January 2013 chemo group

Oliverhog

Jayjayc, I had rads in '85 just as I finishing up college.  For some reason I think the radiation treatment for breast cancer is more heavy duty.  I think I had 25 Gy of radiation to the chest for that.  The only side effect I had was fatigue.  I lived about a little over a mile from the hospital where I was being treated.  I would get up in the morning, shower, get dressed, have breakfast and walk down to the hospital, get my treatment, walk back up the hill and take a nap.  

However, I think we receive maybe twice as much radiation for the BC with maybe a boost at the end from where the tumor was removed.  I've been told that the worst side effects are again fatigue and skin and muscle changes, especially for those who've had the modified radical mastectomy where the muscle lies so close to the skin.  Some skin can blister but they can give prescription creams for it.  I haven't even started rads yet, but I can go troll a few of the forums and put together a syopsis.  I might just do that for my own benefit as well.  In the meantime, thanks Jayjayc, JoCanuck and YWheels!

Anonymous

Seattle & Oliver~~When I had my scans done just before starting chemo, my MO told me I have 2 extra, very tiny spleens. So you both have none and for some crazy reason, I have 3!

That's enough for all of us.



Blessings

Paula

Oliverhog

LOL, Paula.  So when can I expect mine to be sent over?  I'm ready for a spleen, baby.

LeeA

Oliverhog, that was just about the most awesome post I've ever read here!  And believe me, sister, I rarely ever use that word and I never use it lightly!  

That really belongs on the thread "things you should know before starting" (I'll have to find the link).  

To add - the 0% Fage yogurt has 23 grams of protein per cup.  A large container of it provides nearly 100 grams of protein per day although I usually consume the midsize (two cups - 46 grams). 

Two things, I need to remember to take my Claritin and darn it, I had Biotene gum and didn't chew it during Taxotere today but did drink a very cold drink with ice in it during Taxotere. 

Good wishes to everyone.  Wondering how cancernoway is doing!  Thinking about each and every one of you and as always, sending you warm/healing prayers.

LeeA

Paula!  Is that unusual??

Oliverhog

Thanks, Leia.  I thought of you as I was writing about the Fage.  We can't seem to locate any 23 gram protein Fage yogurt in our neck of the woods.  I thought it was 23 grams, but I couldn't remember, so I went with what I knew, which is the whole yogurt.  Thanks for turning me on to that yogurt, by the way.  I love, love, love it.  It is the best yogurt I've ever eaten.

LeeA

Oliverhog, I'm glad you like it! 

In case you're interested, here's a link to the 0% fat product.  I've never tried any of the others because we got started on this one when we were doing the 17 Day Diet.  

http://www.fageusa.com/products/fage-total-0-percent/

On another note, we were walking into the YMCA courtyard the other day and I saw this woman who reminded me SO much of you!  Or the pictures I've seen of you.  She was very lean - looked like a runner - similar features, similar hair color and length in the first one of your avatar photos.  Then tonight, saw the doppelganger of my good friend from Louisville while we were out!  LOL - I wanted to try to take a photo of her (discreetly, of course!) because the likeness was so striking - my husband called me "stalker Lee!"  

Nicole503

I just want you ladies to know that sometimes you cause water to leak out of my eyes. 

That salty water is the physical manifestation of all the gratitude I feel.

Each of you makes my journey so much easier.

Thank you for your humor, your support, your cabana boys, your songs, and your resilience.

Anonymous

LeeA~~My oncologist was amazed at the 2 tiny spleens, but I think this may be why I have them.....in 1999 I had stomach surgery. My surgeon told me, that the organs are so close together that there was a chance she could nick my liver or spleen.

When I woke up in recovery, she said, "Paula, I butchered your spleen, but I repaired it with mesh, and you didn't need a blood transfusion."



I'm thinking maybe some of the original spleen may be poking through the mesh. Who knows.



The surgeon also told me that most surgeons would have you believe that people usually lose their spleens from auto accidents, but that its usually surgeons mistakes.



Paula

LeeA

Wow, at least she was honest with you (i.e. "Paula, I butchered your spleen"). 

You mentioned auto accidents and spleens . . . glad your Volvo was spared (I'M SORRY - I COULDN'T RESIST!  I still laugh about that!). 

LeeA

Nicole, I can't imagine the chemo valley without you there along the way!!

Anonymous

Nicole I'm really surprised and wonder why you didn't get the 'N' shot after your last treatment. I actually pressed the question with my MO because my counts are always too high. They were 17.89 yesterday. She said though that if we took bloodwork day 14 my counts would be low and that is what I need the neulasta for. So I will be getting my last neulasta today.

