March 2010 Chemo Start

badger

Hey all - yay Stacey for the good news.  Doing well here.  Hotter than blazes outside today so I did errands this morning, there's a nap in the near future.

My hair is thickening up.  I didn't shave my head but trimmed hair to an inch length.  I'd already stopped coloring my hair so it was white & spiky.  Most but not all of it fell out so there's a white peach fuzz covering my head.  It whorls in the back, kinda cool but I'm looking forward to some new growth soon.  Eyelashes are gone and eyebrows are thinning but they will come back.

I asked my co-worker (who survived lymphoma chemo & rads) what she'd used on her hair and she said nothing special, just shampoo and lots of conditioner.  Said the chemo shampoo she had smelled bad and she didn't use it. 

Best wishes to all and I'm sending up a prayer for Marilyn starting rads Mon, for Lorraine's tests Mon & Tue, Stacey's onco visit Thurs, and Charley's exchange surgery Fri.  I'm sure to have missed someone so will ask a generic blessing for all my sisters!  {{hugs}}

Kayne

To My Fellow Marchers,

Wowww!  Congrats to so many of you that are finished!  Not only with chemo but some with rads as well.  I got teary eyed reading all your accomplishments. 

I have been MIA while I dealt with my set back (TE removal) But some kind words from you ladies  (thank you, thank you, thank you)  a little time and some effexor and I'm moving on.

Charley:  So exciting to be moving on to your implants.  I will be thinking of you on Friday.  The effexor really helped with my hot flashes.  Did you notice an improvement?

Lisa:  Glad to hear your Mom is doing OK so far.  So sorry she has to go through this.  And I'm really sorry you have to live through it again.  I'm sure it's not easy.  But we all know how helpful you will be to her.

Well I finally feel like I'm moving forward.  (knock on wood).  I finished AC the end of June, and began Taxol on July 7th.  Will be going for my 3rd treatment on Wed.  That will leave me with 9 more to go.  It has been much easier to handle.  I'm not even tired.  Although the bottoms of my feet are starting with a burning feeling.  Hopefully it will be mild and go away.  My liver was slightly elevated after my 1st treatment so I have to do weekly blood tests until they see what happens.  I hope it doesn't rise anymore. 

After Taxol is done, I get 4 weeks off and start 6 weeks of rads.  When that is finished, they will put back the TE, expand that side and put implants in 6 mths from the finish of rads.(beginning of Dec)  So my exchange should be next June.  yikes~    My head is covered with fuzz.  More on the top than sides.  Can someone tell me, should I shave off the fuzz?  I have just graduated to going to the store with my bandana instead of my wig.  It's just too hot.  And I do walk around the house with nothing.  People are nicer to me when I am in the bandana.  Last week when we drove to the beach house I had taken the bandana off.  The kids had a great time watching peoples reactions in other cars!  Hey, you have to have some fun with it. 

Heather:  I am definitely going to Sephora for the brow make up.  Thanks

Hugs and prayers to all of you,

Michelle

marilyn7

Hi everyone.

My port removal went smoothly - one more scar to heal!!  Start rads tomorrow.  Thanks everyone for sharing your experience.

I'm still dealing with some major fatigue - Onc says that TAC x6 is a pretty major ordeal and to be patient, but it's been 3 weeks and I still can't walk up the stairs without feeling winded and my legs STILL feel like cement.  

I've made a note to go get some eyelashes!!! Thanks for the encouragement Lilly.  BTW -  Lisa - I love the song "Lilly" Thanks for your post.

Positive thoughts and warm wishes to you all.  Marilyn 

hereandnow

Good to hear from you Kayne, and glad the taxol seems to be taking it easier on you. My hair started growing back on taxotere - and I gave it a slight zip over with the clippers, but really, it's so nice just to have something there, I don't care if it looks like 3/4" of mouse fur -mine is half dark brown, and half gray - mmm - oh well at least it's warmer than bald. It's a long road we are walking hey - so does that mean you will finish chemo mid August?

