October 2011 Chemo group

Moonflower83

I have a port and my onc said I should keep it for the next 1,5 years.

It´s normal here in Germany. Of course they would take it out, if I wanted them to do it. But I´m so sick of doctors touching me...I keep it.

fredntan

Tally make sure to get port flushed and heparined every month or it will clot off

fredntan

Oh my hair seems to be getting thicker and growing. I've been brushing it twice a day with a body brush I had. I also recently started putting morrocan oil per my hairdressers recommendations

Carla9112

Hi there - it's so great to hear from some of you that haven't posted in a while.  Sounds like everybody is doing good.  I'm kind of wondering why the oncologists vary on when to have the port out.  I, too, am afraid that I'll take it out too soon and then......well I'm not even going to go there.  I'm going to go ahead and get the darn thing out. 

Fran - where do you get morrocan oil?  What is it supposed to do?  Anything to help the hair grow quicker would be great.

 Hope you all have a super day and a great week!

cfdr

wildumara --- good luck with the test results. How stressful after all this!

Almost 5 weeks post chemo, eyebrows and lashes are starting to fall out just as the head on my hair is coming back in. Doh!

stjude10

Fran, so happy you have enough hair that you get to brush it. I still look like a thinning porcupine. Carla, I'm with you, I wanna know where to get that morrocan oil!

fredntan

Oh my hair is only maybe 1/4 inch long. Im just stimulating it with a body brush I had. My hairdresser sells the morracon oil. You can probably find it at ultra or similar store.



Oh I can't wait to sit in my hairdressers chair. I miss her. She sold it to ne a cost. Was getting my dd hair cut.



You'll that are finished do you have scans or anything

TAPPY

I have to go in once a month to see my onc, I guess for blood work ?   and they will flush it out (the port then) -   I have some morracon oil...but I was afraid it would make my head break out or something..but hey give it a try

It just seems like there should be more...I dunno - seems kind of odd that my worst is over with..now what so of thing...

We are not going to do any scans, which I really would like to do, but apparently that is the norm ..I guess I just want to know what to be on the look out for, guess I will find out more at the next apt.

Carla9112

Hi there - I'm not having a scan either since I had one to begin this process.  It showed the cancer had not spread so, in theory, after chemo and radiation I shouldn't have any stray cells.  Like Tappy it would be nice to have one but the insurance won't pay for it.  I guess they'll be able to tell if something is going on with our blood counts?  I don't know - it  makes me nervous.

I'm going to get some of the oil and see if it works.  Anything to help this grow faster - I'm so sick of wigs/hats/scarves.

Hope you all have a great night!

cfdr

I just went for my 6 month radiology follow-up; uneventful, mostly just talking. The nurse said it can take 6-12 months after the end of treatment to feel completely normal again...I guess I'm rushing things to be disappointed that I'm not a bundle of energy 6 weeks after chemo. I'm scheduled for an MRI in 3 weeks and then a mammogram in August, as well as follow up with medical oncology in May. One good thing is that Duke is opening a new cancer center, so yesterday was my last day having to go into the cancer clinic where I had my treatment. Just being in those halls again made me tired and moody. The followups will be in the new building, where I have no associations with my diagnosis and treatment.

wildrumara

Hey ladies - Thanks for the responses and the prayers!    

So I met with my surgeon yesterday and he "thinks" its nothing.......he actually read the report with the attending radiologist before he came into my room.    The problem is last week the attending radiologist thought it was "something".  I'm just so done with this. I think they are trying to appease me and not cause me undue worry....that's why he is saying I "think" its nothing.  Surgery is scheduled for 2/29, BMX.  Because of the surgery date coming up, they are also not as concerned!     Guess we will find out after that, but I'm still not convinced.  Why do I second guess??  He said if your original tumors would not have responded to the neoadjuvant chemo, he would be concerned about this new foci enhancements on MRI, but since they did, he is not concerned.  I have to trust, although I'm having a hard time.  I keep hearing the one radiologist say "well, if it is a new cancer, I would think its an aggressive type as it was not there on the MRI back in September"  UGH!!!!!!O

Oh well.....thanks again for letting me rant!

stjude10

Finished my chemo today. What a relief. I am to start Tamox in 3 weeks and meet w/MO in 4. He said if my PS doesn't need the port for anything, we'll get it out in a month or two. Quite surprised by that one. Also shocked that Tamoxifen is set for anywhere between 2 and 5 yrs. I thought it was automatically a 5 yr deal. He said it all depends on when I'm thru w/the menopause. Oh, and bonus, I am to get vaginal ultrasounds on a regular basis. Yay me! And the cherry on the cake...when I walked in the door after chemo, I had a notice that it's time for my mammogram on my good boob. Really?

