September 2013 Chemo Group

AmyLeigh

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie to the site, and wish I had jumped on much earlier!

I started chemo this September and finished AC last week. #4 was the toughest yet. But it's over. I'm incredibly glad it's over. I start Taxol weekly on Nov. 21st and am most afraid of the neuropathy. I do hear that T will be easier than AC.

alfranco

Hi Amy.

I want to be done already. Wish I had someone to hold me and cry with me. 

AmyLeigh

alfranco, I truly feel for you. Hopefully, you're close? Hang in there.

LisaSp

PeacockGirl, that's hilarious! What people won't think of! Odd and that's the last thing I'd do!

So here I am, one month out of chemo and tired. Good news though: I have much more energy during the day, I just give out about 4 pm. I am about 70% my usual which is good. I've completed 7 of 33 rad tx and it is fairly easy. I'm sure my fatigue will increase as I go on, but I should be done what is known as "active treatment" in mid-December. I expect to start tamoxifen in late December.

Viji

Had my 3rd treatment yesterday but thankfully had a better night than the after the last treatment. Onc can't really tell what I was reacting to but did monitor my heart and it is all good.

LisaSp glad to hear of your progress. I want to get on the plane a month after chemo so good to hear your strength is coming back.

JellyK thanks for the article.

Wishing everyone a good week with minimal side effects.

PeacockGirl

LisaSp, you give us all lots of hope thanks for the update on ending chemo and doing okay rads. I hope minimal SE continue for you! And if I'm not being too nosy, your signature says METs but you were stage 1 and no lymph nodes. How is that?

It's official. I really don't like my onco much. I swear he just blows me off. Everything is normal, par for the course, you're half way done, listen to my heart, press on my ovaries, hear my lungs.... bill the insurance another $500. Oh and no way will he let me skip my last Neulasta shot. At least he said I can have my port out as soon as I want to. And he refilled my Xanax Rx. I need it for dealing with him. I'm really considering a switch to a female onco for my survivorship plan.

AmyLeigh-I too am done with A/C and it was my worst yet as well. So glad we are both moving on to T now. Welcome.

LisaSp

Wow, PeacockGirl, good catch as we say in the journalism field. I had accidentally said yes to the mets question which is no, really. So my profile is now correct. The tumor was stage Ia, no mets. I'm glad to be able to update you all on what to expect once chemo is over.

By the way, anyone planning on getting a medical ID bracelet for the lymphedema risk? I am because in case of an emergency I don't want anyone doing a blood draw or BP check on my left arm if I can't stop them! They make nice ones at laurenshope.com.

KBeee

Peacockgirl, I do not have a port, but if I did, I cannot imagine making it into jewelry. Ick. About all I would want to do is burn it. Maybe that's why I am a firefighter! I hope you can find an oncologist you like better when this part is all done.

As for me... I hurt!!!!!! Abdominal pain, back pain, leg pain, heart burn, sore throat. Uuugh. I took Ibuprofen this morning which kept me feeling good all day, but tonight I am spiking a temp again. It topped out at 100.1, so I was holding off on taking meds, but I could not take the pain, so I just gave in and took some more. Looking forward to a half hour from now when it kicks in and I feel a bit better. Luckily I have taken notes each round, and I have run a similar fever each time, though this is a little higher. If it is up tomorrow, I will call, but for now, I seem to be just following my pattern. I am thankful that my side effects can pretty much be managed with ibuprofen and Zantac, but for the last couple hours....OUCH!!!!!! That's all. I sure hope everyone is feeling as good as possible today and the rest of the week. Oh...and today is 3 months from diagnosis day....wow...what a 3 months it has been...hoping 3 months from now, I will be done with chemo, feeling more human, sporting new foobs, and working out to get back in shape so I an return to the engine at work.

SpecialK

lisa - I have a piece of advice for the bracelet - do not put lymphedema risk on it - put no BP/IV/Needles in whichever arm - right or left (or both). My son is a firefighter and I asked him if he and his fellow firefighters knew what lymphedema was - for the most part they said no - so this was the best solution. This is what I put on my bracelet. I also have a shoe tag and rubber bracelet for the gym from Road ID with the same info.

lighthouselady

Kbeee - Sorry you're feeling bad. I agree that it helps keeping notes. I've looked back at mine many times to figure out if something was unusual for me or not. Hope your fever breaks & you feel better!

peacockgirl - I am not thrilled with my MO either. My mother-in-law used him when she had cancer, and then when my sister-in-law had breast cancer a couple of years ago she went to him, too (still does). They both RAVED about him. I really don't care for him at all. He never really answers any of my questions without going off on a tangent for something else, and he seems kind of... I don't know, old school, I guess? He has to look things up on the computer whenever I ask something. I don't know... can't really explain it. I just really can't see myself sticking with him for the next however many years. Unfortunately he is at the only oncology center in town, so if I switched, it would have to be to another MO in that same office. How awkward would that be?

