Starting Chemo in October 2015

AmyBeader

Beautiful pics Andra!

How was your MRI, MDW?

Did you have any luck finding a swimsuit Homeschool?

My son did make All-State-yay!

My side effects are still hanging around even into the third week which is very unusual. I've been pretty down. I am having terrible eye twitching which is affecting my vision. I finally got out today to go grocery shopping and found it difficult to see driving! And after I got home and put everything away I was so exhausted.

I am struggling with finding things to make for dinner. Anyone care to share any great recipes?

igay1ord

Yay! My counts were all wonderful this week so I got to do treatment #5 today! I read up on platelets and how to bring them up. Parsley (dried/natural) is a good way so I sprinkled them on scrambled egg, made butter toast with dried parsley, put parsley on broiled chicken, etc. Also it seems that berries and tomatoes are a great way so I ate quite a bit of those, too! My MO is also suggesting the self-injecting Neulasta for my last treatment. I'll find out for sure tomorrow. Treatment #6 (my last full chemo) will be on Feb. 15th. I'll still have to do Herceptin only until October. But at least there are no nauseous side effects from the Herceptin...and it only takes about 1 1/2 hrs instead of the 5-6 for a full treatment!

I went for my pre-radiation echo-cardiogram on my heart since I've been on Herceptin. My MO wants to make sure my heart is good during all this. Well, good news...my heart is very strong! Yay...since my mother has congestive heart failure, I thought maybe it might be hereditary. Right now it looks like my radiation will be starting sometime around the 15th of March, later than most of you, but I'd like to stay with this group!

Andra...wow! Beautiful pictures! I would so love to go on a hike like that! Such a beautiful part of the country that I haven't been blessed to see yet. I'm 56 years old and had never been out of the south until I met my husband and he's from Iowa. Then in 2008 we actually did the Sturgis Bike Week. That was also gorgeous country! I, too, will be on either Tamoxifen or Arimidex for the next 5-10 years, depending on my hormone levels which will be checked periodically.

Amy...Congratulations to your son! I bet you're one proud mama! You should be! That is such an honor for him! I'm also having major issues with my eyes and twitching. It doesn't help either that I work on a computer all day long for my job. Sometimes I just have to close my eyes for a few minutes, kind of massage them a little, anything to help me focus a little better. At first I thought maybe I needed new glasses, but I think the chemo is having something to do with it.

I talked with one of the nurses today about my hair growth. She told me not to get used to it. It more than likely will come out again since I'm starting to lose my eyebrows/eyelashes. Also, she said it wasn't the "final product"! She called it chemo fuzz, not real hair. So I think I'll just shave the 1/2" off this weekend.

Have a great week everyone! We got this!

ncsue927

igay1ord...congrats on the good counts and #5 and the upcoming final #6!! Yay!! and for the strong heart!!

Andra, you are my rock star! the pics are gorgeous and I envy your drive and stamina. Keep pushing, you inspire us all.

Amy, congrats to your son. I know you are proud of him. I have eye issues, too. I wake up at night and they are so dry I can hardly open them. I use a lubricating eye gel and it seems to help. I can't see as well as I did and I notice it driving. I haven't said anything to my MO, but I don't see the point in going to the eye doc and getting new glasses if it will change again after I finish chemo. I'm kind of doing the wait and see thing. But it is annoying.

I was hoping that Taxol would not be as difficult as the AC, and in all honesty, it really isn't. But my white counts and hemoglobin are not the best. I haven't had to miss a treatment, but `my white count is below normal so I have to be so careful about being exposed to some bug going around. And I am still getting mouth sores which really suck. I'm so sick of not being able to eat. But I'm five down, seven to go. The end is getting nearer. I try to be positive and look on the bright side, but geez.....

DurhamGirl

Hii everyone! Last chemo tomorrow! *sigh* I'm not celebrating yet...need to get through the SEs, then on to radiation, Tamoxifen (or something else), reconstruction (or prophylactic left MX)...it sort of feels like it will never end.

I thought I was holding everything together pretty well until I got a text from my Dad telling me that HE felt conflicted on this evening before my last chemo...grateful for modern medicine but feeling helpless that he didn't do anything. Well, he did EVERYTHING a parent possibly could...multiple visits, much help emotionally, physically, financially, etc. So his message sent me into full weepy mode and I've been weepy on and off all evening

kimmer33, sorry I missed your question earlier...I start on Feb 15 and have 25 treatments (5 weeks) of the standard radiation and then 5 boost treatments to my scar area, if I choose to do that, What is your schedule?

