January 2016 Chemo!

Valstim52

Cathytoo,

what a great story and opportunity. Love it.

Cathytoo

LovesToFly....OMG, another issue to deal with. I read early on that blurred vision can be a side effect. It's also a sign of early cataracts. It might be less stressful to visit your eye doctor for an exam BEFORE you do a brain scan. When I had a CT scan before I started Chemo they found as an incidental finding an 8mm lesion on the head of my pancreas. So now, I need an MRI to be sure it's a benign cyst. My MO (and research I've done) says 90% it's nothing. But, another thing that needs to be watched and serious surgery if it's cancer. The good news it would be incredibly early and tiny. Bad news ... pancreatic surgery is a nightmare. You're right..,more fun. How much fun can we women handle?????

LovesToFly

yes I have been told blurry vision or prescription changes can happen. I haven't had either of those and I'm still wearing my contacts, however my eyes to get watery!

Cathy your date sounds great!

They also found something in my liver when I had my CT scans. They didn't think it was anything but weren't able to roll it out, it took about two more months for me to be able to be told decisively that it was benign lipoma, harmless and never would've been found if not for the cancer.

Paulinek

I had some blurry vision with TC, but I saw that it was a side effect of the nausea meds. I never thought to mention it because it went away when I stopped taking them. I hope it's nothing to worry about MissBee!

DFWFLYGIRL

MissBee....that is not fun. I guess I need to mention the change in mine too this week. I don't have halos just worse sight but also read a side effect. Hope your tests come out fine!!

Cathytoo-we will live vicariously thru you and your budding friendship/possible romance..love it!!

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Cathytoo

DFWFLYGIRL .... Don't get your hopes up with this romance. I've been brave enough to do Chemo. Don't know if I'm brave enough to ride a Harley at 70 years old. It would be a fun story to tell my grandchildren, though. I have 13, BTW‼️ Did I add that this guy is a younger "boy toy". He's 63. Good for my ego while going through BC.

DFWFLYGIRL

Cathytoo...even better....a youngin with a bike! I love it...I will wait for the updates with bated breath

zinny

Love that story Cathytoo:) Wow - you look so young in your Avatar pic, I wouldn't have even guessed you were 50.

JCS28

I mentioned that I wanted to get my eyes checked b/c I thought my prescription was changing and my MO just said it was normal with Taxotere and to wait until I was done to get an eye exam.

And speaking of eyes, I had the WORST watery eyes yesterday! As I walked in to work in the wind there were tears streaming down my face! And I wasn't crying! I did skip my Claritin yesterday, so I won't do that again. So weird.

Cathytoo

zinny...Thanks for the complement. I feel like 50. Never had any illness up to now. Can't believe I have to deal with breast cancer. But, I'm doing really well with Chemo so far. Hope my good luck continues and I'll be around to get older.

EstelaLorca

Morning ladies,

I'm just wondering how many of you are experiencing the accumulative effects of chemo now. I'm probably going into my 5th round of taxotere next week and I'm just not able to move like I used to. I was going to the gym probably almost every other day, just walking on the treadmill, and now I feel like an old woman, that has never exercised before in her life, that maybe used to smoke??? that's the only way I can describe how my body feels at the moment. Anyways, it's kinda freaking me out.

I hope everyone is doing well as we push forward....

LovesToFly

I too am definitely not doing as well, my first three rounds of chemo were great, I had a few rough days afterwards, and then was back to myself, even doing a little bit of running and yoga. Since number for a few weeks ago, it's gotten rougher and I know longer bounce back like I used to, definitely not as quickly.

I think part of it has also been that I've been getting a lot of colds and migraines, which is very common for me this time of year my body does not like when winter turns into spring! It sucks because I cannot do the things I normally do this time of year to boost my immunity a little, like an extra doses of vitamin C and oil of oregano

Cathytoo

LovesToFly...Sorry you're in a slump. I just had my 4th yesterday. Last time I did get tired but nothing that put me in bed or stopped my regular activities. I did feel at times that everything had been drained out of my body. But, with a little walking and water the feeling was gone in minutes. It was a very strange feeling and I hope it's not worse this time. So, tell me...are you needing more BC fun? On another topic that's more pleasant..,does your brother live close to you. It must be great having a twin

Sheri64

Well just left the surgeon for a check up and he drained my lumpectomy site again.  Anyone else have alot of fluid build up.  Twice I have to have this done also in my armpit.   On a great note I go in for my last chemo tomorrow.

