Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?
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Good morning Divas,
Day 4 after LAST tx! As you can tell, not sleeping at night but catching cat/power naps during the day. Having this drainage, therefore, dry cough. Been busy getting ready for a conference next week. Catching up with all of your posts. Congrats to those that are finished! Good luck with further treatment!
Heading back to cancer doctor in 2 weeks to discuss tamoxifen. Is anyone going to this? Mammogram on the 1st to check things out. Made my eye appt.; haven't been in 2 years and waiting for the dentist to call to set up my appt.
Felt like cooking Saturday and had 4 couples over. Fixed Rouladen, German potatoe salad, regular potatoe salad, & Green Jacket salad. It was delicious! I even was able to taste it.
I can't say enough about this site. Ya'll have been an inspiration and I will check back often. As many of you, I am waiting for the hair thing. I never lost ALL the hair but kept some white (not alot). I was salt/pepper straight!!!!!--mainly salt prior to chemo. I hope I have enough hair by daughter's wedding in October.
Again, thanks for all of the support these last months! Linda
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Carolyn, my hair is still only about 1/4" long most places -- growing slowly probably because I'm still on chemo -- but it's dark and I can see the 5 o'clock shadow easily in the mirror. The white fuzz everyone talks about lasted a couple of weeks. Still a few bald spots, and some areas where it's short like whiskers.
Funny how even this tiny bit of hair makes me feel more confident.
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Thanks everyone, I know everyone means well, but I'm sick of the "how are you feeling? You look great!" I guess I just have to tough it out for a little longer. I was telling my MIL that I wasn't feeling very social lately, but then I just realized that I'm just plain tired a talking cancer so I'd rather be anti-social!
Picked up my mom from the airport again on Friday. She's been great, she flew (and she's terrified of flying!) here for every tx to help out with the kids, cook & clean for a week while I'm fatigued non the couch watching movies. Met with onc on Fri morning and was expecting the same "see you imn 3 months" that everyone is getting. Well, I was so bummed to get a "see you in 3 weeks to discuss Tamoxifen!"
I thought we had already agreeded that I wasn't going to take it. I LOVE my onc, he's great, explains everything and hasn't pushed anything on me that wouldn't have been in my best interest, but he's a little forgetful. I asked him about my port removal to which he said "I'm glad you reminded me!" then asked him about starting rads, to which he replied again "I'm glad you reminded me!" So going back in 3 weeks (because I'm a good patient) to tell him that I am NOT taking Tamox. Need to schedule my port removal tomorrow morning (he says 2 weeks
, then schedule an appt to get started with rads process, then head out to my LAST chemo! WOOHOO!!! I made it Hair still growing, getting thicker and more uniform so I'm about ready to let it grow for real. Thinking about giving it a last shave on April Fools! I'm going to try to take weekly pictures of my hair growth.
Lisa Congrats on the new girls
Glad to hear you're happy with them.Bobbi Yay on the nips
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Hi Ladies,
Well it does seem that we are now seeing the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel!" My LAST tx of 6 T/C is on Tuesday! Whoopeeeeee!!!!!! I can't wait to be done with this poison!
Busy times ahead! I have my rads appointment for the measurments on 3/31. Rads start 4/6. I go back to work 4/13. I have been off of work since 9/18. As for hair.....I just hope that it starts growing back ASAP! I have the white hairs too, but have not shaved them. They are less than a 1/4" long.
My onc and I need to have the AI discussion yet. Probably before chemo on Tues. Yes, I'll take the meds, I want every chance for a long life. We will also discuss the fact that I AM having my port removed in June. He wants to wait 2 years. WTH!? Went to BS and she said that she will write an order to have it removed in June. No need to keep it that long. It's an arm port, but I am always bruised at the site, because I have always bruised easily.
What a LONG winter this has been for us all, but it sounds as if we are crawling out of the chemo caves we spent the winter in....at least I did....and stepping out into the sun! It's a beautiful thing!
Happy Spring!
