Is there a July 2011 group?

FrancesC

Paulamati - rest well and pray also no SEs

J-Bug

Did my first round of A/C dd on July 1st. SEs are manageable so far.

Jamie30

You all are very welcome about the sex tips!  I am lucky enough to still have a thriving relationship with my hubby so that is one of the first things I asked, lol.  Gotta do something to make me feel better, lol.

rabbit

good luck to all who had treatments in the last few days....I saw the onco's PA today, I LOVE her, she's awesome! Went over all my SEs and did a blood count, it was just starting to drop a bit, going back next week to check bloods again. And, she put me on zovirax cream for that spot on my butt....and pills, the cream was $70 after insurance, highway robbery I tell ya! 

Robyn, they first time me that the tumor was around 1.2 cm from the mammo and ultra sound, after the MRI found out it was 4-5cm! I think the MRI is a much more precise. When we found out it was much larger than we first thought, we decided to go with chemo first, then surgery...but I've seen so many different treatments for a similar diagnosis, I guess every onco has different  opinions. 

ewa-swimmer

First round of T/C tomorrow. Took the steroids early this morning and early this evening. Sleeping pill standing by if I need it tonight. I don't feel hyper, just a slight headache. Drinking lots of water to plump up my veins for tomorrow (no port).



Look Good Feel Better class today was fun. More makeup than I'm used to but it was fun talking face to face with others going through the same thing.

Valbee

Rabbit and Robyn, my MRI indicated a larger tumor than what they actually found in surgery. My MRI also showed no lymph node involvement, but less than a week later my sentinel node biopsy showed 2/2 positive nodes.

Treatment options changed as we went along, but I think it's like pieces of a puzzle that the docs are putting together. Every additional bit of information helps tweak that plan a little more. I was frustrated at first, but eventually everything fell into place.

Robyn, you didn't specifically ask if this was normal, but I didn't meet with my medical oncologist for the first time until 10 days after surgery. I had an appointment scheduled with her prior to surgery, but there was no reason to see her until after we had a better idea of what we were dealing with, which was after the surgery.

Snoopy73

Getting ready for my first chemo in the next 1.5 hour. I am abit nervous but calm also:-) my hubby and girlfriend will be with me so i am feeling much better. Wish me luck:-) will keep you posted on the outcome of chemo 1.

Jamie30

Hope all goes great Snoopy!!!! 

Today I go in for my second fill on TEs.  I really hope that this time isnt as rough as last time.  The actual fill was fine but a few hours later I felt like I was back at square one after surgery...tight, stiff, and twitchy!  So  here is to everyone having a GOOD day!!!!!

misswim

Port surgery- in and done. Thought it would be poking out but it is really not terribly visble- had to go in through my jugular vein though.......so my neck is super sore. First A/C next Thursday. Have been feeling SO tired since my surgery, the onc did all my blood work this morning for pre-chemo while I was in for day surgery........ and surprise, my hematicrit is low. Anemia explains alot. Iron supplements here I come. Otherwise, my blood work was perfect........ happy for that.  Anyone with a port, do you use EMLA or numbing spray?

FrancesC

Hi misswim - I am having mine inserted tomorrow.  Still feeling nervous.  I have been advised in one of the posts to use Emla cream 1 hour before chemo. 

Snoopy73

Hi ladies, I had my port inserted yday, procedure was smooth, so far so good, did not use any numbing cream just extra strength tylenol

misswim

I was terrified..... didn't sleep a wink last night. It was totally fine. Some mild discomfort but I have taken Ibuprofen and have percoset if I need it. I wasn't awake during surgery, but sedated, not general anesthia. I don't remember anything at all except that they woke me and it was over. It is pretty small, too, thought it would stick out like a sore thumb but it is ok. You'll do fine, Frances, and I will be thinking of you. Snoopy, glad to hear it went well. Now just have to get through our first treatments...... so glad you ladies are here!

mommarch

Hi I had my port in on June 23 and started Chemo June 24.  No problems, chemo is AC have had no nausea, they gave the med Emend to take 1 hour before chemo and then for 2 days following, have been fatigued, I came back to work on June 28 probably a day to early, will take an extra day after my next chemo on July 14th.  Good Luck and Hugs

rabbit

valbee and robyn, when we had the MRI done to see more...and they noticed it was much larger than they first thought, that's when the surgeon and I discussed seeing the onco first, and there could be options. His idea of shrinking it first to where I an possibly get away with a lumpectomy sparked my interest, now knowing I don't carry that gene and we had it biopsied so they have some clue of what they're dealing with "I HOPE". LOL

Snoopy, hope your first chemo went as good as mine. My FEC was fine...it was hours later, that first night that I felt like a truck ran over me, but that passed by the next day. My energy levels are hitting bottom now, day 9 I think, probably getting close to that nadir.

Jamei, hope you are well too, let us know how you go!

missswim, I was never given a numbing spray at all, but I did eat percocets for days after surgery I was quite sore, m port is on the left side but the catheter goes up the right side of my neck and I still feel a little tug there at times, overall it's nowhere near as bad as I expected, 2 and a half weeks later. 

