2012 sisters

websister

MsCich - hope tomorrow is better for you, thanks for the pep talk. I have been told by several people that they weren't nauseated with Taxotere, felt more fatigue and aches. This guy was telling me his nausea was severe and that he needed opiates for the muscle/bone pain. I do believe that we are all different and I will take one day at time, one treatment at a time.

Re: hot flashes - they have been an issue for me also, especially at night. I noticed there was an article on this forum re: use of Paxil for hot flashes. Here's the link -

http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20121016-2

For now, I don't think I need anything for them but nice to know that there may be some options if things get worse.

Anonymous

mcook - please do look into PT. After just 2-3 sessions, I noticed major, major improvments in my cording and my range of motion. Its been some time since I went - and I feel great as far as surgery recovery goes. I'd go so far as to say I have close to 100% of my range of motion recovered. And I sleep on both sides no problem. Good luck!

Chrissera and Juneau - Yeah!!! So very proud of both you!

Mia - sorry you have to be here, but welcome. You will find a lot of helpful information here, and wonderful women to help you navigate this journey. The beginning phase of hearing and absorbing all this information is a tough time. We're all here to support you. You'll make the decision that works best for you based on the info you are given. I opted for BMX and haven't regretted it for a minute. But I know lumpectomy works for others. You'll find your path. We're here for you.

Websister - so very sorry that man offered unwanted information like that. Like others have said - we all react differently. And I like to believe that if we go into our treatments with a positive attitude - rather than anticipating living all the horror stories - our bodies can help us make it through... Hope you can shake his vibes off!

Mrscich - sorry to here SEs are creeping up on you. Just remember to take time for yourself and don't fight it. Rest when you need to and let others help you out. Feel good!

Hope you all have a restful evening! Big hugs!

liefie

Websister, some people just have no tact or sensitivity at all. As you say, no two people respond to these drugs in the same way. I do not believe your SE's on Taxotere will be worse than what you have experienced already. I had no nausea thanks to the medication which prevented it, and I never had severe bone or muscle pain. The worst SE's for me was fatique and weakness. My muscles were stiff and sore at times, but never to the point where I needed medication for it. Best wishes for your first Taxotere infusion. One treatment at a time is the best policy indeed.

DH had knee surgery on Friday; he's doing fine walking/hobbling around already. I have been experiencing fatique this last week that I have not had for the last two months or so. Energy is just really low, and I feel exhausted. I've read that some people experience a slump a few months after rads. Maybe this is it? Hopefully it won't last long. I want to move forward, and put this cancer roadblock behind me now. Is that even possible or feasible? Mind over matter here . . . just keep moving forward, make plans, enjoy life!

Hugs to everybody here. I'll be going to bed early tonight.

Cottontail

I had horrible hot flashes during chemo, too. Mostly at night, I would wake up soaking wet. I get an occasional one now, but they're more like warm flashes, they're so mild. They seem less frequent when I stay on schedule with the gabapentin my MO prescribed for neuropathy.



I wonder if I'll have hot flashes when I start tamoxifen? I guess I'll find out in December.

Tazzy

Welcome Mia – as others have said, sorry you have to be here but this is a great bunch of women. Also as Marian mentioned, when you get more information you will be able to make a more informed decision. Your head must just be swimming at the moment with information overload.

Hi hollycat – are you new here too… if yes, welcome – if not I am blaming that on chemo brain.

Websister: sucks when other people tell you about their SE’s and how awful it was. You would think they’d get it eh? You will be fine – take pre-nausea meds as directed. I never had nausea on taxotere. Think the neupogen gave me the bone aches more than anything and it all passes… there is an end in sight.

MrsCich – hope you can do nothing when you feel like that. Rest up. Good for our bodies healing. Agree with you about the women here being our rock.

Chrisrenee… yes it would be wonderful if we could all have a day where we don’t think about bc. Maybe we should all decided on a day and chat about other things – you know idle chat about the cat throwing up or bringing home a mouse, or what we are reading or watching on the tv??

Liefie - good to hear your DH is recovering so well.

Cottontail – I start tamoxifen when I get back from my trip to England. MO told me to wait for a week afterwards as one of the SE’s can be blood clots – great. Bc really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Wishing all a good Monday with minimal SE’s. (((hugs)))) I am off for nuking this morning 12/28 today.

Chrisrenee77

Tazzy- I just said that to a patient (about cancer being the gift that keeps on giving) not more than 10 mins ago. He did not find it funny! All i could think was come on if you can't laugh about it, it's going to irritate you quicker.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

hugs to all!

Tazzy

chrisrenee - you are so right.. if you cant laugh about it.   You know without humour during all this crap they may as well bury us.  I know that some people think I am pretty warped with my humour these days... do I care, no I dont.   The laughter has got me through so much of this... as have you all.

