Starting Chemo December 2015

redrock75

hey Sammy and everyone, I'm still here, hit a rough patch after my 3rd taxol. The day of my 4th (I'm on the 12 weekly plan) I had a fever so chemo was cancelled and I was given tamiflu and levaquin just in case. The next week, I had a fever still and my WBC and neutrophils were very low, so I was hospitalized for febrile neutropenia last week. All cultures were negative and they found no source of infection. I went home Wednesday night on oral antibiotics but low grade fevers started again right away. I was supposed to have chemo yesterday but again my temp was 100.2 in the office so no chemo, they drew more blood for cultures. At this point I asked my doctor if it would be very bad for me to just stop the taxol altogether and move on to my mastectomy and she said that's what she is thinking too, that I'm done. She wants to see if I still have a fever next Monday but really...I'm done. I just hope the surgeons will be able to move things around to get me in for surgery in the next 2-3 weeks unexpectedly!

chinacat

redrock that stinks! I hope you're feeling better soon.

PezGal do it! You deserve a red canoe:

KatG68

PezGirl - It IS possible! My Oncologist said I've done so well with the chemo that he recommended me to go ahead and start rad. The Radiation Oncologist agreed when he reviewed everything. Have my 7th weekly Taxol this Thursday. Hoping that doing this at the same time will all be okay. I've done really well with the A/C part - was nauseous some, but not really bad. The only SE I've had with Taxol is that I'm VERY hot the afternoon after treatment that morning and can't sleep that night. I had 2nd rad today - so far, so good, but I know it's early! Was told today that it's 7 weeks, not 5 of rad. Was also told last week that I couldn't have the reconstruction on the left breast until 6 weeks AFTER all rad was done. I get my bits of bad news in little doses! LOL! And, you DESERVE a canoe! Go for it! I plan on taking a girl trip to New Orleans with my sister-in-law and nieces this May or June once I'm done to celebrate!

Redrock - I agree with chinacat - that stinks!

Twirp26

Pezgal, you should totally get your ass in a cherry red canoe!!! You earned it for sure!!!!

Redrock, so glad to hear from you! Sorry for the set back:( I know how disheartening it can be. But bright side, done with chemo!!!!!! It's crazy how things can change on a dime, just like it did when we all discovered we had breast cancer:( hang in there, take it easy and keep us posted on surgery date. Praying for you!!

I had numerous 6 today although really number 2 because the first 4 didn't work. I am doing ok. MOFFIT dr. Said to continue FEC. (Well her nurse did) I have to say, I am learning in all of this mess that finding that special Doctor that views you as a person and not a number is very hard. I also got confirmation that I DO NOT have effected lymph nodes under my bone. (Oncologist told me this a few weeks ago) my surgeon told me no and I got confirmation. This is good news but WTF???? Speaking of, here is my chemo shirt of the day;) hang in there ladies!!

PezGal

WTF is right?!?! You dr told you it was in the nodes under the bone and it wasn't? You're FIRED! I would lose trust in that person, and personally I'd be really, really, pissed off.

Twirp26

oh!!!! Like you wouldn't believe!!!! My mother said not to go in acusatory but inquisitory;) he said he was wrong but didn't apologize. I have lost trust in all except my surgeon. He is amazing!!!

stotamom

Twirp - love the shirt and so happy to hear that you do not have node involvement. I too would lose faith in my doctor if he told me one thing and then changed his mind.

Redrock - I hope your feeling better soon!

I had #5 of 12 taxol today. My face and tip of tongue went numb and I ended up with a "lump" in my throat. I'm probably looking at a decrease in my dose and an increase in my pre-meds. It's the third week in a row and this week was way worse. I have an office visit Thursday to come up with a plan and to go over my pet scan that I'll have tomorrow.

chinacat

twirp, glad to hear the nodes under your bones aren't affected!

Trisha-Anne

Sammy and Pezgirl, I did Herceptin five years ago with my first fight with cancer. Herceptin was pretty good for me, I worked full time throughout it. My main problem was diarrhea, but I get the big D with almost anything lol. The last 2 or 3 were the hardest for me, probably because I was so close to the end and just wanted it over. I would work the day of the infusion, go have the Herceptin and then go back to work. I'm hoping it treats you as gently.

As for the cardiotoxicity - it wasn't a problem for me. I had MUGA scans every three months and my numbers never really varied.

Trish

NewDay123

Hi everyone, just popping in to say my second to last AC is done! YAYYY. Had it today. Since I had a tough time with AC #2, I'll be getting three weeks before my last AC.

One more day closer to getting it all done, everyone!

Twirp26

hey New day!! We should be done on the same day!! April 12th. That is if they don't add more to mine. 😊😊😊😊😊 knocking them out!!!

mvspaulding

Twirp, I'm happy for you about your nodenews! That's great!

Twirp26

lol, Spaulding. Nodenews is good news;) lol

NewDay123

Hey Twirp! Yay!