LisaSP - I'm glad you asked about the bracelet (and thanks SpecialK for the tip). I had never thought about that or heard about them, but it's a great idea!!! I'll have to look into getting one.

Amy - welcome to our little group!! I, too, was sooooooooooo glad to be finished with AC! Good luck with taxol. I am doing dose dense taxol and didn't have any neuropathy since my first treatment, even though my oncologist warned me over and over that the toxicity and risk of neuropathy was higher with the dose dense. I have taxol #2 this Thurs.

alfranco

KBEE hope you feel better.

Lisa so happy you are doing great. Can't wait to join you soon. 

70charger

Chemo brain has struck. Last night I forgot to feed my cats! Tonight I went to check 15mins before my meatloaf was to be done & found an empty oven! What will tomorrow bring?

Anonymous

70charger: I liked your comment about chemobrain! Today my friend took me to the polling place before heading to chemotherapy. When I got done voting , i walked right up to another car that was nothing like my friend 's car and started to get in. The poor lady in that car , who looks nothing like my friend , had a good laugh !

PeacockGirl

chiming in about chemo brain...it's hitting me too. Today out front cleaning up my sad decaying hosta garden for winter I seriously couldn't remember my neighbors name. We have lived here for 7 years. It took me about three minutes..saying all these names in my head. Bizarre. Oh and that lightest bit of yard work made me alternate from light headed ness to wanting to lay down on my front porch. Sad. Never felt so weak.

Lighthouse...still keeping track of you. So glad no neuropathy SE for you ! My first taxol is this Friday.

Oh that's another thing...my onco said to expect constipation to be worse on taxol. Really.. From what I read here more women experience diarrhea with taxol? Whatever...I've resigned myself to taking colace all the time now to avoid that horrible 'pooping glass' feeling. Wondering how my system will ever right itself again when this is over....

Cougarlicious

On Monday I meet up with my MO to determine next steps now that my baby has been born. After the exam, he comments on me going to infusion afterwards...what?! They had not given me any such warning that there was something set up. But since my husband had already taken the day off work to come to the appointment we decided not to waste the day and I went ahead and walked over for my final (surprise) AC infusion. Luckily my mom flew up to help me watch the kids so I was able to manage the last minute change in plans.

I'm still waffling between doing weekly or dose dense Taxol. MO prefers weekly, but is leaving it up to me. Infusion nurse commented that since I haven't had SEs from AC, and that T is easier, that I should just go for dose dense and get it done faster. I'm afraid of the neuropathy and nail loss, and wonder if the risks increase with DD. But I also don't want to get a port if possible, and that just seems like what people do if they do it weekly. Decisions!

SyrMom

Regarding the constipation ... I hadn't been told anything one way or another.  However, I noticed a change over the past few days ... just had my #5 weekly dose and no problems previously.  So last evening, thanks to the tips on these boards, I had my first cup of organic Smooth Move Tea ... 8 hr. later, it worked like a charm (tastes similar to black licorice, not unplesant at all). Not harsh or anything.  Just saying ....

Chemo brain, at this point I feel like I have no brain.  Yes, I too, forgot the poor cats.  Went out of the house the other day, came back and they were looking at me like what's up?  Yup, bowels were empty. Forget remembering anyones names and I struggle sometimes just with coming up with the right words, word find problems, ugh.  New normal they call it?

KBeee

LHL, Yay for no neuropathy so far. That's so important!

Cougar, What a rotten surprise to have to go to chemo after the appointment, but YAHOO for being done with AC infusions now!!!! So happy for you! I am inpatient, so If I were o. that regimen I am sure I would have picked the dose dense, but it would be for all the wrong reasons. I believe LHL is doing dose dense, and some others are doing weekly, so hopefully they can give you some advice from experience.

Prechemo my brain was always fried from working overnights so much, and a chronic lack of sleep. The added sleep to help my brain and the chemo to kill it have pretty much evened each other out...I am just as much of an airhead now as before, or worse yet, if I am making more mistakes, I might not even be realizing it!!!!! Ibuprofen finally kicked in last night, And I am feeling human again...so thankful for that!

LisaSp

SpecialK, thanks for the reminder on the bracelet. I knew there was a specific wording to put on it I just didn't remember it. The wording is on the website but as you said it is simple; no needles/BP on left arm (in my case). That goes for shots too.

KBeee, feel better!

And anyone feeling the need of constipation help, there is a great thread on this site only about constipation. Very, very helpful. For me, Benefiber in my coffee everyday really helped, together with Colace and stewed prunes. Plus keep hydrated and try to walk every day. Exercise keeps everything moving!

lighthouselady

peacockgirl - I had diarrhea the day after my first taxol, and since then have been back to my usual constipated ways. I take Colace every day, sometimes twice a day to help. I don't think it's as bad as it was on AC.

