Starting Chemo March 2015

Jackbirdie

Awwww Maryellen....those are beautiful angel wings! And how very sweet what you said. I love the imagery.

BBwithBC45

Hi Ladies,

I read every single post, just often I'm in no position to type and by the time I am I forget what I wanted to say to whom. My heart goes out to you all. It seems so unfair that some of you have it so much worse than others every step of the way.

Sloth, my last chemo was the day before yesterday and my MO already gave me the script for Tamoxifen and told me I could start next week. I'm not having radiation though. I'm supposed to have a surgery on June 1^st (TE revision), so I won't start until about a week after the surgery. How many nodes did you have removed? My BS seemed to poo-poo my fear of LE. Maybe because I only had 2 nodes taken, but I know LE can happen with even 1 node. Just because the risk is low, doesn't mean it's non-existent.

Even though I already had my last Taxol, I'm still struggling with SEs as to be expected, for a few more days. I'm really hoping it will start getting better. My insurance did not approve Aloxi for my last infusion either, so I have been hit with bad nausea yesterday and today. My MO prescribed me Compazine to take with Zofran – did not do anything for me. Didn't even make me sleepy. It's as if I had taken a sugar pill. I bet if Aetna's CEO's family member had nausea, they wouldn't have to suffer with it; they'd be given any meds available. Can you tell I'm angry?

I'm a little scared of Tamoxifen. I'll have to get used to the idea of taking a pill for 5 years which is only 20-50% effective in preventing my cancer from coming back. I have a history of blood clots and Tamoxifen can aggravate this from what I've been reading.

Italychick

BB, how is the mastectomy with TE process going? That may be potentially in my future, just wondering how you are doing with that process.

BBwithBC45

Theresa, originally I had lumpectomy and I was hoping that it was going to be the end of it. Unfortunately, after my path report came back I was told that cancer was invasive, multifocal and so all over my breast that mastectomy was the only logical option. I pretty much consented to the surgery kicking and screaming, or rather sobbing; mastectomy was the biggest nightmare for me, but now it's done. BS seeing my reaction suggested, that I should have immediate reconstruction. Before I went to see the PS I read up on different reconstructions and the more I read, the more I was leaning towards TE and implant, as opposed to flap. Long term supposedly flap is better, but I am impatient when it comes to healing. My PS also suggested the TE given my body build - he didn't see enough in my belly or in my back to be taken for flap surgery.

So I had the TE put in right after the skin sparing mastectomy. I think I spent 3 days in the hospital, it's all blurry, I was out of it because of drugs. If I remember correctly, I started having fills 3 or 4 weeks after the surgery. I didn't have much pain, my PS was going gradually, only 50 cc each week. I was in some discomfort, but I didn't have to take any painkillers or muscle relaxants. I heard that for some women it felt like a big hard rock sitting on your chest, or that they would have muscle spasms - it wasn't like that for me. But then with time my TE somehow shifted up, towards my chin, so now it sits about 1 inch higher than my lifted "good" breast. PS didn't want to keep adding to the TE without being able to re-position it first. I stopped having fills halfway through my chemo. I'm having some discomfort on that side now, sometimes in my arm, sometimes in my back - I think it's because the TE is not sitting where it should and is pressing on some nerves? It's a little difficult to dress now that it is getting warmer - more difficult to hide the asymmetry. I'm scheduled to have the revision surgery on June 1st, to drop the TE where it's supposed to sit. I cannot wait! I'm under impression that this surgery will be quick and easy. After I heal a little, he'll resume the fills and sometime in fall I'm supposed to have the exchange surgery. It was supposed to be early fall, but now it will be probably late fall.

SizzleStitch

Just popping in quickly to tell everyone I had my final chemo today...yippee. I had a little set back after my third Taxotere so had CMF this time. It was so much better not having to ice my feet and hands!

I feel like I have had it so much easier than so many of you. With having a Triple Negative, I don't know if it hold true forever but am hoping for a good outcome since we caught it early.

Katy, I do hope you are truly on the mend. As far as the Levoquin goes, I was on it when I had the allergic reaction (pneumonistis). It didn't seem to help at all. It was the steroids that did. :-/. I know you said you have problems taking them...maybe there is something else? They had to do a CT to see he problem in my lungs.