And Marilyn, I too am fatigued. I started back at work today - well in the research office re-commencing my PhD. I have done the occasional operating list assisting on my good days ( in case you hadn't guessed, I'm a doctor), but I wear stockings when I have to stand for many hours. I am in awe of Charley with her 3miles - she truly is amazing. I can walk a Km at the gym -then that's me done   We'll get there girls.

Toni, shazam. My birthday was in May. I have just bought a book online called "five lessons I didn't learn from breast cancer". I read some posts from another woman here on BCO - and it also seems to be a little like "bright sided" and I'm looking forward to it arriving.

To those still going through - here's wishes for minimal SEs. Good luck Lorraine for the next few days- I'm wishing for good news for you. And Marilyn. And Charley - thinking of you for Friday - out damn port.

Hugs,

Lisa

barb_k

marilyn7: Just catching up on the posts and read where you just got your port out. Said you had another scar. Did the Dr. not use the same insision that he used to put it in? Mine did and it is just a little fine line. Hardly even shows.

My girlfriend and I took a weekend trip to Ruidoso this weekend, A litttle splurge before going back to work in August. I aso got a great answer to my prayers. I have lost my ins. and neede the Arimidex. So I went online and got the application from the Co. for free meds. A Z and me. And i qulify for free meds for the 3 months that I need them. Like finding a christmas present in my mail box.

Well hope every one in doing as well as possible. I am still tired but working up to standing on my feet all day. It's not going to be easy. Have a great day and week all.

hmh23

Well, I just had to pass along some really great news that I just received and thankfully it coincides with my final Taxol treatment.  Our oldest daughter Lara, graduated last year from the Drama program at Carnegie Mellon University and today she just landed her first lead on Off Broadway.  I am so thrilled that I'll be able to travel to go up to see her Opening Night, September 10th. 

Hope all is well with everyone.  I was too excited to read the most recent postings.

Fondly, Heather

hereandnow

congratulations Heather on the final Taxol. one more of us finished. And you must be very proud of your daughter, enjoy the opening night, very special.

teemee

Kayne, I shaved my head all through treatment, once the 80% of it fell out in a day. Those wispy things were so sad. And then when the grew out, there were so few my head looked like a crazy potato. Now the hair is sprouting like crazy. Just did my 3rd shave today. The first 2 were mostly fur, tonight was half and half. This has worked for me, and helped me take control of at least one little corner of my life. Besides, it IS way too hot to bother with anything much on the head!

Congrats to Heather, and Lisa, let me know how that book is. My favorite part of "bright-sided" so far is how horrified the author was when she saw a breast cancer teddy bear. She felt the whole BC industry was trying to infantilize her, and she asked "is there a matchbox car for prostate cancer?" HA!

Keep cool, everyone but Lisa. Lisa, you keep warm

Toni

staceyt

Hello Ladies,

Just checking in.  Sounds like everyone is doing well -

I found this website choosehope.com - not sure if anyone has heard of it - but I came across it be accident or coincidence - My husband and I were visiting a friend who just had a liver transplant and there was this tiny store in the hospital that had these different cancer shirts hanging in the window.  Well of course being the weekend it wasn't open but they had a card with the website address on it.  So of course, I checked it out and bought some stuff my favorite T-Shirts - "My bald head is still better than your Bad Haircut"

Question out there for all of you - still finding it very hard to get my stamina back like Marilyn and Lisa and I'm sure most of you - has anyone tried Yoga?  I've checked out a few beginners DVD and was wondering if anyone has done yoga before any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hugs, Prayers and Good Thoughts to all my Sisters!

Stacey

Joj129

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. For some strange reason, I have not signed on in so long and I don't know why. As I was reading through the posts, I really wish I had. I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well.

I have 13 radiation treatments left so I am on the down slope. When I started radiation, I went into a depression and felt I had a better attitude while going through chemo. 33 treatments seemed like so much even though it's much better than chemo. My journey started in October 2009 so I think I was just tired. Now that I'm on the down slope, I'm better. I am still out of work until my radiation is over and I think sitting around here day after day is not helping. It has been too hot to walk and now I'm whining!

