Starting Chemo February 2013

kkmom

What wonderful news to hear!!!!!! Maybe all that chemo helped after all? I am sure you have heard but radiation is nothing compared to chemo. It takes longer to get undressed and dressed than when you are actually getting the radiation.

melody46

Great news Heidi

TMM60

I'm so happy for you Heidi!!!

tangles

Good news Heidi. You must be so relieved!!!!!!!

DiZZyMom

Great news. Heidi. You deserve it!

Heidi9256

Apparently my tumor is having an identity crisis.  I got a call today from my MO and she told me that another pathologist looked at it and he thinks it's metaplastic breast cancer - still rare but not as rare as a chondrosarcoma and easier to treat since it is a carcinoma not a sarcoma.  It behaves like breast cancer and is treated like breast cancer.  So my tumor is on it's way to Houston to figure out what it is.  I believe God may have cut me a break. 

LW0919

Heidi: great news!!



Tangles: it's weird but I have started growing facial hair...I had electrolysis EVERYWhERE last fall just before being diagnosed at the end of December. All of the "areas" that were treated and were hair free before chemo seems to be growing again at a super speedy rate yet the hair on my head is barely doing anything and only have maybe 6 eyebrow hairs. I'm wondering if I'll have to do electrolysis all over again. Figures I would have more hair on my upper lip than I would on my head. Pale skin, bald, no eyebrows, mustache...not my best look!

tangles

Well I called my MO yesterday and asked about the neuropathy in my feet. She said I could "try" a medication. I looked up what she wanted to give me and I was not thrilled about the side effects. Anyway take anything for the neuropathy? I can handle the numbness but not sure if the pain in my feet is form that or just from having screwed up feet?

I also asked her why my hair is NOT growing back AT ALL!! She said it is 100% normal for hair to not start growing back until 8 to 12 weeks. Im like WTH?? 12 weeks?!?! I said are you sure the herceptin is not slowing the hair growth. She said sure its not. UGH..... so bummed. I guess you gals that have hair consider yourself lucky!!

LW have you tired the no no for hair removal? I have a friend who used to wax her upper lip once a month and she started using it and never has to wax at all anymore. It is expensive, but she swears by it.

slv58

LW, I read somewhere on this board that growing facial hair after chemo is very normal and temporary. Just another gift! So far I have only noticed a little bit, but I always had a slight fuzz! Not happy about my ladystache growing back-I may look into the nono that Tangles suggested, I remember looking into it briefly awhile ago, but wasnt sure if it was a gimmick.

Tangles, I've been taking l glutamine and vit B6 for neuropathy and I notice when I don't take it, so I think it helps me. I have developed the burning soles of the feet-9 weeks PFC, which is strange, but the pins/needles has lessened a bit.

tangles

I looked at Target and did not see Glutamine where do you get it? I have some B12 here does it have to be B6??

slv58

I got l glutamine at amazon. Apparently the powder is better than the pills, I take 1tsp. 3x day. Also B6 is what is recommended, 100mg. a day. It may take some time to make a difference and you may not notice a huge improvement until you forget to take it and then notice the pins/needles are more intense. My MO said it was goof to take during chemo but I had to stop the glutamine one week prior to surgery. I'm now back on it during rads, but I would check with your dr.s to make sure. I hope it helps you!

McKatherine

Ditto on the B6. My heartburn post surgery interfered with me taking my vitamins, and I've noticed an increase in the tingling in my hands / feet.

DiZZyMom

I got my L-glutamine at GNC. It's tablets. And I take a "Super" B-complex with B6, B12 and C. I have not been as diligent on the L-glutamine lately and my feet are hurting. I was thinking it was because I have started running again, but hopefully getting back on the L-glutamine will help. Hope you get some relief too!

IamNancy

My one foot still hurts me -mainly just under two of my toes..some days its real painful to walk and other days its no problem! I do take a B multi vitamin...

As far as facial hair - geeze all of a sudden my mustache is back, chin hairs are blooming but where I am having tons of hair is on my face near my ears-ridiculous and my hairline in back is so low.. I know I shouldn't complain but seriously I just want hair on my head..LOL 

LW0919

My neuropathy was really bad several weeks ago. I started taking B-12 shots again and have noticed a huge difference. I was taking it before chemo because I had a deficiency and the deficiency actually caused peripheral neuropathy before chemo ever started. I thought I had MS but turns out it was just a vitamin deficiency. I doged the MS bullet and then was diagnosed with cancer...go figure! You could ask your MO to check your blood to see if by chance it's low and if it is get an RX for B-12.



I'm definately going to hunt down the NoNo. Got to get rid of the facial hair at any expense!!

Gina925

Tangles, My onco suggested I try vitamin B complex. I started using it once a day, about a month ago and my left hand and left foot are almost back to normal now. The right side has lightened up alot. So its working for me. Ask your onco. Hope it works for you.

