April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

kjiberty

Marcia:  Glad you made it through your first taxol event-free.  

Marcia1111

Thank you, Karen!  I hope you're going well.

babysammy

Marcia,  I always get the funny feeling in my head.  I was relating it to the dexamethasone since they both start the day before now.  My feeling is around my scarce eyebrows and hairline.  Hmm.  Hope thats all you have to go through.

Melrosemelrose

Marcia- Glad to hear you are doing fine after your first Taxol. I'm doing just fine!!!

FYI:   It is my last pre-chemo weekend!!!  Next Tuesday--- August 7th is my last round of chemo-- #6!!!!!!  I know that before I started chemo in April, I kept thinking that August seemed so far away.  Now the last one is here and I am ready to be PFC!!!!!  My hair follicles have already decided that they are PFC because I have lots of stubbies and peach fuzz on my head.  I even have some of my pre-chemo head hair!!!  I already see new growth where my eyebrows fell out.  So glad my time in chemoland has been with such wonderful strong women here.  I know this part of my journey has been made so much easier and enriched my life in so many ways.

Hoping for a wonderful weekend for all with minimal side effects!!!!! 

lisa2012

wow, somehow  our group got off my favorite topics. Today I wondered why I hadn't seen any posts from Melrose or Fierro for a while, and then realized I wasn't looking in our April/May group!

I'm 6 wks PFC but now I feel it's really PF infusion because SEs and such continue on for the usual 3 weeks.Eyebrows/lashes thinned but still some there; watery eyes stopped at 5 weeks; nails painted and not hurting though underneath still look pretty discolored (didn't lose any.) Started Arimidex 2 weeks ago and so far nothing much except a few hot flashes at 6 am, similar to the end of menopause. Spririts up and down, wonder if I am handling things normally, do people think I seem diffferent, as I start going back to work. It's still summer so very few teachers/staff there which is good.

I have exchange surgery Aug 7 and I hope it goes smoothly and doesn't impede my return to work. Gotta go to a meeting Aug 13 but it's just sitting... Sigh. I just wonder when i will feel consistently emotionally stable. Maybe never! Maybe I am fantasizing about how together I was before all this.

vickilind61

Okay, I have a question for all you smart ladies: when I had my first surgery, included was a mastopexy on both breasts.  How soon after the surgery would BSE be safe?  I know that right after, there were lumps and bumps in the left boob because of the reduction and reshape.  That was April 9; we are going on 4 months.  Should the boob be all ready for selfexams?  Any idea?

Melrosemelrose

lisa2012- Looks like next Tuesday August 7th will be a busy day for both of us!!!!  Hoping things go well with your exchange.  No matter where we are in our individual journeys, we are never too far apart to keep supporting each other as we move forward.  Each has been through a lot--- mind and body wise.   I see that you have continued to move forward with your treatment plan and never wavered in moving to the next part of your treatment.  You have been through a lot physically and so it does take time for the mind to get back in sync with your body.  You are stronger than you realize and yes, you continue to evolve emotionally and appreciate so much more than others.  No need to have self doubts about yourself.... you are definitely doing your journey and doing a damn good job of it.  We understand here what you are going through but if you need to get a little help where you live to help guide you through this part of the journey, please don't hesistate to do so.  Sending you lots of HUGS and positive healing and calming prayers, thoughts and energy!!!!

kjiberty

Melrose:  Well said.  I am about where Lisa is in my journey. I did start chemo around the time you did (4/28), but am now 5 weeks PFC.  My hair continues to grow.  My DH says I am obsessed with the peach fuzz on top of my head.  Just glad my head is not sticking to the leather couch anymore.   

Lisa:  My emotions are up and down as well.  Started Arimidex a week ago.  Hot flashes come and go, but mainly evening/nightime.  I have started back exercising, which I hadn't really done since before my surgery.  My MO is really stressing the weight-bearing exercises.  I hate execise, but know, like everything else, it's something I HAVE to do in order to stay healthy.  Brown and lashes are prett thin, nails don't hurt now, but are discolored.  I am sure they will lift, which I dread.  These S/E's will just go on and on for a long time.  I am officiall 25% done with rads!  Hang in there, girl!

