Starting Chemo in April 2014

clarrn

Number 9 of 12 taxols tomorrow.  But at least my 'hair' is starting to grow!  Went out bald and bold tonight on the town with hubby for our 8th anniversary.  Goodness my husband is a hottie!  Pjs and movie on the couch after.   Perfect night and best steak I've ever eaten.  Maybe my hemoglobin will thank me?  Now off to continue the festivities  Gnite ladies! 

mmtagirl

I slept last night! Ok, I took a Benadryl around 9 pm figuring, what the heck, they gave me one in the morning before my infusion so it must be ok.  I went to bed at 11:00pm and at 11:30 realized I had not placed an order for futon to be delivered to my daughter s dorm room that was needed by today so I got up and took care of that.  Went back to bed at midnight and only got up once to pee and checked the clock a few times in between hot flashes but I consider all of that a good night!  All day meeting today so I am glad I slept more than an hour or two.  A first for me on stinking steroid night!

As for the hair....a little more fuzz growing half way through taxol.  Still losing eyelashes and brows are now nonexistent.  Hairs on chin and lip growing, of course!

mmtagirl

Clarm, you look so good bald.  Congratulations on being bold and beautiful!

MakeLemonade

I have been up off and on all night as well due to the steroids.  Came home from chemo and slept for most of the afternoon ... Then woke up with some energy.  Should have energy today.  Tonight will be a toss up.... Might or might not sleep.  Then joint and muscle pain will start Thursday night to keep me awake and that will last until probably Saturday.  

But this is the last time I have to go through this which is helping somewhat.  Doesn't make me sleep though!

I am also concerned with this breast thing I have going on.  Wondering if I can have radiation if it is still seeping fluid (probably not) and if there is still cellulitis (who knows).  This will delay radiation and of course I have been worried about that... How much of a delay between chemo and radiation is too much?   Have visions of rogue cancer cells that still might be left in there setting up shop elsewhere in my body if this is delayed too much :-(. 

Steroids plus worry do not allow for much sleeping!g

MakeLemonade

clarrn - rocking the bald!

Footballnut

good morning all!

Clarrrn beautiful pic!!  You look fantastic!!

Today is round 3/6 taxol at 2 pm. Yesterday I had my bloodwork and triage. I explained how my side effects though not bad are increasing. Aches, pains in muscles and joints, increased fatigue, continued flirting with constipation although I am keeping things moving, some abdominal aches and tingly tongue. Oh yes, I Aldo hear up like a furnace most nights which wakes me up. Do all of these SEs sound familiar to anyone?  

The nurse told me that the aches and fatigues will probably increase throughout treatment although she does not suspect that it will get as intense as it was with taxotere

Ugh!

I've slept fairly well the last few evenings but today it's back to steroids and Benadryl. That = sleep for 3 hours after infusion then be wired and tired all night!!  Lol

I've been on short term disability since my surgery in March and this ends sept 17 so now it's time to submit paperwork for long term disability. Funny how the thought of returning to work stresses me right out.

I don't think I can handle my job until all treatment is completed. I remember all of the stress and pressure which I used to thrive in. Right now it's hard to get out of bed in the morning and stay focused on things. Being off allows me to do things at my own pace - stress free - and focus on me

I think back to when this started. I chatted with my onc and told him that I wanted to continue working. I'm glad that he explained to me why I shouldn't.

Have a great day!!

clarrn

Thanks mmta and makelemonade!

Lemonade- I too am having some seeping from my breast, and it's the one that didn't have the infection a few weeks ago  I am still on antibiotics, but like you worry about the radiation, ? delay, and those rogue cells.  I have positive DCIS (comedo necrosis) margins on that side so I worry about it too..grrr.  

That's one thing that I still don't really understand.   How can there be ductal cancer left after a mastectomy?   I can understand breast cells left behind,  but ducts? Full of cancer? How did that not come out?  

I guess those are worries for another day.  

Hope everyone has beautiful, SE free days. I am amazed by how far we have come.

clarrn

Thanks FBN-  with the time difference,  we will be in the chair at the same time.  I made the switch to long term disability this month,  no way I can handle the stress, mentally or physically!  Not to mention the ICU germs!  I say fill out the paperwork.   We are lucky to have the option to pay into and use LTD.  Right now the more we can focus on taking care of ourselves the better!

I honestly don't know if I can do my old job after everthing,  but again,  one day at a time!