2FriedEggs

Juneau and Chriserra congrats on your walks; I am tired just thinking about it so I can only imagine how tired you must be!

About the "BC survivor" issue, I saw my MO the other day and I was questioning him about possibilities of reoccurance, things to look for, etc. I think he sensed I was obsessing-lol Anyway he said "I know it's easier said than done, but try not to concentrate on that train of thought. Let's leave it that if something comes up that seems out of the ordinary to you and it worries you, call me and we'll talk about it. You are a survivor, so now we want to focus back on prevention. We have already taken some surgical preventative measures and you are taking Arimedex which some of the stage 4 patients take. So now let's focus on making sure that the rest of your body is healthy and not receptive to disease; something that everyone, BC patients or not, should be doing." So in addition to eating a healthier diet and preventing weight gain, he said that walking and making sure your bones are strong are extremely important in preventing distant reoccurances. He told me to make sure I take my calcium and vitamin D3 supplement and since I'm post menopausal he ordered a dexascan to see if my bones are ok or if I need a biophosphonate.(oh joy more meds!) I didn't ask him when I actually became a "survivor" though.lol Anyway as soon as I feel my implants are changing from lemons to melons, I am going to try to take his advice. He definitely nixed a diet of beer, pizza & wings in front of the tv- darn! Oh well. Funny but I went thru all the surgeries etc and didn't worry, but now that the dust is settling the what-ifs pop into my thoughts more often- I do want to ditch those thoughts now though because life is too short for them; bc or not.

Mia so sorry you found yourself here. You are right about this being a great site. Everyone here has had different diagnoses, stages, treatments but the support and comfort of having others who understand what you are going through is priceless.  I had the wire then the lumpectomies. Although I had clean margins, I decided to meet with the oncologist and plastic surgeon the day before I was to get my Rad markings to re-weigh my rads vs mastectomy/recon options. Since I am prone to extreme stressing before each diagnostic test, I decided to go with the mastectomy and recon. While I am very happy with my decision, many have had the lumpectomy and rads and feel the same way.The lumpectomy & rads vs the mastectomy and recon is a decision that only you can make. What ever your decision however, we will all be here to support you. These next few months though are going to be the toughest for you because your doctors won't have many of the answers you are seeking until they have the pathology report from the lumpectomy and any other testing they decide to do. Once they have that, you and your doctors can come up with your plan. Feel free to hop on here and voice your feelings anytime because we've all been there in one way or another and know what its like.

Chris and Tazzy I'm with you 100% on the humor and the sharing on here.

Well hope all have a stressfree, SE free day. I have several things I wanted to get done today but at this point I'll be happy with just getting a couple of them done.

Anonymous

Just got an email about the Making Strides walk in Jones Beach here on Long Island - and I wanted to share. While I didn't walk this year - lots of family and friends did (some with my name on their tags...), I am very proud to see that 64,000 people came together and raised $3,150,000 out here on the island. Can't wait to walk next year. I've done it before and it's a great walk right along the beach.

And for any of you who watch junk tv - did you see that Lori from Loir's Bridals on the Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta series, announced her BC diagnosis? She has a special airing this Friday I think that chronicles her journey - at least through surgery from what I can tell from the promos.

Chrisrenee77

Ramols- yes I watch the junk tv and I have my tv set to DVR it for me Friday.

allurbaddayswillend

2FriedEggs, I think I your MO! I'm going to print that out and tape it to my wall.

Aruba

Hi Ladies,

welcome to all new here..this site is a Godsend!  Vent, question, rant, agree or disagree...we all here get it and have open arms of support! I had rad #24/31 today.  I am red as if I took a trip to my avitar name without suncreen!  A bit uncomfortable now but am plugging away..what choice do we have?  Hang in there everyone..one step at a time.  Also..

 I was on another thread and saw this site posted to order free lymphedema alert bracelets to warn of having b/p, blood draws etc taken from arm in case you having surgery, unconcious etc  I don't have it but know I am at risk due to having a node removed.  I ordered one and think its a good idea to have and thought I would pay it forward.

http://www.lymphedema.com/alertband.htm

liefie

 Where on earth would we be without humour? It is our saving grace. We may have cancer, but our sense of humour is 100% healthy. The one place that cancer can NEVER invade, is our spirit - yay!!! Keep those jokes coming!

Ramols, I will certainly be watching Say Yes to the Dress on Friday night. Had been watching it on and off for a while when we were wedding dress shopping for my daughter. You do live in a great community who gave more than three million dollars for cancer - wow! Absolutely amazing!

Aruba, thanks so much for the tip on the lymphedema alert bracelet. I will certainly order one. Only 7 more rads for you - almost there!

