Starting chemo January 2009?

Options
1…6162646667…139

Comments

  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    Crystal Lock - are you taking steroids....either in pill form or in your IV?  that may be the culprit for sleep issues.  it is for me!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrystalLocket
    CrystalLocket Member Posts: 90
    edited April 2009

    Lisa,

     Am taking decadron and the compazine for nausea.  Since taking the ambien I've heard from friends that they know people who have felt wiped out for the next 24 hours.  I also had stomach issues and still do but took immodium.  My first chemo went very smooth, so I expected this one to also.  Onco nurse not sure about it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    Crystal Locket,

    I've never taken an ambien so I can't comment on that.   Were you given ativan?  I use it for sleep and I've had no issues.  I really only use it for the day of chemo and a few nights after but I've never had a problem.  Maybe you can ask your onco nursea about it!??!

    good luck! hope you get some sleep!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jillyG
    jillyG Member Posts: 401
    edited April 2009

    Wow, good new all around tonight!!!  Woohoo.  Congrats Jewels! 

    Lisa: That's awesome, what a long road you've been on, I was so emotional my last chemo, almost cried a bunch of times during it because I was so relieved and happy but also so sad I went through it all.  It was mixed emotions that last day.  Another thing to look forward to is when your "would have been next chemo date" rolls around and you DON'T have chemo, it is a great feeling.Laughing

    DDLATT: I am so happy for you!!!  Fantastic news!

    Misty: I am so happy Malcolm is doing great, I was waiting for your good news, so happy for you both.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2009

    Yeah Lisa!!!!  I am so happy for you!!!!  Can't wait for you to join me on the other side!!!  Life is so good fter chemo!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    Jilly and Alo - can't wait to be on the "other side" LOL!  and, will certainly appreciate 3 Tuesdays from now when I'm NOT at chemo!!!

    meanwhile I was invited on an amazing sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands in June.....but I'll miss the being ready for the departure date by 9 days.....due to rads.  Remember my one week delay?  there's 7 of the 9 days.  WAH!  Truth be told, sailing is probably not the best thing to do after rads...too much sun, too much salt water, and too tired me!

    see you on the other side tomorrow!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2009

    You will have many more opportunities to do other fantastic things!!!  The trip you're taking tomorrow will be even better!!!  I was in the chemo room today as I have a strange rash on my finger....first time in there since my last chemo.  It felt strange...I was choked up and had to hold back the tears.  I still can't believe I'm done.  I'll be going again tomorrow  to have a culture taken of the rash.....but happy I won't go in on Thurday for an infusion!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KM47
    KM47 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Wow, I've been away for a few days and sat here with tears streaming down my face and then big smiles (and some happy tears) while reading about Misty and DDLatt.

    Misty, I am so happy for you and your son. I'm getting misty-eyed again just typing this.

    And DDlatt, I just couldn't believe that it would be cancer but I didn't finish holding my  breath until I got to the page with your good news.

    I have been out of hospital a week and other than a bit of tiredness (apparently quite common after a week confined to one room) I'm doing okay. 

    I saw my oncologist on Thurs and because my neutrophils had gone up to 3.0 she gave me the all clear to see DH as long as he had no vomiting or diarrhoea by the time he got home on Friday. He didn't so we were able to see each other - but we still haven't been able to give each other a kiss hello just in case.

    I asked my oncologist about some of the Tamoxifen issues raised here.

    1. Test for whether I am a low or high receptor: She said the test isn't widely available here but she said even if it was it's hard to know what to do with the results.She said it's not proven yet that the drug isn't worthwhile even if you are a low receptor.

    2. Risk of uterine cancer: She said it's very small increased risk and if it does develop, symptoms appear quickly and it can be treated early.

    3. What happens if you go through menopause during the five year period: two years into the treatment they will test my hormone levels to see whether I've gone through menopause and in that case a switch of drugs may be recommended. She said it is good to be aware of this date so I know to ask two years in about the test if the medical professionals overlook it.

    I also asked about the blurry vision. She said that is a definite side effect and to wait to see an optometrist until 4-6 weeks after I finish chemo.

    My second lot of good news on Thursday (in addition to being able to see DH) was that they decided against delaying my chemo scheduled for today. However, they did decrease the dosage a little in the hope it won't knock my neutrophils so much and it may also help reduce the aches I had for a week last time.

    I finished my chemo about 7 hours ago and feel fine (last time the aching didn't start until the Friday), but the steroids have given me that dreadful extreme tiredness but unable to sleep feeling.