Hugs to all! Carol
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Carol -- TWO YEARS? My oncologist told me that I could have mine removed as soon as I'm through chemo. I intend to have it out before I start radiation, so week #2 after my last treatment.
It IS wonderful to great spring knowing the end is in sight. I'm with you on the the AI (you and I have almost the same diagnosis) but I will ask the oncologist about monitoring my estrogen level with blood tests in case I have trouble tolerating the drugs. I seem to experience every side effect listed on prescription meds, and have been that way my entire life.
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Hey there Texas,
Yeah 2 years...what, so I have to go and get it flushed every 6 weeks? Probably at $150 or more for every flush....ummmmm.....no.....so June sounds pretty good to me at this point. Sooner would be better, but as you can see from the post above, I have a very busy 3 weeks coming up, and then back to work. I can just take a Friday off work and have the port removed. I have an arm port, so it is not as noticeable as a clavicle port. It is just a bump on my arm. But normal people do not have ports in their arm. I want to be normal again. I want to go back to work!
I have been having hot flashes for 5 years now. I also had a hysterectomy because of fibroids in 2000. I wish that I had gotten those ovaries removed too. Maybe I wouldn't be where I am now.......oh well...hindsight is 20/20! Anyway, I really don't know where I am in the cycle of menopause. I will have to ask my onc if there is a blood test for determining that. So I am kind of assuming that I'll not be taking Tamoxifen, but an AI instead. I've been reading about the se's for these meds. Lots of talk about osteoporosis, anad other bits of unpleasantness. All of this is so confusing!
But chemo is almost over, and that is/was REAL UNPLEASANT, and that's putting it mildly! I have had just about every SE that you ladies post here except for the finger nails lifting and the neuropathy. Believe or not, my nails have remained normal, I just had to clip them because they got too long. Right now the SE bothering me the most is the constant eye watering. I'm going to ask my onc to send me to an opthamologist, because my eyesight has been screwy too.
Knowing that all of you have been out there, somewhere, being bald, being sick, and making this journey with me virtually has made it ever so much easier. I don't feel all alone. I can't imagine doing this without you ladies. What did we do before the internet?!
Sure am looking forward to getting through this next week and then it's over! Remember, "that what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger".
Have a good evening! Carol
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Before the Internet we'd either be going it alone or attending support group meetings. I'll sure be happy to be past this stomach ache that I've had since November. The eyes have improved but by no means are they normal. Since I have three more treatments, I don't expect total relief any time soon.
Carol, I have osteopenia due to a parathyroid problem a few years ago, which is one reason I really don't want to take an AI. But I also want to be alive 10 years from now. It's going to be a balancing act.
My good news/bad news is that I can actually taste things this morning. Unfortunately I have another treatment tomorrow. So bye bye taste buds for about 5 weeks.
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Carol, my onc said the same thing regarding the port. She wanted me to keep it. Didn't even give me a time frame.Her argument was "we are not taking the port out, after all you have cancer" meaning if the cancer comes back we don't have to put it back. I already told her no way! As soon as I am done with chemo the port comes out. I do believe it was only to make sure I go back every 3 weeks to flush it! As far as cancer coming back, I will deal with it when and if it happens.
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My goodness ladies! I think I'd have a heart attack if my onc said I had to keep the port in for two years! That is totally unrealistic. We HAD cancer! I am so ready to get mine out. Just waiting on my TE to be placed so I can get mine out! I don't want two surgeries.
I'm so gald you like you new girls Lisa! Take it easy on them!!
I'm sure it is hard for you to watch the Zumba class. Carol - Congratulations on finishing Chemo! YEA!!!!!
Texas - Enjoy your day. I'm counting down your last treatments with you!!!!
I had a wonderful weekend. I went with some friends out of town this weekend to a house on the Colorado River. This was the first trip out of town since this whole nightmare began in October. I just relaxed, watched ALL of the Godfather movies (which I've never seen). Ate good food and enjoyed the deer, birds and other wild life. Totally relaxing! I want to go back! Now back to the grind!
Have a great day ladies! Hang in there everyone still dealing with SE's! I'm cheering you all on!