I have two questions though. Is anyone having hot flashed worse during radiation than chemo? I don't know whether it's the humidity or if it's me! Also, even though I lost the hair on my head, legs and underarms during chemo, I am only NOW losing my eyebrows and arm hair. My last chemo was 5/27 and today 6/20! Is this happening to anyone else?

Thanks & good luck to everyone! 

Joanne 

teemee

Hi Joanne,

Wow, sounds like we're going through similar stuff. I am more depressed than I have been through all of this, and I finished radiation #8 today (of 32). I think I am having hot flashes -- never had them in chemo, but I think that's what these are.

And yes, less eyebrows and lashes every day. I had my last chemo 5/27 also. My onc said that it's because brows & lashes grow more slowly, so the old follicles didn't get pushed out by the new "hairless" ones until now. Friends are telling me I haven't looked like a cancer patient until now. Eesh.

Anyway, just my sister-rant . You are not alone!

Toni

hereandnow

rant away toni - I am getting eye bald too, and even though no one's said it to me, I think I look more like a cancer patient now than a few months ago. Damn you chemo. Oh well, at least my taste buds have come back - just went out to dinner and had a fabulous tender juicy steak with mashed potatoes and beans -yum. Things come back - as will our eye hair.

lisa

badger

Hey all - my news is maybe TMI but I am thrilled to report I'm gonna have to shave under my arms this morning!  It's fine and it's short but it's dark and it's gonna go in the shower today.  Dubious milestone but a milestone nonetheless. 

Glad to hear everyone is hanging in there - have a good one!  {{hugs}}

lorrhaw

I am very excited to add my name to the Marchstarters who are now done with chemo.  I just spent the last 2 days at MD Anderson and they are very happy with my response to the six treatments of FAC that I had so they don't think any additional treatments are necessary.  Yeah!  I never thought that I could go through with chemo or make it once I started but this forum made it so much easier.  I was VERY lucky and had minimal, controllable side effects so I can't complain too much but I am still very happy to have it done.  Docs at MDA are currently debating whether or not they want to do additional surgery on me and remove some lymph nodes and get clearer margins on the breast tumor or if they want me to just move on to rads.  I should find out later this week.  I am also now starting on tamoxifen so I will be reading up on those side effects.

Thank you for helping me make it through these last few months.  I know i couldn't have done it without the forum.  Anybody who is still trudging through chemo, hang in there.  It feels SO good when you are finally done.  I am anxious to watch the hair start growing back, at least the head hair, but am enjoying not shaving legs, pits, etc. but I guess all of that will come back as well.

I hope all my fellow March starters are doing well with any subsequent treatments and that as always whatever we are doing that we have minimal side effects.

Lorraine

Yeshua4Me

Am I the only one still going through chemo?

 I won't be done until August 16th.

Ana1973

Lorraine- all I have to say is YEAH! I have been thinking of you and was praying you would get good news...prayers have been answered . Rads is a cake walk compared to chemo. Good luck as you enter that new phases of treatment. Keep me updated on any Tamoxifen SE.

As for lashes and brows, mine also fell out weeks after chemo, but I'm happy to say they grow back very quickly. I now have about 1" of hair on my head, have to constantly shave legs and pits. If only the hair on my head would grow as fast as the hair on my legs...I'd have shoulder length hair by now...lol.

I have 10 more rads tx to go...3 regular and 7 boosts, then will start Tamoxifen. But in less than 2 weeks the constant treatments will be over!!! I never thought in the beginning of this mess that there would be an end and now that end in is sight. I never want to have to go through this hell again. I pray everyday that none of us ever have to travel this rough road again.

I send hugs, love, gratitude, prayers and only positive thoughts to all of my March sisters!

Ana

Charley

Woohoo! Great news Lorraine! So glad to hear it. You will have to keep us posted on what the drs decide as far as surgery/rads/whatever. 

I have been taking tamoxifen for the last 6 weeks and have had no bad side effects so far.  Ok ... I took off a co-worker's head the other day but she deserved it. ;-0 Seriously, I may be "a little" more moody but nothing too severe. I do have what I would call "warm moments" (as opposed to hot flashes) that I had on chemo as well. They seem to come more frequently now (twice a day or so) but the weather here (heat index of 110 yesterday) may have a little to do with it.  I do take effexor and since I have nothing to compare it to, I don't know if its helping.  It is not preventing them altogether.

