Starting Chemo October 2012

Toots

Celine - the purple bubbles are just beautiful - thank you for that - it is really appreciated here too

Poke - hope the transfusion sorts the probs with the blood quickly

hugs to all xxxx

alcb70

Poke~ I am miserable with the hot flashes too! They are so intense & would come like every 15-20 minutes shortly after chemo. They spread out to every 45 now.  I get dripping wet and miserable, then I freeze. I dread the tamoxifen drawing them out longer! I am SO glad you commented on the women who haven't had chemo....I thought I was the only one who thought that. I felt so bad, like I was wishing something hateful on someone, but to see the stars (like you said) as the face of BC....and NONE of them did chemo, none of them lost their hair, you didn't see them sweat like a pig or have their face break out.  No runny-goopy eyes, no dry mouth so they can barely talk, no bloating & puffiness. I am a bit resentful too. I know that they went through all the same fear & they had surgery....but chemo has been so hard.  I can't imagine feeling more toxic! I'm not exactly a big health nut exercising daily or eating "clean"  ... but I almost feel like I'm rotting from the inside out and it's gross. I'm done with chemo....but I fear it's gonna take a while to feel "clean" again.    Good luck with your surgery! I am having my BMX on Feb 8th!!!

LouBar

alcb70 - the "runny, goopy eyes" are what are driving me crazy right now once again happening week 3 after taxotere.  This time my eyes seem to be tearing all day long.  I have also lost nearly all of my eyelashes (so sad about this, I really liked my eyelashes and so hope they return) but my teary eyes seem to stand out more.  Consequently, when I go out I  have been experimenting with eyeliner to try and improve my look.  But, no sooner do I leave the house then with all the tears the makeup is no more.  Just feel like I look like a sad mess if I go out.....who has tears running down their face in every aisle at the grocery store? I do now feel without the eyelashes / sparse eyebrows like I look like "someone" going through cancer treament..I have a hard time seeing "me"  

thanks for the information re. the hot flashes / night sweats....not really keen on having to contend with these continuing as a result of tamoxifan

poke - hope the blood gets up there, you usually juice up to give yourself a boost, is it no longer working?

I'm with toots, loving the purple bubbles Celine, made me feel better too

halfcan

LouBar you are not alone. My eyes have been tearing since most of my eyelashes started thinning. And I don't have eyebrows either. Just more fun BC se's! Xox

CelineFlower

My pleasure....

cant you just picture it in a large frame on the wall?

i could get lost in it so easily...

speaking of hot flashes.... its like -40c here... and im the only one sweating! it was funny going shopping... i was stripping down layers (coat , wool shawl, sweater) and fanning myself while everyone was shivering..lol

guess im glad its not summer!

be well ladies

flower

alcb70

The eye tearing is getting me pretty bad also. People look at me so funny...like I'm walking around crying all day. My eyelashes have thinned, but not come out.  I still have my eyebrows (they were a bit Brook Shieldsish before) but I have some sparse spots. I wake up with my eyes all but matted shut.  Not sure if it's a separate side effect or part of the tearing, but I'm having some blurred vision also. One more annoyance! Gotta love the Taxo-tears!

LouBar

thanks albc70/halfcan - glad I'm not alone being a crying mess everywhere! I did check it out with my optometrist last chemo and he gave me drops for dry eyes! Bizarre as how do dry eyes have so much water coming out of them?  Anyways, it feels good to flush them but very temporary relief.  oh, and yes albc70 mine are matted in the morning and also seem blurry at times.  

Jalessi92

Hi! Well, I started back to work Wednesday night 7 pm to 7:30 am. I worked a 12 hour midnight shift and managed to stay awake ... probably due to the decadron from Tuesday's abraxane/ herceptin infusion! I was assigned three postpartum Moms and their newborn babies, had no access to the Powerchart computer system that we use to chart on patients, couldn't pull any stock out of the Omnicell, but did have access to meds in the PYXIS. My badge worked, parking lot access worked, and my patients were wonderful. I wore a surgical scrub hat to cover my peach fuzz head...not confident about going out in public yet without my head covered.



