November 2009-Starting Chemo

suzieq60

I was in so much pain yesterday, it wasn't funny - nearly couldn't walk. I've made an appointment with my physio and will go straight there after rads this morning. This morning it feels a lot better as we have a mattress protector with magnets in it and it really seems to work.

I did buy some pads to stick in the crease under the boob and wore my bra all day to hold it in. I swore I would never buy them again but what the hell.

Winter is starting to hit us over here - we had 2 blankets last night. The days are just wonderful, beautiful clear skies and nice and warm and sunny all day.

Love to you all

Sue

Melinda41

Suepen: I am sorry you are in pain, I hope the physio can come up with something to give you relief.

GrandmaMickey: keep us posted on what the rads onc says. I still haven't met mine yet.

I had my first naked H today, I was in the office for two full hours but only half hour of drip time. PET scan on 6/2, next infusion 6/3 and onc will let me know what scan said. There was a question about rads, nurse made it sound like it wasn't a sure thing but I saw the onc and he said it is not 'if' but 'when'. I just assumed it would be in the next couple of weeks. My fear is that if the PET scan still shows activity, they will want to do more chemo, but that is a completely unfounded fear since I have never heard anyone say that. So I will stop making up things to worry about.

I saw the cancer shrink today for the first time. So now I have a cancer shrink (therapist) and a cancer shrinker (onc).

Kids said I need to order pizza even if I don't have chemo so Domino's won't worry.

doronet

Hey, you guys, I'm still waiting for someone to explain exactly what "Naked Herceptin" is.  The visual I have is not pretty. 

Melinda:  what was with the office visit for 2 hrs, but the drip for only 30 min. of it?  Was the 1 1/2 the time it took to take off your clothes for the naked H?

Sherri_V

Okay, so today was my consultation with the radiation oncologist.  My sister went with me.  We both really liked him and his P.A.  I go again next Tuesday to get things going.  If I remember correctly, they'll do a chest CT and then make a plan, after that they'll schedule me for a simulation then I'll start the real thing.  M-F, 5 days a week for 7 weeks.  I was SO relieved to know that I do not have to pay a co-pay every time I go in.  They will bill my ins. as outpatient services! 

What a stressful day it's been!  Thanks for replies to my concerns - I appreciate it

Melinda41

Nette: I get one and a half hours of foreplay...what kind of clinics are y'all at where it is "wham bam thank you ma'am"

Blood draw, see the research nurse, get the port accessed, do the drip. My next appt is for 10:45 but I am not scheduled to be in the chair until 11:30. The computer even spits out a chair number, I guess so they know they have enough chairs for everyone. It is a real happening place, (I would say that people are dying to get in, but that would be wrong to say and too twisted).

Melinda41

Sherri: I am so glad that you don't have a co-pay, I was stressing for you.

suzieq60

Melinda - When I have my herceptin, it takes 2 hours. 1 1/2 for the infusion.

Nette - naked herceptin is when we don't have chemo with it.

I went to the pyhsio and he gave me a good massage but wouldn't do a manipulation seeing my ribs are probably weakended by the rads.

More skin came off under the boob - eeek. Saw the nurse and she dressed it. She said it happens because of the fold of the skin and the rads going through 2 layers of skin - yukkk!!!!! Now I've got special burn gel and non stick dressings to use, so I wasted the money on the bloody pads.

Cancer sucks!!! That's all I can say at the moment.

Sue

Melinda41

Suepen; I am so sorry that you have a bad burn. I hope the new cream helps.

BrendaSharon

Suepen~~~~

I can only imagine how much pain you must be in!!  I'm so sorry. I know if they gave you the burn oitment it is serious. I wish I could take some of the pain away for you. I feel so lucky and realized how blessed every day that I have been had such relatively little side effects and pain. Makes me feel like a boob for ever complaining.

And all of you girls with the neuro pains~ ~ ~ ~ ~  (((((gentle healing hugs)))))

suzieq60

Thanks Girls - it's not painful at all luckily - just uncomfortable. It's only along the crease between the boob and the chest. I don't even know if you could describe it as a burn - just a breakdown of the skin. Good warning for big breasted women. There was probably nothing I could have done to prevent it. Only boosts left - so that's something.

