**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009
Comments
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Kathy and Beth! I too had A Te inserted after my first mastectomy, it was not bad, I took tylenol before my fills and slept in the recliner after the Sx, mostly because I had drains in and had no where to put my arm! My first BC was IDC Stage 1 no node involvement. My second was ILC Stage 3C with 24 out of 24 nodes, so I am a reverse compass, my second breast was Dx after a small IDC. My second was much worse and the Md's think it was there for 10 years. It did not show up on anything, so with me as an example do that second mastectomy. My PS wants to do some type of fat injection to expand my second breast, I will see him in Aug, after chemo and during rads!I don't know what I want? Time will tell! Good Luck! Dawn
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Going in for #3 AC tomorrow, one more after that and then on to taxol for 12 weeks. Hope #3 SE are better than #1and #2. I had a CT scan today---hoping it is good. Hope everyone is doing good.
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Hi All,
Janet sorry to hear about your Braca results. I was also given the test as I too am an Aschenazi Jew. My surgeon said that if positive I would need the double instead of a single mastectomy.. Luckily I did not need it. Yet I have ILC so maybe it would have not been a bad idea. Had anyone in your family had BC at an early age.
Kim- Sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis.
I am going for two PS consultations this week as I had to have my TE removed due to dead skin. Since I can't have a tram due to a C section scar, I will probably have to have a Latismus flap surgery. Has anyone besides Tracy have this. I know this will be a big surgery but I do want to be whole again.
Hair, Hair,- I asked this the other day as I have white fuzz on my head. If I ever want to have my hair grow back should I shave this fuzz off..What are you other ladies doing.
Decatron- Before each chemo I had to take four the day before ,the day of and the day after. After 12 pills I had a terrible crash on day four. Well this time they weaned me and I am feeling much better. Went on two for two days and now one for two days. really made a difference.Too bad no one thought of this the other three TC's.
Buddy- How are you doing?
Hugs,
Francine
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Thank you to all who commented on TE and reconstruction.
Janet: I will ask about the movement and suturing to the muscle. Thank you for the tip.
Francine: I am considering TE and just saw your post about dead skin. What does that mean and how did that happen? I am trying to gather as much info as possible so I can make an informed decision.
Dawn I am seriuosly going to do the second mx especially because detection is so questionable. No one ever mentioned the difference between IDC and ILC before so I am thankful that my onco is referring me to the surgeon. The onc told me that my ILC had probably been there for a looooong time and extremely hard to detect on mammo. I was diligent is self exams but was always looking for a round lump....this was thickened tissue and I just thought it was regular breast tissue because my breasts are so dense. If only I had really known what to look for.
WLL: Good luck tomorrow. I am getting my 3rd AC on Monday. So far I haven't really had any major issues except extreme fatigue. Hit the wall day 4-5 though. Hope you have minimal SE's or even better....none!
Kathy: DD's wedding...wonderful. My son got married last summer and it was great. Rest up and take care beforehand so you can enjoy every single moment. Take lots of tissue...lol
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Hello Everyone! I've been laying low trying to recover and it's almost time for tx #4!!? #3 seemed to really be a little rougher, but I'm still hanging. Still waiting on my BRCA results. Now let me try to catch up
Buddy1 and all those having a really difficult time - You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Crusader1 - CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm drawing a blank on the hair thing though (LOL).
Kimmom - I know you'll be a great source of support for your Mother, continue to be strong and you'll both have a wonderful story to tell when it's all done.
Kellerka - Thanks for the website!
Pickle141, Janet0527, Crusader1 - In the beginning, I asked my BS to do a total MX and she said she could get all the cancer with just the lumpectomy. Well of course cells had broken thru the lymph nodes and started to spread .... and after the surgery is when I hear about the BRCA test ... had I known this information before surgery I wouldn't have agreed to the lumpectomy. With my family history of cancer and this Triple Negative dx, I'm a little concerned about my upcoming test results. I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and asked them to please take the ovaries ... of course they didn't (seems like no one listens to me sometimes) and now I'm facing the possibilty of additional surgery that I shouldn't be if people had just done what I asked them to do in the first place! I'm furious that I may have to have another surgery! I'm getting off the subject I intended to post (smile). Breast Recon - Here is a link to information regarding DIEPs, (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) www.diepbreastreconstruction.org/ It's where they take the tissue and vessels from the abdominal area and supposedly women who have had C-Section can be candidates for this type of surgery. The healing time, pain and possibilty of getting a hernia are supposed to be less. As with any of the procedures, your body may reject the tissue ... and you have to find a PS who specializes in MICROSURGERY, as this is a vey delicate procedure. I'm not sure if I remember anyone else mentioning this procedure, as I always read about the Trams and Lats, so just thought I'd share
To Everyone - Try to rest, eat right, drink plenty of water, do a little walking and think good thoughts.