Good luck to everyone going in for infusions tomorrow. And, as always, I will be thinking of you all and sending positive vibes, as we continue on this crazy journey...

MDW1967

Hi everyone,

Well, my 6th and final chemo is in the bag. I wish I could say I feel celebratory and psyched, but mainly I just feel exhausted. The whole thing today felt very anticlimactic, and even a little disappointing. It's such a big infusion unit at Stanford, so you get different people every time. The nurse I had today didn't seem to care that it was my last infusion--or maybe she was just distracted and busy. At any rate, there weren't any congratulations or recognition. And everything ran super loooong. I sat for over an hour after getting hooked up and taking my pre-meds, waiting for the pharmacy to send up my drugs.

Anyway, yeah, so that's over, but I wish I felt it. Hopefully it'll sink in eventually. But it's hard to feel excited when I know the SE's are around the corner, and I've gotta get through the rough part yet.

The MRI on Friday went fine. Being in that machine freaks me out--thank God for Ativan! I was fighting a panic attack the whole way. My surgeon isn't in clinic on Mondays, so she hasn't called to discuss the results. My MO did mention today, though, that he had seen the results of last week's mammography and MRI and "everything has shrunk", including the enlarged lymph nodes. So I'm cautiously optimistic!

There are so many posts I want to respond to, but I think I'm just too tired and mentally exhausted right now. A few comments, though:

Andra: your pictures of that canyon made me want to be there. What a stunning, magnificent place. You really are amazing, taking on that hike even when your legs are giving you problems lately.

igayIord: I'm so glad your echocardiogram went well and that your heart is strong! It was funny reading that comment today because at my pre-infusion appointment, my MO told me that I need to schedule a post-chemo echocardiogram, too. I hadn't realized I'd need to do that. But I'm scheduled to continue with Herceptin-only infusions after surgery, so he also wants to check my heart function. Hoping to get good news like you did!

DurhamGirl, I wish you all the best on your final infusion tomorrow. What you wrote about your dad's text to you brought tears to my eyes. It's painful to hear from our parents how helpless they feel, watching us go through such awfulness. It sounds like your dad has been incredibly supportive, but I'm sure for him, it all seems inadequate because what he really wants is to fix it somehow. My dad has said, every time we've spoken since my diagnosis, that he would give anything to have had this happen to him instead of to me. He and my mom live on the other side of the country, and their sense of helplessness is palpable.

Amy: YAY for your son! That is an awesome accomplishment!

Signing off for now. Sending best wishes to one and all!

Kimmer33

MDW, same thing happened to me before Christmas - got a UPS delivery and forgot i wasnt wearing anything on myhead - got such a strange look from Mr. UPS lol!!!

Jedrik

Andra: That landscape leaves me in awe whenever I see pictures. I know a lot of people who'd have trouble hiking there who consider themselves to be in good condition and you do it chemo and ab SEs included. Props! I have no doubt whatsoever that you'll be fit to enjoy that weekend away from it all. As for taking time off cancer - well, for me this is week three, so it's the best it will get before I'm through but riding 16 miles this afternoon proved I most definitely lack much of the strength I had taken for granted until dx. Even in the best moments life is nowhere near normal. Enough hair to keep my head warm would be really nice, too, even if I don't mind showing my bald head in public.

AmyBeader: Congrats to you son, you must be proud, too, and rightly so. BTW: Did you try to supplement with magnesia (and may be eat stuff with lots of potassium, too)? That might sort the twitching.

Glad to see you fit for the next-to-last round of chemo, igay1ord. I hope I get good news once my echo cardiogramm ist done, too. I did shave that weird fuzz this morning, couldn't stand the sight of it anymore. Now curious how long it will take until I grow decent hair.

ncsue, DurhamGirl, MDW: Good luck in keeping those pesky SEs at bay. Time somehow does pass slower if one feels uncomfortable or even sickly.

Hope everybody else is coping and enjoying life.

homeschool4us

Andra, great pictures! That hike looks really fun!

Igay1ord, glad everything went well and you got #5!

Amy, I didn't find a suit. I ended up looking at my Lands end one I bought 3 years ago and barely used and decided I'll just have them sew a pocket in it. The woman at the breast fitting pace said she can do that for me.

Congrats to your son!

