Sept 2012 chemo

bearcub

Forever yay!! so glad it's a cyst....



Cherioo hope you are enjoying the family and getting out for some wine and dine.



JoJo..woohoo awesome news about the shrinkage..kick that cancers ass!



Neta so good to hear rads is going smoothly so far, may you sail through it!



Allurbadday, like Cocobean I ride the stationary bike 5 days a week( I also live in the country)



Damianas I hope you feel better soon.



I also saw the Dee Dee HBO documentary about 2 months ago. I would have liked to know what stage or grade or lymph node involvement she had, and a bit more discussion on that. I don't think my chemo clinic would let me bring champagne....lol...



Hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

kidsandlabs

Mariposa - my eyebrows fell out after they started itching. The outsides started first, took few more weeks before they all fell out.

Foreverchanged72612

Jojo: with the Taxol and Herceptin my tumour softened or as my oncologist referred to it, it "melted away". It was a very hard and jagged mass initially and after just 3 weekly treatments it was soft and rounded. Good to hear that the AC shrank the tumour...I hope the FEC will obliterate mine now that the Taxol softened and shrank it.

Cindi74

I see a lot of us are going on to Taxol or taxotare next.  I have been following the Taxol thread in preparation. I have had some peripheral neuropathy for years.  Just tingling (like arm going to sleep) starting in my feet in my 30s and moving up my legs very slowly.  Now to my hip sometime.  No pain or disfunction.  My brother has it too. 

Anyway, reading about the Taxol I was concerned because of the pain factor reported and mentioned to my oncologist Thursday.  She suggested L-Carnitine.  Haven't tried it yet.  Found the below clinical trial, but it seems a bit dated.  Have a little chemo brain and I had trouble following it. (guess that's why we have the Dr.)

http://www.medtrition.com/_files/live/Chemotheraphy-induced_peripheral_neuropathy-Prevention_and_treatment_strategies.pdf

 I have learned so much from you all that I thought I would run it by you.

Mariposa123

Just came back from the ER:-(  I had a weird little bug bite yesterday, but didn't think much of it.  Today I noticed it was super red and the area was getting larger and swelling.  I didn't want to go to the ER because of the 100 dollar co-pay, but when I looked at pictures on line I got super worried about a staph infection.  (Lots of crazy stories on line about people getting staph infections on chemo and having not so great outcomes) So, I went.  The doctor was extremely nice and she said that all of us immuno-suppressed people should go to the ER whenever we are in doubt.  I am now on a heavy duty antibiotic to kill this infection.  She said there is a likelihood it is an early staph infection:-(   Yuck.

Do you all find that whenever you go out in your scarf people go out of their way to tell you how nice you look?  I don't really believe any of them.  I think they just say it because they feel bad for me and don't know what else to say.  Maybe I should drop my cynicism and just receive the compliment as something nice.  I guess it is hard since I feel such the opposite these days:-(

marianelizabeth

mariposa, from your little Avatar photo I suspect that it is a compliment. I don't wear anything when I am home and people come over and what I get mostly is what a nice shaped head I have. I have not lost my eyebrows or eyelashes yet so that will be worse I am thinking. At yoga I take off whatever I have on as it feels so hot and so far seems OK. A few people at yoga know and they are great. 

I am glad you went to the ER!

allurbaddayswillend

Mariposa, I honestly think sometimes people are surprised at how nice most women do look with a head scarf on or even with no hair - it's only a surprise because we don't usually do it in our culture. I sometimes wear bandanas or headscarves when it's time to clean the garage or something but rarely go out in them. Yet, I have gone to a party or 2, back when I had hair, wearing my favorite bandana because it can be a good look for me due to the alternative unruly hair. I vote for taking the compliment. Way to go being proactive about the bug bite!

aic

Mariposa, you are beautiful! Believe it! Glad you went to the er....speedy recovery!

aic

Forever, sorry I am late, but congrats on your good news!

twinsplus1

Friday was a milestone day for me...

I went shopping with twin#2 Friday. Had to use the restroom. Was having a hot flash (or whatever these freaking heat waves are that take over my body and make my head sweat) so I took my chemo beanie off to cool my head as I washed my hands. FORGOT TO PUT BEANIE BACK ON and walked out of ladies room. Twin#2 is so used to seeing me bald at home that it took us both about 3 minutes to realize I was in public with nothing on my head. It felt so good to not be sweating that I didn't care and went to two other stores the same way!

aic

Good for you, twins! Your post made me smile!

