Starting Chemo April 2009

1…3233353738…173

Comments

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Do try it again..I fnally tried the claritin and tylenol after Nuelasta #6.  It seemed much better.  I'm going to take more for #7 and see what happens.  I agree with you,  Betsy,  on the popping the pill thing...I don't like it either...I have the neulasta on Thursday...so I drug up on Thursday and Friday and then by Saturday i try to just take the tylenol and claritin in the morning and that is all then.no more drugs at all until the next shot...I do have a prescription for Avatan but I have only taken one pill.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited July 2009

    I am sooooo haapy for everyone finishing CONGRATULATIONS.  Saw my surgeon today an dmy bi-laterak and node dissection and port removal happens on Aug 20.  I had my second to last Taxol yesterday still feel good today about Sat evening I get the bone pain that lasts until Tues AM I do not get Neulasta on Taxol did on AC but Neulasta never gave me bone pain thank goodness but the Taxol has something AWFUL.  Claritan did not work for it

    My last chemo is July 30!!  ONE left.  I think I am feeling goos bacause I see the light and having the surgery scheduled is awesome.  Then I have the ooperectomy about Mid Sept, then I will REALLY feel more than half wa y done because then all I have left is 6 weeks of radiation few months to heal then reconstuction.....

    Thanks to everyone for all the support congrats again to the finishers and the rest of us are in the chemo home stretch!!!!!  YEAH

    Hugs

    Lesley

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DUTCHinAtlanta
    DUTCHinAtlanta Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2009

    Annabelle had her 4th and last T/C on July 2nd.  Still has some itchng and what appear to be hives on her back and sides (Taxotere toxicity?); but glad to have completed that part of this journey.

    She starts 6.5 weeks of radiation therapy on Monday, 7/20.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Way to go Annabelle - CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS!  Keep on moving forward.

    HUGS, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Hey Dawn,,working on my daughter's laptop...not very good at it!  Way to go Annabelle!  That is my Mom's name...so you must be a very awesome person because my mom is!  Anyway,,trying to keep busy during these last couple of weeks before I'm done with chemo!  I want it over so  bad!  I am considering having acupunture done after my nuelasta shot this week.  Insurance will pay for it so I thought what the heck!  Happy Birthday to you on Monday Dawn..another thing..I practiced my cartwheel last night when no one was home and I still got it!  I am going to be DAMN ready on Aug 5th at 3:0O pm

    Re'cd  a statement from the clinic for chemo....what do people do without insurance?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tulipbebe
    tulipbebe Member Posts: 85
    edited July 2009

    Annabelle - Congats!!!!

    Today marks the last day of my treatment as well.  I received T over 1 hr and H over 30 mins today.  Yipppee!!  I'ved not posted much as the neupogen has been causing me bone ache.  I've asked the onc to give me Neulasta next round to cut down my pain.  Will start nuking my boobs in 2 weeks time. 

    Btw, want to find out.....if down the road I switch jobs, will people not hire me just because I had cancer before?  It's been so long since my last employer I don't remember if the questionaire required us to fill out our health history.  Won't that be discrimination?

    Hope all's well for the rest of the week!  Bring out the margarita and champange ;) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula3558
    Paula3558 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Leslie-You only have one more to go!!! WHOOHOO!!! Are you going to do chartwheels? --I'm just coming out of the chemo fog from my last treatment on thursday. 

    You guys are right! With what we have been through a chartwheel should be a piece of cake!! This is my goal, to do a chartwheel by the end of the summer. (lol) My grandkids will probably think that I have lost my mind.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited July 2009

    Hurray Paula, Annabelle, tulipbebe and Dawn!  ALL DONE!!!! You all must be in heaven!!! And a great big happy birthday to you as well, Dawn!  Tammy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited July 2009

    I haven't posted in a while. I am 12 days out from my 5th tx and just starting to feel normal. The first 4 werew manageable, but this one really hit me hard. I was pretty discouraged but am doing ok now. The sixth and FINAL TCH is a week from this Thurs (7/30). Then of course I will continue with the "H" only through March, but I'm not too concerned about that. Just NO MORE CHEMOS!!!! Rads will start late August, too, and Tamox. But still... only one more chemo to go.

