**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

jdeking

Raymon - so good to see you! Hope you got some sleep, and that your last Taxol treats you better. You are sooooo close to the end now! Congrats!

My hair is finally starting to grow! I have about 1/8th of an inch of fuzzy white stuff. I, too, have been running my fingers over it like crazy! I lost all but 3 lonely lashes, but now I see tiny ones coming back already. My leg hair re-grew, but it is super fine and hardly there, so I think I will make the decision to not resume shaving. I had blonde leg hairs that were hardly noticeable until I started shaving them as a teen.

 malleme - there are blood tests available to test estrogen levels. I suggest meeting with a gyno before starting Tamox to get a baseline transvag ultrasound and then following up every few months to check for changes in uterine/endometrial lining. I do believe depression is a POSSIBLE Se of the Tamox, but it doesn't happen to everyone. Was your BC highly estrogen positive?

 Patti - strange that your Ki67 score was not on your path report. Was there anything referring to 'proliferation' on the report? You can always ask your onc if you are curious.

Have a great week all!

PattiB

JdeKing - I looked again and still don't read anything about Ki67 or proliferation.  I guess I will write this down so I remember to ask about it at my Aug. appointment.  I have a little more than 1/8" of hair on top and less on sides and back.  Seemed to start out dark, but has seemed lighter as more hair filled in.  At this point I can't tell is it is dark hair turning lighter from sun exposure, since I have been walking the dog with no coverage, or if it is greyish.  Hoping for the former.  Prior to chemo I only had random greys mostly in the center down part line on top.  Hoping to have enough hair to go back to my office in September with a cute short do.  I do tend to run my fingers through it all the time too.  I lost my eyebrows just after last chemo, and eyelashes just 2 weeks ago.  Everything is starting to grow back now slowly but surely - and that is all good!!!

pinkdove10

Hi All

Its been awhile.  I am done with all the chemos and now waiting for the rads to start....probably next week.

Great to see that a lot of u guys have fiished with yr treatment. Good luck to all.

Thoes still left...hang in there...it will come to an end soo and there will be a lot more to look forward to.

I have about 7 lashes in all (counting both eyes) ad none of them on the lower lid!  As for the head- thats a total different story. I can see a fuzz , but it dosent seem as if it is growing.  Any suggestions??

The SE from Tax has definately decreased but some still there. The body ache will take some time I guess. 

 Lets all have a positive attidude and keep smiling

Hugs

Uma

ccbaby

I had my first Herceptin only treatment today. I was so glad not to have to any more chemo! I have a consult scheduled with the radiologist on Aug 7. Then I will have a MUGA scan on the 13th and a petscan sometime after that.

Pinkdove...have you went to the Hair, Hair,Hair thread? There is a lot of great advice there. I have been using Folicure shampoo and just started taking Biotin and I use aloe vera gel on my scalp after I wash it.

NanaA

I started rads today and still have herceptin every 3 weeks until next March.  Today the NP in rad onc's office told me a spot showed up on my lung on the ct to set up my rads.  They think I need to have it checked.  It sounds like about 50 50 for it being something other than cancer  I have appt with pulmonary doc on Aug 4.  They thought he would have a more detailed CT done.  The one for rads does not have to be very detailed so it doesn't show enough detail about the spot.  It is only 8mm so not very big.  Some of the things it could be could have existed for years and not been found.  I am trying not to borrow trouble, but it sure seems like when I think I can finally see the end of things coming, then something else happens.  It is hard trying to be positive and up for everyone around when sometimes I just want to have a good cry.  Its not like anyone can take my place.I guess I just needed to vent.  Thanks.  Annette

didle20Diane

NanaA......you will be in my thoughts....keep us posted on the outcome of the CT scan.  Sending positive vibes your way for your a quick resolution.

hugs

Diane

pickle

Nana A: I can only imagine how hard this is for you. The ups and downs of it all. Feel free to vent here and have a good cry when you need to. We are all here for you. Sending positive thoughts and hugs your way.

