Sept 2012 chemo

Neta69

Jojo, you have hair! It will grow in quickly now I'm sure I couldnt stop touching my head when my hair started growing!

So happy to hear surgery went well for Amy!

Thanks Cocobean, you are right about it just feeling good to move. I should stop stressing. Glad to hear rads are going well. You are almost half done!

Foreverchanged72612

Coco: though I'm not there yet, I decided to get Te's immediately at surgery (March 21) so I'll have them throughout radiation. Yes, I've heard of complications happening but thought I would try because I won't get a second chance if the radiation changes the skin too much on the LS (my affected area). I think your non-radiated side will be fine, though.

Thanks to everyone posting post-chemo diets! I am getting a lot out of it. As usual, you ladies provide me with so much info!! I was told to go off green tea during chemo...hoping to go back to it soon!

jojo2373

I second that on the cancer diet info, will do my best but allow for a reward!



I have been taking weekly pics of my hair. When it seems like not much there I look at my pic of no hair, brows, and lashes and I say wow too. I actually trimmed my nose hairs this week - amazing! Yes Neta, can't stop touching it. It's just like baby hair, with some gray thrown in.

Cherioo

Cocobean I have TE in and I am going through rads . Tomorrow is number 10 . I met with my PS Tuesday and he said that once rads is over he will start fills and we will see how things go . He talked about the trans but said letsvjust see how the tissues do



Jojo love the hair. Mine is growing but vane back white. I have noticed little Hairs on my chin which is yucky .

Amy4978

Surgery went well. I am very sore but managing with pain meds. I woke up with my nips and my ps filled my TEs to 300 ccs each! Will fill you in more when I feel better...

Cherioo

You guys have all been so good dieting. I have been having a glass of wine or two twice a week and have been cheating with chocolate. As of Monday I am going on diet

bearcub

JoJo your hair looks great, it looks like it is coming in dark. Thanks for the update on Amy.



I have been trying to eat better, I think it is working. I am down 6 lbs., still biking 6 days a week. I make sure I doing at least 30 min. Of exercise a day. I have put the date May 25 th as my target date. I hope the hair is long enough by then, and weight back to normal to make me feel like I did the day last May 25 when I walked in and had my mammogram that started this journey. I just want to feel like me again. I am getting there.



Happy Valentines Day, beautiful flowers here too!

bearcub

Cherioo I will say, I have chocolate everyday.....no matter what diet I am on!

Mariposa123

Hi everyone,

  I met with my surgical  team today.  It was nice to have some information and I am feeling a little less stressed than I was previously.  My plastic surgeon is putting in the tissue expanders at the time of surgery- and will do all of my fills before radiation.  After radiation, he said I will have to wait 3 - 6 months before I can do the exchange surgery.  Gave me the rundown on all of the possible negative scenarios and what he would do to manage them.  Felt like I was in good hands.  Made me feel for the first time that maybe I would end up with nice rounder perkier breasts:-)   Sounds  good to me.

The surgeon felt comfortable at this point with nipple sparing/ skin sparing mastectomy on both sides... which is nice.  I tried asking her about my prognosis, but she never really answered the question.  In my past, I know I have always gotten the "You are going to be fine... don't worry" response from doctors about anything I have been presented with.  It felt so markedly different... made me sad and scared.

Amy:  So glad you are recovering.  Sorry you are feeling sore.  Congrats on finishing this next step!

bearcub:  I am with you on the chocolate.

Jojo:  your hair does look awesome:-)

 

Foreverchanged72612

Good to see you back, Amy! And with nips! That must mean they did everything you wanted. This gives me the sign that I need to be really clear next week at my pre-admission session with the ps specifically what I want and don't want. Better start writing my list out now...

Eating healthy went a bit out the window last night because there was so much chocolate in the house but I did manage to get on the treadmill for 30 min. I'm sure I didn't accomplish much (walking only) but just getting to the treadmill and establishing a routine - that was important! And shopping for button up shirts...don't own many of those and I heard it's good to have them post-surgery.

bearcub

Amy sounds like everything has gone as planned. Healing prayers are sent out for you.

Cherioo

Yeah Amy, so glad you were able to keep the nips. Rest girl. We are all thinking of you

Neta69

Mariposa, just noticed the Moderators edited your post. Curious why?