    Also saw my radiation oncologist for the first time - she is also just lovely. I am constantly delighted to meet wonderful medical professionals (the doctors and nurses in hospital were also just lovely). I am to have radiation therapy two to three weeks after chemo finishes - so a start in late May or early June.

    My radiation oncologist said that a year ago and certainly two years ago wouldn't have bothered with the radiation therapy in my case. Basically it was only done (here anyway) if you had four or more nodes affected under your arm and/or the margins of what they removed from the breast weren't clear. I had two nodes involved (although the doc said it was more like one and a half because the second one was so tiny) and my margins were really clear.


    However in the past year or two some studies are coming out showing that treatment is worthwhile even if only one to three nodes were affected.


    I don't need radiation to the underarm area or the breast but they are going to radiate an area to the right of the affected breast where internal mammary lymph nodes sit. The idea is to blast any cancer cells that moved from the breast into those nodes. My cancer was multifocal and in the top half of the breast so a perfect case for spread into those nodes - it's not likely but she said because my prognosis is so good and I'm so young, and the side effects are minimal, it's worth doing. She gave me three medical journal articles explaining recent studies including one from The Lancet which was excellent. One comprehensive study showed a 23% recurrence in cases such as mine without radiotherapy and this dropped to 6% with radiotherapy. If there did happen to be a recurrence in those internal mammary lymph nodes my doctor said there's no way to cure it so as far as I'm concerned it's no-brainer really. She said she is quite aggressive in her approach and other radiation oncologists might say I don't need to bother. But I don't want to look back and wish I'd had it two years down the track. It's only five weeks out of my, hopefully long, life.

    There was something else I was going to add that I thought might be of interest but chemo brain has reared its ugly head and now I can't remember what it was...

    Anyway, my thoughts are with you all - sounds like it's been a challenging couple of weeks for everyone.But we will get there. I certainly draw strength from you all. Thanks so much for your kind words throughout my recent hospital stay.

    Love

    K.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    KM47---I have had the same studies you have about the efficacy of rads for 1-3 nodes.  Idefinately fall in the gray area.....It is sot stressfull.  My cancer teams says no for me-re rad tx,-but I am going to bring it up again.  Would like to know more info --The Lancet?????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    ddlatt - Thank goodness!!!!!!  I am SO relieved to hear your news.

    Lisalisa - ROCK STAR!  You'll be finishing up!  Hallelujah!!!

    Misty - WOW!  I am just thrilled that Malcolm and you are both doing so well.  

    Shocked - You'll be done soon, maybe you'll be sleeping just fine afterward?  I definitely have those issues.   I think I will start a forum. 

    Patti - My blood counts have been great with taxol.  With AC most of my counts dipped below normal about 7 days afterward.  They were the worst after the 1s and 4th treatments.  The only below normal reading I have had with Taxol is my hematoctrit, but not too low to have treatment.  It could be from drinking decaf; I believe that can zap your iron. 

    So much for having mild aches.  I dipped into the hydracodone yesterday and am still aching some, but the pain med does help a lot!  My finger tips feel weird and I am getting itchy along to back of my body.  So far that's not bothering me much.     

    I almost don't care what side effects I have this next month or so.  If they are 'normal' then fine.  I do envy you who are finishing up but I am so happy for you, and the x 12  or x 9 people will be done soon enough.  

    Have a great Tuesday everyone.       

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PLUTZ
    PLUTZ Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2009

    hi ladies. hope all of you are doing well. the neulasta shot really did me in this time. I have never been in this much pain from it.Couldn't sleep last night. I'm achy from my head to my toes. I took vicodin but don't like the s/e. I'm really woozy today. Haven't had any s/e from the taxo yet. Maybe I won't. I need a break here.I'm just taking it easy today and try to take a nap before my DH and girls get home.

    lisalisa- congratulations!

    ddlatt- happy to hear your news. hope everything works out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited April 2009

    ddlatt:  WONDERFUL news!!!  

    Lisa:  April 14th is here and you are nearly done with chemo -- may your final SEs be few! 