I'm working two nights a week as a transitional work schedule until I feel that I can handle my full-time 36 hr job. My coworkers and boss are wonderful, and have been so supportive through all of this. It's so good to be back!



The tingling in my fingertips from the abraxane is now up to the first knuckle. I haven't had any neuropathy in my feet yet. MO says that it's unusual to already have tingling after two doses (I'm up to three doses now), so I hope I can get through 9 more without a grade 3 neuropathy. I've had no changes in my nails so far. Taking 100mg of vit B6 daily.



I was thinking the other day that it's strange that in my 49 years of life, I have only seen one other person who obviously was going through chemo (she was bald and in her teens). My biggest fear before starting this journey was nausea and vomiting due, in part, to all those movies that show cancer patients that way. For me, it was the fear of the unknown and an unfamiliarity with anyone undergoing chemo treatments. If I was brave enough, I'd go out with my bald head, answer questions for anyone who asked them, and tell them that chemo is not fun, but it is manageable and you will get through it. I'm not that brave, but I've shared my cancer experience with all of my coworkers, my daughters' teachers and schools, anyone who has questions about what we've been through. You guys all have the life experience with cancer and chemo...you know what helped, what didn't, what to expect, what got you through it. Pay it forward if you can ...

momto5children

Going on my 6th and final round of chemo next Wednesday.  For the most part it hasn't been terribly bad.  My labs have been normal, just a little anemic (11.2).  And my MUGA scans are in the 60's.  The last 3 rounds have been pretty predictable.  Nausea starting on day 2 and lasting for about a week.  My biggest problem now is the extreme muscle weakness.  I have to work 2 12's this weekend and again Tuesday and am dreading it.  Anyone have any suggestions on anything that helps with the weakness.  I think I might try an epsom salt bath or bengay, or both.  Any thoughts???

Exchange surgery is set for March 8th, only 6 more weeks of these uncomfortable hard coconuts.  It's hard for me to get comfortable in bed these day, I might have to revert to sleeping on the couch like after the mx.

On a lighter note, my oldest daughter is making me a Nana for the first time, baby girl due March 17th.  I feel really positive about this year.  It has to be better that last year for sure.

Hope all is well with everyone!!

301724

Jalessi, have you tried icing your fingers and toes during the abraxane? I know it works pretty well for taxotere. Could be helpful.

Congrats Momto5! Being a grandmother is the best!

Jalessi92

Nope, haven't tried that yet. I'm using tea tree oil on my fingers and toes, and taking B6. My brother in law, a podiatrist, recommended Metanx to help w/ the neuropathy. On Tuesday at chemo, I'm going to ask if I can give Metanx a try.



Momto5children: Congratulations on soon-becoming a grandma:). Get as much sleep as you can...twelve hr shifts are not fun. I haven't had any muscle weakness so I don't know what to recommend for you, but epsom salts sounds like a reasonable thing to try. Let us know how the exchange surgery goes! I agree...tissue expanders are NOT comfortable. They seem like they're expanding into my armpits. My PS is recommending the FDA newly approved (March 2012) Sientra silicone implants. Wondering if anyone else has heard anything...good or bad... about them.

301724

Jelessi - just to clarify - you do the icing during your treatment - it won't help after the fact.

MrsCich

Hi all. Haven't been on here in a while. My apologies. I had my last TC treatment yesterday. It was half a dose because my WBC is taking longer and longer to creep back up.



I have a good bit of dark fuzz on my head which makes me a bit happy. Unhappy at my 20 lb weight gain though. I too have horrible hot flashes and they suck. My Dr put me on Effexor which helps SOMETIMES!



Now I wait approximately a month and then schedule one of two surgeries...oophorectomy and exchange to a bigger implant and perfect them more.



I hope you all are well.

