Starting Chemo February 2013

slv58

Thanks RDrunner, I just talked with my nurse navigator to go over a few things from yesterday, she talked with my MO who assured me that it doesn't mean that it is cancerous, but needs to be followed up with gyno-pfeww, I'm happy I misunderstood. She also said that it is not urgent and that my late June apt is fine. Now I'm just waiting to find out about chest x ray and if its a blood clot......I hate the waiting! By the way I'm 54 years young, stubborn, strong and full of optimism!

DiZZyMom

Best wishes to you Slv58....I hope it all comes back clear! Congrats on finishing chemo!

melody46

SLV  I too have had the shortness of breath since starting chemo.  After the first one my MO had me have a CT of the heart and lungs which turned out fine. They are just trying to rule out any clots.

tangles

slv Sorry to hear about your issues!! I had some cyst on my ovaries a few months before the cancer came about. I have not been back to the gyno since, but to tell you the truth I just would like to have a hysterectomy and get everything out.I dont want to take any chances. Of course in the future, not now. 14 days until my last treatment! Just want to ring that bell!!

IamNancy

slv58 - hope your xray and cat scan turns out fine... my shortness of breath is getting better but I still wouldn't be able to run or do anything vigorous or walk quickly..

slv58

Well my x ray results came back clear! My MO still wants me to have a cat scan to be positive especially before surgery, makes me happy she is so thorough. My gyno apt is in late June after surgery, and to be honest, I'd like everything out also. I've had a cyst on my ovary as well and it would be nice to not have to worry about potential cance developing. Thanks everyone for all the well wishes and empathy, this is why I love this site, we can all relate to the wide range of emotions we have to go through.

Gina925

Today I finally had my chemo #5. (stitches are still in-will see the bs next wednesday to see if she wants them out yet) We shall see what se are lurking for #5. So one more chemo to go!!!!!!!!!! Then I have to meet with the radiologist to discuss radiation in general & my schedule for that. I will get my port out prior to the radiation appointment. So that is one good piece of news to share.

The steroids that we have to take before, during and the day after chemo have made my face beet red. Not the best look. But it seems that it has been doing this on & off the entire time I have been on chemo. sometimes it looks tan.

Those of you who have had #5 .............hows the se going so far?

Tangles-Do you need to have radiation?

svl58 & IamNancy- Also sorry too hear about your current issues. Why cant we just get thru this without so many other complications. They are really bumming me out & making me worry about everything spreading & now Im worrying about Lymphedema. Its the last thing we all need! We need  break here!

slv58

Gina, I worry about lymphedema as well, I fear it more than the chemo. I'm just worried if I get it, my quality of life will not be the same. Even just the precautions you have to take so as not to set it off will change my life. No shovelling, no grass cutting, careful of heavy shopping bags etc. I know in the grand scheme of life, this is really trivial, but all these changes can be overwhelming. I also get the red face from the steroids, but only lasts 3 days. My 6th treatment was the same as previous, experiencing severe thigh pain 2 days after, but the worst part only lasted for 4 days. My MO gave me morphine pills to take this time around as I really was in agony those 4 days-pain is due to start today. I also lost most of my eyelashes and brows with #6 which surprised me as I thought you loose them a bit after chemo-I'm always the over achiever! I hope everyone is hanging in there, we all must be seeing the end of the tunnel with a glorious sunrise of colour waiting to greet our next steps!

tangles

Yes I have to have radiation. I met with cancer surgeon today and had a log talk about lymphadimia. He explain how he does it versus how other docs do it and says he has a very low percentage of patients who get lympadimia. He says the risk of leaving the lymph glands in there especially after one tested positive and lit up on the pet scan outweigh the 15% risk of lymphdimia. He also said it really is just a few years you have to be careful with the arm. Not forever unless you do develop severe lymphaimia then yes you may have to be careful with it longer. He drew a diagram of what he was going to do and explained it very well. I asked him what about future issues with that arm. Lets say I need to have shoulder surgery in the future. He said wont be a problem. I did ask if radiation can effect it and he said yes sometimes it can. That is what scares me. I guess its in gods hands. One day at a time. My SE with #5 have been about the same if not maybe a bit easier. Fatigue just seems to be the worse, that and the mouth issues. I would love to have my port taken out after my last treatment, but I suppose if I have to do a year of herceptin I may as well just leave it in.