    Karen: I'ved used ambien, both plain and CR -- don't like the CR, as it hangs on too long for me.  I only use ambien on occassion and usually during Days 6-19 and haven't had any problems. The night before chemo and through Day4, I take ativan 0.5mg every 6 hours -- it's a small dose, but just enough to curb the steroid hyperactivity so I can sleep and it also helps with nausea.  It might be the chemo that gave you the nausea and wiped you out....?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KM47
    KM47 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Jess, I will see if I can find the articles my oncologist gave me for you online - if I can't I'll see if she can email them to me and I can send them to you (failing that I can scan them in and  send them to you). I felt the three articles together made compelling reading, but we are all different in our diagonoses I guess. As I said my radiation oncologist admits to being quite aggressive in her approach so she could be being over-cautious. I just have to get a wee bit of work done this morning but once I'm clear I'll do a search for them.

    Hot flushes anyone? I'm still a year away from Tamoxifen but last night (night after chemo) I woke four or five times with hot flushes. They didn't last long but they were interupting what little sleep I'm getting on steroids! Anyone have any ideas on how to cope with them?

    Genetic test. Remembered what chemo brain made me forget last night - I have an appointment to see genetic services on the 23rd of this month to find out about the genetic test. Have to take family history of cancer along, along with consent forms for family member's medical history and will take it from there. Will let you guys know what the process is after that first meeting.

    Talk soon

    K.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mimi07
    mimi07 Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2009

    Ddlat:  Great News!  Hope you can pretty much stay on schedule!

    Lisalisa:  Was today your last chemo?  Congratulations in advance!  And I like your haiku.

    Misty:  I am very happy for you and Malcolm.  Big hugs to your family.  You went through so much!

    KM47: I am considering genetic testing, too.  My grandmother had bc in her 50s, and the doctor says I got it young, too.  I am 46.  Although I know a lot of people that had bc or other types of cancer in their 40s.  Let me know how yours go.  I am going to wait until I finish rads.

    As for my rads, so far I got 5 treatments, and I feel nothing yet.  I was getting my chest wall and internal mammary nodes because my tumor was at the 11 o'clock position, inner side of the breast.  But, now, after submitting my case to a conference, she is suggesting to add my superclavical area.  She says it is rare, but when the tumor is in the upper half of the breast, sometimes it will jump to the superclavical nodes.  Since I didn't get a clear margin, and because I am young, she thinks it is worth doing.  We also decided to add the under arm area too.  I didn't have any node involvement, but I had a lympha vascular invasion.  So, we might as well do the whole thing.  I was hot happy at first.  It seems like everytime we look into it deeper, the worse it gets.  But, I feel better now as I know I am doing everything.

     Good luck everybody in your last phase of chemo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited April 2009

    KM47, hot flashes from the chemopause, oh yes.  Keep increasing in intentsity with time.  Only thing that I've found that works is taking off the covers and dressing in layers so I can strip down.  Trying to ignore them only makes it worse.  My Onc offered effexor but right now I'm sick of meds and will just keep trying to strip

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited April 2009

    Hi all!

    I'm back from my last chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   It went well.  I got my favorite nurse.  I got my favorite chair (corner window).  And, it just went smoothly....I slept for much of it :)

    On the way home, in  DH's car, some creepy black bug pounced on my foot and bit me.  OMG!  it stung.  I made DH pull over but we couldn't find the bug.  My son had a bug bite on Sunday....and his foot was all puffy yesterday.  Only me LOL!  just what I need.  I just sent DH out for some anti-itch lotion.  For being a tiny little bug bite, it sure hurt.

    What next!?!?!?

    Mimi - your rads plan sounds like mine....I'm doing the mammary nodes, superclavical, etc.  My lump was at the 10 o'clock position.  You can only do rads once, so I'm all for doing the most possible.  Even though it does cause cancer.  ugh.  But, hopefully not for at least 20 years LOL!

    KM47 - I've been having hot flashes since my 2nd chemo cycle.  They seem to go in waves.  I just take off my hat/wig/whatever and deal.  I have seen a really cool chillin' pillow that keeps your head cool.  If they continue, I may be in for one of them!

    Plutz - hope you've found some relief from the neulasta pain.  isn't it the worst?  my LAST neulasta shot is tomorrow.  and....then....the pain.  ugh.

    off to bed.  I'm so so tired.  I'll try to post photos of my chemo graduation tomorrow!

    hugs,

    Lisa 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 625
    edited April 2009

    Hey everybody... well after agonizing over the decision on 4 vs 6, reading researching and reading some more... and driving my poor DH insane with the discussion, I am stopping at 4 treatments which means I am DONE! Laughing

    You are going to think I am insane but I didn't get a second opinion I got a third and a fourth opinion.. four different oncologists... lol who all agreed that four treatments was sufficient.  I know that sounds over the top but I still couldn't make the decision after 3 opinions so I got a 4th today... that's enough now... I'm moving on! lol

    Next step is to make sure I'm in menopause with shots, then I will start taking Arimidex and probably remove my ovaries.  I will also sign up for the clinical trial on bisphosphonates.  Then maybe reconstruction someday, who knows..

