Starting Chemo March 2015

littleblueflowers

Molly, I'm choosing to believe that statistics can be twisted to say whatever the speaker wants/supports, just like I learned in my college Stats class. I think my reading is just as valid as any other LOL. We are both lucky we advocated for ourselves. We have plenty of time to die of something else now, which is exactly what I plan to do.

Italychick

Molly, I agree with you about the Herceptin, 100%, and the childhood leukemia. I was at the cut-off point for Herceptin (left up to me to take it or not), but figured since I could take it, hell yes, double hell yes. I tend to look at cancer not so much from the "cure" standpoint, because I don't think anybody can ever say they are "cured", but from the standpoint of how long I get to live with good quality of life, if that makes sense. I mean, if I could take a heinous treatment and live to 100, but could never ride my bike or walk 2 miles or chase my grandkids around the house or hike up a mountain, that would be no treatment for me, even if it brought about "cure."

I must be in an existential phase today or something lol.

Tomorrow I will post a joke.

Jackbirdie

I agree that the development of Herceptin is the most exciting progress that has been made in many years. And yes, managing SEs better and dose management so that women can actually complete treatment, is an extremely important advance. It is just shocking to me that with the $$ and attention bc gets, that the tx I received, from surgery, to chemo to Tamoxifen, (which I am aware us not available for everyone, but then neither is Herceptin) is decades old. For example, Taxotere, considered a newer generation chemotherapy agent, was discovered in the 1950s and tested for 20 years. The patent expired in 2010.

I can't think of another life threatening disease that has, as one if its leading and most current pharmaceutical weapons, a drug that is closer to 50 years old than 5.

I suppose, as all of you have said, especially Special, it is so much harder because there are so many forms breast cancer takes, so many variables, and the ability to self-mutate to survive.

Jackbirdie

here's how I really feel about it:

Italychick

And the drug approval process is so difficult. I have worked in intellectual property here in Southern California with a lot of companies and universities that do drug development and testing, and disease management protocols, and it takes forever to validate a drug or protocol, and then one little thing can send you back to the beginning of the process.

At best, right now where I see new treatment development is in "off label use" of pre-existing drugs. There is a forum on here where some stage 4 women are using Androgen drugs to try to beat their cancer into submission because they have determined their tumor possesses androgen receptors instead of estrogen ones. And Tamoxifen is also available for ER negative metastatic people because sometimes it works even with no estrogen receptors. I think they are even exploring Herceptin for other cancer treatments. I guess if a drug company paid the money for a drug to make it to humans, they want to maximize what it can be used for.

And now we are back to profit. Money truly is the root of all evil!

Trvler

Theresa: You need to stop posting because I have to keep saying I agree with everything you are saying.

Italychick

Lol, I'm leaving for my bike ride, so I should be quiet for at least 3-4 hours!

Guess I better give a thought to switching to decaf!

ksusan

I can't think of another life threatening disease that has, as one if its leading and most current pharmaceutical weapons, a drug that is closer to 50 years old than 5.

I take your point, but also find it pretty easy to name some. Off the top of my head, Sulfa drugs (over 100 years); AZT for HIV (30+, and synthesized 20 before that); INH (60+) and Rifampin (45) for TB--no longer necessarily first-rank drugs in most cases in the US, but still used worldwide (as is Thorazine, 60+).

eheinrich

While breast cancer is more common than perhaps others it has one of the highest 5 year survival rates. Most of my research has been in lung cancer & pancreatic - both w 5 year survivals of 4-5%. Much progress has been made in many cancers over the years - BC included. Perhaps due to mammo as early screening (same for cervical & paps) - cancers w no early screening are light years behind. Just to give a bit of perspective.

BBwithBC45

Ladies, I'm checking in. I want to thank you for all the good wishes.

I see there are lots of inerrestting topics being discussed today. I won't participate, I'm high as a kite from the remnants of anesthesia and from the pain killers.

Everything went well with my surgery, it was on time, everyone was super nice.

I am in a considerable discomfort this time, that's why I'm trying to keep up with the painkillers on schedule. Thankfully, no drains for me. I'm bandaged up and wrapped in a velcroed, elastic tube top. No showers allowed until I see my PS on Friday.

Diane, good luck with the MRI - it is tomorrow, correct? Sending good, calming vibes your way

ksusan

Glad you're on the other side, BB. Rest as comfortably as possible!

eheinrich

Thanks for checking in w/ us BB. So glad it went well Rest up!

Jackbirdie

Good to see you BB! Yay for no drains. Glad you're staying ahead on the pain meds.

Carrie37

Msmath, sorry you are having a hard time. I'm right there with you as are lots of us on this board. You are not alone. We are here for you.

Allison, that totally sucks about your decision. I hate decisions. Always listen to the quiet voice that will guide you.

