Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

swest

Lisa - Good luck tomorrow!  Turtle Shell removal day!!!

Texas & Carolyn - I hope you get some relief from the watering eyes.  I think that would drive me crazy!

Elaine - Good for you!   Every once in a while I take "mental health" days off.  I hope you enjoyed it!

Well, I off to the PS to discuss TE's. Yeah!

Texas357

Carolyn, the Taxotere I'm taking has caused the tear ducts to narrow. It was something that my oncologist had warned me might happen.

The opthalmologist said that a thin layer of skin had actually grown over my tear ducts. If I had waited longer, the blockage might have gone deeper. What he did was numb the tear ducts, then used a probe to open them. He shot some saline solution through each of the ducts to ensure they were working right (they were). Then he gave me steroid drops to use for the next 2 weeks to keep them open until I finish chemo.

The procedure wasn't pleasant but it wasn't that traumatic either.  The watering hasn't stopped completely yet, but it's so much better!

Majanumba1

Thankyou Texas. I called and got an appointment with my opthomologist this afternoon. Once I told his nurse I was on chemo/taxotere they made room for me. I hope they can fix the problem or at least tell me what is wrong. I am so glad that your eyes feel better now. My last treatment is Monday and it sounds as if you are getting close to the end of txs too.

Carolyn

Texas357

Good luck Carolyn! I'm a couple weeks behind you on the end of treatment. I'll be very happy to see the last of those taxotere bags!!!

havehope

Layney64

I am sorry for your bad day. I believe that until people are "hit" close to their home they don't really understand how we feel.

Texas

I am on this one with swest. I did had a good laugh. Good for you! I hope your eyes are better now.

I had the Taxol 2 today. It was ok. No SEs yet except for my taste. I fell the chalk taste a little bit.

EleanorJ

How do you go back to normal life after cancer? I feel like I spent the past 6 months talking about cancer to everyone. Not because I want to, but everytime I see someone, the first thing I'm asked is "how are you feeling?" That's all I ever talk about, it's like cancer has taken over my life/identity. It's getting old. I'm so ready to be done with it all...

zuffa

DONE!  On to surgery in 4 weeks.  My oncologist tells me he doesn't know what, if anything, they will find after surgery because he cannot find anything! 

Cebula -- I am so blessed to have had this man as my doctor -- his knowledge, his compassion and his love of life has helped me stay positive throughout this phase of the journey.  Every apppointment I have with him has been for at more than an hour and we spend at least half talking about literature, music, our families, our life experiences and the joys and tribulations of life that each day brings.  The fact that he deals with the ravages of cancer each day and still transmits so much joy to every one of his patients - even those with the most serious metastic disease, is truly remarkable.  His love of life is a constant reminder to concentrate on the wonders and challenges that enfold before each of us every day.   

On a more practical note, Cebula -- I actually know someone who cuts off everyone who brings up her cancer with the phrase "that's behind me now."  She does it with a smile and moves on to another subject -- says it usually works with "just one application."

When people ask me how I'm feeling, I respond by saying "how do I look?"  And they generally tell me, "you look great" (which I believe is the truth).  And, Cebula, you do look great - your pictures are wonderful -- perhaps you should give this technique a try.    There are a couple of maudlin types that I actually go out of my way to avoid -- people I would characterize by that archaic term "crepe hangers." 

We have all come so far along this path. Having cancer is just one part of life's journey -- a stone in the path -- but the path stretches long and bright before each of us and there are miles and miles ahead to travel.  

CindaD

Cebula, I'm with you girl.  I'm looking forward to the end of doctor's appts and tx.  I guess we just have to move forward and hopefully everyone else will then move forward with us.  I do think it's going to be weird, scary NOT to have to go for tx and also freeing at the same time! Confusing, huh!  I had my last appt with my onc, he said see ya in 3 months!  I still see me rads onc every week, but at the end of April I'll be freeeeeeeeee!  Well except for the Tamoxifen and the clinical trial I joined, but I will be free......I hope to never see the inside of a chemo room again!

