Chemo in July 2015

mdoc524

That is great to hear Twnktoz - my leg pain is definitely better but my right hip is worse .. I am afraid it is more than chemo hip sometimes like arthritis..

Peabrain

@mdoc - have you tested your bone density. I understand that chemo can cause osteoporosis which some people have told me hurts during the initial onset. I think it might be because we go into menopause so quick

mdoc524

Hey Peabrain - thanks - I have not had bone density tested and plan to discuss at my MO Follow up or at OBGYN appt - have both coming up in March.. I agree that it could be due to sudden menopause onset but have not been able to find too much on it online. My hip hurts just to touch it. I am going to PT eval this week for my neck issues from rads and am also going to ask them their thoughts on my hip. What is interesting is when I pregnant with the twins I was 100 lbs heavier - I know insane - it was mostly fluid as I was hypertensive the whole time due to multiples - they were close to 6 lbs each at 32 weeks.. Anyway my right hip hurt so bad during my pregnancy and now I just wonder .. Increasing activity makes it worse!!! Have you had bone density tested yet?

Peabrain

hello, Mary.

I had CT scan and bone density scan done right before surgery. At the time I thought t was for a baseline, but now I think they were checking for mets.

My DH developed preliminary osteoporosis (I forget their name for it) from his chemo, and now he takes insane amounts of calcium and vitamin D trying to ward it off from further progression.

I think it'd be good to ask the PT folks. Sounds sorta arthritisy

Batesburg

Hello All,

I hope everyone is getting through the chemo side effects and if you are onto radiation, that it is going well!

Question.....are any of you having GI disturbances post chemo? My last chemo was Dec. 15th and recently my stomach/intestines have been a little off kilter- very sensitive to the foods I eat it seems - especially touchy in the morning. Additionally, I feel like my neuropathy is getting a tad worse!!!! FRUSTRATING!

Any input is appreciated!

Janet

mdoc524

Hey Janet - great to hear from you - my stomach was not great for awhile post chemo - started taking high dose Probiotic (Ulta Flora 50 billion) everyday after breakfast and much better - highly recommend!

For Neuropathy - I started taking Gabapentin a few weeks after finishing chemo and neuropathy much better - I take 300mg 2x per day ..

My MO said that it takes 6 months or more to really recover from chemo .. good luck!

Mary

Twnkltoz

glad to hear the neuropathy is improving, Mary!

Batesburg

Thanks so much, Mary. Peabrain suggested probiotics also. I will get some ASAP!

mdoc524

To be more specific - I use Renew Life Ultimate Flora 50 Billion .. I get mine at local health / vitamin shop here ... Good Luck

mdoc524

Thanks Twnkltoz- I feel like I have turned a corner with a lot of chemo se's .. still have some neuropathy but not near as bad.. What I can't get rid of are the chemopause hot flashes and the horrible hip pain that I think is more than just chemo pain .. all of my other bone/joint chemo pain has gotten better and hip is worse so going to talk with DR about that .. I think it is bursitis but that 1% chance of possible mets jumps into my head and am going to ask Doc for a scan to be sure or I won't get it out of my head - right? I guess this is our life now!

Twnkltoz

ugh yep... There will always be that nagging doubt now. Your description is nothing like my hip pain, so I would definitely have it checked out! I still have hot flashes, but the joints are slowly improving.

SVGsurvive

Batesburg, I too have gotten on the probiotic wagon and am better for it. A great nutritionist explained to me the other week that chemo wiped out all the good bacteria in our guts, and that lots of our food choices out there are so pasteurized/homogenized/whateverized that the natural bacteria is not as present. As such, it takes an extra long time for us to build them back up. Hence, the probiotics to speed the process along.

I take the recommended daily dose of Nature's Bounty Ultra Strength Probiotic 10 with dinner.

Good luck to you & wishing all of you a very happy Friday.

Bliss58

Batesburg, good to hear from you! I'm also taking a probiotic.I ran out of mine and didn't replenish quick enough, and back came the gastro issues, so I really do think it helps. Makes sense that it would take a long time for the good gut bacteria to regenerate after chemo did it's number. I intended to do accupuncture for my neuropathy, but never did, and now it seems to be getting much better. My MO also said it's a good 6 mos. if not a year before we fully recover from chemo. I'm now two days into hormone therapy on Arimidex. MO said to take it at night because it can cause some joint discomfort and so far so good.

Batesburg

Thanks you guys for responding to my question about stomach issues. I seem to be getting better each day- eating small, frequent meals and whole foods. I got some follow up blood work done and all looks good- not perfect, but good.

Anyone else had follow up CBC with differential and liver enzymes done recently? My MO says it takes time for everything to settle down and my bone marrow is still a bit confused in a few areas of little concern. My liver enzymes are all good, at least. I, of course, want everything to be perfect. It all takes TIME. I have a love/hate relationship with TIME. I want a ton of it in my future but I want time to go by quickly in confirming less risk of recurrence.

