August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

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  • edyem
    edyem Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2011

    Congratulations YaYa, Deb and allformy4 for completing treatment!



    Capinva, I have done 5 of 12 tx of Taxol and have found it so much easier than AC. I still have some bone pain and a tiny bit of neuropathy, but I've felt much better on Taxol.



    My oncology center in Austin does have a bell. The nurses all gather and throw confetti to celebrate your last treatment. Unfortunately, I don't get to ring it until January 13, I think I'm the last to finish on here and I actually started onJuly 29th! At least the nurse told me today that my hair was definitely starting to grow back. The crispy hair that remained must have fallen out because now I only have white fuzz all over my head. My brows seem to be starting to grow back but my lashes are still MIA. I've heard that lashes and brows may come and go a few times before they stay put. I figure that once the under arm hair comes in then that will show that the hair is definitely coming back.



    I hope everyone feels well and enjoys this weekend.



    Edye

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  • DebinUtah
    DebinUtah Member Posts: 75
    edited November 2011

    All--my last chemo tx went off yesterday without a hitch. TG!  No bell, but lots of hugs, some tears and a big bottle of sparkling cider.  (When I asked if they couldn't get me something a little "harder," they laughed and said "Hey, it's Utah.)  Of course, they all know that they'll be seeing me every three weeks for my Herceptin infusion until August.  But NO MORE POISON!  I'm scheduled to see my RO in about two weeks--I hope he and his staff are as wonderful as my MO's clinic has been! (Although my MO gave me a carefully worded warning that ROs tend to be a little more "clinical" than "personable.")

    JMULL--my new wig was waiting for me when I got home for chemo--nice timing!  I really like it! The cap is more comfortable than I expected, not one bit itchy.  I like it so much I'm thinking of getting another one, maybe a slightly different style, in the creamy toffee color like you got.  I like the gradient butter pecan color I bought, but having one that's a little blonder would also be fun.  Now I'm REALLY regretting the $1000 I spent on my real-hair wig!  The color is not nearly as natural looking, it's really not that much more comfortable, and it's a huge pain to style so I rarely wear it.  I really think I'll feel more like myself if I wear this new wig a lot--even just around the house.  Thanks TONS for the recommendation!

    Blessings and strength to everyone this week!! Thanks again for all the encouragement and great advice!

    Deb

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  • MaryjRN
    MaryjRN Member Posts: 130
    edited November 2011

    Deb...I have (only) 1 wig and I am toying with the idea of another one.  I like reading your color descriptions of yours! LOL  I am thinking of something in the burgandy/reddish family and shorter than I am wearing.  I may keep my hair shorter when it comes back in.  Not sure.

    Hair color/style and what do I want to do to celebrate when I am done with chemo/rads are the 2 things I daydream about! 

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  • JMULL
    JMULL Member Posts: 46
    edited November 2011

    Deb - so glad you like the wig!  I think the Noriko cap is really comfortable, too.  I have a Raquel Welch wig and I find it very itchy.  And I love the gradient coloring!  As I think my hair is falling out again from the Taxol, maybe I will get another one, too!

    Hugs to everyone!

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  • aimska
    aimska Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2011

    I haven't logged into this site in soo long!!  how is everyone doing?  everyone should be finishing up soon?  :)

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  • capinva
    capinva Member Posts: 138
    edited November 2011

    Chrys23 - I had to have chemo before surgery because my tumor was 6cm and I have/had very small breast. The chemo first time shrunk the tumor by 75% and so had the surgery. But the path report said I had cancer cells in 5 out of 7 nodes so have to do the taxol.



    Michelle13 - glad you finished your last taxol. I also use to color my hair at home. Not sure if I'm going to do that again or let it become gray. My mom is totally gray and she too looks great but she is 75 and I just turned 51. I'm not sure what I'm going to do but it is coming back dark and gray.



    YaYa - congratulations on finishing your treatments.

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  • lele3737
    lele3737 Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2011

    Mary,make sure you ice your toes! My toenails are now white (looks like a fungal infection) and are lifting from the taxotere! My onc says if we were to look under there, it would look like soup!

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  • MaryjRN
    MaryjRN Member Posts: 130
    edited November 2011

    Hi ladies,

    Went for groceries this morning and it wore me out.  No news to this group! Laughing

    Lele...how many Taxotere treatments did you receive and when are you done? Sorry to hear that your nails are doing so badly.

    Capinva...I'm not 100% what I'm going to do with my hair.  I will be 55 next month, but I don't know if I am ready to do all grey.  My DH is younger looking.  

