**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

MichelleinSJ

Hello All,

I just caught up on my reading.  It's been so hectic here, with the school ending/summer starting stuff.  Good stuff, mostly!  My daughter is done with the mental hospital program, hopefully for good.  She seems to be feeling less depressed, too.  It helps that she won two big awards at 8th grade graduation, including the writing award!  That made my year, honestly.  I got the shakes, and then I started bawling.  She really needed something that special.  Also, I took her to the gynecologist last week, and they think some of her problems could be a result of a blood disorder, and she thinks I have the same blood disorder (we have similar symptoms).  My little guy got a scholarship to go to this amazing daycamp for the summer, and he started last Monday.  He is having the time of his life.  He wants me to work there next summer so I'll be able to afford to send him again.  I might do it.  My 12-year-old son went for his well-child checkup, and I discovered he's well into puberty.  His voice is definitely changing, too.  I thought he'd be a late bloomer, and he's an early bloomer.  He's already my height, and he turned 12 last month.

I started radiation last Monday, doing 28 treatments.  I'm tired today, but my husband and I walked all over Center City Philadelphia in the sun, so that might be why.  I apply for teaching jobs almost everyday.  I take applications with me to appointments and fill them out in the waiting room.  I'm having pain in one rads area, but the doctor's only response is that it happens sometimes, and I'll have to take Advil or Motrin.

Advice!  Sign up with every focus group company in your area, and make sure to include in your profile that you are a breast cancer survivor.  You might end up eligible to participate in some very high paying groups!  I'm waiting to hear if I qualify for one online group that's paying $250.  I wouldn't even have to leave my house!

I wish I could respond to the posts I just read, but I have mush brain and feel a bit self-absorbed.  Plus, I have to take my daughter to the library now for her volunteer job.  Maybe I'll be able to respond later.

Michelle

Dawnmrn1

Michelle!  Glad to hear you are doing well!  Isn't it amazing how we respond when our children do well, I am proud of your daughter, too! I hope you get a job, it seems like you have a ton going on!  Good luck and get some rest!  Dawn

crusader1

Hi All.

Raymon, Sorry you are still having SE's

Michelle- Glad to hear that things are working out better for you. Yes we are happier whan our kids are doing well.

I went back to the plastic surgeon.  He said things are fine with my new breasts. Unofrtunately I feel like shit. I even told him that. He said that this was a big surgery . I had known that but I am just so tired. I stopped the percoset today as I have stiffness but no pain.

Ladies thks again for all of your support.

Hugs to all.

Francine

buddy1

THANKS GIRLS FOR MAKING ME FEEL NORMAL.   I AM CONFUSED WHY I WOULD JUST GET IT NOW 2 DAYS BEFORE MY NEXT CHEMO.   BUT WHO KNOWS.  THE IMPORTANT THING IS   THAT SOME OF YOU HAD IT AND ITS NORMAL.  THANKS AGAIN SO MUCH FOR TAKING A LITTLE WORRY OFF MY SHOULDERS.  IT REALLY DOES HELP.

Ricki13

Hi Girls

Been a long time since I've checked in.  Things with my sister are getting worse so that has been occupying my time and mind.  Finally had a doctor admit that her cancer isn't going to be cured and that eventually they will stop removing the tumours (she has synovial sarcoma) and just treat her symptoms as they arise.  It's devestating and in the mean time I have to keep a happy face for my family and her kids etc.

So finally finished my chemo 2 weeks ago...and no, don't miss it one bit!

Buddy/Raymon....I had a lot of swelling, hand and muscle pain with Taxotere.  Lower back pain like I've never had before..keeping me up at night etc.  I was on a high dose of dexamethasone as I'd had a really hard time coming off it initially so they put me on it for longer.  I felt like a puffer fish with lots of fluid on my chest and around my neck.  You could hear me wheezing to breathe.  And like a lot of us I have put on a lot of weight, very quickly.  Hoping I can start to lose more fluid etc. and my 'chemo belly' as I call it. 

In other news, starting back to work on Monday. In fact I've been there off and on for the past few weeks but Monday is official.  Will have to see how I go because I also start radiotherapy on Monday.  Got marked and tattooed last week.  Hoping to have minimal SEs so I can have some kind of life.

Francine - hope you're feeling better soon.  That post-surgery period is no fun at all. 

Rachel - I'm envious of your energy at the gym.  I'm still working up the motivation to exercise but I'm going to have to if I want to lose this chemo belly...and also I know it's great for the mind!

Michelle - good luck with the job hunting!

Gina - are you ok?  Hope all is well.

Lots of love to all,

R xo

ccbaby

Ok girls, I made it through my last chemo yesterday!!! I can now say the phrase 'PFC' ! hee hee  I will still have to continue on with the Herceptin til march, but hopefully the worse is over now.