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Pickle-
During the mastectomy I believe the breast surgeon took too much of my breast skin off, so that when the PS put in the TE and then tried to put in the saline he could not put in the desired amount and then close it up . We knew something was wrong. The first followup visit he said the skin was dying. Unfortunately I had to have two more surgeries one to remove the TE but this left me with a large hole in my chest. Then I was on a vac( a healing machine) for 12 days to try to close the hole and then finally I had a skin graft so I could close the hole and begin chemo.
I have put all this behind me and now look to a new breast. Don't be concerned I do think this was a very rare occurance.
Hugs,
Francine
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Hey Beth - another tip with the TEs - ask you PS if he uses Alloderm. It's made from cadaver tissue and is often used to help provide thickness near the bottom of your breast where it needs to stretch and form a nice crease. A mastectomy takes so much tissue that this is apparently a good way to get nice results. Shop around for a good PS that really specializes in reconstruction from mastectomy - it's a specialty all its own.
Raymon/Francine - Yep, I'm not pleased that I have to have a separate mastectomy now when it could have just been one surgery for both at once, but I don't have any breast cancer history in my family, so it wasn't an obvious road for my surgeon to go down. But, I have cancer history galore - grandmothers on both sides died of cancer - specific kind unknown. My mom had (and survived) pancreatic cancer, my dad had (and survived) prostate cancer, and my half-aunt had (and survived) colon cancer. My surgeon should have asked if I was Ashkenazi Jewish, but didn't. By the time I realized I should have this test, I'd had surgery already. Oh well, at this point, it is what it is. My PS is actually going to be happy because setting aside cancer and recovery from surgeries, and tissue expander discomfort, and everything else, for him it means a much easier road to getting two nice equal boobies after all is said and done. Lol. I s'pose that'll be nice for me, too. Nice perky ones at my age - I'll take 'em.
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Francine I have been told that the best thing is to keep shaving the white fuzz to encourage the 'real' hair to grow back. I have some stray wispy white things that I am going to shave.
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Thanks Sakura,
I will begin to shave after this last chemo wears off.
I am sure this hair growth will be a long process. I guess it is just part of this journey.
Hugs,
Francine
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Hi Francine! so glad your chemo journey is coming to an end! You sure went thru alot with the reconstruction.good luck! I know from family and friends hair grow about 1/2 inch per month and it doesn't take that long before you can kiss the wig goodbye! I finish the end of June and I hope by Oct. I'll be wig free!! I'll have a pixie,but who cares! Dawn
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Francine: Maybe this will be your last shave....yahoo! I have heard that it does grow in rather quickly and possibly curly/wavy. You'll probably be sporting a pixie in no time. Like I tell my bald brother in law....at least mine will grow back...lol. My hairdresser suggested using Nioxin shampoo and scalp activating treatment. I'll start using it just before my last treatment...hopefully it will help.
Have a Fabulous Friday
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Francine: one more thing. There is a Hair, hair, hair thread on here that you might find useful for hair questions and answers.
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Is anyone interested in getting a post-treatment "motivational group" going for discussing various things like fitness (getting in shape), diet, hair issues, etc.? Once we are done treatments I think it would be great to stay connected and nudge each other along in returning to some normalcy with our lives. I'm sure we have people on here that are experts in different areas.
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Hello to all
I am a newbie to this site and also to this thread. I too started Chemo in march and just got done with 3/4 taxotere/cytoxin. I normally feel ok the day after but not today. My mouth is already dry and I feel kind of sick at work. Maybe will need to lay low tonight and this weekend. I have lost all of my hair and also shaved it the other night. I could not stand the wispy ness of it. It looks so much better shaved. I actually showed it to my kids the other night. I vowed not to do this but no one looked too freightened. I need to get more comfortable with it. I have had some weight gain throught chemo which is disturbing now. Funny how my priorities change. I thought the hair loss would be at the top of my list but now it is the weight gain. I have gained a pound a week since starting chemo. Bummer. Well thanks for listening. My break is over at work so I need to get back. Hope everyone has a wonderful mothers day.
