Starting Chemo October 2009
Comments
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Hi All -
My breast surgeon wants me to talk to a radiation onc to consider post-chemo rads. I had 0/2 nodes and bi-lat mx with clear margins, but, evidently, the margins were close (<2mm?). Onc says no, and obviously PS would like me to not have rads. I don't want rads. HOWEVER, has anyone else started to feel anxious about the end of treatment? Now that I'm at the halfway point (#4 on Wednesday!!), I just have a little anxiety. OK, a lot of anxiety. You all have heard me vent before. I just don't know. I suppose it can't hurt to talk to the guy.
Regarding nails - I am on taxotere and haven't had any problems with them so far. Knock on wood (or my head!). Onc said I could continue to get my nails done. Maybe the acrylic has protected them from the sun? My nail gal checks my nails and toe nails very carefully to see if they are turning black. Also, I know that taxotere is suppose to cause neuropathy, and I think I may have that a little. No tingling, but I can't type as well and I'm a little fumbly with stuff.
Don't know if its chemo brain or what, but I also can't do puzzles as quickly as I used to. I also find myself getting a little foggy while driving (scary!). Maybe foggy is the wrong word. It is more of a nagging, underlying distraction. I am attributing it to anxiety. I hope this goes away after treatment! I asked onc at my first visit if chemo makes it more likely to get Alzheimer's or dementia. He said no. But maybe he thought I would forget!! HAHA
Final note: I totally caved in to my fatigue and hired a gal to help me decorate my tree! She is coming this morning, so by tonight I will be full on Christmas. I decorated the house yesterday, but just couldn't get myself on the ladder for the 12 ft tree. My balance just isn't right. I don't do a theme tree. I have ornaments from my grandmother, my mom, and all of the ones we've collected over the years. It is my favorite part of Christmas to go through all of the ornaments and remember where they are from. Hard to give this job to someone else, but I will be here to "supervise!"
Shopping tip: Online shopping is our friend! Whenever you do this, open a 2d window on your computer. Do a search of whatever website you are on for online coupon codes. You can usually get a good discount and/or free shipping!
Talk to you all soon!
Laura
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Good morning everyone, just wanted to say hello.
Nothing cancer related to say. I took my daughter to The Nutcracker last evening and it was beautiful...I had seen it a few times before, but my daughter has never been to the ballet...Then when we came out it was snowing...I guess that is the start to xmas.
Good day to all.
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Hi -Yes to rads- seems my team just assumed chemo and rads -don't remember people even asking me about these things! I have noticed people struggling w/ choices -I do not remember any choices given -of course we all have choices but do not remember them being verbalized - huh - I think it was b/c the size of tumor was so close to 5cm.
But I do what they tell me (sigh) - I like the sound of that leucozepin that and going to ask about that!
be well -Valerie
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Hello ladies.
I am also having rads after chemo. It wasnt an option for me...my onc just said you will have chemo then rads. I had a lumpectomy so I guess rads was a given. I have neuropathy in my feet...numb heels. Very minor neuropathiy in fingers. Bone pain is completely gone however, my next tx is this Thursday. I hate that I have to go through that pain again. It is really bad. My lowver back aches and I have hip and leg pain. Guess I need a percocet refill. The one positive thing is after this next tx I can finally say one more tx and I am done. That is the best thing ever!!!!! Yes I know I have rads to look forward to but chemo is almost finished. I can see the finish line.
Like AZDiva I also am a little nervous thinking about the end of tx. Did the chemo get all the cancer cells. Will I be free from recurrence. But I also know that worry can not help me but actually make things worse. I have to live life and be grateful for every cancer free moment I get. Time to stop looking in the past and worrying about the future. But to live in the present. I have a lot of work to do with the new life the Lord has given me. I have not taken care of my body and became very overweight...obese even. My eating and lifestyle choices must change. So I have so much to do once this challenge is over.
I really hope all the ladies here have minimal SEs this week. Stay strong.
Anita
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Anita: I think we will all have the same concern when chemo is over, we will be asking "did it work?" Someone asked me the other day when will they check to see that the chemo worked. I said that I don't think they can check. I know we can have PET scans or CT scans but I had both of those prior to surgery, along with a breast MRI, and none of them showed the tumor in the sentinel lymph node which was quite large. When I asked why I was told that PET scans will only show tumors over 0.5 cm.
On the other hand, some people have neoadjuvant chemo and their already-diagnosed tumors visibly shrink. To me this is proof that the drugs do work, so I can presume they are doing the same in my case. Even if I just had microscopic groups of cancer cells that had strayed from the breast, surely the chemo drugs would be even more effective at killing those off than the larger tumors some people have in their breasts.
