January 2012 chemo

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2012

    TX/Her infusion#9 went smoothly.  Thank G-d.  Still not sure if they will tack on my missed week at the end so I either have 2 or 3 more.  Time is dragging now.  

    Peggy 

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    Peggy - glad to hear it went OK. I just got home from my first Herceptin only. The nurse went to add Dex at the beginning and I had to tell her that my MO said they wouldn't do Dex as I'm already on prednisone for the pneumonitis. She went and checked and came back to confirm I was right. Geez - imagine how much housework I would have got done on both Dex and prednisone at the same time ;-/



    Jenn

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2012

    Jenn did they give you steroids when you were getting the weekly Herceptin.  I only got it for the first 2 TX/Her treatments.

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  • BelaT
    BelaT Member Posts: 217
    edited June 2012

    Hello every one , I miss all of you and wish well to those who are working on the treatments

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2012

    ‎#10 TX/Herceptin treatment went well. I saw the oncologist and he gave me instructions for what comes next. Two more of these treatments. Included in the last one will be my first big dose of Herceptin which will continue every 3 weeks. Monday I get another echo cardiogram . I will start radiation therapy sometime in early July (5-6 days a week for 3-5 weeks depending on what the radiation doc. recommends) and will also start my daily Tamoxifin. Whew. I'm tired just talking about it.

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2012

    Hang in there, Kitchenella.  We'll be here with you to your finish line!

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2012

    Thanks Joyce.

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  • PCBarbie66
    PCBarbie66 Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2012

    Hey Lost family of mine!!!

     Has anyone started the  Tamoxefin yet??  I'm to start next Friday, 7 days from now, but I still have issues with my legs swelling.  Not sure if I'll be able to start that soon if the swelling does not go down.  I had an Ultra soundTaxol (poison)settled and it's just gonna take more time to go away.  The pain crested last week, so at least I'm not getting any worse.

     Kitchinella>>Hang in there, everyone may have started to move one, but We and I still think of all of you still going through the infusions, Rads and testing.  Your almost there.

    Hope you all are well...If anyone peaks in here HI!

    Barb

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    Hi all, We are definitely not talking as much here but the Facebook group is quite active!

    I am 2 weeks past my last Taxol now and had 3 days back at work this week where I achieved more than I had in the last 3 months... My energy level is coming back!



    The pneumonitis (rare SE of Taxol) also appears to be under control and I will have a chest x-ray and lung function test on the 19th to see if there's any residual lung damage. I can already tell you that it is really obvious that my lungs aren't operating at the level they were before :-/



    I have a referral from my optometrist to see a specialist about the bilateral cataracts I have developed, most likely caused by the dex premeds. I am waiting to see if my MO has someone she would prefer me to see.



    Oh, and my MO had decided to keep me on weekly Herceptin for a few weeks rather than moving to the 3 weekly. But it turns out there was a communication breakdown somewhere at the pharmacy level and last week I got the 3 weekly loading dose of 8mg/kg instead of the weekly dose of 2mg/kg! My MO is overseas and will not be happy about this (and neither am I), but I guess I now know that I don't get any SEs from the 3 weekly dose!



    If you want to join the Facebook group private message me...



    Jenn

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2012

    As someone who has no interest in joining Facebook, I'm sorry to hear that so much is going on there and not here any longer.  I hope those who are part of that new group wil continue to check in here to support the members of this group who are still in the midst of treatment.  They were here for us when we were in treatment.  I may not have contributed a lot when I was so sick but I did read these posts every day.  I learned so much from the grace and the strength of the women undergoing chemo when I was == and I never felt alone because I knew all of you were there. 

    So to those of you still in treatment I say, I am here == and I will be here every day until none of us are undergoing treatment.  

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    I think most of us are still here so haven't disappeared :-) Although I gather there are a couple who didn't like the new format here so have not been using BCO anymore :-/



    PCBarbie - I have only just finished chemo and am still due for 5.5 weeks of rads starting on the 26th (if the pneumonitis has not left me with permanent lung damage). My MO does not start the hormone blockers at the same time as rads so I guess I won't be starting Tamox until early August...



    Jenn

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited June 2012

    I'm still here too.  I deleted my facebook account after a few students tried to communicate with me via facebook.  Not a good idea with the population I work with. However, with the start of rads, I haven't had much time to post.  I go for tx after work and often don't get home until close to bedtime.

