Starting Chemo December 2015

Nebraska917

The first few days were rough. Are you having fat grafting done? That was the worst part. My stomach was sore for a week. But really my chest was fine. The good thing about not having a lot of feeling there. I could reach my arms fine after surgery and get into tshirts. Nothing like the first surgery. But the first few days were definitely rougher than I anticipated. Good luck! You're almost done too.

mvspaulding

Thanks. I'm starting to get a little nervous. I just want a good outcome and for them to look as normal as possible. I don't think I'm having fat grafting. I'm going smaller than I was before.

PezGal

Taxol #8 done! Woo-hoo! I'm gettin' there..

Angtee15

Right on Pezgal! The finish line is in sight. I had AC #3 today. 1 more dance with the Red Devil.

Saw the surgical oncologist today and she was giving me the tiniest bit of push back on my bmx decision. But it felt more like she was doing her due diligence to go through the lumpectomy radiation option one more time, and she said in the end she believes the decision is ours. I am just not convinced my other boob won't turn on me. That would be that. Also I'm not a candidate for nipple sparing since the tumor was only an inch away. Boo:(

Trisha-Anne

Woohoo Pezgal! I just did number 9!!! We are almost there and I can't wait. I had that treatment in a vein in my arm as my port has developed a leak and can't be used anymore. As soon as chemo is finished it will have to come out. It was supposed to stay in for at least two years because of the triple negative, but I'm not having it replaced, and will keep everything crossed hoping I never need a port again.

mvspaulding

Congrats Trisha and Pezgal, you are getting there

Tesla

Hi everyone, glad to see some people at the finish line!! Oh yeah!! it's been 7 weeks since my last chemo. I'm back to work a week ago and doing fine. On my 2nd day working in the OR, I did couple breast biopsy and port procedure. Some patients have more invasive breast cancer than me. I felt so lucky that I can still work and slowly get my life back. now hope to grow more hair!!!

NewDay123

Yay Pezgal, Angtee, Trisha!

Lyra10

njnancy I gained about 25 pounds from my surgery to the last chemo. Last week was my 1st week to get back on the wagon (finished my last chemo on 3/24) when the 14 day period from hell was determined to not be a SE. I ended up having an emergency D&C on Friday morning.

So I shall start again with some walking and get back to my 30 day AB crunch challenge

NewDay123

Hi Lyra10, I look forward to getting back into some level of fitness too. Hopefully the D&C resolved everything.

My last AC today. I'm feeling way more nauseous than the previous ACs. Don't feel like eating or drinking anything. I even took the optional nausea med for those in-between times, and I'm still feeling it. Sucks. I'm hoping tomorrow I'll feel a little better.

Twirp26

glad to see everyone is knocking out each phase of this nightmare!! I go tomorrow for my last dose of FEC. I will still need Herceptin until December but I'm counting this as my last chemo!! Surgery in May! Wishing everyone well!!

Angtee15

Twirp! I will see you in the May surgery threads. Got my bmx date today--5/11!

Ugh. New Day. Sorry about the nausea. Whenever I see those red syringes in my mind it makes me squeamish. I'm only three days out from my last one and...anyway... AC not so much. Hope you feel better. Besides the anti nausea pills ice cold Canfield's Seltzer with lemon really helps!

Twirp26

angtee15, i should have a date soon too. Maybe we will be under the knife on the same day😉 I'll keep you posted. Ready to move on to the next step even though I'm not looking forward to the recovery. One day at a time. I'll look for you in May surgery thread, haven't checked it out yet

mvspaulding

Twirp thinking of you today on your last chemo! Yay!!!!

Newday, sorry you aren't feeling well, hope it gets better today. Hope you feel like celebrating soon!

Congrats on getting to the next step with surgeries coming up. Those of us who have been through it already are here to help

NewDay123

Thanks Angtee, Twirp, Mvspaulding .. yes, much better today! Yay!! Thinking about burgers and sushi next week when I'm feeling better

My mood is much better and feeling more hopeful.

One day at a time!

KHinMD

Angtee15 - Congrats on your last chemo. Now the wait for surgery. I'm down to 2 weeks and I feel like the Cookie Monster in the iPhone commercial.

NewDay123 - Good to hear that you are feeling better than the beginning of the week. I remember thinking about all the stuff I would eat when I got my taste back. Are you done with chemo or do you still have Taxol?

Twirp26 - Congrats on your last chemo. I'm in the same boat as you as far as waiting for surgery and getting Herceptin (and Perjeta in my case). I went in for my first "antibody only" infusion on Monday. So far I haven't been experiencing fatigue like I was with the chemo drugs. Time will tell with other SEs. I'm a little worried about the recovery from surgery too.

mvspaulding - Congrats on your exchange surgery. How is your recovery going? Has it been easier than after the mastectomy?

