Chemo in July 2015

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  • Batesburg
    Batesburg Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2015

    @ adark- congrats on getting through the surgery- I don't see why they couldn't have sedated you during the wire localization process. GEEZ!!!!

    Your path results will be GREAT! Just keep thinking about how much chemo you got , and, how TNBC responds well to chemo- and even if there are some microscopic cells left, you have another phase to go- radiation- to seal the deal! (all this is what I am telling myself. smile)

    How many lymph nodes did they remove??? Mine SO said she would take out 15 or 30, depending.

    Hang in and each day WILL get better!


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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited December 2015

    @Batesburg - where is your SO taking that many lymph nods from? Are they counting nodes that are in the breast tissue. Will they do a sentinel first (just take one out and test it during surgery and then take more if it's possible)?

    They took one from my right side armpit and it was negative so that was it for that side. The sentinel from my left armpit was positive so they took an additional 8. They've told me this number puts me on the cusp for risk of lymphedema. So I don't get any blood draws from that arm, no blood pressure cuffs, watch out for any type of hangnail or cut that could lead to infection, etc.

    Maybe ask again what the plan is, because that sounds like a lot. Especially considering you have already done chemo.

    @adarkadept - good job dealing with the drains! I know that was not high on your list of things you were looking forward to

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  • Twnkltoz
    Twnkltoz Member Posts: 215
    edited December 2015

    @batesburg love the photo!

    @adark sorry that was so rough for you, but you got through it. Fingers crossed for a clean path report!

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited December 2015

    Hi All - I had my 10th Taxol Friday with 2 more to go .. final countdown is on! SE's are still crushing me especially fatigue, neuropathy and my fun rash that came back... I can take it since so close to the end!! Meeting with RO tomorrow for the 1st time so looking forward to hearing my radiation plan!

    Sharazhad707 - Love Love Love your poster and you are beautiful! So glad you made it thru surgery and tumor is out! Hope you are healing well! Hugs to you!

    Gretagirl - great to hear from you - hope rads are going well for you and your neuropathy goes away! My MO said 6 - 12 months

    Batesburg - Congrats on last chemo - love your pic - you are beautiful! I agree with Peabrain on checking again about # of lymph nodes.. my BS took only 2 - both were positive and said the rest all looked normal and radiation would get any microscopic cells .. wanted to keep my risk of lymphedema low. I was concerned at first with anxiety about other nodes that could be positive and both MO and BS squashed my concern ..

    adarkadapted - what craziness for you - I agree - they should have sedated you for that! Sorry you had to go thru that!! Hope you are healing well and good luck and fingers crossed for you tomorrow!

    Happy Christmas week to all who celebrate! While I normally would not want the holidays to speed by - this year I do as my last chemo is Jan 2nd!!

    Hugs to All, Mary

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  • Batesburg
    Batesburg Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2015

    Thanks everyone about your thoughts on my lymph nodes. I am definitely going to ask about this and I have time to do my own research as well. I am perplexed as to why they HAVE to take out 15 minimum. I am here at Ohio State University and they pride themselves on providing the latest and greatest care but this is way too weird to think I have to have so many out regardless of pathology results.

    so happy that everyone is moving forward on their treatment- whether it be ending chemo, getting those tumors out via surgery, setting up plan for radiation, or ALL FINISHED.

    Gotta remember that we all CAN DO THIS and finish out 2016 on our way to being totally healed and ready to take on the world with a new normal. I used to hate those words...new normal....but, now I certainly GET IT! We can be "normal" again...but, then again, I never have been all that normal. ha ha ha.

    Love to you all,

    Janet

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  • Twnkltoz
    Twnkltoz Member Posts: 215
    edited December 2015

    hang in there, Mary! Almost there!

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  • Suzanne1971
    Suzanne1971 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    hi all!

    There has been so much to catch up with here, so in one, general statement, I will say that I am so proud of all of you!!!!!

    I am 8 weeks out of chemo, and 1 week out of BMX surgery. I saw some discussion about choosing which surgery to have, and I opted for BMX. I had to have a single due to the size/location of my tumors, so I felt a BMX was the way to go. At 43, I just felt like I was too young to go through this again.

    My follow up appt is this afternoon, and hoping she has the path report. I had a great response to chemo, and hoping for the final NED word today.

    Recovery has been good, 2 drains came out today, 2 more to go. I have tissue expanders, as I have rads to follow this, sometime in Feb I think.

