Starting Chemo May 2016

KQHill

Taxol 9 of 12 done last Thursday. Definitely feeling the effects of the cumulative but still nowhere near as bad as AC was and I didn't have bad side effects there either. Naps are where it's at!!! Counts are slowly going down and I was concerned. The MO told me if someone came in off the street with my numbers they'd be worried but considering what my body's been doing, he's thrilled. So far he's allowed me a week at Disney World between AC and Taxol, as well as this trip to Mexico next week so that makes me feel better too. I do have to wear a mask on the plane (eww) but that's a small price to pay for a week in sunshine with my travel agent team at a conference, one of whom is an ER nurse as well, and they're all fiercely protective so I'll be made to rest.

Headaches continue to be my main side effect, as well as clumsiness. No neuropathy, join pain is getting a wee bit worse right after infusions and when I'm overtired. Glutamine helps for sure. When I stopped taking it, I got worse. Nails are in good shape - fragile, lifting a tiny bit, and kept short but no darkening or falling off. I'm pretty good about keeping my toes pedi'ed and OPI Nail Envy on my fingers. I've noticed my toenail polish comes off in full sheets. Like I look down and there's a naked toe. I've never had this happen before so I'm ASSuming it's somehow chemo-related. Annoying but things could be A LOT worse! Oh, and bruising! I've always bruised easily and now it's worse. Mucus membranes are still dried out - everywhere. Saline drops for my nose help and I'm really using them this week as I prepare for 4 flights next week. Ugh.

My eyebrows and eyelashes are growing back and my hair is too. My 7/8 Brazilian is turning to duck down and I have to shave my underarms regularly, though not as much as pre-chemo. Leg hair never totally stopped growing however it's definitely slowed too.

Oh, and chemobrain sucks eggs.

All in all, I'm really pleased with how things are going!

salve777

KQHill: I am glad you are almost finished with your Taxol treatment. I envy you that you are able to take a trip! Have fun and take care.

I finished my TCHP neoadjuvant treatment on September 8. I was not given the Carboplatin on my 5th and 6th infusions because it severely affected my platelet and RBC counts. I had blood transfusion before my 5th. I was hospitalized after my 6th infusion. On the fourth day after the 6th infusion, I felt dizzy and couldn't breathe. I had blurry vision. I was almost about to pass out. A parademic couldn't take my blood pressure reading because it was too low. I was brought to the ER and they gave me fluids, potassium, and antibiotics just in case I had an infection. I underwent a series of cardio tests. I was admitted and released the following day. All tests were normal but I have low platelets and RBC counts. I have been required to wear a heart monitor for 30 days because the cardiologists who saw me said they detected heart murmur. My schedule with the breast surgeon will be on the 30th and plastic surgeon on October 5. I have decided to undergo bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction.

I wish everyone a peaceful healing process.

KQHill

Salve777, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. Please keep us posted on the results of the heart monitor.

Tomorrow I tell my breast surgeon I want a BMX, no reconstruction. Should be interesting...

OAJ2013

Well ladies, I'm a week and half past my last taxol! I did it! 4 rounds of AC and 12 rounds of taxol. God truly blessed me through it all. I was able to do every cycle and remained healthy though it all even with my two kids! The one side effect that is still lingering is my neuropathy. I didn't ice but did take vitamin b6 and b12 and glutamine. My neuropathy is mostly in my feet and it's more annoying than anything. Just feels like numb feet all the time. No pain though. I keep dropping things, so I think may have slight neuropathy in my hands. So far my nails seem to be staying. I started wearing black nail polish halfway through taxol. My hair started growing back around week 8 of taxol. My eyebrows and eyelashes are still sparse. Now it's on to surgery oct 20!

salve777

I just received the results of my pathology from a nurse of my breast surgeon. Based on the biopsy, they did not find any invasive cancer cancer cells left and found one millimeter of DCIS which my breast surgeon took out during my bilateral mastectomy on October 20. I will see my breast surgeon and oncologist next week as well as a radiologist. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy did its work. Saying, "I am so happy" is an understatement. I am very grateful to God for my second life.

I am praying that you will also receive good news. Trust God completely.

OAJ2013

Salve, will you be having radiation? And did you have any lymph nodes involved? It sounds like you didn't. Congrats

salve777

Had my port taken out today.