**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009
Comments
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Kim, my gosh, I'm sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. Please keep us posted. This stuff sucks, indeed.
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Francine: Thanks for the photo and the great atittude.
Sakura: As others have said befor...we will all be here for you for all of your treatments.
Bunny: So great to hear from you. It is certainly a worry when someone is MIA for a few days. Just goes to show you how much love and support there is for everyone here. Glad to hear that you are resting....well deseved. Please continue to take it easy.
Alyad and CCbaby....I'm so happy you met in person. That is very cool.
Ricki: Glad your first Taxotere went well. I'm sure it was a really stressful seeing the oxygen etc. but so glad that nothing was nedded for you. Only two more to go....yeah!
Chris: Here's to a SE free/minimal week after first taxol.
Janet: Good luck with your last AC today.
WLL: Good luck with yor c-scan. Keeping fingers (and toes) crossed for you. Here's hoping it's only scar tissue. It's good that they are checking it.
Diane and Patti Next week...last one....now there's something to really look forward to. You go Girls!
Gina: Great Celebration. Hope you are doing well this week.
It is sunny and beautiful in Calgary today. I have been hibernating for 2 weeks with low WBC but I think I'll step out and walk the dogs today. My area is very hilly and I get tired just walking around the block but I am going to do it today for sure!
Have a great day evryone.
Beth P
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Kim: So sorry to hear about your Mom. You're right... breast cancer sucks,,, but remember it is doable. It amazes me where everyone here was at a few months ago and now look at how many are finished tx or are finishing soon. As you know, the navigation through information is so daunting in the beginning, so I'm sure the knowledge you have gained from your own journey will be a tremendous help to you Mom. Please keep us posted.
Thinking of you and your Mom.
Hugs
Beth P
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Kimmom: So sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis. I am sure you will be an excellent resource for her. Your family is in my prayers!
How are you feeling this week? I get neulasta today and tomorrow will be day 3 (including TX day). I figure I will get SE's on day 4-5...hoping for the best!
Bunny: Glad to see you back! Get all the rest you need....everything else can wait!
Take care all...you are such a great group of women...can't imagine going through this on my own!!
Chris
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Francine... I did the same thing at my last chemo. I made a basket of "stuff" for my onc and little sacks of "goodies" for the receptionist, onc nurse, etc. The receptionist cried. I think people tend to forget the staff and the pressure of working in an onc office. I also made double dipped strawberries the night before for everyone since I was 'roiding BIG TIME!
Ricki13... Still doing good so far?
ccbaby and alyad... That is so cool y'all got to meet!!!
Diane and Patty... Just around the corner for you two!
bwbly... Happy to "see" you. Glad your work schedule will be somewhat better now.
Kimmom... I am sooooo very sorry. I can't even begin to imagine how you must feel.
AND... GINA... Again, thank you, thank you, thank you for going WAY beyond the call of duty. Love the margarita and celebration. Those little chili guys look... a little nasty to me...LOL!
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Kimmom,
So sorry to hear of your mother's recent diagnosis! But as the others here have said, you are now in a position to be a great resource and support to her. My guess is, you'll end up being that for each other
Healing vibes to you both...
Nadine
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Kimmom, I am so sorry to hear about your mother's DX. This BC is the PITS! I know you will be great support to her....is she local? I hope so so you can be there for one another to get over this "hump" and both back on your feet with this behind you like the rest of us plan on doing.
HUGS to you and your mom. Let her know we are all thinking of you both.
bwbly/bunny.....thanks for checking in and letting us know you are resting
Diane
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Kim, I am sorry to hear your mom's news. I know that you can help each other through this process.
If she is internet-savvy, maybe she could find a group like ours. I never wanted to join a "real life" support group, but you wonderful women I have met on this board have been a lifesaver for me. I am so grateful for the chat, the honesty, and the outlooks of all of you.
Sending your mom loving healing vibes. And continuing to send love and light to all of us princesses.
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Hey everyone
Tomorrow I go for #3 again because my last one 3 weeks ago was a no go. I react to bad to the Taxotere. But I have no clue what they are going to use on me. Not feeling very confident about that. I'm a natural worrier so I'm driving myself and the hubby a little bonkers. I just want to get this over with and start on the next thing, which is radiation. My boys keep teasing me that I'm going to glow in the dark from the radiation. I tell them that at least they'll be able to find me in the dark. I try not to be bummed out around the boys so we just joke around about things. Makes everyone feel better and that I'm still mom and going to be okay.
It's a beautiful day out and I'm going outside to enjoy it. Better put my hat on, I don't want to sunburn my head.
Laurie
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Janet- Hope your 4th tx goes well. Like you, the 3rd tx kicked my butt, and I'm nervous about the 4th and final one. Hope you'll let me know how the finale goes - Ann
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Yes Bubly.. venturing out with just my hat and too tired to care what anyone cares!!! Many look and some just give a look as if they understand or not? I am bald everywhere too and do not miss,shaving my legs or underarms!!
