Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited March 2009

    I'm on my way ladies! Last of 3 rounds of Taxotere yesterday. Same ole side effects. BUT I did get to schedule my port removal for 2 weeks post treatment. Hooray! I've also scheduled my radiology appointment to get all the measurements done for the week following port removal.

    Finally things are moving forward.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited March 2009

    Congrats Carol and Texas for finishing up chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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  • havehope
    havehope Member Posts: 503
    edited March 2009

    Congratulation to all Divas! I added everybody. I hope all divas are doing great!

    mimiwhite            #4  1-Feb            4xTC Laughing

    mmliv                  #4   3-Feb           4xTC   Laughing

    Brenny                # 4  4 Feb           4xTC  Laughing

    lisasayers            #4    6Feb           4xTC  Laughing

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

    ptjen                   #4   11 feb               4xTCLaughing

    CindaD               #4   12-Feb                4xTC Laughing

    swest                   #4  13 Feb           4xTC  Laughing

    iktracey               #4    17 Feb               4xTCLaughing 

    apfuentes            #4     17 Feb               4xTCLaughing   

    bkokie                #4       19 Feb              4xTCLaughing 

    Texas357           T#4      24 Feb       3xFECLaughing+9xTaxotere  

    Romiles               #4    26 Feb               Laughing

    DrDecker            #4     4 March              4xTCLaughing

    Texas357           T#6    10 March       3xFECLaughing+9xTaxotere

    Lainey64              #4T  12 March          4xACLaughing+4xTaxolLaughing 

    LindaBusEd        #6      18 March            6xTACLaughing 

    zuffa                   #6     18 March          6xTACLaughing

    cebula                 #6    23 March             6xTCLaughing  

    Majanumba1         #6   23 March              6xTCHLaughing 

    sdavis                  #6    23 March                  6xTCLaughing  

    berrypatch           #6     24 March              6xTCLaughing  

    Firni                    #6     25 March              6xTCLaughing

    Texas357           T#8    31 March       3xFECLaughing+9xTaxotere   

    Texas357           T#9    4 April           3xFECLaughing+9xTaxotereLaughing    

    Grancy11             #6     6 April                  6xTCLaughing   

    Bold                    #6    13 April                 6xTCHLaughing

    Catrenae           T1-T12  26 Feb-14 May        4xACLaughing+12xTaxol   

    simvog               T1-T12 13 March-29 May   4xFACLaughing+12xTaxol 

    bobcat                         TC

    BreastCancerDiva         4xFEC+4Taxotere  

    busqueen                     4xAC+12xTaxol  

    chiquita                       FEC

    cindyrellacleans           4xTC

    Colleen1960                 CMF

    ddlatt                           4xTC 

    ENFENETEE               4xTC

    jajebr3                         4xAC+4xTaxol

    Kranie                         6xTC

    Lindy58                       4xTC 

    Mandy1313                  CMF

    mary5454                    4xTC

    mattscot                      4xTCH 

    meb                            4xAC+4XTaxol 

    Meg511                       6xTCH

    mombos                      6xTC

    momof4stars                FEC+Taxotere

    msbusdriver                 4xTC

    rayhope                       6xTCH 

    shan1171                     6xTAC 

    vtmama                       4xTC

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Simvog!

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited March 2009

    Woohoooooo!  Congratulations Texas!!!!!!!!!

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited March 2009

    Congrats, Texas!!  Wink

    -bonnie

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited March 2009

    Hi ladies,

    I am feeling so disconnected from the world in general this morning that I just wanted to come on here and say hello to my BC friends.  Maybe it is the Arimidex messing with my mind and body or maybe it is just the gray sky and rain outside, but it is a little scary to feel so different all of a sudden.  It's like having amped up PMS while being majorly forgetful and wanting to scream all at the same time!  Hope this doesn't last for the next five years!   

    Treatment just goes on and on.  It's been just over six months since DX and today is a bone density test and then next Friday, 4/3, is exchange surgery.  After exchange comes rads and then I'll be done and ready for a little R&R and to start searching for a new puppy.  Thanks, ladies -- I feel better already.

    ~Bonnie

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  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited March 2009

    Congratulations Texas!! good news.

