Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Baileybump

So happy to hear your news, Kelly!  Knowing that the treatments are working must be very comforting.  You ARE kicking some cancer ass.  You go, girl!

rachelvk

Kelly - That is so great! It's wonderful to know that this chemo thing is doing what it's supposed to.

It actually sounds like lots of you had a pretty good day. I hope the SEs stay away.

My sweating issue has mainly been on my face - just a little bit. All of a sudden I'll realize I'm damp between my nose and cheeks, or right under my eyes (and I know it's not tears). And the hot flashes, of course. 

I hear everyone loud and clear.... my physical therapist today even threatened (well, offered) to write a letter to work putting me on restricted hours. I'm trying to think of ways to dole out the work that needs to be done. Everyone is already stretched so thin - that's part of the problem. But I will have something worked out before my next tx in a week. 

Gator65

Congratulations to Bailey and Kellogs. I am so happy for you both!!

I did okay today. MO dropped my Taxol dose by 20% and my nuelasta shot from a 6 to a 4 in order to combat the SE. I am allergic to the toxicity of Taxol. Isn't that ironic??I have dilaudid as well for the pain, but it was useless. I guess I have a high tolerance for meds because I am allergic to just about everything.

Lashes and brows are just about gone. I am so pale, I look like Casper. I have chemopause as well, the hot flashes are the worst!

Herre is to a SE free wwkend! 

Kelloggs

Thanks ladies - I will celebrate when the tastebuds come back.  That is the only instant SE I get!  I am also in chemopause and although I get the hot flashes they are minor during the day.  At night they are bad, not enough to soak the sheets but enough to wake me up several times. UGH!  I'm too young for this.  I hope everyone has a wonderful SE-free weekend!

seacretgardn

Kelly congratulations on your wonderful news. I hope you are feeling up to a celebration this weekend!



Many blessings, Laura

Baileybump

Kelly - plan a celebration for when your tastebuds return.  Yesterday a friend suggested to me that my DH and I have a celebratory dinner for my last treatment.  I said, "we'll wait until I can taste it."  Everyone thinks we walk out of that treatment and we're done. . . little do they know!  My tongue is pretty much immediately on the fritz, too. . . and stays that way for about a week. 

I hve a new profile pic -- fourth and final chemo bead added to my necklace! 

Peacock

Hi all,  AC done, and Taxol #2 today. Yes, lots of sweating and nightmares!!

Take care, all!!

Kelloggs

Yay Bailey...final one?  I will definitely celebrate but as you said I walk out of the center with messed up taste buds and this will be one celebration dinner I want to taste!

seacretgardn

Peacock, hi, are you getting 4 or 12 taxol?



Laura

markat

Hi Peacock! Hope you're doing ok.



I'm definitely a sweaty mess at night. And very moody. Not sure if I want to put my body through this two more times with Tamoxifen and natural menopause. I might look in to an oomph.

Peacock

Hi -- I'm doing 12 Taxol, so 10 more to go. It's sort of better than AC, sort of....  But going weekly is going to get pretty old, pretty fast.

 I worry that my support team, friends and family who cook and help, are getting tired too. I wish I could give them a break by bringing in the relief squad, but there isn't one. I know that friends are at the stage of thinking, "Cancer? We're still talking about this?"  We're not, actually, talking about it -- I don't say much, but I am not often available and look like a ghost of my former self. (A fat ghost!)  What to do???

rachelvk

Gator - Hope you've been feeling okay this weekend. 

Peacock - Hang in there. Maybe you'll find little ways to 'pay back' your support team. This is a long haul, and it can be hard not too feel like we're asking too much. I thought I was done with needing help, but after my third tx I realized how tough it can be to want to cook, especially since I'm trying to keep my energy up to work full days. I think next time I'll invite one of my support team members over and we'll cook together, to whatever extent I can handle it - makes it more like a social event rather than me asking someone to cook a meal and bring it over, like many did after my surgery.

Bailey - Hope your taste buds get back to normal soon. You deserve a great dinner out to really celebrate.

I got my new wig today (my new profile pic) and I am very happy with it. I've discovered my inner redhead. My next tx is Thursday - Mom's coming down again to keep me company. I'd rather not have had cancer, but one silver lining has been the chance to spend so much time with my mother. 

seacretgardn

Hi ladies,



Marcia I know what you mean about feeling like you're wearing your support team out. So many things going on that I just watch from the sidelines. So difficult when you're used to being in control and on top of things. You will find ways to repay the kindness and those that love you are happy to be offering their help. On a different note are you taking any supplements through taxol? My onc approved B6 and l-glutamine 4days after chemo.



Rachel you look great! You're such an inspiration to so many on these boards. The fact that as you face your next tx being grateful about spending time with your mother shows your amazing attitude shine. I hope the SEs are mild for you.



Ok sleep calls, hugs, goodnight!

Sunrise79

Hi ladies, can I join the group? I am late posting, mainly lurking every now and then. I was diagnosed triple positive two days before thanksgiving. Had my port placed two weeks later and started chemo two days after that. The SE from chemo make me very sick for about a week. Which stinks because I am 33 with two kids. I have been wanting to post, but haven't had the energy. I just wanted to say hi and I think you ladies are great!

markat

Hi Sunrise! Welcome. I can relate - I'm 30 with 2 kids. It's like a a kick in the gut. Which cocktail of chemo are you on?