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Hey All - I have had a bad cold since last Friday and am hoping to be feeling better before Thursday when I will have my recon. surgery. Lisa - I am so glad everything went well for you. I am hoping for the same outcome. I felt so bad over the weekend and last night, but I am feeling much better today just a little tired. I am glad you were able to have a early time, I am hoping for the same, but will not know until sometime Wed. Well spring is hear, bit you would not know it from the temp in NY today, it is freezing. I am hoping that the weather changes soon. I hope everyone has a good week.
Hugs to all,
Colleen
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Congratulations to all who have finished! My port will come out when my surgery is done -- mid-April. Thank goodness -- don't need that reminder!
Lisa - congratulations to you -- hope you are feeling great!
Had some chinese food for lunch at my desk today -- the fortune said:
"The strangesst, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true courage."
Well, ladies, we all have true courage and we should all be very, very proud.
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Chemo is OVER!!! WOOHOO!!!! In about a week, I'll be able to say that I survived chemo
Next Monday, we meet with the rad onc and I get my CT scan for rads. I plan on trying to talk him in the dose dense, we'll see. Then I get my port out on 04/13 at 8AM and start rads later that same morning! I'm soooo stressed about getting my port out. Don't get me wrong, I CAN'T wait to get it out, but.... I'll be awake through the whole process, I sure hope she has some strong sedatives
Then, the following Monday, meet with onc again to discuss me not taking Tamox. The next few weeks will be BUSY! But it's exciting, moving unto tx phase #2 Swest, glad you enjoyed your weekend, isn't it nice to go out and have some unrelated to cancer fun! Hubby and I are looking to get an older VW camper to take the kids on a fun vacation when tx is all over.
Today is a HAPPY day
What a great birthday gift. At first, I didn't think it was so great having last tx the day before my b-day, but now that it's here, couldn't wish for anything else for my b-day! -
Cebula -- Congrats on being done with chemo and Happy Birthday!!
Lisa -- Hope you are continuing to feel well and are taking it easy.
Colleen -- Hope you feel better every day so you can go ahead with your scheduled surgery on Thursday.
My exchange surgery is scheduled for next Friday, April 3rd. The PS told me it would take about 3 hours because he's doing a lift on the other side at the same time as the exchange. He's also going to take out my port -- yeah! Anyway, he wants me to spend one night in the hospital -- we'll see about that.
Started Arimidex last Thursday and no noticeable side effects so far except the hot flashes and chills are worse than before Arimidex. Neurontin at night for my neuropathy works like a charm but makes me groggy in the morning, but it's worth it!
Take care, ladies.
~Bonnie
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Colleen - freezing PA too!! Good luck on Thursday.
Caroline - Happy Birthday - it's ok to have your last treatment as a gift!! You are a survivor and I'm jealous - I always wanted a VW camper...enjoy. oh - your boys are adorable. That is my 19 yr old in my picture. He's the love of my life - I loved having a boy...
Swest - getting away is amazingly cathartic, isn't it? We spent a night at the beach(Jersey) and it was so lovely waking up with our window on the bay and all the gulls and swans. I'm glad you were able to relax and enjoy a non-cancer weekend.
Lisa - how's it going??? Are you totally enjoying those new girls? I know it doesn't take long to recuperate from the exchange and start enjoying the rewards. I am as anxious for you to start exercising as I am from my nip surgery. Mine are looking pretty good now - let us know when you reach that point.
Bonnie - I started Arimedex 2+ weeks ago. I'll be interested to know your SE's, if any. I am having extreme joint pain - it's making me crazy. My onc says arthromyalgia(sp?) is a main SE but I wasn't expecting much until it hit me that first week.
Good luck and hugs to all.
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Swest glad to hear you had a great weekend!
Colleen sorry to hear about your cold...feel better soon!
Woohooo Caroline....Yes! You survived chemo!
Bonnie...glad your exchange surgery is coming up quickly! I'm sure it will go smoothly!
Bobcat...I'm feeling great today and I'll feel even better tomorrow, as I am getting the drains out. Nips will be in a couple months and then the tats after that!
