Starting Chemo February 2015

MaryJC

that story inspires and infuriates me for obvious reasons. What if she didn't have a house to mortgage??? Goodness. But thank God for her spirit! Did she have any heart trouble from Herceptin?

YAY YOU!!! Almost done. You will snap back to yourself fast. I feel like I am. I've had the munchies tho. I hate that. I'm eating only good stuff n no sugars. So goodthat I made the biggest longest💩 this morning. Sorry for sharing violation lol🙊. Btw I have to have a colonoscopy soon and I'm a wreck about it. Anyone had before?

I agree I'm gonna stay on here as long as active. I don't wanna be the new girl in the class lol.

Darumama

Maryjc, My friend doesn't have any heart problems. In fact, she's one of the most energetic people I've ever met!

I've had two colonoscopies. The first one they found some polyps, so I repeated after 3 years and was clear. Now I go back in 5 years. I'm sure others have told you--it's the prep that's the killer. Get some magazines for the bathroom and find a babysitter because you will be running to the toilet all night. The procedure itself is fine. I've always found anesthesia to be a very satisfying nap.

My MO was very interested when he heard I had polyps. Wanted to know if I knew what kind there were. (I didn't)Is there some sort of BC - Colon cancer connection?

MaryJC

no I don't think there's a connection. Prolly bec he/she is an onc and curious about it in general. My mom had colorectal cancer. Went in for her first routine at 63 and taken immediately into surgery for large cancerous mass. She says she didn't have any symptoms but just one day at 63 decided it was time to do it. I don't know that I believe she had no symptoms at all. That was in 2003. Tidbit: she's also been an alcoholic for at least 30 years and has the worst diet. My brother had a few polyps removed before with no other issues. He also has a shady diet n drinks but not to extent as our mother. I'm praying its lifestyle and God willing I have no polyps or cancer.

Yes heard the prep and believe you! I could care less. Just want clean bill. Getting dx'd with cancer (for me) makes one paranoid about everything! It's agonizing wishchemo was universal and it treated all types. But then less money would be made huh

Meanwhile taxotere has been used to treat colon tumors. It has some kind of anti tumor affect. Here's hoping it's covered us!

Damselfly

MaryJC -- glad to hear your lump is looking like no big deal and is getting smaller. I have been thinking about you.

Darumama -- one more to go! I figured I could put up with any side effects from the last one knowing that it was going to be over, and I think that one was easier than the one before for me. Maybe I just had a little psychological boost.

I will continue to check in with the rest of you on this thread as it stays active. Fortunately for me I am not going to do rads so I am also lurking on the Tamoxifen threads and feeling good right now after 4 days (no SE's from that. I think an occasional sleepless night is just that and hope nothing rears its ugly head). My head is starting to get fuzzy and I even had to shave my legs this morning!

Lots of luck and hugs to all of you as you finish chemo, start, rads, go in for surgery and all that. I have reconstruction and getting used to the drugs and then I will be flying again! (pending paperwork).

xoxoxoxo

MaryJC

dang you have fuzz already! How many days pfc are you? Thanks fir thinking of me😍

Darumama

Thanks for the encouragement Damselfly!

I keep telling myself one more to go, one more to go! And although I am not a happy camper right now it can be endured. I had my 7th chemo/3rd Taxol yesterday and it hit me like a ton of bricks. It seems like it's beginning earlier and lasting longer as as it accumulates. Feel like a truck hit me today. Drinking as much water as I can.

Had an echocardiogram done Thursday to check out my heart after AC. Hoping all is Ok. My chest always feels so tight with the tissue expanders. Hope it really is the TEs. Also had one TE overfilled in prep for radiation on Wednesday. Bought a couple of pads from TLC to try to even out the situation, but they haven't arrived yet. A shoulder pad may have worked too, but haven't had them in my closet for years. For those of you with lumpectomies, does anyone have a favorite hollow backed pad for evening out size disparities? The doc says it's only 1/2 a cup size bigger but seems like a full size bigger to me.

Jerseygirl927

Had my herceptin yesterday, plus gave them my list of SE s and they try to downplay everything or just say it s allergies or no big deal, I was so pissed off. So tonight I noticed blood in my underwear and checked that it's coming from the urine, so don't want to go to er this weekend cause I am sure it will be crazy, so Tuesday I will run it be myMO and see what he thinks, besides pain in my lower back is gone, I may have paased a kidney stone or something else is going on. Will deal later. Had stones in the 80's so that's probably it, unless the pain shows up again. Feel better girls. Really want to quit now.

Chloesmom

6 weeks PFC. the nails never fell off but loosened under the discolored part. Every few days I clip them further back as the white part gets lower and lower. They are now about 1/2 way down the nail bed.