I'm not feeling so well this morning. Had a bout of diarrhea on Saturday morning, was fine for the rest of the weekend, and this morning it's back. Had to cancel my gym appointment. I have had IBS for many years, and it is probably acting up a little. You just never know when it is going to strike. Months and months will go by without incident, and then all of a sudden - BAM, it is back. Oh well, I will take the dog for a walk later when I feel better. So much for my plans to start a walk/run regimen today.

Aruba

Liefie,  My hubby has IBS so I understand.  No rhyme nor reason sometimes.  And with it showing it's ugly head..you are doing a walk/run regiment..just not the type you had planned !  Feel better quick!

marianelizabeth

liefie, was just talking to a BF in Calgary who is 5 years NED and though I do not have IBS, she brought up that fact that I had bowel obstructions in 1998 and 2000 so my system is far from perfect. The diarrhea I had this past week off and on and big time on Sat. night/Sunday was ridiculous and like you, I had to cancel any excercise ideas yesterday. Called helpline nurse last night and on call doctor called and said I could try "dabbling" with Imodium. He actually said that! Anyway I took one last night and so far so good today. My DH is going for a walk with me soon so am crossing my fingers my banana and oatmeal will stay in! Big sit in in Victoria against Enbridge at 11 AM and my daughter, sister and her husband are there. Something else for me to think about instaed of BC which I do like!

Aruba thanks for posting the free bracelet link. I got mine in September and it came very quickly.

Marian

Tazzy

Posting a link to a study I found on another thread. Never seen anything showing these kind of stats.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSN1248209720080812?irpc=932

ramols: congrats on the walk – an enormous amount of money raised.

Aruba: thanks for the link – something we should all have. I actually got one from our cancer agency.

Liefie – sorry you are feeling yucky, hope that soon passes.

Marian.. hope you are feeling better too. Good for your DD, DS & her DH being at the ‘sit in’.

Hugs to all.

liefie

Marian, I know that alcohol will sometimes trigger my IBS, that is why I hardly ever drink anything. On Saturday night I was naughty, and had half a glass of white wine watered down with club soda, completely forgetting the diarrhea that I had that morning. Who knows? Maybe it triggered it today, maybe not. Seems I should just never drink alcohol at all. On New Year's eve 2010 I drank one glass of white wine which resulted in me being sick as a dog afterwards. Seems I should stick to water, but now and then I just want to be sociable . . . I hope your walk will be uninterrupted - LOL! Is that sit-in a protest against the pipeline from the Alberta oilsands to Kitimat, BC?

Thanks for the humour, Aruba. I'm doing quick sprints instead of long distance - funny!

Interesting article, Tazzy. It gives us hope, which we all certainly need.

halfcan

I sent off for the bracelet...thanks for the link Aruba. And Tazzy ... thanks for the link to interesting stats. Hope everyones Monday is going ok. Me, I'm still in my pjs trying to will away my sore gums. Pumping up with yogurt, veggie soup, cranberry juice and water. Tomorrow I see my onc and do blood work. Hoping all will be good for round 2 on Wednesday!

juneaubugg

Marian/lifelie: I have Crohns which is IBS x 10. I have not had any remission since diagnosed in 2010, but I'm hopeful. If you're having a flare there is a lotion called balneol you can use after you go so you don't end up which painful burning. Maybe TMI, but you should be careful. After my last chemo just this Friday I got a massive boil on my butt as a result of immune suppression and 2 months of angry bowels. I had it lanced this morning finally.

Scorchy

Juneau and Chrisenee,

Congratulations on the completion of your walks!  HUZZAH!

Scorchy

KarenZ0305

Oh Juneau - like this BC shit isn't pain in the ass enough! LOL! I am now suffering from a little yeastiness under my boob from radiation. Better there than somewhere else if you know what I mean!

I too have my DVR set.  We watch the show all the time and love her so I know I'll be bawling!

I also ordered a bracelet but I got mine from a medical ID bracelet website. I ordered some pretty beaded bracelets and had the alert charm engraved about the removed lymph nodes.

2friedeggs - your dr is a quack! Whoever said that pizza, beer and wings is not appropriate diet should have their license revoked! I was actually told to follow the mediterranean diet  (lean protein, greens, grains, good oil) and I think my girlfriend put it perfect - who doesn't like a loaf of warm bread dredged through a good olive oil!

Today was my 13th rad and tomorrow I start my tamoxifen. My legs hurt so much (all the time) I just want to crawl into bed, but my daughter needs poster board for a support our veterans project at school and who am I to say no to that. Does anyone else have this pain? It starts in my hips and goes to my knees and is so bad that I can't get up without wanting to scream if I'm on the floor (my favorite laundry folding place) or the couch. Don't know what is causing that side effect since I've had it since I started the taxol/herceptin treatment. Finished taxol but still doing herceptin. Probably has to do with that.  I see my MO in a few weeks so I'll ask her.

Wah wah wah - yes I want some cheese (preferably a nice brie) with that whine (preferable a lovely moscato).

