Sept 2012 chemo

marianelizabeth

mariposa, my BS gave me a prescription for a L/E sleeve and she was the one who brought it up. I am having an axillary dissection and already had 8 nodes removed. I can't remember what she said about wearing it but vaguely recall 3 months after but maybe that is when exercising. Will find out and let you know.

Timbek2

I'm picking up my sleeve tomorrow. Bs prescribed for prevention. I'm going to wear when I do laundry. Yard work. Flying. Or even if it aches. Bs said radiation could reduce range of motion in my arm. Hope not. Really don't want pt if I can help it. I keep doing my wall climbs. had a friend I haven't seen in years stop over tonite. Everybody has to check out cancer lady! We had a nice visit. Also ordered a new wig. Old one is getting ratty. Excited to sport new wig for my post chemo look. In 9 days I should be done. Cannot wait! Just wanna be me again... Whoever that is. Lol!!

Hopex3

All this talk about LE has me worried now. I haven't discussed this with my MO at all nor has she brought it up. I'm wondering now if I should be getting a sleeve. Is this a lifetime deal that you have to wear?

bearcub

Florbo, I rang the bell when I finished chemo but I just might steal the pole dance for my last herceptin, way too funny...



Cqesq I cannot believe your MO or nurse could not figure what was wrong...hope you go to a LE specialist and get that sorted out.



For all those who finished chemo congrats, I am falling behind in the reading.



Hope I hope you have a great time with your sisters, it's awesome they flew in to support you. I will be thinking of you on Thursday.



I have 2 rads left, skin has held out very well. My breast is a bit sore, itchy and slightly pink. All in all it has gone well and it's very easy.



Everyone have a great day tomorrow

florbo

Patricia--Happy belated birthday!  Thankful for another year of life!

Neta-- My exercise today was 2 flights of stairs.

Hopex3--I will be praying for your BMX on Thursday.  Enjoy your time with your sisters and let others love on you!

Mariposa--with my first mastectomy, my BS's office sent me the camisole and bra to my house to wear when I got home from the hospital.  So I didn't have to buy one and they knew my size.  I passed mine to another BC friend last year or else I'd mail it to you.

I think the reason I didn't get any tips from my pole dance is because I wasn't able to do some of those reverse 360 moves because I would have disconnected myself.

Mariposa123

Hi everyone,

   My support group friends all have sleeves that they wear to work out and to fly.  My doctor said that he doesn't feel like I am in the risk group- but from what I have read, it doesn't seem like one particular groups is more at risk than anybody else.  Thanks Melrose for the information about the gauntlet!   Do you get sized after surgery?  Should I take some measurements before surgery so I know if I am swollen?  I am a bit freaked out about lymphedema.  I am small, but I tend to be a sweller.

I was feeling so much better all morning, then at about five this evening, I started to feel like crap again.  I just want to be on the other side of chemo hell.  Now I feel all nauseous and crappy all over again.  And of course I am still constipated.  I have been drinking my tea like crazy.

I decided yesterday that I am going to try to stay on disability for another few months.  I figure- why not?  My disability insurance pays 65% of my income (and I only get taxed 1%) and they will pay for one full year - and if I go back to work, I have to put my son back in daycare which would eat up a ton of money... on top of eating lunches, gasoline, etc.   It will be super hard- but I just don't know how I am going to work, heal from therapy, do radiation, physical therapy, etc.  Seems like so much and I am kind of demotivated lately.  Plus, my brain is so cloudy.  Being a therapist, I need to be on top of things for my clients.  I can't go forgetting stuff or getting all distracted by my mortality all the time.  Is anyone else staying off work for a while?  With the exception of two six month maternity leaves, I have been working since I was 16.   Feels weird but I have to say, that I do love being at home with my son.

Hope everyone is having a nice night.  Thanks for the suggestions for bras! 

 

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florbo

Mariposa--I think it will be a wise choice to stay on disability.  You need to take care of yourself and heal as best as you can. Your body--mentally, physically, and spiritually have been through a wringer and much more.  And you won't regret the time you spend at home with your kids.

