February 2011 chemo pals

mamaoftwo

Michelle,

Best wishes for the surgery.  I hope it goes smoothly for you.  Keep us posted on how you do. 

Laura

JeanH

Michelle,

Good luck on your surgery, we will be waiting for an update when you are up to it.

Suki,

I love the garden idea have something beautiful to come out of this.

 I completed Taxol #3 1 more to go..  very tired but functional. I started the claritan again this round and the joint pain was less than last round, so will keep that up with the Aleve. Doctor offered stronger if needed. I did not use Claritan for rounds 1 & 2 of taxol but did it for all 4 EC. 

I think Chemo brain is real - I found it worse with the EC. but it could be a function of the fatigue we are all feeling.  The first few days back at work after EC I sometimes felt it took a few hours for my brain to clink into full gear.

Sorry for all of you going throught hard times and SE, we will get through this. I just keep think every one done brings me that much closer to the end.  I cannot believe there is one one more left.  Then on to rads - that will be a crazy schedule but we will get throught that as well.  I just keep thinking we are doing this to kick BC in the butt and make sure we take every opprotunity to do so........

Hugs to all

Jean

Dogbiskit

Michelle I am wishing you a smooth surgery and quick recovery!

SpecialK

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8

dogeyed

Pejkug, I'm with you and chemo thru June, and at first I thought before July 4th, but I counted wrong, so one week into July too.  Then finally surgery, then rads.  I vote for the skin medicine being what's goofing up your eyes.
SpecialK, Thanks for the one day at a time reminder, I guess yesterday was one of those days that I just got stuck. 
Jenn, wow, same day as you get chemo, your son gets operated on, all night at hospital, and here I was wimpering in the comfort of my own home.
Michelle, I could see your dog playing with the two Greats, gave me a smile!  And that video is a treasure, LOVED IT.
Sukie, glad some folks fixed your roof... same day I cried, I opened a package been in the mailbox since last Friday or so, and brother sent me some soft socks, great for my feet.
Lorenar, you are SO right, we have to try to be positive and soldier on.

All others, I am sorry I came on here and blithered and waxed poetic about my "condition."  I suppose my comments were sort of rhetorical, like, "Can I cry, PLEASE?"  Sick of being sick, I guess, plus I have not been a good patient throughout all this, and I think all my nurses and docs would agree.  I am not one of the brave ones.  I'm a total wreck.  SIGH.  Love to all, GG

M1nn1e

All done with Chemo!!!! WhooHooo!!!  Now onto Radiation. Is anyone starting that soon?

Ladies; you'll get here too!!! I thought I'd never make it through, but I guess I'm stronger than I thought!  And I know you all are too!!! 

Michelle; good luck with your surgery, I'm sure it'll go great. And yes Mother's Day in the states is this coming Sunday May 8th. You're not too late. 

Mary 

((( Hugs ))) 

SpecialK

Yay for m1nn1e!!!

Paula66

Yahoo for you m1nn1e.  Take care and enjoy the next phase of your journey.

ruffy

Congrats m1nn1e!!

Paula66

Ruffolo how are you doing.  Stay strong even when we feel tike crumblimg. 

LisaGH

This is a great place for support- we all come here needing to cry sometimes- and we get great support from those who truly know how we feel as only breast cancer patients can.

Positive thoughts for all- surgery, chemo or just recovering from the effects of breast cancer treatment this week. This is one of my good weeks- (have next TCH next week). After 4 rounds the good week is much weaker than past cycles. Walking comes slow and with effort.

I won't be having radiation- had bilateral mx and w/ location, etc won't be having it per my BS and MO. I was nervous about not having it- but they both said it's not in my treatment plan. I have my tissue expander exchange surgery set for 7/6 (still have to discuss w/ my MO to make sure- it's one month out from last chemo). 

Best wishes this week Michelle. Congrats M1nn1e on completing chemo- very happy for you (can't wait to get there! 2 more TCH though I still have H for a long time!!)

Happy Monday-  We can do this! 

ruffy

I'm doing much better with the taxol. 2 more treatments, last one is May 24 . Then I will recover for 4-6 weeks and have surgery followed with radiation. The support from you girls helps me so much, along with my dh, ds, my happy 3 yr old daughter and my best gf's. I'm seeing less tears thankfully

Thinking of you all and wishing everyone a positive week.

Sara

mamaoftwo

M1nn1e -  So happy for you!  I can totally understand all those exclamation points.  I can't wait to be where you are!

Taxol has been easier on me.  I did develop a viral bronchial infection so didn't sail through as easily as I had hoped, but still no numbness, neuropathy, bone pain, so I am relieved about that.  My brother is coming in from California, and my mother from Tampa, FL for a visit and to bring me to chemo #5 (out of 7) on Thursday.  It'll be a family affair.  Little do they know how long and uneventful it will be!

 Best luck and good thoughts to everyone going for treatment this week.

Laura

Melanie_Ann

Yay M1nn1e! My last chemo is May 17th. I'm on the countdown! I will start radiation on June 20th as far as I know. Not really looking forward to it, but who would?

Thinking about you today Michelle as you have surgery! Praying for no Taxol!

mks16

Good luck today Michelle!!

 And congrats M1nn1e, I can't wait for mine to be over. Last Sunday I was thinking, I feel well enough, wouldn't it be great to get chemo today, instead of having to wait till Wednesday, LOL. Wish it worked that way:)

GG, hope you're having a good day today

christina1961

Michelle, Good luck with your surgery!  I hope all goes very well!

