2012 sisters

Anonymous

Mccook



Thanks for all the chemo tips. I'm also on an iPad, but I just figured out how to copy & paste your tips to my email folder.

Hold your finger on the page for a moment until a circle pops up, then let go...it will say COPY. Press COPY, then go to wherever you want to post. Hold your finger in the blank space, until PASTE pops up. Now press PASTE.



Blessings

Paula

Tazzy

websister... you look fab.  Aren't you amazed at how good us Sisters rock the bald look - I am

Welcome betsy... glad you found us, you will find great comfort and solace and advice here.  I am starting rads soon too... dont have my schedule yet though.   From what everyone says who has been through the same... rads is the easiest of them all.

liefie

Mcook, you sound so much better today! So glad the surgery is behind you, and that you feel good enough to give advice to others. Thanks for the update - we love to hear good news.

Websister, you look so cute with your hair like that. Methinks we agonize way too much over our hair. I look about like you at the moment, but I'm going in the opposite direction growing it again. Went to a joga class this morning, and it was way cooler with my hair so short.

Ramols and Emerald, let us know how the first chemo went today. Hope you are doing really well with minimal side-effects!

mcook301

Websister - you picture is beautiful! Thanks for posting:)

mcook301

Tazzy - do you have to get measure or anything bf rad start? Do they just do that in same day? There is no pokes during rad is there? I have my appointment to get set up next week with my doc.

Tazzy

mcook... glad you are feeling better.  Dont really know much about rads except first is the planning and tattoo session, then I guess the schedule for rads... as far as I know they dont do the planning session and rads the same day.  I am going to go to the cancer agency tomorrow, they have a DVD about radiation therapy and what to expect.  I'll report back as soon as I've watched it.

teeballmom

Mcook: thank you for the great words today. Gosh I needed to read them.



Feeling overwhelmed right now and for some reason freaking out about taxol. My onc says its so much easier than AC and I'll be fine but something about them having to give me Benadryl to counter a reaction just really worries me. My DH is taking the day off to stay with me during the treatment because I'm so worried something is going to go wrong. My onc will probably yell at me when she finds out how worried I've been. I love her though so she can yell at me all she wants. LOL.



Seems today has been my worst day since AC #4 last Weds. Yucky mouth, tired and can't sleep without Ativan, and feeling out of sorts completely. Just want to sleep for a good 12 hours and then be fresh for my 2 little ones. I feel so bad for them because I keep trying to help them with their homework and I have chemo fog. Seriously, when did 1st and kindergarten math and reading get to be so difficult for this mommy.



Take care and welcome to all of our new sisters/brothers.

mcook301

Teeball - I was like you on taxol about being scared. I felt like I might have a reaction after I got home so took Claritin and Pepcid bf and it helped a lot also took after. Benedryl at times after but that made me sleepy. I actually almost handled ac better than taxol as far as worse SE. I felt more energy on taxol but other weird SE. How many treatments have u had? Watch for start of neuropathy. You will know when it occurs as you have a hard time grabbing things like opening jars etc. they say everyone get some but weekly helps cause lower doses per my doc? You also might get some head hair back during taxol.



Btw did anyone experience changes in taste after surgery? My taste buds feel like I am on chemo as far as being able to handle spicier food again? Or acid? Dam it:)

teeballmom

Mcook: I start taxol on 9/5 weekly for 12 weeks with herceptin every 3 weeks. Did they give you Benadryl during your infusion?

tina_jason

I am still on my wound vac.  Tomorrow will be 3 weeks and I did have to start school with it.  The kids haven't said much about it and if they asked I just told them what it was.  Although its a pain to always have by my side it is really working.  I see the doctor at the wound clinic tomorrow so hopefully he will let me know how much longer.  The last tech that changed my dressing reminded me that I should be on it as long as possible because that is the best way to completely close the wound.  I can't start rads until it is closed so now I just wait!!!  What I thought would be July rads has now turned into Sept rads. 

mcook...my tastebuds have never recovered.  They aren't as severe as they were on chemo but they are still very sensitive to spicy foods and things don't seem as sweet to me as they used to.  I didn't notice a change after surgery.

teeball..my DH was with me for my first Taxol treatment too.  I hated that the treatments took so long (its a slow drip because many women react to it but I didn't) and the Benadryl made me so sleepy.  I never fell asleep during my AC but I did every time on the Taxol.  It made me feel bad for whoever was sitting with me that day but I just couldn't help it.  The SE's are a trade off.  I didn't get nausea or mouth sores with Taxol but I did get very achy.  My legs hurt so bad with the Taxol.  I was prepared for feeling really bad (my onc said he was bringing out "the big guns") but didn't feel nearly as bad as I thought I would.  Hope you do well with it.