TGIF

bobcat

Cinda and Cebula - I'm with you!  My onc said the same thing - "See you in 3 months!"  It is hard that everytime I run into people it's always - "how are you feeling?" But I also just give a big cheery smile and say great, how are you?  Cebula, you do look beautiful and full of life so give that to the world. 

I had my nipples done yesterday - yoohoo!!  More pain that I expected and little longer surgery than planned.  When I got home last night I was exhausted but exhilerated that all the surgeries are now completed.  Will have my nipple tattoos in about a month.  Still no hair growth and I continue to lose my lashes - still putting mascara on the few that are left.  Does anyone know when lashes and brows start to grow back.  That has been the hardest for me.  Well, I am still in my pj's and have to take it easy for a couple of days but I do get to remove the bandages today and have a look at these girls.  Think I'll go for a short walk and enjoy this first day of Spring.

Happy Spring everyone.

swest

Congratulations everyone who has finished up chemo this week!!!  HIP HIP HOORAY!

I think it will take some time before the conversations start with something other than cancer.  I have been saying to my family that I am so tired of it consuming my life.  My onc. was great too.  He told me to give it time. 

I met with my PS yesterday and I have a date of April 27th to get my TE's.  I am so excited.  I think this has put my spirits in a better place as I have something to look forward to.

Bobbi - Nips!  ALL RIGHT!!!  Do you know what type of surgery he performed?  Did it reduce your bx scar?  Sorry there was discomfort.  I hope you feel better as the day progresses.  Take it easy today. 

I hope everyone is doing good today!

swest

Lisa - Wishing you a successful surgery and speedy recovery!  You are in my prayers today!

bobcat

Swest - My PS called it origami and yes it did reduce my bx scars - they make a cross like incision and then twist and stitch to make the bud as they call it.  I am feeling much better as the morning goes on and I just spoke with PS office and will be removing the bandages for a shower in about an hour.  I loosened the bandages and did take a peek inside - looks pretty good but now have to keep bandageing until I see her in 2 1/2 weeks so there is no rubbing or scabbing.  Another fashion challenge just when I was getting used to my new look and wearing more clingy clothes - I am back to big shirts and loosefitting tops!!  A small price to pay, I know )

bobcat

That's right!  Lisa - good luck today!

Majanumba1

coongrats to everyone who is finished with chemo! Scary but wonderful. It is my hope too that I never have to take chemo again. I will visit the chemo room till next December every 3 weeks for herceptin but it is not so bad. Love to hear about the new foobs. Now that is progress. Hooray,



Texas, opthomoloagist checked and said I had very dry eyes from chemo but my tear ducts were okay. she prescribed otc systane and a gel to put in my eyes at night.They feel better today. Thank you for all of your info yesterday.



Cebula, I know how you feel. It is very exciting and very scary to end treatments. It has consumed my life for the past 6 months in every way. I have one more tx on Monday and then 6 wks of rads.

I think we have need to acknowledge our feelings and honor them and then we will be able to move on. I It is difficult to digest all that has happened both physically and emotionally but it will happen.



lisa, good luck today. I'm jealous.



maja

swest

Thank you for the info Bobbi.  How exciting!  I read somewhere that someone used corn pads (or something like that) to protect them so they could wear a bra and fitted clothing.  I'm sure for the next few days you'll be too sore to do that.   I can't wait to get to this stage. Do you feel like at this point it is helping you to move forward?  I think that reconstruction will get me out of this gloom and doom of cancer...???

bobcat

OK now - I just removed the bandages and showered.  These new buds are awesome looking!  I am so pleased.  I will go to the CVS today and look for an alternative to cutting up gauze pads - that part was very messy and difficult and I am tired from just getting dressed.  My SO suggested some sort of foam pad too so I'll see what I can find.  Maybe I should go to Home Depot  instead.  Anyway, put a loose fitting camisole over the whole shebang and the same tops I've been wearing since TE's.  I will move forward....:o) and yes, it does help.

CindaD

Hey Bobcat, look for telfa pads, they come in all different sizes and they won't stick to your skin!

bobcat

Thanks for the recommendation - I will look for exactly that.

Bobbi

mmliv

6 weeks out from chemo - and I think I see a hint of dark hair coming in under the white frizz! I'm still recovering from radiation tenderness and skin damage in the armpit, but nothing serious. I start Femara the 1st and start on another phase of the journey.....

