Sept 2012 chemo

patriciahurtado

Queenkong....i hope this will keep you distracted lol.....i wrote a book sorry ladies!!!!

Timbek2

You're awesome love your posts. My taxol goes like this. Day one Benadryl fog. (Today) then steroid buzz at night. Day two. Feel good. Energetic. Sub normal. Day three tireder. Comi g off steroid. Not bad. Day 4. Yukky mouth. Tired. Ickier. Day 5. On the uphill still yuk mouth but improving. Day 6. Starting to feel like me. 80%. Day 7. I'm back Taste mostly gone. Energy back. That meZns time to go back again. Oh well. Tolerable and way better than that monster ac. . Love to all and a great Christmas.

marianelizabeth

My son looked for past episodes on Netflix for me tonight but also it is not on Canadian Netflix. 

Hopex3

Patricia...I start getting my SE's in two days. My first day I'm on such a steroid high even though I didn't get any sleep the night before. That's why I'm still up now! Anyways, I love the steroid high day. I have so much energy and I feel normal. Life is great until the next afternoon when I start the neuropathy and bone pain. It lasts about five days. But you may not get any SE's at all. So many people on here just breeze through taxol and have a harder time with the AC. The AC I breezed through. Probably why I'm getting it with the taxol. But it's killing the little F er cause its shrinking! So whatever the SE's you get, they are temporary. Your lucky you have your DH on board with you. Mine comes to everything with me and I'm glad. Although today he talked too much to the onc and I had things to ask. Seems like the older he gets, the more he talks! Lol. Glad you took your daughter. Helps them understand better about what your going through.



You will do just fine! Take care



Erin

patriciahurtado

Timbek2 and hopex3...: I love how my chemo brain spell things!!!! Lol... OMG ... The question of the year what do I take for pain !!! The nurse talked to me about SE and didn't mention anything about pain killers or did she???? Maybe that's the part that went out the ear!!! Lol.... So wide awake thanks to my steroids!!!!!





Here's a question what should we it to bring our hemoglobin up..... I juice everyday but what should I eat... I'm running out of options

EnglishRose75

Allurbaddays: I didn't realise that there was a choice between permanent and non-permanent markings for rads either.  I have been given to understand that the reason why they use permanent tattoos is that you can't radiate the same area twice, so the markings need to stay in place in case, God forbid, we should need further radiation in the future, indicating what areas to avoid.

Melrosemelrose

Patriciahurtado- Hey girlfriend.... thought I'd pop in to let you know you are one tough gal!!!  For the pain, make sure you call your onco first to see if you can take some Advil/Motrin to help.  As for the hemoglobin level (red blood cells), you can eat certain foods to help with that---- poultry, lean beef, liver, seafood// green veggies--green peas, spinach, collards and turnip greens///fortified breakfast cereals///pasta, grits, white rice, bread, spaghetti and blackstrap molasses.  Some people take an iron supplement that is approved by their onco.  There is a lot of info on the internet-- use a search like this "Iron Levels in Food" and you will see links to Livestrong.com and to Food Data charts.  BTW- Yes.... the chemo does make you cry.  I know you are feeling like "this isn't me" when the tears start to flow and you don't have any idea as to why you are crying in the first place.  It is the chemo talking.

Wishing each of you a wonderful and restful weekend with minimal side effects.  All of you have travelled so far already.   Chemoland is like running in a marathon--  You know there is a finishing line and you work very hard to get there despite the physical and mental challenges you face along the way.  Fortunately, along the way there are rest stops and people there watching you and cheering you on.  Just look back at the beginning and how you said "I can do this" and now the words are "I am doing this" and before long the words will be "I did this".  Hugs to all of you!!!!

Amy4978

Hopex... I feel the same way about AC and Taxol. I dont prefer either but tolerated AC better.. My ses are the same as you decribed less neuropathy. The steroid high does make me feel "normal" again I miss the old energetic me! Since I get taxol weekly I feel I get no break by the time day six hits I have to get ready for chemo again... On top of all the ses you described Taxol makes me feel like I have a constant cold my nose is always stuffed and the relentless bloody noses are getting old fast!

But on a positive note..... 5 more weeks to go! I am on the down slope of this hill and can see the light at the end...

butterfly14

Had blood transfusion yesterday for the low red counts, feel so much better today.