Sue

Cafelovr

I had my brain MRI yesterday. All I can say is Relaxation...Thy name is Ativan I think I slept the entire day away yesterday. Now I just have to wait until Wednesday for the results, but the tech did say she didn't see anything that jumped out at her.

Sue, I'm so glad you're not in pain.

I'm ususally there for a while too when I have my naked Herceptin. Between labs and results, the time it takes to get the meds and chit chat, it's a few hours. Darn Benedryl still knocks me out! Does anyone NOT get Benedryl with their infusion???

Alicia...HAPPY BIRTHDAY   

Melinda41

Linda: You get Benedryl with the naked H??? I don't get the benedryl so I get to drive myself like a big girl! I wonder why you are still getting the B? I thought that was to help with the Taxol? And they said that I would probabaly not have any SE with the naked H as I had already built up tolerance to it over the past 12 weeks.

I hope you can enjoy your weekend without worrying aboutthe MRI. I am glad your tech gave you the nudge nudge wink wink.

Alicia: I second the Happy Birthday and may I say in your facebook pic, your boobs look great!

JustmeAlicia

HI girls !!!  I missed you all this week, but got some sun for everyone !  Glad to hear from Kayh and so glad the you heard from CCNANI ~  hope everything is good.  I hope everyone's aches and pains get better.  Thank you for the birthday pics and boobie compliments ~  I am feeling good.  Still tired have some sore spots from the exchange still but all is GOOD !  It felt good to live life and not think about cancer for a few days.  Not this week but next week is my first followup with blood work and all with the oncologist.  Dreading it ~ but will enjoy another week break from dr's this week. 
Hugs to all !

suzieq60

Linda: Good luck with the test results - fingers crossed. I don't have anything else with the herceptin and have no problems at all with it. I'm not in pain but I'm wimpering a lot. The dressing came off during the night and I'm scared to look at it, in case more skin has come off. You can't fasten the dressing with anything and just have to hope the boob keeps it in place.

Alicia: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

We still haven't heard from SharaD - I hope she's OK

suzieq60

Had my first boost today - only 4 to go. The nurse checked my raw area and dressed it for me. I'm still very weepy but my back feels a lot better.

The hair is coming in nicely - DH reckons it's grown since yesterday Now where did I put that mirror?

Sue

Melinda41

Sue: I know nothing about radiation treatments yet, so can you tell me what the difference between a boost and a regular zap is?

suzieq60

Melinda,

The regular zap covers the whole breast - I had 2 each time from different sides. The boosts are aimed at the surgery scar and they use different electrons - I haven't researched it yet, but it is a different type of radiation. They added an attachment to the machine which came right down close to the boob. They marked a square around the scar which was the area they were zapping. If I find anything about the difference, I post it for you. I think the boosts are shallower in penetration.

micheleboots

Alicia, happy Biirthday......Now I have to go back to my Facebook to look at your boobs.....strange tyo say that...

doronet

Melinda:  The boost, according to my rad onc, is different solely for being directed on a smaller, more focused area, ie where the tumor was.  The amount of radiation is not different nor is the type of radiation different.  In fact, the techs have a different name for it instead of "boost."  They called it the something like "the direct-field..." something or other.  The week before the boost, the tech asked me if the rad onc had mentioned the "...[whatever'] field.." and when I didn't recognize the term, I said, "Do you mean the boost?"  and she said, "Yes. That."  The only thing to be aware of is that the boost area, having gotten the extra days of rad that the larger area didn't get, will be more prone to "skin damage."  That area got redder, more tender, and was more sensitive than the larger area.

Suepen:  didja find that mirror?    Only 3 rad sessions left???!!

My hair is comin' in nicely.  Will still prob. not go top-less until school is out in June.  I will be more comfortable seeing the kids I sub for at the pool on a casual basis by then.

Happy Monday!  Nette

BrendaSharon

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Melinda,

The boosts concentrates on the area where the cancer mass was found. It doesn't radiate the entire breast area. It did not seem to burn as much as the regular Rad Tx.

Suepen, I am sooooo sorry you are having problems with your radiation Tx's. At least you are almost done. I found the boosts not to be as harsh.

Alicia,

Hope your trip and birthday where both awesome for you. Your hair is looking wonderful.