MissBee123

EstelaLorca , my MO told me yesterday that chemo causes chemical fatigue, but not true fatigue, and will actually be lessened with exercise. I do exercise regularly but that doesn't seem too right to me! I'm pretty damn tired with this whole thing and I try to exercise but I also feel like I'm about 90.

Sheri, I had a double mastectomy but I'm actually going in for an ultrasound tomorrow morning because they think I might have a pocket of fluid buildup in my right breast. They think it's fluid but just want to be sure. If it is, though, they won't drain it and said it will resolve on its own.

Jill, even if you can't take OTC or natural meds, is there something your doctor can prescribe? I hate this cumulative effect of each round being slightly worse than the one before. Yuck.

EstelaLorca

Thanks for the feedback ladies, I will continue with the walking but I guess at a slower pace now. I did go today, and it did help a bit. And in terms of fluid build-up, I'm feeling it all-over. Especially in my left arm, where I've had lymph nodes removed. Wearing a sleeve now, gotta stay on top of lymphedema. lots of bc fun!

jensgotthis

For those of you who have had bilateral mastectomies, did any of you have immediate reconstruction (ie, implants put in at the same time)? If you did, or had reconstruction before rads, how'd that go for you? I'm starting to think about what I want to do surgery-wise and I'm not very interested in multiple surgeries for reconstruction. Wanting to do the least possible but wanting to have some level of reconstructed boobs (even if they are smaller - I'm a D now and thinking that Bs or a small C would be just fine).

MissBee123

Jen, I did a DIEP/PAP flap surgery at the same time as my double mastectomy. For me, I really didn't want implants and this felt like the best solution that helped me to keep the most natural looking breasts. It was more surgery upfront (13 hours) but it meant that it was a one-and-done procedure. Unlike implants I don't have to have any further surgeries except a minor touch-up after chemo (and this touchup is so small it can be done in the office with local anesthesia).

I'm very happy with my decision and have no regrets (aside from, you know, losing my breasts). It's a less common procedure to have but if you don't want prolonged surgeries it might be worth looking into.

Paulinek

great question Jen. I am having a double mastectomy with reconstruction next week, but I wasn't given the option of immediate implants. I am dreading tissue expanders!!!

EstelaLorca I am two weeks past my final chemo (4 rounds of TC) and I was running faster mid treatment than I am now. My legs feel like lead and I just can't seem to go any faster. It's strange to be done and still feeling the effects.

Maya15

I'm definitely feeling the cumulative effects. During the AC I bounced back really well each time but the Taxol is wearing me down. I've been exercising but now there are more days when I just don't have the energy to go out. My skin and my guts aren't liking it one bit either. I hate to think what I'll feel like after 8 more weeks of this.

I'm also starting to think about the surgery (double mastectomy) after the chemo. I don't want to have to deal with implants and am thinking of going for the DIEP flap. I would really prefer to have one major surgery and get it all over with in one go with immediate reconstruction. But they haven't talked to me about it yet and I don't know if they'll let me do that because of the likelihood of radiation afterward

jensgotthis

Ms Bee, I'm excited to hear a Diep - FLAP can be done right away and before rads. That's terrifically.I too am not excited about having a foreign object in my body. I'll be making my surgeon appointment for April so I'll add this to my list.

zinny

Jen, I too will have the DIEP flap procedure. I was concerned about an implant in the irradiated side getting a capsular contraction and affecting my day to day comfort and mobility ( fairly common side effect, I guess.) I am a DD but apparently there is only enough at my tummy to get an A or B cup - that is what fancy bras will be for, I guess:) She who once scorned padding….

LovesToFly

well guys I had number five out of six yesterday, one more. I'm feeling OK now but if it's like last time, tomorrow and Friday and Saturday will be worse-pain and steroid withdrawal, and then I will start perking up over the weekend. I can handle that, I'm just hoping I don't get another cold right after like I did last time. That was really what made it so brutal. I did speak to my oncologist and she said the cold symptoms are not from chemo, it's just a coincidence, but I definitely should be extra careful with germs and etc. although I am doing the Neulasta and white blood cells have been high throughout. I'm very proud to cold this time of year, I usually spend March and April somewhat sick, but it sucks so much more when I'm already dealing with chemo!