TAPPY

Congrats Lori - you made it:)

Carla9112

Hi everyone!!

CFDR - I hear you on the energy levels.  I'm still not able to work a full week.  I just can't make it.  I guess our energy will return some day.  Hang in there!

Lori - Doing the "happy dance" for you right now.  Isn't it wonderful to know that you don't have to sit in that chemo chair again?  Whew - that is a great feeling. 

Wildrumara - that is great news.  I have a feeling that any time we get a headache for a while we're going to think it's cancer.  That's just natural after all we've been through.  Hang in there and you can vent here anytime.

Hope everyone has a good night!

fredntan

Lori,

why the vag. US? is that to monitor for uterine ca?

and does anyore know how they monitor us after. I don't trust mammo's just alone. I

stjude10

Fran, MO said it's the method he prefers to check for changes in the lining of the uterus and yes, check for cancer. I also don't trust mammos. I had 2, plus an us on bad breast, and all 3 tests stated that all was fine. I knew better. Not happy about having mammo on remaining breast. I had a reduction and lift on that one, and not ready for all of that pressure to be on it. Not sure how I'm gonna handle it yet.

TAPPY

Hope you all are doing well.  I think today will be my first FEEL GOOD day in a long time.  I do think my doc double dosed me for the last one as I really struggled the last two weeks.   But I am sleeping better and the bone pain is almost gone !

I guess I am about ready to jump over to theb bottle of Tamoxifin thread. !!!!!

Carla9112

Hi guys - hope you are doing great.  Tappy I'm so glad that you are feeling better.  The last dose just really kicked my butt too.  Today, however, I started the "Couch to 5k" exercise plan.  My goal is to be fit enough to run a 5k in a few months.  I used to run a long time ago and it always made me feel so good.  After chemo I just want to do everything I can to feel as good as I can every day! 

Hope you guys have a great weekend!

cfdr

Carla, I started thde couch to 5k right after chemo...but then I got pneumonia and had to stop! I'm pretty much recovered from that so will probably start up again this week or next. I hope you make great progress.

My pneumonia symptoms are mostly gone, but the f/u xray report was curious. Showed that there was still what appeared to be pneumonia, as well as no change in the pleural effusion (fluid that collects in the bottom of the lung). Some of the findings were said to be "worrisome for a pneumonia"--whatever that means. My PCP's plan was to follow up in another month with another xray, then do a CT scan if there was no or little change. I had the reports sent to my onc: both radiation and taxotere can cause lung inflammation, and pleural effusion can be a symptom of BC mets (which I consider unlikely, but still...) I don't want to wait another 5 weeks to find out if there's something going on other than pneumonia. Haven't heard back from my onc yet but they may not have received the films yet, either.

Question re: uterine cancer. I'm not on any particular follow-up plan for any gyn tests; what I was told is that mets is usually brain, liver, lung or bone. Is it just a particular kind of BC that tends to spread to the uterus or ovaries? My follow-up plan is for a mammo and and MRI, 4-6 mos apart, for two years.

Lost 1/2 a fingernail today. Fortunately it had detached so much it didn't hurt at all. My husband was totally grossed out. Between that and 1/2 my eyebrows and lashes disappearing this week, I wonder when the lovely side f/x will ever end.

TAPPY

My eyebrows and eyelashes are gone.   I have gotten pretty good at drawing them on ! ha !

The reason I have to go to the OBgyn -is because of theTamox drugs - I think anyway...anywho looking forward to my follow up with my Onc next week to hear his plan of action going forward.

Carla9112

Hi everyone - CFDR thanks for the encouragement on the running.  I've start Weight Watchers too and am pretty serious about my health now.  I'm afraid that pre-cancer I was drinking and eating too much.  Now it almost seems easier to eat healthy and try to take care of myself.  Cancer made me appreciate my health. 

As far as uterine cancer goes I know that triple negative breast cancer - like me - has a high risk of uterine cancer.  My oncologist has already said that I will need a hysterectomy (sp?) in the future.  I guess I don't really mind having that done.  I mean I'm already in menopause (thanks to chemo) and the surgery can't be as bad as double mastectomy.  Too bad I spent a fortune right before my diagnosis having uterine ablation surgery for the heavy bleeding. 

Isn't it crazy how we're still losing our eyebrows and eyelashes.  No nail loss for me yet but I do have two black toenails and three fingernails with black lines that run down them.  Man that chemo poison sure did us leave us looking kind weird - huh?  Tappy - I've gotten pretty good at drawing them too but some days I'm driving to work - look in the mirror - and see that they are different shapes and sizes!!   I just laugh because at this point I'm not so self-conscious about the way I look.  I consider them my battle scars!!

