Starting Chemo April 2009

Anonymous

Congrats to all of us making it through another week together.  One of my bc friends who is a couple of years out calls me her "lil sista", she says everyone that comes after her in treatment gets that name.  I feel so honored.  We're all "sistas" together making it through.  Everyone keep hanging in there we will make it together.  HUGS, Dawn

aris

I'm glad to hear you all are sticking around because I plan to! I am not done with Taxol/Herceptin until the middle of August, and I will continue on Herceptin until next May.  And I have rads in the fall too, so I won't be done with this for quite awhile. All of this and not to mention that I may have my ovaries removed sometime as well. So, I'm here for the long journey with you all.

 I was out today running an errand and saw a woman with very short hair. I smiled at her (I don't wear a wig, just a ball cap, so my baldness is obvious). She said she was 3 months out of treatment and her hair grew pretty quickly. What was amazing to me was how happy she looked sharing that with me and also how quick her step was. I'm so sluggish and slow these days - it inspired me and made me smile to see someone 3 months out walking so easily! We will be there soon!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Pam

Paula3558

Hi everyone,

I plan on sticking around as well. My last chemo treatment is this thursday (7/16), but it's not over. My oncologist wants to discuss placing me in a study for 3 yrs. for hormone blocking therapy (Femera and IV Zometa). I would like to stay together as we continue on with the next step of our journeys. We have supported one another through chemo and I feel that we have formed a bond that hopefully we can continue. Thank you for all the support. There were a few times that I wanted to quit chemo, and I hung in there because I felt we were in this battle together. When I felt that friends and family didn't understand, I knew I could come to this discussion board to find "friends" that were going through the same thing that would share an understanding that others who are not going through this journey couldn't. Thank you again.

Hopefully I will get through this last treatment with minimal side effects. I have noticed very fine fuzz on my head. Yea!!!!

     

Titan

Glad to hear that we will continue to stick around to support each other through the rest of our chemo/rads/reconstructions or whatever they throw at us!  I am planning on doing cartwheels through the whole lobby of the Cleveland Clinic at the end of my last treatment.  They can't stop me....!  I'm already wondering how I'm going to sit through 3 hours of taxol when I just want OUT OF THERE!  But all in all it is a good feeling to be "almost done" with chemo and hearing that everyone else is nearing the end also. I think that we are all such STRONG people.  Chemo definitely requires a strong spirit and body.   That is what makes ALL of you so special.

Dawn..how did #3 Taxol go?   My #2 went OK...tried the claritin and tylenol and it eased the side effects of the Neulasta shot.   I wasn't "perfect" but I have to just deal with it for 24 hours!   I just keep thinking 2 more times of this Neulasta stuff.  I whine to the doctor about it every time even though they already know I hate it.    

My hair is starting to come back..a little.  I ditch the wig at home and wear a hat...I'm also going "turban free" at night...My daughter says I look like a Martian!  My brother already shaves his head and we are going to a picture of us before my hair grows back I never realized that we looked so much alike until now!

Nadine54

Haven't posted here in a while...I think I haven't.  I am planning on staying around here also.  There was so much help for me and I hope to give support to our new members also.  I have found such wonderful friends...I believe we will continue to be friends for life.  We may never have the opportunity to meet in person but the friendships are deep and wonderful. 

Hope everyone is having a good day and mild SE's.

Nadine )

Titan

Nice to hear from you Nadine!  Looks like you may have some hair coming on there?  Is that a new picture?

One more QUESTION

about

Titan

Nice to hear from you Nadine and glad you are going to stick around..looks like you have some hair coming in?  I just keep looking every day!

One more question about the dreaded Neulasta shot..My dr. says I have to have it after my LAST Taxol...I disagree!  I think I'm going to decline it because I think that it is BS that I have to have it anyway....my blood counts are GOOD! 

Anonymous

Hi Titan,

Good to hear from you, hope you're holding on - not too much further!  I haven't talked to my onc about after the last tx for the shot yet.  I see her on Tuesday the day after I finish and I'll find out then.  I'm wondering if I'll have to do it too since I have my exchange surgery scheduled for Aug. 10 which is 3 weeks after I finish chemo and my blood counts need to be up.  As far as the hair goes, I literally got up one morning and could see it, wasn't there the night before.  It was really light and I could only see it if I looked in the mirror with the light shining in, looks just like peach fuzz.  I'm crossing my fingers for you to see it soon!  Keep hanging in there.  HUGS, Dawn

Titan

I will be done with chemo 3 weeks from today!  The countdown is ON....I actually WANT to go.  Taxol hasn't been too bad for me...Better than Ac but still chemo....It is cumulative so I guess we can't expect to feel "normal".....at least for awhile   Denise, you have a lot going on,,,last chemo, surgery and then the beach....how wonderful for you and your family!  Remember you talked about Beetle Juice?   Well...I'm thinking I'm real close to that....I didn't lose all my hair and what I have left just kinda of floats around...it's almost funny!

Nadine54

Titan:  My Onc had me take the Neulasta every time and my blood counts were also good.  Don't know but think it is from the Neulasta shot that my finger nails grow real fast and are stronger.  On my pic, nope not a new one, that was taken a day or so after DH buzzed my head.  I had a head as shinny as a bowling ball a short time after that pic.  My hair is growing in...I can feel it more than I can see it however...I have these long wild hairs about a inch long.  Those longer hairs are not only wild but have no real color and are real soft, figure they are just tease hairs.  The shorter hairs are course and dark in color.  Will update my pic as soon as hair is noticeable.

 Hope everyone is having a mild SE day.  Hang in there ladies it does get better.

Nadine )

TSmith

I'm planning on sticking around too. Although I have not felt well enough to be on-line most days, when I am able to, this is the first place I come. The support and guidance has been a Godsend for me.

I had Taxol #1 of 12 on 7/9. I had myself so worked up, I really thought I was going to be sick LOL I had just a small reaction, and the nurse stopped the flow for 5 minutes and resumed. 

As far as side effects go for this, I've had bone pain, and extreme fatigue(this I didn't expect so soon.) I've napped every single day since the 9th and still am tired throughout the day. Today, I don't feel like myself, I feel hot and flushed from the chest up. I've been taking my temp every hour and I don't have one.  With the A/C I had to have the Nuelasta shot but onc. said I would not need with Taxol even though I requested it. I hope my counts are good on Friday. I'll be upset if chemo is delayed (NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THAT!!!!!!!) But now that I have started treatment I cannot wait for it to be over, kwim?

Here's wishing you all are doing good

Tonya

Titan

I'm from Ohio too!  Are you taking tylenol or anything for the pain?  Did you call your doctor?  You shouldn't have to be in pain like this..they can help you! 

I have noticed with the taxol that I feel "hot" too...I'm always hot.  The doctors think that it may be chemo-induced menopause but I think it is something to do with the taxol too.  I didn't have hot flashes with AC. 

I would like to say that the Taxol is easier than the AC but I don't know..it is still chemo..it's just different. 

Here's hoping you feel better very, very soon!

Anonymous

Hi Titan and Tonya,

HOT flashes - yes!  I don't break out in a sweat but definitely get hot, and I was always a cold person.  Yes Titan, August should be fun for me - new boobs and a trip to the beach to show them off! WOHOOOO! I'm hoping to at least have a military buzz on my head by then too.  Tonya, definitely ask for something for the pain, have you tried the Claritin?  Keep hanging in there everybody - WE CAN DO IT!!! and WE WILL WIN!  HUGS, Dawn

aris

I was supposed to have Taxol/Herceptin #7 out of 12 today and it was cancelled. I am so so bummed. I have this cough that won't go away, most likely it is from a cold I had back in May. I tend to get a long cough after a cold, but this one hasn't gone away.  It is possible it's from the Taxol, most likely it's from the cough and because I'm immune compromised and on the Taxol, the cough is just slow to heal and my usual healing agents (inhalers) aren't really working.  So my oncology nurse, who has been concerned about the cough for weeks, called my oncologist again and he decided to cancel today's Taxol and just have me get Herceptin and also I needed a chest cat scan.  According to him (and my nurse) for a very small population of Taxol patients, you can get a cough and the irritation can been seen on cat scan.

I'm just so disappointed to have the delay. I saw my oncologist 2 weeks ago and he asked me to let him know how the cough was doing this week.  I so wish he had told me there was a risk of delaying the chemo, or even if he could have checked in with me on Monday and had the cat scan before today. I don't really love my oncologist, he isn't a great communicator, he's not bad, and I trust that he is competent, but I'm just so disappointed.

I just had to vent because I don't really understand the reason for the delay. I've had the cough for 7 weeks now, what would it have hurt to have the Taxol and the cat scan today. Really?

 Thanks for listening. I hope you all have had a better, less frustrating day than I have had.

 Pam

Anonymous

Pam,

Hang in there, I had my chemo delayed because my blood count was too low after my first Taxol.  Said I wouldn't need the shots to keep it up, but I was the exception.  I had to wait four days to get my treatment and that was really hard.  You have yourself set up to finish and stay on schedule and then you feel like you've been sucker punched.  I know how frustrating that can be.  I hope they resolve this for you quickly.  After I got back on track I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel again.  I know my situation was different than yours but I can completely sympathize with you.  HUGS for a quick resolution for you.  Dawn

BetsyBuzz

Hi all,

I'm surprised to read some of you are experiencing hair growth. My hair is still falling out. Especially my eye brows and lashes. I have had my 3rd TX of taxol. I like some I experienced lots of bone and joint pain on taxol. I thought it was suppose to be easier on your body than AC...it was just different. I guess it depends on whether you experience the SE's or not.

My last treatment is Monday the 20th and I am so excited. I just hope my blood counts are good as I do not want neulasta with my last TX. I have a very delayed reaction to neulasta so I experience 2 full weeks of bone pain when they are combined. I'm feeling good so far...so I'm not going to worry about it. What will be, will be and light is at the end of the tunnel.

Wishing you all well.

Betsy

Anonymous

Hi Betsy,

I'm right there with you on the 20th, I'll be done too and that's my birthday so double WOOOHOOO for me!.  I just got off the phone with my onc nurse and she told me that I still have to have the shot after my last tx, they don't want me to risk infection at that point either, that way I will have extra insurance until my blood has fully bounced back on its own.  I started getting peach fuzz on my head right between my second and third Taxols.  My eyelashes and eyebrows started thinning just before the peach fuzz appeared and now I have no eyebrows and probably 1/3 of my eyelashes, but they are dropping like flies.  Are you trying the Claitin for help with the aches?  It has helped me tremendously.  We'll be celebrating together on Monday, I'll be thinking of you.  

HUGS, Dawn

BetsyBuzz

Dawn,

I tried Claritin at the beginning of taxol and it didn't seem to work for me but now that I think about it, it might have been when I was taking A/C??  I'm glad you got some relief from it.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you AND FINAL TX too!  Wishing you a wonderful year.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on my Neulasta shot. I'm feeling so good today, I'm thinking my RBC & HCT are doing better, it's about time!  I can't tell about my WBC.

I'll be sending you positive thoughts on Monday.

Betsy

Anonymous

Hi Betsy,

Thanks for the Bday wishes.  For me, my blood issue was my neutraphils.  I felt great after my first Taxol, was exercising and had a lot of energy so when my blood came back low I couldn't believe it.  My onc said with that issue you are not really going to feel different and there is nothing you can do to increase it, only time will have an effect.  I'm hoping you don't have to do the shot, it is a real pain. 

Good luck Monday.  HUGS, Dawn

Paula3558

Hi everyone,

Had my last treatment of TAC yesterday, WOOHOO!!! If I knew how to do chartwheels and had the energy I would have done them out of the treatment room door!! The nurses were sooo nice. They gave me a completion certificate, flowers and lots of hugs. The doctors and nurses told me that I was an inspiration to them, they actually added the use of claritan and extra strength tylenol to there protocol to help with the side effect of Neulasta bone pain based on my recommendation. The nurses have started recommending that patients go to breastcancer.org for support based on my praises, and I told them that the suggestions of claritain and many other great suggestions of how to better control SE's, hair loss, depression, relationships,etc...... the invaluable list goes on and on. Ladies we have actually become responsible for changing protocol at a Baltimore Cancer Center to others with the side effect of bone pain. Our discussion board does make a difference.

I recommend taking the claritin and extra strength tylenol the morning of chemo, the day after (approx. 1 hr. before the Neulasta shot) and continue for five days. I still have mild bone pain usually three days after chemo, but only for 24 hrs. which is much better than before I tried the claritin. --- I just gave myself my LAST Neulasta shot!!! YEA!!!

Hugs to all- Paula     

Paula3558

Hi everyone,

Had my last treatment of TAC yesterday, WOOHOO!!! If I knew how to do chartwheels and had the energy I would have done them out of the treatment room door!! The nurses were sooo nice. They gave me a completion certificate, flowers and lots of hugs. The doctors and nurses told me that I was an inspiration to them, they actually added the use of claritan and extra strength tylenol to there protocol to help with the side effect of Neulasta bone pain based on my recommendation. The nurses have started recommending that patients go to breastcancer.org for support based on my praises, and I told them that the suggestions of claritain and many other great suggestions of how to better control SE's, hair loss, depression, relationships,etc...... the invaluable list goes on and on. Ladies we have actually become responsible for changing protocol at a Baltimore Cancer Center to others with the side effect of bone pain. Our discussion board does make a difference.

