December 2012 chemo group

donster

FriendGwen you are hilarious!  One bad momma indeed.  Way to go.  I know how it feels to have had my ears pierced years ago, but did the tattoos hurt???  I'm a ways off from that as my final reconstruction is late this year (delayed to due rads), but am on the fence about the tattoos.  I would love to hear how it was and how you're doing.  

mfml I think we all felt a bit wierd when we finished chemo.  It is very frightening not having a test or a scan or a something else at the end as everything we 've done to this point we've done because of test results.  I know my body and my mind probably could not have endured another round of chemo.  and honestly that feeling gave me the faith that the toxins had worked.  I am 6 weeks out from my last infusion and I feel great!  Be prepared that it takes a while for all of those chemicals to get out of your system and all the SE's to go away too.   

jenjenl congratulations of being done!  What a wonderul day  I hope your SE's are minimal and you can enjoy a sun filled Spring weekend. 

For those going through or about to begin radiation, I had my 11th round of rads today.  This is a cake walk compared to chemo.  Side effects have been negligible and happily fatigue has not yet set in.  I still have 22 rounds to go but heck I am 33% done, but whose counting...

I wish all those stilll pushing through chemo an easy weekend of SE's.

Nicole503

FriendGwen  I love the picture of you sweetly holding the kitten juxtaposed with with your tats and piercings update! So fun!

I FINISHED CHEMO YESTERDAY!!!!!!  So, so excited! 

I had two resolutions for myself when I finish

1.  Jump back into exercise with both feet (went to the gym this morning - check!)

2.  Find a therapist and do some grief/integration work this spring to try to find a healthy relationship with this breast cancer and treatment experience. (made an initital call to a therapist I know ~ she has a waitlist but I'm hoping for a referral - check!)

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! 

Sandra60

Hey Gwen - sounds like a fun time at the ole tattoo parlor !!! Glad the piercing went well too !

I just completed my first week of rads and have to say I feel almost nothing ! I asked the tech today and she said I will not feel anything until about the end of week 3 .

Hair sure is growing slowly but leg hair and downstarirs hair starting to sprout - going to be a long journey for the top though .....boo hoo ....

Bren58

jenjen and Nicole, congrats on finishing chemo. It is such a great feeling knowing that is behind you!

Sandra and Donster, glad rads are going smoothly for you so far. I hope the rest of them are a piece of cake too.

Gwen, tattoos and piercing in one day! If someone heard that and didn't know you just went thru bc, they might thing you were going to join a gang or something!

I have an appts with RO and BS this week. I really need to make a decision on what to do next. Unfortunatley I think it is going to be both ALND surgery and rads but am really hoping to be able to skip one or the other. I will keep you posted at the end of next week.

FriendGwen

Bren - I hope you can skip either ALND surgery or rads too. But if doing both is in the cards then just remember you are fighting this thing full force and this time of treatment will all be behind you soon enough. Hang in there.



So I love the tattoos! The dr and nurse were lots of fun and even turned on a big "Tattoo Parlor" sign in the exam room. After all this treatment the last few months, and no visits to a hair salon, it was really gratifying to do something purely cosmetic and fun for me. I'm happy to have earrings again too that I can play up once the little pixie shows up on my head.



Enjoy your weekend everyone!

MTJulie

I have finished chemo and am doing the rads, but I have been worrying about whether I had enough chemo. I see a lot of women who had a similar diagnosis as me and they had 6 rounds of TC and I only had 4. Now I am wondering why and worrying that 4 rounds may not have gotten it all. I am actually thinking of making an appt with a different MO just to check. It's not that I loved chemo so much, it's just that if I have to, I could do another 2 rounds. Does anybody know how they decide how many rounds to do?

Sandra60

Hi Julie ,



I only did 4 TC as well . I think there is a study they did at UCLA that compared 4 to 6 and there were not really any better outcomes wih 6 . I will try to google it . Ok - here is the disclaimer - I am not a doctor !! The oncotype score could also influence that decision - since mine was kind of low - a 20 - and chemo was only going to benefit me 1-5% , doing the 4 seemsd just right for me . The biggest benefit is rads and tamoxifen or an AI for most hormone sensitive cases .

Anonymous

Julie~~We all get the same amount of chemo drug. If we get it dose dense it's a bigger dose than those getting it weekly. But at the end, we've all gotten the same amount.

I got AC every three weeks. It was a little more drug each time than the dose dense would have been, so I was given an extra week to bounce back.



Some people get Taxol dose dense (bi-weekly). I'm getting it in 12 weekly treatments. When all is done they will have gotten the same amount of chemo in 4 doses as I'm getting in 12.