Timbek2

I finished the last round of AC and have survived so far.  Every day I am still here, I think well, I'm still here.........What I am surprised at is the fact that I still have quite a bit of stubble left on my head.  Does everyone else still have hair at all?  I wonder if it won't fall out entirely??  It's mostly at the crown of my head so if it starts to grow will look pretty silly.  Just curious.  I'm so impressed with those of you exercising during this regimen.  There is no way I could briskly walk for 45 minutes right now.  I am usually up and about doing laundry and picking up after everyone so I feel that's my workout  Lame I know.  I'm hoping for better energy on taxol but with the weather turning cold not sure i would feel up to walking out in the cold anyway. It's so windy here I kept fearing my wig would blow off leaving church but it held firmly.  We all have a good laugh wondering if mom's hair is going to take flight.  You know I'm not myself when I haven't been shopping in weeks.  It's my favorite thing to do!  My kids all need shoes and warm coats and that is hard to do online when they are all growing like weeds.  I may try to venture out today and get some things if I feel brave.  You go twins.  Impressive.  Nothing on the head is the surest way to a cool down that's for sure!Wishing you all a restful and fulfilling day!  xo

Cherioo

Happy Sunday Ladies,



I had a great time yesterday at the golf tournament . Surprised I walked all nine holes then went to the food and wine tasting at epcot . My legs are so sore today from walking all day and night . I have been a bum today laying around doing nothin-. Feels like I had a heavy workout boy can't wait to feel normal again and not so tired

cgesq

Twins, I love your story.  I also had one of those hot flash moments on Friday night.  We were at a friends for dinner and I kept going outside to cool down.  At the end of dinner, I told my husband to drive home without me and I walked home, almost a half a mile with no jacket--just so I could cool off (and it was probably in the 40s outside!!!)

Timbek, I also have stubble on the top of my head.  I wish it would fall out also because it pokes me when i lay on my pillow.  I keep using my husband's shaver to shave it down.

Mariposa, I think you are very pretty, even without hair!  You should accept the compliments!!  Unfortunately, I am not blessed with your looks and I would not look good just wearing a scarf or bandana.  In order to avoid the bald look, I took some of my old hair that I had saved from when I cut it short this summer and made it into a pony tail and pinned it to the back of a bandana.  I then took some addiitional hair and pinned it to the sides, and wrap it behind my ears when I wear it.  It even fooled cancer survivors when I went to a local support group.  

Cindi74

I am amazed at all you walkers.  6 minutes and one mile on the stationary bike on one of my GOOD days, and I am exhausted,  Just standing for a short time makes me tired.  Oh to feel myself again.  I used to do 30 minutes at the gym  (bike, treadmill, eliptical).  One more A/C and on to Taxol.

marianelizabeth

Timbek, 4 weeks tomorrow from first A/C and I finally had a look at the back of my head. There is still a bit of swirly from the crown very short hair - looks kind of cool! But top and sides pretty much gone. Cindi, 2 more A/C's then Taxol. I have decided to save my Taxol questions for my MO for 2 weeks until just before last cycle of A/C. I always have so many questions and don't want to feel rushed or make her feel rushed either! 

Cheerioo, sounds like a good day for you yesterday! Did you do any wine tasting? 

twinsplus1

And to whomever it was who asked about hair growing... I now look like a chia pet. It's seems to be growing more on the top than the sides but it's kinda hard to tell because it's blond.  My friends are now calling me ch-ch-ch-Chelle (pronounced Shelly) and have threatened to inundate me with chia pets for chia-mas...er...Christmas.

Cherioo

maianliza I did try some wine and actually had a beer at the tournament but being on my feet for 13 hrs man ami sore today . My feet hurt and my body is sore today . A nice day to do nothing

Mariposa123

twinsplus1:  I totally loved your story!!!  I have weird dreams wear I accidentally leave the house without anything covering my head - they feel kind of like those dreams where you show up somewhere naked.  How wonderful that you actually did it, the sky didn't fall, and everything was fine:-)  A lesson there for all of us, I am sure:-)

I am exhausted today.  I wanted to go and do something fun with the kids, but I fell asleep for the last two hours.  I admire all of you who are exercising as well!  I am finding it hard to be motivated to do much of anything.

twinsplus1

Mariposa -

I, too, have had the naked in public dream... I must be coming to terms with my new body because in my dream, I worked in a clothing store and was completely naked with my new, nippleless boobs, tummy tuck scar and bald head!

twinsplus1

Mariposa -

You're the therapist... WTH does my dream mean! LOL

jojo2373

Becki, congrats on the last AC!



Twins, love the story. I actually got in my car bald going to the grocery recently. Didn't realize until half way there I wasn't covered. Almost continued, but turned around. Was so amazed at how normal bald has become.



I never lost all my hair either, very sparse, but have alot of stubble. Don't think any regrowth has started yet.

Cocobean

Mariposa- glad you went to the ER and hopefully the antibiotics get rid of it. Also, definitely take it as a compliment, you rock the scarf look....I've only worn hats so far, but am ordering some pretty scarves to wear, especially for the holidays.



