August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

sandy115

Michelle what are Coobie bras I bought the Genie Bras on T V and they are great.Ive been on tomoxifen for a week now take in AM havnt seen any S/E yet or none that I know off as im still getting hot flushes post chemo and muscle pain everywhere as the Taxatore is still playing havoc with me especially the tiredness.anf forgetfulness.

michelleo13

Sandy, Ellen posted a couple of weeks ago about the Coobie bras. They're soft and seamless and strongly endorsed by Ellen.  If you google "Coobie bras" you'll find them. They do ship to Canada.

MaryjRN

DebinUtah, I plan to start on a morning dose of Tamox.  I'll see how it goes and report back. 

Michelle, I'm glad you have a schedule in place.  One more hurdle, but there is an end in sight.

I'm off to google Coobie bras now!

DebinUtah

I'm also waiting impatiently for my three Coobie bras to come! Thanks, Ellen, for the tip.  I know women who went "commando" during rads, but I'd rather not. 

Maryj--I've taken my Tamox for two NIGHTS in a row. The first night was fine, but I barely slept at all last night.  Is insomnia one of the common SEs?  If so, I'll definitely switch to mornings.

My onc also gave me an RX for gabapentin for the pain in my finger/neuropathy.  I''ve been on it for two days and the numbness is still there but the pain is much less.  Also, I swear it's helping with the hot flashes AND moodiness.  Anyone have any experience with this drug?  

Good luck on Tuesday, Michelle!

MaryjRN

Deb...Insomnia can be one of the many s/e of Tamox.  Hot flashes are the #1 s/e.  I worked for a neurologist once and it seems that gabapentin (Neurontin) has lots of usefulness.  Some of the antidepressants (the SSRI's) can also help with the hot flashes; as well as the insomnia and moodiness.  I've read that a lot of the s/e of Tamox start to ease up after awhile.  I'm glad the gabapentin is helping the pain. 

vtellen

So, I am getting rads to my entire breast area, which (who knew?) apparently encompasses the under arm area as well. I have had 26 txs, 1 boost so far. I only started to get quite red and sore about a week  ago. The Coobie is still alright during the day, but it is off as soon as I am home. Owwy and itchy!!!

Vivie

again with the Coobie Bras..hmm if they're THAT comfortable , I should order a pair from your shop Ellen!

DebinUtah

Got my tattoos (not as painful as I feared) AND my Coobies today (as comfy as I hoped).  Day 3 of Tamox--had another restless night last night but no hot flashes......yet.  I swear the gabapentin is making me less anxious; I'm unusually calm, and I'm not taking anything new except the gaba and the tamox. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Ellen--is this your last week of rads? You lucky girl! Tell me about your fatigue level.  A woman in my RO's waiting room today told me to be prepared to be completely exhausted by the last week. She was on oxygen and in a wheelchair, so I'm hoping my experience is different from hers.

I'm wishing everyone a strong, happy week!

YaYa5

deb, i've had 4 radiation tx's now and, of course, i don't have any symptoms yet.  i bought some rather expensive cream in the cancer institute's pharmacy and i've been using it religiously, especially immediately after a treatment.  i hope it works.  it's locally made so i doubt if you've heard of it.  i'm sure you'll find something that works well, too.  i ordered a coobie last week and i can't WAIT to get it.  i need some lift for these old girls without underwire!

vtellen

Vivie- if you want a coobie, contact me on Fighters! I'd be glad to send you one.

Deb- I have had 26 txs, and have 3 boosts left, out of 5. My energy was great until @ a week ago. I started to get grumpy and very tired in the evenings. Keep in mind that I have been out straight w/ the new store. I am feeling fatigued this week, taking a day off today. I am in bed by 7:30, but functioning OK throughout the day! If I have any advice to give it is: As soon as you start to feel burned/burnt?(for me at @ 8 txs) ask for ointment, if they haven't already given you some. And keep your head in a good space, accepting that the radiation is GOOD for you, not harmful. That's a toughy. Try not to hate having to be getting treated every day of the week, it will go by quickly!