Oh steroids....I post more w

Footballnut

clarrn I feel the same way about my job. I'm a ntl credit mgr with a large team in 2 locations and it comes with multiple tight deadlines and a lot of pressure. It's the mental stress that I just can't deal with right now. Juggling priorities, managing people issues. Ugh. I get tired just thinking about it!  I dread the thought of going back right now. I don't think that I could manage a schedule and timelines and play the corporate games

I'm giving my dr the paperwork today for completion

One step at a time!!!

Swissmiss

I don't have time to write much today, but wanted you all know I'm thinking of you...wishing you a day of positive energy!

Clarrn...you look great!  Who needs a wig or a hat when you look that good  

Footballnut

sitting in the chair for the first time all by myself. First the steroid, then Zantac, then Benadryl then taxol. Woo hoo!!!!

lilyrose53

SwissMiss,  geez.  You can't seem to catch a break!  I would call and demand results...no way should they make you wait that long!  It's much too stressful.  Let us know how you are doing.

Ddkath,  I hear ya on the arm thing.  I swear mine weigh a hundred pounds apiece!  What's up with THAT??? I hope this fatigue and muscle ache go away when the chemo ends.

Sharon,  glad to hear you're doing well.  Looking forward to the end of this treatment.  Only three more infusions to go! 

Saw my PCP yesturday...he prescribed compression stockings for me.  Nice.  I am now officially an old lady!  Haha!  My MO ordered an ultrasound on my leg...he's worried that I may have developed a blood clot. Fun.

Wishing all if you a better week!  Hugs,  lilyrose

EverForward

Cross posting from the TCH thread:

I finished chemo yesterday and got to ring the gong and everyone clapped. It was hard not to cry. I still have to go back for the Herceptin every few weeks until April so I'll make a bigger ruckus with the gong then. I was feeling pretty good by the evening so I walked around the corner (overruling the muscle fatigue) to treat myself to dinner and a decadent dessert while my taste buds and digestive system don't object. I was wearing a scarf without the wig and I noticed a family at the next table glancing over my way. When they got up to leave, the father made a u turn toward my table and said, "I wish you well. I had prostate cancer." I thanked him and almost started crying again. Now all I have to do is get through the next 9 days until I get on a plane to CA, aka a little slice of heaven.

Timbuktu

congrats ever!  

I also had someone make contact with me and it was a special moment.  She asked how I was.

It's a special connection we'd all rather not have, but since we do, it's nice when they reach out.

Blueberry4

Congratulations, EverForward, you did it, yay!  

linda505

Funny - Tuesday went to dinner at a little diner and a lady and her husband came in - I had my baseball cap on and she walked up to me and said "i had that hair cut two years ago - it gets better - hang in there"  It meant alot.

SharonDe

Congrats MakeLemonade and Everforward, on completing your chemo treatments!  

And, good for you, FBN.  You did your first "all by yourself" chemo.  Glad you are feeling better these days.  

Clarrn - you are inspiring.  Once I get enough hair to cover my head, I will go out bare (I think).

Lilyrose - good luck wrt the potential blood clot.  Hope it resolves soon!

Managed to go out to dinner last night.  Couldn't figure out why I was getting more than the usual number of glances my way - totally forgot I was sitting there with my purple buff on my head.

Jaimieh

yay for finishing everforward . Now rest and start healing. 

I am one that had a double mastectomy 5 years ago and got breast cancer again in the left over 2 % tissue. My cancer was just in breast tissue this time Also. . Stinks 

In the hoke with neck pain from taxol. . Boo. 3 more times then I can start the healing. 

Footballnut

surprisingly I slept last night!  What's with that?  I never slept the day of chemo but hey I'm not complaining!

Went to the gym today. 30 min cardio and some weights. Yesterday morning before chemo I did approx 40 min of arm weights. Feels great but my thighs always feel tired. 

Have a band practice for bare rump reunion this Sunday night. Our classic rock band is called lefty and the goons and we rehearse next tues. Can't wait!!

I find it very nice when survivors share. It gives hope and I find it so positive. What surprises me us how many survivors I have bumped into

As I continue to plan the benefits I met a lady who owns a store and is a breast cancer survivor. A guitarist that we are auditioning a week Saturday is married to a woman who is a colon cancer survivor. My friend is dating a woman who is a cancer survivor. Good grief!

The key word here is SURVIVOR

Remember this when you're having a down minute, hour or day. We are survivors. There is no cure for many diseases and we live with them. We will be here many many years from now. I am convinced of it!!

Keep strong my sisters!

Love u all!!

brigadoonbenson

Footballnut - I slept after chemo day also.  Took me awhile but I slept 7 hours straight with no wakeful moments and very little dreaming that I remember.  HOORAAAAYY!