Chloesmom

Jerseygirl927

My nails are sensitive, ridges from each does of chemo, I am guessing, toe nails seem to be dis coloring . Keeping all nails short, so I don't accidentally rip the off, toes are worse for pain, and rash on face more noticeable , but according to chemo nurse, it's not there.

Pjwpa2

My onc nurse and dr recommended I take miralax for several days before and after cheomo infusion and it works for me. I had terrible constipation after my first infusion and wouldn't want to go thru that again.i stir it into my morning coffee and its tasteless. You can also sprinkle it on your food if you prefer

Moderators

Pjwpa2 welcome to the BCO community, and thanks for sharing your tips and experience with the others!

Chloesmom

Went andcut the nails again tonight. They are about 1/2 the normal length so looks weird, but at least it keeps them from hurting

Damselfly

Chloesmom I am with you on the nails, though it is just one toenail for me, I thought for a while it was just going to pop off it was so loose, but it's not getting worse and is no longer purple, just half dead. I am 5 weeks PFC and feel (apart from my toe) completely and blissfully normal (No SEs on the Tamoxifen except for the hot flashes, which keep me from sleeping sometimes, but I can deal with that). The only fly in the ointment for me is that my PS just called and delayed my next appointment by 3 weeks. I am trying to get things together to go back to work and don't think I can start again until my recon is over. I am going crazy and if I am putting my life on hold so someone can get her beach body ready... I'm sorry, I am sure these are all small problems for those of you who are still dealing with chemo. I just got the phone message while I was typing this and needed to rant. I am still thinking of you all and am in awe of how strong you are and how much you are getting through. I only had 4 A/C infusions and I was Donedonedone by the time the last one came along. I wish I could magically take away your side effects and give you a dose of my "normal' and a big hug.

And Jerseygirl you make sure someone sees you today -- blood in the urine is no joke.

Take care all.

live_deliciously

Hi everyone. so far no real nail issues other than one purple spot on one toe which I had after dense dose taxol #1 and it has not changed since then. I am thankful. Nails weren't as sore this last infusion #3. I do feel like you darumama that #3 (or 7 overall chemo) hit me like a mack truck. energy level was much lower compared to other ct and bone and muscle pain lingered. Just want this done. One more next week. On another note my hair on my head, legs and armpits has started growing. My eyelashes and eyebrows on the other hand are falling out. I have not taken vitamins. I've heard that for some hair grows back on taxol. I don't understand if the chemo is attacking fast growing cells why does the hair grow back?Should I be worried its not attacking any left over cancer cells too? And chemo has been all for nothing? Definitely going to ask onc about this. I've also joined the summer rad group so mentally I've already moved on to the next phase of this cancer trip.

Dromedary

Good point live_deliciously about why hair would be growing back during Taxol, but my onc also said it does for some people... I think the bits of stubble that remained on my head are a little longer, but no sign of growth anywhere else and like you, my eyelashes and brows fell out after Taxol started. I guess we have to go back to Lesson 1 which for me was: don't compare!

Colonoscopy - just what was said before: preparation is a bitch, procedure is a piece of cake. I always have a few polyps (have done them every 3 years for the last 18 - both my parents and a grandmother had colon cancer, or died of it), but so far all benign. Oh - and allow yourself the rest of the day off after you do it - it can really leave you feeling battered and exhausted.

Last Taxol coming up on Thursday - can't believe it. But based on no. 3, which was awful, am not expecting to feel like it's really over until the end of next week. No rads for me - did that 16 years ago - same breast - so can't do it again. I'll be onto the hormones, but not sure which yet. Want to take the month of July off for my son's wedding in England, and some vacation, and then I'll get back to it all. But will keep checking in all y'all and will be around for the next week or so anyway, at least.

Onwards and upwards girls!

MaryJC

thanks dromedary. Sorry to hear about your parents and grandmother. i'm scheduled for 9am and to report by 830. I am not looking forward to the prep, or the exam. Managing around my work and my lil bean is gonna be a challenge. BTW- does this stuff cause griping? Last thing I need is more stomach issues.

Chloesmom

MaryJC good luck with your colonoscopy. I think it effects everyone differently. I had one and a gastroscopy at the same time and no biggie. They told me have a light diet after and I was so hungry I wanted Mexican food. The prep just wiped my system out a few hours before. Then the next time I did the colonoscopy there was a different prep. This dr wanted you to go until you pooped clear water. Spent the entire night from 10-3 on the throne. Slept 2 1/2 hours. Was exhausted but no other problem. Then on the way to the place DH said "did you check to see if they take your insurance?" Panic for a minute but then they did. Would have been unhappy otherwise. It's a good feeling when they tell you all is well inside.