Queenkong  - Praying that your surgery goes smoothly.

Patricia  - how low are your red counts? Mine were at 8.2, they were holding steady at 10.8 and this week was just a sudden drop caused by 2nd taxol.

Hope everyone has a great day with no SE's

allurbaddayswillend

EnglishRose, Eeeek! I have never heard that explanation for the tattoos. lord I hope that's not the deal, that's so morbid. I think I had read of some women on the radiation thread who just get pen markings every time and are told to keep them up over the weekends.

bearcub

English rose I have read the same reasons for the tattoo.

Amy4978

It has been ten years since my mom was diagnosed with BC sothings may have changed but she has small tats from radiation they just look like a small mole very small...

Terri07-11

Rash update:  since I mentioned my rash on the blog, I thought I should give pass on the info the nurse gave me in case anyone else is experiencing or will experience the same thing.

Apparently, a rash can be a side effect of taxotere, one of the drugs I get during chemo.  My rash was little red dots on my arms and legs. It didn't itch or cause any pain. When touched, it felt like dry skin.  The nurse asked if I had any other symptoms like a fever or vomiting, which I didn't.  She said that it sounded like the rash was not caused by an outside source, that it was coming from within.  I was offered an appointment but declined since I have to travel over an hour to the clinic. The nurse got very firm and said that if the rash progressed instead of clearing up, I had to call back immediately.

When I mentioned that my 12/5 treatment was my 5th & I never experienced this side effect before, the nurse commented, "The 'joys of chemo', you never know what side effects will come."   Doesn't give me much confidence for my 6th & last treatment.  Scared, very scared.

Anyways, I've watched Parenthood for the last several years because it's entertaining and real life.  I find it difficult to watch the part about the breast cancer without crying but also feel resentment that they have not been real about her losing that beautiful long blond hair.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Maya Angelou

butterfly14

EnglishRose is correct, when I met with an RO to find out if I needed radiation, he said that you can only do radiation once on an area in your lifetime. The same goes for chemo drugs, God forbid we ever need chemo again, they would not be able to use the same chemo cocktail that you have done already. That is one of the tricky things about cancer treatment.

Neta69

I had my LAST radiation treatment today! I'm DONE! Yay! Soon we will all be finished and this will just be a bad memory. I'm heading out to celebrate! Hugs to all!

Amy4978

Congrats Neta!

patriciahurtado

Melroseeeeee ... I miss you!!! Love all your advise.... I feeling great today.... Just a little fat but so far no SE....been drinking lots of water ... No more tears ...... Thanks for stopping by..... You are always bringing joy to our page!!!!

patriciahurtado

Butterfly ... Red count is at 8.2 so I need to bring it up the next following week cause I get taxol every week and I don't want any blood transfusion....that was my first taxol....I haven't had any SE so far but then again it's only been one day so far...



I hope no SE for any one!!!

patriciahurtado

Beta congratulations .... Celebrate it's all behind now!!!!!!!

Timbek2

Neta. Celebrate like crazy!!! You deserve it. I was lying in bed awake from steroids making plans in my head for the party I want to have with my friends just after chemo. And you've done rads too. Wow. I won't be all done at least until march. Kudos to you. All of us are fighters. This disease can take a lot but it can't take who we are inside. No se's to all!!!

butterfly14

patricia - The blood transfusion helped a lot, I was having shortness of of breath not having that problem any more

Cocobean

Congrats Neta! Awesome! 

I had #5 today, just happy to get it done. Feeling ok, little hopped on steroids, but also combined with that weird feeling of being tired at the same time. ECHO and chest xray came back good, I tried not to worried about it too much, but definitely relieved. I guess it will always be that way. Everything went smoothly today...brought a big crew...my DH, my parents, my in laws, and my sister in law, it was really nice to feel some much support and love. Only one more to go.

Wish everyone no SEs and a great weekend. 

bearcub

Congratulations Neta, Celebrate!...you are so lucky..best Christmas gift ever....BIG High Five!!!.....

Hopex3

Neta: Whoo Hoo! Celebration Time!



I had taxol yesterday and feel so amazingly good today on my steroid high. Even went out for dinner and had a glass of wine. Now, I wonder if I shouldn't take my half pain pill to help me sleep. I think I will wait awhile. I've decided I'm not going to have any bone pain tomorrow. "Usually it hits on Saturday". I'll let you all know.



