Starting Chemo May 2015

Tifree40

Louise, you are strong. Your road has been difficult but your still traveling. Good luck to you. I am getting my implants and port removed tomorrow and returning to work on the 8th as well. I am a little nervous and ready to be past this experience as well.

Tomika

lman

I am 6 weeks PFC and have completed 14 of 16 radiation treatments. Skin is holding up well. Fatigue is not as bad as during chemo. Start tamoxifen in September. Hair is not filling in as fast as I would like, but I guess it will eventually. I'm fortunate to have plenty of sick days so I'm not going back to work for a while yet.

rosesrx

Way to go Iman!!! Doing a happy dance.

Will pass the news of less fatigue on to a co-worker who is going through the same regimen.

dunesleeper

Congratulations Tomika!!!!! Rock on!! God will be with you the whole way.

tjh

I am 6 weeks past last TC. My taste is mostly back and I have white peach fuzz on my head....I wasn't planning on having white hair...brown fell out....but maybe when it is not fuzz it will darken. So far only minor joint pain from the Arimidex. I started back at school for in service days, 4 days and I was exhausted last night. Hopefully more energy will return soon.

mysunshine48

tjh, How in the world are you teachimg? I could never do that. I was a teacher of ESE young children ages 3-5, but had to leave in March due to the stress of BC. Exhausting job. I decided to retire. So, now I am home trying to recover from all this. I cannot imagine getting up every day and going to school . I am also 6 weeks PFT. . I admire you so much for doing this and hope you can continue to have the stamina and energy to be able to do this!

karabesque

I had my first dose of Taxotere today and I am feeling pretty okay. I went for 4AC to 4 Taxol and now 2 Taxotere. Only one more time in that chair!!!! Now, I just have to do all I can to stay feeling okay. Congrats to all that are finished or near finished. I see and feel that light at the end of the tunnel!

tjh

Congratulations to all who are finishing it is good to be done but I have learned to take it easy and not rush the recovery.

mysunshine....I am going back but this is my last year. DH and I looked at finances and I could have been done but I didn't want to be done because I was sick. I teach 6 th grade special education, mostly students with learning disabilities and behavior challenges. 2 of them most challenging are not coming in this fall, unfortunately they will be in alternate, more secure educational settings. I do have 24 sick days left so if I can't work 5 days I can do 4 days weeks. I still love my job and teaching the kids that most of the teachers do not like . But I am at a point I want to spend time going on DD's field trips and volunteering in my grandkids classes. And I hate to say it but I live in Scott Walkers Wisconsin so I hate the politics that have invaded education.

This whole nightmare has taught me a couple of big lessons....I need to live everyday and I need to be healthier so those are my goals for me and my DH and DD

mysunshine48

7 weeks PFT, anyone else have rubber legs when you stand up? Still tire so easily! Ohhhhhhh

tjh

Still weak, get tired easily, especially in the heat. But so far I am better each week.

Scarlett152

MySunshire, definitely rubbery legs especially when I exercise. Also very achy feet and joints, still swollen feet and hands, neuropathy in legs and lips and fatigue when I try to do all the things I used to. Completely wiped today from a full Friday and Saturday. Wondering when it will start to improve!

CatsRus

I can't remember where I read about Awesome Breastforms (Awesomebreastforms.org) - it was from someone on BC.org, I believe, but I can't find which thread. They have volunteers who knit or crochet breast forms and send them to you free of charge. I just received mine yesterday and it's lovely! very soft ... It's 'Awesome'. I wanted to thank whoever posted about them and share with others.

mysunshine48

How are you doing Cats with energy levels? I still get tired very easily. There is so much Inwant to do and just cannot.

Shanann

Oh my gosh! Tomorrow morning I will be receiving #6 of of 12 rounds of Taxol, and I was doing just fine the first several rounds, but suddenly I have gotten tired, and I don't seem to be recovering from round #5, and it's already time for number 6. I am worried about how bad it's going to get? I slept all day Friday, and have just been very winded and tired since. I do work very hard, but haven't even been able to put in a full days work this past few times. My nose is dry and bloody too. On the upside, I am HALFWAY thru after tomorrow!!

CatsRus

Sunshine, my energy level seems to be improving. I need to exercise more though I think. Having said that I still take a nap in the afternoon!

Concentrate on being half way through Shanann. I can't imagine working at all and doing chemo. Rest as much as you can. And remember You are nearly there!

dunesleeper

Shanann I'm glad to learn that you are half way through treatment. That is a good place to focus your energy. Good luck!

rosesrx

#6 of 6 tomorrow TCH I wish I felt this much energy every day hooked on Decadron, but the crash will come.

helplesslyhoping

Getting ready to head into infusion just now for #8 out of 12 Taxol. It's been much easier than AC, but I've noticed that I really felt the last treatment...was just wiped out last week.

In terms of side effects, all of my fingernails are black (nail beds just utterly bruised) and I get nosebleeds. Other than that, I've been running three miles a day. And I've got baby fuzz on my bald head! Yay!

StefLove

helplesslyhoping, awesome on the 3 miles a day! I've tried to keep up with exercising and finally went back to CrossFit yesterday after a month hiatus and it kicked my butt big time. Running 400m hurt so bad that I ended up walking a few rounds during the workout. My legs just felt like rubber and lead all at the same time. And yay for baby fuzz!

Queen_Celeste

Well, tomorrow is my 6th and last chemotherapy session.  I suppose I should be happy and excited, but I feel kind of blah.  The 5th session was somewhat tougher than the others with more fatigue, less energy, and more of all the usual side effects.  Have not felt like exercising or even much walking.  I guess I can't complain as I have had no nausea and have been able to continue working full time.  I'm sure I'll be able to get through this but now it just seems boring.

ksusan

Congratulations on finishing!

karabesque

Hi,

I just started Taxotere after the powers that be switched me from weekly Taxol. I have done 4 AC, 4 Taxol and just finished my first Taxotere on Friday. They are only giving me 2 of these. I have been in bed since Monday with extreme nausea and super flu like feelings. It's better than AC but worse than Taxol. I have my last treatment (YAY) on Sept 17th. I was just wondering what to expect as far as how long I will feel sick, any other SEs, tricks to keep the stuff inside me in, etc...

If you don't mind sharing your Taxotere experience, especially the first two treatments, I would be grateful.

Thanks!

tjh

I found the first 2 do able the last 2 were worse. I didn't have a lot of nausea, the meds worked. But I hadn't had anything else before it.

little-k

I've done two Taxotere. I experience a lot of fatigue, pain and some nausea.

I get chemo on Thursday, by Saturday afternoon the Decadon wears off and I crash, and nauseousness begins. Sunday and Monday I have what I call Piñata pain. I feel like I've been hung up and beaten with a stick. I have trouble walking as my muscles feel very weak. Beginning Tuesday the pain begins to improve, starting later in the day, but I am still very fatigued. The nauseousness is not too bad.

By Sunday or Monday (day 10 or 11) I start feeling well enough to go for a walk. This week my sister is visiting and we've walked for at least an hour every morning.

I have my third and final Taxotere on Sept 10th. Yay indeed!

labhusky

A question. I am finished with the taxotere portion. That was on 8/20 and it was 6 sessions once every 3 weeks. I'm still on herceptin 6 more times once every 3 weeks next one 9/10. I guess I call this unchemo.

I read somewhere sometime back that one shouldn't take fish oil capsules when on chemo because they interfere. Since herceptin isn't considered "chemo", can I start those up again?

Also, I will be getting on generic femara teva pharmacy. He doesn't want me to start it till the 14th of this month to let the last of the chemo to go through my body

I

tjh

I did not quit taking my omega 3 when I was on chemo. The oncologist said it was fine to continue. I did quit taking it a week before my surgeries.

karabesque

Thank you for the info on Taxotere. Yes, pinata pain for sure!

sharapril1021

Happy Labor Day Everyone!!

It's been a crazy few weeks - getting my kids assignments done before school started on 9/3. Nothing like waiting until the last minute!! Now I get all the work of filling out all the forms and getting last minute school supplies. Never a dull moment in my house!! Apparently I am still a celebrity in my town. My son came home from H.S. on 9/4 and told me a few of his teachers where watching Live with Kelly and Michael and saw that I won the travel trivia contest!! Even his orthodontist commented on our town FB page that they were all cheering in the office!!! Thanks for all your congrats messages. We hope to take the trip during spring break in March!!

On a happy note - TOMORROW IS MY LAST CHEMO....YAY!!! I have a feeling I won't be sleeping much tonight in anticipation of knowing that I am done. The Taxol has been much easier than the A/C, and by having the Neulasta shot changed to Neupogen was a ++ move for me. I found that by medicating before I go ( aleve and claritin) helped the bone and body ache pain to be less severe. Once I take the first dose, then every 6 hours I would add ibuprofen, then go back to aleve, then ibuprofen again. I have been doing this during the 3 days I have the shots. I am hoping that I may not need as many shots since this is my last chemo.

My port comes out on 9/23 then an MRI the following week before meeting with my BS on 9/30 to discuss surgery. (Yes, I am out of the norm from most of you who had your surgery before chemo).

Then on 10/3 my DH and I are traveling to Ft. Meyers Beach for 4 nights of celebration and re-grouping before surgery. I can't even tell y'all how excited I am to get away and sit on a beach for a few days. All I hope is that the weather will be cooperative.

Shanann - congrats on reaching the 1/2 way mark. Keep your eyes on the finish line and it will get here before you know it!

StefLove - I hear ya about the baby fuzz. I can't wait until my hair starts growing again. Did you take Biotin before or after treatment? I think I read some posts saying that it does help your hair and nails a lot.

JenJenJen- the bone pain I had with neulasta knocked me out for a week. The neupogen slowed me down but at least I was able to get up out of bed and function, which I needed to for my kids. Even though I had to go back to the office every other day for a total of 3 shots I didn't mind because it was better than being lethargic in bed and not being able to move. I will also be on Hormonal therapy ( I think Tamoxifen) for 10 years my MO said.

karabesque - Good luck with your last treatment. I hope the SE are manageable for you!

Enjoy your Holiday and Remember to Stay Positive!!

Peace and Hugs!!

StefLove

sharapril, congrats on being done today!!! PARTAYYYYYYY and enjoy the beach! I've been taking biotin since chemo started so I'm hoping that helped a bit.

CatsRus

Congrats on finishing chemo Sharpril!!