    Bonnie - sorry you are feeling blue and crazy all in one.  I too am on Arimidex and it's a roller coaster with the forgetfulness.  I forget people's names that I have known for decades, I forget why I'm in the grocery store, forget how to get familiar places - it's just weird.  I never leave the house without a list of errands and chores.  You will be so happy to get your exchange surgery overwith.  It's a big deal in this fight.  I always was very anxious leading up to all my surgeries so much that the crazy head thing got even worse.  Hang in there - we're all pulling for you and everyone else having se's this week.  You're not alone.

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited March 2009

    Bonnie- I'm so sorry you're having a lousy day!  I wish there was something I could do. Stay strong and know that you're not a lone.

    By the way, where are you from in Oregon?  My dad is from the Hood River area, my grandfather is currently living in Sandy and for a while we lived in Gresham.  I love  Oregon!

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited March 2009

    bobcat and swest -- thanks!  I do feel a little better now, for whatever reason.

    swest -- We are in Portland.  My daughter's boyfriend has family in Hood River and one of my co-workers lives in Sandy.  Small world....

    ~Bonnie

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  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 226
    edited March 2009

    Texas - Congrats!!!!!!!!

    Just received my time for my surgery tomorrow.  I have to be at Sloan at 8 and the surgery is scheduled for 9:45.  Hoping all goes off on time.  I hate it when they tell you you can't eat.  It just makes me want it more!!!!!  Hoping to be home my early eveing.  I will check back and let everyone know how it went.

    Hugs,

    Colleen

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited March 2009

    Good luck Colleen!

    Day #2 post treatment, and I'm dragging. Thanks to the overload of Decadron they are giving me to try to counteract the side effects of Taxotere, I was wired to the ceiling last night. Didn't sleep a wink! The good news is that my fingernails don't hurt for the first time in 6 weeks. Maybe they've moved past that stage?

    Seeing so many of us finishing and going on to the next step is encouraging.

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2009

    Texas, Congrats on being DONE with chemo.

    Bonnie, Sorry you're feeling so blue. But I'm glad you're starting to feel a little better.

    How in the world are you all affording the AI's?  With my insurance those are a tier III drug and I have to pay 70% of the cost.  Most of them are over $300 per month which makes my share around $200 per month.  I told my onc. I can't afford that so he put me on Tamox. for a year or until I can get better insurance.

    I finished my last chemo today.  I'm soooo glad to be done.  I guess the nurses had a little something for me but everyone was busy when I left so I didn't get it.  I go back for my Neulasta shot tomorrow so I'll get my little something then.  I called to schedule my port removal in two weeks and just waiting for the call back from my surgeon's scheduler.  TE exchange is April 29th. Man oh man, this journey is almost done!  

    Thank you, thank you my cyber sisters for lifting me up, bringing tears to my eyes and smiles to my lips.  I could not have traveled this road with out you. 

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited March 2009

    Firni -- Congrats on being done with chemo -- hope your side effects are minimal.  I finished in mid-February and feel better and better as time goes by (except for the new SEs that started this week from the AI). 

    My co-pay for the AI was only $15.00, so guess I'm very lucky.  There's no way I could afford $200 a month for one Rx.  The amount that came up on the register before the insurance kicked in was $468 and I nearly passed out!

    Take care.

    ~Bonnie

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited March 2009

    WOOOHOOO Firni!  Way to go!  You made it!!!!  Smile

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  • Grancy11
    Grancy11 Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2009

    CONGRATS to everyone who's done with chemo - you made it!!!!!  the rest of us are looking forward to joining you!

    Firmi - when my onc first told me he wanted me on AI after chemo I told him I couldn't afford high payments and he said there were lots of ways to get financial help and they've always been able to get the meds for their patients - did your doc not say anything about any of that?  if not, maybe you should ask again?  treatment decisions based on finances just seems so wrong

    prayers and blessing to all

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited March 2009

    Hey all, I realized the way I wrote my post made it sound like I'm finished. I just STARTED my last three infusions of Taxotere. I have 2 more to go before I'm done ... another 12 days. My stomach is on fire today, and feeling very yucky.

    Firni, I haven't investigated the cost of AIs. If it's truly $200/month, I'm with you on the expense. I'll look into that today. Thanks for the heads up!