Oliverhog, cuddos to you girl for posting such an incredible response.

Zorina

The last Taxol is kicking me in the butt fatigue-wise.  I did get Neulasta for this last treatment, and my MO said I have to come in for bloodwork every week for the next four weeks.  She said that by four weeks, my body should be generating the white and red cells that I need  In the meantime, she told me to be cautious.  Amazing how different our MOs are! 

MO said I will have lingering side effects for 4-6 months. Next up: Radiation.  I won't start that for another month.  Except for labwork, no doctor appointments between now and May 7!   Wow,  that seems like a long time.

ywheels22

Zorina: do you think it's the shot? Killed me every time thru AC. Haven't ad it or the first 2 Taxols but my WBC was lower, 3.98, wo it. Hoping it will stay there so I don't need it for the last two. So far, not too bad. Tired and aches but manageable. Hang in there!

martha323

I spent some time this paat week lookng at past posts - I don't know what I would do without the support and caring of all of you and the hysterics as well.

Oliverhog, Great post! Nicole and Zorina, I hope that you start climbing out of the valley very soon ...

Taxol/Heceptin 4/12 was Thursday and no fever this time! The Benadryl made me really sleepy because I wasn't fighting it - guess my anxiety is subsiding somewhat ! The fatigue may hit tomorrow and Monday, but I plan to stop trying to do laundry, complete tasks on those days, or even paint (I missed entering some pieces in a regional show - oh, well, next year!) and just read, watch Netflix, drink, drink fluids, and rest, guess I better eat as well! I'll miss taking a slow walk .. maybe back and forth and round and round on the deck several times ....

I think of you all everyday and send Hugs and Prayers as well as Congrats to those who have finished chemo! Hooray!

Ciao, Martha

Nicole503

Zorina ~ I'm glad you get to wait a month before starting rads. Some of the December sisters are noting a lot of fatigue with rads and they are the ones who seemed to go straight from chemo to rads.  I think a break is in order for sure!

I wonder what they are looking for with your weekly bloodwork? My MO also said that I will have lingering side effects for 4-6 months, so there's one are of conistency across practices.  Guess we can count on a slow & steady return to wellness.

I'm meeting with my MO on Thursday to talk about (and start) Tamoxifen. If I'm not getting better from the chest cold I caught from husband, I'll ask for a blood draw. I'm usually pretty convinced that my body can heal viruses but it's just possible that this one will linger longer than necessary without some medical intervention.

ablydec

Very exciting that many of us are nearing the end of this chapter.  (I'll get my last TC-H this Friday, although the Herceptin continues.)  My question to you all is - then what?  I was surprised - and a little discomfitted - about what my MO said. The follow up seems so... subjective and vague.  Those of us who had BMX can't get follow-up mammograms or ultrasound.  I can see that.  But he said it's just "clinical exam and blood work".  To me that seems like any recurrence wouldn't get caught until WAY down the road.  Is that what you've been told also?  Isn't there anything out there to "nip [a possible recurrence] in the bud"?

Oliverhog

Ablydec, I was pretty much told that I should still do self exams and feel my muscle tissue.  I'm not sure how you would do that through implants.  I'm assuming that's what's on your plate since you have the TEs.  But, I can see why you'd be concerned. I'm getting radiation on top of chemo, followed by tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.  I'm thinking that for me, because the tumor was on the upper outer quadrant on the right and sat quite close to both the skin and the muscle (the lump was practically under my arm on the side of my breast), and it was 3.2 cm and aggressive (grade 3), the radiation is the "local" treatment designed to reduce the risk that I'll have a recurrence in the chest wall.  I think possibly the fact that your tumor was 2cm and you had no node involvment, that's why you're not getting radiation and possibly the location of the tumor and how big the margins were.  If the tissue is removed and the margins around the tumor were greater than one or two mm where your tumor wasn't close enough to the chest wall, the possibility of recurrence in that area might be so small.  If that makes sense.  But, now that you mention it, it is rather daunting to think that the normal types of tests used to detect breast cancer while it's only in the breast are off the table and that a woman would have to wait until it's metastasized for it to be detected.  I would get more clarification on this.  I'm going to see my MO on 5/23, so I'll have to be asking her about this, too.  Thanks for bringing that up and putting it out there.

ywheels22

Ablydec & Oliver: I didn't know you couldn't get an ultrasound with implants? My MO also said it's blood work. There are no scans, xrays, MRI's, ect...which also made me nervous. He said the blood work will suggest any abnormalities early and then, if the blood work comes back questionable, other tests would be done. I do not need radiation as my original tumor was 17mm and only one sentinal node was involved with 4mm spec. I will also have some sort of five year drug, but not sure which one. I will ask about ultrasounds. It seems, even with implants, that would be the way to screen for breast cancer. Even though all the tissue is gone, reoccurance in that area is still a slim possibility.