I was so out of it yesterday because the night before I only slept one hour!! They always give double the benadryl too because I am allergic to the Tax. When I got home at 5, I went straight to bed! I got up at midnight and ate something and then went back to bed. Another lady on the boards here recognized me because of my avatar pic at chemo yesterday and PM'd me to ask if was me. 

jdeking

Yay Christy! Congrats on your last chemo! Here is a drink just for you!

Ricki - ((((hugs))))) and so sorry to hear about your sister, will send positive vibes ya'lls way.

 Glad to hear that you are doing well Michelle! Good luck with the job hunting.

sakura73

Ricki/Rachel I am so sorry to hear about your sister. It must be an awful time for your family. I am really glad to hear you are done with chemo, though, and heading back to work. As for the gym - I don't want you to think I am the Energiser Bunny or anything! I don't do that much, and I am horrified by how much fitness I have lost this year. But every bit does help, and as you say, the chemo belly has to go! Mine is just gross. But the main benefit of the gym so far has definitely been psychological. What they say about endorphins is true. Still, you have so much on your mind that you should not beat yourself up about not starting exercise yet.

ccbaby well done on finishing!

Michelle that is wonderful news about your daughter's awards. I hope your son enjoys the camp.

Dawn you are always so warm and supportive in your posts. You're wonderful!

Janine let me know when you go naked to the gym! (head naked, of course!)

I had Taxol #3 yesterday - slept through it, no dramas, and less steroid angst than last week, though I think that was partly because DBF, aware of what happened last week (the Great Icecream Argument) was extra sweet to me last night. Today  I am very flushed but I do remember that happening when I first had steroids on AC. The onco told me I can cut down to 8mg x 2 rather than the 20mg x2 I have had for the first three. I had gained weight since last week but I have decided to blame the clothes I was wearing. Jeans surely weigh more than trackie dacks!!

Dayla, Gina how are you both going? And Mom of Boys - you popped in so quickly we couldn't find out how you are!

Love and warmth to all. 

Dawnmrn1

Sakura ! Thanks for the nice compliment! You too are very sweet!  Glad to hear you are fairing better this week. I agree , my fitness level has decreased, but now that I'm done chemo, I have been walking a couple of miles a day and my endurance has improved. The weight is terrible! I hate it ! Nothing fits me, I am going on a cruise  Friday, and I think I'll just wear the same three outfits! I am planning on doing alot of walking on the ship, if I gain more weight, I'll float away!  Hugs, Dawn

Dawnmrn1

I don't what happened to my font size, the computer has a mind of its own!  Sorry

7timewinner

Ricki13~

I am so sorry to hear of your sister's prognosis. I can only imagine how difficult of a time your family must be experiencing right now. And although I know it's important to understand a person's likely path with disease, I do hope that you will remain hopeful anyway. I strongly believe in leaving the final prognosis to God, the Universe, whatever you may choose to call the greater power.

Keeping you and your sister in prayer and light,

Nadine

Alyad

Hi everyone, been away for a few days- just got caught up on posts- congrats to everyone finishing chemo! I feel like it will really sink that I am done this thursday when I DON"T have chemo- 3 weeks after the last one!

I just got  back from my trip to St. Louis for a second opinion on doing rads. I am really glad I went and I feel it was very worthwhile. The only change suggested was that I do have rads to the intramammary node chain, which I am glad of. It all goes back to doing everything I can to keep this from coming back. My tumor was inner quadrant sub areola which is more likely to spread to the intramammary nodes. Sooooo I'm doing rads- prob will start in a few weeks.

 The breast specialist radiation onc doc I saw was Marie Taylor at Barnes- Jewish in St. Louis. I was very impressed with her. I feel like the atmosphere at a teaching hospital is different than where I normally go. Through this whole process I haven't felt satisfied with the experience. I really can't pinpoint what it is- just a lack of connection- I'm not sure. But today was different somehow and better.

 My DH got a job recently- albeit a short term one- but it is well timed to bring in some much needed cash. He's working out of town however- so the transition from being together 24-7 to having several nights alone at a time is weird. I have my post chemo CT/PET scan in the morning tomorrow.

buddy1

ricky  I am so so very sorry about the news of your sister. 

ccbabay  yeah for you  i know you are thrilled 

alyad  good luck with the tests  i am sure they will be fine.  we get ourselves all worked up   glad dh has some work     buddy.

Alyad

I just watched an immensely wonderful and inspirational documentary on PBS about a musican's journey and recovery after a brain injury. You can watch it online.
http://www.pbs.org/pov/lifesupportmusic/

jdeking

Dayla - good luck with your post chemo scans!

Rachel - jeans weigh like 2 pounds more than track pants. At least. That is a scientific fact!  I still haven't made it to the gym. Sigh. One of these days, I will muster up my inner courage and make myself go naked.

Dawn - where is your cruise going? I hope you have a fabulous time, you so deserve it! And I am sure you will rock your 3 outfits.