bevg49

tina, i can't believe how long the healing takes. I am still washing and putting bacitracin and packing and bandaging every day. BS says wound vac sounds like a good idea, talk to PS. He is on vacation and his nurse says we'll talk when he's back which is over a week from now..... I think it's closing up on the inside a little bit but at this rate, it's going to be 6 months at least. It seems even with the vac, it's a slow process but this is ridiculous. I can't even think about recon. or even no recon but buying forms and bras until it closes. It's about 1-2 to 3/4 inch long opening. Can't wait to talk to ps and see if we can possibly speed this up!! I sincerely hope it's all good for you when you go to the wound doctor tomorrow. 

For you ladies starting rads. I didn't have them so can't speak from experience but, believe it or not, my sister and I were diagnosed within 1 week of each other this past April. I had no choice but a mastectomy so no rads (and thankfully didn't need chemo, just Femara for 5 years).... She chose a lumpectomy with rads. She is more than half way done. She has a slight burning sun burny feeling on the breast and she is just now starting to feel tired during the day so takes a nap.... It is not a big thing at all. It could be so much worse and the trade off makes it so worthwhile.... Good luck and good vibes. 

Anonymous

I'll be brief - sorry. Survived AC 1 this morning. Started feeling like crap around 8ish tonight. Took my zofran and snoozed for a bit. Working on water and dry cheerios... Hubby is being a doll. Hugs to you all.

mcook301

Yes Teeball I had Pepcid and benedryl each time full doses. I had them infuse benedryl slower because I got restless leg syndrome but they did it all through taxol but some people don't react and get none or lower doses.

teeballmom

Thank you for all your help. Still nervous but I know I'll get through it. I'm really glad I have all of you to help get through this.



Take care.

marianelizabeth

Teeball,  I hear Zofran works like a damn. Your thoughts?

lamb

MrsCich. Been thinking about you. Why did they postpone the surgury. At least it is only two days. How long will you be in the hospital for? Did they tell you to buy a special bra for afterward? I know

It's hard but try and remember it will

Soon be out of you and that is a good thing

websister

Welcome to all who are new



Ramols - good to hear from you, hang in there ((())) Hope you had an OK night, it does get better. Glad your hubby is so good.



McCook - thanks for your post, very helpful. Re: taste postop - I did experience some changes but they were right after the surgery and didn't last very long



Teeball - I'm nervous about The second part of my chemo protocol, I'll have Taxotere but here there are similar concerns and precautions regarding reactions.



Marianelizabeth - Zofran is good for nausea and vomiting but doesn't address a potential allergic reaction, Benadryl is given to help avoid that, usually a steroid as well



Tinajason - you are an inspiration with your wound problems and how you have managed them. I hope it resolves very soon for you.



Tazzy - looking forward to hearing about your radiation class



Take care, everyone

MrsCich

Lamb, surgery was postponed because Hurricane Isaac is hammering us right now. I SHOULD be in surgery as I type this. I'm getting more nervous as the days go by though. I have surgery Friday at 7am and I get released Saturday they said. Seems kind of quick to me but what do I know. I did have to get a special bra and a button up shirt. A sports bra thing that clasps in the front. Mine zips.

teeballmom

Marianelizabeth:  I haven't been prescribed Zofran, but my ONC is seeing me before my first taxol treatment next week so I'm not sure what her plans are as of yet. 

Take care.

Anonymous

If my husband hadn't changed jobs August 1, I'd already be done with surgery, but probably still dealing with drains. I really dread that! Now, I'm waiting for new insurance to kick in. He needed to do that for his own peace of mind. He worked for a terrible company. So, I'm really glad for him. He had already been hired for new job, and given notice at his old job when I got the dx.



I read all these posts and they are so helpful, but I'm still nervous about the final pathology report after surgery. I'm not going to dwell on that though.

But, still, every time I have pain now, even though I've had arthritis since my 30s, ( now 61) I think it's bone mets. LORD help me stay sane until surgery in October.



Thanks for listening Girls



Blessings

Paula

taraceta28

Ramols glad you got a good hubby Hope your feeling ok

MrsCich: good luck friday. i will be thinking of you

Soteria: its so hard not to think the worst. Im sorry (((hugs)))

I had rads 23/28 today. Very tired but doing ok. Getting close! Have a good day everyone.

Isabelle2

mcook:   I am on rad #17 with 8 to go.   This is my experience:

1:  Meet with rad oncologist...he was very thorough & explained why I should have them, what they would do for me.

2:  Catscan., tatoo..this is to do an original very precise imaging...no pain,I cried through it but only from situation stress.  Tatoo is just a little pinprick.