Zorina

Ywheels - I never had a reaction to the shots although I have noticed tooth pain for two days after the shot during my Taxol, and I will blame neulasta for that.  Today, I am still fatigued and have sporadic twinges of pain or rubbery legs.  I think this is the first time that I have felt brain-dead after a Taxol treatment. I suppose that is just the fatiue.  It's going to get better, though, I can feel it!

Nicole  - MO says that my RBC andd WBC counts could still drop during the next four weeks, and that is why they want the bloodwork.  She did say my liver function was really good except for one measure, so maybe they are going to watch that, too.  I am looking forward to a break from poisoning my body, but it is good to her that this break may really help me get through rads. I won't start Tamox until after radiation.  I will be waiting to hear how it treats you.  I dread it.

ywheels22

Zorina: you are lucky. The Nuelasta shot was very hard for me and I notice a huge difference in my SE's without it during the first two Taxols. I recover quicker and the aches and pains are very minimal. My MO said he will try to keep me away from that shot. I may have to do the other one (neupregen?) which he said is eaiser but has to be given each day over multiple days...I am just praying hard that I don't need any shot. I am afraid even the other one will hit me hard since that is what happened with the Nuelasta. Just very worried. I get my week follow up blood work tomorrow. My other counts have been very good but the WBC went to 3.98, which is the lowest it's been since tx started. MO is worried it will keep dropping as we move through my final two tx's. Initially he didn't think I would need the shot during Taxol, but....oh boy....ugh!

cancernoway

LeeA - here I am. Got back last night from our trip to Pigeon Forge. Had a blast and it was so relaxing. I missed you all very much but we were so busy during the day that I crashed at night.



I had #5 of 6 today and I feel gooc so far. Keeping the fingers crossed. Lee did you have your final treatment last week?

cancernoway

Not gooc lol. Good.

klaudiak

Today, I rang de bell, I am done!!!

LeeA

Yes, cancernoway.  Number six of six this past week. 

Happy to hear so far / so good for you! 

And congratulations, Klaudiak! 

ywheels22

congrats Klaudiak!!! Awesome!! It must feel so good to be done!!!!

martha323

Congratulations on completing chemo, Klaudiak!

cancernoway

LeeA and Klaudiak - Congratulations!  I can't wait to ring the bell myself.  May 13th will be my day! 

Lee - How are you feeling?  Are you doing okay?  I thought about you Wednesday and was wondering if you were having treatment.  I knew you were one ahead of me.  I'm so happy for you.  Herceptin will be a breeze, an inconvenience but a breeze.  I have asked a couple of people how long the Herceptin infusion will last and I've gotten a couple different time frames ranging from 1/2 hour to 2 hours.  Has anyone given you a time frame?  I'm gong to try and do it on Friday afternoon after work, but have idea how long to give myself.   

duckiedee

cancernoway - I finished chemo on APril 1st, and I had my first Herceptin only infusion yesterday. It was a piece of cake! I signed in at 9:00 AM. After a little bit, I was called back for bloodwork. As usual, they took blood from my port. Then I saw the triage nurse who went over my blood counts and gave me a copy of the report. (All was good - Yay!) She escorted me back to the chemo room where I got hooked up. Didn't need any Benedryl or anything since I had had no allergic reactions previously. The chemo nurse ran the Herceptin over 30 minutes - the same way I've had it since starting chemo in December. I was all done with everything by 10:15 and walked out the door. Easy, breezy, lemon-cheesey!!!

I guess every practice is different, but I thought I'd let you know how the Herceptin only trip went for me. Hang in there, my friend. Your final chemo will be here before you know it! Till then, here's to staying strong in the final stretch with minimal side effects...

cancernoway

Thank you duckiedee.  I appreciate it.  I had heard that same exact thing from one infusion nurse so I'm hoping that is what I get.  I get a finger stick for my blood work over at my MO's office so I'm probably going to have to go over there first, but that never takes more than about 1/2 hour or so.  I can do that at lunch and then still go down to infusion in the afternoon.  That is my plan anyhow.  My Herceptin is running at a 1/2 hour as well.  Keeping my fingers crossed for those minimal side effects.  I had enough of them during #4 to last me a lifetime.