August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

MaryjRN

Ya Ya...congrats!  And you have such a beautiful family, too!

Doodlebug...great news!

No bell at my infusion center, either. 

Terry71

Michelle- You getting retment at Grand River??

Taylor777

Congratulations Terry71!!!

Good news doodlebug!!

JMULL

YaYa - Congratulations and great pictures!  So happy you are done and on to the next step. 

Terry and Deb - Good luck with your last treatments and congratulations to you too!  So jealous that everyone is finishing but not long for me now.

I had tx#3 of Taxol today.  My MO was going to switch me to Abraxane because of the itchiness from hand/foot syndrome that I am having.  But she called this am and said that the Abraxane could make it wors.  So staying on Taxol to see how it treats me the next few weeks.  So jealous of all you ladies that get a boost from your steroids! Not me, they make my eyes weird and I feel slightly buzzed, but that's it!

Deb - did you get your new wig yet?  What do you think?

I forgot who asked about home hair dying.  I have used Nice n Easy in the past.  It's great if you want overall color.  I wouldn't attempt to do highlights, but that's just me!

I had stubble starting, but now I think that is falling out because of the Taxol.  My eyelashes were hanging on through AC but those have started to go as well.  No matter, my 5 little lashes get mascara whenever I have to go to work!

Love and hugs to all!

JMULL

And congrats to Doodlebug for the great prognosis/outcome!  woo hoo!!!!

Terry71

Thank you so much Taylor and JMULL Im pretty anxious to get this picc line out.... On to rads after 

MaryjRN

Congrats Terry71!  Bring on the rads!

JMULL...hope this dose of Taxol goes ok.  Treat those 5 little lashes with care! LOL

DebinUtah

Thanks for the good wishes YaYa and JMULL!  Was it Ellen who said she thought she'd probably cry all the way through her last infusion? I certainly feel that way: the poisoning is finally coming to an end! Wish I could say I don't mind my port, YaYa!  It's hideous. I have no fat (or muscle) up there so it just sticks out and looks gross!

JMULL--I haven't gotten my new wig yet--the shipping confirmation said probably this Friday. Can't wait! Can we wear our wigs to rads? 

Terry71

MaryjRN- Thanks hun  Im excited....... Deb- I cried during my first and second treatment, and I know Im going to cry Tomorrow as its my LAST one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tears of Joy though, 

YaYa5

oh, deb, i DESTEST my port.  it sticks out, too, and i still can't sleep on that side unless i'm very, very careful.  i've had it since july!  however, when i sit there and think about having to get poked with a need in my arm every single time, i'm grateful for it.  but don't get me wrong;  i'll be thrilled to get it out in july.  

DebinUtah

Yeah, I'm with you, YaYa, I gotta admit that I love my port on infusion day.  I'm thinking about getting it out the end of April (in time for swimsuit season) when I have only 6 Herceptin treatments left.  I guess I'll always have a bad scar there either way, right? 

Good luck tomorrow, Terry! Tears of JOY is right!

michelleo13

Terry71, yes I'm getting treatment at Grand River. Good luck tomorrow!

Terry71

Thats where Nancy had her treatments too...... And thank you so much Michelle xx

MizMarie

Good luck Terry - it's so nice to see so many of us at the end of this phase of the journey!

I'm heading over in an hour for #5, hoping that my labs will be OK enough to get the poison.  I used to look forward to chemo day, but now I just wish I didn't have to do it.  Going to have MO look at my nails today.  I've not had any issues so far, but I've noticed that the white "half moon" area at the base of each nail is much larger than it used to be.  Hope this isn't an ominous sign....

DebinUtah

MizMarie--Good luck today!  I've noticed the same think in a few of my nails, and the nail beds on a few of my nails are pretty painful.  Let me know what your MO says.  I've looked online for recommendations for nail pain, and I can't find anything beyond common sense stuff.  I was on one of the other bc.org boards yesterday and many women where saying they'd lost nails or that their nails had lifted while on the TCH regimen.  I really don't need one more reason to hate how I look!

YaYa5

deb, are you icing your nails during taxotere?  a lot of us have done that and haven't had any nail issues.  i chewed on ice during taxotere, too, and didn't get mouth sores.

Terry71

Mizmarie- thank you so much, Home now all done treatments, Picc line is OUT...... Did the happy dance, huge hug from my nurse and we had Cake  Im feeling great so far, Neulasta tomorrow at noon then bring on the SE'S for 10 days........ I GOT THIS.. I did it and so can ALL of you. Huge hugs to ALL

michelleo13

MisMarie, hope all went well for you today. I've been massaging my cuticles with cuticle conditioner every day to save my nails since starting Taxol. So far it seems to have worked - no black spots yet. My right baby toenail is a little sore but otherwise I haven't had any issues.