Congrats to anyone else done with chemo and surgery and good luck to those almost done.

mvspaulding

Hi Khin, I'm doing pretty good. Got out today by myself first time since surgery and went grocery shopping. Might have done a bit too much cause I was sore when I got home. Mainly just tired because it's hard to sleep on my back but way easier than the BMX. Good luck. When is yours

KHinMD

mvspaulding - I'm glad you are doing good. I hear you on the sleeping on your back. I'm prone to get nightmares and sleep paralysis if I sleep on my back. My mx is on 4/25. I meet with my PS on Friday. She gave me this packet that we are going to go over with pre and post operation instructions, medications to avoid and during what timeframe. I feel like I need to be strapped down to the bed to keep from accidently raising my arms above my elbows.

mvspaulding

My recliner was where I spent most of my time after MX, even slept in it at first because it hurt to lay flat. I can honestly say that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be though. Hang in there. You will get through this part too!

PezGal

KHinMD, I wouldn't worry about accidently raising your arms. For a while, they're not going anywhere. I used a little wedge pillow for my bed and spent most of my time there. Although, I did have a reclining rocking chair that was a nice change of pace (things got pretty boring by then end of my captivity).

KHinMD

mvspaulding and PezGal - Thanks for the encouragement and letting me know what to expect my first few days post surgery. I met with my PS on Friday to go over the consent forms and get the list of prescriptions to be filled, so I feel more prepared. I'm gearing up for a busy week at work to make sure I finish up lab testing by Friday. When I return to work, I plan to be on "desk duty" for a few weeks since lab work can be strenuous.

Angtee15

Mvspaulding! I took your recliner tip very seriously. We don't have one but I was happy to discover I can rent one from a medical supply place. It's technically a medical lift chair/recliner. My convalescence comfort level just rose several notches

mvspaulding

Ours was in our basement and I had my hubby and son move it to our bedroom. It is still there 6 months later! I have grown quite attached to it. It still helped after this last exchange surgery.

Khin and Angtee, if there is anything at all I can do to help or give any advice please let me know.

NewDay123

KHinMD, Thanks! Yes, chemo is done. I had taxol first then AC. Waiting for surgery now.

Seriously needing to find a recliner!

Twirp26

Hi ladies!! I hope everyone is doing well and moving along smooth with your journeys. I think a lot of us are finished or finishing soon with chemotherapy. This December chemo group has been amazing!! I want to invite anyone interested in joining a private Facebook group for even more support to private message me. You have all been an inspiration and this is just one more avenue to stay in contact with each other. Send me a message if you are interested. We still use this wonderful site, just added therapy;) stay strong!

KHinMD

Angtee15 and NewDay123 - Too bad you aren't in the DC area. My parents can practically give away recliners. They have 5 regular recliners and a sofa that reclines on the ends. I don't have a recliner at my place, but I will be staying with them.

NewDay123 - I thought you were done. Just making sure. Hope you've been able to satisfy the cravings for burgers and sushi. Do you have a date set for surgery yet?

mvspaulding - I'll probably have a few minor questions, being the overly cautious worrywart that I am. Hopefully there aren't too many from the time of my surgery on Monday to my first follow-up appointment that Friday.

Twirp26 - I agree. It was reassuring to have people who knew what I was going through to talk to. Coming to this site and having the support of fellow warriors gave me even more strength to pull through the past several months. And the continued support will carry me through the rest of the journey.

mvspaulding

Once again Twirp you so eloquently put into words what we all have been feeling. I count all of you as my friends. We are getting through this together!

And anytime Khin. If I can help I surely will.

Opt4Life

Hi ladies, its so verynice to see many of you finished with chemo or finishing up. The ACs took their physical toll on me. So tired.....falling asleep on the train-ride to work and missing my stop was a weekly occurrence. Plus I picked up a nasty flu that shutdown my throat and voice for a few days. The nausea was the worst.

Anyhoo finished up on April 8th and next up is a mid-May surgery (date still TBD). Just trying to convince my plastic surgeon to do immediate reconstruction and I'll take my chances with radiation. He prefers DIEP after radiation but has had good results with doing it before too.

You all are consistently in my prayers. God bless

Trisha-Anne

I'm another one to finish chemo - finally! Yay! Had my last taxol a few days ago. Have to get through the yucky next few days, then looking forward to starting to feel better and stronger.

mvspaulding

congrats Trisha Anne! Yay!!