DiZZyMom

Coming from somebody with lympedema, trust me you don't want it! No, it's not the worst thing in the world, but haven't we all already dealt with enough? I do hope that I can get rid of this sleeve and glove very soon. I was not too happy with my lymphedema PT. We are in the middle of moving and when I get started at the new cancer center, I'm hoping they have a better lymphedema clinic.

Starting last night, I noticed my feet and ankles are swollen like when I was 9 months pregnant. Anybody else have this happen? Sitting with my feet elevated isn't an option right now. I have to pack up the house I've lived in for 20 years, while simultaneously keeping it spotless and ready to show at a moments notice. Great timing, aye?

Happy Mother's day to all of you sweet ladies!

IamNancy

DiZZyMom - I have the swollen ankles and feet - it didn't happen until after the 4th (and final) chemo.. it gets worse as the day goes on and by evening you can't even see my ankle bones!  Not sure why this is happening.

Good luck with your house.

DiZZyMom

Some of the ladies on the Triple Positive thread said it might be from the Herceptin, but you're not on that. I've heard it happens with steroids too. I have an echo on Monday and am going to ask my onc about it.

IamNancy

DiZZy -Let us know what your onc dr said about it..

LakeGirl2

Ladies with swollen ankles - have you told your MOs? They always asked me at my visits if I had any swelling. I would imagine they can help - maybe with a diuretic?

tangles

Dizzymom sorry you are having to go through all this. I am going to pray I dont get that. He explained he is going to seal off that axillary vein area so no nodes will be taken above that so the chances for lymphidimia are very low. HE explained my node was a stage one node so not high in the armpit. He said if it was a stage 3 node chances for lymphidimia are greater.

While laying on the couch the other night my hubby said your dont have ankles anymore! LOL so yes lots of swelling!!

ywheels22

Rdrunner and Tangles: During AC I was not this active. DD taxol is a bit easier so I've been able to do some things. You all will get there too. Day at a time and baby steps. The most important thing is to get rid this BC for good. Life will be back to normal before you know it. STay strong!

Rdrunner

Sorry about the swelling, Im curious as to what about chemo causes that. Do you guys get your kidney function checked ? I am done chemo now ywheels, so no taxol for me. Im feeling a lot better now and waiting to see if I can have rads with all that is going on. Respirologist is redoing pulmonary function tests. And the best mother days present........ i had my eyebrows waxed today for the first time in weeks.. they are nowhere near back to normal but enough where they had to be tidied up. My eyelashes are coming back too.

McKatherine

SLV58 - thankful you got good news! We'll have to double up on those prayers that nothing else creeps up for all of us.

DiZZy - hang in there! Wish we could all come help you pack. But what a sight we would be!



I had to start taking Prilosec for heartburn (1.week after round 5). The Pepcid wasn't cutting it, and I was getting to where I couldn't eat more than a few bites at a meal. Ugh. I'm still not packing in the food like I was a few weeks ago (which I guess is a good thing), but am eating more normally finally.



My nails are also still looking like they're ready to lift up - but only one has so far. It's still attached at the top, though so I'm praying it will hold on.



Otherwise the SE have been about the same - with more fatigue. My parents had been here helping but went home two days ago (they'll come back for my surgery this summer). Guess I'll hunker down and try to keep this ship afloat for a few more weeks!