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rsdboys: Welcome to this thread. Sorry that you are dealing with BC too but I am sure you will find lots of support, good information and friendship here. Dry Mouth...are you drinking lots of water? Also I find that rinsing frequebtly with club soda really helps. I'm sure other will chime in with good remedies too.
I am on the weight gain train too but I will let it ride until I am done treatment. I think the steroids have a lot to do with it.
Happy Mother's Day to you too!
Beth P
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rsdboys: Welcome to the club that no one wants to be a part of. Please check back often to vent, or ask random questions. We are here for you as we are all going through the same thing as you. Nothing is sacred!!
Pickle 141 - "Motivational Group" sounds great - count me in.
Today is day 3 of Taxotere and I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. No bone pain or any other SE's for that matter - I'm sure I will feel different by the time the weekend rolls around.
To all of the March Warrior Princess - all the best to each of you on having a SE free day and best wishes to all on Mothers Day
(((HUGS to all))))
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I'm IN for a motivational group too! We're getting each other through the hardest part - the chemo - and then we're on to get healthier than ever!
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Good morning, and Happy Friday to everyone!
Rsdsboys. Welcome, you have come to the right place.
Pickle Count me in on the motivational group too.
Crusader. You have gone through so much, You are an inspiration.
Sakura. I have those white fuzzy strands, I will keep shaving. I am starting to look like a Chia-Pet.
Janet I am sorry you have to go through surgery again, But it sounds like you have a great attitude towards it. Good for you.
Kim Thank you for the Moms day wishes
Luv2sing. I am wishing nothing but the best for the outcome of your tests. Try to stay strong and positive like the beautiful woman you are.
Will. Wishing you the best
Dawnmrn. Thank you for the hair news. 1/2 inch a month. I cant wait
I had a dream last night that my grew about 1 or 2 inches. Boy...was I dissapointed when I woke up and looked in the mirror.
Love to you all.
Buddy
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Hello everyone~
Has anyone here had peripheral neuropathy (sp?) related to their chemo Txs? I have had a pain in my one foot, mostly in my large toe, since a couple of days after my last chemo treatment, and I am wondering if maybe that's what it is???
From what I've read, it often presents as tingling or numbness, but I have had none of that. Just a sore big toe, and some swelling, too. Maybe I fractured it, geesh??!! It always feels worst when I first wake up , and better as I walk on it, so who knows...
Maybe I'm just a clumsy middle-aged gal now, and I hurt it without even knowing, lol.
Hope everyone is having a good, strong, SE-free day
Nadine
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Hello Ladies..
I've just finished #3 of 6 treatments and am finally going downhill.
I wanted to wish all you mothers out there a wonderful Mother's Day!!! And all the rest of us a great weekend! I'm in Maryland and am looking forward to some long-awaited sunshine!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Beth
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Buddy! So good to hear from you! How are you feeling? What is your next step?
beth~ count me in for the motivational group! I need all of the help I can get! I look like Hell!
Happy Mothers Day to All! Dawn
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Ladies, I would love to join the motivational group! I just joined a gym and really want to change my diet, too. Let me know if you need any help!
Diane
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Dawn thanks for asking. I thought the blood transfusion would perk me right up. I am still having some pain after BM',s I am still having pain inside. The breast has healed up fine. I go see the Oncologist next week. He will tell me when I can start chemo again. For some strange reason I am having heartburn no matter what I eat. The hotter the food is the worse it is. This is since surgery.
How are you.???Fill me in. What have you been up to and how are you feeling?
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Glad to hear we have some gals wanting to sign up for the road to full recovery.(post treatment) I have been reading about Tamoxifen causing weight gain so that is one area I would like to tackle when getting back in shape. I don't have a fitness background and have never been very athletic so any suggestions would be reallly appreciated. I haven't done much exercise over the years but I am sure there are a few gym gals that will have valuable input. Strength training is something else I would like to explore and I hear we have to be careful due to lymphedema. I have never really been over weight so I don't have experience with dieting either. I mainly watch my portions (except I don't count wine calories...lol) Any input on keeping weight under control or losing weight would be great.
Diane: What gym did you join? Have you used a gym in the past?
Dawn: I am sure you don't look like Hell...as you put it. I just think that after all this maybe we could all use a boost.
Chick: I agree "healthier than ever" is the goal!
It's an opportunity to get things on track...I want to feel better than I did even before BC. This group has been supportive and motivational in so many ways that I think it would be great to continue.
Let's throw some ideas and start dates around.
Who has knowledge and experience with fitness, diet and nutrition etc.
