August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

DebinUtah

Beautiful Taylor--isn't it funny how so many people have the need to share the "hard" truth with us? Like we don't know it already! I had dinner with a survivor and her husband the other night.  She's a wonderful woman, and she's been very good to me, but she kept telling me how thin and lifeless my hair would be when it grew in and how crazy the Tamoxifen would make me. Finally, her husband said, "Hey, I don't think Deb needs to hear this." And she said very firmly, "She needs to know." Maybe I need to know FACTS; I certainly don't need to know every negative POSSIBILITY.  If I've learned anything through all this, it's that positive thinking is the only way to survive, and I want only positive people around me. Not having hair has been the absolutely most traumatic part of all this for me.  My husband has been great though; he's been collecting pictures of really short hair cuts that he thinks are cute. He's always loved long, long hair, so to have him excited about my future short hair means a lot to me.

Terry71--I see from one of your other posts that your last treatment is the 17th. Congrats!  Mine is the 18th!  Rads and continued Herceptin should be a breeze after the TC, right? Hurrah for us!

Vivie--I think you're one of the bravest women I know! I say trust your gut to know what's right for your body and sanity. What do doctors know?  They're poisoning us and radiating us on the CHANCE that there might be some rogue cells floating around.  It's all a giant crap shoot.  Take care of yourself and keep us posted.

Terry's right: everybody, keep your chin up and smile. Love and strength to all.

Taylor777

Thank you Terry and Deb!!!

The whole hair thing has been the hardest for me and for my sisternlaw to say that well wow!! I really beleive some people have some evil in them! I would only say positive things to people going through this!!

Deb -that lady shouldnt have said a word to you about Tamoxillan and your hair being lifeless etc..That was nice that her husband spoke up . Everyone is going to have a different reaction to tamoxillan and if my hair is lifeless when it grows back then I'll add some extentions! Look what we've been through!! Since Jun 16th its been a nightmare having surgeries, waiting for test results and nobody is ever going to make any more stupid remarks to me when Im done!!

Thats great Deb about your husband picking out short hair cuts and before you know it your hair will be long...:)

ps which one are you the blonde or brunette..lol.

DebinUtah

Taylor--I'm the blonde with the cheesy smile. The brunette is my BFF Becky.  I think you're right about some folks having a little devil in them.  If I had to guess I'd bet that you've always been more attractive than your sister-in-law, right?  Now she's making you pay for it (whether she realizes it or not). Classic passive aggression.  Don't waste an ounce of your precious energy thinking about it; it's her problem!  Let's all think about next spring when we'll be sporting cute new hair styles and training for marathons and preparing to go to Hawaii with our hubbies!! 

MizMarie

I also had someone tell me it would take two years for my hair to come back.  Of all people to say such a thing, this woman owns a store that caters to cancer patients, selling hats, head scarves, mastectomy garments, etc, and who also had breast cancer several years ago.  Granted, it may take two years for my hair to be the length it was when I was first diagnosed, but still....  Sheesh!! 

michelleo13

Robyn, the puppy sounds sooooo cute! A great diversion for you right now.

Taylor, don't you wonder why people say such things? It's like the people who kept telling me in the beginning that I might not lose my hair because not everyone does. After hearing my sister say that about 5 times, I told her "I will definitely lose my hair...the doctor has told me so...and it's not helpful hearing you say that I might not!"

I've decided I'm going to leave my hair short when it grows back. I had short hair for many years and have only grown it long in the last 10 years. I think it's time to go short again. I really liked the short do I had right before starting chemo.

I'm going for my last tx tomorrow! Can't wait for it to be over!!!!!!

DebinUtah

Best of luck tomorrow, Michelleo!  You did it!  How are you going to celebrate?

Taylor777

Congratulations Michelle!!! Wishing you all the best for tomorrow!!

Thanks Ladies...I don't understand why people say the things they do.

Miz Marie- that lady being a bc patient herself should never have said that!!

Michelle my mother nlaw also kept telling me I wasnt going to lose my hair she kept saying it everytime I seen her..I think the more she said it then my hair wouldnt fall out..lol..She wasnt impressed when I shaved it off..lol..

