, candles the chocolate and the appreciation of love. AWWWWWW.

Firni: I feel for you sister. Next year we will be celebrating off the scale with so much to be grateful for. You will be able to feel more than most everything will be amplified. I am already like that a little. I just feel so lucky to be alive. and that even though I was remiss and did not get my mamogram for the last three years. I was taking care of my mother (who passed this last year.). When that chapter was over I went and took care of myself. Pap, teeth cleaning, colonoscopy, endoscopy. I had been running a fever of unknown origin. I knew that I was deeply ill. I was depressed and scared. The one thing I never feared was breast cancer. UH! Anyway I feel that I no longer have it. The fever resolved after surgery. I am going to be ok. I really believe that we all are.

Boy my post are out of control.

tx for caring and spell check. so much to be grateful for. Sealed

Firni · February 2009

Bold, dinner at your sister's sounds divine!! What a menu. I wish I had been there. I know what you mean by everything being amplified. I too feel that way already. Everything in nature seems more brilliant, emotions seem more alive. Pretty much everything seems to mean a little bit more than it did before. I know how lucky I am that my cancer was found so early. And that we have all the great (?) Tx to beat it now. I'm sorry to hear about your mom passing. That is such a hard thing. My mom died very suddenly at the age of 60 many years ago.

What is the L-Glutamine for?

Texas357 · February 2009

I love Waking the Warrior Goddess. I've been trying to incorporate some of her changes now, and I'll add some of the antioxidants once I'm through with chemo.

I used to exercise daily, and I'm so out of shape now! I'm so tired all the time, and with my dry mouth, if I get winded and start breathing through my mouth, I'm in agony.

My boss is already planning a big party to celebrate my health in 2010. Next year will be awesome for all of us!

EleanorJ · February 2009

Texas how sweet of your boss

Well, until this yucky taste in my mouth goes away, I can't eat meat! This is a first, but it's making ALL meat taste horrible & disgusting. We have someone bringing us dinner tonight, it will be fed to the kids only. Today, I'm looking forward to eating Lipton soup for lunch & Kraft Dinner for dinner! Now THAT'S gourmet

Bold · February 2009

L-GLutamine is for nuropathy.

Firni · February 2009

Caroline, you're too funny. I do like macaroni and cheese with hot dogs while my taste buds are gone. ( I don't consider hot dogs meat. They are a non-food) Fruit and veggies are still my preference. No meat. I do still make meat for DH. I think he would die if he didn't eat meat every day.

Thanks Bold.

Lainey64 · February 2009

Hello everyone. I'm really feeling the SE's of the Taxol today. Yesterday I was achy and today I feel like I was run over by a truck. It's kind of like the aches and pains from the Nuelasta shot just about 10 times worse. Two weeks ago after my 1st Taxol I ended up with a cold and now I understand why I felt so horrible then. I'm pretty sure these muscle aches will fade in a day or 2 so I'm not letting it get to me. I had to go get my Nuelasta shot this morning and then I went to my BS's office to have my L-Dex test done to measure the lymph fluid levels to make sure I'm not in danger of developing lymphedema. All looks good. I saw my BS and spoke with her for a few minutes and she wants me to get a diagnostic mammogram done after chemo ends next month. It will be 6 mths so I know it's standard procedure but it still makes me nervous and talking to her brought up a lot of old emotions and feelings. After my appointments I treated myself to a big breakfast at IHOP and it was good! Now I'm home and I'm taking some xtra strength Tylenol and crashing!

I hope everyone is having a good day. Take care Divas!!

Love, Elaine

colleen1960 · February 2009

Hello All: I have not posted in a few days. It is day 8 days since my last tx. And this morning I woke up and felt so good, I thought this is great, but by mid afternoon I was really tired from doing nothing really. I hope each day I will get a little more energy back. I still don't sleep really well. I am still looking for the 5 to 6 hrs of uninterrupted sleep. It seems everyone had a pretty nice valentine's day. Mine was nice also chocolates and a nice dinner. I was able to go and see my mom yesterday. She was having a good few days and we took her to lunch. It is really hard to see her lose so much weight and she tires really easy. She will go for her 3rd tx on Thurs. and then they will do a battery of tests to see if they will continue with treatments. But I will say she still a strong women.

Good luck to everyone having treatment in the next few days. Wishing you little to no SE's.

Hugs,

Colleen

Judy1031 · February 2009

Hi, my name is Judy, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Halloween 2008. I had two primary sites, one in each breast. Neither had metastasized. What a blessing from God. I underwent a double mastectomy on November 19, 2008. No cancer were found in my lymph nodes. What a wonderful surgeon I had. Not to mention that he believes in God which is a huge part of my recovery. I have a profound faith in God and his healing powers.I am undergoing three rounds of chemo. One round of TC every 21 days. Of course there is the 10 day blood count to make sure my immune system stays in good standing. Each time thus far , my immune system has been completely wiped out, but i have not suffered any illnesses. Again, the work of God. I have already completed 3 and have only one more to go. I feel so blessed as I'm sure we all do. Has anyone gone through what I've gone through and come out feeling pretty good. I mean no sickness or throwing up, etc.? I just feel so blessed and want to know that others feel blessed as well. Please let me know your thoughts. I've had so much family friends helping out. I hope you all do too. I will pray for us all. God really does hear us and answer our prayers. I have two young girls who I love so dearly and a husband that has been the best friend a person could ever want. i want to be around for a long time. I hope this is is God's will; because it is my will if he sees fit. Thank you for listening. I hope to hear from you soon. --Judy

Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

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