Mary, congrats on finishing chemo! 

I did my 4th ACT cocktail yesterday and go in for Neulasta shot in a few hours.  I still have a numb left index finger but no return of shoulder pain yet - going to have Neulasta shot in other arm this time to see if it helps and I asked the oncologist for a physical therapy prescription so I'm going to see if that will help. He thinks it may be a nerve injury from the biopsy.

The chemo is definitely working - the tumor is now .5 mm from being 2.6 x 2 at the start - the onc thinks it is just scar tissue there now and the enlarged node is no longer enlarged.  He is hopeful for a pCR. 

Now I have to make some hard decisions about surgery.  My preference would be nipple sparing MC with radiation and implant reconstruction but the two surgeons I've talked to are negative about radiation and implants.  I already have augmented breasts - the other thing I am thinking of asking about again (with the much smaller tumor) is doing a lumpectomy, leaving the implants in and trying the radiation. I have saline implants so if there is a problem, I wonder why they couldn't just deflate the implant, treat the problem and then I might have to do a tram flap after all.  I just don't understand doing the most invasive procedures first.  I'm afraid not to have the radiation because I am triple negative and it sounds like it is very important to avoid local regional recurrence. (One surgeon had suggested possible MX without radiation.)

MamaV

I'm on the chemo train until 1st week of July (1st round was January 26th) - will this ever end?  It is such a relief to read how many of us are struggling emotionally like me.  I am not alone event though it feels like I am sometimes.

Hang in there everyone!

mks16

Taxol #2 today. I am hoping for better luck this time, but won't truly know until weekend rolls around.

Hope everything went well yesterday Michelle, and you're getting a lot of good quality sleep.

Good luck to everyone dealing with chemo, SE and appointments this week!

MamaV

Well here it is the day before chemo - and it feels like ground hog day.  I just don't want to keep doing this over and over.  My emotions have crashed and the tears are flowing!  I just hate this so much. 

mks16

Hugs (((mamaV)))

I know the feeling... I was thinking on Monday how I'd like to just go in the same day and get it over with, that would at least bring me a step closer to the end of chemo. 

Tomorrow, you will be a step closer. Are you on a three week regimen?  What type of chemo are you on, seems our BC profile is similar. Will you have to have radiation after chemo? I have to, so I won't be done until end of August and then I need to schedule oophorectomy or hysterectomy as well. As long as I get it all over with this year, I think I'll be fine. That's what I think today anyway. Tomorrow is another story!

Hope you feel better soon, thinking of you... and good luck tomorrow

MamaV

mks16 - I was on the 3 week regimen with A/C but now am on weekly Taxol.  #3 tomorrow.  Last chemo is July 7th.  Seems like an eternity away. And, yes, I will have radiation too.  Not looking forward to that either.  This all just stinks so much.  I'm glad you are having a positive day - I will try to share some of that positivity. 

SpecialK

I'm sorry mamav - wish I was there to hold your hand, or give you a shoulder to cry on, or take you shopping, or whatever would cheer you up!  The only way to get through this is the old one day at a time deal - every one that passes is that much closer to being done.  Keep on truckin' until you get there, but maybe today since you are feeling down do something nice for yourself as a treat?

Paula66

((((((((((((((((((((((mamav)))))))))))))))))))))))  We all have been there.  Its so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Just let it all out.  Somtimes that does make a world of difference.  All of us can agree that there are days that we just wanna stop this madness.  I hope ya feel better soon.

EmilyInOntario

My last chemo is May 13th! I have been posting on the Taxotere thread mainly as taxotere for me personally has been brutal.

Congratulations to those who are done and for those soon to be done...we're so close...counting the days here!

SpecialK

emily - so happy that you will be done by mid-May!  I know it has been hard on you.  What comes after that for you?

EmilyInOntario

Special K...I move on to radiation next, starting the end of June sometime I think...a new "adventure"..where are you at in your treatments?

SpecialK

Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin #5 is a week from Thurs. - then just one more in 3 weeks and I am donesville with chemo - still will have Herceptin for a year so need to keep the port..  I need my left TE put back in late June (if my blood counts hold up) and then fills on both TE and exchange probably closer to the end of the year.  Rads is not in my treatment plan - my BS felt that BMX and AND negated the need for rads - hope he is right!

JeanH

Wow we are all getting to the end...my last chemo is next thursday then on to Rads in June.



MamaV hang in there remember everythime we finish a treatment we are one step closer to the finish. I am not looking forward to the rads but figure if I could deal with Cheom for 16 weeks can do rads every day for 6.



We are warrior women!!!

jean

alison0415

Jenn - so sorry to hear about your son.  How is he doing? 

CharlottesMama - Good Luck to you!!!!!

Sukie10 - Very Uplifting thanks!!!

 Dragonfly - I so can relate regarding TCH#4 - the worst!!!!!!

My thoughts are with you alll!!!!!

Alison

pejkug3

TCH #3 hit me the hardest.  So far, TCH #4 has been the easiest.

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with cutting the gluten from my diet.  But it could just be luck. 

I saw the eye doctor this week.  The papilledema is the same as it was a month ago.  Bummer.  I'm considering an MRI to rule out a brain tumor.  But terrified. 

Other than the eye issues, I've done well with #4 so far. 

Alison, #4 got you down?