    Radiation has been an interesting experience. Even though I go 5 times a week, I don't feel as close to the rad techs as I did with the chemo nurses.  The actual contact with the techs lasts about 15 minutes.  They are pleasant but all business.  No time to chat and exchange pleasantries. I'm being treated at a very large university teaching hospital.  During chemo, my MO's patients all got treated on Fridays.  Therefore, all of the patients I saw where being treated for BC. There was a certain camaraderie and exchange of support and info concerning BC.  The radiation center of the hospital treats all kinds of cancers, pediatric and adult.  Now I'm getting to know people with throat cancers, prostate cancer, rare skin cancers, etc.  I met a woman from Bermuda who had to come to the states in order to receive rads.  There is no facility on the island. Her insurance co is paying for her to stay in a nice one bedroom apartment in Philadelphia while she is treated (5wks).  Sort of a mini vacation with rads!

    For those of you just beginning rad tx, you might want to buy your own hospital gowns.  I found some on ebay and amazon that were cheap and reasonably well made.  Since you will be changing into a gown everyday for 28 or 33 days, it feels really nice to have your own clean gown on.

    I have 9 more txs before I'll be finished.  My MO wants me to start the hormone blockers in a week or so.  I'll be meeting with her soon.  I believe I'll be taking Arimidex.  I have a bone density scan scheduled this week.

    Summer break is almost here and I can't wait!  I think I will sleep for the first week.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited June 2012

    I'm still here, too - but have been taking "breaks" from BCO because I tend to wander over to the "Not Diagnosed but Worried" thread and get all caught up there.  Sometimes, I just need a tech break.

    Joyce - when do you finish chemo?  My last was May 24, and I'm now two weeks out and today is the first day I've felt human.  Even went for a walk/run this morning, then a "Queen's Jubilee" party this afternoon at our neighbor's.  I haven't felt this energetic and social in months - it's great to feel good again.

    Starting rads on Tuesday.  Had my simulation already and got the tattoos, but haven't been "in the machine" or whatever it is yet - that'll come in a couple of days. A little nervous but not too much.  Just very excited to be moving forward again so I can be done with active treatment.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2012

    Hi Ladies, I just got back from 9 days in Florida.  It did me a world of good before Radiation starts Monday as I am 3.5 weeks out from Taxol.  I am amazed how good I am feeling.  Not 100% or anything like that, but rarely tired and have energy.  My bones feel more achey, hair is coming in Platinum White.  It left my head dark brown even though I've always colored it blonde!  Weird to see platinum white hair on my head.  But just glad to have any hair!  It grew like crazy in the warmth and humidity.

    Thanks for all of your wonderful info about Rads.  I was so prepared for Chemo, read every detail, now I am just going to do what I can, I guess and pray for the best.   I've got a lot of reading to do tomorrow!

    Nancy, SO GLAD you are feeling better!  It is such an amazing feeling, isn't it?  Now I realize just how all of those meds made me mean, especially steroids.  I am feeling more MYSELF.   

    One final comment...I find people who deserted me during Chemo starting to call me now since they've heard I am feeling better.  I am angry about it and not sure how to handle them.  I don't want to get in a big blow up of how they deserted me as it was only a few.  But they did.  Honestly, I don't wish to be involved with them anymore.

    Anyone else experiencing this???  

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    Denise, I guess the friend thing depends on how much energy you want to give the "returning" people... Rads are supposed to give us the whole fatigue thing again - you may want to reserve your energy "balloons" for other things ;-)



    I really do think about my energy reserves in "balloons". I only start each day with a certain number of balloons and once they are gone I will be tired and slightly nauseous. So I use my "balloons" wisely. People not going through cancer treatment seem to have endless "balloons" and their own personal never-ending supply of gas to fill them. I vaguely remember what that was like...



    Jenn

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2012

    Jenn, what a GREAT analogy about balloons and energy!  LOVE IT!  That is my personality now that I have a few more balloons than I did a few weeks ago, I am always eager to give them away.  I just can't do it now!  Thanks for the advice!

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2012

    NancyHB, my last chemo was April 20th and I am not scheduled for radiation.  For me, the next step is removal of my ovaries & Fallopian tubes laproscopically on July 3rd.