Deb your also done too this week!! Congratulations!! Thats a nice pic of you and your bff

Terry71

Just got home from MO app, Its guaranteed Nov 17th LAST treatment!!!! Picc line comes OUT!!!!!!!! herceptin for 1 yr too and rads.... Gonna be a Breeze compared to chemo........  

MizMarie

Congrats to Deb and Michelle!  There are still a few of us stragglers who won't be too far behind you.  I'm so ready to start watching for new hair growth!  I wonder if the crispy stubble that is still holding on will fall out before the new growth begins.  Anyone know?

capinva

Looks like I'm back in for the chemo. Had my last AC treatment Oct 3. Had SMX on Nov 2 with additional axillary node dissection on Nov 9. Just got the call today from the doctor that 3 out of the 5 nodes she took had cancer cells. So looks like I'm doing chemo again. I have appt on Dec 12 with oncologist. Guess I will have to do the Taxol. Is Taxol easier than AC. Any idea if the cumulative effect of the AC will make the TAxol harder? AC was hard so I hope Taxol will be a little better

DebinUtah

Terry--I don't really know the difference between a picc line and a port.  I have port, and I hate it with all my heart (except on infusion days). But I don't dare have the surgeon take it out because I have so my herceptin treatments left.  Will you do all the remaining herceptins with a regular IV?

MizMarie--I'm wondering the same thing about my crispy stubble.  I was crying to my hair stylist friend today about my hair.  She says she does the hair of a woman who's had chemo three separate time (God forbid!) and that her hair grows in thicker and more beautiful every time.  I'm not doing this three times, but I'll take the thicker/more beautiful hair!

Capinva, I'm sorry to hear about your return to chemo! I'm having taxotere so I can't say from experience, but most women I know say ANYTHING is better than the AC!  What effects are you still having from the AC?  Does anyone else have numbness in their cheeks and lips?  It comes and goes for me and drives me crazy!

YaYa5

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Terry71

Deb: A picc line is just a really glorified IV its in my upper arm and feed into my chest like a port does..... No biggie, yea I will have my herceptin through a regualr IV I want this OUT....  4 months is long enough for me....... 

Grimbol

capinva - from what I have read on here I think Taxol is easier than AC, I have had Taxol and I appear to have had it easier than some others.  I have to have the infusion slowly as I did react the time they tried to speed it up, but apart from that, I get bone aches from the Taxol and some neuropathy in my hands & feet.  I also get Carboplatin so some of the neuropathy comes from that too.  I don't find the nausea too bad, but I do use meds for it.  I am sorry you have to be back for this but I think you'll find it easier than the AC

Chrys23

Capinva, I'm so sorry that you have to go through the treatment again.  May I ask why the surgery was after chemo? Did you not have surgery after being diagnosed and before your first treatment of chemo?

A/C is absolutely HORRID. I only had one treatment of it, and that was enough for me. I'm still having issues with it messing up my body.   I had two treatments of Taxotere and I wish I had stayed on that, even though I had some bad reactions from it.  I think you'll probably find Taxol easier, at least I would hope so.  My thoughts are with you. xoxo

MaryjRN

I think there is a thread on these forums about stupid things people say to you.  Some of these comments are hurtful and mean, not stupid.

Capinva...sorry to read that you have to do more chemo.  I found the AC harder than the Taxol.  But Taxol may give you neuropathy and bone pain issues.

Michelle...I may stay with short hair, too.  I do know I am done with highlights. 

I actually passed some time at Walmart, while waiting for DH in another department, looking at all of the home hair dye items that are available.  Does anyone have any opinions they could share about home vs salon dye jobs?

michelleo13

Capinva, so sorry to hear you have to have more chemo. I just finished my last Taxol today and I've found Taxol much easier than AC. I've had no nausea with Taxol, and for me, the neuropathy hasn't been too bad. I did have a reaction for tx #2 and #3 but it was mild and they got it under control quickly.