Ncsue, we are about at similar points in our . I get taxol #7 this week. I'm sorry about your counts and mouth sores. This past week is the first I have gotten the mouth sores that got bog and lasted. I have one on the top of my tongue that really hurts.

Durhamgirl, I saw.ypur fb pics of your last treatment! Yay! Hoping you don't get many se's this last time around!

MDW, congrats on your last treatment! I go to the University of michigan and have only gotten the same nurse twice and they don't do a bell or any celebrating either. Sorry.your last treatment wasn't more celebratory.

Jedrik, I so know what you mean about even our best moments aren't normal now. Sad.

DurhamGirl

Finished last chemo this afternoon...now just Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks until October. And rads and endocrine therapy...

But first, with any luck, some sleep. The steroids kept me up all night so I'm exhausted but still on steroids...so we'll see what tonight holds.

Love all the strength and support on this board, even if I don't post much. Good luck to everyone in the coming weeks. I'm not going anywhere just yet...just wishing everyone the best

Kimmer33

yay durhamgirl!!!

MDW1967

DurhamGirl: congratulations on the last chemo!!! I hope you get some much-needed sleep tonight.

Jedrik: Despite the 16 mile ride being much harder, I'm just so impressed with anyone putting in that kind of effort right now. I do know what you mean about life not being normal again, even when things are at their best. I've been wondering if there is going to be a moment when at last things feel normal. I guess inevitably it will be a new normal, though, because no one can go through all of this without being changed by it.

Homeschool: glad you found a swimsuit solution that didn't involve having to buy an all new one! I'm really sorry about the mouth sores--that's one SE I managed not to get and I feel grateful. I hope they go away soon.

My day today has been a little rough. My follow-up appt with the onc surgeon isn't until Monday, Feb 1. But the reports from my mammography and MRI last week landed in my online account today, so I read them. Both the 3-D mammo and MRI stated that the extent of the calcifications (relative to the DCIS) may preclude breast conservation. So, I'm starting to resign myself to what seems like the increasing possibility that I won't be going with lumpectomy after all.

Also, despite the steroids today, the SEs are already starting to kick in. I went for a walk late in the afternoon and abdominal cramps started to kick in. Hello, Big D! Usually it takes a couple of days to really hit. I'm feeling a bit down, honestly. Somehow, I'd hoped this last round would go easier but maybe that was wishful thinking.

Bleagh, sorry, feel like I'm being a bit whiny. Hope everyone is doing all right out there.

Andraxo

Thanks ncsue, jedrik, and igay1ord! It is weird to hear/read that my endeavors inspire or seem like a lot because I feel like I'm at half of my usual activity level and energy...and it has been tough. I think at 45 (46 now) I was in the best fitness level of my life before chemo. Sucks we all have to get knocked down by chemo. Nice to see though that many are getting out to walk and ride. Yay us for fighting!

If any of you find yourselves out this way and want to explore the Rez and see Canyon de Chelly, I have a spare bedroom and you are welcome to stay!

So happy or everyone finishing up chemo today (yay!), this week, and in the next few weeks. Look how far we have come!

reading back over some earlier posts…people close to us do feel helpless. It is especially hard on parents and partners. My partner told me last weekend that he wished he could shoulder some of this burden for me. I started crying even more. He is so sweet and supportive, and I am fortunate to share this life with him.

I also think a lot about what Durhamgirl wrote…about feeling like it will never end. When will I feel like the old me again? maybe that person is gone forever? That's OK as long as I don't always have cancer behind all my thoughts.

So sorry you're having a rough day MDW. You have so much to think about....and while having crappy side effects. so not fair. Hope you feel better soon.

I'm off to elevate my legs. It's a month now of fluctuating pitting edema in my legs and muscles that are tight and sore with every movement. I can barely get up from a squat. Stupid drug reaction. Wish it would get better. Staying hopeful that it will when I'm 4 weeks past last chemo...which is another month. I'll still push myself to run tomorrow morning in the dark before work. Resting doesn't help my muscles (I seriously spend all of Sunday on the couch in my robe with occasional breaks to go on-line and it made no difference), so I'm going to run.

- Andra xo

Andraxo

My morning run ended with me in tears the last couple miles from frustration and being so discouraged that my muscles are not healing. Then I had a nice pity party in my head before sucking it up and going to work. I called my love to hear his voice and his encouraging words. I can't help but think about how lucky I am that he is in my life and to have his support...and at the same time I think that he got shafted. I know that I am doing really well all things considered, but some days it is just hard to be happy all the time with this hanging on me.

