Sept 2012 chemo

bearcub

Hope, praying for quick healing for you.



Forever, love your pic, you are glowing! The first thing my doctor said to me was your life will never be the same. He was so down I felt I had to cheer him up....but he was right, my life won't be the same, cancer is thought about as soon as I get up, the last thing before bed. We will all go on but we are changed women. They have dragon boats for bc survivors and I may consider that after herceptin is done.



Today was my last radiation day.....I have done, surgery, chemo and now rads, but because I have herceptin infusions until nov. I still do not feel done. So far this has been a 8 month journey. I am not to happy about how slow my hair growth has been. My hair always grew so fast so I was anticipating 2 1/2 months out I would have a inch and a half....hahahaha.....not even close, about 1/2 inch. I think I need a grow light, it works for plants!



Everyone have a great day!

florbo

Neta--you are right about the awareness of the body.  Every little thing makes me think twice.

Bearcub--Yeah! on finishing radiation.  You are one more step to finishing.  I took extra Biotin for hair growth last time.

Jojo--you look beautiful!

jojo2373

Bearcub, so happy for you! Hugs!



I have mostly good days, but then a day sneaks up on me where I am just down right angry. I resent the carefree days of life are over, but the live each day to the fullest are just beginning.

kidsandlabs

Two weeks since last chemo, hair is starting to grow back, stubbles at least. I can't wait for the eyebrows and eyelashes to grow bak. BRCA testing was done Tuesday, they said results in 2 1/2 weeks? I thought that was really quick? How soon was everyone else test results back?

Timbek2

Bearcub-Congrats!  I finished treatment #15 so just one more to go~  My thumbs are getting pretty sore but nails still hanging on somehow.  My hair has some peach fuzz growing.  I asked my MO about follow up and I will see her at 2 weeks post chemo for bloodwork.  I meet with the radiologist in 3 weeks to discuss my treatment plan.  Anxious to get the details from him.  So that can't get here soon enough!  I'm hoping the rads will go quickly since it will be every day!  I'm getting weary from the treatments.  It just seems like it will never end.  Love to you all!

XO  Becki

jojo2373

Kids, I think my BRCA took at least a week and a half. From what I understood, there was only one lab testing those (Myriad Lab) so that contributes to the wait as well.

kidsandlabs

Hey JoJo, they sent it to Myraid. It's the only one that owns the patent on it.

Cherioo

Congrats to all that ended chemo and rads today or this week. Jojo love the picture. I have a question for you all. I finished chemo over two weeks ago , metwith RO had my chest all marked up and I have not heard anything yet since last Friday about when I start treatment. When I called today the nurse said that they are working on my treatment plan and will call me . Has anyone else had to wait? Plus when I called to make an appointment to see my MO they made it three weeks away . That seemed long to me . I know I need to get my port flushed out . I just feel like now I am having to do all the work now calling making appointments . Sucks

bearcub

Cherioo I had my ct simulator prep for rads on dec 13, started rads jan 3 rd., I think they would have started earlier except for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

bearcub

Becki I am sending a prayer your way that the rest of your journey will go smooth and quick...16 rounds altogether is a lot to go through. You are getting close to the end, rads will feel fast.

Amy4978

My brca went thru the same place and took about 2 weeks the bart gene test took about 3 months....cant remember off the top of my head where that one was sent...

Mariposa123

I just want to say that I love all of these beautiful bald profile pics!!!  You all are gorgeous:-)  Which is one of the reasons that I wish that Christine on Parenthood had really shaved her head.  So people could see that we are still beautiful - and not bizarre coneheads.  I cried during her final session too - but she will be going back there for herceptin (except I think they forgot that she is Her2 positive)... oh well.

Fight:  So glad you are doing well!  Continuing to send healing thoughts your way!

Hopex- I have been thinking about you all day!!! Hoping you are resting and recovering.  Anxious to hear how things went.

I didn't do the brca, but I am rethinking it.  I was too scared when this all started.  Now, I think I am ready for whatever the results might be.

bearcub:  Congrats on finishing radiation!!!  Did you see that magazine I posted- it had a neat article about dragon boats:-)  Sounds like fun!

I am feeling a bit better today.  I thought I was better yesterday and didn't take my anti-nausea meds... and then I puked twice:-(  Oh well. 

 

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Cocobean

Love the beautiful pics!

Congrats on finishing rads bearcub! And congrats to those finishing chemo!