I will try to keep up with reading the posts and I wish everyone the very best! Woohoo to all that are finished.

Steroids are really kicking in and making sense is getting harder and harder...I know you all understand.

💖💖Kathi

Trvler

Congratulations, Kathi!

Italychick

Awesome, Kathi! Congratulations!

Jackbirdie

Ringing the BELL for Kathi!

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Jackbirdie

not to put a damper on things but I am here at infusion center getting blood work. They moved me into the isolation room due to excessive lougie hocking (plus wetting my undies every time I go into coughing spasms.... Ugh.

She said the zpac didn't do it and she convinced me the Levaquin would work better. I caved. Meanwhile my wbc is good Can't understand it. If it's not much better next week chemo will be delayed. So he Levaquin was kind of my last chance.

BBwithBC45

Sorry to hear that, Katy.

Sending warm thoughts your way.

SueH58

Katy you crack me up. So glad you haven't lost your sense of humor!

Jackbirdie

commando at Safeway. I'm hoping looking like this they'll hurry along. My doc insists on the mask. Not for comic relief and Sue, just in case you're wondering haha.

Does this mask make my ears look fat?

Carrie37

Congrats Kathi!!! That is so awesome!

Katy, hang in there, prayers and good mojo headed your way!

Spa day was SO much better for me without the stupid benedryl. I am so glad they have mitted that from my pre-meds!

Also, cute story: the couple in the area next to me today has been married 50 years and he brought a picture of their wedding day to show off to the nurses. She was there for infusion and they we so cute! He kept trying to get her to eat and she was so worried about him because he didn't pack himself any food. He kept saying "I wasn't thinking about myself. I will be fine." They were working very hard at a crossword puzzle together. I want to be like them when I grow up! Minus the stupid fucking cancer.

SueH58

Katy, I bet they never filled a script so fast! In all seriousness, I sure hope you feel better soon!

Hugs!

ksusan

Looking fine, Katy. I was also out and about with no hat and my mask today, but here, people just think I'm a punk with allergies.

eheinrich

Katy - you are rocking that mask!

Carrie - those stories always make me tear up. I'm a sucker for cute old couples. Even just if they are walking hand in hand.

eheinrich

On the topic of people keeping in touch/falling off of the planet: my very good friend & her sister & family have been friends for a very long time. The friend fell off the planet (her husband has held both my and Alan's hands both thru our separation & my cancer). The sister & her husband - off the planet. One of their sons however checks in on me all the time. He's 27 I think. When he finally made it out of the kids' table for family dinners, I was his friend, pay it forward & all that. Support comes from the most surprising places.

Italychick

Eileen, regarding lymphedema and flying, several women have posted on other forums that men's compression shirts work great. Like the under armor kind? Buy the smallest size you can cram into if you get one and wear it as an undershirt. The mens are supposedly better than the women's because the women's version typically has a band around the arm which impedes circulation. I assume for the short sleeved version I guess, but I bet a long sleeved one would work great.

Just a thought!

IndyGal35

Yay, Kathi!!! Another one rings out!!!!

Katy, I sure hope this new antibiotic helps and that it doesn't cause the Big D. You may want to grab extra yogurt this week. That seems to help me.

Thanks for all of the info on the TE process!!! I see the PS one more time next month to make a final decision. They said they've never had anyone under 40 forego reconstruction, but I'm still not sure what I want. This might be macabre, but, if I had a recurrence later than was only in front of the muscle and didn't infiltrate the muscle, would I have to go through the TE process and exchange all over, or would they leave the implants in place and just treat the tissue in front?

rleepac

Taxol #4 done today. Only 8 more to go. So tired but I'm gonna keep pushing through...

Jackbirdie

keep up the good work Bekah! Good attitude! You have been through so much. I don't know how you do it.

Ahhh. Correction. I think I do know how you do it.

SueH58

Hey, guys, let's stop for a minute to reflect on how far everyone's come since Sharon started this board Feb. 17--over 3 months ago. Myself, I had just been diagnosed, and had no idea I would undergo chemo, but I snuck into this board cuz I like you all so much.

