April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

CSMommy

Hello all. I feel like I need to reintroduce myself - my initial post was waaaaay back on page 22.



I went through a couple months of, well, cancer denial, I think. When I was first diagnosed, I did the support group and forum sign-ups. Then I felt like I hit a wall with all the cancer talk. So I think for the past few months I've been walking around in a cancer denial daze, just going to my treatments and that's about it.



That needs to change, obviously. I'm finally realizing I have a very long road ahead of me, and I need to accept it and challenge this cancer thing head on. I've got three months of chemo left, then surgery (still waiting on my BRCA test to determine the extent of surgery - I do know I'll do a mastectomy, just don't know yet if we take one or both, but I have extensive nodul involvement, and my initial tumor was attached to the chest wall, so it will probably be a doozy of a surgery), then radiation therapy. This isn't going away anytime soon.



I began the DD A/C back on May 3rd. With the exception of a butt-load of infections, and trip to our local trauma center for a breast infection, and more antibiotics than I've been on in years, it was.....ok. I made it, and that's the most important thing.



I started weekly Taxol last Thursday, making today my 2nd Taxol trip. So far (as far as I can judge from a week in), the SEs aren't too bad. Some fatigue, and mild face neuropathy (which is just, well, weird). My biggest concern was when my doctor told me my liver enzymes were elevated & started questioning me on my Tylenol usage. I don't believe I used that much last week....one lortab on Sunday, and just two Tylenols the day before. What I am so scared of is that I felt so good on Wednesday that I felt like enjoying a beer (ducking my head). Is it entirely possible that one drink can elevate the liver enzymes?



I'm trying to catch up on this board and refamiliarize myself with everyone (and with the new ones as well). I enjoy this forum as its serious & helpful, yet not too much so. You gals know how to laugh and joke...and that is so refreshing and appreciated.

Melrosemelrose

WELCOME BACK CSMOMMY!!!!!!!  We are still here ready to support you and give you that umph to keep going!!!  Each of us reacts differently to our journeys and everyone here understands how difficult it is to come to grips with what lies ahead.  So we all take one day at a time, one step at a time and move forward.  Again, so glad you have decided to return so you can rant, rave, whine like the rest of us and just have a damn good time moving forward.  Sending you lots of (((HUGS))), and positive healing and calming prayers, thoughts and energy!!!  Remember, we leave no one behind here!!!!!!

IndigoMont11

Hi Csmommy and welcome again! I am not a medical expert so I can't say for sure that one beer and/or the tylenol and lortab would or would not affect liver enzymes. But I have also seen from personal experience that test results can fluctuate even if repeated on the same day. Hang in there, and stick with us no matter what. Hugs to you!

IndigoMont11

Vickilind, good to hear from you, and hoping you are back on the upswing! Hugs to you!

Stacie

Insomnia.

SadeSurvivor25

Same here Stacie. My nurse told me to take 2 Benadryl and 2 Tylenol to help but I think that's too much medicine to be taking at one time. Will try to fight it out until the sleep comes.

chapter4

CSmommy......if one beer can do that to your liver enzymes then I'm in trouble....I always wait 72 hours after treatment before having anything to drink as advised by my dr....and when that time is up...I've had way more than one. My liver tests throughout have been fine....I don't take Tylenol...they told me to take aleve....



I met with my radiologist yesterday....he says I will start rads about 3 weeks after chemo...which I finish up next Tuesday....:)



But he also told me I will have to wait 6 months to a year for reconstruct! Come on....really?



Anyone else get similar advise? What about reconstruct before radiation? He told me he didn't want anything "in the way" during radiation.

Fierro6

My PS told me that, if I have radiation (quite likely) that they would insist on waiting 6 months before reconstruction. WooHoo!  I get to live with this brick on my left side for that much longer!

lsharvey822

@csmommy - welcome back! 

for me the fear of the unknown has always been the hardest part so having these wonderful women around me has been priceless. 

And our motto is no sister left behind so when one falls or falters the others are here to pick them up, dust them off and nudge them back on track. 

bcbarbie10

Chapter4, i was told by my surgeon that radiation shinks or does funny things with breast implants. Plus radiation may cause some damage to your own tissues. So better reconstruct when everything's done.

CSMommy

Thank you all for the welcome-backs! It means a lot to me.



Oh, Stacie and SadeSurvivor25, I'm understanding the insomnia this go round. I think I got 3 hours of sleep all night....I've been up watching reruns of MasterChef. Which really does nothing but make me hungry. At least with the Taxol I can watch my cooking shows again....the A/C had me so nauseous I couldn't watch Food Network for a good few days after treatment!



I am so happy, chapter4, that you're still able to enjoy beer. I was thinking to myself that I could do a few months until I'm done with chemo without beer if that meant I could keep my numbers in check, but that would be my own version of hell. I love a good, cold beer in the hot desert evenings. I'm going to cut out all Tylenol products this week and see if the tests are any better next go round. Hopefully that's just all it is.