Cherioo-I had my tats and simulation on Tuesday, going in for practice today, and starting rads on mon....but everything was kinda rushed for me b/c my RO wanted to start within six months of my surgery and the six month anniversary of my surgery is today. Otherwise they said it usually takes a week to two to put the plan together. I'm sure will call you soon, if not call the, again. You are right, you need to be an advocate for yourself...that is one of the biggest lessons learned from this.



I think about cancer everyday too, but I hope that is because I'm still in tx and dealing with side effects and bald and scarred....but I think it will get better....I definitely have a pattern of having a mini breakdown, almost like clockwork every three weeks. I was right on schedule yesterday during a conversation with my mom, she is a problem solver and so supportive, but sometimes she doesn't get that you solve everything and sometimes it just sucks....that's why I am so grateful for you ladies, you get it, thanks.

jojo2373

Hopex, thinking of you and "hope" you are doing good.



I had to change my pic yesterday to celebrate the beautiful women here. We are such a family! Never before would I have looked at bald women with such admiration. But also never before would I have appreciated the journey through breast cancer either. Praying we all have the strength we need to deal with whatever our life brings us. Dreaming of warm sunny beaches and no more medical offices. Btw, Purell hand sanitizer smell makes me want to barf now.

Neta69

Congratulations Bearcub on finishing rads and also to those finishing chemo! All of us will be through this soon!

HopeX, how are you doing? Hope your surgery went well!

I recently started going topless (unless it's too cold) and even though I'm a bit self conscious I'm so fed up with scarves and wigs that I prefer it.

Jojo, Forever, Timbek love your new pics! you all rock the look!

Still haven't heard anything about my X-ray. I think I will call on Monday. Trying not to worry. Also, got an appointment for follow up Mammogram and baseline bone density in April. My onc suggested I'd look into Zoledronic acid and its potential to prevent recurrence. Anyone know anything about that? He also suggested adding daily vit C,D,calcium and baby aspirin. The vitamin C recommendation confuses me. I thought vitamin C was bad for er+ breast cancer?

twinsplus1

Hello friends!  Sorry I've not been very talkative lately. I promise you, I check the boards several times a day.

Congrats to all who have finished chemo!  I had my ooph on Tuesday.  Moving a little slower than I would like but compared to the DIEP it's a walk in the park.

Hugs to all!

SeattleMama

{{huggs to you all}} you are all so beautiful

Amy4978

Just watched the movie End Of Watch... It was a good movie! Now Im gonna pour a glass of wine and enjoy another flick.... This time its Hit and Run....

jojo2373

Twins, welcome back! Glad ur surgery went well.



Neta, I will have to research those. Never heard of zoledronic, but take d3 daily.



Amy, enjoy the movies! I also poured a glass of wine but fell asleep in my recliner...lol.

Neta69

Jojo,Zoledronic acid is a drug normally given to strengthen bones that appears to help prevent recurrence. Google Austrian breast cancer study group 12 or http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21641868/

It came up when I mentioned the Metformin trial and asked about off label prescription. He seemed unconvinced about Metformin but pretty enthusiastic about the Zoledronic acid. Has a list of side effects a mile long tho...

Amy4978

Both movies were worth watching ladies... Suddenly I have a huge headache feels like a migraine that only sleep will cure..

I have been getting them off and on lately kinda freaken me out! Anyone else have post chemo headaches?

SeattleMama

No headaches here, Amy.  Did you ever have a problem with headaches in the past?  I never did....I would get one really bad (I would say a migraine) like once a year, if that.
Hope that stops for you, like, NOW.

QueenKong

This is the first group I was active in and I guess I don't belong anymore because it looks like they are not going to give me any more chemo. I've been stalking the list and reading everyone's posts but not posting myself. I've just been so confused and in limbo. I had my last chemo on Nov 7th and then I got so sick. I ended up in the hospital twice. I had pneumonia and then I had surgery on Dec 14th still 3 chemos shy of finishing my treatment. It's all been up in the air with trying to decide whether or not to continue with the chemo because they don't seem to know if the pneumonia was viral, bacterial or a reaction to the chemo (Abraxane) so I've just been waiting. The pneumonia took forever to go away and this week is the first I am feeling normal. So much time as gone by waiting for appointments and meetings and seconds opinions. My horrid x-oncologist not back to my new onoclogist. I had to call her myself to get that to happen this week. Good grief. I'm not sure what she told them or what will happen but I am pretty sure it's still a no go on more chemo and I just hope that the CPR I got is enough without all the taxane type treatments and that I survive. I'm trying to look on the brightside and hopeful.