    Congrats again to everyone finishing their chemo! 

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2011

    Oh the hair dilemma. My DH has totally white hair and has for years. It looks good on him. Guess I'll wait and see when it comes back and decide then.

    Seeing the RO tomorrow and then doing the scans/setup on Wednesday. Things are moving faster than I expected which is good!

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  • NWArtLady
    NWArtLady Member Posts: 360
    edited November 2011

    The excitement and joy on this board is so wonderful to readl! Laughing

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2011

    Just had tx #7 today one more to go!!!! Never thought I would come close to seeing that light at the end of the tunnel!!! What a long journey it's been and it's still not over...

    Hope your alll doing well Smile

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  • allformy4
    allformy4 Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2011

    Congrats to everyone who is coming to the end of chemoland.  Boy has this board changed its attitude in the last few weeks!! :)

    michello13 -my husband is all white/gray as well -even though its a bit premature, it looks good on him too!  We call him the silver fox.  I swear I see little white hairs coming in -I am not ready for that as I am only 42 and b/f all this I think I had only 2 gray hairs!!  Regarding wigs, one of my chemo nurses had bc as well, and she had an array of really cute wigs -all sorts of colors -she wore them w/a headband, which looked even nicer!!  I am always scared the wig will blow off or twist and turn that I mostly wear it w/a nice hat.  Found the best one on the streets of the city for 10 bucks!!  Nicer than the hats they rip you off with at the wig salons!

    Everyone is talking about their white nails --mine have black streaks in them -I think from the AC??

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone -I know for me I have a lot to feel thankful for! xo

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  • lele3737
    lele3737 Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2011

    Mary, I had 4AC treatments, and 2 cisplatin/taxotere under my belt..only 2 more to go!!!

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2011

    Robo47- Isnt that awesome 1 more to go!!!!!! Congrats!!Are they letting you come back in 2wks? I'm done in 2wks which makes it the 6th!!!! I'm so done with the hives all over my cheeks and nose its from the sun I'm always forgetting about the sunscreen!!! My face has gotten so fat and round and I can't wait for my hair to start growing. My bday is on the 12th and cant wait to start a fresh new year never thought I'd love to see 42!

    Allformy- I have one nail that is dark and I got that from A/C and I have to others that arent so dark from taxol.

    lele- congrats!! 2 to go!!!

    Happy Thanksgiving to all my american sisters!!! Smile 

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  • DebinUtah
    DebinUtah Member Posts: 75
    edited November 2011

    Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!  Congratulations to Taylor, Allformy4, Lele, Robo and everyone who is sooooo close!  I'm 6 days out of my last chemo tx. I'm tired, sore and sick, but I'm still happy.  Robo, your description of yourself fits me EXACTLY! I can't wait for hair, clear skin, my normal face shape, a flat stomach, pain free muscles, ankles and tastebuds! Tastebuds or not, I'm still planning on eating as much pumpkin pie as I can get tomorrow!  I have an excuse for over endulgance!

    Patience and peace to all.

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited November 2011

    Yay, it came at last, my last chemo was yesterday, just Herceptin every 3 weeks and rads to go now.  Of course the SEs from this one too but soooo nice to be done.

    Praying for a happy Thanksgiving for you all, minimal SEs all around.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited November 2011

    Congrats to all who have finished -- you too Grimbol! You go girl!!

    I hope everyone is well; Aimska -- how the heck are  you doing girl??!

    I had my 16th rad treatment today; 14 more to go! Have been having a hard time emotionally and finally went to see a Psychiatrist today. I'll be going on Celexa for depression and will try Ambien to help me sleep. I've been breaking down almost everyday, but from what my therapist says, it often happens as one reaches the finality of treatment and all the emotions just finally crest to the surfrace.  Also the stress of horrible side effects I am still dealing with and the daily travel 45-50mins for Rads is taking its toll. I needed to seek help, for which I am NOT ashamed.

    My hair is coming in with peach fuzz, so I'm happy for that!

    In any case, I wish you all a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We're still here so that is something to be thankful for!!  Love, Crystal  Innocent

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2011

    Taylor & Robo47, you go girls! You're nearing the end!

    Allformy4, I wish I could say I only had two gray hairs before all this. My roots were very white so that's why I'm scared to see what comes back. So many people who don't know me very well compliment me on my "hair" when I wear my wig. I keep thinking "Just wait a few months...it'll be a scary sight"! LOL

    Grimbol, congratulations on being PFC!

    Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends on here! Enjoy the holiday!

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  • sandy115
    sandy115 Member Posts: 172
    edited November 2011

    chrys23 let me know how the celexa works my nurse recomended that drug to me she said there is very little S/E may need it myself.Happy thanks giving to all our American sisters  i am going over to the States to do Black Friday Shopping tommorow so hope the line ups ar'nt to long @ the border staying untill sunday so I can bring home lots of goodies.

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  • MaryjRN
    MaryjRN Member Posts: 130
    edited November 2011

    Hi ladies,

    I will soon be joining the 'done with chemo group' as I am scheduled for my last one on the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Can't wait!

    Chrys...don't you dare be ashamed to take something for depression.  You need it right now to help get you better.  Interesting comment that your therapist said about the emotions cresting to the surface when we start reaching the end. I've definitely been more emotional these past 2 weeks.  More now than in the beginning.  Wish you lived closer to rads.

    Michelle...the faster they get you into rads, the faster you'll be outta there!

    Taylor...hang in there!  The chemo end is coming soon!

    Allformy4...I, too, have so much to be thankful for.  I know I am going to start crying during Grace at our Thankgiving meal; when we all say something individually.

    Robo...you hang in there, too!  And I laughed when I read your description of all your chemo induced effects.  We can all commiserate with you.  Someday this will be all one bad memory. (although my onc told me to 'enjoy' the journey, learn from it and change for the better)

    Deb...hope you're feeling better soon and able to enjoy your pie!

    Grimbol...another one done.  Great news!  Hope your s/e are ok and you are able to enjoy your holiday tomorrow.

    Sandy...have fun shopping.  I haven't decided if I will do the Black Friday trek or not.  I will look at the ads tomorrow.

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited November 2011
    deb, i'm 10 days out from my last chemo and i still feel what you described ... tired, sore, and sick. the last chemo (#6) has certainly taken its toll.  in addition, my family seems to think that i've had my last treatment, so everything should be back to normal.  i've learned so much about my family during this and it hasn't been good.  with the holidays upon us, it's going to be harder than ever.  i don't know about the rest of you, but i'm just not up for the holidays like i used to be.  i'll be starting rads in a few weeks, so the tiredness will still be an issue.  ugh.
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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2011

    Wishing all my american sisters a Happy Thanksgiving Smile

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  • DebinUtah
    DebinUtah Member Posts: 75
    edited November 2011

    Robo47--I LOVE your BCO calendar!  Hilarious and right on target!  Seriously, you should market it--we survivors need to laugh at ourselves as well as celebrate these truly important milestones! 

    Chrys--I've also been on an anti-depressant (Prozac) since my DX, and I had my onc up my dosage a few weeks ago when I was getting really emotional.  No shame and it helps with my hot flashes!  I think Robo's right--we need to all prepare ourselves for Life After BC: cancer survivors have a higher rate of depression than the general public.  I look at my close friends who've had BC and how BC has defined them. Some of them seem to be in total denial--BC was just a blip on the radar of life that they barely want to admit; others seem to gain their whole identities from being a BC survivor. I think we could all use some professional help walking through the post-BC mine fields.  

    YaYa--I hear you.  I'm still getting a huge mental boost from the reality of NO MORE POISONING, but my body doesn't seem to want to play along: my legs are so weak, my heart races, my eyes run, my nose is stuffed up, my hands and mouth hurt.  My DH has been great (he fixed me a turkey dinner with all the trimmings yesterday even though he hates turkey), but I'm afraid he's going to start getting impatient with me: now that chemo is over I'm supposed to be totally "normal" again, right?  Snap out of it, right? I'm afraid this is a long road.  Keep in touch, YaYa.

    Love, hugs andpeace to all.

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited November 2011

    Oh I hear you, this last one is my worse one so far, sooo difficult to snap out out of it.  everything aches, my stomach is very unhappy, nausea has been bad, not a fun thanksgiving either, however it is the last one and I will survive.

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2011

    So sorry Margaret that your last tx was the worst.

    I have one more tx to go but I know BC will always be on my mind. I cry all the time I feel like my life is over . I feel like what's the point in pursuing my dreams. I pop ativan like it's candy .I have some really good moments that I really beleive that I'm going to be ok and I'm going to be able to move on and put this behind me then I wake up and start crying thinking that I'll never be the same again! I'm 41 , I have an amazing supportive husband and 2 young kids that I have to try and somehow be the old fun me ..so if that means I have to see a psychatrist and pop pills for me to feel like my old self again then thats what I'm going to have to do.