I am starting to grow hair back ... slowly.  I wish I had an inch like you Ana!  It is only growing on my head and brows too ... although they are only growing where I would normally pluck. I am down to 10 eyelashes on one eye and 7 on the other, I lost 5 overnight!  There were a few that starting growing right after I finished chemo but they are stopped growing <mutant lashes> way too short to put mascara on. I am seriously considering the fake ...

Heather - Congrats on your daughter's accomplishments! Something to definitely be happy about!

Yeshua - I think there are other Marchers still going through chemo!  Hang in there!

Hugs, Charley

sandiek9

Hey Marchers,

I haven't been here for so long. It's great to see how all are doing. I'm done with chemo and start rads on Monday - 6 weeks, 3 different areas being zapped. Seems like such a long time; I have to take it one day at a time because the big picture seems undoable.

I had an interesting thing happen to me! I finally went to a Look Good Feel Better class. I'd just finished my last chemo and finally was losing my eyebrows and decided I needed help with drawing them in. There were just 3 of us in the class, but the room was full of observers - men and women. It was fun but a bit weird! A week later I got a call asking if I would be willing to be photographed for a benefit for LGFB, being held in NYC in September. (http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/dreamball.htm)

This year's honoree is Pete Nordstrom, and I'll go next week to meet with him and have photos taken. I had another round of LGFB with a photographer last week. The pics are for the program for the Dream Ball. The irony here is that I've avoided pictures for 6 months now, and here I am being photographed.

I hope everyone is as well as can be expected. I've hated just about everything about this disease, but try to maintain my sense of humor. Laughing seems to help more than crying. This site has given me shelter, so thanks to you all.

xxoo Sandie 

Kayne

HI Wonderful Ladies:

I had #3 of 12 Taxol's today. Although there ar 9 more I feel like I am finally getting somewhere.  All went well with me but some poor lady had a reaction and was taken to the hospital.  I felt so bad for her.  Hope she is ok.

Sandie:  You superstar!  I bet you never thought you'd get a modeling gig out of this.  That's awesome.

Charley:  To relate to your bump on your head, I have a raised white mole on the top side of mine.  So if I every went comando, I would fell they would all be looking at it and not my bald head.  So I know how you feel.

Lorraine:  YEAH!!! for the good news.  We like GOOD news.

Heather:  YEAH for your good news as well.  Tell your daughter congratulations!  How exciting.  And you are done Taxol?  Hurray!  That went quick. 

YeshuaMe:  Are you kidding?  I won't be done chemo until Sept. 22.  That's if I stay on schedule, which doesn't seem to be my thing.  So I'll be here with you.

Toni and Joanne:  I too fell into a depression when I hit my trouble.  It was the straw that broke the camels back.  I held it together for so long, I couldn't so it anymore.  Dr. put me on Effexor and it really helped.  Also helped with my hot flashes.  Maybe you could ask about it.  No weight associated with it.   I too have lost most of my eyebrows and lashes.  Add some dark circles under the eyes and I just said to my husband that now I look like a cancer patient.  Make-up makes me look better, but it's 100 degrees out and it's summer.  I also wear my wig less and less.  Have finally ventured out with just  a bandanna.  I am really liking my bald head and hairless legs and pits.   I have some bracelets that would pull the hair on my arm,  NOT anymore. And Even when I put make up on, it's really quick with no mascara. 

Stacey:  Love the tee shirt!

Here's my question:  Anyone else having trouble sleeping?  It's driving me crazy.  They told me to try melatonin.  which I am, can't say I've seen great results yet.  Maybe it takes awhile? 

Wishing everyone a great evening,

Michelle

Joj129

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for the information regarding your eyebrows and lashes! You are all right, I now feel like I look more like a cancer patient than I have through this whole journey! It's temporary but it still feels weird!

Kayne: I did not shave my fuzz, I was happy to have SOMETHING on my head! My husband says its growing back now but I still don't see it!

