April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

KBeee

little blue, it could be from cording, scar tissue, or even dome think like a nearby bug bite. The lymph nodes that are left have to work harder. It is worth getting checked though, so call. Your MO would not want you to lose sleep worrying. Glad you are feeling good and got to do the hike.

Gingerl, Glad it went well.

Gingerchi, hope the echo goes well. My platelets are ok. MO seemed surprised they were so good. Glad Taxol went well.

Addie, if your friends ask "what can we do to help" maybe organize a cleaning evening. Have friends over and everyone clean something for an hour, and then socialize for an hour.. They will have fun, they will feel like they are helping (which makes them feel good) and you get a girls night with friends and a clean house. Remember that people want to help. You will have many years to pay it forward,

Andrea, glad things are going well now!

I was at my daughters' swim meet tonight. I was the clerk of course, do my job was to line all of the kids up for their events. I just wore a ball cap and was expecting questions from younger kids since they speak their minds. Nope. None. That felt good.

ksusan

#10: I am grateful to be able to eat good food.

Addie29

Up feeding my stomach still feeling decent from my 1st round of taxol. Got up to go potty Andy legs just feel shakey and weak- I'm sure the done and muscle pain will kick in soon.

Gingeel I'm glad you're doing well also. I was thinking of you as I was getting my infusion

Littleblueflowers I would just call the doc in the morning. It sounds like it could be scar tissue. Is your doc checking you when you go in for infusions? My doc checks be every time and this time he actually did an arm pit And breast check. He usually only checks the arm pits. And the I couldn't see it forming while on chemo but we're all obviously not doctors. Try to relax and get some rest. I know easier said than done.

Kbeee you sound like you really keep busy, that's so great to hear! I too really try to keep busy even on days I don't feel well.

Here's to hoping my body loves me and doesn't decide to hurt too badly, and here's to hoping j don't develope thrush or mouth sores.

Stephmoen

oh gingerchi that's why..no I have not had surgery first for that specific reason I wouldn't have been able to get perjeta so that's why my oncologist and surgeon told me chemo first

GingerChi

I wish I had consulted with an MO prior to my BMX. When I heard it was cancer, my first thoughts were to operate and get it out right away. My BS said it was my choice since we werent trying to save my breasts. WIsh I knew then what I do now!

Addie29

it's all s learning experience.

gkodad

Liitleblue - did you have lymph node removal?  You get some lumpy scar tissue, especially at the skin surface of the scar that takes some time to resolve and smooth out.   Hair follicles, etc can also get a little inflamed.    Not to mention imagination --I was back in the doctor's office with what I thought was a new lump and he couldn't even feel what I thought I was feeling.    I still have lots of numb areas from the mx and nothing really feels "right", so figuring out what feels "wrong" is hard.

A/C #4 has been strange - I'm on Day 7 and SEs hit much harder and faster - but ended sooner.  GI diarrhea, mouth sores, metal mouth, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, headache - all gone and fatigue starting to lift a little earlier.  Neulasta bone pain hit yesterday but is gone today. If blood work holds up tomorrow, it will be a positive end to the A/C experience.  Hard to explain but I'll definitely take it!

I see the doctor tomorrow to decide on Taxol treatment  - right now, I'm going to ask for dose dense (his recommendation) just to get it over.  I'm feeling reassured by the experiences you dose dense ladies are reporting, so I want to give it a try.  But I'm asking for an extra week between A/C and Taxol to have a little quality time with my family - seems like every minute since Mar 1has been consumed with some aspect of breast cancer, and/or recovery from some treatment.   A "normal week" sounds like heaven and hopefully will give me the psychological boost I need to get through Taxol.

Here's hoping that for those of us with A/C behind us, the worst is over.   Thanks for the Taxol feedback - it helps to hear real life experiences.   

ThePrincess

Ginger -no I haven't had surgery yet - my BS wants the tumors as small as possible before surgery.

Today is day 2 after taxol/Herc/Perj - slept crappy but I think that's because I am stuck on a bug at work and my brain was working overtime. My only SE now is burning esophagus (which I take prescription prilosec for).

Good luck to anyone going today!

lovlilynne

Hi - quick question for Taxol chemo-sabes, what drugs are you taking post-Taxol? The NP said I shouldn't have much nausea, so Zofran only as needed - I felt a little stomach upset yesterday morning, so I took one, but haven't since, but kinda scared of getting nauseated or sick. She also said that the Benedryl and Dex/Decadron can cause constipation, so I've been taking the stool softener, but so far that has not been an issue. I didn't have the Neulasta shot, so I haven't been taking the Claritin, but I thought I read or heard that it would help with the bone pain? I'm continuing with Prilosec because it has helped me so much with dyspepsia.