Lemint

Good morning Ladies, I hope this day finds you all well. I wanted to let you all know that yesterday was my last chemo. Yeah!!! Now I'm onto 6 weeks of radiation, 8 months of herceptin and exchange surgery in a few months. It's been a little rough, I think some severe depression set in but coming here sure does help. I hope to start feeling like myself soon. I feel blessed to read all of the comments of you amazing ladies. I've leaned to let more people in to talk and help me when needed, something I've struggled with. Wondered if some of you are moving onto radiation and herceptin? Have a great day, Laurie

Sammy3

Congrats Lemint! I am right there with you - I had my last TCHP this week - now onto another lumpectomy, then radiation!

chinacat

lemint, congratulations on your last chemo!!!

Sheri64

Congrats Lemint and Sammy3 that is great to be finished with chemo.  I go for my last chemo Wednesday and I can't be wait be done with that part, then on to 7 weeks of rads.

Lemint

Thanks everyone. Congratulations to your Sammy3 on finishing your chemo and Sheri64 on your last chemo Wednesday. Our next part of this journey begins.

Twirp26

so happy Lemint!!! That is great news!! Sorry to hear about the depression setting in, I know how that feels. It does help to talk about it. So glad you got the chemo portion down!!! I'm sure everyone can't wait til this is over!!!

Angtee15

December 2015 Chemo Chicks rule!Congrats to everyone who has finished chemo or getting close to it! I am in the chair getting AC #2...just two more infusions to go...

We've been at this cancer thing for three seasons now. It's definitely easier mood wise now spring is here.

Happy Easter ladies:)

Lemint

Thanks Twirp and Angtee, the sun sure does help. Its been so gloomy in Chicago land area. Congrats to everyone done or close to being done with chemo.👍👍

Lou53

Happy Easter ladies!

Sammy3

I love that Lou, thank you!!!!

mvspaulding

yay!! congrats to all you lovely ladies who have kicked the chemo monster butt! Good luck with the next stage. I am set for my exchange surgery on April 7th.

KHinMD

Karenbo - Thanks for sharing your experience with Herceptin only. My first Herceptin only infusion will be 4/11. I'm sure all of us are concerned about SEs, but I don't expect them to be any worse than what we are used to. And some of them will go away. It's good to hear that your energy level is improving. I'm expecting my body hair to come back with a vengeance way before my head hair.

Lemint - I hope you are starting to get to a good place emotionally and physically now that you have finished chemo. I've had some down days but now I'm feeling better about being able to put such a tough journey behind me. Now I am bracing myself for surgery.

Twirp26 - Awesome shirt as always and congrats on the nodenews.

I am officially 5 days PFC (post final chemo). Congrats to everyone else who finished chemo and continued luck to those still fighting on. And good luck to those of us undergoing surgery soon.

Happy Easter

Angtee15

Yay Mvspaulding! Is exchange surgery outpatient?

Question for you and others who have had their mastectomies: how long did you need help with bandages, drains (going potty?) Once you came home? I am having an aunt come to stay and need an idea of how long I will need her. My fiance and I live together, but I don't think he's the best choice of nurse especially since my aunt offered to do this for me.

Lyra10

Hey Angtee15 my drains were in for 1 1/2 weeks and I was able to do my own potty with my left hand! 🙃 I was out of work for 2 weeks and have only missed a coupe days during chemo. My last one was Thursday. Do me a favor go to Etsy and look up shower drain holders! Makes your life so much easier and makes for an easier time showering and being able to do your shower exercises so much better!

Good luck! My expander surgery probably won't be until May or June, i didn't have a PS when I had my mastectomy surgeon just went in & cut it out.

Angtee15

Happy Easter everyone! Thanks Lyra. I went and favorited the drain holders on Etsy.

You have been a champ with work woman! I've only mustered about 25 hours or so a week but go in more now with AC every other week. I plan on using short term disability during surgery recovery.

PezGal

Hey Angtee15 - Single or double mastectomy? I had bilateral. After my surgery I was out of work for 3 weeks, my mom came to help for about 2 of those weeks. Mostly she was there as aid to my husband when it came to driving me to appointments, cooking, grocery shopping, and daycare drop off/pick up for our kid and general occupying of said kids attention. My husband went back to work the day after my surgery (new job, no leave time). She was also emotional support for me and kinda babied me, giving me my pills and stuff. I could have done it alone but it was nice to have a companion... and all around support for our family. Physically my only hold back was reaching up. I didn't need help with the bathroom (just make sure you put toilet paper waste level or lower - I was able to reach down but not up, and twisting for the roll holder to my left was a no-go so I sat the paper on a footstool) and was able to shower myself (and poorly wash my hair, back when I had hair!) about 3 days after surgery. Everything just takes preparing (getting high things down), really taking your time (no rushing), and lots and lots of sleep. Also, I was able clear my own drains. I was told to not bother my bandages (steri strips) till they fell off on their own. But, I'm a hard headed person and tend to push myself a bit. Maybe too much. Everyone is different, every experience is different. But if she's willing, I'd book her for a couple of weeks.

Also, I've already forgotten if it was painful, or rather how painful it was. I guess that's one of those good things about memories - pain fades. Grit your teeth and get through it, one day it will just be a blurry memory. You're almost done!