Frances best of luck tomorrow, we'll all be thinking of you!

Here's to a nausea free day and a little energy!! 

Bless0Mel

Ok guys it's been a few days since I last commented on here. I have a few updates. I had the egg retrieval on Tuesday. It was very painful for me apparently although I feel as though I am ok

. Meaning, I am not afraid just kinda stuck in I gotta deal with all of this mode. My body is a whole lot more stressed as I had a total of 6 of versed and only felt woozy in the head. The doctors felt really bad that I had to feel it and just blamed it on I have a lot going on right now. Any who, I had an excellent retrieval of 21 eggs.



Next up for me is that I get my port placed on next Tuesday which is the 12th, then on that Thursday I have another breast biopsy and a pet scan scheduled (these are for the research study I am in)then I start chemotherapy on the18th. I am a little nervous about the port placement based off of what happened with meds during egg retrieval. Typically I am very sensitive to drugs because I hardly ever take them, but this worries me based off ofmy stress level.



Any suggestions or has anyone else responded to things like I have would be comforting to hear about and know what helped you to relax when you didn't realize you were stressing.



Based off reading the other post it sounds like I am the only person on my regimen as I have 12 treatments once a week of abraxane and cytoplatin

Jamie30

Hi everyone! 

Snoopy ~ Hope your first chemo went well today and you NO SEs!

Misswim ~ Glad that your port is in and hope your neck feels better soon!

FrancesC ~ Hope everything goes great with your port and I will be sending good vibes your way too!

BlessOMel~ Glad they were able to get 21 eggs!  Sorry but cant help with the med issues but I will be thinking about you and hope that everything goes smooth for your port and you are pain free!  When I am feeling stressed I talk ALOT and then have a good cry in my bed at night and normally feel better.  I stress because I tend to hold things in instead of letting them go.  We are only bulit for the worry of today so if we start pulling in the worries of tomorrow...its overload.  Hope things get better on the stress level for you!

Today is Day 10 after my chemo.  I am feeling good.  I think my hair is shedding but everyone tells me that I am just looking for it that is why I find stray hairs.  IDk but I have read that most lose around Day 13-18 so tomorrow, my hubby, my boys, and me are going to my sisters salon and buzzing my head! 

I went to see my plastic surgeon today, who I LOVE!  He jokes with me and my hubby and kinda has my sense of humor.  I have a strange sense of humor, lol.  I laugh at totally inappropriate times but that is how I deal with things I guess.  If I dont laugh I cry and I dont like to cry (but I do at night sometimes).  So I was at 550ccs and now I am at 650cc.  The girls are looking nice now!  I am doing one more fill of another 100ccs in 3 weeks and I will be DONE with this part!  I just have to wait until after chemo for my exchange.

I am feeling a little confident right now.  I am not skinny by anymeans and have gained 50lbs over the last 8 months or so (drs blame it on my body being out of whack with hormones).  I think I eat too much, lol.  BUT I tried on one of my old bras and a tankini style top and my boobs are rockin, lol.  I cant remember the last time my boobs didnt droop!

Hope everyone has an awesome day free of pain and nausea!

ewa-swimmer

Just back from my first T/C Chemo. I dressed for comfort which turned out to be a good decision. It was no big deal. I had no reaction to it. There was TV available but I chose to read my book and listen to my iPod. Whole thing took about 3 1/2 hours. Feeling sleepy now but I think that's the let down after feeling a little anxious. I didn't think I was but there sure was a drop in my blood pressure from the beginning to the end.

Anonymous

Ewa - so good to hear you made it through the first session.  I will probably be starting TC the week of July 18.  Everyone is very nice at the center and I have decided to be calm and not to worry anymore.  I am looking forward to finishing all of the books that I have been reading.  All of you in the group are an inspiration to me!

FrancesC

Hi all ladies,

Snoopy73 & misswim - glad to hear about your smooth port installation.  Thank you and I will draw strength from your experience that it is not so bad after all. 

Mommarch - wow, you went through it so well. So happy for you.

Thanks rabbit for your well wishes - it will happen in 4 hours time....

Bless0Mel - talk to your doc and anesthetist. I react very badly to sedation drugs and GA and used to wake up vomiting next 2 days.  My last operation, I voiced out and I didnt know what they gave but I woke up just feeling a little drowsy and slept through the night.  I could eat the next day.  The fear I have for today includes the insertion of the IV line as it will be done through my foot (I had lymph nodes taken out for both arms so they are practically useless now to receive any injections or IVs etc).

Jamie30 - your are funny! Glad you are feeling much better.