Barb K: I'm glad to hear you came upon some good luck with your meds. The trip must have done wonders for your morale. Good for you.

TeeMee: It does sound like we are on the same track. Thanks for the info on your eyebrows and lashes, makes me feel better. I have 12 rads left to go after today. I think I refuse to admit I'm more tired than normal and since chemo, I have not been able to nap like I used to. It's too hot to walk and I sit here looking around my house thinking I should be picking up that dog hair or do SOMETHING and I do nothing. I need to give myself a break I guess.

Badger: Funny you should say that about your armpits! My beard is starting to grow back and who thought I'd be happy about that but I am!

Lorraine: Congratulations! I love hearing wonderful news.

Thanks to all of you who continue to help me and all of us survive day to day.

God bless!

Joanne

Joj129

One more thing! Kayne, I had a tough time sleeping during chemo for about 7 days after my infusion. Now, during radiation, I am having many strange dreams (not every night) and can not nap. I used to love to nap on the weekends. I have used Tylenol PM which never seemed to work for me before but as long as I take two, I can sleep.

xo

hmh23

I am not finished chemo (Taxol) until after Labor Day. In my previous posting about our daughter's show, I meant to say that my final Taxol coincides with her show's Opening Night so I'm able to go.  So I'm here for the long haul!!!! 

Congrats, Lorraine!

marilyn7

I started rads this week.  3 down / 32 to go!!!  Boy that will feel better to say in a few more weeks.  It's going OK, but it is so "breast" centered that I feel like I am battling to save my breast, whereas when I was going through chemo I felt confident that I was cancer free and just going through the motions of guaranteeing the fact.  Radiation makes it all seem so immediate.

I'm feeling better, gaining strength, but it's never like I "turned the corner" on my last chemo.  For all the prior treatments there was a particular day that things just got better.  That hasn't happened for the last one. I know I need patience.  grumble!!!

Still no taste buds for me.  3 weeks since my last TAC.  When will they come????

As for my port scar - it isn't a different one, just the same scar but it has to reheal and fortunately it came out MUCH easier than it went in.

 Hugs to everyone.  Marilyn 

lorrhaw

Thanks to everybody for the words of congratulations.  It means so much you have all of your support.  Out of curiosity what have you all decided to do about your ports?  I would love to have my taken out but some of the girls on the Stage IV forum recommend against it since it is very likely that I may need it again some day.  I hate it and getting it in wasn't that terrible so I am on the fence about what to do.

For those of you having trouble sleeping I can so relate.  I have never been a good sleeper but since my diagnosis it is almost impossible so I am now a lorazapam junkie and take it most every night unless I am feeling really desperate and then i take an ambien.  The nights can be so hard and that is when the fears and doubts really set in so i find it much easier to numb myself and make the thoughts go away.  Probably not too healthy but you gotta do what you gotta do.

For those with chemo treatments remaining, hang in there, it does feel so good when it is done and you don't have much further to go.

Lorraine

frosty1

Lorraine -- what does your doctor say about your port?  I have to have mine for a year as I'm getting Herceptin every 3 weeks until next March.  I know a couple of ladies on another thread that were told to keep their ports for a while longer.  IT is really annoying, but manageable.

mamaof3bugs

Hello my fellow Marchers   It has been quite awhile since I have been here, summertime is busy around here with my three girls...we never seem to slow down!  I am almost done with my chemo!!  I have finished 9 of 12 taxols, only three more to go, yeah!  My last treatment will be on Aug. 11, I plan on having a party that evening!!!!  My onc wants me to take 4-6 weeks off before I start rads, I plan on having my ovaries taken out during that time as well as my port.  I met with my oncologist on Wednesday and finally had the courage to ask what my recurrence rate is.  She went to a website put in all of my info and came up with 22%...I have a 22% chance of this disease coming back with in 10 years, I am really trying not to dwell on the number but it just seems so daunting!  Being triple negative my chances of it coming back within 3 years are higher than er/pr+ but I am not going to let that stop me from living.  I will be having blood tests every 3 months to check my tumor markers but I will not being having any scans until next year when I have my annual mammogram. Of course if my markers are up then I will have additional scans but my onc doesn't find them necessary.  That worries me but she is the expert and I trust her with my life!  I hope everyone is doing well.  Congrats to those of you that are finished with treatment and to those of you still in the trenches...we will survive   Now to try to catch up with all these posts, I may be here for day!!  xoxo, Angi