    I met a woman who is 50 and had cancer 9 yrs ago stage 2b and she bareley thinks of BC. When I get down which is daily I think about her and how she is living her life and she is happy!!

    I want to be happy again and I really want to enjoy Christmas this year!! I did try and go Christmas shopping last week and ended up buying myself a pair of expensive of boots and I almost put them back and thought F that I deserve those boots!!..lol..

    Hugs to all of you Smile

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  • JMULL
    JMULL Member Posts: 46
    edited November 2011

    Robo - I was crying reading about your holiday calendar.  I love it!  My daughter asked me what I was laughing about, but she is too young to understand.

    Congrats to all you ladies that have finished chemo and are doing rads!  Most of you will be done with rads before I even start.  Have my consultation and simulation on December 6th (I think) as last day of chemo is this coming Wednesday!!  Can't wait but it will be a little anti climatic as I know that for 10 days after that I will be having s/e's.

    I know that for most of you A/C totally sucked but for me Taxol is kicking my a$$.  Each tx I have a new s/e.  Today, for a fleeting moment I thought I was going to vomit.  Ran to the bathroom and then just sat there.  2 minutes later, I was fine.  It was so weird.  My hands and feet feel so swollen from the hand/foot syndrome and the itching spells are enough to drive me insane.  I feel like chewing my hands off.  I have to be careful what I eat so I don't end up with the big D and in the bathroom every 10 minutes.  The bottoms of my feet have all but peeled off.  I have just now lost my eyelashes and eyebrows and I think I have at least 2 finger nails that I am going to lose.  I feel so absolutely ugly right now.  *sigh*  Ok, I am done.  Thank you all for listening as I know you guys get it.  :-)

    Hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving had a great Turkey Day!!!

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  • allformy4
    allformy4 Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2011

    YaYa -you are right on about family!!  My DH and mom think its all over b/c chemo is over --guess I make it look easy (uugh)

    JMULL -I had the same thing about the nausea happen-thought something was SO wrong...

    I had a complete meltdown over the weekend, which is wierd b/c it was the 1st time it was that bad -in the meantime, I have 3 pairs of socks on b/c my feet feel so cold and numb; don't know if its neurapathy or if I just had no blood cells left that I am freezing from inside out! 

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  • DebinUtah
    DebinUtah Member Posts: 75
    edited November 2011

    Just had my first appointment with my radiology oncologist.  He seems great, but I'm disappointed that he wants me to wait a full month from my last chemo tx before I start rads--December 19.  I also have THREE separate simulation appointments before I start.  Is that normal?  Then I have 25 full-breast nukes and 8 additional nukes of the tumor site. I was thrilled to hear that I could expect "only minor lung damage."  Lung damage?!  Oh well, I guess I'm lucky my tumor was in my right breast so there's no chance of heart damage.  Ladies already doing rads, please remind me of the kinds of creams you've found to be helpful. 

    12 days out of chemo and still waiting for my hair, taste buds and energy to show signs of a return, but SOOOOOO happy to be chemo free!  JMULL--I'm gettting tons of compliments on my new Noriko wig.Thanks again! Good days and nights to all!Smile

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited November 2011

    Hi Deb!

    What is useful for me is Aquafor and Keri Sensitive Skin Lotion.  I'm at treatment #19 and have NO skin issues at this time. Hopefully, this will remain the case until the end.

    My center even mixed Lidocaine and Aquafor for any minor pain issues, which I was having over the weekend. Sometimes I put regular Aquafor on and THEN add the Keri lotion on top of it. I do the chest (my clavical is being radiation), breast, nipple and under my arm near my sentinal node scar. 

    All in all, I only have skin darkening; so I am thankful. I hope this helps!

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  • Robyn6463
    Robyn6463 Member Posts: 167
    edited November 2011

    Hi ladies! I haven't posted in a while. I've been feeling good, and trying to forget about breast cancer for a while so I've stayed away. Today was my 15th of 28 radiation treatments. So far so good. I also have been using aquafor, and other than some chemo hives when I started, I've had no skin issues so far. I'm having night sweats, which the RO says is from decreased ovarian function from the chemo and has nothing to do with the radiation. Anyway, he's also prescribed 1% hydrocortisone for the hives, and calendula cream which can be purchased on-line or at a health food store.

    Working, tired, but coping. Wishing this would all be over! 

    Congratulations to those of you finishing up! We're getting there! 

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