Pink Dove: I have a few lashes left and sprouts on my head. It just takes a bit of time. I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. Not sure if it helps but it fells therapeutic.

CCBaby: yaeh no more chemo. How is the Herceptin treating you? I don't know much about it....is it very different from chemo?

Raymon: So sorry you are still struggling with all of it but very glad to hear that you stll have your singing voice. I can only dream of being artistic....That side of my brain has never been my strong suit and I so envy anyone who sings, dances, paints or any other artistic ability.

 To all you other lovely ladies...bless you and hugs

Beth P

Alyad

NanaA- I had three spots show on my lung CT scan before chemo, they followed  up with a PET scan and the spots didn't show any cancerous activity. They told me the spots could be a lot of other things besides cancer, mold, scar tissue, infection etc. It is good you are getting it checked out.

I had my rads simulation last thu. I am getting a more complicated, more precise version of rads called IMRT or tomotherapy. My bc was on the left side, and I am having the intrammmary node chain irradiated due to central tumor locations (mine was inner sub areola) being more likely to spread to that chain vs axial node chain (where I had one positive node and didn't sample any others). So I am getting the IMRT to avoid zapping my heart.

They haven't used the IMRT for breast cancer at my center before- used it for lots of other cancers. They made a mold  that goes over my chest and locks down to the table, so I will be in the exact same spot everytime. I was there for about 90 minutes, it took them a couple tries to get the mold right since they hadn't done a breast one before.

I started an august 09 rads thread for any of us that are doing that.

oh yeah! I got my port out last week too! It was done in the doc's office- they shot me up with lidocaine and sliced me open, pulled it out, sliced off the old scar skin and re sewed it. It hurt but it was over quickly. I couldn't sleep on that side that night, but after that it was okay- its still a little tender, but REALLY nice not to have that bump there anymore!

My hair finally decided to start growing too! Still just some short fuzz, but many more hairs than before and if I turn my head right I can see a shadow of dark hair! exciting!

moborn63

Hi Ladies. Wanted to wish all a good day. May we have more and more. Here an angel for you all. She is the angel who protects all with Breast Cancer. Boy she has been working overtime lately. LOL

bethr

Hi All...

NanaA - My thoughts and prayers that the spot is nothing to be concerned about.  Hang in there.

moborn - Thanks for the angel..  Beautiful!!

I go for my rad simulation this week and should start rads somewhere around the middle of August.   No new hair yet but I think it's too early to expect any...  Can't wait for it..  I'm so tired of wigs and scarves...

Hope you all have a great day!  

Beth

PattiB

Hi Ladies - Wishing you all well!!   About the hair, I asked onc. about the hair vitimins, Biotin, Nioxim.  She says nothing is really proven.  I chose not to take extra vitimins but bouth Biotin shampoo only.  It was kind of amazing that one day your see the black shadow, then white fuzz mixed in, then all the sudden it will seem like it grew overnight!!!  11 weeks since last chemo I have full coverage, maybe about 1/4" long.  I have been going out with no coverage for the most part, but if I'm going to a party or function, I have been wearing a buff.  I think I'm going to stop that for the most part now.

ccbaby

Pickle...Thanks! Herceptin is different than chemo because it does not kill the healthy cells like the chemo does. It targets the cells that cause Her2. So, there aren't very many side effects. So far, I don't feel too much different, just a little dizzy.

ChrisC433

Hi Ladies,

 Haven't posted in awhile,,,,just lurking!  Two weeks post surgery and my arm still hurts like a son of a gun.  Can't wait for the nerves to get figured out.  See doc on Thur. and hope to start ROM exercises...seems like I had more range right after surgery than I do now.  Went to meet Rad doc today.  Pretty much explained everything.  Get CT scan and markings on Aug10 when I get back from cruise.  Then rads start Aug. 17.  Looks like 28 reg. and 7 boosts.  Hoping to be done on 10/2...son gets married 10/3...would be a great celebration!

