Calling all TNs

greenae

Thanks everyone, for the encouragement...eating steak (don't really like) every night to get my HGB baCK up after my post op bleed. And just want to feel a little better before this chemo begins,

You are All the Best!

arlene

Honeytagh

Thanks alot dear meadow

Allydp

Han and Shell - welcome

Shari - how are you feeling? I had low oxygen levels after my hysterectomy and it was not fun. I hope you're feeling better and released soon. Sending you hugs!

Arlene - hope you got those drains out today! I had 6 of them with my BMX and felt like a million bucks once they were all out.

Tobycc

Shari: home yet?

Kath

greenae

Hi All

After 19 days, I AM DRAIN FREEEE...feel like a new woman! Thank you for sending all those positive vibes...(Ally- I am a wimp...you had 6----yikes!, and I was freaking with one!)

Shari, feeling better, I hope?

Hugs to all!

arlene

Honeytagh

hi greenae

congradulations. Are you going to have chemo and rads?

ALHusband

Happy Saint Paddy's Day to all!

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

ALHusband

Ladies, especially research enthusiasts, has there been anything published as to how the Metformin clinical trial(s) are going? Any "early results" of any kind? I've searched but can't seem to find anything recent.

greenae

Thank you, and welcome, Han Tagh!

I should be starting chemo in 2 weeks, for 12 weeks. I wasn't supposed to need rads but am told there are cells near margins of my skin and nipple sparing MX, so strong possibility that rads will be a few weeks after chemo is finished. Then hopefully, recon on left can be finished and reduction/lift for the right breast. I am In for the long haul, guess we all are? I haven't decided which recon I want/should have? Just have a left TE in now, and am very lopsided. DDDD on right and B-C on left, and totally looking square, instead of round. I know it should be the least of my worries, but I am wondering how I will dress when the weather gets warmer?

Hope you're having a good day!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

arlene

Luvmydobies

Arlene, so glad you got the drains out!! Rest up and just relax for a bit. Don't worry about chemo or rads right now. One step at a time and you will get there! For me, chemo seemed to go by fast. Like I said before the CDiff is what got me down. I thought chemo would never end when I first started everything but after I was like wow, that went by fast!! I didn't have rads but for most they aren't bad. Hang in there and we are here for you, as you know! XOXO!!

Welcome to the new members! This place is AWESOME but we are sorry you have to be here.

Shari, I hope you're hanging in there and hope to hear from you soon. Miss you!!

Honeytagh

Dear Greenae

I m about 6 months after chemo and 3 months after rads. Though a tough time, chemo sessions passed quickly and now just a memory. Every thing will get better and better......Wish you the best

anotherNYCGirl

Hi Arlene! So glad you are drain free! Keep feeling better and better! (Chemo and rads are very do-able. hang in there!)

Shari, - hope you are on the mend and we hear from you soon!

Welcome to the new members here!

Cocker_Spaniel

ALHusband I do know that the Phase II trial has commenced which seems to be  targeting overweight women with an elevated BMI (Body Mass Index).  There have been no known positive results from the Phase I trial and  this has been closed. The Phase II trial seems to be  concentrating on hormonal changes and density of breasts in obese women who have/had breast cancer.  If my HbA1c was elevated then I would consider Metformin but only to reduce my insulin level and to prevent hypo's otherwise I wouldn't be interested for myself  but I believe a lot of women on this forum do take Metformin in the hope that it helps them.       

greenae

Thank you, Luvmydobies, Han Tagh and Anothernycgirl

How Amazing a drain-free shower feels...lol.

Guess I am already worrying about chemo because I just realized it starts in 7 days.

I am glad you are all saying it's doable...just am such a "planner," wondering what I should be planning, besides making sure I get a buzz cut before the hair falling out starts.