And my oncologists had the same remarks about waiting for reconstruction until after the radiation, as she is concerned that the amount I'd be receiving (since they'll have to aim both at the chest and again at the armpit) that it could damage the reconstructed skin, but that my BS would have a better input on that.

IndigoMont11

I heard the same thing about delaying recon. In fact, I heard maybe a year to even start. I don't even have TEs yet. I was disappointed at first but honestly, now I 'm relieved. I'm doing well after my BMX but have been reminded that the healing goes on awhile, and my NP said yesterday that chemo as well as radiation slows healing down. I do want the best possible outcome so it is worth waiting to me.

chapter4

Thanks Ladies....let the reconstruct waiting game begin.

CSMommy

Yes, I just have to keep reminding myself that 2012 is my year to heal; 2013 is my year to be reborn.

Rose_d

It looks like I'm the only one who will do the reconstruction before radiation. My ps does the exchange one month after chemo and one month before radiation starts. I've met with two ROs, one at Sloan Kettering and one at St. Barnabas and both said its fine to do it ahead of time. They both said there may be a cosmetic difference between my left and right sides due to the radiation but that that will happen regardless of when you do the reconstruction. They said it seems to be a personal preference of the ps as to how they do it and the overall results (cosmetic and effectiveness of the radiation) are the same.



They did say if I were older or had not healed really well from the original surgery they would have me wait but since that's not the case I will do the exchange on Aug 20th.



Rose

LyndaMarie

Hi all

Thanks for the welcomes! I am glad to be back. I too am doing neoadjuvan chemo so my surgery will be some time in September. I met my PS two days ago to discuss my options. His opinion was that that reconstruction before/after radiation was dependent on the type of reconstruction we use (TE/implant fine right away, flap surgeries wait).

My major concern in reconstruction is not moving the muscle structure around because I am a violin/violist. I know that they move the pectoral muscles for implants. For flap surgeries they use back (LAT flap) or stomach (TRAM flap) muscles. For DIEP flap they do not use muscle so if I do flap surgery I will do DIEP. We are going to check if I can do skin sparing mastectomy with a TE placed above the pectoral to preserve the tissue in case of radiation. Then I could try Brava with fat grafting. That would be the least invasive regarding musculture. If the brava/fat grafting is not possible for some reason, then I will likely wait and try DIEP flap. It is a lot to process. I do have the time to consider since I am starting with chemo. Any thoughts out there?

Had my first AC yesterday and first neulasta shot today. Boy does that burn a bit on the way in! Last night I had a bit of a headache so I took tylenol. I also felt like my smell sense was wacko right away. Dinner was cottage cheese and it tasted really good. Go figure. Today I am starting to be concerned that heartburn is encroaching. I take Zantac but may need to increase that. Anybody out there had heartburn issues?

 Good day to all!

Lynda

Melrosemelrose

LyndaMarie- Sorry about the burning sensation when the Neulasta shot goes in.  I have mine given in my tummy and not in the arm.  I don't feel it plus the nurse injects it very slowly.  I'm on a different regimen than you but I did have heartburn with the first round.  I didn't take anything for it since I didn't think it was that bad.  I do burp a lot though and have done so after every round of chemo.  I'm sure some of the A/C gals can be a little better help to you as for as A/C side effects.  Hope you have minimal side effects and feel better soon!!!!

lisa2012

Stomach hurting/heartburn/- they told me all related to chemo being hard in GI tract, many get acid reflux which has all those symptoms. They had me use Maalox(helps pretty quick for a short period if time) Pepcid AC, then when I was still hurting they had me use Prevacid, one of those other kind of acud reducers. I actually started taking it 2x day second round and it seemed to resolve it. Stopped it a few days ago.

I am 3 weeks PFC, stomach seems better. Did take a Pepcid AC last night. I guess your stomach can be delicate for a while. Hope this info is useful...everyone is different, as they say.

dancetrancer

lyndamarie - I had severe heartburn (have pre-exisiting reflux).  If the Zantac doesn't work, ask your doc to prescribe a PPI like Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix, etc.  

Regarding recon, I had fat grafting with Brava, 2 surgeries.  My entire story (and other's stories) are documented at www.fatgraftpatients.com.  You can learn so much there about what this procedure involves.  I've never heard of having a TE placed soley for the purpose of preparing it for fat grafting - usually Brava is done to expand the tissue.  Has your doc done this before successfully?  Sounds interesting!  

IndigoMont11

Hi Lyndamarie!  I had problems with constant heartburn after starting A/C, too (although not as bad as dancetrancer's).  Anyway, I was taking Zantac at least twice a day, and Maalox, too, and still kept coming back.  Doc had me switch to Prilosec, and that has made it go away entirely.  You can buy Prilosec OTC at the store, or my doc wrote me a prescription, same stuff, but cheaper with my insurance copay. 