    But of course, I have to DO that final chemo and to be honest, I am a little scared of going through it again. This was one really hard week. I am hoping this next week is a good one and I can get rested up and EAT and regain my strength. But I keep thinking that next time, when I get better, I don't have to do it again after that. RIGHT????

    I've been so strong so far, but this one left me a little shaky. Hold my hand, ok?
    AmyEmbarassed

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lena
    Lena Member Posts: 1,036
    edited July 2009

    Hey all...

     

    Leslie and Paula -- I've been doing TAC, so you're not the only ones. Awful, isn't it? My heart is with you.

     

    Thursday 7/23/09, the day after tomorrow, I go in for Round 6 of 6.  But no cartwheels for me, thank you. Heck, I get hit with instant fatigue just from getting up from the couch or my desk chair even...and, I've never done a cartwheel in my life anyway.

     

    Wish I could say I was looking forward to Thursday, but I'm not. Every time they hit me with this stuff, it knocks me on my ass harder and longer. I'm so sick of being brain dead and feeling like crap all the time. Since my third treatment, I've had only one good week out of three, and the "good" is relative (I'm still fatigued, brain dead,  and having hot flashes like crazy) but my appetite comes back and food almost starts to taste like food) -- I haven't felt like Me at all. Unless, of course, feeling like crap all the time is the New Me, and I have to accept it. :-P 

     

    Saw my oncologist today, and yes, the swollen feet I got a few days out from my last treatment is from the Taxotere. He prescribed me a diuretic and potassium supplements which I start taking tomorrow morning, so I hope it helps. The swelling is asymmetrical -- left foot/lower leg pretty bad (I almost can't put my left shoe on), right foot/lower leg only slightly noticeable. Six months I'm told is how long it'll take for all the chemo side effects to go away-- oh no, 6 MORE months without my brain?!  :-O

     

    Here's a Chemo Brain story for you all: I was cooking a hamburger for dinner, and while the burger was cooking, I peeled an onion (I like onion on my hamburgers). Soon as I got it peeled I'm thinking it's time to turn the burger over, so I turn around, pick up the spatula, flip the burger, turn around again, and...I CAN'T FIND THE ONION. I search and search my tiny little kitchen until I'm in a tizzy. By the time I find the onion, the burger is done. Guess where I found the onion, too -- IN A DIRTY COFFEE CUP IN THE KITCHEN SINK! :-O

     

    I hope they give me some time to at least partially recover from the chemo and not rush me onto the operating table.

     

    Congrats to those of you who are (FINALLY!!) done with this shit, and for those who are still mired in it, I wish you as few side effects as possible!

     

    ~Lena.

     

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Betsy, YIPPEE! We're done, can you believe it? 

    What an emotional day today was.  The chemo nurses sang Happy Birthday to me, then I burst in to tears and cried most of the way home.  I think since today was my birthday and I finished, it was extra emotional. 

    Tammy, thanks for your wishes, so nice of you!  Keep hanging in there, the end is within sight.

    Titan,  The countdown is on for you now too.  I didn't attempt the cartwheel, too scared I might injure myself.  I'm hoping that maybe I could get you to do an extra one for me when you do yours???

    Lesley, Keep working - you're almost there.

    Hugs to all of you, love you guys for all the support you've been to me.  Can't wait to send out a big CONGRATS to you and we can all say we made it through this hell.  We're better and stronger in the end and need to be so proud of ourselves.

    HUGS, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nadine54
    Nadine54 Member Posts: 230
    edited July 2009

    Lena:  Love you post on the onion.  Been there done that.  I am one month and 17 days out from chemo and I still do some crazy things.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula3558
    Paula3558 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Dawn- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula3558
    Paula3558 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Lena- Hang in there, only one more to go.  I start back to work on thursday for a few hrs a day, I'm worried because of the chemo brain. I guess they will understand and work with me. I hope! I have trouble finding the right word in mid sentence. Feel like I have dementia. Six months to get back to normal, that's scary. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2009

    I finished 2 weeks ago. While I don't feel like total crap any more, I still have some SEs from the chemo and think I'll be in this chemo fog for a long time to come. I have completed 10 out of 25 rads so am fatigued still or again... don't know for sure. Good luck to everyone as you finish and here's hoping for minimal SEs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Dawn..Happy Birthday and Happy Last Chemo Day!  So excited for you I did a cartwheel last night!  My daughter did one too!  We both looked like idiots! 