Gotta take today and be happy with it. Period. I am a work in process.....

Thanks for listening.

Janet

mdoc524

Janet- I had a post chemo CBC done just to check WBC & ANC and all #s were low but better and agree with everyone else - my MO said same - takes 6-12 months to fully recover.. I am the most impatient person I know LOL - so not easy!! Want to get up and go and body is like "Yeah right.." Love your reference to Time - so true!

Mary

RuthElizabeth

hi everyone.... Just a quick note, I have to get out in the shop to work.... I'm 6 months out post chemo. Still have belly issues. Took the probiotics, but didn't keep up. And I need to get back to it. My energy level is 90%. Back to work almost full time. But, long day take its toll. My lymphedema acts up also when a long day working. I'm pretty swollen now, so am back on doing the machine every night. I have my first chemo doc appt in two weeks. No tests since last chemo. He just seems to ask if I had any fevers.... I go to my family doc tomorrow about my anxiety issues, if anyone has any suggestions on tests, p,ease let me know. I think she would order them. Hang in there friends.... Peace and love..... I will check in later. Ruth

Batesburg

Hi Ruth,

My MO ran a total WBC count with differential, liver enzymes (spread to liver can elevate the enzymes), Vit D (because many of us run low and can contribute to lots of fatigue and overall not feeling so good), TSH (because I have a history of hypo-thyroidism), and that is it for starters. Next time (in about a month) we are going to test for Vit B12 and folic acid to be sure I am not anemic. The WBC differential for me had a few values that were off. My MO assured me that it can take a while for the components of the WBC count to come back to normal even though my total WBC is completely NORMAL. So are my HGB, platelets and ANC! It feels so good to not have shortness of breath and that overall yuck feeling!!!

@ anyone with ALND: BIG question for anyone who has had a ALND (I had 21 lymph nodes removed)- did you experience lumps and bumps under your armpit and how long did they last? I have one area that feels a little strange (paranoid) and my BS said to massage it and it will go away??!!! I don't think it is fluid buildup although it could be - feels more hard (and we all know "hard" is scary).

Janet

MissBee123

Janet, I'm 4 months out from my double mastectomy and I've been having problems with my arm after ANLD. I had PT twice a week for the last 4 months, but my PT--although really nice--was not a specialist with ANLD or mastectomies. I ended up going to a specialist OT for help last week once we moved to Colorado. She took one look at me and promptly put me back into therapy, saying I had developed a lot of cording. Cording apparently doesn't always feel like strings, it can also be lumps and bumps. My husband has to help me massage it every night and he said it feels like a walnut under my armpit.

So, massage is probably the way to go but you might need help, depending upon how deep the cording is. I have to lay with my arm above my head and "push" my bicep up so that the armpit is taut and hubby can really dig in there for massage. It's not pleasant but I can feel almost immediate relief after about 5 minutes.

If you're feeling lumps and bumps it might be worth it to visit an OT or PT who specializes and can really assess what's going on and show you exactly how to massage.

I'm on day 4 of my first Taxol this week and SO sleepy! With all my other chemos I was tired but could lay on the couch and rest. With Taxol I'm sleeping 10-12 hours a night and have to nap during the day. Did any of you experience this level of fatigue?

Batesburg

Thanks, MissBee! I did go to PT at the Breast Center here at OSU a few weeks ago and she said I didn't have to come back unless I was experiencing problems! I think I will call the NP at my BS office to discuss a bit more. It does feel like it is going away, though. All that messing with your tissue is bound to create some scar tissue/fatty deposits/injury. Gotta respect that our bodies will take care of things but after having a breast cancer diagnosis I am less likely to think my body is as resilient as it used to be!

Glad you are getting more attention and help to support your healing.

Yes, taxol made me very tired and wishing I was sleeping most of the time- additionally, it just seemed to accumulate in my body so it was overwhelming that is for sure. Taxol also made me feel a bit itchy and numb on my face, even!!

mdoc524

Hugs to you Ruth .. I see my MO at end of March but she had already told me will only to testing if there is a reason too.. Maybe you need PT also with the lymphedema and my stomach is still not 100% and take probiotic every morning!! My MO said that it takes 6 - 12 months to recover from chemo - UGH! For anxiety did you consider any meds to help - my OBGYN gave me Effexor to help with the horrible hot flashes - said it is the best thing to help breast cancer patients with sudden onset menopause - have not taken it yet! Glad to hear fatigue is almost gone for you!!

MissBee - Taxol crushed me in many ways and horrible fatigue was one and the other was neuropathy - hope you don't experience that! I also had bad reaction to Taxol and got a rash for 10 weeks all over my hips and arms - also needed a blood transfusion and had a fever for like 6 weeks - admitted to hospital for 5 day stays 2x .. I so hope none of what I experienced happens to you!! Hugs to you!!

Janet - good luck with your lumps and bumps - I only had 2 nodes removed (both positive) and have not had any issues yet (knock on wood) - hope it gets better for you!