But look at those of you who started and have now finished your chemo, or at Bekah who is now 1/3 of the way through her Taxol. A very rough road to say the least. The adage "it's no picnic, but it's doable" is a bit of an understatement in my mind.

Italychick

Katy, tried to come up with a snappy come back about your mask and an ass, but couldn't figure one out lol. Glad to see you still have your sense of humor, even with the crud in your lungs.

Sue, true, we have come a long way. With a great group of people to cheer our triumphs with us, and to cry with us during our low points. And to send us cookies when the damn bastards at the store forget ours - Katy, you rock! I still have some for the next two chemo treatments, and I will definitely be eating them, no matter if your mask wouldn't cover one butt cheek on my fat ass right now. (Hey, I got in a quip lol!)

Seriously, I would have spent a lot of moments in depression if not for knowing I have this group to turn to. You are all the best!

Carrie37

Katy, I hadn't seen the picture before my earlier post. I'm sorry you are still sick. It's not at all fair. I have really changed my attitude about how I "look" to others. Most of the time all I can think about others is "you don't have cancer." I get angry. But, like Bekah said, I will push through. I love the quote that Sharon posted the other day...not an exact quote but something like: when I am having a particularly tough day and I think I can't possibly endure another day, I realize that I have a 100% track record of surviving these days. It's so true!! I will not die an unlived life. Thank you Sharon for starting this board and sharing wonderful quotes and word of support. We all do. We are truly here for each other and that is so comforting. Especially because we are strangers really and, sadly, some of our friends/family have dropped from the planet for the time being. So grateful for the support here! Hugs to all!

KBeee

Indygal, I had 2 tumors (small) after reconstruction. The first was on top of the pec muscle, so they took some skin and a chunck of muscle; the incision line is the only way you'd know; my PS is a genius as far as I am concerned. The other was just under the pec muscle up by the arm pit, and they just took the tumor and margins. Both were well away from the implant which remains. When I went in for surgery, PS brought a TE just in case, but did not need it. All still looks really good. Not sure what radiation will do to it; PS feels it will be ok. That being said, reconstrction, or lack thereof is a very personal decision. Do what feels right for YOU.

slothabouttown

FIGHT ON MARCH WARRIORS! Another one finishes chemo woohoo! We are doing this thing!

so-she-did

Congratulations Kathie! I hope you rang that bell good and loud!

SizzleStitch

Thanks everyone. I wish the same for all of you!

No bell at facility :-/ but they did clap.

I feel pretty decent so far today...just a little upset tummy..never had that before with all the emend and zofran...not bad though. I finally have figured out that my true SE happen when the Steroids wear off. My brain is not quite as messed up today either. I think the Taxotere had a bigger effect on that than I realized but should have known as they gave me a paper to carry in my glove compartment that I was getting it. They said if I was pulled over, it would show intoxication if I was tested! I never felt I could drive for many days after so never tested that out :-/

I will definitely pop in. I can't wait to hear when you all are done too.

Leighrh

My final AC was postponed... white blood count was too low.  I was pushing it I guess.   I have been on a 3 week schedule and I tried to push it to two.  Now we know that the 2nd week is my low week.  I am bummed because I wanted AC over and done with but at least  I feel good for the holiday weekend. I just want all this OVER!  So last AC is now scheduled for Thurs.... pushing through.... Just like all you lovely ladies!!!  Also pretty anemic so I told Hubs I need lots of steak this weekend

IndyGal35

Thanks, Karen! That's exactly the kind of info I'm taking into consideration. I'm just sorry that your experience came the hard way.

Sloth, that meme is hilarious!

Leigh, sorry for the delay. I know it's discouraging.

How are you feeling today, Katy?

What about you, Diane?

I forget who mentioned the bidet, but I've wanted one for years. It's so much more sanitary. Oh, my. It doesn't matter what kind of TP I buy. With chemo gut, it all seems like John Wayne toilet paper. (It's rough, tough, and won't take crap off of anybody.) I'm a wet wipe devotee. ;