Cougar - WOW. That's crazy that they surprised you with your infusion right then, but yahoo for being done with AC!!!!! How's your sweet baby? :-) As for taxol... my MO really wanted me to do weekly, but I pushed and pushed for dose dense. I had handled AC really well and just wanted to be done with this crap. Plus the idea of going four more times versus twelve, and being done four weeks sooner? It was a no brainer for me. I haven't had any neuropathy or nail issues so far other than my fingertips/nails being a little sore... we'll see what my next taxol brings tomorrow!

Glad you're feeling better Kbeee!

PeacockGirl

cougar: that would be so hard for me to have chemo sprung on me like that. so much of it is mental for me...getting psyched up and all. My onco office is across the street from the infusion center. Just going for my regular 2 week appointment yesterday and seeing the parking spaces for the infusion center made me a little nervous. So glad you are done with A/C! And hope you are enjoying the new baby. Again my hat is off to YOU! New mama and all ...you are one brave and strong cookie! I am doing DD taxol...wasn't given the option of the 12 weekly doses. The only other option I was given was 6 sessions of A/C and taxotere together every *3* weeks. In the end, 2 less weeks made the difference for me. I'm now 44 days away from final treatment.

LHLady: are you doing any supplements? My onco ok'd the L glutamine, cartintine and Vit B6. And by ok'd I mean he kinda rolled his eyes and said there was no evidence to the fact it will help me.

lighthouselady

I'm taking L glutamine and B6. I didn't necessarily ask my MO.... LOL But when we were discussing the risks/advantages of dose dense versus weekly taxol and toxicity issues, he mentioned both of them on several occasions in terms of maybe having some benefit. So I'm assuming since he didn't say I can't, that means I can. :-)

audra67

I had saline implants for over 12 years, then got the cancer in right breast, so had bilat. mastectomy, then tissue expanders put in to heal and when getting all tests done for cancer before I knew what treatments I was getting. I have the NEW and improved gummy bear type silicone implants as of last week and boy are they comfy! They are more real feeling than saline and less lumpy, I also had fat grafting to fill in areas where fat tissue was removed by mastectomy. My family member is magnificent plastic surgeon in Colorado and I highly recommend him and his partner at www.parkmeadowscosmeticsurgery.com - they both went to Johns Hopkins and are VERY up to date on breast reconstruction with cancer patients...it is amazing the work they do and the atmosphere it is all done in...like spa setting and the Dr. actually calls you and talks to every patient whenever there is a question....AMAZING !! they also specialize as only a number of people do in the United States in diep flap tissue reconstruction, I just didn't have enough fat to use...or I would've done that. Good luck!

I am on to chemotherapy on 14th and scared to death of that..! Surgeries were easy...:)

audra67

LOVE the husband looking like a Sherpa, as I have just had mastectomy and the reconstruction so 2 surgeries done in Colorado and couldn't carry anything over 5 pounds...my husband looked like my slave too....he is the BEST! I haven't started chemo yet, but do on 14th, scared and nauseous already with anxiety...using Xanax....former nurse and much too type A, this is killing me being the patient!

Viji

Cougarlicious, take care of yourself. Glad your mum is there to help you. You are one brave lady!

Audra, good luck. Remember one step at a time. If we can do it, you can do it too.

Day 3 after tx#3 and feeling better than tx#2-Yay!!!

VintageGal1111

those bracelets were nice!!!!! I have a couple in my shopping cart. Can't decide which one. (a bit costly)

I did the engraving/wording as suggesteed.

Srmill

Hi,

I started chemo in Sept. 4 A/C every 2 weeks followed by 4 T every 2 weeks. I have 3 down of A/C as of last week. It has been different each time. I bounced back after the 1st two but the 3rd has been harder. The fatigue is starting to affect me. I am working full time and have 2 young kids who are always in need of something. Worried about the fatigue becoming worse with each one.

SpecialK

vintage - here is a link for one of the bracelets I have - you can also get the medic-alert gizmo to go on it. They are very affordable.

https://www.roadid.com/p/the-Wrist-ID-Slim

I also have the shoe tag, with the same info - I would occasionally forget my bracelet:

https://www.roadid.com/p/the-Shoe-ID

I have a regular nice gold bracelet too, I got it at Fast-Fix and they engraved it while I waited - it was nice because I could customize it on the spot.

mankatostate

Cougar- I noticed in your "signature" you put that your baby was born with a full head of hair despite chemo... I love it! Hope all is going well with you and I am so sorry you have to go thru chemo these first few weeks of your babies life! Did I miss it or did you post the babies name (and male or female?) BTW..How is he/she doing? No issues from chemo for the baby?

Cougarlicious

Mankatostate - yes, my new son Cooper was born perfectly healthy at 6 lbs, 7 oz (arriving over three weeks early). No issues from chemo, passed all his checks and tests and we were home after the standard two night hospital stay. He's now a week and a half, and a champion sleeper (so unlike my first son, who kept us up at night for a year). We are truly blessed!

mankatostate

cougar-Boys are great! I have 3 of my own...no girls. Glad Cooper is doing alright and letting you get the sleep you need to heal!