 I have been looking at Hair, Hair, Hair thread and will now look into Rads in August.

Hope everyone is doing well.  It is so nice to chat with you all and not having it about nausea, constipation, or pain!!!

Chris

Mom_of_boys

Annette... Thoughts and prayers coming your way!

Alyad... Never personally mentioned how much I enjoyed the pic of you two in a canoe.  It relaxed me just looking at it...

PattiB

Chriss - Your sons wedding sounds like a great way to celebrate.  Have fun on your cruse

crusader1

Hi ladies,

I too have heard that many of these tests -- cat scans and Pet scans show false positive. My oncolologist said I didn't need any scans as I had no node involvement and early stage , small tumor. She said if I did the scans many alarming things might show up and really be nothing. So she discouraged me from having them.She is an aggressive doctor and I agreed.

I went back to my PS  to have a few stitches removed and he said my flap surgery is all healed. Now I will wait a few months and try another expander. I hear that the third time always works..LOL

Hugs to all,

Francine

Luv2sing

Hello Everyone.  Can't sleep and trying to type with one hand

The angel is beautiful!  Been trying to read the posts I've missed.  Even though my hair is growing I'm thinking about giving the Biotene and Nioxin products a try ... couldn't hurt.  My final taxol treatment is this Friday and my rads consult is Aug. 5th.  I'm happy and nervous at the same time.  My onc did say she will be doing scans post rads to re-stage my cancer and I'm relieved to know that.  Especially since I did have node involvement and some other issues.  Just want some form of closure...any form.  Not going to stay on much longer, cause my one hand is getting a real work-out.

My thoughts and prayers are with all and no matter what, keep smiling.

Dawnmrn1

Hi Raymon! Keep your chin up, you've been through so much. You are lucky you are going to be restaged, I'll say a prayer for you! Hope you got some sleep!

moborn!  The angel is beautiful!

My hair is fuzzily growing, I'm  5 weeks out!  Hope you all of a great day!  Hugs, Dawn

ChrisC433

Annette:  My rad doc told me that the CT scan that they do is not very informative as far as if there is any cancer. He said they don't use any enhancements, so cancer is not the focus.  They are looking for the area of where the cancer was.  He said they get a lot of false readings with those CT scans.  I wouldn't worry too much.  I'm sure if it didn't show before all this that it isn't there now either.

Raymon:  Good luck with your scans. It is so comforting to have new tests that show things are so much better.  My doc doesn't rescan unless I have symptoms or blood tests show increase in markers.  If I get too nuts....I'm going to have some phantom symtoms in order to get the tests done.  I know they are expensive, but my peace of mind is worth it!

Take care everyone!

Chris

kim40

Hello Ladies

It's been a while since my last post. Glad to see the thread is still going!

I finished chemo the 17th of June and am almost done with rads. Two sessions left.  I have developed mild LE due to radiation so now I am being referred to the LE clinic.

I do have a question?  My hair is starting to sprout, but when will I see some lashes and brows!  I'm getting tired of drawing the brows on! 

Take care!

pickle

Hi Kim. Only two sessions left....that's awesome. As far as brows and eyelashes go....I don't know what to tell you. My darn eyelashes started falling out 3 weeks after chemo. Eyebrows are thin and I am still pencilling them in. I am encouraged though...I finally had to shave my under arms....it's been months since I had to do that so I'm hoping brows and lashes aren't too far behind. Hang in there...they will come back. Isn't it fun to have sprouts on your head. It makes me fell sooooo good every morning to see a few more pop up. Although they are definitely more gray than I rememeber...lol

Nice to see you back on this thread.

Beth P

sakura73

Hello lovelies,

It is great to see some people checking in after a long absence. Hope you are all doing okay.

My onco is anti-scans because he says they don't add any value - apparently the ASCO policy is that all those PET scans etc do not prolong life (an ominous way of assessing things!). So I won't be having them, apparently.