Good luck with your research on recon.  I have tabled all of mine for the time being, since I am having to wait a good while.  

IndigoMont11

OK, all; I just wanted to share my Redbook "red in the face" incident and one other anecdote, hoping they make you smile. 

My 19- yo son ordered his brother a T-shirt for his brother's birthday last week, and has been anxiously awaiting its arrival.  At more or less the same time (TMI warning but I'll be delicate), I had also ordered some lubricant and a couple of other goodies because DH and I are having to be a bit more creative in the intimacy department given both of our health situations.   I was invited to a Passion Parties bachelorette party for a coworker back in February right before my DX, and got an e-mail from the dealer recently that she was having a fundraiser for Colorado wildfire assistance and has been donating portions of her sales over the past 2 weeks for the fundraiser.   Well.... and you are all sharp enough to see what's coming but I'll tell you anyway, yesterday when we finally got home from the BGC, DS#1 crashed out for awhile.  Before I lay down myself, a package was delivered and I told DS#2, "Oh, here's your brother's shirt!"  I was asleep when DS#2 presented DS#1 with his "gift."  I didn'twitness it so don't know who was more surprised - all I can say is, when I woke up, they brought the package back, retaped, and simply said, "Um, this is not what we all thought it was!"  :-P

We are all very close and so it was funny enough that I couldn't even be overly embarrassed about it.  I was just thankful that the mixup didn't happen in front of my mom or niece when they were here!!   But we are still laughing about it today.  I knew my poor DH would be more embarrassed and I didn't want to tell him, but it was pretty obvious the package had been opened and re-closed again, and I didn't want him thinking it had been tampered with.  After a few red-faced moments, he was able to laugh too.  The contents have all since been switched to a safe place and we are still looking for the shirt.  :-D

Much less embarrassing, I finally had one of those "you are different!" moments.  Two days ago I was outside helping my son unload groceries from the car, and a large group of what looked like five- and six-year-olds came trooping down the sidewalk from a day excursion to the elementary school nearby.  I collected a stare from one little boy and realized I was out sans any head covering.  I just smiled and waved hello.  And then a little girl walking up said loudly, with huge eyes, "Look, she shaved her head!"  I laughed and said, "Yes, I sure did!"  The poor fellow shepherding the kids along was embarrassed and just said to the little girl, "Come on now, we need to go!"  She did keep walking but cranked her head around so she could watch me as she walked away.  DS#2 was a little embarrassed for my sake and said, "Mom, your head's uncovered!"  Well, these were little children and it was hot outside, so no big deal to me.  Now, if the man with the kids had said "Look!  She shaved her head!", I'd've had a much different reaction, of course.

Big hugs to all today!  

Melrosemelrose

IndigoMont-  You made my day with your great stories!!!!  Thanks for sharing!!!!  Yes, You made me smile!!!  Hope your infusion went well today.  Have been thinking of you.  HUGS to you and yours!!!

dancetrancer

Indigo...LOL about the package!!!  Ba-ha-ha!  When I was little I found a vibrator in my parents' room.  I thought it was some kind of cool thing they didn't know was there (a child's mind...I had found it hidden between the mattress and boxspring and thought they didn't know about it).  So I proudly showed it to them and said "Look what I found!  Look what I found!"  Ba-ha-ha!!!  My poor parents.  They quickly came up with an excuse/explanation "That's what I use to massage your Mom's back."  

Yeah, right.  LOL!!!!  Glad I had no clue at the time, or I would have been completely mortified!  

eric95us

For my wife, the PS is hoping to exchange TEs for implants between chemo and radiation....but first the RO visit, so we won't know for sure yet.





Monday will be the last of the chemo....Taxol #4...



Eric

IndigoMont11

Eric, yay to your wife for getting to the end of chemo!!!

lsharvey822

Woohoo Eric and your wife!! Congrats!!  Another one done Stacie!

Marcia1111

LyndaMarie - I have had heartburn issues.  I take Gaviscon and avoid foods and beverages that seem to bother me.

dance and indigo - Great stories!

Eric - Yay!

mistym

Hi ladies,

Haven't posted here for a few days.  My third day from third FEC is still kicking my ass but I know I will feel better soon.  Worst nausea and indegestion and so so exhausted.  Just going to take it easy for the weekend and hope I feel better soon.  I had my MRI today for my liver and should have any results by the end of next week.  Fingers crossed that whatever they have seen on the two CT scans I have already had turns out to be nothing serious.

Thank you all for the funny stories and giggles.

Welcome to any new sisters here that I have missed.

Roula - my thoughts are with you and your loved one during this difficult time.

I hope everyone feels better soon.

Much love and thank to you all for being here together with me.

Hugs,

Misty

spicedlife

Indigo- what is the company name please?  My husband has diabetes.  Enough said.  

Very funny story!

spicedlife

Indigo- what is the company name please?  My husband has diabetes.  Enough said.  

Very funny story!