    But for now... back to my celebration with chinese food and Bud Light Lime!! BRING ON THE HAIR!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jillyG
    jillyG Member Posts: 401
    edited April 2009

    Holtbolt, that's great that you're done, we have such a similar diagnosis and I only had 4 treatments, that was all they recommended.  Glad to hear you're done!  Yes, bring on the hair!  Mine is just fuzzy but my husband said it's growing more everyday.  But, it seems to be only coming in in certain areas, the sides of my head are still bare. 

    Well Jewels, I am having a crappy day today...not as bad as chemo or SE's or anything, but crappy nonetheless.  We have a coworker of my husbands over to help us with drywalling the basement and my son needed a haricut so I got the kids packed up and opened the garage door and started to drive out........right into this guys truck!!  There is over $1000 damage on my van for sure and not much on his luckily because it's a big truck....my van got the worst of it.  I felt so bad, I was near tears.  THEN, I decide to make myself some Green Tea and the doorbell rang and I got sidetracked and left the kettle on the counter and the steam ruined one of my cupboards in my brand new kitchen (this house is only a few months old).  My husband said "chemo brain?"......I love playing the cancer card when I need it. lol. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 243
    edited April 2009

    Lisalisa - Never thought I'd be jealous of someone having chemo - LOL!  The pictures are great, your kids are so cute!  I like your ponytails too.    

    JillyG - I was just thinking about how scary it is to be behind the wheel somtimes lately.  I'll give it to you - you HAVE had a crappy day! : )  I hope your car and cupboard are back to normal soon.  I am glad nobody got hurt.  

    I've been reading everyone's posts that I missed from the weekend.  I am always amazed at what we are all dealing with and able to do.  I am SO TIRED today.  That hydracodone is strong medicine.  My left heel is numb of all things.  I think I can handle some TV watching.  Thank goodness there isn't a lot I have to do tonight.  Six more weeks!  Ahhhh! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shockedat39
    shockedat39 Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2009

    Congrats to Lisa and HoltBolt!!!  I can't wait until Friday to be among your ranks :)

    JillyG - I'm sorry about your crappy day :(  Glad you're not hurt!

    re: hotflashes, they are UNBELIEVABLE!!!  I never understood why they were called "flashes" until now.  They strike like a bolt of lightning!  Gah!  I'm almost happy I don't have hair for the time being...I can't imagine how unbearable it would be if I couldn't just remove my wig, hat or whatever.

    Everyone have a great night!

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    KM47---Thank you for offering the articles.  If you want,you can just post the title/author and I can truly go from there and dig up the sources. 

    Latest word on the rads for me is there are results of a study/trial coming out concerning rads and my stage and type of cancer.  So, I guess I will see what that turns out to be.

    I am day 5 out from taxotere/neulasta and I feel so much better.  Still in pain, but not so fatigued.  So reliefed to be done with that part and take comfort in the taxotere doing its job.

    Congratulations to those who are finished and about to be!!!!!!  Yes break out the treats!  For me a glass of Robert Mondavi 2007 Merlot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

    What other celebrations are the January Jewels going to do? 

    Hey, my hair is full of soft white fluff about a 1/4 of an inch long.  Is that a good sign??????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    KM47---I sent you a note via pm

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2009

    what a great day!!!!  except that I think I have shigles on my middle finger.....no biggy!!

    I am so glad for you girls that are done or getting close. Two more January Jewels done!!!!!

    I get my arimadex on Thursday...and start on the bisphosphinates maybe next week....ready to keep kicking cancers butt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KM47
    KM47 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2009