I'll be starting the radiation treatment very soon. Did I say I have two appointments with radiation oncologists on Monday. I hope I can make a 9:30 and 10:30 appointment in the same vacinity and that they run on time. I need to move on that before too much time goes by. I try not to thing of the alternatives and enjoy the time I have now. 

The cold is preventing my from exercising as much as I would like. Why am I so afraid to go out in the cold? I think my lungs can handle it now. I get so sore when I walk or do any exercise. This never used to happen to me. It's so strange. 

My hair is coming back. I liked being bald better. I feel like I look like a victim. Now, I want a wig.

Am I whining and ranting? I think so. Anyway back to stalking the list and checking up on all of you beauties!

QueenKong

I saw someone posted about Dragon Boats, apparently there is a team of BC survivors who do the Dragon boats. I wonder if I could join but I forgot where I read about it. Anyone know?

Neta69

QueenKong, welcome back! Of course you belong here! So sorry to hear that you got so sick and seem to have had trouble with your oncologist as well. It sounds like you have good reason to feel upset. We are all here because we need the support we give each other so don't worry about letting it out. If I wasn't able to vent here I don't know what I'd do! I'd be lost without the wonderful ladies on this thread!

Is CPR short for complete pathologic response? If so, that sounds like great news! I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better this week. Once you feel better physically your mood will be better as well. Good luck with your new oncologist and with the start of radiation. Be gentle with yourself and take it a day at a time. Big hugs.

florbo

Hope--how are you feeling?

bearcub--congrats on finishing rads!

twinsplus--glad to hear that your oophorectomy went well.  Rest and recover.

QueenKong--glad you are able to vent on this board.  We are here to support you.  Sorry to hear that you've been so sick.  

I went and saw my breast surgeon today.  She can't feel the tumors anymore however with her brief ultrasound which she wasn't going to charge me for, she saw that it was pretty small.  I will wait until 2/7 to have another ultrasound of the tumors with my radiologist.  This will be 3 weeks post-chemo and hopefully, the tumors will be obliterated.  If they are gone, then no surgery and I will go straight to radiation.

SeattleMama

YAY FLORBO!  Shrink away you nasty, aliens invading our bodies :P

Amy, I was just looking up about epsom salt baths=safety=post surgery, etc, and someone mentioned they got rid of her migraines just FYI

Hey, QueenKong, http://www.ibcpc.com/ is this what you are talking about?
(just moved here from Bay Ridge

Kidsandlabs I haven't done the genetic testing yet

QueenKong

seattle Mama, that might be it....I wonder if I could do this? Are you?

Yes Neta - CPR is short for Complete Pathological responsewhich I had according to the surgery. I need to move forward with that and do the right things. thank you for yout kind words.

Good news with the tumor shinkage Florbo, that 'll continue further into the treatment. 3 weeks is a good time for it to activate. 

Mariposa123

I was utterly exhausted at 4 today and took a two hour nap... so of course it is nearly 1am and I am wide awake.

Queenkong:  Did you see this magazine I posted?  They have some articles about dragon boats:-)  http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/257729  I am glad you are back!  I missed you:-)  I think we all decided that even though we have finished chemo- this is our ongoing support group.  Congrats on the CPR!  I totally understand feeling scared and concerned- and at the same time, wow!  CPR is what we all hope for.

Florbo:  Awesome news about your tumor shrinkage!  Can they tell from the ultrasound what is an actual tumor and what is possibly scar tissue that remains after the tumor?   Hopefully you will continue to have it disappear into nothing:-)

Amy:  Sorry about the headaches.  I have been getting more of them too.  I never got them before chemo- so I think it is related... but who knows.  My whole body feels so different than it did before.  Hope you were able to get some sleep and you feel lots better in the morning.

Okay- now to decide if I should lie in bed and stare at the ceiling or watch television...

 

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Amy4978

Seattlemomma.. No headaches prior to chemo. Once chemo started I would get them while being infused so they adjusted my meds and I was fine... Now that I am all done with chemo Ive been getting really bad ones a few times a week. I wonder if

Its almost like withdrawls from steroids and chemo... My body has been having poison dumped in it since sept lol either way the headaches suck!



Walked for 1.5 miles on the treadmill today I bumped it .5 miles

Longer and I def feel the distance change!