Darumama

Had my regular post chemo oncologist appointment today. Talked a little about the future, post chemo. We'll be discussing it more once I'm done, but right now MO is thinking he's going to give me Lupron to suppress ovary function and have me on arimidex once I'm finished up with rads. Was originally thinking I'd be doing tamoxifen, so was a little surprised. Tumor was very strongly ER+ (95%) so maybe that's what's behind his thinking. So more to digest while I contemplate upcoming radiation.

MaryJC, good luck! After I had my first colonoscopy I was so hungry I abandoned all eating light advice and got a huge sandwich from Panera Bread. It was SO good.

Chloesmom, My nails have pink stripes on them and feel sore on some days, but luckily no breakages or lost nails. Finding it very hard to keep my cuticles moisterized. They don't feel awful, but not normal either. I'm afraid a nailwill pop off one day when I'm not being careful. I guess keeping them short makes it less likely that I'll accidentally abuse them.

My echocardiogram results showed a little more regurgitation in a couple of my heart valves from the AC. Doc said it's minor and not to worry over it. Still a little troubling.

Dromedary, Good luck with the final chemo! 💃🏻🎉🎈 I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

I had a brief reprieve after an awful weekend post Taxol 3, but my steroids are starting to wear off and I anticipate a couple rough days ahead. Can't wait for it to be over!

Live deliciously, a few weeks ago I thought I felt some stubble on my head but nothing really developed from it.Every once and a while on chemo though I have had to shave my armpits. Then nothing appears for weeks. I think in normal situations the hairs are all in various stages of growth/regrowth. Maybe you have some that started their growth cycle timing at the right moment? Just thinking out loud. My eyebrows and eyelashes are just about all gone which somehow bothers me more than the head hair at this point.

Keep strong ladies!

Paddymom

Had my infusion #5 today. Only one more to go then looking forward with trepidation to surgery. After a tough first round, followed by shingles, blood infusions, a uti, and a trip to the ER for magnesium, I wondered if this journey was even possible for me. After subsequent days at the bar, my resolve became stronger as I learned techniques to deal with the SEs. I can honestly say that I can deal much more easily now that I know what to expect. Hang in there and know that this thing can be beaten. We are all tougher than we knew

Chloesmom

the brows upset me a lot. Th hair was nothing compared to them. Makes me look like an alien. They gave us a Brow Power pencil at Look good. Feel better. It's my mist important cosmetic item! Doesn't look like magic marker brows!

Jerseygirl927

dealing with kidney stones, waiting on test results. Feel better gals .

MaryJC

paddymom, amen! As for trips to the bar, I heard that! Congrats on being almost finished. and yes we can get through this. Once through this we should feel encouraged that we can get thru anything God willing!

Darumama, thank u so much! Lol at your sandwich. Good god u! I know there are a few things in life I've never had and don't wanna start. 1- Krispy Kreme. 2- Panera Bread. I think best I stay a virgin to those. I know me.

ChloesMom- Brow Power Pencil? Do tell! Yeah my brows were always thin. Plus my natural hair color is ashe/sandy brown so against my brown skin looked non existent. Oh how much I appreciate them now👽 lol

Jersey Girl: ugh! How r u feeling? What test results are u waiting on? Prayers

SugarCakes

love the brow power pencil they gave us! Just ordered anotherfrom Amazon. It's half the size, however. Universal color, yet it works great!

Chloesmom

SugarCakes. Was it brow power you got? I love mine but reviews on Amazon were mixed. Not sure if they change the formula or people got duds

MaryJC

I googled and saw an infomercial for it. I'm gonna order one. I never got to attend that beauty workshop. Forget the name. Meanwhile my bean's front tooth turning brown! Soon as I saw it I recalled him falling face down and hurting his mouth. Prolly nerve damage. Irony: was searching for pediatric dentist earlier at work, come home and see him looking like a pirate

Jerseygirl927

Mary, waiting on kidney stone results, had pain in lower back, blood while wiping and majorly dehydrated most of the time, so dr ordered tests to see if that's a possibility, pain has subsided, so may have already passed it but he wanted to be sure. I had some back in the 80's sometime. I am not a real liquid kinda girl, but trying to drink more. Toenails turning dark, yuk yuk . Never had that, but it is the same toe I broke, maybe there's a correlation? Oh well, feel better gals.

Darumama

I love that Brow Power pencil too. It was the best thing from my bag at Look Good Feel Better and it seemed to be the only item that was standard in all the bags regardless of skin tone. It's pricey but I plan on getting another.

SugarCakes

yes, it's the brow power pencil I got from Amazon. I have not opened it yet. Still using the one from Look Good Feel Better. I tried the stores first. Could not find anything like it. Then considered Amazon. Hope it's not a dud

live_deliciously

found the brow power pencil at ulta stores