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited March 2009

    CONGRATS Firni...you are getting closer to the finish line!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2009

    Ah Texas, I had thought you were going to finish up the beginning of April but then it did sound like you were done.  so now you're at the one before the last one.  That was the hardest place for me to be coz I just didn't think I could do two more.  12 days will go fast.  I hope you have something to soothe your tummy!  Check with your insurance com. or your pharmacy as to what your co-pay will be for any of the AI's.  They all seem to run between $300 and $350 full price.  My onc wanted me on Femara.  It's probably easier and faster to call your pharmacy to find out your co-pay.

    Grancy, neither my onc nor his PA said anything about financial help to get Femara.  The PA was going to give me two months of samples but then my Onc said we can't just keep doing that and he didn't want me to sell the house to afford my meds.  He's hoping our new president will do something about the cost of things in the coming year.  That was about it. I go back today for my shot so I'll ask.  I can't imagine that there is a grant or something that will assist in paying for 5 years.

    Thanks, Lisa.  I'm really excited about the next steps.  It sounds like you're pretty happy with your exchange.  Hope I will be. 

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited March 2009
    Firni CONGRATS on being done with chemo :) Isn't it great!
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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2009

    Caroline,  It is great.  Now it's just a matter of getting thru the SE's for the next 3 weeks or so.  But there are so many good things coming up, maybe the SE's won't seem so bad or like they're lasting so long.  How are you doing with the SE's of your last TX?

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited March 2009

    Insmonia! Now, I haven't been sleeping well since chemo started, but the past 2 nights have been horrible. Last night, I was up from 1AM-5AM! I had about 5 hours of broken sleep last night. I'm exhausted but yet not sleepy and not as fatigued as I usually am, it's weird. My mom just took my boys to their swimming class so that I get a little rest. I'd go nuts without her! How are you so far?

    There's an interesting article in Reader's Digest about the overuse of cancer screening test.

    I think, I'm heading to my bath tub... Smile

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2009

    Caroline, I'm still on Dexadrone so I'm up at night too, but I feel ok.  Nothing tastes good but the steroids always did make me feel almost normal.  Enjoy that bath.  I hope it helps make you sleepy.

    Braved the blizzard to get to my Neulasta shot.  They did move my time up by two hours.  Now I'm afraid that the rest of the time I'm feeling ok I'm going to be stuck in the house.  We're supposed to be getting close to 2 feet of snow and the roads are all ice underneath.  The snow is supposed to continue until sometime tomorrow.  Oh well, we needed it.  It's been a dry winter here in Colorado.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited March 2009

    Hey Firni...I heard you were getting snow!  I just started a new business partner in Aurora, CO.  That isn't far from you, is it?

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2009

    Aurora is about 12 miles south of me, so ya, it's pretty close.  It is quite a storm.  What kind of business?

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited March 2009

    Sorry to hear about the weather...we actually almost broke a record this year with the amount of snow we got!  I live in the snow belt of NW Pennsylvania. 

    My health/wellness business with Arbonne.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited March 2009

    Firni...she is also a Zumba instructor, so if you are ever up to taking classes, I can let you know where she teaches!

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited March 2009

    She's close but not quite that close.  12 miles in the metro area can be an hour drive.  So much traffic all the time.  But if you know of anyone on the north side of Denver, I'd love to know.  I hope she does well with the Arbonne.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited March 2009

    Firni there are a mess of them in Denver.  Just go to www.zumba.com and click on "find a class" and put in your zip code...the classes in your area will come up!

     I just heard from her...her classes tonight were cancelled due to the weather!

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  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited March 2009

    Caroline - I deal with the insomia issue constantly since chemo.  Still not resolved - I get a full night's sleep about every 4 days.  I know what those nights are like being up for 3+ hours.  Sometimes I give up and take a benadryl and my Andy kitten helps by cuddling under my chin.  Then other nights when the light starts to come in the window I fall into the deepest sleep with crazy dreams...go figure. 

    Firni - sounds like CO is getting nailed.  Congrats on your last treatment!!  I hope you can enjoy the snow from your window and SE's are not that bad this week.

    Astra Zeneca offers some program for Arimidex that I'll look into and I will talk to my Onc about some $ relief.  Our COBRA runs out in July and the problem in PA is there is no insurance that will cover pre-existing conditions for a minimum of 6 months and some are longer.  I have started doing the research but my chemo brain is making everything a challenge.  If anyone gets more info on any of this - please post it.

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