I hope that makes sense. At least this is how it was explained to me.



Blessings

Paula

MTJulie

Thanks for your replies ladies. I know my case was strongly e and p positive. My doctor never would do the oncotype test. Guess he thought if I planned on the chemo there was no point. I would have liked to have known my score tho. Maybe. Unless it was really high. Then maybe I wouldn't want to know! I also feel like I have somewhat lost my faith in my MO. Since I moved to another facility to do my rads, I am finding out exactly how much his clinic never told me. Also never offered any of the support services, which I could have used. My new cancer center has, counseling, wigs etc. support groups etc. I am staying 2 hours away from home during my rads, with trips home on the weekend. I am feeling really isolated and alone through this part of it. So I am taking advantage of all the services they offer. I also haven't forgiven my MO for his stupid remarks about my weight gain. I can carry a grudge for a long time if I need to! He also remarked several times about how BIG I am. I am 5'10 and was wearing heels the day he said that, but he is about 5'2 so I must seem like a giant to him. I was still insulted tho. So now I don't like him any more. Is that childish?

donster

I watched this video on youtube. 

It brought me to tears but they were good tears.

I thought I would share with my fellow warriors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbCVcPst6J4

FriendGwen

Julie - he's an idiot with zero people skills. There's a lot of words I'd like to use to describe him but I'll keep my potty mouth quiet. Grr. How he's gotten as far as has in life is beyond me. Maybe med schools should reevaluate their admissions and what they teach. There's way more to being a strong doctor than grades and internships.

Nicole503

 donster ~ You caught me at a tender moment with that link.

Tears streaming down my face.....

But in a good way.

Thank you.

FriendGwen

I went for an easy walk today and it really kicked my butt. Now I'm home totally exhausted and achy. Yikes. I feel like chemo:1. Gwen:0. I had ambitions of the walk and the gym after work but not happening. I hope this is temporary and I get some strength back soon enough!

Runnergirl2013

Gwen...I am nine weeks PFC and five weeks into radiation and still really tired and super achy. My nurses and docs said this is normal but yikes it's kicking my butt and spirit. And the hair growth is way toooooooo sloooooooow

Nicole503

 FriendGwen ~ I don't look at it as Chemo:1  Gwen:0.

I see Chemo: staying in place   Gwen: Stepping outward and onward!

Keep going.  It gets easier.

((Hugs))

FriendGwen

Thanks Nicole - you're totally right. And Runnergirl - wow I can't believe you're nine weeks pfc! I guess this whole thing is a slow process. I suppose I need to relish in my tastebuds returning. I guess the light at the end of the tunnel is a little farther than I thought but each step forward gets us closer.



How's everyone's fingernails? I'm wearing a band aid on my thumb because it really wants to lift off.

Runnergirl2013

Gwen...I only had four rounds of TC....and I am assuming u had six? How do they decide if u get four or six? Both MOs recommended four rounds and I never asked why not six



This is a long road and a big lesson in patience

Sandra60

Runner Girl and Gwen - I am almost 7 weeks pfc and my muscles are still easily fatigued! My tendons also seem tighter in my legs so I am trying to stretch at least 2 x a day on the floor - yoga type exercises to help . Sure hope this fatigue and tightness fades eventually but guess I just have to be the thankful for having the treatments as opposed to having a disease ....

I would like to report that since I've been either walking , biking or working out at the club I've lost all my chemo 5 plus another 2 pounds ! My goal is 10 more and to just be in great shape

But hair growth is painfully slow - just maybe 1/8 " of mainly peach fuzz at this point for me and it is coming in all white . My leg hair is not even growing yet !



For those of u on or starting tamoxifene there is a thread I found called " anyone feel better on tamoxifene ". Some have reported they lost weight - woo hoo !

FriendGwen

Yay Sandra on the weight loss! That's what I want to hear! And the thought of tamoxifen possibly helping further would be beyone fabulous. I went walking again today and it felt easier. Although now my fingers are too swollen to get my rings off which does sometimes happen when walking. But I feel like I'm retaining fluid too. I need to get back to drinking tons of water.

I met with the RO today and got my rads tattoos. I start a week from tomorrow. Just so ready to get er done!

Runnergirl2013

Gwen - you will be done be for you know it.  I have 7 radiation treatments left and can't wait. Radiation has been a pain and has made me more tired but we will get through this.  My advice is to use the creams that they recommend 3-4 times per day.  My skin is a bit pink but not bad at all.

You will do it - we all will - we are fighters!