Timbek2- i still have some stubble, much more bare on the sides and some fuzz on top. What's left doesn't seem to been coming out, even when I give it a little tug and it's all blond hair....my hair used to be strawberry blonde and it seems like darker redder hair fell out first. My aunt who is a breast cancer survivior and had chemo 4 years ago saw me the other day and was surprised I still had hair left, she was a total cue ball. So I'm not sure with three more tx if the rest will go?



Twins- your story made me laugh...occasionally I have walked out of the house to get the newspaper, check the mail, toss a diaper, etc. and completely forgotten that I am bald...end up the in the front yard before I realize shoot, I'm not wearing anything! Oh well.



What a roller coaster this whole experience is, yesterday was not a good day, physically, emotionally, I was just in the dumps, but today has been much better. I know this is a tough road and I can't wait to be done, I just want to figure out how to make the good days outnumber the bad.



Here's to everyone having a week full of good days!

patriciahurtado

Good evening my sisters!!!!!im glad that everyone is having smooth weekend ith minimal SE...

its been a great weekend alone with my hubby.......im hoe alone yesssssssssssssss!!!!!! Enjoing lifetime channel....omg all this Christmas movies..its  been an amazing day just relaxing....

So i was wondering if any of you guys were or are going to support groups.....i did go to one and they also has this bossom buddy ....well i had 2 of then and they only called me twice....im not really happy with the bossom buddy ...i have more comunication with you guys then them...there a meeting on Thursday and i really feel like telling them that they really dont know hw to run and support new ladies that have been diagnost....i asked if i can be a bossom buddy but they said i had to be a year survivor????.......im sure i cant explain anyone whats like to have BXM since i havent had one ...but i can sure help my ladies try to deal with it day to day....has anyone have had any great support system around them???

i hope everyone starts of a great week!!!

butterfly14

Timebek2 - still have stubble, mainly on the top and back, but like jojo said, I don't think anything is growing. I give you all credit, i keep my head covered, even in the house. My husband made a wise crack that left me a little paranoid, although he said he was just trying to be funny.

bearcub

I am with butterfly, I keep my head covered ...with the climate up here if I walked outside with nothing on my head I would know immediately that my head was not covered. I would be a Popsicle...

A few weeks ago DH and I went out for lunch and he said all I needed was a crystal ball because I looked like I was a fortune teller, with my tall black boots and my scarf and hoop earrings. It was pretty funny, we joke around a lot. I have stubble and bare spots, but it hasn't grown at all since starting AC....

Foreverchanged72612

Twins, I love that story! Today is treatment 10 of Taxol and Herceptin. This hair thing seems to be so gradual for me. Every morning more and more hair on the pillow but no chunks falling out. I asked my oncologist if it was going to be like this all the way through. He gave my hand a squeeze and shook his head. "Wait until you get FEC," he said. We laughed. He thinks the small, weekly doses of Taxol has been keeping my hair so far but the bald days are coming!! And the hot flashes are ramping up. And I started getting canker sores this past weekend. A gradual crescendo of SE's...

jojo2373

Patricia - I am not going to any support groups, but I do have a BC angel assigned from the local center who basically sends me a nice card with supporting words weekly.  I feel the support and knowledge exchange here is what I need other than my friends/family.  We are here for you regardless!

Update on Taxol #2, the pain is much more tolerable so far.  I started the Claritan on my treatment day and have continued to take my steroids morning and night.  My MO said the pain with the first treatment would be the worst and improvement each time after.  I was tired yesterday and slept off and on, but feel that is a standard for day 3.   Even with the pain, Taxol in no way compares to AC!  

Have a great week and good luck to those going for treatments.

sonson

I've been on the October thread mostly even though I started my chemo on 9/11/12, but thought I would wander over here to ask my question.  I was just wondering since most of you started when I did if you guys have experience any muscle pain at all.  I have had three chemo treatments my number four will be this coming Wednesday, but my muscles are hurting all over my body.  It's not bone pain from the nuelesta shot.  So I was just wondering if any of you are having this symptom at all.  I'm starting to feel like an old woman these days!  I have been exercising throughout most of my treatment.  On the days that I don't have much energy I go for a walk, but on the days that I feel well (which is usually around now) I will go back to my spin classes.  I went last week when my muscles were feeling just a bit achey (it's worse now) and I didn't think I was going to be able to finish the class.  I've never had that problem before.  So I'm wondering what's up.  I know I need to ask my onc about this and I will, but I was just wondering if this was just another wonderful SE of chemo.

Cindi74

Hi Sonson,  I'm on A/C, but after my third, I felt like my body had been wrung out like a sponge--achy all over.  I got over most of it on about the 14th day, but oh gee,  number 4  on Wed,

Tylanol helped, but still no energy.  Hugs and hope you feel better.