About Taxol and neuropathy - I was concerned about this too when I thought that I would be moving on to Taxol after AC. I started a thread on Taxol/Taxotere and neuropathy and got a lot of advice on the subject. The supplements that people suggested included: vitamin B6 and B complex, alph-lipoic acid and L-glutamine.
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Dear Mary, All,
I got my second dd Abraxane today. The infusion was uneventful - as I wanted it to be :-) The doctor was very pleased with the fact that I did not get any neuropathy and the GI issues were also much less compared to AC. She believes I may escape neuropathy altogether although with Abraxane the chances of neuropathy are close to 80%.
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MICHELE.
Sounds like you had a great night out with your daughter ,then snow to top it of how wonderful ,its these moments that are so important .How did you go with your last fec how were the SEs
TXSTARDUST
.I love your new pic you look so radiant .
As for me being nervous about the end of chemo, I CARNOT WAIT ,i really hate this, if i could pull the pin on the rest of chemo i would ,but i know its the best for me and i wont do it , i Carnot stand the SEs it really has taken a big chunk out of my life ,with only around 5 good days in between treat ..I think rads is going to be so much essayer ..Well take care my brain has gone on a holiday with out me again boohoo
JOJO JUST
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Hi girls,
I still don't know about radiation for me.......... being I had two tumors one 4 cms and then another one 1 cm there is a "maybe" for me. My oncologist does not think so ~ because I had a double max and clear nodes. No problems with clear margins either. But she is still going to bring it up at some big dr. meeting they have. I did talk to a radiologist when I took my SIL for her 5 year checkup and she said she would say NO, for me. So I am hoping it is just chemo for me. It is more then enough.
JOJO never just ~ I am with you I would love to stop chemo... but not an option. I so hate it. SICK OF FEELING SICK ~ Hang in there !!!Michele ~ your Nutcracker with your daughter sounds so nice. I hope you forgot about BC for a bit and enjoyed yourself. AND snow how wonderful. I picture it in beautiful Canada ~ ahhhhh.
TX ~ is that your wig? YOU DO LOOK marvelous ~ I hope you are feeling ok.
Valerie, Scooby, AZdiva, Unklez, Mary ~ and everyone else. I hope everyone is feeling ok and has a good evening !
Alicia -
Jojo, so far the SE fairy has been kind...no nausea, just yucky mouth, thrush, yeast infection, chemo brain, and 3-4 days a cycle of fatigue..perhaps a UTI (still waiting on lab tests)and the worst is no taste buds...hate that. but other than that good...
Michele
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Hey everyone!
Mary, I knocked out another Navelbine today!
Looks like everyone is talking about rads. Chalk me up as don't know, but probably. I'll have a consult a little further down the line. I have node involvement, so can't imagine that they will pass on it. Just hoping to get through this part first!
I had four rounds of Abraxane and no neuropathy or nail discoloration. I am having a little now. I always wonder when I read about the black polish if dark red polish wouldn't block the light as well........you know, with it being the holidays and all.......
Anyhow, sounds like all are doing well! Take care!
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Hi all!
Radiation - well, my recurrence was within the previously radiated field so I won't have more radiation. Just six rounds of TC and maybe another lymph node excision. The TC seems to be working - the one or two enlarged lymph nodes I had are almost undetectable now. So yay for TC!
No discolored nails yet, though I used black nail polish for treatments 2 & 3 (didn't know about it for 1). It only stays on for about a week before it flakes off. Cheap nail polish, I guess. Just starting to get a bit of neuopathy but nothing consistent. I get a few "zaps" of pins & needles in a foot or hand and then it's gone.
Here's an odd side effect that I've mentioned before. I have chemo Thursday, then get really depressed the following Monday, followed by rage on Wednesday - Saturday. Sounds like a really foul weather report, doesn't it? Some of you mentioned steroid withdrawal and my dr agreed. We're going to cut the dose in half and see how that happens. It wouldn't do to beat up someone during the holiday season. :-)
Joanne - I know what you mean about having only 5 good days between treatment. Just when you start to get better you get hit again. My temporary motto is "If I'm feeling good, it must be chemo week." :-) Hang in there!
azdiva - I get that foggy feeling too. I think that's the worst for me, but it passes with time. Love the online shopping! And the coupons!
michelle - Sounds like a great start to the holidays! THe snow was the icing on the cake.
Everybody - enjoy your Xmas preparations!
E
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Hi Mary,
I finished my 2nd Abraxane today. Show me the smile :-)
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MaryNY, tx #3 is done. Our internet has been down since last Friday. That is like losing the link to civilization. We have just been lost, I hope it doesn't happen again anytime soon.