3: Rad. #1...machinery very intimidating, my husband came in with me to watch the setting up procedure.  (of course did not stay during treatment but wanted to see what was happening to me.

The first treatment does take a little longer...they have to do imaging, make sure everything matches with original Ct.  My first 2 took an hour each, very stressfull, cried through the whole thing but the treatment does not hurt. You hardly know it is happening.   I was just a baby & I still tend to be very emotional each time.

My husband and I were very glad he came in with me.  It gave him a better understanding of my stress situation & as he said "Even I was intimidated by all of the equipment.".

I am amazed how quickly my treatments have gone.....will soon be finished.  Have some burning, not too bad so far & have had considerable fatigue. 

Glaxol seems to be the most popular cream & I suggest that you start using it now. 

You have to lay completely still for the procedure, this is the toughest part, because something always itches & you have to leave it alone.   lol

I hope this helps and hugs to you.   It will be over before you know it.

Isabelle

Mrs. Cich, I came home same day of surgery...now that was too soon.  My husband walked/carried me from the car as I was so drugged up.   If the neighbours had been watching they would have thought for sure that I was "smashed".  I was very fortunate that I was booked for surgery 2 days after seeing my surgeon...did not have time to dwell on it.   But for you too, it will be over before you know.

bevg...same as your sister, lumpectomy & rads...8 to go & 5 years of Femara (day 65)& so far nothing I cannot handle.

sorry if I missed anyone...so darn much to read on these discussions...I love it but it sure keeps us busy. lol

patriciahurtado

Ladies i will start chemo soon and im scare!!!

Moonflwr912

To all going to surgery, hope it goes well and fast healing. To those with tx going on, small SEs. To those waiting, hugs.



Had my MUGA today spent three days trying to make sure it was covered. Finally got a call at home an hour after my appointment es scheduled that they had approval. So went in an hour late and now hoping for a good EF! Tomorrow, see my onc and have my Herceptin. First time I haven't had to go in weekly, its been three weeks. Of course, I had my TE replaced during that time, so not exactly medicine free! LOL. Hoping for a good red and white count, not to mention potassium and magnesium! Much love to all.

Tazzy

patricia... the anticipation of waiting for chemo to start is by far the hardest.  Really it is.   Chemo is hard but doable.  And remember it is killing the cancer.    Ask them to ice your hands and feet during taxotere... it can cause nail loss and this helps with that and also the neuropathy that can occur.   Drink lots and lots of water beforehand and after, moves all the toxins around and out your body.   Bone pain was the worse for me - some women on this board have suggested claritin to ease that.  I am sure someone will be on here soon with advice about that too.   We will hold your hand honey... you dont have to do this on your own.   Come here to rant, scream, yell, laugh, cry - whatever emotion you have get it out.   I cannot speak about fluorouracil as I never had that.   Hang in there honey and ask any questions you have. 

Hugs to all... just got back from a lovely lunch with work colleagues which was really nice to see them and catch up.  Hope you are all managing to find your happy today. 

MrsCich

I haven't met with my Onc yet and I am terrified of what my treatment will entail. Y'alls stories are helpful but TERRIFYING. I don't want to hurt in my bones and lose my nails, my eyesight to get worse, the nausea and hives and stuff.

Tazzy

MrsCich... it is terrifying and that's quite normal to feel that way.   Remember not everyone gets ALL the side effects and they always give you worse case scenarios.   Once you start it becomes part of your routine and you realise you can get through it.   As I said, the waiting and anticipation are far worse than the tx.   We'll hold your hand.

Tazzy

patricia... there's a thread on this board for those going through taxotere... great advice and comfort - you might want to check in out.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/789217?page=11#idx_314

Moonflwr912

MsCich, ditto what Tazzy said. You will get through this, and NO ONE GETS ALL THE SEs! Some of us had "scenic" detours, and still got to our destination, ie. Finish chemo. Don't scare yourself, much love.

tina_jason

No more wound vac as of today!  It feels so good to not have that thing with me 24/7.  I still have to wait til it closes completely before starting rads.  The wound doc said it could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month.  At least I am making progress.  Bev, push for that wound vac!!! They are a major pain but they get the job done!!!

To all you ladies with anxiety as you prepare for treatments....I wish I could take it away for you.  I remember the feeling but like so many of the other ladies said it is do-able.  You get through because you have to and the alternative is so much worse.  It isn't pleasant but it is lifesaving.  Thinking of you all.

Ramols- Sorry you aren't feeling well.  Mine always hit about 5 hours after treatment finished but within 4 days I was feeling almost normal.  I hope you are feeling better soon.  I just hate that you have to go through it!  Thinking of you.