I have made it half way through Taxol - 6 down, 6 to go. My hair is growing - it is about a centimetre all over and is long enough that in the morning it is flattened from sleeping on. No colour in it, though - still whitish. I have had to shave under arms and legs, and my lovely free Brazilian will soon be history too. Now that was one aspect of chemo I really liked. But my eyebrows are still disappearing. This morning in the gym the sight of my lash and brow-less face, all sweaty and red, was rather unappealing!

pinkdove10

Hi all

Went in for my simulation yesterday and will start rads next week.  hoping it all gets over soon. 

Luv2sing- I noticed u r A Tri-Neg.  There is  a thread on called 'positive thaugths for TN' . See if u like it.

All thoes who have got some hair...... how long after yr chemo did u see some fuzz or growth.  Its been a month since my last chemo and i still dont see anything happening.

ccbaby

Pinkdove...It has been almost 4 weeks PFC for me and and I can feel and see some stubble growing.

crusader1

Hi All,

Great to hear from some of my friends. My hair is getting thicking each day but still only a quarter of an inch.Can you believe almost 3 months post chemo. Luckily I never lost my brows . They just thinned out. Now they are growing once agin. No I have not shaved under my arms at all. I do have some hairs on my legs. My eyelashes are still quite nonexistent. I guess there are a few. The Brazilian Wax is  still there.

All in all things are beginning to grow back.

I think the most frustrating part of this is that your hair will not be back for a long time. I guess a new look isn't that bad...

Regards to all.

Stay strong..

Francine

bethr

Hi All,

I don't have any new growth yet, but I'm only three weeks out so...???  although my head has been itching more than normal lately and I'm wondering if that's a sign... 

I'm so frustrated because my feet and legs are swolen constantly.  It's driving me nuts!!!

I hope that SE wears off soon!!!

I can say that yesterday I celebrated a little because it would have been a chemo day..  BUT THAT'S OVER!!!  hip hip HOORAY!!!

Have a great weekend all!

Beth

Dawnmrn1

Hi Beth ! I'm a few weeks ahead of you and at about 5 weeks I have a fuzzy head,colorless and fuzzy around the back, like a balding man, sparse on the sides and top, very attractive, but it is something!  HA! HA! I too have been swollen esp. in the heat and if I am on my feet alot, my onc sai it may take 3 months for this to stop!!!! I do notice the mor water I drink the better off I am!  Celebrate the fact that no more poison is going into your body!  It takes time to get rid of it!

Happy weekend to all!  Hope you all are enjoying the summer!  Wishing no SE to those still in TX!  Hugs, Dawn

kim40

Well, no offense to anyone, but I'm glad everyone's hair is coming back colorless!  Whew!  I thought it was just me.  Mine is coming in thick on the sides but rather sparse on the top.  No pit hair yet, just a little stubble on my legs and my Brazilian is still there!  Eyelashes are non-existant.  Looking forward to when they will be back.  Who would have ever thought that we would be so happy to shave our legs and armpits!! 

Happy weekend ladies!  Take care!

Luv2sing

Hello Everyone!

Finished my final Taxol treatment!!!!!  I'm still not 100%, but at least I'm moving forward.  Have to meet with the Onc on Monday as she wants to talk with me before I meet with the Rad Dr. on Wednesday.  I can only speak for me ... this has been life-changing, eye-opening, spiritually fulfilling experience for me.  Along the way I had to weed out some people in my life and accept others into my life.  I had to (and am still) making some hard choices in my personal life and am trusting God everything will work out. 

Before I forget, I want to share some pictures ... my hair growth (I giggle everytime I look at this) 

Hugs & Kisses, Raymon
Dx 1/23/2009, IDC, 3cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 1/7 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

bethr

Hi all,

Dawn - Thanks for the info.  My Dr. said the same.  The swelling is much better.  I just had a really bad couple of days with it...   ugh!!!!!

I hope you're all doing well.... 

Here's a rainbow for you all....

To remind us all that there is one out there for each one of us!!!

Have a great week!

Beth