OH and to make matters worse one of my best friends is probably moving out of state. I'm not liking that at all. Not too far just a 5 hour drive and I like a good road trip but this is the girl who gave me my nuelasta shots in the Old Navy parking lot or bowling alley when I needed them! She is a nurse and my go to when I'm stressing about side effects and what not or just when one of my kids are sick and just want to run my "professional diagnosis" by her. I don't want her to go but its a good career move for her DH. But "I'm selfish - I want her hear with me" (gotta love that Steel Magnolia's movie - it has a quote for everything!).

And to the newbies on board - this is an awesome place - it's where I come when I don't want to bitch and complain to family and friends because they've heard it all already. The wonderful people here can appreciate it since they have been/are going through it and do know how you feel. So let it fly!

Ok - enough of my rambling - time to make dinner.

Love to you all!

MrsCich

Was it one of you ladies on this thread that said your MO put you on Effexor for night sweats and such? I just picked up my prescription. Effexor 37.5mg, take one a day. I'm assuming I should do this in the evening since it causes drowsiness and omg the other side effects. I'm glad I never really read those papers that come with the prescriptions.



Sonson, I have IBS and horrible constipation with chemo and Zofran. Colace is the best laxative I've found. Take 2-3 the day of chemo and 2 the next and it should do the trick. After my BMX I was so impacted I thought I'd need surgery. I've pushed big kids out but holy hell. Completely different. Hope you can find relief. I took7 Colace in 2 days and was pretty crampy last night and this morning but Im good with that aspect right now. Now it's a hemorrhoid (thankfully its not painful), fatigue, no taatebuds, etc.

liefie

Thanks for the advice re IBS, Juneau, and sorry that you had to have that procedure this morning. Couldn't have been pleasant, but now it can heal. I hope further that your bowel symptoms will ease off now that chemo is done. Enough already!

Karen, I think the hurting legs may still be an after effect from the chemo. Mine hurt and my leg muscles were stiff for about six to eight weeks after chemo ended before it went away. It has been completely gone since then. That warm bread sounds good to me too! I'm a bread addict.

MrsCich, I can totally identify with your constipation issues. It was really bad for me after chemo #1, and I almost ended up in the ER, but mercifully things started to move just in time. So glad I was spared that embarrassment! After that I kept up with the stool softeners, and did not have those issues again. Best wishes!

KarenZ0305

Liefie - did you do herceptin? I finished the taxotere July 27. It was much worse then. The reason I think it's herceptin related is because I'm still doing that every three weeks.



Another happy story to share. Last winter my aunt made me this huge afghan and when I saw her this weekend she asked if I used it and was very touched when I told her all the time! It was my napping blanket during my worst chemo days! Made her happy.

Fighter69

God Bless all of us to win the fight .

I was diagnosed in August of this year and they told me that the cancer is aggressive , I have had 3 MRI"s , 2 biospies , PET /CT scans . The good news is that it has not spread to other parts of my body . I have cried so much that my eyes hurt. But I never gave up on hope . They discovered another growth and the biospy says that it is cancer so they can not save my left breast . I am so glad that I found this site because I do not have much support at all . 

I meet with my plastic surgeon on Thursday and hopefully will have a date set for my surgery . They do not know if I will have radiation or chemo until they test the breast . I am praying for us all .

Tazzy

Hi Fighter and welcome to this thread.   You will find all the support, love, comfort here.  You can rant, cry, yell, scream - whatever it is to get it out your system... with no judgement - just be.   This is a roller coaster ride none of us want, but together we are strong and will beat this.   The good news is it is not anywhere else in your body... good news?? maybe not the right words, but get what positives you can from it.   (((hugs))).

This site has saved our sanity on more than one occasion - others will tell you that.   Oh and we try and laugh lots too... share the good things.

Scottiee1

Hi Fighter......wonderful news that it has not spread.....Tazzy is right.....get what positive you can from it.

Scorchy

MrsCich,

I have taken Effexor for years for depression; I would recommend that you take it at night as it can make you wobbly.  And never just stop taking it or run out--slowly wean yourself off of it.  Otherwise you can get very sick.

Susan

Tazzy

KarenZ -  I finished chemo June 22 and my hips and legs feel like I have run a marathon… not that I have ever run a marathon to know… but that’s how I feel.   I asked my MO about it and she said that it can take up to a year to rid chemo of the body… then we have rads on top of it.    I will too be going on tamoxifen but not until I have finished rads.   Joy of joys

Had #12 today.   Each day seems to get harder for me… shouldn’t it be a better time as the end nears?  I dunno, just in a funk today.  Just fed up with it all. 

Scottiee1

Tazzy, what you are going through with rads is normal......the fatigue really kicks in around week three .....take naps , if you can or go to bed earlier.