Sunrise79

I'm taking TCH every 3weeks neoadjuvant with Herceptin every week. After the first round of chemo, we had to ease back on the carboplatin because of the SE. Each round is something else it seems. I'm so looking forward to Thursday

rachelvk

Sunrise - Welcome (though we know you'd really rather not be here at all!) I have so much admiration (okay, maybe not the best word, I know) for all of you with kids. I live alone and often feel like it's hard enough to just take care of myself (and occasionally the BF, but he more than makes up for it). I have my next tx on Thursday too (I'm on TAC).

markat

Sunrise, Kelloggs and I are both on TCH. I only get H every 3 weeks. Hope you're doing ok.



Rachel your new wig looks great.

Kelloggs

Wow...#4 hit me pretty hard.  I spent all day Sunday in the recliner and called off work yesterday...not like me!  My legs burn and I can hardly climb a flight of stairs.  The fatigue is bad and the taste buds hit me hard this time, too.  I usually don't have trouble eating but I just could not find anything that sounded good.  I am at work today so hopefully I am on the upswing.  Hope everyone had a good weekend, better than mine anyway!

rachelvk

Kelly - Sorry that hit you so hard. I have #4 on Thursday.... thinking I really will have to scale back my work load for next week, considering #3 hit me harder than the first two. Pace yourself today, and I hope your taste buds come back from their vacation.

Whatashocker3

Where is everyone? Is everyone as discouraged with this journey as I am. I am day 6 after the taxotere and today is feeling a little better than yesterday. I haven't had so many aches before in my life and getting up the stairs has been a challenge. I did swish some olive oil around Rachel so I think that helped my sore throat. I celebrated getting #4 done emotionally but can't seem to get out of the emotional stump. I don't even want to look at my 4 walls ever again. When I am done this the house is going up for sale and it is time to find something new and fresh.



I think I am going steer crazy.

heatherb8

whata..I feel the same way!  Got a new used car a couple weeks ago and I'm with you after winter I think this house is going up for sale..we have only been here 3 years, but since we have moved here we have had the best luck...Just want a fresh start!  Smaller house/mortgage, more property, no housing plan with the houses that all look the same!  Just to name a few things.

markat

Kelly and Whata- I hope you gals are feeling better.  I've said it before and sound like a junkie but the Vicodin is the only thing that makes me feel like a human those first 3-7 days.  Then I don't take them again until the next tx.

I've actually felt better after this tx than I have during this whole process.  Hopefully it keeps up.  Happy Valentine's to all of you.  I'm going to spend it on the couch lol.

heatherb8

We haven't had the best luck is want i meant to say!

Kelloggs

I did manage to go out to dinner with my DH tonight.  I feel a little better and thankfully I know that each day will get even better.  I just hope I have the strength to get through the last 2.  Did I mention I'm a bit of a baby? LOL

Mardibra

I've been silent but my muscles and joints haven't been. This Taxol ride has been really bad. I have two more left and I'm not sure I can make it. Neuropathy has set in too. My feet are going numb. I've worked throughout this whole ordeal but today I've been seriously considering taking disability leave. That's how bad it is. MO just throws pain pills at me which don't calm the pain. They just make me sleep through most of the pain. And they make me feel nauseas. I'm at the end of my rope girls.

rachelvk

Sounds like the chemo tidal wave has really hit hard all around. I'm trying not to get anxious for #4 on Thursday, but I'm not too optimistic about what it will be like given what I keep hearing and knowing #3 knocked me for more of a loop.

Mardibra - That's scary about the neuropathy. Is there another doctor you could use for a second opinion about the neuropathy? My MO has been pretty upfront about letting her know about the slightest sign - of course I don't know what she would do in that case, but just giving you pain meds isn't what I'd expect. I hope it gets better so you don't have to go on disability.

Kelly - Glad you got out for dinner. I hope the last 2 aren't as bad as you fear.

Whatashocker - Sorry to hear the Taxotere is hitting you so hard. At least the olive oil is helping out a bit... 

Heatherb8 - Sounds like it's been a tough ride for a while. I hope once you're through this you can finally enjoy the home, at least until you do decide to move on. I actually don't have much choice - I only extended my lease for six months, so I need to find a new apartment by the end of June. Moving does not excite me.

Markat - Hang in there, and stay positive. 

markat

Mardi has your onc mentioned Lyrica for the neuropathy?  I haven't mentioned it here but my heel has gone numb.  My doc told me to try L-glutamine...but it's pretty pricey.  She said I could try Lyrica if I wanted, but it hasn't gotten to that point yet. 

My new side effect is that my left eyelid is so swollen I can barely see out of it.  Not sure if I should call the onc or not?  I'm going to try a cold compress for awhile.

seacretgardn

Mardi my heart breaks for you. I pray for some relief for your pain and hope you are able to take the time you need to care for yourself and heal.



I'm so sorry so many are struggling.



Laura

Kelloggs

Mardibra - I'm sorry you are having such problems.  I felt like my feet were kinda numb after #4 but it seems to have improved over the past few days.  The muscle pain is getting worse for me, too.  I normally park about 2 blocks from the office but yesterday I asked permission to park in the front lot until this damn ride is over.  I can't do that hike anymore....it's all I can do to get up the stairs at night. 

 I also feel like I just want to move when this is all over!  We rent a very small house in a wonderful location.  We live on a dead end with woods and a very big yard.  We see all sorts of wildlife and our favorite pasttime is sitting outside watching the birds and squirrels. But I have been stuck in this tiny house with it's drafts and I am so ready to get the hell out of there.  I fear when this is all over it will just remind me of chemo

Markat - I don't have the swelling in the eyelid but I seem to have developed a twitch in mine.  Isn't this fun!?  NOT