Ewa and Phillybird - I have same treatments as you - TC - starting monday 11 Jul.  Glad to hear Ewa your first TC went smoothly at the centre.  Pray for no SEs for all of us.  Take care and rest well. 

rabbit

Jamie, glad your boobs rock, that's awesome!!!!! I don't remember the last time mine didn't sag either, well, I sort of remember like 15-20 years ago! 

pinkpalette

mommaof4.... I think I have a chemo buddy.  I'm really anxious about the 11th too, but you know - the sooner we get this started, the sooner we'll be done.  Lets say a silent prayer for no SE's. 

I called my onc. nurse today and she called in a prescription for numbing cream - for the port.  I had a procedure at the hospital a few weeks ago and they had a lot of difficulty using the port - ouchy-ouch.  The onc. nurse suggested they were inexperienced with ports, and the chemo nurse team is very good.  I guess I'll see about that. 

pinkpalette

FrancesC, thank you for helping me with the diagnosis band.  I almost feel like a complete woman now.  I hope your port procedure went well.  Now you be sure to get a prescription for Emla cream.  That spot is new and may be tender.

pinkpalette

paulamati, great to hear your first infusion went well.  Rest up and let us know how you're feeling.

paulamati

thanks pinkpalette so far so good ..last night it took a little longer to go to sleepbut I took another Melatonin and worked perfectly.I was thinkinkg if you have read the book Life over Cancer by dr.keith block..its pretty good very positive.

Good luck to all of you!!

Bless0Mel

FrancesC- I will definitely let the anesthiesiologist (hope that is spelled right) Know about my concerns and what happened. Oh my, your foot that is horrible. My viens aren't the best but I would just die if they had to go to the foot. I usually get multiple sticks. The infusion nurse when I went on my tour looked at my arm and hand and said I three viens and she knew they would not hold up fo 12 treatments and suggested that I get a port. Do you have a port? Did they put you to sleep for the procedure? what should I expect?

bcisnofun

Hi everyone - I'd like to join.  Double mastectomy and reconstruction on 6/1.  We decided on chemo for sure yesterday.  We were borderline on whether risks outweighed benefit but decided the one thing we know I have is cancer and we want to throw the kitchen sink at it.  I'll do 4 rounds of A/C dose dense.  Port on 7/13, first chemo 7/14  Went wig shopping today and thought I'd cry, but took a friend and we had a great time.  Found two wigs I loved and a "halo" so I can wear it to the gym under a baseball cap.  I need to read up on what to take with you to chemo.  I'll be thinking about all of you and hoping you have uneventful chemo experiences.  Keep us all posted. 

rabbit

Bless0Mel, a port is a good thing, they twilight you and you don't remember a thing, wake up and it's done...stiff and sore for a bit but very doable. Believe me, I was so glad to have the port on that first chemo, I can't imagine worrying about veins collapsing and stuff. You feel the prick for 1 second and it's done, no burning or pain at all after that, it's a blessing with chemo I'm guessing. 

Cathy_C

Got my port in today and I am so sore. Supposed to start chemo tomorrow, just not sure I am ready. BS thinks I am, but still sore from my lumpectomy done on 6/16 and now the port placement. I guess I expected to be fully recovered before I start the chemo. I can't remember everything that was said at my initial Onc appt, thought I needed to have a shot today (day before chemo). I am just so confused and overwhelmed. I should have called the Onc today, but slept all afternoon.  

Allenan

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for the very warm welcome!!  I went to chemo class today and they told me all about the TC.  I went out and bought a couple items for my chemo bag -- biotene mouthwash, toiletries, etc.  I ordered the Aqua water just in case I need and also got 2 nice scarves and a turban.  I'll check out a wig next.

I did all this before I got my Pathology results from my 2nd re-excision.  Well the margins are 1mm from the DCIS  and BS says that is good enough.  For those who do not know my story, I had lumpectomy on May 20th for IDC and DCIS, then re-exc on June 8 and then another re-exc on June 24th to clear the margins.  I had already decided that whatever happens, I was just going to move forward with chemo and rads and leave all else to my maker.  I Anyone knows the norm for margins?  Is 1mm considered the standard?   Now its on to Chemo and I am so glad I have this group to accompany me on this journey.

I will be getting the TC mixture.  The only thing that really worries me is the possibility of  vomitting.  I pray I wont feel this SE too much.

Jaime, I asked about sex and was told pretty much the same thing.

Valbee - you are definitely not crazy.  you have to be at peace when you start this journey.  I opted to start on the 18th but was told today I could start on the 15th.   

Hugs to all!!  Let's be encouraged

Anna

FrancesC

Bless0Mel, its now 6.50 pm here.  I just woke up from my rest.  I was in op theatre at 11.30 am and all I know was I woke up at the recovery ward at 2 pm with a bad pain on my right chest where the port is placed.  I was discharged at 4 pm, weak from the GA that I went through.  I do not receive GA well and hence all the bad reactions I have are from my GA, not so much the port insertion.  Right now, it feels Iike I have been punched in the chest and the shoulder is aching.  My doc said that I have been too tense and hence muscle is aching.  I am already eating now and even plan to go watch Transformers at the cinema tomorrow.

Everyone here is telling me having a port is a good decision.