Today I went to Zumba class and my daughter taught. I just did some squats and some of the leg work...felt good to move! I can't stand sitting around! LOL
Make it a great day everybody!
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Caroline, congrats on FINISHING!! Happy B-day as well. My last chemo is Wed. I'm looking forward the the last one and dreading it at the same time.
It's so nice to hear that everyone is moving along and doing well. Drains out, exchange coming, new nips, ports coming out. It's all such good news and one step closer to normal. It seems that "normal" has become the ultimate goal of everyone.
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Firni,
I had my last chemo today and I completely understand your mixed feelings. Moving along is wonderful but scary too. Normal is the new normal!
Good luck on Wed.
maja/carolyn -
Congrats to all who are reaching new milestones!
I start my last 3 Taxotere treatments today. Also meet with the oncologist to discuss all of my next steps.
I plan to discuss getting a prophylactic mastectomy on my "healthy" side. ILC is known to "jump" breasts, it's hard to detect, and I do NOT want to go through all these chemo side effects again. I never thought I'd be hoping for a mastectomy but right now it seems like a positive proactive option.
My PS says if I can get the other mastectomy a month or two before my exchange surgery in November, she can finish up both sides at the same time.
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Hi Texas, I went with the bi-lateral mast. right away because ILC can jump and it doesn't show up on mammograms. I sure didn't want to do this all again and I didn't want to do surgery twice. Both my surgeons and my onc supported my decision to do the prophylactic mast. on the healthy side. Which by the way, had some pre-cancer junk in it. So, I would have gone thru this all again at some point. Maybe now I won't. I hope that all goes the way you want it to.
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Hi Texas - I too did the bilateral right away and glad I did because they found pre-cancer, LCIS, in there and I too would have had to go through this all again. I now have finished chemo and have two nice looking foobs that match perfectly, by the way. I don't think you'll regret your decision.
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Congratulation and Happy Birthday Caroline!
Texas357 and Firmi
I am thinking of having profi-mst as well. I don't have ILC but I already have calcification in my right breast. I am meeting with my surgeon on April 6 to give him the news.I will be done with chemo only end of May. I might wait with the surgery until September, I want to go on vacation in July and get back physically and mentally and then start with doctors and such. I will make October ( my dx month) the month for tests.
For all the divas that are going thru reconstruction: you are my heroes. I am such a chicken! I am too scared to even think about reconstruction. My surgeon tried to talk me into it (very nice and fatherly talking , not pushing ) but I couldn't even think at that time. I just wanted the tumor out and be done with it. Now that my brain has adjusted and there is no immediate treat I am having a hard time looking in the mirror.
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Simvog, what is it about reconstruction that scares you? I think most people who do recon. don't have any problems with it. The ones that post the most are the ones with problems. But if you start looking around, there aren't that many. I have TE in right now and besides being rock hard, they really have not given me any grief at all. If you're having a hard time looking in the mirror, you might just meet with a plastic surgeon and see what your options are. If you decide to go ahead, your PS can start when you get the prophy done.
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CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who has finshed or will finish up this week! I know it is bitter sweet. I am so happy for everyone!
Happy Birthday Caroline!
I did bilateral mx right away. In my "good" breast they found DCIS and more calcifications which were not showing on my mamogram. I was glad not to have to repeat chemo and all of the stress related to call backs, biopsies and etc. Simvog, you have to do what is right for you. For me the going flat chested was not an option. Also, I don't like the prothesis. They are hot and heavy. I'm sure you will make the decision that is right for you. There is no time limit on the reconstruction process. Should you decide to to it in 8 years you can.
Oh Lisa and Bobbi, I so have foob invey!
I am ready to get my reconstruction going. I say that but I will need to clean my house from top to bottom before my mom comes into town to take care of me. I bet it is hard not to do any house work around your house. I will have a hard time not taking care of my home. Also, my PS said not to lift anything over 5 lbs for 6 weeks. WTH, my purse weighs more that 5 lbs. I wish you all a wonderful day!
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Hello Everybody!