THANKS for being here!

arlene

greenae

Am thinking of Shari... Anyone heard? I hope she is resting and feeling better.

eileenpg

Greene= Take a claritin the day of the neulasta shot and for the next 4 days. I also took an aleve the day after chemo. As if you are getting a shot the day after chemo. I had the BIG C. A 8 ounce glass of prune juice warm every night helped. Biotene toothpaste for a dry mouth. You can always buy this stuff if you need it. Good luck!!! You can do it!!!!

greenae

Thanks, Eileen, I will keep the Claritin and Alleve on hand, for sure, and I actually like the sunsweet dried prunes...can eat a bag, no prob...lol...

Another question...I am trying to plan which day of week I should have chemo, So I guess I am asking...when do you feel the worst, counting from the actual chemo day? Was thinking of picking Friday, and hoping won't feel crummy til after the weekend? Or does the fatigue, etc kick in right away, and should I ask for Mondays? Work is not an issue, so I guess I would prefer to feel best on weekends, when family and friends are around.

Yes, I have Control issues...lol,

arlene

SA8PG

All great words of wisdom from everyone. Funny how quickly you forget the little things that helped you get through it. Totally agree with the Claritin that was important with the neulasta shot pain. Drink A LOT of water esp with AC. Flush those kidneys. I love the Biotene tooth paste helped so much with the dry mouth.

I did Friday so that I would have help on the weekends. Honestly it's such a personal preference. All of us differ on when we come down off the med high of energy. My tired days were day of chemo & then on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ally-how are you doing now that your scans are done?

Prayers for Shari. Thinking of you.....

G

Honeytagh

Dear Greenae

For me it took a bout one week after each chemo session to get back to my normal self.Yet, the first three days are the hardest. Have some people near you to help. Stay positive about every thing as everything will pass so quickly. Hair,though a difficult issue, will come back and you will enjoy seeing your hair grow back.

SpiritBlessing

Morning,

Been a while since I was on here. I had my PET and it shows a few lymph nodes in my left Breast and also one behind my stomach and near back. Waiting for biopsy to be scheduled next week. MO thinks it is just my lymph nodes doing their job. As it also shows continued shrinkage on the tumors on lung. Since last scan is 12% all total is now 86% shrinkage...Thank God! So the current trial of targeted therapy seems to still be working. Will be discussing next phase depending on biopsy results.

Welcome to the new folks.

Have a good day!

Lucy

Allydp

I had chemo on Tuesdays. The IV dose of steroids during the infusion kept me pretty perky the first couple days. It was Saturdays that were rough, so for me it took a few days to kick in. Towards the end, I ended up needing IV fluids on Fridays to prepare and help me get through the weekend. Seemed no matter how much I was drinking, my body wasn't hanging on to it.

G - thanks so much for checking in on me. I'm doing okay. I'm so extremely grateful to still be cancer free, but I'm still trying to find my new normal which can be hard at times. When do you get those TE's out? Soon I hope!

Lucy - wonderful news that the targeted therapy is working! Sending you many good thoughts and prayers that the nodes are just doing their thing.

slv58

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I can't seem to read everything I've missed, guess I'm just mending still. A HUGE thank- you for all the good wishes and concern! I'm home now-yahoooo! All drains are out but still feel pretty miserable. I can't seem to find a comfortable position but I'm happy to be in my own bed with lots of pillows! No prodding nurses and quiet!

Arlene so happy to see you posting! Chemo is very doable, join your chemo month group and stay here for support!

I'm sorry to be brief, but I need to rest and my attention span, although much better- isn't pre op state yet! Love to all,

Shari

Allydp

Great to hear from you, Shari, and so glad you're home in your own bed! Rest up. I'll be thinking of you and sending you healing thoughts!

Cocker_Spaniel

Shari good to hear you are back at home and in your own bed. Resting is important so make the most of it and let people wait on you.  Sending big hugs.

I had my chemo on a Wednesday and side effects didn't kick in until Friday evening with flu-like symptoms.  Saturday and Sunday were a write off and I would start to come right on Monday afternoon which was good as I worked full time all the way through treatment.  Rest and trying to stay sane is the key if you don't have to go to work. 