Jennie93

It's so great to see so many of us finishing up this part of the journey.  :-)   My 6th and LAST chemo is coming up soon, Tuesday, I am happy to say!  Funny how at the beginning it seemed like there was no end in sight, and now it's here.  I know I can get through whatever SEs come my way this time and close, no, slam the door on that chapter of my life!    :-)

I hope we will all keep posting here to stay in touch, and compare notes on the hair growing back, LOL.  Wonder how long it will take?  I guess I'm glad that if this had to happen, it was in the winter when everyone is wearing hats anyway.  But I will be so happy to ditch them!

LouBar

Jennie 93 - congrats, today is your last day, big celebrations

I'm off for bloodwork, fingers crossed all is well and last chemo is scheduled for 9am tomorrow morning....yipppppeeee. Can't wait yet also dreading another round!  But glad to be almost done.

Love to you all xx

halfcan

Jeanie - yea! Last chemo today and I'm in your pocket girl!!!

LouBar - Good luck with the blood tests today. You will do fine and also get the final dose tomorrow! I'm climbing in any pocket I find room in.

MrsCich enjoy the fact that you are done!!! Celebrate ... do something nice for yourself, :-)

I see RO tomorrow and get measured and tattooed or whatever. Then wait for treatments to begin. Phase two if you will. I'm only 2 weeks PFC and still recovering so no big hurry. I sure hope it doesnt take too long to feel good again and have some energy.

Hugs to all, Xox

momto5children

Congrats Jeannie!!  I too go my last infusion today.  I feel nauseous already and am taken every thing under the moon, alternating them.  Just took 1mg ativan to help me sleep too.  My hgb was only 9, but she said its normal this late in the game.  The low hgb is causing the muscle weekness, due to less oxygen.  As far as my hair, I have a 5 o'clock shadow as hubby puts it.  I have longer hair, stubble and peach fuzz.  I've been using this foam I got from Sally's along with shampoo and conditioner, suppose to thicken the hair present and nourish the scalp.  I am also using mane and tail.

As far as the exchange surgery, I think he is using naturella implants.  I said all he has is 800, so I guess, that's wall I go.  I was a bit bigger than that, but if I lose more that 20 those are going to look sweet.

Have a great week ladies and no SE!!!

CelineFlower

Cindy , Linda...

have either of you tried smoking or eating pot?

LouBar

Thanks halfcan - everything went well yesterday except for the parking ticket when we left the hospital (been parking in the shopping mall across the street each visit!) but a minor negative and hoping that the last is the best with the fewest SEs.  I have my "mapping" scheduled for February 11th and rads to start Feb 27th...let us know how you do, good luck with the tatoos  xo

35_smiling

Hello Ladies, I am a newbie here. I've been reading this site for a little while now. I started my first chemo of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin on October 23, 2012 and completed them on December 4, 2012.  I started 12 cycles of Taxol and Herception on December 18, 2012 and I finished cycle7 yesterday.  I find this treatment knocks me out during and for the rest of the day. 

Jennie ~ Congrats to you of you last chemo treatment.

Loubar ~ Good to hear your blood work was okay. Congrats to you too of you last chemo coming up.

Halfcan ~ Wish you all the best. Hope you feel better soon.

Moto5children ~ Congrats to you.

Poke

Hi ladies!! Tomorrow might be my day!! I refused transfusion of course so it's going to depend on my labs. If all goes well then tomorrow will be the last day I have that (lovely) poison pumped into my chest! Congrats to all the ladies that are already done!!! Looking forward to exchange surgery now!

I was in Cleveland last week and boy did it feel good to spend time with my friends and my dad. I'm home now. Jalessi - I can't believe you're back to night shift ... I can't imagine going back to that schedule. GAH.

Lots of love!! XOXO

alcb70

So glad to see everyone finishing up! Melissa...keeping my fingers crossed you'll be done as well! It DOES feel like it's been forever since we started, but then again, just yesterday. I too have peach fuzz. Soooo over the hat thing also! I want to pull my hair up into a nice luxuriously thick ponytail again! I thought I was in the clear...but noticed a chunk of eyelashes were missing the other day. I REALLY hope this poison doesn't keep on taking!