Mariposa123

I think they are trying to figure out what is going on wiith the site getting all weird.  At first they thought it might be the way I have my blog posted in the signature- so they removed it... but now I guess they put it back.  The site looks better now:-) 

Hope they figure it out.

 

Toastiecat

Hi lovelies,



Happy (late) Valentine's Day! It's been a while since I posted here...I feel like I've been busy but I can't remember what with! Nice chemo brain.



I finished rads last week. I was okay up until the final week, and this week has been pretty bad too. My RO said I have had a worse than normal reaction, and that he's noticed that people who have underlying infections (which I did0 tend to have a worse reaction with rads. I'm going to try the saline compress someone posted a few pages back. I don't want to scare anyone, but as you near the end of rads make sure you have a little stash of good drugs just in case. Had a bit of a pain emergency last night. I hate using the powerful pain meds, but I've had to take vicodin to get through the last 24 hours.



I've been reading through everyone's posts, and am struck my how much each hospital's policies on supplements, etc, vary. My friend who's being treated at Sloan has been told several times that she should not take any supplements other than a multivitamin. My hospital, Beth Israel, is way more into the complementary stuff I guess, with my MO getting me in an acupuncture trial and supporting my nutritionist's supplement recommendations.



For people trying to get metformin, try asking your regular doctor. Over on the metformin board, several people said their GP would write them an off label Rx when their MO wouldn't.



What other trials are people doing? I'm trying to get in this one for a Her2 vaccine.



xoxo

Foreverchanged72612

Way to go, Toastiecat!! What a feeling that must be to be done. Are you fatigued at all by the rads? What do you mean by underlying infection? Like did you have a cold or some virus or was it a surgery infection?

jojo2373

Toastie, congrats on finishing rads! I have read lots that the final weeks require pain meds. I will not hesitate. 10 of 33 done.



Question my friends, how do I avoid the reward myself syndrome? example, friday night, worked all week, did rads, kept house and family going. My brain says, eat and drink up! After all you had cancer, enjoy things! will never lose weight with that mentality!

patriciahurtado

Jojo.....i would love to have a black and tan right now....but instead im drinking water and  smoothie.........and ate 2 bake potatoes....i had my 11/12 taxol today.....i read some where that alcohol can effectt the treatment...hummm i wonder cause i had cuple of glasses of wine here and there...???how we we gonna celabrete in Vegas..........smoothies??lol

Im feelig really lazy ...just laying in bed alone ....my DH just purchase headphones for his PS3 so he is enjoying it...my DD went out for Valentines Day since she worked yesterday.....

Mariposa.....im glad that you re much relief about the surgery...im going on MOnday to see my surgeon andhave no idea what to ask....but on Sunday i will have questions for her....so ladies help me with good questions!!!

toastie i hope that feel better soon with the end rads!!!

Neta how  the diet coming a  long...lost any wait...

tomorrow i will be with the SOS (Save Our Sister).......

http://www.teamsosmiami.com/

check it out and tell me what you think about it!!!!!

Toastiecat

Thanks for the congrats ladies! Since I'm still doing herceptin I don't feel done done, but I sure am thankful to not be getting zapped anymore!



Forever, I developed a seroma on my left side, and then a smoldery kind of infection. It was red, but I didn't have a fever or anything. I had a surgery in december to swap the expander and flush the area with antibiotics, and I've been taking oral antibiotics since then.



Jojo, I know what you mean about the food rewards!! It's so tough. I don't have advice, just wanted to commiserate.



Patricia, good luck with meeting the surgeon!

Hopex3

JoJo...Love your new picture. My hair growth looks about like yours. My DH is amazed everyday how much my hair grows. I get too cold going without anything so I wear one of my wigs or my gangster (as my DH calls it) stocking hat.



Amy...so glad your doing well. Rest and stay put!



Speaking of diets...went out tonight for happy hour. Had a lemon drop and appetizers. Lemon drop was delicious....strong...I'm such a lightweight. Appetizers were greasy and of course, I ate too much so now I'm sick! I think I'm really ready to start eating right. I see a cancer nutritionist on Wednesday.



Gotta get some sweats on or throw up!

Amy4978

Wow extremely sore but taking it easy as I can. Hubby bought me a dozen roses and some diamond earrings.for me! Love him.. He has been awesome so far, even gave me a sponge bath...

Foreverchanged72612

Rest, rest, rest, Amy! How is the recliner? Are you using it to sleep?