What about hair?  Anybody have any yet?  Mine is just peach fuzz and it looks grey.  Oh well, I'll color it - I just want hair so I can burn the wig and hats/scarves.

Hope you all have a great night!  Talk to you soon!

fredntan

Mines growing -myup hair that is. I get out pf chemotherapy feb 29.



I brush my hair with a body brush and put on some morocan oil on it. It seems thicker and maybe close to 1/8 inch.



I walk fast daily-sept today. Sitting in the chemotherapy chair today.

barbyjean

Hi everyone!    I haven't been keeping up with posting, because that last chemo did such a number on me. It's almost 4 weeks and my energy is just starting to return. But I am SO GLAD that chemo is over.  I started radiation this week. I have to do three weeks only, because I got a dose of intra-operative radiation directly to the tumor site when I had my surgery in August. I'm in a clinical trial for this radiation protocol, and it is new in the U.S. although has been used in Europe for over 10 years. My RO said she expects as good as  or better results as the standard six weeks of radiation.

 My chemo side effects are still going strong. My eyes water like crazy, my muscles are really tight and painful, and all my fingernails are starting to come off.  Like many of you, I can't wait to feel healthy again, and I am paying attention to everything I eat or use in my home. I get really angry when I see people taking their health for granted, and doing things that aren't good for them - eating, drinking, smoking, etc. I might have to climb up on my soapbox and start preaching!     

 I hope you are all having a good week!

Barb 

stjude10

I had to pull up my big girl panties today. Last week after my last chemo, I walked in the door to the notification that it was time for a mammogram on my "good" boob. I thought, how ironic. Well, I made the call and am scheduled for next Thurs. I am truly not happy about this. I think emotionally more than anything. I just finished chemo and am wondering why not 6 mos after chemo is done. This just seems like a moneymaker at this point more than anything. Thoughts?

barbyjean

Lori, I think I would talk to my oncologist and find out what the follow-up schedule is with them. Is the reminder for the mammogram something that the computer automatically spit out based on your previous mammo?  After going thru chemo, they shoudn't find anything in there!!!

 Fran, I read your post on another thread about going to a different center for your rads. I have traveled 100 miles for all my cancer treatments, even though there is a cancer center in my small town. I wasn't happy with how I was treated here during the diagnosis and biopsy phase, so I decided to go to a place that specializes in breast cancer. I haven't regretted that decision one bit! Yes, it is inconvenient to travel, but I feel confident in the doctors and treatments I am getting there, and that is the most important thing.  Good luck!

Barb 

fredntan

Thanks Barbyjean. Im a little hesitant to tell my work. I start back in march and then in april ill be out again. But i'll be home on weekends.so I can offer them some weekends



I've been reading about post treatment studies.

I may be eligible for the neuovax-sp? Its in human trials now.there's the metformin study.

Then I've heard about baby aspirin. And low dose naltraxon. I havnt read much about them. Confusing

Is anyone planning on doing a body cleanse before rads starts. Again I havnt read about that yet either. I may go see a good alternative med doctor someone recommended

NancyJill

I am done with chemo--still have Herceptin so my port stays. Started rads and don't like it. However, I'm glad I chose lumpectomy since my breast still looks mostly normal. Started Tamoxifen-no biggie. Going for 6-month mammo and MRI since my BS ordered it. Then I will see her and hopefully not have to go back unless future scans show an abnormality or until I'm ready to get the port out after a year on Herceptin. I am sleeping a lot, but have not caught any viruses while my blood counts have been low. I have about half an inch to 3/4 inch of hair--needs coloring and shaping before going without the wig. My first and last hair-affecting chemo was in October-patience is needed. 

fredntan

Ive been lazy in bed all day. Two more taxols as of yesterday. Never .have felt this tired so far.



I think im near exhausting everything on tv.

cfdr

Lost another 1/2 fingernail last night. Ugh! Before I could hide the uglies with nail polish, but now that both my middle finger nails are only half normal size, I think polish might be difficult to put on without getting it onto the tender skin that's now exposed. I wouldn't be surprised if I lose my thumb and index finger nails next, because they are white about 2/3 of the way down. Do any stores still sell dainty white gloves??

TAPPY

I have peach fuzz......I hope that means my hair is coming back.....and I hope the Tamox does not slow it up  (I heard it can do that)

 I am still really tired -I dont sleep well at night unless I takedrugs and I want to wean away from all that.