Francine....So nice to see someone over this part of treatment and did it with grace.There is an end to this and when you are in it.feels like forever!!! You showed it all can be done and with okness.!
Good luck to all who had TX today and this week!
Donna
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Bunny! Keep resting and take care! Hope the echo comes back ok!
kimmom! Sorry to hear about your mom! This dx does suck!
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As far as my 4th TC... I would say it was definitely NO worse on SEs than the other 3 except for the fatigue. I think that is to be expected since each time our bodies are a little more tired/fatigued than the time before...
~Jan~
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Kim, so very sorry about your Mom. There is just way too much of this going around. Will send good thoughts. My best friend is having a lumpectomy tomorrow for DCIS and I'm praying they get it all and she can walk away from this.They told her no chemo and no radiation.
Good thoughts to all, Kathy
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I ran some errands after my tx today (4th AC), came home, fed the dog, and promptly fell asleep on the couch for like 4 hours. I wasn't expecting that, and it's too soon after tx to really blame it on that, but I'm afraid this crap is really going to get the better of me this time around. We'll see.
Today's big news is I got my BRCA-1/2 test results, and I'm positive for specific mutation associated with breast and ovarian cancer. I guess the exchange surgery I'm looking forward to will be a second mastectomy instead. *sigh* I talked to my PS about this already as a hypothetical, and he said *maybe* he could do immediate final reconstruction with a silicone implant instead of the TE, but I'm not sure I want to try to shortcut things and then somehow end up unhappy with the long term result because the left went through the TE process and the right didn't. I need to look into the whole oopherectomy thing now, too. I sure do wish my surgeon had talked to me about this test back at diagnosis time, prior to surgery - I would have just done bilateral at that time instead of doing them one at a time. I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family, but I do have other cancer history with my mom, dad, grandmother, and aunt, and my heritage is Ashkenazi Jewish, which puts me in the population of people that should probably be tested. Oh well. Now I'll be able to get another funny T-shirt: "Yes they're fake - the real ones nearly killed me."
I am not a happy camper today. =(
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janet - so sorry to hear this news. You go ahead and sleep on the couch as much as you need to. Bad news deserves some pampering.
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Janet - Gosh what rotten luck! I'm waiting on my test results too. Expecting the worst but hoping for the best. Going back for more surgery seems like a really hard thing to do but take as much time as you need to assess your options. If I have to go back too I'll buy one of those T-shirts from you!
Kim - So sorry to hear about your Mom. Unfortunately I also know about having family with cancer. It's really not something you want to share with them but now you can be each other's biggest support.
Finally got hit by the Taxotere bus this afternoon. About 85% through a work project (working from home), my muscles and throat got all sore and my brain ran away. Very tired! Despite that I still sent some ideas via email to work (I work in advertising) and it may be my best work yet! Or my most controversial...comments back were interesting.
Not too bad so far. Better than I was on FEC but will wait and see. Had my neulasta shot yesterday. They let me bring it home because my sister is a nurse so that saved a car journey.
Big party weekend coming...for my friends that is. Not for me. I'm hoping to get over to my Mum's for Mother's Day. My 11 year old niece is planning her first family dinner so I am imagining chicken nuggets and chips!
Happy Mother's Day for this Sunday for all the Moms/Mums on this board. Hope everyone else has a lovely weekend.
R xo
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Janet! So sorry to hear your news! I too had a double mastectomy, first with tissue expander and implant, second just a mastectomy, I don't know if I want reconstruction or not on the second,my PS wants to see me midway thru rads, so that would be Aug. he says he has some tricks, so I wll talk to him. I just don't know if I want more SX.
Ricki! Enjoy your creativity and rest up for your busy weekend! Take care Dawn
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Hello Ladies
Had my first dose of Taxotere yesterday - 2 more to go! YIPPEE! Feeling great today - just waiting for the weekend for the bone and muscle pain to kick in.
Kimmom - So sorry to hear about your mom. I am the first one in my family to have BC as well but now because of me, my mom who is now 70 years old was told that she will have to go for mammos now every 6 months to be screened. I hope to pray to God nothing ever will be found as she has dense breast as well. I hope everything works out for her.
WLL - keep us posted on your CAT Scan, hope it goes ok
Buddy - Glad to hear you are doing well.
Sakura - we will not leave you! We are started this journey together and we will finish it all together.
Hope everyone else is having a SE free day!
Will check back soon!
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Janet: Sorry to hear that you may need more surgery. My surgeon told me at the time of my first mx that I didn't need to worry about my right breast now...we'll just deal with the left at this time. Now my onco wants me to see the surgeon on Tuesday as she thinks I should have it removed as well. I have both IDC and ILC and apparently due to ILC, I have a higher chance of it going to the other breast and ILC doesn't usually show on mammograms. I would have preferred to have them both done at the same time too! I haven't had the gene test yet. Love the t-shirt!
I haven't decided on Reconstruction yet and I would love to hear from any of you who have had it. With or without Tissue expanders. I didn't have skin sparing mx so I assume I would be a TE candidate.. I am very small breasted to begin with so I don't know what procedure would be done. Appaertntly a tram flap isn't an option because I don't have enough tissue. Any thoughts on all of this would be appreciated.