Mary, I've always dyed my own hair at home in the past and it works okay and saves some $$$. I expect my hair will grow back white and I'm pondering whether I'll bother to colour it. I guess I'll wait and see how it looks. My Mum has white hair and it looks great on her. Mind you, she's 78. I'm only 47 so I'm not sure I'm ready for the white hair look yet!! LOL

YaYa5

Here I am at my last chemo yesterday, getting ready to ring the bell.  i'm easy to spot!  the others are my very good friend in front of me (who came to 4 out of 6 tx's), one of my sons (who came to 5 out of 6 tx's) and his three fabulous children, and beside me is the widow of the man who provided the bell to the infusion room.  she and i were college roommates and have lived across the street from each other for over 30 years.  i wanted her to be there for ringing the bell.  it was a happy day.

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Chrys23

YaYa: That is so awesome! Congrats to you hon!! What a lovely photo

YaYa5

and here i am with those precious grandchildren of mine.  we are so connected and they've been concerned about YaYa.  

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Terry71

Yaya- Sweet, Im so happy for you... Awesome pics. :-) BIG HUGS to you 

Taylor777

YaYa Congratulations!!! Beautiful pictures!!!xo

michelleo13

YaYa5, great pics. Thanks for posting. No bell in my chemo suite. I feel ripped off!! LOL

Doodlebug12

YaYa5 what amazing photos. You sure have reason to be proud,, congratulations on finishing chemo Michelle - actually looking forward to rads... This time 10 weeks we will be celebrating finishing the whole ordeal thank god. I am certainly getting fed up playing this game. My ds (9) wants mommy to collect him from school again everyday and my middle dd just wants her life back and everything to get back to normal. Eldest dd is very depressed and spending a lot of time in bed hiding away.... Suppose she more like me that I thought lol. The past 2 weeks have been a nightmare where family life is concerned... They were all waiting on a consultation I had with doc today. News is that he is extremely happy with me and that he is expecting a 100% cure. Type of cancer (tubular) that I have has a low risk of recurrence and any stray lymph nodes that I have will be washed away to boot with radiation. He reckons my body will get used to flushes and that I have a very nice outcome to look forward to. I am a very happy person tonight. Wish I could sleep - its 4.25am here and I am busy cleaning cooker. Darn steroid rush - I'm gonna miss them!!!!! xxxxxxxx michaela

missey29

Congratulations YaYa! What a lovely family you have.

Robyn6463

Congratulations YaYa! Awesome pictures! I'm so disappointed that my place didn't have a bell!!!!! I did get a hug from my onco nurse, so I guess that was nice too!

DebinUtah

Dear YaYa--How happy I am for you!  Your grandkids are gorgeous!  I can't wait till I join the post-chemo ranks on Friday!  Keep me posted on how you recover from the last chemo and how your rads simulation goes.  The long muscles in my arms and legs are still so stiff and sore, even though I've been stretching/doing yoga everyday. I thought it might be the Neulasta, but MO says it's the taxotere. Are you keeping your port for the rest of the Herceptin treatments?

Doodlebug--congrats on the great prognosis! What an incredible relief that must be!  I know your kids must want their "normal" lives back; don't we all!  My dogs, on the other hand, have been thrilled to have a stay-at-home mom for once. 

Peace and perserverence to all today!

Terry71

My place doesnt have a bell either  BUT we are having cake tomorrow my LAST treatment is at 10AM  so cake with my nurse, and a few great people I have met the last few months are coming in to join us. My cousin lives in Waterloo Ont nd when she finished she got a diploma, a certificate and everything when she was done.... I feel RIPPED off too they do nothing here but give you your treatment and send you on your merry way to the next place....... 

Hope all you wonderful ladies are having a GREAT day Hugs to all  

YaYa5

deb, just a few more days and you'll be done!  this is day 3 and i'm feeling ok.  i see my RO on monday to set up a simulation appt.  and yes, i'll be keeping my port until i'm finished with herceptin which will be in july.  i don't mind too much.  please keep us posted on how you do after friday.  i'll be thinking about you.

this is what is printed on the plaque beside the bell in the infusion room.  i knew randy for over 40 years and this is such a sweet way to keep his memory alive. 

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michelleo13

Terry71, I think they've discontinued the Diploma here in Kitchener-Waterloo. I had my final tx yesterday at our local cancer centre and barely got a good-bye on the way out!  At the gym this morning, someone asked me if I got my diploma and I had no idea what she was talking about.

YaYa5, that's a beautiful plaque.  Love it!