    Some scary moments after recovery, as apparently I am a "narcotic novice" (which makes me smile), and my breathing became so shallow that they feared I would stop breathing if I fell asleep. So, there I am, tired as hell, loopy from meds, and the nurses are talking so loudly I yelled at them to shut up! Turns out, they were just doing their job. I stayed on oxygen for 24 hours, and had a night sitter to make sure I didn't stop breathing. I did not 😜

    My mom is staying with me (I'm single), and we'll drive to CT for Xmas, then back home to RI where hopefully I will be solo. I feel great, and recovery is going smoothly. I miss my dog so much, and hope she can come home next week (she is a walker, not a backyarder, so there are some challenges for me with handling her).

    I did manage to have a booming Holiday season for my business, and am so grateful to have had that window of health between treatments.

    I wish you all continued success with your treatments- wherever you may be in this journey. And I think of you often.

    Merry Christmas!!!! May you all enjoy some quality time with those you love.

    Xoxo

    Suzanne

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  • 6feetover
    6feetover Member Posts: 320
    edited December 2015

    Suzanne: Right back atcha!!! *BIG HUGS*

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  • Thunder7
    Thunder7 Member Posts: 73
    edited December 2015

    Batesburg,

    When I had my BMX, the sentinel node was clear when checked during surgery. BUT, when Pathology was done dissecting the left breast, there was a 2mm tumor in a breast tissue lymph node. So a week after 1st surgery I had to have 15 more nodes removed for a total of 23.

    The 15 additional nodes were the minimum nodes to make sure there was no metasis.

    Thunder7

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  • MyrnaB
    MyrnaB Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2015

    yes I did and went well. I finished full 6 cycles of my chemo in November 3. My mass didn't shrink enough so was started on AC on 11/23/15 and 12/14/15. Hopefully this will shrink it more

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  • MyrnaB
    MyrnaB Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2015

    Congrats on the completion of your chemo 27heart! Good luck on your upcoming surgery in January. Praying for the success and less SE! Keep us updated

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited December 2015

    Hi All - Merry Christmas to all here who celebrate .. hugs to all still in chemo struggle during Holidays (like me LOL)

    Batesburg - I also don't like the whole "new normal" lingo and sometimes look in the mirror and try to remember how I felt before diagnosis .. I do like that you said we can be normal again :)

    Thanks Twnkltoz

    Suzanne - so great to hear from you! Hope Path report came back NED!!! How scary for you during surgery recovery -glad you are OK!

    Thunder - so perplexed at the difference in # of lymph nodes to take. Prior to my BMX - BS thought mine was small tumor stage 1 - during surgery she said at least 1 node looked not great so she took 2.. path report came back that tumor was much bigger 3.5cm and both nodes were positive. BS said she would not take any more as the treatment plan would not change and because I was younger than 50 the risk of lymphedema was too great. Now I had a PET scan before starting chemo and no other lymph nodes lit up so I assume all good and the Radiation will zap any micro cells not seen the scan. It concerns me that your surgeon went back in - why so different? UGH

    Happy & Healthy 2016 - it will be a much better year for all of us - I know it!

    Mary

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  • CyndiNic
    CyndiNic Member Posts: 59
    edited December 2015

    Asked this question in the Dec chemo board but thought you moms with a little more chemo experience might be able to offer some tips. Just had my #3 weekly Taxol and my 10 year old comes home from school with temp of 101.5 and a sore throat. My ex lives nearby - is it worth the risk to myself to take care of her or should I have her go to her dads

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited December 2015

    CyndiNic, if you feel strongly about having your daughter around I might consider wearing a surgical mask if you have one? If not, I think it is always better to err on the side of caution. No one wants to end up in the ER, especially around the holidays. Give her a few days to get well, wash the sheets, disinfect all the counters/doorknobs/sink handles, etc and ensure she is not contagious.

    Good luck!

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited December 2015

    Hi CyndiNic - do you know what your White Counts & ANC from your last chemo - if they were normal then at least if you got sick you are not neutropenic. The concern would be if your counts were low and then got sick. My MO if I have a fever will send me to ER as precaution so be prepared for that - agree with Miss Bee that if you do keep her with you to take all precautions times 10. Good luck - hope she gets better fast and you do not get it.

    Mary

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  • Batesburg
    Batesburg Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2015

    Just wanted to say hello to everyone a few days before the new year!