Cathy my brother lives in the same city as me but we are not close. We had very different lifestyles. I live in the suburbs and am married with two children, he lives downtown and is single. We don't do the same things or go to the same places, we really only see each other through my parents once or twice a month. We text at talk every once in a while. Is my only sibling so I don't really know what it's like to not have a twin, we did not get along while growing up and it was not fun. We get along fine now, we are just too different to be very close. Also, he has bipolar disorder and it is quite severe, he was in the psych ward for four months last year. That is certainly not his fault and even getting cancer I still feel like the lucky one, but it is very difficult to manage him being single and being his only sibling with ageing parents, so I have to admit there's a bit of resentment there and a lot of stress. I went through hell when he was in the hospital last year, I was the one that got him formed, visited him downtown several times a week, dealt with all the legal stuff…bought him whatever food and snacks he wanted, dealt with my parents who did not cope well...and he has done absolutely nothing for me since I got diagnosed. Not even a Starbucks gift card

LovesToFly

oh oh. I'm had my second taxotore yesterday and for the first time since starting chemo in January, I'm having tummy troubles. I wouldn't say full on diarrhea but I've gone to the washroom four times since I woke up this morning, and every time it's been a bit messy and stinky. I want to go out and do some stuff today (I know I probably won't be up to much until after the weekend starting tomorrow) should I take an Imodium or do you think that would be overkill since it's not exactly diarrhea, more like "busy bowels".

EstelaLorca

Lovestofly - bring the imodium. I've been doing Taxotere for 4 rounds now and diarrhea is one of my side effects.

Paulinek - Good luck with your reconstruction, I hope it all goes smoothly.

Maya15 - If this is how I feel now, I'm also dreading the next 2 rounds.

Sheri64 - Congrats on being finished!!!!

Cathytoo

LovesToFly.,,,JILL, TAKE THE IMODIUM IMMEDIATELY. DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS YOU CAN HANDLE. IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER LOOSE MOVEMENT WITHIN AN HOUR OF TAKING IMODIUM, CALL YOUR DOCTOR. I WAS GIVEN STRICT ORDERS ABOUT THIS FROM MY MO. REMEMBER.,,DRINK.

I was wishing for a great story about your twin. Bi/polar is no picnic to deal with. You have to be understanding and forgiving

Myraknits

Jill, definitely take something now! I ignored busy bowels and ended up needing 2 liters of IV fluids for dehydration. Plus it makes it much harder and more painful to bounce back. Not doing that again

LovesToFly

I was wishing for a great story about your twin. Bi/polar is no picnic to deal with. You have to be understanding and forgiving

i try, but it's hard because even when he is "well", he is selfish and inconsiderate. He's been practising dentistry a game for the last six months, if he's well enough to do that, he's well enough to do something for his sister who's got breast cancer. Father got colon cancer a couple years ago, when my brother was very stable and doing well. My brother immediately sold his car, giving a clear message to us all how helpful he intended to be. I try very hard to be supportive of him, I recognize that he has a chronic condition that's difficult, but in the back of my head I've always suspected that if I needed him he would not be there for me. It's hard to have had that proven

JCS28

jensgotthis -- I had hoped for direct to implant at the time of my double mastectomy but it didn't work out. I think only very few people are candidates (small breasts, young, certain position of tumor), and my PS thought I was a candidate but did tell me it might change once he got into the surgery. And it did. So, I ended up with tissue expanders and hope to have my implant exchange in June. Just wanted to add that note about how it doesn't always work out even if that is your plan. Good lucK!

Paxton29

I finished TC last Friday, got my port removed yesterday (since the incision never healed we had to get it out right away), AND I went to the dermatologist today and learned the dark spot on my leg is likely nothing--biopsied to be sure but he feels confident it's just an angioma. I feel a lot better--now if I could get my sense of taste back that would be great. Oh, and my hair of course: I realize it's too soon but I better see something in the next couple of weeks