Grimbol

I had my first setup appt today, got my tattoos too!  I don't why this is hard to do, it's supposed to be the easy part but I am so done with all of this!!  Still on Herceptin, get my first of those alone tomorrow.

Glad you are all doing ok, and congrats Ellen for being almost done..

Robyn6463

Hi y'all...I'm still checking in once in a while. I was supposed to be finished with rads by Friday, but the machine was down today, so now I've got to go through next Monday. I know it was only a one day delay, but with the weekend in there, it just seems that it added 3 days to my treatments, and it made me very cranky.I've got some edema going on in my armpit, breast, and they're watching my skin pretty closely as it's really red, but I keep hoping I won't have any more delays. I was very excited to think I would finish the same day as Ellen, but I guess she'll beat me. Congrats Ellen!

Hubby is still being a jerk. I'm ready to trade him in. Or maybe just hit the delete button. I could have used more support through all this. My friends have been awesome, unbelievably kind, but I'm thinking that my family needs a good swift kick these days. The puppy helps.

Had my consult about the oopherectomy last week. Can't schedule it until late January/early February, just due to the surgeon's schedule. And while he was examining me he noticed a spot...discolored lump on my calf, and sent me straight to ultrasound to rule out blood clots. Sheesh. That's twice that scare has come up now, and still negative thank god. Counting the days until Monday!!!!

DebinUtah

Thanks, Ellen and YaYa, for the rads info!  I'm thrilled to hear, Ellen, that your fatigue didn't set in until the last week.  I'm feeling happier and stronger everyday since chemo, and I hate to think that might end next Tuesday when I start rads. 

YaYa--are you having any SE's from the herceptin alone? I swear my nose and eyes started to run more after my first solo H treatment.  Good luck, Grimbol with rads and your first solo H! 

Robyn--what's your man's problem? Sometimes I think it's easier for our friends to be nice (and then go home and thank God they're healthy) than it is for those people who live with us day in and day out.  I also think men tend to shut down their emotions when something scares them.  Go ahead and kick him; then go snuggle with your puppy.  Good luck on Monday! Hurrah for you!

Here's wishing energy and blister-free skin to all!

YaYa5

deb, i don't know if the's herceptin or not, but yes, my eyes are watering a lot and i had that awful smelling urine.  it's better now, but i swear it was the herceptin.  other than that, i've been doing well. this will sound weird, but i actually look forward to seeing my friends in the infusion area.  they were the sweetest nurses ever and they're exactly the same when i go back for herceptin.

grimbol, i agree with you.  i had the hard time when i had the simulation and then my first rads treatment.  i had my 5th one today and it's getting better.  as i've said before, it's a very lonely treatment.  i hope you do well and good luck with herceptin.

robyn, the hardest part for me through this whole thing has been the disappointment in my family, especially my daughter and my sister.  actually, my ex-husband has been much more helpful!  i live alone, though, so i don't have to deal with the sadness because of my family every day.  you're right, too ... friends are so much better.  you have my permission to kick your husband to the curb, at least for the winter!

DebinUtah

YaYa--I'm a bit relieved that you mentioned the awful smelling urine. I've been convinced that I must have UTI or something equally nasty since my first chemo treatment, but I've had no other symptoms. I'm relieved to hear that it's the Herceptin.  My eyes and nose are running off my face today and it's been almost a week since my H infusion.  REALLY don't want to have these SEs until next August!

NWArtLady

Ladies,

I rarely post on this board, but I have been with y'all from the beginning and want to thank you for all the information you post. Your advice and insights are really helpful. I am down to 3 more Taxol (I had started with Adriamycin/Cytoxen in August and then moved to Taxol) and begin rads in January. I am making my list of rads supplies and feel better prepared as to what to expect when I meet my RO and begin that part of this process!

Thank you, thank you!

MaryjRN

Hi ladies,

Busy with holiday stuff.  Four of my five children/spouses are in so it's busy but FUN!

I am scheduled to start rads on 12/27 and just picked up some supplies this morning, just like NWArtlady.  Got a large tub of Aquaphor and unscented Dove soap.  Already purchased a few cotton, no underwire bras.