Lucy in your pocket with the waiting for news but glad the targeted therapy is doing it's job.  Sending big hugs for good news.  

greenae

Cocker, Ally Han and G, Thank you All for the chemo day advice

Looks like I will end up with either Thursday or Friday, starting next week. Already picked up my Decadron, Zofran and Compazine...4 brand new, pretty colored, huge water bottles, and 2 wigs, 3 hats and a halo. This Bitch called BC will Not get the Best of Me! I feel a weird sense of calm (just like the night before surgery!) because again, specific plans are in place. My hemoglobin is back up to 10.1, so I am good to go. Having that post-op bleed and then a lousy 6 day cold really wiped me out the first 2 weeks after MX.

Thank you all so much for the advice! Lucy, keep getting good news from your targeted therapy,

Shari--so glad to hear you are home and resting. Don't post, just res and feel better soont!

love, arlene

Luvmydobies

Shari, so glad you're home!! Rest rest rest!!

Lucy, good news from you too. Glad to hear it!!

Arlene, I had chemo on Monday's but don't remember feeling bad, just fatigued. I did have some heartburn but Zantac helped. I went out as usual, ate out, etc. I did wash my hands A LOT though and used lots of lotion on my hands and everywhere else for that matter. LOL!! Some say to use non scented soaps and lotions. I just used Dove body wash and regular baby lotion. I had peach fuzz on my head so I used baby shampoo, because it was mild. I also used regular laundry detergent and a regular razor but was very careful. I didn't have to shave often but did about once or twice a week. They said to use an electric razor but it irritated me. They also recommended using a baby tooth brush because they are so soft and you have to be careful not to cut your mouth. I brushed after each meal and at bed time. I also recommend Biotine. Everyone is different, so it's just what you can do well with. I showered in the morning but if we went out and did much I'd shower at night too. That's just personal preference. I had night sweats from being thrown into menopause so a morning shower felt so good. Plus I slept with two dobermans. They were bathed often but still they're dog's. LOL!! They would add to the body heat but they were so sweet I couldn't bear the thought of kicking them out of bed! Make sure you stay moisturized though.

HUGS to everyone. Love you gals!!!

eileenpg

Question to anyone who knows. My wbc count is 1.5 and my neutophils are .5. I now get weekly blood draws and a neupogen shot.  My counts were never high however, I never missed chemo.  So, they were n the ok range. I was told radiation really did a number to my bone marrow after chemo and now my counts may take years to come back. Has anyone else had this problem? I am not crazy about being on neupogen for years. I was also informed if I get a temp I must go the the ER quickly.. Any thoughts?

 Thanks

Shari glad you are home.

Meadow

alhusband thank you

eileen, my white counts were never that low, but I hope someone who has been thru that will chime in soon. Please take care as you will have a hard time fighting off germs. Are you a sanitizer freak like my husband? Please I hope you are able to avoid getting sick till your white counts go back up. Hugs to you

eileenpg

Meadow= I'm super careful. They told me my biggest issue would be getting a UTI or bacteria in my mouth. NO sharing of foods,utensils,etc. I have totally stopped getting manicures or pedicures. Yes, I wash my hands often and carry hand sanitizer. If I hear anyone is remotely sick I avoid them. Hugs back to you

greenae

Thx for the advice Luvmydobies...I just got my schedule emailed to me and it looks like I ended up with Thursdays, starting 3/26--1 week--yikes! I am stocking up, and hoping for the best! My dog, Augie, 75lb shepherd collie mutt, will only stay on bed or couch with me for 10-15 min. I guess he thinks I give off too much heat...lol

Eileen, I will pray for your WBC's to RISE ... how sucky to go through all of this...be done...and now have this aftereffect. It's almost spring. Maybe your bone marrow can feel the warmth and get those cells going. Hugs sent to you!

arlene