It will take me a couple of days to catch up on all the reading, but I will get there. I am doing fine, just very tired.
Juannelle
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1L congrats!
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Onty and Juanelle: I updated your
's.Juanelle: I'm not sure how I'd cope if my Internet access was gone that long. I've become so dependent on it. Glad to see you back. It was quiet on this thread the last couple of days. I'm guessing that is a good sign. Probably means that people are not so troubled by SEs. I think everyone is still suffering from them but we all more or less know what to expect now.
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Enjoyful: That sounds very unpleasant what you have to go through from depression to rage. I definitely feel the depression. I typically have really low days on Day 4 and Day 5, then it gradually eases off. What steroid dose are you on?
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Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee just 2 more smileys to earn. Thanks Mary....
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Welcome back Juannelle I was wondering where you were...Thought we might have send out the hounds.
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JUANNELLE
Yeeeeh your back i was a bit worried
Its good to have all you girls to chat with and to have a whinge to, thanks for your support you are all very special
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Glad to see you back, 1L. I've been without internet before for just a few days, and it was like torture! How did we ever survive before the internet? Great that you made it through another tx!
JoJo, we LOVE to hear anything you have to say, any whining included, because we are there with you! I've strongly considered going off the chemo because of the horrible experience I've had so far, not to mention the great expense of the two hospital stays that resulted. But, like you, I'm going to stick with it, in hopes that the benefits are outweighing the risks.
Michele, the loss of the taste buds is such a drag. I tried to eat a Double Stuf Oreo today, and it just didn't taste good at all. Imagine that!
Onty, I'm glad the infusion was without problems or issues. Let's hope you're in the group that does NOT experience any neuropathy!
Michele, how wonderful to share those experiences with your daughter. Isn't that what we're all living for, to have special time with our families? I'm glad you were able to see the snow, too!
Scooby, I'll take that journey with you (as we all will) - the uncertainty will be difficult, but perhaps more difficult is learning how to make the life we have worthwhile. I've also got to make some lifestyle changes, and would be happy to go down that path with you!
Laura, all shopping tips are greatly appreciated! And I'm proud of you, yes PROUD, that you hired someone to help with the decorating! You did something to take care of yourself, and that's sometimes so hard for us to do. Good job! I couldn't find my tree-topper, and didn't have the energy to shop for one, so I threw a Santa hat on top and it looks so cute (my tree is mostly angels and Santas).
Everyone else that I forgot, I think about all of you every day and hope that all is well. We're getting there, aren't we!
Peace to all,
Shelby
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Hey everyone:
Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories. I know that I do not get on here very often and usually am too tired to write once I do log on. I do read about your experiences and thank you all for your ideas in managing tx.
Only a few hours until I hopefully get to Keystone, CO for a much needed diversion to this bc -B&^% S*&^. There is call for blizzard conditions and snowfall measured in the FEET for the mountains so we will see if I can actually get to our home in Keystone today or will have to stay in Denver for the night. At any rate, I am very happy to get away and am loooking forward to different scenery then the four walls of my media room! We will be away tues Dec 8- tues Dec 15.
I was suppose to have tx #2 of my weekly Taxol yesterday. I had my weekly Onc visit before it and she granted me a reprieve. I am so elated - it truly felt like a "snow day" from childhood. I wasn't expecting it. She firmly believes in having quality of life while undergoing tx and thought it better not to tempt trouble with having the tx and then flying and staying at a high elevation for a week. My WBC and RBC counts have sadly plummeted. Not to where I needed shot(s) - WBC was 2.9 and RBC at 9....but enough to be cautious. I am now scheduled for tx #2 on Wed Dec 16.
The Onc was very concerned that my surgeon did not do a biopsy yet on my other breast. She definitely feels the two lumps in it. While I was there she called him and basically chewed him out. I trust both of them so now I am a bit confused as to the difference in opinion as to timing. Anyway, I now have an MRI scheduled for noon on Dec 16 (my infusion of taxol is at 8:30am) and then immediately go to the surgeon that afternoon. While I am on vacation from BC - I will try not to think of that full day of "FUN" on the first day I return home. It will be what it will be and worrying will not change anything so I plan to have fun and come back with a renewed and refreshed positive attitude.
By the bye, as an entertainment attorney and as the nominees for the grammys were just announced, I was looking at some old videos recently and came upon this one ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_j3TDhc8vY (you may not be able to link but may need to paste it into the browser). It is Melissa Etheridge at the 2005 grammys. This was her first performance after diagnosis of stage II grade 3 BC. She had underfone 4 tx of ddAC and 1 tx ddTaxol. She had quit the Taxol due to neuropathy and was undergoing rads at the time of this performance. Inspirational to be sure!
