Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

stlcardsfan

It seems I don't get on this thread as often during the week and it takes forever to get caught up.

Mslrg - good luck with work! No transfusion as of yet. I actually feel fine and continue to work full time and putter around my flower garden. I have been resting a lot when I get tired, and eating lots of spinach, and a few pieces of red meat. Blood gets checked again on 6/11 when I go in for pre-operative testing.

Lssymom - what a great idea. Your party sounded like a lot of fun. For my last Chemo at the treatment center, I got to ring the bell. Normally there are a lot of people there, and everyone claps. But since I got done so late, there was no one left in the waiting room, and I was one of the last people left to leave the treatment pod. Anyone my hubby took a picture of me ringing the bell and that was that!  We did go to one of the local casinos 3 weeks later when I was feeling better for a celebration dinner, and of course a little gambling - I love to play slots!

Thanks to all who responded back about the Herceptin only, glad I am not the only one still getting the fun stuff!

On the hair front - my head definitely has what I call a five o'clock shade. There is a lot of black stubble up there, so it appears that the Biotin is working. My leg hairs have started to grow again too - boo! Still no underarm hair, and eyebrows very thin but holding there own. 

I finally was able to have a diet pop this past weekend with no mouth burn. I tried to have one a few days after my first Chemo way back in Jan, and it hurt my mouth so bad. So, 24 days after last Chemo I tried again - and no mouth burn! I can finally have diet pop again!! Seems my Chemo induced heartburn is no longer as well, I am gradually trying the "trigger" foods and so far so good - welcome back ketchup!  

My doc has gone back and forth on the need for radiation. So, now I have a consultation with the radiation oncologist in early June to go over all my stuff. With surgery 6/21, I guess the final answer will come from the pathology report - praying for clean margins when I have the surgery! 

KAJDerby

stlcardsfan- Yeah about the soda!  Glad your mouth burn is gone.  Will be praying for your surgery and clean margins!

mslrg

Issymom--cool party! Cool picture! Great fundraising idea!
I made it back to work today, one of the hardest things, but it was good to get back even though I am in constant pain. I left after 8 hours, which is early for me, but I can only do so much. I made it. I'm knackered, but I made it!

Issymom

Mslrg - Congrats on making it through a day of work.  I think you said that you only had to work this week then you had a few days off and then maybe a little more work before a break.  You are 20% done for the week!  You can do it.  Just think of it as a distraction from all the other crap.

VegasDiva

GraceOkinawa I'm so sorry for the loss of your son.  Your words were beautiful.

Issymom love the picture of your and your family.  You all look great!!

The wake last night was so sad.  Seems Tari died in her sleep from complications of her diabetes.  It happened during the day while she was home alone.  Her sister found her when she brought her son home from school.  There was a huge turnout at the wake.  It must have brought some happiness to her family to know how well loved she was.

I am going out with some girlfriends this Friday night to celebrate finishing my treatment.  Nothing like a little food and wine to put a smile on my face. 

stlcardsfan

So - this past Saturday I went to a free skin cancer screening. Figured why not, I already have one type of cancer, better make sure the skin is good. And since I am BRCA 2 positive, it slightly elevates the risk for melanoma.

When I was there, I mentioned to the person checking me out about a spot right above my lip that always seemed to be dry, and during chemo, cracked and bled a little. She took one look at it, and said that appears to be Actinic Keratoses - one of the earliest stages in the development of certain types of skin cancer!  She recommended that I be seen by a dermatologist and have it treated. I was all over that, and today it was taken care of. They way they are treated is by cryosurgery - freezing using liquid nitrogen. Took about 7 seconds, she told me that, and now I have a slightly larger red welt, which will in time to turn a scab and fall off. I am so glad I went to that screening!!!! Good news the rest of my skin check was fine! I use SPF 50 every time I go out in the sun, and make sure to protect my head and ears as well. Just wanted to pass this on as we can never be to careful, and it seems the Chemo makes are skin more susceptible to sun burn.

KAJDerby

Today would have been our son's 31st birthday.  Happy Birthday, Eddie.

wren22

lssymom--LOVED the picture!  What a great, supportive family you have!  On the hair front, I didn't see any growth until about six weeks after my last chemo and now I have about 1/4'' all over.   It is much, much darker than before and of course, lots of gray in there too.  We had to postpone my chemo party since my father in law died a couple of weeks ago.  Eventually I will have all my friends over for a "martini night" on our deck.

mslrg--good luck with returning to work--you can do it!!  Just do what you can and each day will get a little easier.  I still take a nap almost every day when I get home from work.

graceokinawa--beautiful picture of your son.  I am sure you miss him terribly.  Will say a prayer for you and your family today.

bubbalu

GraceOkinawa:  I know your heartbreak.  We lost our son in 1981 at the age of 'almost' seventeen.  I will say that you never really get over it but you do get better at living with it.  It's like losing a big part of yourself and you have a big crack in your heart that never heals.  Losing a child is like no other loss.  You've had the worst thing happen to you now, you can do anything.  Eventually you will remember the happier times and the sadder times will fade but not completely.  Know that someday you will be together again.  Prayers for you and your family.

mslrg

Grace--prayers and blessings to you and your son.

Wren--sorry to hear about your FIL.

 I am exhausted! y son graduated frim 8th grade today. From there, I went to work, then a retirement reception, then for an EKG and pre-op labs for my recon surgery, then to dinner to celebrate the graduation. I have blisters on my feet from not being used to wearing heels, a headache, and my blood pressure was 140/100 in the doctor's office today. I have to work 2 more days--then a break. We're going to Washingon DC to visit family,leaving Monday night. My congresswoman arranged a white house and capitol tour for us. Very cool!

Issymom

So I am not a worrier but after all I have gone through, sometimes it is OK to worry.  On Monday, I had a pre-op pelvic/trans-vaginal ultrasound for my hysterectomy next Friday.  They were checking the fibroids that I have to make sure that they won't make it too difficult to do the surgery via the robotic device (easy recovery).  Also, because of my BRCA+ status they wanted to check my ovaries to make sure there was nothing suspicious.  If there was they would have a gyn onc in on the surgery.  I thought everything looked ok based on the things the tech said but my gyn called me today at 1pm and 8pm (I was out both times).  She is not the one doing the surgery so I was surprised that she would call me.  She is probably not calling to tell me that there is cancer there but my mind is going there.  If the fibroids are bad, I will have to have the surgery the old fashion way (8 inch incision).  I really am not prepared for a lengthy recovery from this surgery.  Hopefully, she will call early tomorrow and I can keep my thoughts at bay.

I ready to be done with worrying about what other shoe will drop.

pagowens

Hi All,

To Grace and Bubalu:  Losing a child is the worst.  A friend of mine lost her 5 year old when I was very young with 2 babies of my own.  The pain and heartache was awful and the effects long term on both mom and dad.  It made me totally paranoid about my own children and from that point on - no movies or other "entertainment" where kids die.  Too upsetting.  I am so sorry for both of you that you had to suffer this terrible loss.  Hugs to you both.

Had my #11 of 12 Taxols on Tuesday and the last Avastin.  Had to go to my primary doc late last week to get additional blood pressure medicine - which is working to bring it down from record high levels for me (an Avastin side effect).  Mslrg - go to your primary and get that blood pressure addressed!  It's not good to have that diastolic at 100 (the bottom number).  Mine was at 115 last week and is at 90 now and going down. 

Have been working part-time (20 hrs) and got permission from oncologist to go back to work full-time after the last chemo.  Although I am glad, I am tired every day - so, I understand the naps and nackered at the end of the day.I have enough energy to do something for dinner and than that's it - into bed by 7:30.  I ran out of sick time in mid-May and am now using up vacation time.  And, I want some left...because I definetly need a vacation when this stuff is over!

Now it seems I'm on everyone's list for a "checkup" or "checkin."  Went to the Breast Surgeon on Tuesday for a 6-month and she felt me up pretty good and said both boobs are feeling soft and healthy and things look very well healed.  Gave me a slip for a unilateral mammo on June 2.  The onc set up my first appointment with the radiologist - which I also have to see next week after last chemo to begin that process.  I guess this will be my life - checking in with various docs over time.  Thank god for good health insurance.

Thank you all for posting the gifts you've brought to last chemos -- I will have to purchase because I am simply not Martha Stewart.  So, I am purchasing an Incredible Eadibles bouquet for next Tuesday for the good sweet stuff and bringing some mini Italian cannolis for the bad sweet stuff.  I was told I'd get to "ring the bell" next Tuesday...but if its anything like this past Tuesday, I'll be the only one left anyway!  If I wasn't so worn out, I'd be jumping for joy...but, I'm just glad this phase is ending and hoping for a swift recovery from all these side effects.

As for the question of what I'm eating -- am trying to drink organic smoothies in the morning made from bananas, Greek organic plain yogurt, organic nonfat milk, and other fruits on hand (have some delicious blackberries) alternating with McCanns Irish oatmeal (with banana slices or raisens).  For lunch, I eat something like:  An orange, sardines in mustard sauce with multi-grain crackers, strawberries, water or ice tea; For dinner, we're trying out various recipes from Rebecca Katz's book along with standard stuff - like tonight we had a nice organic baby spinach, Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, Trader Joes crumbled Feta, organic hard boiled egg, organic chicken slices, tomatos salad with an Artisan bread/Omega butter spread.  And for a snack right now I'm crunching on plain veggie crisps.  However, I'd rather have had a diet soda, cheeseburger and potato chips at any time today. I'm hoping that when my tastebuds revive I will learn to love this stuff.  After chemo I'm going to add in the green tea and start taking my vitamins again and re-start the Latisse and get the stuff for your hair to grow faster and buy the children's aspirins to add to my medicine box for a daily dose.

Issymom - great picture, great party - holy cow - a LOT of people and that you used it for fundraising is great planning! Hooray to you. I admire your courage, your stamina and your great sense of humor!

I'm also trying to get back to exercising.  I put my sneakers and socks on the steps for upstairs where my treadmill and other machines have been waiting for me.  Progress.  My chemo angel sent me pink sneaker laces to help motivate me.  They are on the steps, too.  I started wearing my pedimeter and am averaging about 5,000 steps a day without exercise.  An active adult needs to do 10,000 steps - so I'm halfway to active already! LOL

Hugs to everyone - I think we'll all be moving on soon to other tasks and the only fond memories I'll have of chemo is meeting all of you.  Thank you for making it much more bearable!

Pat

KAJDerby

Bubbalu- you surely understand.  It is better this year than the past years.  We can even share memories that really make us laugh about the times with our son.

Thank you all for your kind words.  You all are so sweet.

Issymom- I would be beside myself and really frustrated with myself that I missed the doctor's call!  Praying you don't have to have the bigger surgery.  No fun!

Pagowens- I got tired reading your post.  I don't seems to have your energy level!!!  My last chemo will be on June 24th.  Soooooooooo looking forward to that, although I will still have to go in every three weeks for my herceptin refill!

Mslrg-how cool about the tour!  Our daughter went to DC for Spring Break of her senior college year last year(that's a mouthful) anyway, she had a great time!!!  Enjoy!!!

stlcardsfan-I have a spot on  my chin that I really need to have removed.  I had it removed once and it grew back.  It is just the pre stuff, but needs to come off.  I just feel too overwhelmed with all this bc stuff that it scares me to think about cutting on another part of my body.

mslrg

Issymom-sorry you have to have the "old school" hysterectomy--that what they want to to me if  go with one--also because of ibroids. Having had a c-section, I know what that 8-inch incision feels like. Not something I want to do again!

Pagowens--I hear you about the BP--I was hypertensive before, lost 40 pounds and it went away and I have been completely off meds for 18 months. It's been up and down since my breast cancer diagnosis, though. I am often borderline. I think the stress of this journey is getting to me. I may have to get back on medication for a while.

I got my labs back today. Iabs back today. I am no longer anemic or neutropenic, but there's white and red blood cells in my urine, which means there's some type of infection, which has to be investigated further.