Melrosemelrose

cgesq - Please don't be too hard on your MO for not recognizing the lymphdema.  That is an issue that arises out of the surgery and not the chemo.  the breast surgeon who removed the nodes is probably the doctor to contact about LE and for getting a referral to a LE PT. 

Mariposa - I got measured in October which was about 7 months after my surgery.  Talk to your breast surgeon about when the best time to get measured for a sleeve/gauntlet.  I guess you could measure different parts of your arms/wrist if you want to have a baseline.  I'd go to a shop that sells the sleeves and ask to be measured.  You may want to wait to purchase one until after the surgery since the sleeves/gauntlets come in different compressions amounts and you want to make sure you have the one that is right for you.  Hope you are feeling better today.  Glad to hear you are considering staying on disability a little longer.  You've been through a lot emotionally and physically; just have to give yourself some time and TLC as you continue to heal.

EnglishRose75

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd just check in.  Congrats to everyone who's finished or about to finish chemo, and good luck for the upcoming surgeries.  I think as we all experienced before chemo, often the anticipation and fear of the unknown is the worst part.

Mariposa, I think you should do what feels right to you in terms of returning to work and not worry about what anyone else thinks or says.  If you can swing it financially, go for it!  I wish I could go part time, but I'm not sure I could cope with the financial compromises that I would have to make.  I'll go back full time after I finish rads next week.  In some ways, I'll welcome the distraction and the return to normality.  On the other hand, sometimes work related things now just seem a bit trivial and unimportant.

Two of my fingers on my non cancer side have been slightly numb on and off for a few weeks, and it doesn't seem to fit with neuropathy from the Taxotere so I mentioned it to my MO yesterday.  He's ordered an MRI of my neck, "just to rule anything out".  It's probably just a trapped nerve or something but I'd hoped to get a little further out of treatment before my first trip to the scanner.  Ugh!  I could really do without this stress right now...

fight4two

Just checking in to let you all know that my surgery went well and I'm on the mend!  Thanks so much to all that prayed for me and were thinking of me.  It feels awesome to know that the cancer is finally OUT!  And its great to be back at home and with my baby!  Bought a recliner to sleep in.  Its been great, but since its manual, sometimes I get stuck in it! HAHA.  Happy to think that each day I'll be feeling better and better.

Seems I missed Patricia's b-day (happy b-day!!) and a pole dance!!  I love you ladies! You can always bring a smile to my face.

butterfly14

fight4two - so happy things are going well, I will keep you in my prayers!!

jojo2373

So happy Fight you did well and your home!



Got my rads consultation this coming Tuesday. Let part 3 of this saga begin!

marianelizabeth

Mariposa, my rx for the compression sleeve is prophylactic and I was measured with week at BS's offfice though I think the pharmacy will also do the same. the measurements are in metric but are done 15 cm above elbow, 10 cm below elbow and at the wrist and on both sides. Looks like you are having an axillary dissection and I was told by my BS that puts me in 20% risk group and RO says 15% but with both surgery and rads for me I think it is 20% which is high enough for me to take all chances at minimizing risk. I will also be going to PT and a L/E expert for lymphatic drainage and massage. 

I do get some reimbursement from an insurance plan we pay for at least for PT though not sure about the other.

Stay home if you can as you need the time plus as you say you are enjoying being with your son! Precious times!

Faith-Focus-Finish

Fight4two - Still saying prayers.  So glad to hear from you! 

Florbo - CONGRATS on the last chemo!  Way to go!!  Love the pole dance and pic! : )

Amy - You're right.  I did take decadron for awhile.  I bet that is also fueling the hair growth.  -10 to -15?  Brrrrrrr.  I would have such a hard time in the cold. 

Hope - Wow, the date came up fast, didn't it?  Sending positive thoughts and energy your way.  Enjoy your massage and spending time with your sisters.