Leigh! That is so scary!! I'm not too surprised I guess. There is a lot of business at my MO's office. Makes me sad to see such a full waiting room every time.

I can't figure out how I feel about Pinktober. It makes me proud to be a survivor but it also makes me mad because I don't look good in pink. Haha! Seriously though...it's going to be a rough month.

Molly, if you get that shirt I will totally order one!

Jackbirdie

Carrie wanted to share this with us

I saw on FB Sisters of the TravelingBracelet that Carrie wanted to post this on bco. It was a little tricky, but here it is, Carrie.

Carrie37

Thanks so much for doing that Katy! It is a hard video to watch for me but I really liked it. I have been following the girl who made the video on FB for a few months now. Here is the status she shared along with the video; I thought it was very well put.

"Tomorrow is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The stores, commercials, the NFL, are all covered in cotton candy pink making millions of dollars, and the majority does not even go to research. Pink does not represent the pain that breast cancer patients endure.This October, when you are purchasing something pink, I encourage you to talk to a breast cancer patient, let them tell you how it feels to lose their breast, or to live in constant fear that cancer may return. My breast friends and I want to make everyone aware. I am so honored and proud to know all these girls, and cherish our sisterhood!" 💖

DavisD

MRI to rule out metastatic disease (liver) this morning..I'll be ok....I would like to eat some breakfast, ha! Have a great day all, I'll keep you posted.

IndyGal35

Thinking of you today, Diane! I still have the reminder in my phone, so I'll be counting down until you get the all-clear.

molly1976

Thinking of you, Diane! Keep us posted!

Trvler

Diane, I also will be thinking of you today. Hugs.

BB: So happy you are on the other side. Rest and take care but also get up and move if you can. I pictured myself lying in bed a lot after surgery but I was so paranoid about a blood clot I didn't rest much. lol. But getting up and moving helped me a lot. (I think)

slothabouttown

Thinking of you Diane and BB!

BBwithBC45

Diane, I'm thinking of you today too!

Ladies, I'm doing well today. Still a little dizzy from anesthesia, but pain is well under control. I look huge on the reconstruction side, but I hope it is just extra gauze padding and maybe some swelling. I'll get to see what it looks like under the bandages tomorrow at the visit with my PS.

I'm trying to move around. My husband keeps asking me if he can get anything for me, but I insist on getting up and doing things for myself thus forcing myself to move.

eheinrich

I loved the video Katy. Did anyone else notice the neulasta ad on the ad bar to the side?

Thinking of you Diane.

I get fill #2 today. Blech

Beachbum1023

Hi Ladies checking in. But I have a question. I finished DD AC/T in November, and my eyelashes fell out AGAIN! Anybody else have the same problem? There isn't enough mascara to fix this one. I was told it can keep happening, sometimes three or more times............blech!

SpecialK

beach - this is lash cycling - it happens fairly commonly, but not to everyone. The average life span of a lash is about three months. When they all fall out at once, and then all come back in at the same time this is unnatural, as we usually lose a lash or two at a time under normal circumstances. Sometimes it takes the lashes a while to fall out and regrow at individual intervals, rather than all at once. Good luck!

Trvler

Beachbum: I asked my OLD MO this exact same question on Wed. She said it is unlikely. I asked because I had heard about it on here. As usual, Specialk knows more about stuff than my doctor. Hence the 'old MO'.

SpecialK

trvler - sounds like making that doc your old MO was a wise move - this is so common that it is ridiculous she didn't know about it, or claims not to know.

ksusan

Thinking of you, Diane.

Jackbirdie

Thinking of you Diane.

BB- glad to hear you're doing ok.

jumbledbamboo

First off Diane I am sending you well wishes!!!

I am going to post the latest as I am so scared. I needed my eyes checked. I have wallenberg syndrome from the stroke so my eyes are a pain. Anyway, the right one had been so irritated since chemo. I have had it checked by my family doc and my MO. Anyway, they didn't know what it was. Well, my eye doc said my cornea was the driest she had ever seen in her entire time of practice. It looked like crushed glass. Ok! Treatable! Steroids, eye drops, no biggie. Then she said she wanted to follow up on something the tech noticed. I had been there before and I do have serious nystagmus(my eye jitters and can fall when I'm tired or not) so I thought maybe that was worse. No such luck my left eye has stopped responding to light. The pupil remains fixed. It was not ever noted on previous exam. She went on to tell me I needed to go back to my neuro-opthamologist. Something is damaged between my brain and eye. Then I got the sympathetic shoulder squeeze. Sge went on to say I will need an MRI. Can I not just have a regular fucking doctor visit? Has there not been enough? What the fuck? I hate strokes I hate cancer I hate this shit so much and I am hating that I can't say how mad I am because I AM SUPPOSED TO BE BRAVE.