KAJDerby

Ok, I am typing some for this thread so we can be back on the first page in this section!  We have been on the first page since December and I think everyone should know that we are alive and kicking over here!!!

mslrg

Good on you, Grace! I completed my first week back to work! Boy am I tired, but I did it. I found out today that I have a kidney infection--so I began antibiotics for it this evening. Does this saga ever end???

mslrg

bump

KAJDerby

Well, we have made the decision to go back to the States.  Our daughter was hired to teach in Ohio.  We will be settling in the Cleveland area.  Our daughter leaves in July.  My husband and I will follow on September 3.  This has been such a difficult decision and we will miss our people very much.  My husband announced it to them this evening at church.  Just thought I would let everyone know.

mslrg

Grace, once the ida of your decision settles in, you'll feel more comfortable with it. Congratulations on your upcomng move. And congrats toyour daughter for getting a teaching job-those are rare entities here in California. Friday was the last dayfor ten of my teachers because of budget cuts and lay offs!

I took my own advice and got a recliner from La-Z-Boy yesterday. Sleep and pain levels are much improved!

georgiabirdgirl

Well, I made it through the surgery and am home now.  I feel SOOOO much better.  The relief is enormous.  My husband is taking great care of me and my kids are staying calm around me.  He's handling the drains pretty well and I really look better than I thought I would.  I actually see the end of this craziness coming.  As long as my recovery goes well, all I have to worry about now is the tamoxifen and exchange.  My hair is growing back too.  I still look mostly bald, but it's shooting up all over.  I'm starting to see signs of the old me showing back up. YEAH!  I am going to plan a big party at the end of the summer to say thank you to all my friends and family who have pitched in to help us so much.  I'm off work for the next 6 weeks and I'm going to do my best to work on my health and recovery.  My best friend is coming again for 2 weeks to help with the kids, so I am really excited about that too.  What a change a couple of days make to my attitude!

michelle_nj

Hello Ladies,

I hope you all are doing well and enjoyed the long weekend.
Yesterday was a beautiful day here in the north east. We went for a stroll in the City with a late lunch on a patio, followed by Cirque du Soleil, OVO show. It was very enjoyable day, just a bit inconvenient for me, with both drains under some baggy clothes. Tomorrow I have appt with my PS and they'll remove the drains too. Otherwise my recovery is slow. My toenails are falling and my skin is still very dry. But the eyebrows and eyelashes are slowly growing and are not white like my hair, I mean fuzz.
I'm preparing a list of questions for my next week appt with my oncologist. Are we supposed to test our bones after the chemo? I mean bone density? What kind o tests did you girls do? Or intend to do?

GraceOkinawa - Congratulations on your upcoming move and good luck.
MsLrg - Good for you to buy that recliner. You need a good rest especially know when you are working.
Georgiabirdgirl- I'm so happy everything went well for you and you are feeling better than expected and optimistic.

Best wishes to everybody!

mslrg

Georgiabirdgirl---glad everything went well. The scary part is waiting. Hope you go from strength to strength.

My family and I are leaving for the airport in about 30 minutes. We're taking the red eye from Sacramento to Atlanta, and one of my best friends, who lives there is going to meet us for breakfast at the airport. Our next flight is to Baltimore. My SIL and niece are picking us up, and we're staying in D.C. for about 9 days!!! We NEED this vacation. I'll do my best to log on and check in with you all while I'm gone. We will be staying with our niece, Lisa, who works for FORCE. She and I are going to an event on Sunday night about breast cancer, body image and intamcy issues. Lisa is BRCA + and had the BMX and recon BEFORE she ever got cancer. She's my niece, but only 3 years younger than me.

The recliner is HEAVEN!! Wish I got it about 7 months ago! Take care, everyone!!!

pagowens

Hi All,

Grace - Moving is a big deal and your international move is one that I imagine is exciting and will be exhausting.  Take care of yourself during the process.

Mslrg - I love the DC area - you'll have a great time and it's great weather on the east coast.  Have fun, enjoy and relax.  You deserve it!

Michelle - I never got any suggestion re bone density testing from my oncologist.  But, I suspect my gynecologist will give me a script for bone density testing for my fall visit.  So far I've only gotten a script for a unilateral mammogram from my BS (I had lumpectomy), which I take tommorrow.  I spoke with my onc last week re "testing" and post-chemo.  She does not believe in lots of testing post-chemo.  She said we'll be "monitoring" my body's health....which worries me because clearly I didn't know I had the cancer growing in the first place and thought all was well with the world.  If I was inwardly astute I would have caught the cancer at Stage 0 rather than been surprised at Stage 3. 