You are all rock stars and I am so fortunate to have you all with me on this site. Thank you for being out there for me!!

Happy Wednesday everyone! another day closer to being done and hopefully getting on with a relatively normal life!

- xo

Jclc83

Andra: Last week when I saw my MO I was telling him how exhausted and easily fatigued I am. I even mentioned that I had to rest and catch my breath after using the washroom. I said I know people who run 6 miles on chemo. I was thinking of you.

My MO says that chemo is hard and about 95% of the people are affected like me. Granted I am older than you and not in good shape like you. But you are the 5%! So don't get discouraged. I think you're awesome and amazing.

Congrats to those finishing chemo too

Jedrik

Andra,

if it weren't for words like "You'll bounce back once you are done" and "That weight will just melt off once you can ride again" often with hugs and back rubs whenever I need them I don't know how I'd cope. Looks like I need someone to tell me so I can start believing in myself and a future worth living again.

MDW1967

Andra: I'm so sorry that your morning run ended in tears. I'm glad you called your love and were able to take some comfort from his voice and encouragement. Being happy all the time with all of this hanging on you would be impossible, but it's good to know that you have someone so loving and supportive who is there for you in the dark moments. And honestly, this journey just unequivocally sucks in so many ways. Being able to find the positivity at all is something of a coup, I think. Or so I tell myself on the days when I can't bring myself to do more than lie on the sofa and watch t.v.

Jedrik: while we can't offer more than virtual back rubs and hugs in here, I hope you're getting lots of the real deal from the people in your immediate world. I don't have any doubt, seeing your spirit and strength in this forum that you WILL bounce back from this, and any weight gain from this cancer nonsense will start to melt off when you're recovered from chemo and able to ride again. I've started to gain weight towards the end of chemo, too, and that's been hard. I lost weight initially, but was warned it would probably start to go the other way at some point. Looking in the mirror and seeing my puffy-looking face is discouraging, especially when I've tried to remain active--even if all that means is walking a couple of miles at a stretch. But I try to picture myself a year out from this and imagine myself running.

This morning, I watched a video my plastic surgeon recommended to me when I consulted with him a couple weeks back. It's a talk on breast reconstruction options given by Gordon Lee, head of plastic surgery at Stanford. It's a very detailed talk, but it honestly left me feeling more bewildered about what to do than before, assuming I might need to go with mastectomy. I'm pretty sure I will want reconstruction, and the idea of using my own tissue (DIEP flap) is more appealing to me than implants, but it's a far more involved surgery with more recovery time, and some additional risks. I'm wary of implants because of the risk of leakage and the need for ongoing maintenance, primarily. I feel completely overwhelmed and unable to make a decision. Then again, I'm probably not in the best place to try to make decisions right now, what with the chemo addling my brain....

Andraxo

Thanks Jclc, jedrik, and MDW! I know I have been very fortunate to not have much general fatigue with chemo. I attribute that to my previous energy level - I've always been a high energy person. Some days I'm short of breath - especially these last two rounds. I'm angry about the antibiotic reaction that caused this specific muscle stiffness, pain, and weakness problem. I was doing as well as one could hope for with chemo up until that antibiotic. It is frustrating that the oncology staff don't seem to really believe it because I'm on chemo - despite the fact that I still had enough energy to run 10-12 miles through the first few chemo rounds, though much slower - yet there are websites and blogs and support groups for people affected by that antibiotic. Reading those sites is a horror and discouraging. My partner reminds me often that "this is just temporary" and that "I'll bounce back after chemo is done" (as Jedrik said too). If it was just the chemo side effects, I'd truly believe it, but this drug reaction is a big fat unknown and different than any side effects I've had from chemo. I've got to just let it go... venting about it over..... because it is not good for me emotionally to dwell on it even though it is right in face with every movement.