Ive finished 8/28 rads..... so far so good. Hope they stay that way.

slv58

LW, if you try the nono, could you let us know what you think of it? I may have to get one also, but can't afford the expense now. Just noticed my underarm hair is also returning-grrrrrr

9/33

tangles

I read the glutamine is not good if you are healing. I worry about that as I feel I am healing SO SLOW from this exchange surgery. I have read others say the exchange was a breeze. NOT for me. I guess having the node removed also ads to the recovery, but this chest & underarm is still so sore after three weeks! I have also notice my stomach is shot. I get so many stomach aches now. Im sure between all the chemo and surgeries, and pain pills my stomach is tore up! I worry about taking anything vitamin's included:-( Gosh I just want to be pain free so I can go back to work! Being off work for 7 months now is taking its toll. My daughter gets married in 3 weeks and its not looking good for me to be able to dance at her wedding. Im not even sure I will be able to walk her down the isle. I made an apt with a foot doc but of course he cant get me in for two weeks. Gosh its no wonder I am so depressed........

LW0919

SLV58 - I noticed my armpit hair has started growing again too. I noticed it Monday when I had my arms raised above my head during my radiation planning appointment. I don't know how I missed it. I'll let you know about the NoNo.



Tangles - I hope things get easier for you soon.

DiZZyMom

Pretty picture LW0919. Good luck Tangles. Do you have a starting date for rads? I know you are not in a hurry to start another treatment, but I bet you're eager to get it finished. It went much faster for me than I thought it would. I wish the same for you.

slv58

LW0919, beautiful pic!

Tangles,I hope your pain gets better= you need to be able to celebrate at your daughters wedding!!

tangles

Dizzymomm I have an apt Tuesday for an hour and half  Rad consult. Not sure if we will start the next day or the next week. Yes I just want to get it going and get it over with.  I have been so depressed lately. Just thought 8 weeks PFC I would be feeling SO MUCH better then this. I am still feeling like CRAP by mid afternoon everyday. The exchange did NOT go as easy as others say it was going to. Still having pain from that. The implants really hurt. Pain in back, feet, arms. UGH I am SO SICK of it. On top of that hair just is not growing in. I can see a few tiny hairs, but was hoping I would have a shadow of fuzz by now. Still just the strays hairs that didn't fall out from Chemo and white scalp. UGH sorry for the negative attitude:-( I guess I should just be happy that my eyes are not watering, my head is not pounding, my heart is not racing,I am not nausea,my taste buds are back and be grateful for those things.......

IamNancy

LW -lovely picture!

Tangles - I really hope you can enjoy your daughters wedding.

I haven't heard of anyone I know using the NoNo but have read bad reviews .. I am beginning to think about laser hair remover.. I just can't go around with a beard!

kkmom

DizzyMom - Congratulations on finishing Rads.  I have 8 more days and I will be finished.  Are you starting tamoxifen or something similar?

DiZZyMom

Hi kkmom I have not finished, but have two treatments left. I will be starting tamoxifen in a few weeks. Not looking forward to those SEs, hoping for the best!

Good luck Tangles. I hope rads is not rough on you. You have been through enough.

LW0919

Thanks ya'll. I decided to go blonde just to change things up a bit. I figured why not? When my hair grows back I'll go back to being a brunette...maybe!



I'm hoping the unwanted hair will go way on it's on. I really would hate to go to he expense of doing laser hair removal again. There are some areas that are EXTREMELY painful and don't want to do again! I wonder how soon after chemo/rads we can do laser hair removal anyway? I think I'll ask my RO when I see her tomorrow.



Dizzy mom & kkmom congrats on being so close to finishing up with rads!! I am sure you both are excited! I have 30 more to go...hoping it goes by fast.



Tangles, so sorry you are down. You will get through it, look how far you've come already, just hang in there!

Shasha10

Heidi and Katherine wishing you the best

I thought I was on the end run. TCH was over June 10th. Just Herceptin for now till next winter and then Aromatase Inhibitors not sure which one. Then echo and I'm off Herceptin for 5 weeks another echo in 4 and then we'll see.

My hair is still fizz but starting to fill in. My eyelashes fell out after the last chemo, didn't realize it could happen that late. Otherwise fell fine. 80%. Not perfect. This heart issue has me crazed. Sorry of I'm venting

Thx everyone.

And good luck

Heidi9256

Shasta:  I know what it feels like to think you're in the home stretch and then somebody throws you a curve ball.  I hope the heart issue turns out to be temporary and you can finish your Herceptin.  Will keep you in my prayers.

Heidi9256

BTW, I am nearly 7 weeks post chemo and my eyebrows started growing back this week.  I also think I have some new baby eyelashes coming in but not completely sure on that one yet since they are so small.  I'm also happy to report that my nose hair have returned - no more snot rockets!    I also have a full head of fuzz except for right on top which is still mostly bald.  It started out totally white then some darker hair showed up and now it's salt and pepper looking.  With the male pattern baldness and salt and pepper thing going on, my head looks like it belongs to an 80 year old man.

Still waiting to hear from MD Anderson about the pathology for the second cancer that showed up in the tumor.  No history of cancer in my family and I manage to produce two in the same tumor... go figure.

tangles

Anyone having issues with Herciptin? I have to wonder if that is why I still feel like CRUD? Maybe Im just a slow healer. I did get a blood draw today so maybe that will show something. UGH!!

Heidi too funny about the male pattern baldness. I have to look with a magnifying glass and I do see some hair sprouting but I also see bald spots so Im sure this is how I will look in a month. If I look close I can see baby eyelashes too.