    Although I had many horrible side effects from the chemo which kept me out of work the entire regimen, once the toxic chemicals started to make their way out of my body, I began to bounce back.  My only remaining SE is swollen feet which the MO says can last up to 6 months.  I see my cardiologist tomorrow and we'll see what he says.  I am also now taking PT for the lack of muscle control in my abdomen (I look 5 months pregnant and have gone up 3 clothing sizes). My hair is SLOWLY starting to grow and my digestive track is no longer rebelling.  My energy level improves a bit each day.

    And just to make life even better, my job was "eliminated" and I was offered a different position at 2/3 of my former salary (which they didn't pay for 6 months while I was out on disability).  Thankfully, on Friday I found another job with the same health insurance and had to take a only 15% pay cut!

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2012

    About friends: my closest circle on friends was always there for me, including a new person, herself a 5 year BC survivor, who was my rock and my anchor.  The group of "friends" from my job melted away entirely shortly after chemo began and I was unable to return to work as planned -- I rarely got even an email from any of them.  When I returned to work on May 19th, they mouthed platitudes and said they didn't want to bother me while I was ill. 

    I always believed that in times of difficulties, people show their true colors == and I'm so happy my closest circle of friends is solid gold.  As for the rest of them, they will soon, like this nightmarish six months, be just a very bad memory.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    I have flown interstate today! I had been so nervous but was fine on the plane. In fact I got that old feeling of "thrill" when it took off :-) I'm here in Melbourne, Australia all week for work. Today (Monday) was a holiday in Australia though so I came down early so as not to get too tired since I'm only 2 weeks out from my last Taxol and 1 week out from my first 3 weekly Herceptin.



    Checked into my cute funky hotel and then went and had tapas and a sangria for lunch followed by a walk along the boardwalk of St Kilda Beach. Beautiful early winter day here - blue sky and winter sunshine :-) It was so lovely and I felt "normal" for the first time in forever.



    Being picked up by friends in an hour to go and have an early dinner and am taking advantage of the free hotel wifi on my iPad in the meantime.



    regards Jenn

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited June 2012
    Jenn  - Have a terrific week in Melbourne!  You inspire me!  While I've continued to work during tx, I haven't really returned to 'normal' activities.  Getting through each day seems challenging enough right now.  Hopefully you will have enough time and energy to enjoy your stay.  Don't work too hard! Wink
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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2012

    Question - I am 4 weeks out tomorrow from last Taxol.  Starting to feel really good, but start Rads today.  ECHO tomorrow to see if I can resume Herceptin.  Geez, will this never end?  

    How are those of you who ended Chemo feeling???   

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited June 2012

    Hi Denise!

    I'm now 2.5 weeks PFC and today was the best day I've had so far.  No exhaustion; no need for a nap today.  Still a slight undertone of "tired" but nothing I can't handle.  Tomorrow is my first radiation, so I hope this happy feeling sticks for a little while, at least!

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2012

    Nancy, will be thinking of you in Rads tomorrow.  Mine started today so we will be on the same journey.  I was really nervous.  I posted in June 2012 rads about experience.  So glad you are feeling better from Chemo!  It is such a good feeling!   Take care!!!   Let me know how you are doing in Rads.  I will keep you posted!

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited June 2012

    Nancy and Denise - Hope your rads experience is less of an adventure than chemo!  How many txs will you be getting?  I just completed treatment 22/28. Only 6 more to go!  I found the experience to be very different than chemo (in a good way).   The SEs are not so bad and my skin is holding up okay.  I've developed some radiation dermatitis and was given Hydrocortisone cream to apply.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2012

    Janetanned - I have 33 rads total.  So glad to hear you are doing so well.  GREAT NEWS!  Six more to go - yippee!  Yes rads are way different than chemo.  My rad tech said some people feel they don't get their monies worth cause it is so fast!  I found it to be kind of isolating to get used to me and the machine even though techs present.   Like I went from nurses to robots!  HA HA!

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  • PCBarbie66
    PCBarbie66 Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2012

    Hello to my favorite support group.. .you all made this sooooo much easier to get through.  I wish that every ailment had a place to go, like we have had.

    My brother went on Interferon (treatment of Hep C) while I was on Chemo (3 mos. ago he started) and I have been unable to locate a forum to help me with his SE's...it's a lot like my Chemo SE's..same lousey blood work, nausea, etc...I never relized how lucky I was to have this personal/private bunch of Web Friends to bounce info back & forth, or just cry about my SE's...so lucky.