Vicki:  Can't help you because I didn't have the same type of surgery. Sorry!   

nofear2012

Dancer - phewww glad to hear.



I wish there was a "like" button on here - Melrose I would like your entry.

spicedlife

Melrose,my last chemo is this Thursday so it is my last pre chemo weekend too. 

Hang in there ladies.  We will keep doing what we have to do.  We ARE making it through!

Melrosemelrose

Yahoo jennyrjd!!!  i get to do the happy dance several times next week--- once for myself, once for lisa2012 and once for you!!!!!!  I'm ready lots of dancing next week!!!!

As I recall, I know that before I started chemo, I kept hearing/reading this mantra--- "You can do this!"  I knew that after I had the first chemo that I wanted to say "I am doing this!!!!"    With every new phase of treatment, I try to be positive and continue to say " Not only can I do this...... I am doing this!!!!" 

Like everyone here, my hormones are who knows where they are right now which means emotions are also all over the place.  I do my best to stay centered and ride the wave of emotions.  So when the tears flow, I let them.  My sad times never last very long--- just long enough.  There are more times of happiness, laughter and smiles than the down times.   No matter what, it is all good.   

Anonymous

Hi April/May ladies!

I haven't checked here in a while, Claire from the Nov 11 chemo group here. It's so good to see that several of you are done with chemo or getting close to being done with chemo. It's remarkable that we are all so scared and nervous pre-chemo, and now here you are, so many close to finishing or finished. And living your lives and getting through side effects and baldness and all that frightened us so much when we began.

I hereby grant all of you combat medals!

Hugs,

Claire

DorisMarie

grabbing of of those medals..hey..half way thru counts don't it? LOL

feeling better this am..red count coming up..yahoo..was worried for a while...any one else with this problem? heartbeat racing? not fit for anything except couch ornament? day 10 from tx...

best wishes for all today..

bcbarbie10

I cried while reading your threads. So glad for all of you nearing your last PFC's. I so wish i am one of you. Started 4/26 but will not finish till late September as i had 4 AC's and just done with my first of four taxotere..

Dance, i prayed for you in my church service. I know that lump will be nothing serious.

Melrose, clicking the "like" button for that entry, too.

I so want to be rid of this sad version of me!

dancetrancer

Thanks everyone for all the prayers and well wishes!!!  So many great posts this morning.  Big week for many next week - yahoo!  Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday with minimal SE's.  

p.s. Doris Marie, several of us have had the low red counts with resulting racing heart.  Take it easy - your body is working in overdrive to get oxygen to it's cells!  

Marcia1111

Melrose and everyone else finishing this week - I am so happy for you and can't wait until I can say the same.

lisa2012

Hmmm, I hadn't even thought off the hormone aspect of moods now with the Arimedex for 2 weeks. I have not had much reaction to it, a few hot flashes and maybe some stiffness but not bad. I went through menopause around 51 and a mild reaction when ovaries were removed nov. 2011. Maybe that (in addition to all else) is affecting my mood. Hopefully it will settle down as it did before. Damn estrogen.

Plus wanting to get surgery behind me. Melrose, I forgot what surgery you are having Tues.. Refresh my memory.

Hugs to all of us.

Melrosemelrose

Lisa2012- Hope today is a better day.  No more surgery for me---- just my last round of chemo!!!!  I'm finished with the surgery--- had a lumpectomy in Feb. 2012 followed by a UMX in March 2012 to get clean margins and remove the suspicious whatevers that my MRI found---- 2 small small areas of DCIS and a fibroadenoma (non cancerous).  So as you are getting a new stack; I'm getting that last hit of chemo!!!! 

hopeful123

DanceT- glad it was just fat necrosis. I have one too and I keep feeling everyday it to make sure it hasn't changed in size.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

IndigoMont11

Thanks claireinaz! Two txs left but I'll take one of those medals.