MDW - I'm not sure it works this way for others, but once I made a surgical decision, I owned it. I second guessed for a couple of days the week before surgery, but I have certainly owned it ever since. Don't let implant leakage risk be a contributing factor in the implant debate. There are options that never leak (they are dense like if you cut a gummy bear in half, nothing pours out...the material stays put), but your own tissue is so appealing and easier to scan later in ongoing follow-up. I can imagine how overwhelming it is trying to make such decisions though with chemo fog. Ugh! Wishing you much thought clarity right now. Your decision, whatever it is, will always be the right one for you!

onward.....

homeschool4us

MDW, I was added to a DIEP flap group on fb so I could learn more and to help decide if that is the way I will want to go. The ladies are very encouraging and someone is getting their DIEP surgery there every week. There are lots of pictures. I am still undecided though and will probably go with a mastectomy on the other side next year and live with that for awhile and see how it is. Anyway, if you are on fb, I can add you if you want.

homeschool4us

I believe I have figured out the main source of my anxiety and depression. I think it is because I had only a liver ultrasound at the beginning of all this and it showed 2 suspicious spots. The dr said they look like they could be hemangiomas, but without further testing they couldn't know for sure. They never brought it up again and I kind of pushed it to the back of my head. Now that I know I will have a CT or pet scan in April, I am terrified those spots will have changed which will mean cancer. I literally feel like I am going to basically get a death sentence in April.

Kimmer33

Thoughts to all you ladies feeling discouraged or worried today. I really enjoy reading through these posts and I am in awe at the support we all give each other. Only we know what each of us is dealing with, and some of us are thousands of miles apart. So cool that we can be friends and have never met.

I met with my surgeon today about having a prophylactic mastectomy on my right side. She said we could do it as soon as May, but we are planning a HUGE trip to Italy, so we will have to do it in June. I am shocked I can do this so quickly, it makes me excited to be rid of this worry. She wants me to have a mammogram to just check that all is good, cross our Ts and dot our Is, which I am doing this Friday, but now I am so worried they will find something. Argh! She said my June 2015 mammogram on both sides showed a thickening in a couple places, as well as cysts on both sides. So my question, if any of you have any ideas to answer me - IF there is/was cancer in my right breast and they just didn't catch it last spring, would it actually not be there anymore after chemo? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

Kim

Kimmer33

And homeschool, I have 2 spots on my liver, which was an all-consuming worry for me last October, but they turned out to be hemangiomas. Very common. I am sure that's all it is.

homeschool4us

Kimmer, IF it were cancer in your other beeast, the areas would have shrunk or disappeared after chemo. That is what they told me about the liver spots as well. However, it is so so rare to cancer in both breasts, especially at the same time. I bet yours are nothing to worry about either.

MDW1967

Andra: You did decide to go with using your own tissue for reconstruction, right? Sorry, I think I read that in a much earlier post somewhere, but I can't quite recall. You'd be doing that sometime post-rads, correct? And do you still have to do tissue expanders, presumably, to get ready to implant your own tissue? I wasn't clear on that point in the Stanford video. The surgeon made it sound like, with reconstruction using your own tissue, you could in theory do everything in one (albeit lengthy) surgery--i.e., mastectomy, get the tissue from one's abdomen, and implanting it. However, the caveat to doing it all at once seemed to be when rads are involved because rads would impact the implanted tissue. (And based on what I saw on the MRI and 3-D mammogram reports, it sounds like I'd possibly be a candidate for rads even if I do mastectomy, due to the extensiveness of calcifications and number of lymph nodes involved).

Thank you for the heads up on implant options, too. The plastic surgeon in the video talk described saline and silicone options, but didn't explain that there are types that don't necessarily leak even if popped.

Homeschool: I'd definitely be interested in getting on the DIEP FB group to get a better idea of what it's like for folks going through it. Thank you for the pointer, and the offer! My FB account is Meara Day Williams. As for your anxiety about the spots on your liver pre-chemo, I can completely understand that. When I did my pre-chemo CT scan, there were a couple things noted on the final report--a couple spots in colon and something on the lung, though that info didn't signal any major alarms for my MO. But I would think that, even if some cancer cells had been trying to set up shop elsewhere in your body when the BC was found, the chemo would have likely killed them, too.

Kimmer: Yay for a trip to Italy in May!!!! And to your worries about the possibility of an undiagnosed breast cancer in your right breast, I would *think* that the chemo would have killed that, too. It sounds like nothing was biopsied in the right breast at that time? If it makes you feel better, when I was being diagnosed, I did have a lump and enlarged axilla on the right as well, and both turned out to be benign. My breast tissue is extremely dense and prone to thickness and cysts forming, and it sounds like you might be in similar boat. It is a source of worry for me, in terms of my future, and having to worry ongoing about what might develop in the other breast. Now that I've been starting to contemplate that I might require mastectomy after all, I've been thinking more about prophylactic mastectomy on the right as well. Too much to think about.....