 Mary L 

lisasayers

Hey Ladies

Just a quick note...I'm home from surgery with my new girls!  I feel softer already!  My PS said her couldn't ask for a better outcome!  I'm bandaged up, so can't tell yet, but I look great in clothing and feel "softer".  Was at the hospital at 6:30, got into surgery around 8...was about an hour and a half..and the discharged me at noon.  Stopped and had lunch and now I'm going to go take a nap!

He said no vigorous exercise for a week! 

Bobcat...great to hear about the nips!  Will catch up on all the posts later...

Hugs to all!

Lisa

Firni

Good for you Mary L.  You are on the final leg of this journey.  The longest one.  Let us know how the Femera treats you.  I still don't know what I'll be on after my last chemo next week.

congrats Lisa.  You must be so much more comfortable. I'm only 5 1/2 weeks behind you.  Can't wait. 

bobcat

Hey Mary - great news about the hair.  I am still waiting and keep shaving the straggly white things.. 

Firni - I am taking arimidex - still evaluating how that makes me feel as I wait for the remnants of chemo to leave my body.

Lisa - you deserve a nap.  I am so happy for you and your new girls.  I loved mine right away but still takes getting used to.  Listen to your PS - no exercise for a reason.  You've come all this way.  I too am off the spinning for a week but I will obey - we've come so far!

Hugs to everyone.

swest

Great to hear from you Lisa!  I'm glad to hear you are back home and resting.  Take care of the new girls!!!!!

Texas357

Congrats Lisa! You have every reason to smile.

Mary, good to know that you sailed through radiation so well. Keep giving us progress reports on the hair and AI. I'm headed down all three roads very shortly.

mmliv

Good job Lisa! Those Zumba gals will have to do without you for awhile! Please keep us informed.....

Mary L. 

lisasayers

Just removed the bandages and had my shower and I couldn't be happier with my new gals!  One more step down in this journey!  I'm feeling pretty good today...no need for any pain meds.  Just took Ibuprofen last night.  Had to take some of my herbal colon cleanse, as these darn drugs always mess with my system for a few days!

No more pressure on my rib cage!  No more expanders under the arms!  Woohoo!!!!!  I can't wait for all of you to be at this point!!!!!!!!!!!!

I won't be exercising for a while...my daughter is filling in for me at Zumba class.  I'll just go and do some toe tapping! LOL

 My hair is coming in pretty fast now that I have stopped shaving...I must have shaved all the white stuff off, as it is coming in my natural dark color.  Well, those silver ones are here and there, but they were before chemo too! 

Hang in there ladies....the light at the end of the tunnel is getting nearer!

Hugs

Lisa

BonnieK

Lisa,

I'm ultra happy that your surgery went well and you are already bandage free and enjoying your new girls!  Take care of yourself and don't overdo it!

I saw the onc on Thursday and he said "You are doing great -- see you in 3 months".  Those were amazing words to hear and I'm beginning to feel more and more like I HAD cancer and am moving forward in my life.  The onc also started me on Arimidex and Neurontin (for the neuropathy).  Next is an appointment with the ps on Monday to get my exchange surgery scheduled, a bone density test on Wednesday, exchange surgery within the next 2 weeks and rads.  The onc told me that rads were precautionary in my case because my tumor was big but not particularly aggressive, so waiting a couple of extra weeks to heal well after surgery will be fine.  I'm hopeful that the Arimidex won't give me bad SEs, but the onc said there are a couple of other drugs if it becomes a problem.  The Neurontin makes me a little off kilter first thing in the morning, but now I can sleep without the terrible pain in my feet and legs.

Take care, ladies.

~Bonnie     

Mandy1313

Yay Lisa!!  You are an inspiration to us!

Mandy

havehope

Congratulation Lisa! Take your time and rest.

Majanumba1

It is great to hear you are doing so well Lisa! i hope to be where you are in September.

Everybody keep up the hair re-growth reports they are so exciting and give us all something to look forward to.



Have a great Sunday. I have my last tx on Monday, Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!



Carolyn