MOB - how are you?? I hope life is treating you well (despite our darn record-breaking heat here in Texas). Have you finished rads?

bwbly

As you know, the first round of Adriamycin/Cytoxin hit me really hard. My white counts dropped and were "unacceptably low" (my oncologist's words).

About the time I started feeling better from the chemo itself, the infections started. A severe UTI was first. That finally started clearing up with antibiotics, then the lumpectomy site got infected.   I saw both my surgeon and oncologist yesterday.

The surgeon opened and cleaned out the lumpectomy site, then packed it with antibiotic gauze. He told me that this site now will NOT heal, since I am taking chemo. He will be sending Home Health to clean and repack every couple of days. He also told me I will need plastic surgery to close/heal this site. He called my oncologist while I was on the way down to her office.

The oncologist told me chemo is on hold for now (should have had chemo yesterday). She and the surgeon came up with a plan during their conversation. He will keep a close eye on the lumpectomy site until such time as I can have the surgery. Since I only have 3 chemo infusions left to do, we will finish the chemo before having surgery. She told me I will get a reduced dose of chemo since the first one hit me so hard.

I have appointments with both doctors next Tuesday. He will check the site and let her know know what he thinks. If he says ok and I feel ok, then we will do chemo on that day. Otherwise, we will wait another week.

Crap.

Bunny

jdeking

oh no Bunny, that is awful!

Did they give you a neulasta shot after your 1st AC? That would have helped prevent all of these secondary infections.

I am so sorry you are having to go through this, and will send healing vibes your way!!!!

Janine

ccbaby

Thanks everyone and thank you to jdeking for my drink! it was very yummy!

dayla, How did you're scans go?

Ricki..I am so sorry to hear about your sister.  Hang in there.

bwbly

Janine, yep I had the Neulasta for all the good it did LOL. It just seems like this never ends. Why can't it just be straight-forward? I did so well on the Taxol ..... guess this is just chemo's revenge.

Mom_of_boys

Hey!  Still reading almost daily on how everyone is doing.  Finished my 35th and FINAL radiation treatment today.  So... 2 surgeries, 4 chemo treatments, and 35 radiation treatments in less than 6 months.  I would celebrate, but I'm too gosh darn tired.  Don't know if I'm tired because of the BC or the fact it is over 100 degrees almost daily now. 

Good and healing thoughts to all.

~Jan~

buddy1

bwbly  AC hit me the same way.  I had to go on antibiotics after every treatment for an infection.  One time it was a sever very very bloody UTI.  One time it was a week hospitol stay looking for an infection. one time my tisure expaner got infected te whole breast are had to come back out  that was another week in hospitol.  Then i dropped so low i had to have 2 blood trasnfusions.  My chemo had to be delayed.  AC is hard.  I am on taxetere now.  I feel for you.  hang in there.

OK GIRLS  calling out to all of you.  I got some claritin today.  Who takes it for nulasta.  When do i start it and for how many days.

jdeking

Buddy -

 Onc said to start taking claritin day before Neulasta and then take it every day for 5 days.

Hang in there Bunny, I know we all feel for you!

Congrats Jan on making it through all of that! What a super woman!! Stay cool in the A/C, this heat is horrible!

buddy1

JDEKING  THANKS SO MUCH  ONE MORE Q  DOE SIT MATER WHICH KIND   THERE ARE SO MANY.  I GOT CLARITIN LIQUI-GELS  NONDROWSEY    ACTIVE INGREDIENT LORATADINE 

ccbaby

Buddy...I take regular non drowsy Claritin (not the liqui-gels) and it works for me. I take it about 4-5 days.

Mom of boys...Congrats on being done!! I can't wait to join you someday!

buddy1

ccbabay  thanks.  i hope the liquid gels will be ok.  do you think there is a diference.  thanks again

sakura73

Good to see you again Mom of Boys and that is so great to hear that you are done.

 And now - pickle - where are you? Hope all is well.

Buddy hope the claritin does the trick for you.

pinkdove10

Buddy

I am feeling bad that u have to go thru such a tough time.  My prayers are with u. Keep smiling and u will see that this will also pass.

Good luck and take care

Uma

Ricki13

Buddy, I started taking claritin the day before chemo and then for about a week after.  My Onc said this was ok.  Helped relieve some unbelievable itching on my hands etc.  Good luck!

buddy1

OH YOU GIRLS ARE SO SWEET.  I REALLY DO APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT.  YOU REALLY DO TRY TO HELP EACH OTHER.  I GUESS WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.  LOADS OF LOVE   THE BUD

PattiB

Buddy I think I read somewhere here (many many pages back) don't take Claritin D just Claritin but don't remember where I read it.

Mom of Boys - Congrats on being finished!!! I will be done rads on Tuesday then to start Tamox on Wednesday.