Hugs to all - I have my last Radiation tomorrow #34 of 34 - Happy St Patty's Day!!!

Mary

RuthElizabeth

I hope everyone has a relaxing Easter weekend. Love and peace to you all. Ruth

Bliss58

I got antsy and decided to wait only 5 mos. instead of 6 mos. I thought originally to dye my all gray hair. I used a natural dark blonde, thinking I'd start lighter than my natural light brown hair. It was a non-peroxide, non-am

monia dye that washes out in 6-12 shampoos. Good thing because it came out looking more Easter yellow than blonde! (The photo looks better than reality.) Think I'll try light brown next. Best to you all who celebrate this Easter weekend.

mdoc524

BjsMiller - it looks great - good for you! I am almost 3 months out and my niece is going to dye mine this coming week .. I can't take it anymore!! I am going to try light brown so fingers crossed!

Right back at ya Ruth - Happy Easter everyone!

Mary

Cheesequake

Hey ya'll! Just popping in to say hi. Got a PM from sas-schatzi wanting to know if I was okay (so sweet!!) so thought I'd post the update I sent her to the group:

I'm just fine. Finishing Herceptin in July and hopefully having my port out. Quit Tamox after only about 6 weeks because it was making me crazy. Made my onc cry when I told her I wasn't having a mastectomy. (May have to fire her when I see her tomorrow. We just don't see eye to eye on most things.) Had a full body MRI and they found a "thing" behind my sternum, probably a residual cervical thymus (total non-issue), but now they're trying to figure out if they can get at it to biopsy it, just to be safe.

My lack of time here definitely isn't boredom. Aside from going back to work and being super-busy with that, I'm just trying to protect my peace of mind. I worry obsessively enough about BC without reading the forums! Trying to spend as much time as possible enjoying living life. I know you get it.

Best wishes to everyone at BCO!

Bliss58

Mary, how did you light brown hair dye go? Mine is finally washing out. Yay!! It really did not look good at all; the picture looked much better. My DD told me it was actually green in the back! Maybe the Herceptin I'm still taking til June is reacting with the dye. I think I'll wait to try again in July and with light brown!

RuthElizabeth

hi all

Bjsmiller, the green is probably because they used an ash brown color. Color takes so different on our new chemo hair. Good luck.

I hear ya about worrying and reading too much. My doc is only doing blood work in June. Says unless I have fevers, I'm good. I guess and hope time will tell, and it's good.

I had my bilateral mastectomy in June. Still having pains across chest and arm pit. Some day, really bad. Not sure if that's normal, I go back to surgeon in June. Will ask then...

Hope everyone is doing well. Getting strength back. We become someone different after what we went thru. Here's hoping the new you, is smiling again. Peace and love to you all. Ruth

MissBee123

Just sending a Happy Anniversary to all my July 2015 chemo pals. I can't believe it's been a year! Anyone care to share their updates and how they're doing?

I finished my second round of chemo at the end of May. We moved from NYC to Colorado mid-treatment and my new doctors retested my slides. Turns out I'm actually estrogen negative, so no Tamoxifen! Also, I'm not a candidate for radiation due to a genetic mutation (RAD50) so that means, other than Herceptin, I'm officially done! It's only been a month but I'm slowly starting to feel a little more like myself again. Glad to have all this behind me and return to normal life.

Hope you are all doing well and Happy 4th!

inkster

Right back atcha, MissBee123! I was just thinking the same thing. I have friends in Colorado and they love it. I hope it treats you well, too. Although that must have been quite the change to go from NYC to someplace a lot more rural. That's fabulous about returning to normal life! Yay!

Post-chemo I had radiation until December, after which I went back to work and am picking up the threads of my old life. Well, most of 'em (some of them can just stay where I dropped 'em). Tamoxifen and I aren't friends, but I lost my favorite aunt to cancer in April so I'm not willing to stop taking the pills if they could help me stay in remission. My MO recently said in passing that I was at high risk for recurrence too, so I just need to find a way to deal with the hot flashes, etc. On the upside, I have this crazy, super curly mop (soooooo much better than bald), and my strength and energy are mostly back. Woohoo!

On a weird note, I've been bruising really easily lately. I mentioned it during a follow up appointment and no one seems concerned, but thought I'd mention it just in case others are going through the same thing. I do like colorful, just not these colors.

Happy summer!

inkster

And speaking of remission, my MO told me the #1 thing I could do to stay healthy was exercise 30-45 minutes 3-4 days a week. Now, I get the wisdom but I'm not an exercise kind of gal. So, I added this as a bit of inspiration.

courtleboo

I can't believe it has been a year already. After chemo I went on to rads was done in Nov. 2015 and now have tamoxifen for the next 10 years. Surprisingly not many side effects from tamoxifen. I've got a good amount of hair, straight hair with some wave not curly like everyone seemed to think I would have. Started weight watchers plus working out and have lost 16lb so far. And my sister and I signed up for a Breast Cancer 5k at the end of Sept.

I hope you all are doing well!

Take Care!