I'm on surgery countdown....one week from today. This feels like the last BIG hurdle. I'm hoping radiation isn't as traumatic.



Wishing everyone improved health & energy! I'm 3 wks PFC & still fatigued with muscle pain. BUT.... I am soooo incredibly grateful I won't spend the next 5 days in pain! ( at least til surgery)



Have a good weekend! ~Andrea

Jennie93

The yuckies are setting in, but I don't care, this is the LAST time, and this time I know that when I start feeling better, it won't be time to get knocked down again, instead it will just keep getting better and better.   :-)

My hemoglobin was quite low too, no doubt explains the muscle pains, so the doc put me on an iron supplement.  Even though the anemia is being caused by the chemo, not an iron deficiency, they figure that it can't hurt, might help, and most women don't get enough iron anyway.

I'm supposed to go back in one month for a followup visit with blood work to make sure I'm bouncing back.  Will have consult with the radiation doc then as well.  And also talk about tamoxifen.

have a great day everyone, you are all in my thoughts & prayers.  Minimal SEs to all!

Jalessi92

Poke:

Work is going well, although I am waiting for a full-time DAY position to open!  I've been working 24 hrs per week, but starting Sunday, I will be back to full-time midnights.  I continue with chemo every Tuesday morning:  abraxane and herceptin.  Starting gabapentin and metanx today to help with the neuropathy which is now in my hands and feet!  Hopefully, I can get through 8 more doses... Exchange surgery in April.

Glad to see that you are almost done! 

alcb70

Jalessi....I am in awe.....I can't even imagine working a day & going through all of this! You're amazing! Just be sure not to push yourself!

schoolmom

POKE:  Hang in there.  So glad you are almost finished with this part.....I am over in rads now but wanted to check in.  Take care.

CelineFlower

i am in a dark place this week.... thank you gals for being the light that makes it possible to keep om sometimes

Caitgrace

Ladies, I miss you. I mean I'm still lurking about and all but ... Yah. Emotionally pretty up and down. Last night in a funky funk which I'm still trying to shake. Tomorrow I go to a new dance class which I tried for first time last week -- felt good to move and sweat and feel normal for just a couple of hours. Very free spirit do what you want which was nice.



Tamoxifen is making me feel sweaty and weird all the time... Or maybe I just AM weird. I have had a few real scary memory loss moments and I wonder if my brain has been effected by the drugs, which scares me.



Through all of the darkness I know the path out is gratitude. Gratitude for my life, my doctors and nurses, all the women who went before me, all of the women by my side. All of the science and researchers... All of my friends and family. Gratitude. Love. Blessings. Hope.



Feel good ladies-- may Kali-Ma and the universe hold you up in the light and show clearly all the gifts you have, all the love that flows over you and all the beauty in your next days.

35_smiling

Po-ke ~ you are so lucky. I only wish I was on my last treatment. Congrats to you. I hope your surgery goes well.



Alcb-70 ~ I hope your surgery day comes fast for you. All the best.



Jennie93 ~ I hope you feel better soon. You are lucky that this is your last treatment. Congrats to you too.



Hello ladies, I had a fair day today. I spent time with my mother and cousins today. They make sure I am not home too much and try to keep me going. I am thankful. I have my 8th treatment next week and it turns out okay I guess. I am thankful I don't get sick like before. Well I hope everyone have a great weekend.



Jalessie92 ~ I hope one day a full time job for what you are looking for comes through soon. I hope your 8 treatments flies by fast. All the best.



Cellineflower ~ I am so sorry you felt down this week. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs.



Caitgrace ~ I am happy you are enjoying the new dance class. That must be real nice to feel normal. My breast cancer spread to my spine and I am not able to move that much. I would love to take dance classes too. Good for you. I find this site very helpful when I am down too. The ladies here are very inspirationial. All the best to you.

Caitgrace

35 smiling tomorrow Ill take you with me when I dance... There will be sore feet and sweat and joy, it will wash over you and release your pain and fears -- it will help you connect to that beyond you, help you feel the love of all behind you and before you.