Mariposa - Love your new art!  I hope you feel better soon.  When I woke after surgery, I was wrapped in an ace bandage.  When I was discharged, the hospital provided the compression bra.  However, it was the wrong size.  It was so tight, it dug into and cut my skin.  I was told to wear it from Friday to Monday.  When I saw my PS that Monday, he told me I did not need to wear anything at that point.  If you don't have to buy it, and the hospital does provide it, before the nurses put it on check the size.  I learned later that I could have left the hospital with just the ace bandage.  : (  It took a long time for my skin to heal (where the cuts were). 

I'll check out the online magazine.  Didn't you also refer the telesummit?  I've been listening to the sessions and they have been pretty good.  Thanks for this type of information.

I did not buy a compression sleeve yet.  My BS and MO don't believe I am at risk to develop lymphedema.  I may buy one just in case anyway and wear it when I fly.  I'd rather err on the side of caution.  Melrose provided us with some good information.  I was not aware of the glove.  I will revisit this topic with my doctors again.

Getting back into the swing of things at work has been hard.  If I had a choice, I'd stay out of work until after I heal from my replacement surgery.  I've been back 2 1/2 weeks and already missed a few days due to being sick (flu-like).  Just want a break ...

Toastiecat - I agree about the dr. appts., but at the same time it feels strange not to be going as often.  I see my PS tomorrow so I imagine the appts. will be frequent again (for awhile).  It feels like I am missing something.  I know - weird.

Cgesq - Congrats on your first Wed without an infusion.  Time to do the happy dance!  I'm not sure if our ports will set off the security buzzers.  Mine came with a (wallet) card and a bracelet.  Good question.  I'm so glad you are going to see a specialist that can help you.  I can't believe your doctors missed it!

Hugs to all : )))

Hopex3

Mariposa...I think staying at home and getting your body and mind back to normal is such a wise idea. I wish I could do that and just heal emotionally. Sometimes I feel since the time we are diagnosed, we are so shocked and move through all the appointments and treatments like zombies that when all is said and done, we are wondering what now? I would like to be at home during that time so I can maybe rediscover myself.



Fightfor2..glad your doing well!



EnglishRose...it's good your dr. Is being so productive. I bet it's nothing though. I still have neuropathy in my fingers and toes. So annoying!



Take care everyone. I will let you know how my surgery went!

Cocobean

Hope- sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers for upcoming surgery.

Fight- so glad to hear you are doing ok, still sending healing thoughts your way.

Florbo-congrats on last chemo! 

Feeling a bit bummed out. Went to get my first Herceptin only infusion today, yes it was really great not to get chemo! But I mentioned to my MO that my ring was kinda tight on my finger, which is weird, because usually when it's cold it is loose. So my MO checked me out and said I have developed slight LE, it hasn't effected my lower arm or my hand. I am going to see a LE PT on Friday morning. I am now thinking about all of the activities I have done recently that might have set this off....starting doing cardio at the gym, did some gentle yoga, been picking up my 16 month old a lot, got my last fill and put in 180 ccs...I have a sleeve but I haven't worn it yet, wasn't really sure when to...I have a lot of questions and I am also anxious and ready to start up my physical activity...I really really hope this PT can help me out.  Just dissappointed...but at least I figured it out early, it's very mild, and hopfully it will be easily manged. (big sigh)

jojo2373

Anyone else watch the season finale of Parenthood? Her final trip to chemo tugged at my heart. I was amazed to see her have wine that evening though. Maybe that is what I should have done.

Timbek2

Agree jojo. Loved that last chemo. Ready for mine. Feeling worn down for sure. Praying for everyone to be healed and restored. No Le. Got my sleeve. Man it's tight. Not sure about it but must prevent. The joys of bc. I don't think life will ever be the same. Sigh.

SeattleMama

jojo, I watched Parenthood last night and cried.  I didn't realize it was season finale.

Hiya Fight4two, glad everything went well........rest, relax

{{sending good thoughts and vibes to Hope}} 

Amy4978

Jojo.... Yes I watched it and def cried a few times... Cant wait for season 5.



Hopex...I will be.sending you healing vibes tomorrow! Wishing you a speedy recovery....