Can't quit thinking about those poor kids in CT today. Makes me sick!



Goodnight for those of you that can sleep. I may start watching parenthood tonight since I will be up.

Neta69

Thanks everyone! This board and all you wonderful ladies sure helped me along the way! You will also be celebrating the end of treatment soon. Wishing you all a good weekend and no SEs.

EnglishRose75

Well done, Neta.  Doing the happy dance for you!

Cindi74

I usually have the tv on news Saturday   morning as I wake up and dress.  When it stopped being election news and became fiscal clift, I just wanted to horse whip some legislators, but this morning, I can't stand the news.  I put on Sounds of the Season--but a funeral dirge would be more appropriate.  Japan with over 100 million people had 2 gun deaths in one year.  That's just Saturday night in a medium town in the USA.

9/11 killed less than 3000, so we went to two wars and spent over a trillion dollars.  But a year's toll of over 12,000 gun deaths gets a nod from politicians and the NRA raises more money.  God help us.  How can we keep our children safe?  Those poor parents, grandparents, children, responders.  We need more than prayer and speeches.  We need action.

Foregive me the rant. 

I am listening to a book recommended by someone on this thread.  The Emperor of all Maladies from Audiobooks.  It is the histiory of cancer, very interesting, writing that would challenge the best mystery writer.  I just reached the point where Herceptin is developed to treat her2 positive breast cancer.  We owe so much to the researchers, scientists, pharma companies, but also activists who stormed the pharma companies and chained themselves there to force the company to produce Herceptin to dying patients before the conclusion of clinical trials because the results of this new way of attacking that cancer were so revolutionary.  I have learned so much froim this book even though I listen while falling asleep and have  to guess where to start the next evening.  Fasinating.

jojo2373

Congrats Neta!  What a wonderful feeling?

My final chemo visit to my MO was a blessing to me for Christmas.  She could not find any tumor to measure!  That Taxol did it's job on that cancer devil so the pain was worth it.  Although nothing measurable, I will still have my MRI on the 26th to confirm there is nothing active.  As she said, there could be alot of small spots still there and just blended into my breast tissue.  So I am cautiously optimistic.  I also met with my PS and just loved him.  We reviewed all the options and I learned I have more choices than I thought.  If I chose lumpectomy, I can have fat grafting at that time so there will be no huge disfigurement if alot of tissue has to be taken.  I hadn't realized that option, but for the BMX the nipple sparing is dependent on where the cancer is located related to the nipple.  The PS said that the BS makes that decision.  I do have enough belly fat for a DIEP if I choose, but I already knew that..lol.  All roads lead to the MRI for me on my decision.

Even though I am just at the post menopausal stage, my MO wants to start me on Tamoxifen for the first 2 to 3 years then switch to Arimidex.  She said the Tamoxifen will protect my bones for longer and the Arimidex causes bone density issues.  I will begin this after my surgery in January.

 I am in 2 clincial trials and will continue for 5 years on those.  The Metformin trial and the trial to research ways to separate "Circulating Tumor Cells or CTC's' from the blood.  

Also - my MO does not want to remove my port until Rads is complete.  Was so hoping that would come out at surgery.  Keeping it in will require a flush every 6 weeks - more appointments!

Hoping everyone has a great weekend.  I am going out for a few gifts today, everything else is done.

allurbaddayswillend

Congrats Neta!

marianelizabeth

Cindi, I think it was me who had mentioned the "Emperor of all Maladies." Pretty amazing stuff and it took many actiivists to get to where we are now. I have not finished it (a long read) but am also reading Chirstopher Hitchen's "Mortality" which he wrote in his one and a half year battle with esophageal cancer. It is a small book of 104 pages and some of it was published in his Vanity Fair essays as he was dying last year. I am nuch appreciating it too. 

jojo you and I will be doing rads and surgery in 2013 but I think in the opposite order. My final decsions will be after I see the PS Jan. 3 and hear back from the breast cancer weekly team meeting too. I have a repeat CT scan Jan. 3 too.

Butterfly, my blood transfusion last Sunday did make a difference for sure. Now if we can just hope our numbers stay up!