    My job consumes all my energy and I barely have the strength to eat and throw a load in the washer...so I do apologize if anyone thought I had abandoned them, but I just can't find the extra energy. My blood work proves my levels have crawled back into the accepted Ranges, but the RBC are still low, so it is no surprise I am worn out after work. Wish being worn out helped me sleep better...
    Joyce~~I am hardly on FB anymore, no energy, no time...Although I do stop by Jenn's page and the Xmas Sucks Page Jenn made, when I get a chance too. Cangrads on finding the new job!!
    Janet ~~ I hope your last 9 weeks move quickly and smoothly for you. I had the Dexa Scan (Bone Mineral Density) performed last week and it is "Normal", a quick & easy test compared to some of the others we have had to endure.

    My OBGYN suggested a Hormone blood test (which I had done last week and why the arm still hurts-bad bad nurse) to see where my levels are now, before I start the Tamoxifen.
    I have also had an Ultra Sound of my Legs~all good there, no vein or artery issues...yeah!
    Another US of my Ovaries and Uterus and my Endometrium is only 1.48mm, the tech said that is thin...I was also told that the Tamoxefin can cause a thickening of the Uterus as well as the normal aging process, wonder how they'll tell that apart??

    I am 3.5 weeks out of my last Taxol and start Tamoxefin this Friday. I still have Muscle & Tendon pain in my legs, but it is getting better slowly (mowed the back yard last night, for the 1st time-paying for it today). 3 of my nails are off so far and a 4th looks like it will be off by tonight. They look like I have "Tips" on and no nail polish, so must people ignore them...and yes they hurt. Neuropathy, still have that in the fingers and occasional Nerve spikes in the arms & legs...like a spider bite, but these nothing there, creepy.
    Fast heart rate, breathing still impaired, but getting better slowly...almost no Eye Brows or eyelashes yet....and Grey Brown hair growing back in YEAH!!

    I need a vacation like Denise & Jenn..

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    Vacation? Glad it looks like one... It's 6am and I'm up and off to another hospital for the working day (my job is to make sure they are doing the right thing). Was exhausted after my first day yesterday and it was unbelievably hard reading through the patient files with all the same SEs that we all got/have...



    Ah well, had a nice dinner in the restaurant downstairs last night :-)



    Jenn

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  • Momof2inME
    Momof2inME Member Posts: 683
    edited June 2012

    Hi everyone. I am 3 weeks PFC. Feeling pretty good, but still tired more than not. Had my exchange to implant surgery last Wednesday and now having Herceptin every 3 weeks starting tomorrow. Also have rads planning session on Thursday. Still nervous about the tattoos and don't know why? Between BC, c-section, and a half dozen moles removed what's another few marks on my body???

    Cancer----- still keeping me busy. Smile

    Good luck today Nancy!

    Hope everyone else is doing well finishing up chemo and those of you PFC.

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2012

    As we have all journeyed together these past months, it's been interesting to see how different our SE were and continue to be.  I am really losing my eyebrows now (last tx was April 20) and my toenails are looking funky.  Is anyone having an issue with their wig pulling new-growth hair out?  My hair is just starting to come back (it's not standing up like a brillo pad but just starting to flop over) but in the front where the gripper part of the wig holds it tight to my head, there's almost no hair growing.  Anyone else?

    Ladies, when you start to get some energy, ask your MO or surgeon to give you a script for physical therapy.  I'm not into exercise at all, but after gaining 25 pounds and sitting around for 6 months, I knew I needed to do something.  My breast surgeon recommended a female PT who specializes in treating breast cancer patients and she's been great to work with.  The exercises she has me doing are really helping and I've already lost five pounds.  And I feel better about myself as well.  I didn't think I could do it at the same time as I (finallly) went back to work, but I'm really glad I started.

     To all those still in tx of any kind, Be strong!  Fear not!  

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2012

    Joyce, YES!



    My wig has rubbed away the new growth hair around the where the band is :-/ My hair is all weird and sparse (lookes like I got an electric shock or something) so there is no way I can go without a wig for ages yet. I remember when my kids were babies that first lot of hair rubbed away off the back of their heads from lying down but it did eventually grow back in - I'm hoping mine does the same...



    I was so sad when I noticed all that hair was gone the other week.



    Jenn

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