Cafe, Let us know how the results turn out on Wed. I'm glad they gave you some ativan to relax.

Hope all have a good week.

(((((healing hugs))))) 

suzieq60

Melinda:  I asked the radiographers today about the difference between the boosts and the normal treatment. They said the normal ones are Xrays that go right through the breast. The boosts are electrons which only penetrate a much shorter distance.

Sat around waiting for 45 minutes for the nurse to arrive today. If they have patients at 8am it would make sense to have the nurse there at the same time. It was nearly 9am before she arrived.

Cranky Sue

Melinda41

That radiation stuff is interesting, I am eager to get started, in a sick sort of way. In my brain, they should give the major zaps to the area of known involvement first, and then lightly toast the surrounding area for insurance.

Suepen: Hope that your spot is getting better. Sorry that the nurse if a late doofus.

I went to my first support meeting at Gilda's Club last night. It was a small group of men and women with various cancers at various stages. I liked that since it wasn't "pink" at all. So I have a new cancer support group and a new cancer shrink, I will be the picture of mental health soon!

suzieq60

Melinda: Thanks, but it's not a spot anymore it's a large area and is totally gross. Every day more seems to have come off under there, although now the full breast rads are finished it should start to recover. The radiographers said it looked nice and dry. We'll see what the doc says today, I may be able to use something more agressive on the area.

I just noticed I've lost my bottom eyelashes - eeek!!! You think with all the staring in the mirror I would have noticed before.

Sue

Cafelovr

My cancer is gone! They got all the cancer from the breast from surgery. The brain MRI came back negative; no evidence of metastatic disease. The abdominal MRI says "No measurable lesion in the location of previously seen hepatic metastasis and now with only ill-defined enhancement within this region. No new hepatic lesions." I'm taking ill-defined enhancement means scar tissue, but I see my onc on June 2. I can finally breathe. Knock wood...Herceptin is working. Gotta love AC/TH. They killed me and knocked me on my a$$, but it's saving my life. That's something to smile about  Cyber drinks are on me!

I had my simulations today. They explained a boost as an electron treatment to my skin only. It's very superficial that won't damage my heart or lungs. I get one a week. I'm glad I'm not modest. Everybody and their father were in there.

suzieq60

Linda: That is the most fantastic news!!!!!! I'll have a toast to you at lunch today - a nice South Australian chardonnay will do the trick.

Sue

micheleboots

Linda, such AMAZING news....I will have a drink to you as well....it will most likely be a margarita..

Sue... one thing to look forward to is that two weeks after your last treatment, it will start to get better.  Before you know it you will only be slightly tanned.  Then you can start laying out in the sun with your other tata out to get it tanned up as well.  Those lashes will grow back fast as well...I can us mascara on the top lashes already...

Melinds... hope you start to get your zapps soon...

JustmeAlicia

Linda ~ I am sooo happy for YOU !!!!  I will toast you with a diet coke ~  (I don't drink)  LOL  So glad YOU and chemo kicked cancers ass. 

Sue ~ the lashes come back quickly, but it is hard when they go..........  Hang in there soon your hair will cover your eyes !

Melinda ~ hoping you get rads underway soon, so you can kick cancer's ass to the curb too !!!

micheleboots

Sue perhaps your hair will grow so fast that you can use them as a comb over for your lashes...like a cute sheep dog.

suzieq60

Hi Girls,

I'm not upset about the lashes - hadn't even noticed.

The doc says I can now use the zinc and castor oil cream on the boob so that should speed up the repair. I must say my mood has improved since the physio fixed my back.

Just changed my avatar to show off the new hairdo I'll post a new hair pic after I come back from lunch.

Sue

mabelle

Yeah Linda! Such wonderful news!

I still haven't been called about my first radiation appointment - I guess I'll call them tomorrow and find out what's going on. I have to go to my plastic surgeon to have my foobs deflated by 100ccs each. My Rad Onc said he wanted me to have that done before tx starts - cuz he couldn't get a clear shot through them as they are right now. They're gonna look like wilted prunes. ugh.

I don't get anything else with my herceptin tx. - so I too can drive myself like a "big girl"! And its so quick, I can go back to work right after the infusion. 

take care all! 

Sue - your hair looks great.