Happy Mother's Day.

tangles

Well saw my plastic surgeon today. One more fill to go and I'm done with the overfill!! Got a surgery date for June 25 to get these horrible things out and some implants in. Will also being doing the lymph node removal at that time too! We talked again about implants before Rads and he said the largest cancer center in New York City does ALL implants before Rads. He said he thinks it is best! He assured me IF I have issues with skin tightening it wont even most likely happen for months down the road so its best to do it first! I am so happy as I really want to say goodbye to these TE!! I will say this overfill is OUCH..... hurts and my chest is looking mighty large! LOL

Shasha10

I have my 5th treatment next Monday. I have good days. But suddenly become so tired I have to immediately sit down without any warning. Hope to get my energy back once this is over. Congrats to everyone who has had their last chemo. And best of luck to your next step. I'm meeting the RO this Friday to discuss mapping and treatment after chemo.

DiZZyMom

My doctor's recommendation for the feet/ankle swelling is to double up on the steroids after chemo and take them for two days longer. All that sounds to me is more insomnia! But maybe if I can't sleep, I'll get more packing and cleaning done! I will just be happy to get through this last one and on to the next step.

Best of luck to all of you having treatment soon. My 6th and final one is Friday!

LW0919

So this is it, this is where it starts to get really bad. I'm supposed to have treatment #5 Thursday but have developed bronchitis and now have an infection in my port. It's swollen from the port straight up to my collar bone and hurts like crazy. I saw my surgeon today and had an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot. I'm on Cipro now and if there hasn't been a drastic change by tomorrow after lunch they will do in IV antibiotic. If that doesn't clear it up ASAP they'll have to remove the port and will probably put another in though I only have 2 more treatments. I was getting so close but my immune system is shot to hell and can't get well. I've been sick since before my last treatment. Cumulative is right. I am so ready to be done with it all!! Very frustrated tonight...

Rdrunner

LW I hear you! If the antibotic doesnt help and your port has to come out you should be fine to do regular IV for two treatments unless you have hard to access veins. I managed 4 AC treatments using IV and my veins were holding up but everyone is different. Totally get the frustration..

melody46

I didn't have a port either, my last treatment ruined a small vein in my hand but I can live with that.  You could probably do the last two without one if you wanted.

IamNancy

LW - hope the infection gets under control.. as for the port, I didn't have one but should have because  every treatment they had to search for a good vein and that meant getting stuck at least 3xs.. but now thats its over, I am glad I didn't have a port to deal with. Just saying that because if you only have 2 treatments left maybe you don't want another port.

DiZZY - good luck on Friday..

tangles

LW so sorry to hear about your setback. Gosh I know how you feel. After my first one I was in the hospital for 10 days. I would be finishing up with Chemo this week if it wasn't for that!!

Dizzymom I will be thinking of you Friday!!! My last one is a week from Thursday. 9 more days! I was thinking about having the port taken out during my exchange, but I probably should keep it in for the year of Herceptin as I will only be able to use one arm for veins!

DiZZyMom

LW, sorry about your ordeal. Hoping your treatment is not delayed too much if at all.

Thanks everybody for the sweet well wishes.

LW0919

I go tomorrow for IV antibiotics. My MO will decide then if I can do chemo on Thursday or not. Right now I can't imagine using the port it's so sore. I would be ok with them yanking it out and I definitely don't want another one!

tangles

UGH woke up this morning with very painful feet. Tingle and numbness. Seems to have gotten better the longer I have been up, but I am hoping its not the start of neuropathy

slv58

LW I feel the frustration as well. One week after my last chemo and I'm still awake at night in horrible pain. Developing another stye in my eye, sporting a swollen tongue and a sore throat fom hell. No fever at least. I just feel like my body can't deal with it anymore. Thankfully no more chemo. I go fri for my pre assessment for surgery (June 7 )and for a cat scan to rule out blood clot in lung. I've never had a cat scan and am not sure if I'm claustrophobic or not. Can you take headphones/music in with you?

Tangles, I have neuropathy in fingers and toes and it feels like a numbness with pin prick tingles. I've been taking B6 and 30 grams of glutamine (divided by 3 times a day)since I started taxotere. At first I was only taking 15 grams of glutamine which wasn't doing much. I find it does help a bit and I'm very aware if I forget a dose. I'm hoping this SE is temporary, as it really does affect you. I'm just having a crumy day, probably from not sleeping for a week