Last chemo not even a week ago and I have another cold. *sigh* this one really has me congested. Does anyone know if I can take tylenol cold medicine?

Amy4978

My recliner and me have become one! My DH has been amazing he even bathed me this morning.... I think I actually fell even more in love with him over the last few weeks. I am still in lots of pain and.havent dared stopping any of them so I feels pretty doped up. My pt has me doing very small exercises. Off to take another nap. Hugs

Hopex3

Amy...Sleep and take your drugs! Love that you have such an amazing guy taking care of you!!

jojo2373

Amy, so happy all you wanted came true and you are blessed with a wonderful DH.



Patricia, what happens in Vegas will stay in Vegas!



All my family coming over today so cooking a big meal. Lots of standing is still hard after Taxol. Any one else have the same problem?

Faith-Focus-Finish

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted since last weekend – it’s been a long, hard week for me. 

Congratulations to everyone who is finishing up, and keep on going to those of you who still have treatments.

I am trying to keep up with my walking – as I continue to have MAJOR chocolate cravings.  I am still having a lot of difficulty with my legs.  I haven’t gained any weight – but I haven’t lost any either.  I am trying to get out and walk at least 3x’s a week. I want to get some momentum going and want to build on top of that.  It is so frustrating.  I’m so tired of hurting all the time – not having any energy at all – just want to be done already.

Jojo, Neta and Bearcub - The hair growth is great!  Mine (in the back) is actually long enough to tug on.  Not brave enough to go without the wig or a hat – but am sick of wearing them.  My hair is coming in really dark with some gray sprinkled about.

Englishrose – You are absolutely right, we need to take care of our minds as well.  I see my MO on Tuesday and I am going to ask about this as well as the opportunity to speak to a dietician.

Forever – Love, love, love the pic.  Great job Mariposa!!  Do you have a cancer policy with AFLAC?  If yes, they reimburse for travel, hotels, etc.

Jojo – Yes, still having problems with my legs – standing/walking (did 4 rounds of Taxol).  I’m almost 8 weeks PFC.  Also still having issues with my nails....

Vitamins/supplements I am currently taking (and approved by MO): multi, omega 3 DHA (1000 mg), calcium (600 mg), magnesium (400 mg), D 3 (2000 IU), biotin (2000 mg) and co enzyme q 10 (200 mg).  I am going to ask about the baby aspirin when I see her Tuesday.

Damiana – That’s great about your energy.  I wish mine would come back faster; I am really struggling.  Good luck with grad school.  That is so awesome!

Patricia – Sending big hugs your way! 

Amy – Thinking about you!  Glad to learn you are doing well.  Your DH and mine sound similar.  I fell in love with him all over again too.  He has helped me with so many things.  I am truly blessed.

Mariposa – I am glad you are feeling more comfortable with the PS and the plan you have in place.  It’s such a relief, isn’t it?

We’re getting a cold front tonight and it is supposed to continue through Monday.  I’m off to take care of a few errands and then want to come home and rest.

I wish everyone a good day!  Sending big hugs to all!!  : )))

Faith-Focus-Finish

Mariposa - Just read your blog.  You WILL be the lady at the bus stop.  Keep the faith.  We are here for you. 

Patricia - Also just read about "Save Our Sisters" (SOS) in Miami .... very cool.  : )

Faith-Focus-Finish

Going to take my dog for a short walk ... I hope I can keep up with her!

Terri07-11

My last treatment was 12/26, almost 8 weeks ago.  It hit me pretty hard. I had tearing in my right eye since my 4th treatment but after my 6th treatment, I had tearing in both eyes and my sight was blurry.

So I wasn't reading the blog or anything for a long time.  I got back on to read the posts about a week ago and it seems that almost everyone is starting to get their hair back.   I have not seen any hair growth on my head.

I am afraid that I am going to be in the 6% that does not regrow hair after receiving taxotere.  Am I the only one that had chemo end in December and experience no hair growth?   Does anyone know if there are any indicators for a patient that they would fall into that 6%? 

Toastiecat

Terri - I finished on 12/7, and didn't start to have regrowth until about 6 weeks later, so 8 weeks doesn't seem extremely off to me. Are you taking tamoxifen or herceptin? Both of these can slow hair growth down. I started taking biotin to help it along, and now it's growing pretty fast. Hang in there!!