Kim40: Hope you continue to feel well.
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Pickle141
Are you still planning on coming down this way this summer? Would love to hook up if you have the time..
Janet - so sorry to hear that you will need more surgery. I will be having my right breast removed as soon as I get the ok from the onc and B/S. Not looking forward to it - but I will be doing what I can to lower the risk of reoccurance. Stay positive!
Take care all
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Kim40:
I am not sure if I will be down to Nova Scotia in the summer or not...depends on surgery etc. but I would love to get together when I do make it down there. That would be great! I will do whatever I have to in order to lower the risk as well. I think I will get the gene testing done. I have a 22 year old daughter and my onco said she will discuss it with both of us.
Take care
Beth P
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Beth - Regarding reconstruction, I did immediate tissue expander on the L when I had that mastectomy back in Feb. I don't think having a skin sparing mastectomy precludes that, because they still want to expand the pocket under the muscle gradually, as well as stretch the skin. The way I understand it is this - if someone just goes in for breast augmentation, the implant adds to existing breast tissue. After a mastectomy, the implant is way larger than it would have been, since all the breast tissue is gone, so that's where the gradual stretching becomes important. Also, your prior size probably has no bearing, since post-mastectomy we're pretty much all back to flat, right.
You could do whatever implant size you want to. For me, the TE was partially filled at surgery, then over 3 or 4 more visits to my PS he added saline to it. I'd say something like 3 weeks out of surgery I was basically symmetrical (though the fake one is extra perky compared to what gravity has done to the other, lol). To go back in and do the other now for me will mean, I think, mastectomy with TE again on the other side now, some waiting period, then exchange surgery for silicone implants. For you, I would think the same - you could have the other side mastectomy and TE at the same time, doing, I would think, both sides TE. You should start consulting with a plastic surgeon. My surgery was a hand-off from my breast surgeon to plastic surgeon in the same surgery. -
Janet:
Thanks for the info. I have read alot on the reconstruction board and it seems like most people are saying that the TE are very painful. Hard and uncmfortable. What has been you experience with pain etc.
Thanks
Beth
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Pickle, I had IDC and ILC too. They only knew about the IDC when they did the first lumpectomy. The ILC showed then. Never in a mamm, US or MRI. Second lumpectomy found more ILC. That's when I went for a double mx with TE's. I figured I never trust a neg mamm again. I still have the TE's due to chemo. They are all filled and I will do the exchange asap after last chemo (May 20!). They are hard and uncomfortable sleeping but I would not say there has been any pain involved. I am glad I did it. Here is a good web site that shows a womans journey thru reconstruction.
http://www.myselftogetheragain.org/process.htm
It is actually what helped me make my decision. Best of luck. Kathy
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Kathy: Thank you. I just read through the link you sent and it was great. How long after chemo do you need to wait for exchange? Did your doctors tell you about the higher risk with ILC vs IDC. Our diagnosis is very similar with the exception of tumor size and grade. I am 4cm grade 2. What treatment are you having? I am having 4 AC. Lots of questions...but your comments are appreciated.
Beth P
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Beth, I think they said 6 weeks after chemo. I'm going to confirm when I see him on the 20th. Yes they did tell me about the higher risk and I read that many places. That is what made the decision for a double easy. I am doing 4 TC's. 3 down one to go. Only #2 has been hell. Hoping #4 is OK. But at least it's #4! No rads for me. Ask any questions. I am happy with my choice under the circumstances. Kathy
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Hey Beth, I've had reasonably good experience with the TE also. Right after the surgery sucked, but it's a dim memory. The first 2-3 days home, I slept in a recliner because I couldn't comfortable lay down or if I did it was hard to get out of bed. I have an automatic massage recliner that goes up and down with the push of a button, so that worked great. Then I think I could sleep on my side or back, but not my stomach for awhile. I started a new job 10 days after surgery, so it must have been okay by then. Actually, a week after surgery, I, uh, got lucky, and had sex on a couch without too much anguish. As the fills were happening, I'd have sortof a tight full feeling just after the fill, but it wasn't even enough to warrant taking Tylenol. I've heard stories of women with expanders that moved around and ended up looking really weird, but I haven't had any issue with that. I asked my PS about the movement issue and he said in my case the expander was sutured to the muscle to keep it from relocating - you might want to ask about that beforehand. I would say that two two three weeks after surgery I could wear a low cut blouse and you would have no idea that I'd had surgery. I used a cheap little foam insert to beef up the volume while the fills were in progress.
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Kellerka & Diane - We are done next Wednesday, Yeah!!! Then rads for me.
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Patti, I wish that was true. I'm pushed back a week till the 20th. But for a good reason. My dd's wedding is the 16th and I didn't want to be 3 days out of chemo. That's usually my crash day! I have a house and 2 condo's full of out of town family coming and I want to feel my best! Been waiting for this day for 26 years! So an extra week and I'll follow you to the finish line!
May #4 be mild for all of us!
Kathy
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