Runnergirl2013

Sandra - your description of how you are feeling is exactly how I feel.  I am so ready to move on.  Congrats on the weight loss!  I have lost 5 of my ten chemo pounds but it is coming off waaaay toooo slow.  I then need to lose 10-15 more which I should have lost before cancer.  Let's keep each other motivated.

FriendGwen

I'm totally retaining fluids. My ankles have lost that bone bump. I'm going to call my MO tomorrow.



I ran into a gal I met at the LGFB class today while leaving the rads area. She is almost finished rads. She was telling me the worse part for her was the nipple burn. She told me what lotion to buy and I took everything she said in. As I was driving back to work I had this huge epiphany. I don't have nipples. Only tattoos! Duh.

Runnergirl2013

Yes make sure that everyone applies a lot to the nipples!



My worst area is the shoulder even though they don't treat the shoulder directly the radiation beams are bouncing off of neck and into the shoulder and back...I didn't know that until the pink skin appeared

Nicole503

Great job on the weight loss ladies!  You are my heroes!  I gained 15 lbs during chemo and am hoping it comes off as straightforwardly as it went on!

For those of you who might be looking for some support for exercise, there is a great threat with some really motivated and funny women:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/58/topic/741082?page=487#idx_14609

Be well.

Bren58

Wow, you ladies have been active lately! Congrats to those losing weight and getting back into shape. I have lost a couple pounds but my thighs are still larger and still painful. I am wondering if it because of fluid retention. My ankles swell often too, expecially after I walk or are on my feet a lot. I still have some neuropathy in my right hand from the tc reaction during tx 5. Enough to be annoying but not enough to hinder my ability to do things.

I met with the RO yesterday and meet with the BS today. It seems as though no one wants to let me off the hook for anything! All agree I need the ALND and then rads to ensure the best outcome. Of course there never are guarantees with bc!

I still have the sparse hairs that never went away during chemo, but the rest of it is taking its time coming back in! So far my nails have hung in there. They have not been great for years and chemo does not seem to have done any further harm. Lashes and brows are still there too.

jenjenl

I have zero motivation to exercise, hoping to come out of the funk next week bc I sure would like to wear all those cute summer clothes i got last year.  I need to lose 10 pounds gained from chemo, I need to start eating better....why am I freaking procrastinating on doing these things?!??!  My back is killing me I am hoping it's just from chemo, my desk chair and that nuelasta shot.  I need motivation and inspiration.

Sandra60

Thanks for the info Nicole on the exercise link - I think I may start posting there this weekend ! Peer pressure is a good thing !

Bren - sorry about the swelling and pain - I am wondering if your dr can refer you to a physical therapist for help - my RO said one would be available to me if I had any swelling problems. My rads are going very easy so far - piece of cake compared to chemo



Jenjen- I can relate about the lack of motivation ....all I can suggest is put one foot in front of the other and start walking - soon your strength will be back and you will have the motivation you need. I am thinking super positive thoughts for you now and prayers for u too friend - all will be well !!!

Nicole503

Hey ladies,

A question for those of you who did dose dense AC + T.  Did you find your fatigue worse after your final Taxol? I am now 11 days post final chemo and my fatigue and breathlessness are as bad as they've ever been.  I suspect anemia since I was slightly anemic going into my final treatment but I'm curious if this is common???

FriendGwen

Nicole - I'm was doing cytoxan and taxotere every three weeks for six rounds. Last week would have been the time for the next infusion. I found myself noticing my breathlessness but mostly just walking up stairs. I also was clearly retaining fluids. On Friday I got a pill from the PA which I have taken each day since and my fluid retention is back down. I met with the MO yesterday and he said that is why they give us steroids because of the taxotere water retention. Also, those steroids always pumped me up energy wise obviously. So like you this was the first time in months I wasn't getting that jolt. That might explain why the gym looked too challenging last week. I suppose this is something to just work through until my body realizes I'm not getting another jolt of steroids. Were you on steroids?

On another topic I had read that low Vitamin D may be connected to breast cancer reoccurance. I asked the MO about it yesterday and he said that of woman that have BC return 1/3 had low D, 1/3 were borderline, and 1/3 were fine. He said that may me indicative of the general population or not. They can't really give survivors a D or a placebo as that would be unethical. So I'm going to do a multi vitamin from here on out as well as a second pill in the evening of just D. That's my plan! And give myself to sit in the sun whenever I can (just a few minutes)!

Starting radiation tomorrow...

kslansky

Nicole-

Fatigue from my chemo was cumulative. MO said that is to be expected.

Up until my surgery, I had still not rebounded from the fatigue like I was used to from prior treatments..

Our bodies have been through a hard battle. It's really hard to be patient and wait for feeling "like ourselves" again. :·{