It seems that we have all gotten a grasp on our respective tx plans. It is funny to revisit some of our early posts when we were a group of scared little deer with wide doe eyes. While we did not choose to go into this vast forest, we sure have learned to find the steps through the trees along the way. It appears that we are finally able to see the trees through the forest now!
I am off to wake my hubby and get going on our great adventure. Wishing you all a week without se's - or at least minimal and/or doable se's....
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Hello ladies,
So glad I finally finished my AC this week!!! Yeah!!! Lately I've been getting nauseated just thinking about the Onco's office or even going for my neulasta shot or blood count. Must be a mental thing, but the nausea is very real. Seemed to be getting worse with wach treatment. Hopefully with the Taxotere now, this will be a thing of the past.
I am a little nervous starting the Taxotere - as always when I start something new and don't know what to expect. It sounds like for most of you the Taxol/Taxotere was somewhat easier but the numbness and loss of lashes and eye brows has ame a little nervous. The nice thing is that most of us will be in the same boat around the same time.
A friend of mine, who was diagnosed 2 weeks before me, is on the same exact regimen and will be starting the Taxotere this Thursday, where I will start the following Thursday. So it is always nice to have someone ahead of you who can share their experience and kind of ease my mind.
I hope you all enjoy this time of year with at least some of your energy remaining to enjoy the festivities in your towns, parties, etc. Hugs to all of you. Piffken
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Juanelle ~ Welcome back, glad you are ok. You were missed. I would lose what is left of my mind with no internet !!!
Jacklyn ~ enjoy YOUR trip. I am glad you are really trying not worry about the 16th. We are behind the wheel but not driving this car. A positive attitude is key whenever we can muster it up. Hoping you have a great trip.
Piffken ~ I am with you petrified to start Taxol. I have 1 more AC on Monday. ugh. Did I mention I hate chemo?!
Everyone else I hope you have a good SE free day.
Oh and on another note. MY freaking eyebrows have already started to thin out. UGH, thought I'd have them till Taxol started. I had to pencil them in some already today.
Hugs !
Alicia
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MARY....finished 4th treatment last Thursday....two more to go!
Chemo has been really tough on me and I haven't been able to work while receiving it. They are hospitalizing me for my chemo treatments now and keeping me for two days. I had to receive 2 units of blood this time. The nauseau, headaches, aches, and fatigue are unbelievable. I also had this mouth "thing" where my gums began to bleed and the skin started to slough off of them. That was pleasant.
I'm still waiting for an epiphany but none to date. Feel like I live in a giant snowglobe (in keeping with the Holidays) and someone furiously shook it. The snow is still falling and I'm not sure I'll recognize the landscape when it's all settled.
GML
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Jaclyn, have fun...
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Jaclyn,
I'm glad you are able to get away - enjoy every minute of it!
Alicia, my eyebrows are thinning out, as well as losing some of my eyelashes. I stopped wearing mascara because I felt like it highlighted the missing ones! But, I had very thick eyebrows to start out with, so now most people would think they were barely thinning. AT least now they keep their shape!
Piffken, I can completely understand your nausea at the thought of doctors, treatments, etc. Not a pleasant thing we're going through. Have you considered taking something for anxiety? That could help. Something worth mentioning to the onc.
GML, wow, sounds like you've had a very rough time of it. I hope things improve for you. Why is it that they hospitalize you? Are you having low blood counts? I can't imaging needing transfusions. Good luck to you!
Well ladies, I picked up my dress tonight, and it looks great! I can hardly believe there are only 4 days left until the wedding! I'm so excited! Don't worry, I'll post pictures.
I was wondering if any of y'all have a Facebook account? Actually, I know Laura does (Farmville, anyone?). If anyone is interested in joining up on Facebook, let me know and I'll share my info with you!
Peace,
Shelby
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Shelby....I had my first two treatments in the office and went home...then vomited until my electrolytes were all out of whack. Went to ER both times because I couldn't stop vomiting and they admitted me. So, now, they are admitting me first and giving me anti nausea meds via IV. My blood work is not coming back well, although I don't know enough to know which ones....just that my oncologist mentioned the possibility of a blood tranfusion last treatment and then actually ordered one after this treatment. I'm hanging in there but chemo is way worse than I ever expected. Have a great time at the wedding....
GML
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Shelby I am on FB as well. Will you be my friend?
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GML,
What meds have they given you before chemo to prevent nausea?
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Unklez...."Dec... something" and emend (although they may be the same thing). After chemo they are giving me emend, zofran, and compazine.
GML
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