     Lena...be glad you actually found the onion!  It could have been a bad thing if  you would have stuck it in a drawer or something!  But I know exactly what you mean..sometimes when I'm putting groceries away I get stuck on where something goes...my kids had a book when they were little that said something like peanut butter in the cupboard, jelly in the refrigerator..I just keep saying that over and over in my mind...I also try very hard to read the newspaper from front to back and do puzzles..I don't know if it helps or not...my friends don't see any difference in me so I may have been foggy before I even started!  Good Luck on Thursday...hopefully it will the easiest one for you!  Remember everyone on here is thinking of YOU!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited July 2009

    Paula,

    I sent you happy birthday thoughts and warm wishes yesterday as I got my last Taxol infusion. Unfortunately it did not go smooth for me. Maybe I was just too excited. Anyway it started out with the onc. dr. saying I should probably not have the last tx because my WBC was so low. He said if I was not on my last TX he would have canceled it. I think it was the look on my face. Of course he placed conditions on it, yes I have to go in for a neulasta shot today. YUCK but it's my last one - I can handle it. I also can't go in public or to work. I wish I would have known this weekend...I went to two BBQ's and there were lots of hugs and kisses. Then during my infusion I felt sick for the first time. Had very bad stomach cramps and nausea as my last bag was finishing up, they gave me more fluid and adiavan (sp?). I slept most of the afternoon and felt much better by the evening.  Oh well...I'm feeling great today so I can't complain.

    Titan - I tried the Claritin. My onc said he just read about it on his email this weekend. I was his first patient to ask about it. I'm hoping it works.  

    After 1:00 today I will be done with chemo.YIPPEE!!!

    Hang in there everyone. We are on or close to the home stretch.

    Betsy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Congratulations to everyone who is finally finishing their long, hard journeys!!  I wish you all the best in your healing and recovery from the chemo effects - you do start feeling better within a week or so after finishing and it gets better from there.  Rads are a piece of cake compared to chemo! 

    Wish I could say the same thing for Femara.  Was on it for only 2 weeks and started having the "usual" side effects issues . . . meaning side effects out of the norm.  Both my doctor and I decided to stop it for a week and see if they subside, and if they do, we'll be looking at another alternative.  What a process this all has been - certainly a very different 6 months than I've ever had!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aris
    aris Member Posts: 124
    edited July 2009

    Congratulations to everyone who is finishing up. I am thrilled for you all! I still have until the end of August, but I know it will come soon enough!

    Don't forget to celebrate. Ending chemo is huge!

    Pam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula3558
    Paula3558 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Betsy- Congrats on your last treatment!!!!! Wish we could upload pics or video of each of us attemping to do chartwheels!! HEEHEE. Oh. Betsy- try taking the claritin every moring with extra strength tylenol for approx. 5 days. And continue taking the tylenol every 6hrs. as needed for pain. It really does help!!

    chelev- My oncologist wants me to start Femara and IV Zometa will discuss it with her in about 3 wks. at my next appt. It's part of a study for post menopausal women. I'm concerned about SE's. What happened with you?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aris
    aris Member Posts: 124
    edited July 2009

    I had my Taxol/Herceptin #7 today and my doctor discontinued my steroids as part of the pre meds for taxol. I was shocked that she did this, she had mentioned the possibility of doing it, but I guess I didn't believe her. Does anyone else not have steroids with Taxol? I still get pepcid and benedryl, though.  I'm hoping that I won't notice any difference, but do wonder what to expect. My usual nurse is on vacation and the covering nurse said it would be fine. 

    On a completely different note, I changed oncologists this week. I felt I could have a better relationship with the new doctor so I made the switch. I am relieved and happy. I know this is going to be a long term relationship, so I'm happy to have found someone I'm comfortable with.

    Pam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Titan,

    Thanks for those cartwheels, I would've loved to see it and thank your daughter for me!  How are you doing, getting closer - YIPEE!!  

    Thanks for the congrats on finishing, I can't believe I finally made it.