And, I hate these suggestions/assumptions that all of a sudden I can "monitor" my body.  I didn't know I had 10 lbs of tumors on my uterus in 1993 when all of a sudden, post annual checkup, I had to have a hysterectomy.  The gynecologist said to me "Didn't you notice your waist was disappearing?"  My answer - Nope - thought that is what happens when you get fat.  The doctor I went to last year for my knees said to me:  "Wow, your right knee has advanced arthritis, didn't you see the swelling and feel the pain over the years?"  My answer: Yup - thought that's what happens when you get older and I just put up with it.

So, how the hell am I going to "monitor" my body for cancer??  I'm the type that if my right arm was falling off, I'd be thinking - well, ya know, I've been using it a lot lately - probably needs a rest.

I'm screwed.

I get my last chemo today - YEA!  But, I'm just still not up for a celebration....am just too dog tired to go for the whoopla yet.

Ciao!

Pat

wren22

GraceOkinawa:  Congratulations on making the decision to move!  I live in Northeast Ohio (Canton area) which is only about an hour south of Cleveland.  If I can be of any help, please let me know!  Maybe we can meet in person once you're all settled in!  Good luck with this big decision.

KAJDerby

Georgiabirdgirl-so glad that all went well and you are doing better!  I was so scared before my mastectomy!

Pagowens-I hear you about that monitoring!  Not sure where my 7cm came from and no one found it until it was that big!  "Monitoring" hasn't worked for me over the years either!!!

Wren22-OOOoohh!  That would be so much fun to meet!!  Where do you go to the doctor?

Well, I have a lump in the one breast I have.  Swollen lymph nodes also.  Pain and itching on my nipple (same symptoms as the left breast before they took it off!)  Today is my chemo day, but will see what the doc says.  Praying they will do the needle biopsy right away!  Haven't been able to sleep.  Soooooooooo ready for this whole nightmare to be done!!!

georgiabirdgirl

GraceOkinawa-  Good luck with everything for the move.  I cant imagine how much work that entails.  I am praying for you and fingers crossed that the lump ends up being nothing and that you learn that fact quickly. 

pagowens-congratulations on the end of chemo!  party when and if you feel like it to celebrate.  It's enough of a celebration just being done with it all.

Mslrg- hope you are having a great time in D.C. That is one great town.  I went to college there for a bit when I first went away to school and I loved it.

1marmalade1

georgiabirdgirl:  Glad to hear your surgery went well.  I had my left mast. & nodes at 8 a.m. today - was home in my recliner by 2 p.m.!  No recon, though.  I haven't had even one painkiller - no need for it.  I am so glad it is over.  Hubby empty drains for me tonight, no problem - public health nurse will come in for the next few days to monitor.

Just have to get through the rads and Herceptin until end of Jan./11.  Chemo over weeks ago, so I've got the 2 major ones under my belt now.  Slow - but sure, is how it goes. 

Good luck to all the Jan. girls who are now finished, getting through surgery or rads, and moving on.

KAJDerby

Had chemo today and doctor scheduled me for US next Thursday.  He will be doing it so that if he decides I need a biopsy, he can do it then.

zappit

Grace - Good luck ...will my fingers crossed for you.

Georgiabirdgirl and Marm - Gald the surgery is behind you. Good recovery.

I know what you all mean about the monitoring - I too am skeptical about it working. 

Issymom...good luck with you upcoming surgery.

I'm likely being scheduled for the preventative surgery in Sept.  - contralateral mast., hyst. and ooph. at the same time...Hope it is possible and recovery not too hard.

bubbalu

1marmalade1:  Wow, that is a fast surgery, almost drive thru.  Good for you, moving right along.  I have my last chemo tomorrow.  The last taxotere was very hard, still having problems with legs and edema, neuropathy, fingernails, and I have to go back tomorrow for one more.  I'll have a modified radical MX with nodes removed in July.  Sure hope I do as well as you.  No pain killers?