    Today would have been my typical day to make my way into the infusion center and get a hefty dose of cancer killing chemicals, but, alas, I am DONE with that!! It feels odd but good. I am slowly building my energy but has been difficult with the busy holidays and that hustle and bustle. Hoping for next week to settle down while into my third week without chemo.

    By the way, what does that acronym PFC mean? Somehow it must be something having to do with last chemo treatment? Would I say I am 2 weeks PFC? Please advise! :)

    Happy, happy new year to all. Its gonna be a good ride into and throughout 2016!!!!

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  • Sharazhad707
    Sharazhad707 Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2015

    Thank you everyone for your kind words!

    Post histology results came back clear! :) Although the tumour did not react to the chemo, the lymphnodes (11 were removed) came back all clear! So the 7 sessions of chemo were not in vain :D WOOHOO!!

    Went in to see the doc today, and Im scheduled for CT Scans, Physio and Radiation early next year. :) I'm so excited; and God is sooo good for keeping me through this.


    --------------------------------------

    On another topic, is anyone going through lymphedema? I've got some swelling around my right arm (where they operated) and the doctor told me its lymphedema and scheduled an appointment with the physio, but thats in two weeks. Im a bit worried that the swelling might increase from now till then... any ideas on what to do till then?


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  • Thunder7
    Thunder7 Member Posts: 73
    edited December 2015

    PFC = Post final chemo

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  • Batesburg
    Batesburg Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2015

    Thanks, Thunder, for that clarification!

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited December 2015

    Great news Sharazhad - not sure about lymphedema - I have had cording but knock on wood no lymphedema yet!

    All - I have my final Chemo this Saturday - so excited I can't stand it! This last taxol crushed me - body pain, fatigue and neuropathy in high gear now .. MO reduced the dose to 75% due to neuropathy - hoping it does not become permanent!

    Happy last day of 2015 - I for one can't wait to say Goodbye to 2015!

    Happy Happy 2016 for us all!

    Mary

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  • 6feetover
    6feetover Member Posts: 320
    edited January 2016

    Mary: *BIG HUGS* for the chemo finish line in sight!

    OT: I'm dealing with super-painful cording right now; did you need PT for yours? This is most definitely NOT fun (but if it's the worst I have to put up with after my lumpo/this year from hell, I'll take it!)...


    everyone: THANK YOU for being here (where none of us ever, ever wanted to be)! Your love, support, insight, and kindness have helped me more than I can ever express. I'm so grateful! May we all enjoy a happy, stress-free, and "Big C"-free 2016!!! We deserve it!!!

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  • RuthElizabeth
    RuthElizabeth Member Posts: 103
    edited January 2016

    adarkadapte, I agree with you completely...

    Sharazhad, I have the lymphedema. Until you go for therapy, e.evate your arm as much as possible. Check on line for manual manipulation. Basically you rub from your hand upwards towards your chest, neck or back area.... Check into a flexi touch machine. I try to use mine every night. Good luck...

    Happy New Year Friends. Thanks for all your help during this awful disease. Here's to a healthy 2016.

    Love and peace to each and every one of you.

    Ruth

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Erica - I am so excited to ring that bell tomorrow I can't stand it.. I had cording for a few weeks - was evaluated for PT & it went away in its own so I bagged the PT until I got thru chemo - might go back. ... Hope yours goes away.

    Wishing everyone a Happy New Year - it will be an awesome year for all of us!

    image

    Hugs to all

    Mary

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  • Catfurr
    Catfurr Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2016

    Batesburg--Thunder was being nice:-) I prefer Post f---ing chemo!

    Erica-- so excited for you!! Ring that bell!!! You did it!!

    CindiNik- hoping you made it thru the holidays without catching the little ones bug!

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  • mama26
    mama26 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2016

    Haven't posted in awhile. I've been very overwhelmed and depressed. Monday, January 4th is my final Taxol. Had a break due to catching a bug. My surgery is scheduled for January 26th. I'm having a BMX due to strong family history. Congrats to all who are finished and those close to the finish line!! Take care.


    Melanie



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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    Sharazhad707 I love your poster! How are you holding up post surgery?

    Batesburg, congratulations on finishing!

    adarkadaptedi, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I didn't have any wires but I felt the same as you: I was quite looking forward to being knocked out!

    Mary, today is your last day!!! Thinking of you!

    Suzanne1971, I hope you're recovering well and that your drains are out. For me, I didn't realize how badly I felt until they were removed. Once they were out I felt a million times better.

    Catfurr, I love your PFC definition! Hysterical.

    mama26, thinking of you. The emotional side of this can be so much harder than the physical. No one on the medical team really takes care of our mental health, no matter how kind they are, and it's up to us. Most days I think I'm doing great but then it will hit me like a ton of bricks and I still have the shock that this is really happening.

    I'm gearing up to start round 2 of chemo, this time AC+T, on January 11th. I cannot believe I have to do this crap AGAIN but I'm trying to take care of myself, exercise, and be as ready as I can.

    On a happy note, my husband and I have decided it is time and we are finally moving to Denver! We closed on our home back in April of last year (8 days before we found my "little" lump) and were gearing up to move in July. With all that has happened we put off moving so I could have the bulk of my medical care here in NYC and we were more financially stable. But now we have decided enough is enough and as soon as the AC part of my chemo is done we are outta here! I'll finish treatment in Colorado in our beautiful new home. I'm up for a position (passed the first round) as a learning specialist at Colorado Children's Hospital and figure who could be better than me? Not only do I work with young children with special needs but I've LIVED the nightmare of cancer and can relate to what these children are going through. Fingers crossed for an interview!

    Happy New Year to everyone.

    Oh…and my most kick-butt Christmas present of the year from Colts QB Andrew Luck! Personally autographed jersey saying "Brenna, Get Well!"

    image

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  • mama26
    mama26 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2016

    MissBee123

    Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. You are right about the mental health not being addressed. It certainly should be part of the treatment. Treating the whole person. I cannot imagine having to do more chemo than I've already done. Why is it you are having to? Best wishes on your move and new job opportunity. Take care.


    Melanie


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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2016

    Happy New Year everyone!

    Congrats, mdoc, on the last one today!

    I and DH managed to catch a cold from the grandkids on Chistmas and I am waylaid. Seven days so far of sinus torture with no end in sight. Had to cut our trip short and make a run back to home. I hate when plans get changed and I had a bit of a melt down over this one. Nothing has gone as planned this year and this one really disappointed me. Struggling to regain my emotional equilibrium while I cough my brains out.

    Tuesday I get simulation for rads. Then check in with the MO. Then see the eye doctor again to see if my retinal hemorrhage has resolved itself over the holidays (it hasn't but I'm hoping it's better - hard to tell).

    Sorry for sulking

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited January 2016

    Hello All - thanks for well wishes! I DID IT - rang that bell yesterday - what a great & emotional thing! 25 Family & Friends surprised me & came in support... See pics!

    image

    image

    Mama26 - wooHoo to you on last Taxol tomorrow! So so sorry you are dealing with the mental side of this disease - Hugs for you! For me it hits me when I realize how long the road is & treatment delays just plain suck... Hang in there & good luck with surgery! Let us know how you are doing

    MissBee - what an Awesome Christmas present! I am so sorry you are facing a 2nd go at chemo - will be thinking of you on Jan 11th... A lot of us did the AC + T regimen - don't hesitate to reach out! Best of luck with the move & yes you would be the perfect fit for Colorado Children's Hospital - they would be luck to have you ...

    Peabrain - UGH for you on catching the nasty sinus bug going around.. We had it a few weeks ago & my husband's turned into pneumonia - 2 antibiotics then steroids & he is still coughing - hope yours gets better fast... Eye hemorrhage - what's up with that - hugs to you!

    Hugs to all! I am settled in to brace myself for last Taxol lousy SE's. Fatigue, Neuropathy & Body pain are at an all-time high... But just so glad they should start to ease up over the next few weeks as I get ready for Rads

    Mary

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  • SVGsurvive
    SVGsurvive Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2016

    mdoc524 - congrats & great pix - what a road for you! I'll be curious to hear how your body pain improves. Hopefully better than mine - it's been 3.5w since my final Taxol infusion, and my leg muscles/joints feel as crappy as ever. It is really bringing me down and I hope it improves by the time I have surgery since my legs will have to compensate for my soon-to-be T Rex arms!

    mama26 - I too feel overwhelmed & depressed a lot of the time lately. You are not alone - I hope your last chemo tomorrow brings you the prideful joy you deserve! Please join the January surgery thread here. We're in this together. I added you to the list.

    MissBee123 - how on earth did you get an NFL QB's autograph? Denver sounds like the perfect place to heal. Good luck on landing the new job. You seem like a perfect fit.

    Peabrain - if you can't sulk here, where can you? :) Sulk on sister.

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