    Mimi - will definitely keep you posted. I'm not sure how fast the process is. I had thought I might have the test next week originally but looking through all the info it looks like it's just an initial meeting to discuss how to proceed from here.
    My rads sounds similar to you I think. She needed to look at my notes more closely but said they'll definitely do the internal mammary nodes and possible the infraclavicular lymph nodes (under the collar bone) and possibly the supraclavical area as well. A nurse told me when I was having my chemo that because I am young (37) the SEs from the radiotherapy (in terms of burns etc) are often very minimal, if anything at all so that's good to know.
    Kmmd - thanks for the tips on chemopause! I thought last time it was due to my temperature that I had with my infection but maybe it wasn't. Last night I had them all through the night. I slept with my hat off the entire night. I haven't had any today ... yet. Like you I don't want to take anything for them if I can avoid it - I feel like a walking pharmacy as it is!
    LisaLisa: Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SmileHow great you have finished the chemo now. Hope the bug bite settles soon! I might have to invest in one of those chillin' pillows you mentioned since I guess I'll go through hot flashes again once I start Tamoxifen. Do you have a link at all?
    Holtbolt Another woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!  Smilefor you too. I think it's perfectly normal to ask for so many opinions. It's your body and your life and you want to be sure - and it sounds like you've made a good decision.
    shockedat39 - a friend of mine called the hot flashes "power surges" and I think that also sums them up nicely! Yes, I know what you mean about having them with hair. It was so nice to just be able to remove my sleep cap to cool down (along with some blankets and my PJs!). I'm also glad I'm going through this in autumn rather than spring or summer! (We're opposite to you guys down here.)
    Jess: Glad to hear you are feeling better. Only one more to go now for both of us! Funny you should mention about the hair...it's odd, but I'm pretty sure my hair is growing back...I don't know how that can be when I've only just had treatment #5 of 6 but DH agrees there is more hair on my head. My pubic hair is growing back too (hope that's not TMI) and I had to pluck my eyebrows the other day. I wonder if the FEC chemo made it fall out and the Docetaxol isn't affecting it? Or maybe the Docetaxol hasn't hit the hair yet...?
    Okay, as for the links I promised you Jess, I will paste them below. I found the entire Lancet one online but can't find an option to read the 2nd and 3rd ones online without paying but you have more luck. If you don't please let me know and I can get my rad onc to email them to me or I can scan them myself as they are only half a dozen pages long each (whereas the Lancet one is more than 20 pages!)
    1. The Lancet article is an old one but my rad onc said it is compelling when read with the other two new ones below. The entire text is available online but you have to register with their site (but that is free):
    http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)67887-7/fulltext#article_upsell.
    If you have any trouble with that link article is: Effects of radiotherapy and of differences in the extent of surgery for early breast cancer on local recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomised trials (Early Breast Cancer Trailists' Colloborative Group)
    www.thelancet.com Vol 366, December 17/24/31, 2005. Pages 2087-2106
    2. Article title: Is the benefit of postmastecomy irradiation limited to patients with four or more positive nodes, as recommended in international consensus reports? A subgroup analysis of the DBCG 82 b&c randomized trials.
    Authors: Marie Overgaard (Dep't of Oncology), Hanne M. Nielsen (Dep't of Oncology and Dep't of Experimental Clinical Oncology), and Jens Overgaard (Dep't of Experimental Clinical Oncology)
    Journal: Radiotherapy and Oncology 82 (2007) 247-253
    Website: www.thegreenjournal.com
    3. Article title: The value of radiotherapy on metastatic internal mammary nodes in breast cancer. Results on a large series
    Authors: U Veronesi, P Arnone, P Veronesi, V Galimberti, A Lunini, N Rotmensz, E Botteri, G B Ivaldi, M C Leonardi, G Viale, A Sagona, G Paganeilli, R Panzeri and R Orecchia.
    Journal: Annals of Oncology 19: 1553-1560, 2008.
    Doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdn 183
    Published online 7 May 2008
    Website: http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/

    Thinking of you all.

    K.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited April 2009

    Holtbolt: Been thinking of you and knowing your agonizing over the decision.  Sounds like you made the right decision based on sound advice.   Your adverse reactions were no small deal.  Good luck as you journey to the next phase.

    KM47: Thanks for all the info. 

    Lisa: the steroids should help any potential reaction from the bug bite.  You have all the luck!

    JillyG: so sorry you are having a crummy day. 

    Mimi: thanks for checking in - this Jan 2 Jewel will be done on Thursday- yippee yahoo! 

    Haven't planned a celebration yet -- want to get done with rads and feel like my old self -- then I'll think about it.  We have talked about a getaway in the Fall, maybe to Mexico .. beach, sand, tequila Cool.   

    Think my biggest celebration will be the day that I get to days end and I realize that have not thought about having breast cancer..... it may be a while, but I know that day will come.

    Thank you, Jewels.... sincerely..... while my family, friends, co-workers are all very kind and supportive... you are my glue...you know...you understand like only bc survivors can.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BerkeleyKim
    BerkeleyKim Member Posts: 390
    edited April 2009

    KM47--Thanks for the links on rads. I'm doing rads starting in late May I hope (hope, because I want this over with--and I'm not done with chemo til 5-12!).

    Gads--so much to think about. So many different opinions! My rad onc said that due to lymphovascular invasion and multifocal tumors I need rads to chest area. She feels my surgeon did a good job getting it out of my underarm lymph nodes, so won't hit there (thank goodness--already have minor lymphedema). She didn't mention the internal mammary nodes, so I'm going to ask about that. I think that below the collar bone should get it with the chest area, but I guess not above. It all makes me nervous, especially since I was such a sun worshipper and burned on my chest many times as a teen.

    Mimi-glad rads are going ok for you!

    Lisa and Holtbolt--BIG CONGRATS for finishing chemo.

    Jilly-Sorry for your hard day. I think chemo brain is real. My nurse care manager sent me a link to an interesting article on chemo brain. I hope mine disappears quickly, but she said that we shouldn't get depressed if it doesn't disappear the day after stopping chemo. I realized it's real when I couldn't pack for our 2 day trip last week, and also that I forgot to pay our property taxes on time. Big fine here! http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/985

    Hot flashes-yes! more intense that my menopause ones, especially a couple days of the taxol. Only at night so far though.

    Holtbolt, shocked, and Alo--I got the info on the bisphonates trial. Do you all know which one you are getting? I'm going to talk with my onc about it. I sorta just want to go straight to Zometa, but just because I haven't heard much about the other 2 except for Sallie Field advertising Boniva (I can't remember the generic name for that one).

    Jess--a glass of wine sounds great. My BS asked me last week what I was going to do to celebrate when I was done with all this, and I drew a blank. Can't believe I'm not more imaginative!

    YearoftheHat-Tired-yes. #8 on Friday. We can do it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited April 2009

    Kim...I'm not sure which one I'll get yet.  I'll find out next week.  I'd like the zometa too....I have heard so many positive things about it. We'll see!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited April 2009

    KM47--Thank you so much for the articles.  I will definately be studing them closely . 

    I guess I spoke too soon.  woke up with horrible indigestion-pain stretching all away around my back.

    I am definately going to have a party at the cancer center.  Last tx, one lady had a tiara, boa scarf (isn't that a snake?), cake, candy and music when they took all the tubing out.   Now that was fun.  We all felt so good for her .  I don't know if I will go the tiara route, but i will definately have all my friends who stood by me and continue to stand by as I go thru the ses and the fear of recurrence and the fear of spread and everything else. 

    Oh, I have worn a wig for three days in a row now.  Wow, didn't think I could do it! 

    Go january Jewels ----we are getting there!!!!!!!!  Now on to the taxmoxifen or something like that, the ais, the rads, the tests and great long living health!!!

    Btw, when are we all going to get together to meet??????????????????????Laughing

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Renrel
    Renrel Member Posts: 497
    edited April 2009

    Jrgolomb- hmmmm- wonder if my siser will lend my her tiaria - I borrowed it for my wedding.  Last TX is sort of like a new start on life insisted?  Just like a wedding?  I  have to think about that, I need something big to top todays outfit.  Last time it was the pink wig, today I have butterly tattoos all over my head (temporiaties of course)  and a purple sun hat.  When all my TXs are over I plan to due a ritual at the Mikva - an immersion bath used in Judisim to get spritual clean. It is most oftenused by woman after they complete there period so that they can sleep with their husbands again.  (I don't follow that practice but respect it). I did go just before my marrage and enjoyed the experiece. It can also be used as a way of noting other important steps in life, like adoption and healing. 

     OK need to run get to the hospital in time.  I want to be at my infusion appointment on time since I have the last massage appointment of the day scheduled for the same time I get there.  Last time I was late and missed it/

     Go day to all, I tnink all my Wed. Chemo buddies have already finished so please think of me today. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PLUTZ
    PLUTZ Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2009

    hi ladies. It sounds like most of you are having a good week. I am feeling like crap again. could it be the taxotere? My body aches so bad, I'm weak and dizzy. I know the neulasta lasts a couple of days. This is day 4. I have no enerrgy. My feet are numb.  I can barely walk, my legs are weak.Should I call my doctor?

    lisa and holtbolt- congrats!

    jilly- I hope you are alright. Like I always say, things can be replaced and fixed. You are more important.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories