March 2010 Chemo Start

Charley

Yeshua - I'm so sorry about the reaction!  How scary! I can't believe they continued given the severity of your reaction.  But at least you finished without further incident.  Do you have 2 more to go?

Marilyn - Your energy will come back.  I am feeling "almost normal".  7 weeks PFC today.  Still minimal hair growth!! My scalp is itchy though.  I hope that means there is hair growing or at least "thinking" about it! The wig is becoming almost unbearable. 

Ana is that you with all that hair!?? It looks awesome!

((hugs)) Charley

Ana1973

Thanks Charley! That picture was taken today, Like you I am 7 weeks PFC. I wouldn't dare post that picture anywhere but here, because I know only you ladies understand. I take a picture of the growth every week so I can see that indeed it IS growing. My head was itchy when it started to grow back, then the hubby shaved off all the stragglers so I had new hair and no chemo fuzz.

As of today I am half done with rads...#17 is in the books! I'm having skin issues and I'm not happy with how I look when my top is off. Thankfully there are only 2 people that get to witness my side-show worthy boob! (besides the Dr)

Yeshua- I'm so sorry to hear about your scary reaction. I'm happy to hear that they will be watching you closely next time,

Praying for minimal SE for all of you!

Ana

hereandnow

yeshua, I'm so glad your husband was there with you, scary. Almost there though, hope the SEs aren't too bad. I feel like I've fallen in a heap at the bottom of the rabbit hole, achy and tired, but looking forward to catching up with you others who lead the way.

Charley, once my hair has started it's getting really fluffy. It's winter here and cold so the fluff is welcome, and it gives me promise of the new life ahead. Yours I'm sure is coming. Ana yours looks great, and congratulations on the halfway mark with the rads!

Mum had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy yesterday, and I've spoken to her surgeon and her several times. She is comfortable, and resting with her feet up for a couple of days in the hospital. I'll go back up to stay with her next week when I'm a bit stronger.

hugs to all

badger

Hey all - I'm 3 weeks PFC, saw onc Tuesday for follow up visit.  I'll start tamoxifen as soon as I get to the pharmacy (Saturday) and be on that at least two years.  Will also take a baby aspirin a day and a multi-vitamin.  

Yeshua4Me - glad you made it through the taxotere!  Onc nurses watched me closely the first couple of times I got it, and always took a BP every 15 minutes during infusions.  BTW I asked for and got manual blood pressure readings - I hate the automatic ones.

Lisa, glad to hear your mom got through surgery and is resting comfortably.

So it's good that my scalp is itching!  I'll try to appreciate it more, it's driving me crazy!

Best wishes for minimal SE's and {{hugs}} to all

lorrhaw

I am hoping to add my name to the list of March starters who are now done!  I had my 6th chemo last Friday and will go in for a ton of tests on the 19th and 20th so they can determine if i have to have more chemo or if I am ready to move on to surgery and radiation.  If the docs are on the fence at all regarding which way to go I am going to very firmly push them to the side where I am done with chemo.  I was very lucky with the SEs but I still HATED it, as we all do.

I love hearing the stories about the hair growing back so quickly.  I get bird fuzz on my head during the off chemo weeks and I can't wait to see what happens once it starts coming back in for good.  I never loved my hair before but I am hoping it kind of looks the same and doesn't end up coming in gray and kinkey or anything.

To everybody that is truly done, yeah for you!!!!!!!!!!!  To those of you still going through more chemo treatments I wish you all a SE free week and hope that you are feeling well.

Lorraine

marilyn7

Yeshua - Wow, you had quite the experience.  I'm glad you're OK.  Do you normally get benedryl with your premeds??  It was part of my cocktail just in case there was a "reaction"

 Love the hair Ana!  I can't wait!

I'm feeling better today, but my cankles are back.

xo

teemee

Hello my dear Marchers,

Boy have I missed you, but I for some reason could not make myself come to this site, I don't know why. Just needed a break I guess.

Had my first radiation treatment today. It's nice to hear from others that it's easy compared to chemo.

A huge CONGRATS to everyone who has finished chemo! This is quite the journey we are on together, isn't it? And Lisa, thank you so much for checking on me and I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. I'm glad she has you to answer all her questions  

My hair just sprouted last week. In the last 3 days I swear I have double the hairs, it's crazy. The sprouting was really like seeds, all very fast at almost the same time, and I can see the difference from morning to morning. I shaved once a week with an electric razor all through chemo, to get rid of those patchy bits of hair that never fell out. When they got to a centimeter or so I swear my head looked like a crazy potato. Brows and lashes are at 30%, I'd say, and my eyebrow stubble is hella ugly. HA! 

Going bald was one of the best things to come of all this mess. I have always wanted to be a woman who didn't feel responsible for other people's feelings, making sure they are OK, etc. (I will always be kind, but I also want to feel like I can let others stand on their own. I don't know if that makes sense.) Anyway, I am getting this bald attitude--I walk outside commando and what goes through my head is "stare if you want. It's not my job to cover up my head just so you'll feel more comfortable." What a weight has been lifted off me! I am probably going to keep shaving through the hot summer, which will also give my head time to fill in the still-naked patches.

Energy is on and off, but mostly on. The chemo fog train barrels through almost daily, but it's not constant. I have gotten very disoriented a couple of times when I've been out shopping and it's hit.

I guess that's all for now. I think of you all often with love and healing energy!

Toni 

badger

Hey all - great to hear from you Toni, good luck with rads and rock the bald! 

Wanted to share a find with you, in case you haven't seen "hair growth pictures" thread.  I'll bump it up into active topics but also here's a link with the pics (one snap each week for a year I think).

http://www.karinstack.com/images/hair/HS_grid.jpg

Lorraine, sending good vibes your way for those tests!  {{hugs}} all around

staceyt

Hello Ladies - Happy Friday

Ana LOVE the picture - Toni - great ATTITUDE

I finished my rads Monday and I feel pretty good, I have had my "peak" from the first 5 weeks of radiating the entire breast and now I'm peeling under my armpit and under my breast.  The under the breast one is more difficult to treat as I can't go around holding my boob up all day to let it air dry, therefore cornstarch all day and now with this heat we're making biscuits(hope this isn't TMI)

I hope everyone has a great weekend and prayers to all - Hugs & Kisses - Stacey

marilyn7

Stacey- thanks for a good chuckle!

Toni - I'm with you on going commando.  I've pretty much given up on the wig (except for work meetings).  At least once a day someone tells me how great I look or what a beautiful head I have. It makes up for the sad puppy dog eyes I get every now and then.

I started accupuncture today to treat both the fatigue and the neuropathy.  We'll see....

Have a great weekend.

Marilyn

hereandnow

great to hear from you Toni. Love the commando attitude too, if it wasn't so bloody cold I'd probably do the same, still wearing my little caps. Goods luck with the rads.

Lorraine, I'll be thinking of you on the 19th and 20th, hoping for good news. Please let us know how it goes for you.

 I couldn't sleep for a couple of  days, my heart was racing all night if I moved at all,but I wasn't short of breath. I'm a little bit anaemic, but not enough for that. I think it's the steroid drop off zone. Last night I slept and today I'm just tired not wiped out so the upswing has started. I'm craving some fresh juices, and good nutrition, so thats my goal today - get out to the markets and out of the house.

Stacy, Hope you don't make too many biscuits today.

hugs to everyone,

Lisa 

carolsue63

I think I'm finally digging my way out, and boy does it feel good to be finished! The worst of the SE's are over for me; now I'm just dealing with bone pain from the Neulasta shot. It's been a lot worse this time, but still manageable with pain meds. I wonder if it's because my white count was lower than usual this time -- my bones are having to work harder to bounce back from a lower point?

I had to laugh at some of the little things that happened to make this round memorable. My infusion went smoothly, as they all have, right up until the end. When there was about an inch of fluid left in the last bag, the stinkin' pump stopped working! The nurse kept pushing buttons, but nothing she did could get it started. So she just bypassed the pump and let it drip, drip, drip it's way in. That last little bit should have only taken about 5 minutes with the pump, but without, it was more like 30. Of course since my kidneys were floating, I had to go pee, and on my way back from the bathroom, I noticed that the IV line coming out of the port was red instead of clear, so the IV was basically running backwards. LOL The nurse said it was just because I was tall -- when I stood up, my port was higher than the bottom of the IV bag. As soon as I sat back down, it changed direction again and eventually finished up. It was pretty freaky to watch though.

Then when I went back for my Neulasta shot on Tuesday, the shot itself hurt like hell! It had never done that before. I think the needle maybe hit a nerve or something. The nurse felt bad about hurting me, but we laughed about how it had to be because it was my last one.

I think these pesky little nuisances just helped to remind me how easy I had it compared to what some of you have gone through. It certainly wasn't an easy road, but I'm thankful to have come through it without any major problems.

Onward and upward!  I have a follow up on the 23rd to find out what's next. Herceptin through March I know, Arimidex I think, and Rads I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Carol Sue     

undecided8

Haven't been on here for a while and just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing? Hope every one has a great weekend. I'm FINALLY nearing the end of my taxotere/herceptin/zometa regimen. Only 2 more taxotere to go!!! hang in there everyone!!!

Suzanne

Charley

Glad to hear you are almost done Suzanne! Woohoo!  Only 2 more!

Toni - You are so right! Great that you are bravely going "topless".  The longer and longer I go without hair, the more I don't really care if people see me without the wig.  If I just didn't have this big stupid bump on the back of my head ... don't think anyone is going to be complimenting my  head which I might mention is still bald!! Ok .. a few new hairs but hardly anything!! On the bright side, I ran three miles today without stopping in the 80+ degree weather.  No hair, but I feel great so I won't complain!! Ok ... maybe just a little. ;-)

Lorraine - I will be thinking about you later this month.  I hope the tests go well. Keep us posted!

Lisa - Glad to hear you have turned the corner.  It's only going to get better from here.  Way to go on the "good nutrition".  I didn't feel like eating anything good until I was totally done with chemo SEs.  Now I am eating very well.  The thought of those greasy cheeseburgers I craved after my first treatment just makes me sick!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hugs, Charley

badger

Hey all - hope you're having a good weekend.  I picked up tamoxifen prescription today.  Haven't cracked open the bottle yet but I will tomorrow.  Sending out good thoughts and {{hugs}}

hereandnow

Hi suzanne, hope your last 2 go smoothly with minimal SEs. I was too ambitious for my eating, my tastebuds are still blah. Isn't it amazing that idea of eating fats, in the past, especially yummy butter on fresh baguette, mmm, but now I can't eat any fats without feeling sick - just from the mouthfeel and lack of taste - I can't wait  for that to improve.

Badger, I too have picked up my tamoxifen script  - onc wants me to start 3 weeks after chemo. I have hot flashes several times a day anyway, so I'm kind of used to it, and hopefully it'll only get better.

so my daily med list will be, calcium with vit D, little aspirin, tamoxifen (soon), multivitamin, biotin, fish oil (soon), and maybe chondroitin if I get aches and pains. My vitamin D level was 57 - so it's ok but I'd like to get it a bit higher.

have a nice week-end and enjoy the warmth, I'm going out for some chilly winter sun.

hmh23

Well I had mentioned a couple of days ago that my daughter has a friend who is a professional makeup artist and that she was going to recommend an eyebrow powder brand and brush to use.  So, we went to Sephora on Sunday and picked it up.  I LUV, LUV, LUV this stuff!!! It took me only 2 minutes (maybe less) to do both of my eyebrows.  It went on so smooth and was so much better that the one we got at the LGFG class.  Here is it;  ANASTASIA Brow Powder Duo and the Sephora Professional Brand retractable lip brush. The lip brush is softer and allows you to apply the powder so easily.  I suppose any lip brush would do but I went ahead and treated myself to this one.  The eyebrow powder is a little more expensive $22 but so worth it.  You can also purchase the eyebrow stencils if you have a hard time trying to get a brow line correct. 

With respect to eyelashes, she recommended 100% human hair eyelashes that you can buy just about anywhere. I purchased the full eyelash versus the individual hairs, mainly because I figured they would be all over the place and the full lash just seems so much easier.  They are really inexpensive and you can also cut them if you think they are too long.  Anyhow, these are the two brands that I purchased.  ANDREA (@Walgreens) Modlash Starterkit and ARDELL (@ Target) Fashion Lashes.  Both were under $5.  

Just thought I'd follow up and let everyone know what a professional makeup artist recommends for us girls. 

Have a great night!!!

Heather

hereandnow

Hi everyone,

great tip about the eyebrows Heather, although I don't think we have a Sephora here , I might go shopping this afternoon - need a little jazzing up of the facial features  I've got an appointment with my lovely PS today, I think we're done with the expansion phase but we're going to discuss more concrete plans for recon - although I realise I'm just not ready for more surgery. I want to get over this chemo, and get on with my life. I don't want any more surgery for now, with its possible complications/recovery times etc. If I don't start doing some more work I'm going to forget who I am.

And today I'm cleaning out my medicine cabinet.  I had a phone call from a breast care nurse yesterday, and she suggested I find a body of water and a large stone, and throw the stone into the water as a marker of the end of this part of the journey. I'm off to find me a big rock.

hope everyone has a good day. Soon we're all going to be through, and more of us will probably drift away from this forum. While there's still several of us still here, I want to say thank you so much for being here through all this. It has been such an amazing support to come here each day and chat with you girls (and Les occasionally). I have my lovely friends and family, but being with people who are going through the same thing, I feel lucky and blessed and privileged. Thank you. 

Lisa

Charley

Lisa - I also feel very lucky to have found you ladies!  You all pulled me through!!! Thank you so much for helping me ... I guess we were all just helping each other.    No one quite understands unless they have been through it and I guess you are right  ... we will all probably just drift away from each other.  Please feel free to PM me anytime.

I am having exchange surgery on 7/23.  I thought it was going to be a breeze but PS says the procedure itself could take several hours! I don't think it will be worse than the MX but I was thinking it would be a very simple outpatient procedure with very little down time. Just want to get it overwith at this point.

Hey!  Guess what!  I am finally GROWING some hair!! 8 weeks PFC this week and I have the 5 o'clock shadow and lots of little sprouts all over ... I was really getting seriously worried.

Hugs, Charley

hereandnow

congratulations Charley!! it's all onwards and upwards from here for the hair. I know it's been worrying you, you must be relieved. And you must be getting excited about your exchange date coming up. I had a little more ffftt in my TE today, then I went out to one of our department stores with a specialty bra service for women with breast cancer. A fantastic woman called Rose helped me, and for the first time since surgery I looked in the mirror and I was symmetrical, and had a little cleavage, and I burst into tears.

Poor Rose. I've only cried twice before, and I didn't know it was sitting under there, but it was such a simple feeling of looking like myself in the mirror I had a flood of tears, then felt better. I bought 2 of those bras, and ordered in another one in blue. My PS is happy for me to put off my exchange surgery until November, so I'm going to enjoy just getting stronger for a few months.

Yay again for your sprouts Charley. It's like springtime for our bodies.

Lisa

Yeshua4Me

Lisa: I'm also having my exchange in November. November 3rd to be exact. I'm a little nervous about it though. After all I've been through (and still going through) I guess it's natural to just want to be left alone for a while huh?

I had 4 shots of Neupogen after this round of chemo and let me tell you, I hate those shots! I get horrible bone pain from them. I also got a bladder infection a couple days ago. This is the second one I've had since starting chemo and my doctor told me some women just get them during chemo. I guess I'm one of them. But on the bright side, my bone pain is a lot less now and I'm on antibiotics for the bladder infection.

Next chemo~July 26. I'm almost done!!!!!

Ana1973

Charley- It's fantastic that you hair is finally coming in! DH takes pictures of my head every 1 to 2 weeks so I can see that indeed it IS growing. Over the past 6 weeks I can clearly see the hair filling in and growing

Today will be #21 of rads. I'm having skin issues...red, itchy, blotchy. The fatigue is also more noticeable. Today is Dr day so hopefully he'll give me something to help.

I was sitting here reading all the posts and have to say we have all come such a long way. In the beginning...all the fears of chemo, to remedies for SE, to celebrating those who finished and cheering on those who haven't, moving on to other TX and sharing fears and concerns of life after BC. You are all such an amazingly strong group of women. I can't begin to thank you ALL for walking by my side thru the hell that is BC. I have been blessed to have you all as a part of my life.

On that note...have a wonderful SE free day sisters!

Ana

hmh23

Charley;  Congrats on the new hair growth!!! Heather

marilyn7

Another HUGE milestone for me - I got my port out today!!!!  YEAH!!  