I recommend taking the claritin and extra strength tylenol the morning of chemo, the day after (approx. 1 hr. before the Neulasta shot) and continue for five days. I still have mild bone pain usually three days after chemo, but only for 24 hrs. which is much better than before I tried the claritin. --- I just gave myself my LAST Neulasta shot!!! YEA!!!

Hugs to all- Paula     

Anonymous

Paula,

CONGRATS - CONGRATS - CONGRATS!  What a wonderful feeling that must be.  How wonderful your nurses and drs. sound! and WOOHOO to us BC.org girls for the Claritin protocol change.  Great that you let them know what a great benefit that is.  It has worked for me too!  I'll be doing that cartwheel thing on Monday 7/20, although I can't do them either!  I see you're in Baltimore, I'm just down the road from you in Prince William County VA.  Have a great weekend and celebrate BIG!  You deserve it!  HUGS, Dawn 

aris

Paula,

Many congrats on finishing. It is such a huge milestone. I hope you never have to return to the infusion room for treatment.  I hope your energy builds and you are able to train to do cartwheels!!!!

I'm happy for you and only a tiny bit envious that your done!  I know my time will come soon enough!

 Enjoy, treat yourself and relax. You made it!

Pam

Titan

Wait a minute!  If we can go through SURGERY, CHEMOTHERAPY, NEULASTA SHOTS, AND RADIATION.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO A FREAKING CARTWHEEL....COME ON!! 

Anonymous

Hi Titan,

OK  I LOVE THAT POST!!!  I'm embarrassed to say I could never do it no matter how hard I tried, guess I just have a deficiency in that department. At the moment I think I'm afraid to even practice, my neighbors might laugh - RAPIDLY GAINING WEIGHT, BALD WOMAN, NO EYEBROWS, NO EYELASHES WITH BOOBS OF STEEL trying to do WHAT in the back yard?  I think I'll wait to try!  HUGS to you, Dawn

Titan

I'm planning on doing a carwheel at the clinic..no matter what..I'm thinking that my wig will probably fall off but whatever...I haven't done a cartwheel in years so maybe I had better practice a couple before the main event. 

I have a visual of you in your back yard practicing a cartwheel.....go ahead..maybe we will see you on the nightly news!

Anonymous

Ttian,

Just make sure you don't injure yourself, that would be my fear if I tried.  Try doulble stick tape for the wig.  Everyone needs their 15 mins of fame, maybe that'll be mine on the nightly news.  Please don't share that visual you have of me with anyone please!  Luv u guys to pieces, Dawn

Titan

I called the Clinic and asked about biotin and they said that I needed to wait and ask on Wed. when I'm in for my #7 treatment....that the doctor probably couldn't address it today...I told them it was not an issue...I could wait...I guess.

 I wish I had more patience but I just want to get this chemo done so I can start re-building.  I'm not too concerned about radiation...maybe I should be but I'm not...at least it is every day so there is no time to anxiously wait for the next treatment..it should go fast.

If my wig falls off during the "wheel" I guess it would just be funny.  One time when I was there waiting for my lovely Neulasta shot a lady showed me her masectomy..she just pulled up her shirt and showed it me! 

I think in a place like that anything goes!  The last time I was there someone brought 2 dogs in to make us all feel better.  The thing was the dogs just layed on the floor and went to sleep...!   

Titan

Congratulations Paula!  Now...try that cartwheel!  Hee Hee!   Anyway, hopefully, most of us are right after you in getting the chemo DONE!  Now that one is done the rest of us will quickly follow!

I'm an envious a little too but ...af least it isn't early April and we were all so very scared of what was ahead.....NEWBIES...no more!

We are almost there!   

BetsyBuzz

Paula...You inspired me to try claritin with my last tx and with the neulasta shot, if needed. Now I wish I would have tried it again after my first attempt. I was just so tired of popping pills and had major chemo brain at the time.

Congrats!

Titan and Dawn...no cartwheels for me...but I have started my pilates up again. A cartwheel sounds like a piece of cake after this process, anyway it's a good goal.

Betsy