Today, day 3, I woke up with my mouth feeling like I had burned the whole inside of it and I had a blister on the inside of my bottom lip. I feel shaky and have had some bone pains - those electrical shock like spasms. I am tired, but I don't feel like I need to be in bed (yet). I had an ok day yesterday - it felt good to be able to use some of the energy that I had with some housework and tasks that I needed to get done instead of trying to answer emails and attend meetings. DH and I even had our date night. We had some sushi (maki), and I thought it was kinda blah, but I wonder if that's my taste buds already going south.

Lynne

BAT

Wife started dose dense Taxol this past Thursday (11 Jun) and all was good the first day.  The second and third day she was hit hard with bone pain which has not tapered off.  On a good note, her BS at OU medical stated yesterday that her tumor and node (in armpit) has shrank to 1/2 the size they were at initial DX.  I just hope and pray that her tumor and node continue to shrink on Taxol.  Chemo will end July 23 and BS wants to do surgery on or around 14 Aug. 

Stephmoen

saw my MO today it was a good appointment she always calms my fears I asked about my suv being so low in the petscan andshe believes most of my tumor is dcis yay which we won't really know because I didn't have surgery first but I'm going with that! She said if I have a worse reaction tomorrow with taxotere I will have taxol for the remainder of my treatments that sort of bummed me out Just hope I can get trough these last 3 treatments!!

gingeel

I'm still feeling pretty great, as well. I was a little weepy today, though. Maybe I'm coming down from the steroids? I'm going to get my injection in a couple of hours. Guessing soon after that the pain and fatigue will kick in? It is great not being nauseous all the time! Was thinking of you too, Addie!

KBee, I've been going out more and more without a hat. Because sometimes I forget, or just don't feel like wearing one. Embrace it. Kids don't care what we look like. They probably think it's neat!

GingerChi

Lynne, today is day #2 for me, felt kinda queezy and took a Zofran this morning. Then the big D hit and I have had 2 Imodium's today. I don't feel as all over yukky as with AC, but due to my tummy troubles am not feeling great. Thats all I've taken, besides the oral steroids. I'll take the last of those today.

GingerChi

BAT, thats great news about your wife's tumor shrinkage! Hope she continues to see good progress!

lovlilynne

Gingee - I've been meaning to say that I think you rock the commando look - since you posted your profile picture, I have meant to comment. I think having dark hair really helps - gives some shape to your head. I just have white - it's not pretty :-)

SE really kicked in after my last post - achy, tired. I had been noticing that the bottoms of my feet were burning and my toes tingling. I'm noticing pins and needles in my fingers too. I took some ibu, but still feeling bone pain. Bleh. I hope this is it and I get a turn around by tomorrow.

littleblueflowers

Urrrrf, my MO can't see me until tomorrow at 8:00 am. Trying not to panic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scarlett152

Has anyone gone into an infusion still having side effects from prior round? I'm still feeling flush since Saturday's visit to ER for fever. ER doc's thought it was a virus as bloodwork was fine, but MO nurse said could be the taxotere. Fever is gone and so is diarrhea, although I took an immodium yesterday. Just feel weak, achey, slight sore throat and headache and stomach is still upset. Wondering if that will hold up TC#3 of 4 tomorrow. If not, will it make SE's worse or the same. Want to be prepared in case they say it's my call. I really don't want to postpone because I want to get this over with and my husband and son depart next Thursday for a week, so this week is much better. Thoughts??

ksusan

Not too bad....

littleblueflowers

Yes! They called back and got me in todya! It's scar tissue just like you all suggested!

Stephmoen

yay!! Now you can sleep tonight littleblueflowers

ksusan

Good news, littleblue!

ThePrincess

KBeee - yeah, all the neighborhood kids haven't said a peep about my head!

littleblueflowers

lynne, I don't take anything except prilosec twice a day after dd taxol. I think I have taken 4 tylenol total for pain. I am still getting neulasta though so I still do claratin. It hasn't been bad yet...we will see how 2 treats me on friday...

Addie29

so glad littlEblueflowers. Now rest easy lovely lady - well as easy as you can.

KBeee

Worked all day...lots of catching up on here.

Little blue, So glad you were able to get in and thrilled that they believe it is scar tissue. Do keep an eye on it.

Scarlett, If you do not have a fever nad are not feeling too sick, they will probably go ahead with infusion. Usually they like to stay on schedule if your counts are good and there's no fever.

Gingee, I agree with Lynne, You look so gorgeous, Every time I see your picture I think you could be one of those Hollywood stars who rock that look.

Gingerchi, I hope the tummy troubles go away!

Stephmoen, Sounds like a good appointment!

BAT, So glad to hear the tumor is responding. That makes it a little easier to show up to each infusion.

Lynne, I take Zantac for heartburn and a stool softener as post chemo meds now. I only took Zofran once on Taxol.

Princess, I never sleep well on infusion day because of the steroids. I have started cleaning binges and then I usually can fall asleep around midnight. Instead of lying there awake, at least I get something accomplished.

gkodad, If I was given the option for dose dense, I absolutely would have taken it!

Addie, How are you feeling???

All is good here. Pleased that round 4 has gone as well as rounds 1-3 so far. Of course, today is just day 2. Days 3-4 are the worse ones! I do get a rash on my face each week. I had 4 people today ask me how I got such a bad sunburn. Sigh...no sunburn...just Taxol. MO wanted to give me steroids, but I told him the steroid side effects would bug me more than the rash. He agreed to forego it if I promised to call if it got worse or spread. Deal! He also is allowing L Glutamine which I am grateful for. I asked about it in relation to preventing neuropathy. He said the jury is still out on that, but it can be helpful to reduce muscle pain and weakness with Taxol and gave me the green light for it. I don't see MO again for 3 weeks unless I have a problem. That's only one more week than normal, but it still makes me nervous...from week 4 to week 7...seems like a lot could happen in that time frame. I could have seen another doc at 2 weeks, but I like my MO much more. He's just out of town for the week. Luckily he or his really good nurse do respond to portal messages really quickly. Hoping I have zero issues in teh next 3 weeks to report!

ksusan

#11: I am grateful for my father, who died 17 years ago today.

DizzParkMom

Ack! I'm feeling so far behind. My AC #4 isn't until next Monday and then I don't start Taxotere and Carboplatin (anyone know the abbreviation for that combo?) until July 13th. I won't be done with those until September 14th. By the time I get done with surgery, it will be mid to late October at the earliest. Time is moving so slowly for me, but life keeps on speeding along for everyone around me.

My parents put their house on the market just before I was diagnosed in early April. They planned to move across the country and buy a beachfront condo. After my dx, they decided that they would just leave their house on the market....thinking it would take forever to sell. Well, it sold this week and they've put in an offer on the beachfront condo they've been keeping an eye on. They don't want to actually move until after I finish treatment, so they are moving in with us. I'm really happy that they have been around a lot to help out with the house and with DS. It's made it really easy for me to concentrate on myself. It's also allowed us to leave DS here at home while we travel back and forth to Illinois. I'm really, really grateful.

With that said, can I vent for a minute? OMG! They are driving me nuts. Between the cancer, my treatments (& travel), and my parents relocation plans, everyone is under so much pressure. I'm trying not to let all the little things bother me and I realize how fortunate I am. Everyone is rearranging their lives to help pick up the slack for me. I feel guilty and useless about 80% of the time.

On a positive note, I made it to the gym on Monday for my weightlifting class and plan on going again tomorrow morning. It's nice when "feeling the burn" doesn't relate to cancer treatment in some way. I haven't been as active as I was before DX, but at least it's something. I really miss walking in the park, but now that 110 degree heat is here to stay...that ain't happening.

Well wishes to everyone!

....Side note about the L-Glutamine and it tasting so horribly. I don't drink tea or juice, but I did throw it into my morning smoothie and I couldn't even tell it was there. I'm going to try to stir it into my yogurt tomorrow and see if it's a similar effect. I'm still not sure how I'll choke it down when I'm nauseous, but I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there.

Stephmoen

ok I will be recievjng #4 today TCHP I'm praying praying praying no reaction!! I do not want to change my chemo regimen so if you wonderful ladies could send some good vibes my way I would appreciate it!! Hoping everyone is feeling well today

Stephmoen

on that note does anyone know if you can take a Xanax day of treatment I probably won't but I feel like I will have a panic attack!

lovlilynne

Sending lots of good vibes Stephmoen!

Jen - Yay! good news, glad you could get some peace of mind.

ksusan, yes, looking good - sorry about your sad anniversary. I like to remember my dad on his birthday.

Heather, that sounds like a TON of stress - vent here any time. I haven't had a problem with the taste of the L-Glutemine - I mix it with ice tea, and while it doesn't taste exactly the same, it doesn't taste like anything bad either. I'm glad I'm done with it, though, only 3 days.

KB, still my hero. So glad I didn't have to work yesterday, felt so crappy. I haven't gotten a rash, though, so that's something.

DD's last day of school, so off to take her.

Lynne