Kimmer33

Thanks homeschool & MDW, so my thinking about the chemo killing anything that even thinks about growing in that right breast is on the right track! Yes, MDW, sooooo much to think about, I am not even done treatment and mentally it's exhausting to think about going into surgery again, but I just can't live with the worry and know I will be much happier when the right one is gone. I would get rid of everything I am not using to alleviate worry, doctors not so much,

Surgery was the easiest of treatments for me, and I am planning to only take 1 week off from work, as my nodes won't be taken out like last time. Thanks for responding!

Andraxo

Homeschool - sorry you are stressed about the scan. Breathe and try to visualize that it will simply confirm the hemangiomas. It will be the big sigh of relief you need!

Kim - Yay Italy trip!! That is so wonderful and exciting! If there was any cancer in the other breast , at a minimum it would be smaller after chemo...just like how they shrink tumors with chemo before doing any surgery. I am surprised they want to do another mammo. Even when removing a non-cancerous breast (which is presumed in this case) they usually do a biopsy of the tissue removed. I have dense breasts and had cysts on the non-cancerous side. They did a biopsy when it was removed. My cancer never showed on mammo anyway, even the extra mammo that was done after a core biopsy already confirmed I had cancer. Like you, surgery was definitely the easiest part of all of this, even going bilateral!

MDW - If (likely) I reconstruct I'll be using my own tissue but not where it is cut away or as a graft. The surgeon will liposuction fat from somewhere (likely my butt/hips/thigh - need to put on a little more weight first)) and then it gets deposited to make a breast. I have to wear a Brava device for a weeks (not sure how many hours per day) to get the breast tissue ready. It's some sort of suction device. I would not recommend any reconstruction until after radiation. There is a 30% failure rate (what I was told by my plastic surgeon) of implants or expanders if the skin is radiated after they are in. The radiation oncologist also told me radiation is trickier to plan around implants or expanders - they affect the beams. He was very happy I am flat and will not be going the reconstruction route until after this is all done. Had there not been cancer in my lymph nodes, I would have had expanders put in at the time of bilateral mastectomy and gone with the 'gummy bear' implants later...because I would not have needed chemo or radiation. I think every surgeon is a little different in their approach and what they recommend. You just need to trust your surgeon and the plan. My surgeon won't consider implants for me because of the high complication with radiated skin (though not completely impossible depending on how my skin fares long term) and I respect his judgment even more for that. I think I'd be more comfortable with some fat re-distribution anyway since I only want A cup size to fill in the space behind my nipples which were spared. I wasn't even a B before and it was great for my lifestyle!

Kimmer33

Yes, yay Italy! Sooooo excited! If any of you have been to Italy, bring on the tips and tricks to visiting!

Yes, Andra, my thoughts also, that any cancer would shrink with chemo, just like neoadjuvant therapy. My mind just wanders to dark places when I think of scans, any scans, and I am a worrier. I should learn to just roll with this stuff already. My surgeon wants another mammogram, yes, but here in British Columbia, we do scans at the drop of a hat, as there is no cost to us, so it's best for her to know exactly what she is cutting off. My cancer did show up on mammo originally. The removed breast will be sent to a pathologist afterwards, so will get any reports of bad things within a week of the surgery. Yes, we are presuming it's non-cancerous and just a preventative measure, so I SHOULD STOP WORRYING!!!!

Jclc83

Not to be Debby Downer or anything but just because you have a mastectomy doesn't mean you can't get breast cancer. Hopefully you all know that.

Kimmer33

jclc, so if i get cancer again, in that area, is it still breast cancer if there is no more breast tissue? If it is still breast cancer i think that would be considered metastasis, no?

Kim

Jclc83

All I know is that you can get recurrence of breast cancer in the scar tissue or chest wall after a mastectomy. Although I suppose the chance is small. Is recurrence the same as metastasis not quite. Depending on where exactly it is and if it's the same kind of tumor. Best bet, Talk to your doctor. Just mentioned it so you're informed.Don't let my opinion stop you. Do what's best for you.

DurhamGirl

Hi everyone! Lots of interesting posts today...just don't have the energy to fully respond now. Seems like the exhaustion hits earlier and earlier after each infusion...

This may seem like a random question, but does anyone have any guided meditations for sleep that they like? They actually seem to help me fall asleep, but I only have one that I like (by Belleruth Naparsek), but I am getting a little bored of it. I have downloaded some from the iTunes store that I really don't like and would prefer something recommended.

Thanks!