It's interesting, I had the same euphoria today as my last day of chemo. To me it means that my Onc truly believes there is no more chemo in my future. Getting the port out was much easier than having it put in.  I'm still sore right now, but this pain will pass soon and I no longer having the "alien" inside of me.  A side note, the surgeon asked me if I wanted to keep the port (gross!) I declined.  Urban legend has it that Lance Armstrong keeps his port in jar on his desk as a reminder. The scars on my breast will be reminder enough.

Fatigue is still pretty overwhelming, but I'm keeping the faith.  Charley is my new hero - running 3 miles!!! - that seems like an impossible dream right now, but something to strive for.

Ana - I start rads on Monday - at what point did the fatigue / skin issues start?

Sending positive vibes to all the March gals.

 Marilyn 

LillyC

Have not posted recently, but have been following all of you.  

hmh23 - After reading your post, I went to Wahlgreens and looked at the eyelashes.  For $5.99, I decided to give them a try.  I bought the Revlon self-adhesive that didn't need any glue.  They were the shortest that I could find.  I came home and put them on and was just giddy at how much they helped my appearance!  I didn't realize how much I needed eyelashes! Thank you so much for suggesting them.  I don't think mine are natural hair, but they look really natural once on....and they haven't fallen off yet!

Tomorrow is my 20th day of radiation.  So far my skin has held up really well.  Just today though, I've noticed more reddening and some peeling. Also, my breast is really lumpy.  The doctor said that it is fluid that is trapped due to scar tissue and inflammation.  It will all even out eventually. Thirteen more treatments and I'll  be finished!

I still have neuropathy in my right hand - two fingers and my thumb.  My doctor said that sometimes it can take up to a year for the nerves to recover from damage from taxotere. My fingers and thumb tingle when pressed and she thinks that's a good sign.  If it doesn't go back to normal in a year, then it will probably be permanent.  Anyone else having this?

I can hardly believe how far we have all come - together.  I am so thankful t have found this board and to have found you!  God bless!!!

hereandnow

great to hear from you Lilly, just 13 more treatments - fantastic.  You know whenever I see your name I think of one of my favourite songs from a group called Pink Martini - it's called "Lilly" and I'm posting a link to the you tube video of it - should be danced to with a rose between your teeth.

Lisa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I69GmDHKvI

Ana1973

Hi Marilyn- my rads onc said that I would feel the fatigue a lot sooner then some since I was just coming off Chemo. I started to feel it around the end of week 2, beginning of week 3. It's not debilitating or constant. It comes in waves during the day, but I have noticed that I sleep more at night. I used to get about 7 hours a night now I'm sleeping 8 1/2 to 9 hours. Also, make sure to keep your skin moisturized from the beginning, it will help later down the road. Rads is a walk in the park compared to chemo, at least that has been my experience. Best of luck

Ana

teemee

Charley I knew you would sprout soon! It really is like seeds sprouting--all at once, it seems. Lisa, just sending a hug your way.

I just started reading Barbara Ehrenreich's newest book, "Bright-Sided." I have been waiting a few months for my turn from the library and it was worth it. I love this book. The very first chapter is about her breast cancer diagnosis. The whole book is about the relentless culture of "positive thinking" in the US and how it can actually undermine us. Very timely, at least for me.

Love to all. I'm already missing people as they drift away (I drifted back!) so please feel free to PM me any time.

Oh and Lisa we are almost the same age--I just turned 44 in June!

 Toni

staceyt

Hello Ladies!

Yea Charley. - Well I met with my rads Dr yesterday and he gave me the best B-Day present I could ask for - everything looks great you're healing marvelously and I don't want to see again for 6 months - WOO HOO !!  - Now, to get cleared from on Onco Dr on the 22nd and I can actually start to enjoy my summer -

Hope everyone is doing well - Have a great weekend - I'll check back later.

Hugs and Prayers to all my fellow Marchers -

Stacey

Charley

Awesome Stacy.  Enjoy!  You deserve it!

I have exchange surgery scheduled for next Friday.  I'm hoping it is "no big deal."  I'll be getting my port out too! Yay! I was happy to have it for chemo but I will be glad to get rid of it.  Getting it out is like a milestone. Hopefully never to have to come back to this place in my life ...

Hair is continuing to grow little by little. One side much more prominently than the other.  Let's hope this isn't a trend ... or maybe I can start a new trend.

BTW, tomorrow I have a trip to Sephora planned.  Heather - I will be looking for that brush and powder!

Hugs, Charley