staceyt

Hello Ladies,

Met with the onco Dr yesterday - have to do some test before he puts me on the tamox.   I still have the swollen feet, ankles, and calves that is not being maintained by the lasix and the shortness of breath, therefore before the tamox he wants to make sure I don"t have and blood clots and my heart is ok.  They took blood yesterday and did an ultrasound on my legs - Have to wait 2 weeks for the Eco cardiogram as the Dr's on vacation.  So not the best news but I can live with that.

Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend !! Continued Hugs and Prayers to All - Stacey

Charley

Stacy - Praying for you that your tests come back good, your symptoms abate and you can start enjoying the summer!

I had my exchange surgery today and had my port removed. (Yay!  Milestone!) Surgery was about 2 1/2 hours long and I was home by 11:30am. I have this huge bandage over my foobs (like with the bmx) and 2 drains.  So I haven't gotten a chance to see what they look like! I am very anxious to see them since the expanders were rather misshappen and I had to wear a sports bra and blouses that weren't too clingy.  Now I'm thinking I need some new clothes! As soon as I get these silly drains out.

Angi - Although I am er/pr+ I still have the same fear you do. I'm sure we all do.  If you are in that 22% or even 1%, do the odds even matter? My onc does not scan either so I'm sure I will be wondering about every ache and pain. You have a healthy outlook and hopefully once treatment is over these fears will be less and less of a daily intrusion.  Obviously bc has not slowed you down too much and you are living your life!  Hang in there!

Hugs, Charley

marilyn7

Lorraine - I got my port out as soon as I could after chemo.  I developed a blood clot that we assume was port related, so I couldn't get off the Coumadin until the port was out and my blood remains constant for 3 months.  But I hated the thing anyway, it was always bruising and aching.  As for sleeping, I was taking Lorazapam every night through chemo, but I stopped about 2 weeks ago, I manage to get 7 hours or so a night, but every now and then I get insomnia in the middle of the night and end up reach for the pill bottle.  My onc says of all the side effects, insomnia is the most important to treat.  If we don't sleep, we don't heal.

Stacey - I still have terrible edema in my legs, feet, ankles that just won't go away.  This heat is not helping. In my case we are pretty certain that it isn't blood related.  I am already on Coumadin and have my blood monitored weekly.  

Charley - Hooray!!! Huge milestone.

I finished one week of rads today - 6 more weeks to go - but doing fine.  I haven't gone bra-less since college days.  I was a lot more perky back then.  Oh well, the neighbors are used to my bald head, they might as well get used to my saggy boobs.

Happy Friday!!  Marilyn 

hereandnow

Hello lovely Marchers,

SO many posts, I'm going to have to get a cup of coffee and read, read read. Congratulations Charley! How are you feeling, I can't believe you're out of hospital so quickly. I hope you are comfortable today, and the family are fussing around you. I was thinking about you yesterday. I know I've put off my exchange until Nov, but I must say, my TE is quite uncomfortable and is part of the reason I have trouble with sleeping. I did a 10 hour day at work yesterday, I wore TED stockings, and the night before I took a sleeping tablet and some pain killers, just to make sure I got a good nights sleep.

Also, I do get woken up with hot flashes though the night. I might talk to my onc about effexor for the flashes as people seem to feel that it makes them better. I start tamoxifen next week, so it's not the tamox doing it, the chemopause I'm thinking.

I'm getting scans next week as on my original CT I had a tiny lung thing less than 5mm, that the radiologist said he'd eat his hat if it was anything nasty. We're hoping it looks exactly the same. So my onc just wants to make sure. And also I've had some right upper abdominal discomfort so I'm getting an Ultrasound -maybe gallstones.

Once they've been done, I'll do my sigh of relief and it will be my marker from which to move on.

love and hugs to all,

Lisa