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I like the idea of a motivational group, too. I can definitely contribute some knowledge about nutrition, and some exercise, as I started a similar "get better and never have to do this S$#! again" plan after my first cancer (Hodgkin's Disease) 25 years ago. And I have been doing it ever since.
...And the plan would have worked, too, if it wasn't for that pesky radiation to my chest (to cure the Hodgkin's) causing this BC, lol! Outside of this diagnosis, I'm what most folks would consider a health nut
Well, speaking of nutrition...off to make dinner for the family. Everyone have a wonderful weekend, and for those of us celebrating, Happiest of Mother's Days!
Cheers,
Nadine
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I would love to be a part of the motivational group!
Janet0527 - I had a hx of family cancer (no BC) and still did not officially hear about the BRCA test until my onc asked me to sign a paper stating whether or not I wanted it done. There have been so many times when I'm feeling this process is moving so fast and sometimes my head starts to swim from all the information (did I mention my doctors all say I read too much ... LOL). I'm just not looking forward to more surgery and recovery. I hate being cooped up.
rsdsboys - Welcome to the group! Pickle141 gave you great advice, drink plenty of water and try to get your rest when your body tells you to... don't feel bad, quite a few of us are putting on the pounds at this point. Doctors really don't recommend that you diet, so just make the best of it, eat when you have an appettite and deal with the pounds later towards the end of your journey.
Buddy1 - Thank you for always bringing sunshine into my day.
5timewinner - I'm no doctor, but I'd get that foot checked out soon. The last thing you want is an infection. I know I've been having more numbness in my hands and tingling in my right foot lately, but I thought that wasn't supposed to happen yet. It's hard keeping track of all these SEs and I'm tired of getting nervous everytime I get a new pain.
Happy Mother's Day to all who have wiped a little nose, dried a litte tear, bandaged a little knee or shared their life, love and wisdom with a little one. Always remember, you made the difference in someone's life.
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I don't know 5times winner. I have the same problem with my toes and fingernails. They are all discolored and my big toe aches like the devil on both feet. And the discoloration on the bottom of my feet is horrendous. I have mentioned this to all my doctors but they do not seem to be concerned just tells me this is just a random side effect of the chemo but to let them know if I start feeling heat along with the sensitivity ( I guess this would mean a possible infection if my feet, toes and fingers start getting hot).
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I wanted to wish all the mothers out there whether your kid are human or the pet variety a Happy Mothers Day. I thought this was cute so I thought I would share
Mother's Day
The kindest face I'll ever see,
The kindest voice I'll ever hear.
The one who cares the most for me
Is my own mother dear.
All through the year
I'll try to do
The things that show
My love for you.
And not be happy just to say,
"I love you, Mother," on Mother's Day. -
Beth (Pickle) I joined Lifetime Fitness because they have child care....they also have large lap pools, I am an OK swimmer and like this as my form of excercise...although I wonder how I am going to find a bathing suit for one boob....LOL. I used to work out like CRAZY...running 5 miles a day, riding my bike, aerobics and I played on 2 soccer teams...then I had kids and it all came to a screeching HALT......and it shouldn't have.
As for diet.....I too have never been overweight but I used to be so much better at eating the right things.....fruits, vegetables, grains, beans....then fell off the wagon when pregnant and haven't gotten back on it yet. I am a member of a yahoo group for natural living and some of it is way over the top for me like using breast milk to clear up pink eye, rain barrels, no vaccinating kids, etc.....I am not in to all of what they post but there are tidbits of interest here and there....I just want to eat better and excercise again. With all of us going through this and having such great attitudes I think that we can all help each other out in the motivation department after our treatments end. I don't mind the BC site but once I am done with it all I wouldn't mind moving the day to day communicating to another forum.
The one think I like about the yahoo group is that you can always access topics through search functions....so posts from months or years ago are pretty easy to find if the writer states the topic in the subject line. There is also space for file uploads and pictures, too. I like our FB group but yahoo is a little easier as far as email threads. You can also choose if you want to receive emails or just access them on the yahoogroup page.
My last chemo is next WED so my new diet starts soon..........................yeeks.
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Hello all, hope everyone is doing great. I had my 3rd AC today, went good. I did get the ST scan results back----NO lump on stomach where I felt something, but there is a cyst on my ovaries, and some enlarged lymph nodes around pelvic area ---oncologist wants me to get a PET scan and ultrasound first and then he wants me to see a gynocolgist. I just hope everything is good. All prayers are greatly appreciated. Hope everyones SE are minimal.
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