Yeah Terry71...doesn't it feel great to be done chemo!  I'm just a couple of days ahead of you. Do you know yet when you start rads?

YaYa5

hooray, terry!!!  it's a great feeling to have it behind you.  congrats!!!!

DebinUtah

YaYa--I haven't been icing my fingernails (my MO kind of pooh-poohed it) but wish I had.  Haven't really had this kind of pain and trouble until this cycle. It may be too late, but I plan to bring my frozen peas to my LAST INFUSION tomorrow.

Congratulations, Terry! You're right: YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Terry71

Thanks Deb- Im so happy today.......Its been a great day 

summergirl1

havent been on in a while been very down last two weeks coming close to the end of will have last chemo in 2 weeks TG, dont know how much more I can take Im so exhausted last round hit me really hard , pain has been incredible this time, but its great to see we are all getting to the end of this chemo journey , congrats to all of you who have finished !!!!

Doodlebug (micheala) Brilliant news on your DX thats awesome bet you are so relieved, and a big weight off your mind ,

YaYa5 great pics , they dont do anything like that over here when your done your done no fuss made at all, I think its lovely that they ring the bell for you , after all it is a big accomplishement especially after what we have all been through

Terry71

Taylor- Thanks sweetie, you're in the running..... Keep your chin up and SMILE ..... summergirl you too hun, and CONGRATS to all who have finished and are almost there.... WE SHINE ladies 

allformy4

YaYa -love your pics!!  Congrats to everyone who have finished w/their chemo.  I had my last treatment yesterday!! So happy, but no big party at my chemo place either.  I kinda figured it might be upsetting to the patients that are there, so I didn't mind much.  Honestly, I pretty much ran outta there!! I have a port also, I am so greatful for it b/c I can't use my right arm, and my left arm does not have much to work with. 

On to my exchange surgery 12/21 -(Merry Christmas!) and rads after that

almost there!!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

MizMarie

Deb, the MO told me that the white area is of no concern and that my nails look healthy - he doesn't think I will lose any.  Mine haven't caused any pain so far.

Had a good visit with the doc today - he seemed much less rushed and I left feeling like all of my concerns were addressed.   My platelet also count looked good, well within the "normal" range, BUT it's is still on the low end of normal so could potentially be below the threshold next time.  Gonna be eating LOTS of protein these next couple of weeks.  I also read that vitamin c promotes platelet production, so will be drinking plenty of OJ.

I'm feeling pretty darned good this evening - hope everyone is doing well!

DebinUtah

Glad to hear about the nails, MizMarie!  Hope I get a similar message from my onc! Congratulations, Allformy4! I'm so happy for you, and you just gave me a great idea--maybe I'll bring cookies or slices of pumpkin pie (not homemade, of course) for the other patients tomorrow to celebrate my last tx--my treat is being done! Summergirl, I'm so sorry to hear you've been down. I know that two more weeks can feel like an eternity when you're feeling lousy! You'll be in my thoughts.

Sincere thanks to EVERYONE for making this nasty chemo trip more bearable!

vtellen

Hey all- sorry, I have been so busy re-starting my store that I haven't visited this site lately! But, it makes me feel soooo good to read the elation in your voices as you all finish up. YaYa- that bell is the best. What a wonderful idea. DebinUtah- YES! You are finishing today! Enjoy the feelings of returning health, but remember to be patient w/ yourself. I am closing in on 6 weeks out, and my muscles are still tight, my eyes still tear more, and I have flickering and sometimes more persistant neuropathy. BUT, don't bum out- it is nothing as bad as it used to be. And, obviously I am feeling well enough to run around like a chicken w/ my head cut off re-opening my shop!

My nails have ridges and white lines from each treatment. It both fascinates me and makes me sad to look at them. I finially buffed them alittle and painted them. But, they are still well attached!

A big YeeHaw! to everyone finished and finishing!

MaryjRN

Hi ladies,

I just got done reading everyone's posts and I love hearing the good news and have lots of cyber hugs for the bad news.  We WILL get through this!!

I've been dealing with a lot of nasal issues on the Taxol/Taxotere; almost constant runny nose, congestion, etc.  Last night had a huge bloody nose that really scared DH. 

My nails are turning white from the finger tip down, not the nailbed.  I can tell they are a little sore.  I've read that nail changes can continue several months after the chemo.

I was with my friend (newly diagnosed bc) for her first consulation with an MO.  The doc said that for every cm of tumor, there are 1 billion cancer cells!  

Have a great day!

JMULL

Deb and All4my4 - Congratulations on being done!!!!  So happy for you! 

Taylor777

Congratulations Deb and allformy on being done!!! That must be an amazing feeling!!!