Have great days...

Grimbol

I also start rads on 12/27, I am scheduled for 33 sessions.  don't have all my supplies yet, procrastinating here!

MizMarie

You girls are way ahead of me....  I still have surgery before rads, and MO originally said he wanted to wait until my next appt to see where my blood counts are before referring me to the surgeon.  However, I'm getting antsy, so have left a message with the nurse to see if we can't go ahead and start the process now.

TSB1

Hi everyone. Wow, lots of y'all are well on your way. I have 5 more taxol treatments and 30 days until I am done! Congrats to everyone who has finished treatment.



I lost my taste buds last Thursday after taxol #7. The sweet ones still work though. I told my husband I'll just hang around the dessert table on Christmas. I hope everyone is doing well. Merry Christmas!

MizMarie

Got a callback from the nurse - doctor didn't leave orders for new imaging, just a note in the chart that he would order MRI to begin re-staging after next appointment.  MO is out this week; nurse wants me to wait until my appt next week.  Rats.  Not sure what is meant by re-staging...  It sounds ominous.....

MaryjRN

Grimbol...we're rads twins!!  I think mine are going to be 33 sessions, too.

MizMarie...what type of surgery?  I would be antsy, too, but I wouldn't want to have low counts going into surgery.  Hope everything turns out well for you.  Not sure what re-staging is either.

TSB1...you'll be joining us soon!  And doesn't it figure that the sweet taste buds didn't get affected?  That's how it was for me, too!

MizMarie

MaryjRN, I had neo-adjuvant chemo to shrink the tumor (which it did nicely), so now that I'm done with chemo, it's time to take what's left of the beast out.

I'm sure my platelets are still not very high - I cut myself wrapping gifts tonight, and it bled like crazy.  Guess the doc knows what he's doing by having me wait for surgery; I just hate knowing that the tumor is still there, waiting for a new chance to grow.

DebinUtah

 Had my 2nd radiation treatment today. No SEs so far. It took me longer to take my clothes off and put them on than it did to get zapped.  Two down, 31 to go!  Good luck to everyone starting rads or having surgery!  

Happy Hanukkah and Winter Solstice to everyone!  Winter Solstice is my favorite day of the year (I must have been a Druid in an earlier life)--the days only get longer (and brighter) from here!

michelleo13

DebinUtah....cheers to brighter days ahead...in very sense!

Had my 8th rad tx today. So far so good. I'm feeling a bit tired but that started before I started radiation so I think it's a combination of the weather and leftover effects from chemo.

If I don't get back here in the next couple of days, I wish all of you a peaceful and joyful Christmas!

oaktownmom

I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but I wanted to post that I am receiving my final chemo right now! I had a long protocol (AC x 4, Taxol x 12), so even though I started in August with the rest of you, I am just finishing up. Starting Tamoxifen next week, and rads in February. Hope everyone is doing well - I've so appreciated the wisdom and support of this group!



Here's to a healthy new year for us all!



Lucy

missey29

Istreett - Congratulations on going thru your last chemo! I am so proud of you. You are a trooper and my hats off to you. Hang in there!!!! The SEs will be over before you know it.

MizMarie

Congrats, Lucy!  I had my first Herceptin-only infusion today.  My blood values are still very low, so I spent an extra 5 hours getting a blood transfusion.  Hopefully by my next appointment I'll be back to reasonable levels and will be ready for surgery then.  I hate waiting, but my MO reassured me that the tumor has been properly thrashed, so an extra 3 weeks won't be a problem.

michelleo13

Congrats Istreet. It feels good to be done doesn't it?



I am 6 weeks PFC and I'm starting to see hair growth. YEAH!! Had my 12th (of 30) rad tx today so that's moving along as well.



I wish everyone here a happy and HEALTHY New Year!

MizMarie

Robo47, I am 22 days PFC, and already have a "five o'clock shadow" underneath the white chemo stubble (MO called it "resistant hair")..  Much darker than my natural auburn red, but I'm happy to see anything at this point.  My hope is to ditch my wig/scarves by June 1.