Went for an MRI today so my doc can get a better look before surgery. I hate small spaces so she gave me xanex I took two and waited an hour and it never kicked in.... So I told the tech there was no way I was getting in that machine! I am such a chicken! But she said I can reschedule and get an IV sedation that will make me not give two rips where I am... I told her to sign me up..ha! Also got my new bed aka recliner today and love it...

florbo

Fight4two--so glad that your surgery went well.  Will continue to pray for a good recovery.

Hopex3--sending you prayers for tomorrow.

Cocobean--I hope that your LE will be resolved soon and be manageable.

EnglishRose--when is your MRI?  I get numbness in my fingers from sleeping in the wrong position.  Does your numbness wear off?

EnglishRose75

Hopex3, thinking of you and wishing you well.

Florbo, MO said MRI will happen within next week.  Waiting to hear when.  The numbness is worse in the morning and gets a bit better during the day, but it never goes away completely.  It's just weird because it's only in one hand and not in my feet, so MO said it doesn't sound like normal Taxotere related neoropathy.  If it weren't for the whole cancer thing, I would probably just shrug it off and not pay any attention, but I'm so aware of everything right now.  I think it was Neta who said something about losing confidence in the body, which is exactly how I feel at the moment too. 

I had 5 lymph nodes out and luckily have had no problems at all with LE. 

Foreverchanged72612

Timbek: I so often have thoughts how life won't ever be the same. I hate it when people say to me that once chemo, surgery and radiation my life will be back to "normal". Umm, normal? No. But there will be the NEW normal. My new normal will include the vocabulary of compression sleeves and LE and other things. What's everyone else's new normal going to include? Oh, I hope my new normal will include regular massage and acupuncture.

Neta69

Hope, sending prayers and healing thoughts to you for your surgery.

Jojo, you are on the home stretch now! Rads are time consuming and it's no fun having to go every day but compared to chemo it was a walk in the park for me. I'm sure you will do great!

English, I feel the same. Saw my MO yesterday and mentioned this pain I have in my thigh. He immediately sent me for an X-ray. He told me it looked normal to him but he would get the radiologist to take a look and call me if there was any concern. I'm anxious. The technicians at the X-ray department had me all set up to X-ray the wrong leg before I noticed! Last time they tried to do the US on the wrong boob! Jeez!

Forever, I said about confidence in my body. I find excersize helps a bit with that but every ache and pain is a worry now. My new normal will probably include a new awareness of my mortality and worry about recurrence, but also a healthier lifestyle, less worry about material things and more time spent with family and friends. Also, I will procrastinate less and be better at deciding how I spend my time. Just don't have time for any bs anymore!

jojo2373

Forever, I am hating hearing the same - you are almost done and everything will be back to normal. Never will be. I think most are still at a loss to understand what life after treatment is like. Oh my other favorite I hear is - you did so good. Where's my trophy? Guess it is my 4 inch scar.

jojo2373

Oh and my new normal will "exclude" excuses for why I can't do something I want to do or that makes me happy!

butterfly14

Hopex - praying for you!!

cgesq

JoJo,

You are right!!  

EnglishRose75

Neta, X-raying the wrong leg, US on the wrong boob--that's hilarious!  Before I had my surgery, the surgeon came in and spoke to me, we agreed together which breast he was going to excavate, and then he drew a big arrow on my chest pointing to it!  I always found this a bit funny in an alarming type of way!  On one of my radiation treatments, they got me all set up, the radiologists all left the room and I was waiting for the "beep" for what seemed like ages...one of them then walked back in and said, "sorry, we forgot to go through the procedure to confirm who you are...Name, address, DOB please..." Yup...all very reassuring...

Neta69

English, funny but scary! Make sure they MRI the right body part and try not to worry (easier said than done, I know). As I wait for the call from the Dr to find out what the radiologist said I tell myself that chemo does strange things to our muscles and nerves sometimes for a long time after treatment and I have many survivor friends who had scary aches and pains that turned out to be nothing when scanned/xrayed. No catastrophising!