Just got home from getting my drains out! Yeehaw! LOL I don't go back to see my PS until I'm ready for my nips...which will be about three months. The "girls" are settling in very nicely!
Swest, everybody is different....I was back to teaching Zumba classes three weeks post bilat...and I had immediate TE's placed with 200 cc's at time of surgery. I was on my own four days after surgery.
This surgery has been a walk in the park compared to the first one, but I really didn't have much trouble with the first.
I also did a bilateral, as I've always had issues with my right breast...so I just got rid of both "traitors" the first time around!
Oh, Swest...my purse is definitely over 5 pounds too! My husband calls it a lethal weapon! After the exchange surgery my PS said so lifting, pulling or pushing anything over 5 pounds for one week. Also no vigorous exercise for one week. I did some Zumba last night...nothing vigorous!
Wishing you all a day filled with blessings!
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Oncologist just said it was a "personal decision" but he's always been reluctant to quote stats. He did say that with AIs, my risk is dramatically lower. But what if I can't tolerate AIs? Also, like so many of you have said, even if they catch it early -- who wants to go through this again?!
Simvog: the tissue expander was the most difficult part of the original mastectomy for me. Even with that, I was up and back at work in a couple of days. Yeah, there was some discomfort but nothing I couldn't handle. I don't regret the decision because I have fairly normal cleavage while I wait for final reconstruction so I look and feel fairly normal.
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Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. So far so good, I do lack some energy already, my body just feels weak. Didn't get any sleep last night due to horrible back pain, even laying down! I'm putting my little one down for a nap, I think I might just lay next to him for a bit. My mom is cooking me a yummy dinner for tonight, I'm glad that I should be able to enjoy it
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Count me in as being a chemo graduate too! Done w/Taxotere and Cytoxan as of TODAY!!!! YaHoo! I'm doing the happy dance! But not for long, the se's will starting kicking in tomorrow morning! Firni, looks as though you are next, I hope that everything goes smoothly for you tomorrow!
Talk to you all later, when I feel a bit better!
Carol
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I am so happy to see so many of us finishing our treatments. This is a really strong group of women and we will be here for all of those still undergoing their treatments. Every time we finish whether it is chemo, rads or surgery we are that much closer to being able to put this disease further and further away from us. I never thought I would be able to make it through all of this, but being on this site and the CMF site has made going through this a lot easier. Just wanted to say Thank You to everyone who has helped me through this journey. I am waiting for my surgery time for Thursday and that will be one more thing that I have overcome.
Hugs To All,
Colleen
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Congratulation!
mimiwhite #4 1-Feb 4xTC
mmliv #4 3-Feb 4xTC
Brenny # 4 4 Feb 4xTC
lisasayers #4 6Feb 4xTC
horsercn #1 9 Feb (TH) 4xAC
+12 Taxol+Herceptin ptjen #4 11 feb 4xTC
CindaD #4 12-Feb 4xTC
swest #4 13 Feb 4xTC
iktracey #4 17 Feb 4xTC
apfuentes #4 17 Feb 4xTC
bkokie #4 19 Feb 4xTC
Texas357 T#4 24 Feb 3xFEC
+9xTaxotere Romiles #4 26 Feb
DrDecker #4 4 March 4xTC
Texas357 T#6 10 March 3xFEC
+9xTaxotereLainey64 #4T 12 March 4xAC
+4xTaxol LindaBusEd #6 18 March 6xTAC
zuffa #6 18 March 6xTAC
cebula #6 23 March 6xTC
Majanumba1 #6 23 March 6xTCH
sdavis #6 23 March 6xTC
berrypatch #6 24 March 6xTC
Firni #6 25 March 6xTC
Texas357 T#8 31 March 3xFEC
+9xTaxotere Texas357 T#9 4 April 3xFEC
+9xTaxotere Grancy11 #6 6 April 6xTC
Bold #6 13 April 6xTCH
Catrenae T1-T12 26 Feb-14 May 4xAC
+12xTaxol simvog T1-T12 13 March-29 May 4xFAC
+12xTaxol -
Yea Carol! Congratulations!!
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