Didn't go to the gym but did take the dogs for a walk and an additional 20 minutes wandering around the woods trying to get one of the dogs to stop chasing the tom turkey that was flying from tree to tree.  What a great sight.

 

Timbuktu

My husband teaches classes for adults, mostly women.  when I got the BC it turned out that of about 11 students, 7 were survivors!  And those were the ones who admitted it.  

Tinkerbells

congrats to the sisters finishing up! I'm so happy for you! Seems like a few of us are on similar schedules- 3 more taxol for me! Of course, perjeta and herceptin for a year, but will deal with that when I get there!

agree with you ladies that the fatigue is really coming on now- and that the one welcome gift it comes with is sleeping better at night! I've been passed out good for the first time in months.

Tumor board says no rads for me. Scared about that, and yet relieved in some strange way- I'm tired. I know I'm too tired to seek yet another opinion on that. 3 say no, one says yes- so I'm not getting it.

Implant exchange bumped up to mid October. Can't wait to get the canon balls out of me.

Taking a week offf treatment to vacation with family- will have last infusion 9/2. Hope some of you guys will still be here on boards with me. It's better with people who understand!

Hang in there lovelies, we are almost all there!

Sandra

Swissmiss

I love the stories from those of us who've had a connection and kindness from complete strangers.  I will feel honored if I could reach someone this way...even just saying "I've had that haircut" could give someone the strength they need to fight another day

Ok...I'm still complaining about the hot flashes.  I'm 22 days PFC and I'm still getting 12-15 hot flashes (completely drenched in sweat) every day.  I know the 96 degree Oklahoma summer weather has a little to do with it...but at night I can't sleep longer than 90 minutes even with TWO fans blowing directly on me and the thermostat set at 69 degrees.  Moisture wicking pj's and a cool shower before bed are also part of my routine.   After three weeks shouldn't this be lessening?  Should I call my doctor?  Is there anything that he can even do for me?  I sound like a broken record, I know.

I started radiation today!  I was nervous, but wow, it was a walk in the park compared to AC and Taxol  Only 32 more treatments...ha!

Ddkath70

in reading your posts I see everyone talk about fatigue. I'm happy to hear its normal, but wish we didn't have this at the end. Kind of makes the end a little anti-climatic. Yay, I'm done! Too bad I can't walk to the laundry room to put a load in. Lol. And I see FBN talk about going to the gym? Girl, you are my hero! I'm beating myself up about cleaning up the house and feeling out of breath. The other day I went to the grocery store then went swimming and I felt like I completed a triathalon. It's like a deep muscle fatigue and not the kind that I feel like I can push myself on. When I'm done, I'm done. 

Well, enough about that. I'm 10 days PFC and I have some hair- there's something to be said for that. hope you are all feeling great and congrats to those who are finishing up! I love the stories about the survivors, they all make me cry. Oh and Clarrn, you look great bold and bald!!!! I hope I look that good when it all starts coming in evenly. 

Timbuktu

dkath, you are so right!  Today is day l8 after my last infusion and I'm ready to start living but instead I am just existing.  I did put one load in the machine today!  Yay!  Then I took to bed for the rest of the day.

I'm in terrible pain from neuropathy.  My feet feel as though they are burning.  So I finally took a Vicodin.

And it helps.  But you're right, when will this let up????  

clarrn

ddkath- Thanks!

Mscaruso- I am taking the 20th off for a week vacation,  so I will finish on the 3rd of September.   We'll keep each other company! 

jhodro

swiss: I'm right behind you! Congrats on starting rads! I am a good two weeks (this past tues) from chemo and I'm still having major hot flashes. I also haven't fully gotten over the chemo belly (D). So I'm wondering if that is the Herceptin? But overall, the fatigue is beginning to subside. I'm happy about that. Have a college visit with my oldest today. It's a 90 minute walking tour. Hopefully I'll be able to hang in there as I'm still working on the foot neuropathy. I'm sure I'll end up being fine, physically.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

SharonDe

Timbuktu - I can absolutely relate to having to rest while doing laundry - I still have some to fold from 2 days ago!  This darn fatigue is soooo annoying.

Anybody else starting with tamoxifen, arimidex or similar?  One more thing to add to the mix.  I thought hot flashes were a thing of the past - guess I was wrong.

Tinkerbells

clarrn, it's a date!

And brigadoon, we are with you for the long haul! You are not getting rid of us so easily!

brigadoonbenson