I wish the last tx magically didn't come with the SEs so we could celebrate wholeheartedly; but one more thing to have to be patient about.



I've wanted to ask w/o sounding like a wimp- does anyone else's port hurt a little for a few days after tx? Mine does, although it works great for the nurses, and there is nothing else wrong with it. It's an achy feeling like a stiff neck, and is noticeable enough that I end up taking a pain reliever.

Stacie

Indigo my port hurt just like that.

IndigoMont11

I was thinking maybe it happened last tx because I had the overall aches and pains so bad afterward. This time, so far, only the feeling in the port. Thanks, sounds like it must be no big thing.

spicedlife

Indigo, I'm sorry your port hurts.  Thank goodness for pain relievers! 

Claire  I will happily take a combat medal.   We all deserve one for sure!

lisa2012

Melrise, thanks for your articulate and caring support. And índigo, you are so right, a drag to have the usual 3 three weeks of processing Chemo after last infusión. I had some SEs I hadn't had yet! Going much better now that I am 6 wks post!

kjiberty

Melrose:  I totally agree with Lisa.  You want it to be over when it's over...that's for sure.  I am so excited that Tuesday is your last Tx.  You will feel really joyful (along with feelng like s....t for a few days), but the it's all uphill.  It's a great feeling.  

Lisa:  Not experiencing any aches and pains (and hopefully won't, but can't count on it) yet as I have only been in Arimidex for 8 days. I am experiencing hot flashes like no others, though.  Should I be talking to my gyn about getting m ovaries removed?  I am post-menopausal.  I haven't done any research, but I see a lot of you are getting them removed with the ER positive diagnosis.  I will be 57 next month.   

DorisMarie

indigo..port doesn't hurt after tx..however..have to wear a sports bra 24/7..if I try to do without..achy feeling starts after just a day or two...think it is weight of tissue pulling down that area..and of course i think I got the "lumberjack" size port..LOL..and I do hate to wear that bra..

best wishes for all today..

nofear2012

Am I crazy the se post PFC are more intense than when I was receiving treatment. It feels like I have a massive hang over. No energy, but it does feel as if my body is trying to work the chemo out. So wanting just to feel a little bit better.

Melrosemelrose

kjliberty- Thanks for the well wishes!!!  I plan to ring that bell really loud on Tuesday after my last round of chemo!! BTW- I'll be celebrating my 57th birthday too this year-- in October!!!  There will be lots of reasons to celebrate our birthdays for sure this year!!!

nofear2012- My first day of PFC will be August 8th (this coming Wednesday) after my 6th and final chemo.  Yep, I can tell you that I certainly feel the cumulative effects of the chemo.  I've felt a little more fatigued after each round of chemo but I'm still moving and making myself get up and do something even though I probably feel like napping more.  Can't wait for the end of chemo and the beginning of my recovery from my time in chemoland!!!  You may want to have your blood counts checked to see if you are anemic.  Low red blood cell count can really make one feel lethargic and no energy.  Hope you feel better soon!!!!

dancetrancer

kjiberty - the bit of reading I have done on that said no need for ovary removal if you are clearly postmenopausal, b/c your ovaries are no longer making estrogen.  If you were premenopausal, but after chemo and/or on Tamoxifen and don't have periods, then the article I read said still no need for ovarian removal, b/c obviously your estrogen is being blocked well.  Where it gets more controversial is when you get your periods back, despite chemo/Tamoxifen.  Most of the stuff I read said, not necessary.  However, there are some studies that show it may be worth it to have ovarian albation or removal in that case.  

It's all very confusing, and I'm not sure I have a 100% handle on it, but that's my current understanding.  If you talk to your onc or gyn about it please share if he says the same thing or not.   

Anonymous

Halfway, close to finishing, starting tx--all count for a combat medal! 

I hope that some of you will stay on this discussion forum PFD and perhaps drop in on a newly created chemo thread for those of us who are just starting down this road, and offer encouragement. 

We are strong, we are one in our solidarity.  Hugs, sisters!