     HUGS to all you great and STRONG women, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Dawn,,,I was wondering when we were going to hear from you!  Are you feeling great?  You have your reconstruction soon and I am so excited for you and hoping everything goes well!  It seems like our journey is made up a a lot of baby steps and we then end up doing cartwheels at the end!

    One more taxol for me,,today went very well except it seems to take soooo long!  Doctor told me to hold off on the biotin until after chemo,  He did say that I could put aloe vera on my head if I wanted to,  He finally agreed with something I needed to do!  I'm ready to start my claritin and tylenol early tomorrow to help with the Neulasta shot,.  I feel it is very helpful. 

    I definetly feel the love and the hugs from everyone on here..don't think we could all do so well without the support.

    Love and hugs to everyone on here..I'm getting a little mushy....must be the drugs!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Hi Titan,

    I think I just had to take yesterday to absorb everything, couldn't believe looking back that I had actually made it.  I think just the mindset of being done makes any se not seem so bad. My dr. scheduled my port removal for 8/3 and my exchange for 8/10.  I can't wait to get rid of this port and these tissue expanders, I've had enough of hard foreign objects in my body.  

    One more tx for you - I can't wait for you to feel that happiness of walking out of the chemo room and knowing that you don't have to go back there for that again.  It was so emotional, more than I ever could've imagined.

    My onc has me doing the shot still after my last tx just to make sure my blood is good for my surgery in a few weeks.  Wish I didn't have to but I'll take it just to know I'll be OK for the surgery.   I forgot to ask about the biotin when I saw my onc yesterday, I'll have to call back. 

    OK to get a little mushy, I think the closer I got to the end the more filled with emotions I became.  I guess I could blame it on the hormones but I'm not sure what they are at this point.

    Your countdown is on - I'm sooo happy for you and everyone else getting close.

    HUGS, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Have a great weekend everyone!  Practice your cartwheels put please don't hurt yourselves...start easy...you can do this! 

    Bought the aloe vera gel...put it on my head and eyebrows!  I have 15 eyelashes left and eyebrows are thinning.  Hope they come back soon!  I was hoping that if  I didn't think about it they wouldn't go! 

    My 2nd to last taxol went very well....I didn't have to wear the blood pressure cuff at all!  They told me as long as I was breathing I was OK...I guess after awhile you aren't a newbie anymore and they know by now how well (or not) you tolerate the chemo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Dawn, congratulations on getting across the finish line!

    Paula, my onc called me on tuesday morning and told me to stop taking Femara, which I did anyway that morning, and I started feeling better that day.  Nausea took a few days to wear off, but was gone by today.  Immediately had an energy surge and actually worked out on Tuesday.  wed., we did a 4 mile bike ride to our pizza place for a slice - it was really nice.  Onc wants me to call him next week to discuss other options.  I am going to ask him about progesterone cream or something that isn't a chemical AI.  If Femara is one of the gentlest, then I will definitely get worse se's with the other two.  Not sure what all I am going to do yet.

    I keep forgetting about the aloe vera gel and I was just in a health food store today.  Chemo brain still lurks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula3558
    Paula3558 Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2009

    Chelev,

    Good luck with finding a replacement AL. Let me know what is recommended. I know what you mean about the chemo brain. I left the house and left the basement sliding glass door open, not unlocked actually OPEN!! I have a dog, she's 12 yrs old and probably would just check to see if a robber had anything to eat. (lol). Thank God there was nothing missing. I couldn't believe I did that!!! - Paula

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Chelev,

    What a great feeling that was. Thanks for the congrats, now if I could just get hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, I'd be good.  I think bc has definitely taught me patience, or at least I'm trying to learn it.  

    HUGS to everyone for a GREAT weekend, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Found peach fuzz today!  What an awesome feeling...took my car out on the highway, put a Jimmy Buffet CD in and I had fun!   I didn't care if anyone saw a 49 year old woman singing in her car!    Gotta go practice cartwheels!

    On a serious note...been thinking about this whole cancer thing....WE CAN BEAT IT!  Sometimes it is so scary to contemplate the entire situation...and I wonder should I be happy about the peach fuzz?   HELL YES! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    YOU GO TITAN,

    I knew you'd see some soon!  So proud of you and YES, we can and will beat it!  Peach Fuzz is definitely a reason to celebrate!!  It' 5'oclock somewhere!!!  HUGS, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories