Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

Cody3110

Thought I drop by and say "hi". Not much to report on my end. 2 more weekly taxol/herceptin infusions then 9 months of herceptin. Feeling great.

Boobsbgone - I am so sorry you are Having such a hard time. I hope your team gets everything under control.

Moon - how wonderful to be able to view the meteor showers. Happy that you are done with chemo and can start to get your life back.

boobsBgone

quick update. My hemoglobin count dropped to 14 so now they wanted to do a blood transfusion. It's Sunday morning at 4 a.m. and I'm a little on the nervous side.

If Las Vegas wasn't so bright and shiny all night, I would love to see the meteor shower. However from my little room I see the pretty Mountain.

Anonymous

Hey Everyone,

Hoping everyone here is doing well.

Moondust, I liked what I posted a few days too. It makes me a little emotional when I read it. But it is so true, every single one of has done well and will continue to do so. And let's NOT forget....I know there is going to be a real cure for this very very soon. I feel it in my waters lol...and you know what I think it is coming soon! I am so glad you have been out and seeing lots of lovely things with new chemo-free eyes!!! I also appreciate your comment about staying with the rest of us til we are all done. I vow to do exactly THE same. We all came in here at the same time, and we are all leaving at the same time. I have valued greatly all the food supplements and nutrition info you have given me on here. I hope you get that shed cleared, but be careful not to get any bugs or bites in the process.

Boobsbgone - I am so sorry to hear about your sickness. Yuk to being in hospital. They are not the most comfortable of places. I do hope you get home on Monday. Get eating lady! Even just small and tiny portions. The one thing I like when I am feeling not too great, is coming back to my own bed. It's why my mum comes to stay with me as opposed to me staying with them....she thinks I will be happier in my own place. So I hope you see your own bedroom window soon. I hope the blood transfusion went well. Do they not know what is causing this sickness? How many chemos have you had?

Acie - I am so glad you agree with me on the 'journey' word. I HATE HATE HATE it. A journey in my mind is usually planned, takes you to a known destination of YOUR choice and usually is somewhere with some purpose. Cancer has no purpose whatsoever other than to attempt to rob us women of our femininity and confidence. It has failed on this thread! Fuck off cancer and take a jump haha. I am also no warrior or fighter. Not keen on that either. I refuse to go through my life battling anything. I have a condition that needs kept an eye on that's all.

I have had a rather lovely week. I have been lazing around and not washing my hair...grrrr I hate not being able to wash it. However I am brushing it daily now and only getting about 6 wee hairs coming out. And my hair is growing!!!!! I know coz I am going grey (shhhh don't tell anyone I dye my hair). I now have 5 weeks until my last chemo. I saw my oncologist a week ago and he was impressed with how well I looked. So I feel FEC has been a very good chemo for me. I am hoping that I am not going to find later down the line that it has damaged anything else, other than those sodding cancer cells of course.

I have also been massaging with sesame oil for about a week now and feel it is making a difference to my chemo veins. I will have them back nice and pain free and it will be time to start next chemo....that is the way with the game though.

My last chemo is 15th September. I cannot wait.

I am ordering my new carpet this week for my hallway and have also decided to get my sunroom redecorated and with a new radiator put in for winter. I have made full use of this room during chemo. It has been nice to look out on the garden and lie on the sofa and watch TV. So I am going to open this room up all year round and now use it as a family room just off the kitchen. I am really having fun thinking about colours and new furniture. I will post pics of my new super cute room on FB when I get it done. But I keep changing my mind about things and so it may be a while yet.

OK...off to internet search desks. I have started to write. I find it therapeutic ....oh and did a fair bit of gardening yesterday too. I am slowly starting to do other things other than thinking about cancer. I think that is VERY important people. Even during treatment, it is good to do something not linked...even if unwell, then listen to music or do something that is calming and easy.

Dolly

PS....I am certain there is a cure coming ladies....and I think it will be in pill form! How FABBY DABBY would that be?

labscientistmom

bbG: so glad, glad GLAD to hear from you!! BUMMER you are still in hospital, but if you are doing the dehydration thing, its really the best place for you. i hope they find a solution to continuing chemo and strengthening your body. Is the picture on your avatar your dog? It is really cute, and makes me smile. Glad your hubby could bring her to visit you. Hang in there gal, know that we are praying for you and cheering for you. My friend told me recently, brave + positive attitude = tough...you must be one tough lady.

ClarkBlue, moondust: what was even more funny to me in the bank? My two friends who were with me, and the bank lady (who is not a stranger, she has helped us with my son's school volunteer parent organization bank account for several years...anyway, when I commented that my hair was falling out so I had to cut it, they all assured me that "it doesn't look like its falling out." I feel like folks need to minimize my SEs somehow to make them ok. Weird!!

labscientistmom

bbG: I bet you are feeling so much better after the transfusion! Donor blood is very safe, lots of infection control testing and donor screening, and the type and screen & crossmatch will make sure its ok for you. I think the Hematocrit was 14, cause Hgb of 14 is very healthy. I work in a blood bank, so you should be fine, and feeling ducky, as Dolly would say. blessings, hope all is well, A

labscientistmom

Hi Dolly: glad you have been feeling well. I enjoy being in my backyard chaperoning my cats and I love to read! I see the ENT on Wed, it will be interesting to see what he says. its nice to get a break from chemo for an extra week. Had a good morning at church, had lunch with friends. Been taking it easy all week, and ready for my cough to be better. blessings to you, A

Anonymous

Hello Labscientist,

I am glad you are getting an extra week this time around before next infusion. You seem to be resting a fair bit like me too. Over here in the UK our schools go back tomorrow and so I should be returning to work but for this treatment. I am glad to have been given so long off work so far and really do appreciate my employers being so good to me. I have right up til November on full pay and after that half pay. I truly believe I would not have been so well on this chemo if I had had to return to work. I simply would not have managed.

When do you return to work or have you already returned?

Church sounds nice and so does your lunch. What did you have to eat? I am still sticking to my healthy diet plan of organic and fresh fruit and veg, lots of organic chicken and fish. I do feel more hungry some days compared to others.

I am so keen to get off steroids and then see how weight might change again. I have only taken a small amount of them, but I do think that is why weight has not fallen off me as I am not really eating lots and lots. I certainly no longer eat crisps or chocolate etc.

I am going to start researching RADS soon. Just to keep ahead of the game. I think I may have an argument on with them about tattoos. But I will just cry like a child if they say I have to have them.

Are you going for tatts?

How is hubby doing back at work? Is he hating it hahaha??? I am soooooooo glad I am not in tomorrow.

D

Little-Red-Corvette1

Hi All, it has been too HOT for us Jersey folk! Feel like temp over 100' the last few days! Can't barely leave the house Ugh! BoobsBgone so sorry to hear your in the hospital! Glad you got to see your doggie and got a transfusion! Hope things are getting better for you! Moondust Congratulations on reaching that finish line! I am so happy for you! Selfishly glad your sticking around you are such an inspiration. Labscientistsmom good for you having a nice day with church and friends. I hope the ENT has some answers for you on Wednesday. Saying prayers for a positive outcome. Keely Congratulations to you as well. Kayaking and concerts! You def inspire me! I have 1 more AC then 12 weeks taxol. I am taking your advice and getting some L Glutamine. Dolly like you I eat like a bird. Very little on tx week and my stomache is bloated! I need to lose about 50 lbs to be at a healthy weight. I too think it's the steroids. I only eat clean foods, no sweets or dairy. I need to watch carbs and breads any suggestions? I am Italian! Lol

To all having a treatment week I wish and pray for you to LO or NO SE'S!!!!

❤️❤️❤️ Jo

lilyp6

Just a quick check in to say I feel grateful for you all! I've been reading but haven't had time to post.

I did another big, hot, outdoor activity again today, and I'm really feeling it. Ciclavia is a day when they close LA streets and open them up to bikes, walking, skateboards, whatever. It was only just over 3 miles, and we started at 9a. We had Wilshire Blvd. to ourselves, and there was actually a lot of shade. It also involved Metro stations, walking, standing, and lugging a bike around. I was very, very, beat, but we managed to have a lovely brunch in Koreatown and get home by 1:30. Will catch up with all the news later, but Boobsbgone, I'm looking forward to hearing that you're turning the corner very soon.

Anonymous

Only 5 weeks left to go on chemo and this is my hair with cold capping.

IT IS DRY AS HELL....but it is still on my head!! Yeehaaaaa.

I am so taking my hair out to dinner this weekend to say thank you to all those wee follicles of mine. They have worked so hard.

Dolly

Moondust

Dolly, no one would ever guess you are having chemo. You look lovely!! It is beyond me why several handsome, wealthy, and eligible men are not calling daily to see if you will dine with them! I would definitely think that moisturizer would help with your skin. In my hot and dry climate I put it on at least twice a day. My weight is so variable with the treatments, but it usually settles down to its normal reading by a week after chemo. I have been fighting the carb cravings lately, but overall winning the weight battle and holding a steady course.

Lily, it is amazing that you could participate in that 3 mile walk/bike or whatever it was with the high temperature! The heat really gets to me now, even worse than before chemo, and I start feeling bad if I do too much in the heat. It's a problem because there are not enough cool hours in the day to do what I need to do outside. Hope you are cool and rested by now!

Little-Red, over 100 in New Jersey must be terrible!! I vaguely remember the warm humid days on Staten Island when I was growing up, and they were never nice. We always went to the beach. The best way to control your weight is to MAKE A PLAN for eating. Plan out your meals for the day and be sure to include a few snacks. Get a lot of protein. You don't have to totally eliminate bread and pasta, but perhaps limit to one bread item per day and/or one serving of pasta. One serving of pasta is much smaller than you might think. Just 1/2 cup of spaghetti is a serving and you can't fit much in 1/2 cup! I have a spiralizer and use zucchini noodles or other veggie noodles with pasta sauce. That eliminates calories and adds great nutrition! Or you can start by using half veggie noodles and half pasta. There are tons of great recipes at inspiralized.com. (Oh, stick to low-cal pasta sauce -- no alfredo!) I also use shirataki noodles which are zero calorie. I find that it's all about portion control and that's where planning comes in. No mindless munching out of a bag for me! Stay away from the unhealthy relatives and their food, too!

Labmom, I hope your cough is getting better today! What are you reading these days? I fall asleep if I read, but I do listen to a ton of books using Audible.

bbG, how are you feeling after your transfusion? Will you be going home soon? Hope so!!!

I have been watching the Olympics and enjoying the sight of all the athletic bodies doing what they were meant to do. The men's 100 meter was amazing last night!

Anonymous

Moondust... I am am kind of impressed with my hair.

labscientistmom

Hi everyone, LilyP, If I had known you were at Ciclavia, we could have met for lunch! I don't live too far from there. Moondust, Little-Red, LilyP, Dolly: I wish I could tell you my cough is better, it isn't really. Today was my last day of antibiotics. Hope if its still bad on Wed, the ENT will do something, or send me back to my MO, or ?? My physical therapist wasn't happy with my cough today, but I got some good stretching done. She is really helping with stretching the scar tissue under my arm from the lymph nodes out. Moondust, I have enjoyed the Olympics too, always a treat to watch. I am reading a couple books by Marc Secchia on my Kindle, and rereading Sunshine by Robin McKinley. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. Just got through the 8th book of Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I like her stuff too.

Dolly: my husband's first day with students is tomorrow. He had a long day of prep and meetings and just got home at 7ish. My son goes back Wed. Lunch on Sunday was at Subway, a make it fresh sandwich place, where you get to pick all your stuff as they make if for you. They have good salads too. I too am tired of the steroids, and looking forward to not taking them any more. My fingers are really numb today for some weird reason. The Rads discussion board has a bunch of great info, with a piece written by a radiation oncologist that is really informative.

My sinuses behind my eyes and cheeks have been really sore lately, really hope the ENT can do something to help. Or assure me that there isn't something growing in there. Hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow, with minimal SEs. Blessings, A

lilyp6

Moondust, We rode at 9a, when it was about 76 degrees, so it wasn't too terrible. I was able to rest in the ac in a little cafe, which refreshed me. I notice the heat really zaps me, too. But sweating really made a difference, I think. I slept, then felt great last night and yesterday.

Labs, I wasn't sure I could do it for sure, but would have loved to see you there! Would love to meet you sometime! I'm posting from the chair, where you may be too. Hope you feel better today.

Anonymous

Lilyp and Labs,

I am hoping both you ladies have zero bother tonight and tomorrow. Do well on these treatments and get up and out and kick chemos arse! You two are in charge... Labs how are the nosebleeds? I hope they are stopped.

I have recently been getting bleeding gums. But to be honest think it is period on its way as that is a sign for me. Also have sore boobs. I really would just prefer if periods just went now as they are only going to be around for another month or two.

I baked today with niece and made sugar free and organic rhubarb crumble with sugar free custard! It was delish. My dad had two bowls haha. Me and niece are becoming quite the wee anti-cancer cooks! We are thinking of opening up a restaurant and calling it the anti-cancer cafe!!! Haha.

Dolly

Little-Red-Corvette1

Lilyp and Labs I second what Dolly said! Go in and kick chemos ass! The little bitch has been giving me a hard time this go round so she deserves some payback! I know she is our friend but she can be quite a spitfire at times! She has another friend visiting called nausea and she just won't go! Leaves me a bit weak and lethargic. Anyway Dolly the hair is fab! I always dyed my hair and now my baby bird hair is all grey! 😫 I just registered for a look good feel good workshop on Sept 26 so we will see. Moondust thank you again for the nutrition advice. I do love spaghetti squash so you have me thinking in a new direction. I went to grab some goji berry mix last night and I thought to myself Moon said portion control! So I looked at the serving and grabbed a cup! I was under the misconception anything you can tolerate eat. But you are right this could be why I'm having these SE's this go around. My nutrition has not been the best. I am not diversifying. Dolly you and your niece sound like great cooks! Labs mom I'm praying for you at the ENT tomorrow!

XXOO Jo

boobsBgone

hi gals. Sorry it took so long to post. I got home late Monday night and pretty much slept for two days. I'm still forcing myself to eat but it seems like it's not getting very far. I have not vomited since I've been out of the hospital and I'm so thankful for that.

I love hearing what everybody's doing and how much energy they have. I am hoping to work up to that for next week. Give myself high hopes just to keep my sanity. My new favorite food are Eggo waffles. As long as I can stop eating soup I'm happy Kama at least for now. When is chemo is tomorrow morning but I'm not sure if my numbers are going to be good enough, so we'll have to see when we talked to the doctor. All I know is I'm not spending the next three weeks in the hospital just to get the next chemo treatment, I just got to be something better than this.

I love reading all your fun things you are doing. Sorry I'm not doing any individual knows this time. But you know how much I appreciate everybody's fun days and low side effects. I'm striving to be as cool as the rest of you. LOL

lilyp6

Well there you are, Boobsbgone. Here is a great big virtual hug...so happy to have you back out in the world. So glad your vomiting stopped, too. Your poor body has really been through it. Keep eating those Eggo waffles if it helps you get strong again. And don't be fooled, either. I worked most of the day from my bed today, and I won't be up to any real physical activity until this weekend. And that's if I'm lucky. Just had a big hot flash, too! Good times! lol.

labscientistmom

lilyp6: I hope you are not getting smoked out too much from the fire. Yes, lets arrange to meet somewhere. i have zoo membership passes if you are into that. its a nice place to walk around as long as its not too hot. Of we could meet at the mall....lets figure out a place. Glad you got out early for ciclavia. If I hadn't been sick, I might have gone too. I have blood drawn tomorrow to see if ok for first A/C chemo Tuesday. Just watched Ashton Eaton win the Decathalon..he is superman, wow! but I digress...saw the ENT yesterday, he says the bleeding is probably from chemo, so it should resolve on its own. He stuck a scope in my sinuses which was NOT pleasant. Thankfully, there is nothing growing in there, a couple old polyps but nothing to be concerned about. Told me to continue what I was doing, saline rinse, humidifier and vasaline schmutzed inside. I wish my bronchitis/cough was improving faster, cause I am tired of coughing. I got more sleep today, but its rough on all of us adjusting to school day early mornings again. My nose is still bleeding most days at least once a day, but it's managable. I often have sinus headache. Still pain./numbness in the top edge of my nose and in the septum too, so I think it is from chemo, especially with how much its bothered my eyes some days too.

dolly: come visit and lilyp and I will meet you in Hollywood. see above about nosebleeds.

gotta get some more sleep, early start tomorrow, blessings to all of you and goodnight, A

labscientistmom

bbg: sooo glad you are home, YAAAAY, and HUzzah!!

boobsBgone

when i read your posts, it seems it is getting more difficult for some of us. I wish that not the case. I was supposed to have my 4th infusion today, but my numbers were too low and she did not want to set me back again by hospitalizing me. I am not handling the rough chemo drugs like she anticipated. So, we are doing Herceptin and going to schedule my surgery soon, hoping the mass has shrunk enough with what we already put me through. Not sure if I am more relieved or nervous.

for those that had sx arleady, what can i expect for down time? I have heard one thing and the dr said my down time is only days. both girls are leaving me (since they tried to kill me) LOL and no recon. i expect that will happen in the next couple weeks when my body is ready enough to handle it.

Lab- I love the zoo but love the safari so much better. we plan to get back there next year and stay in the huts!

labscientistmom

bbg. I really enjoy the SD safari park too. We have Los angelea zoo membership. Started going there when my son was still in a stroller. Much changed and improved since then. I especially love the river otters. I will be praying for your surgery. For peace of mind& heart & for good margins. I had outpatient partial mx and axillary node dissection so not sure if I can share much that will help you. I was thankful for my nurse friend who came by daily for a while & helped me change dressings. The drain is a lovely challenge. With BMX you may have 2.

Are they doing another ultrasound before surgery ?? Blessings and be well -

Miskatonic

Hello,

I am finding this site a little late, I guess, but I started chemo in June. I have read many pages of this topic tonight and it has been comforting to seee stories from other ladies going through what I have been going through - thank you!

I have finished AC and am in the midst of Taxol.

Moderators

Hi Miskatonic, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. It's never to late to join our community and this wonderful and active topic, and we're truly glad you did. You're sure to get lots of good advice and support from the other members here shortly, so stay as connected as you can, and let us know if we can help with anything!

Kind wishes,

The Mods

labscientistmom

Welsome, Miskatonic, I went to college in Tulsa and Ada, OK, ya'll are very nice people there!! glad you are hanging tough with us through this crazy thing.

lilyp6

Greetings everyone,

I had a full day yesterday that knocked me on my butt. I think my red blood cells took another hit, so it's time for me to start taking rest more seriously. I'll be training someone to help with my work. I have less than a week do it, and then I have a vacation week for my first AC treatment.

Labs, Bronchitis? That's terrible. We must see you well again. It does sound like your physical therapy is good, though. Other than that, it's you and me and AC. I'm only one week behind you. I'll be thinking of you on Tues. The fires aren't bothering me except making me sad to see. You're much closer to them than I am. Once we get our AC going, maybe we can meet in Walnut. We only live 20 miles apart! I see there's an In N' Out there, too. For now, I need to move through this exhaustion, and you through your cough. Then we'll meet up and take selfies of the two of us to send the girls!

Dolly, I'll have my niece over tomorrow if all goes well. I was too tired to have her here today. We'll be cooking - woo hoo! Probably more meal prep than crumbles and baked things, but I'm looking forward to it.

Littlered: I think I have to admit that little bitch chemo got to me this week. I hope your nausea leaves you soon. I'm also working on portion size when I feel well enough to eat.

BBG: Sending you every good wish for your surgery. I think it's fierce to move on without reconstruction. I may consider hiring a nurse to help a little with the dressings when I get to that point, as Labs mentioned.

Miskatonic, Welcome, I was a late starter to this forum too. I'm sure we'll have AC questions to come, and anything we can share about Taxol, feel free to ask. Off for a desperately needed nap now...

Little-Red-Corvette1

Good Morning lovely ladies. Welcome Miskatonic sorry you have to be here. BBG So happy you are home! Keep eating those waffles or whatever you can to keep your strength up! Praying for you and good results for your surgery. Lilp6 the AC can really wipe you out. I found I can't do anything 2 days in a row! Nausea gets better 2nd week by the weekend. I went to the beach on Friday for a few hours, Sat under the umbrella when I got hot, took a small walk. It was beautiful! On Saturday I went swimming. I try to do that for some excercise. By Saturday evening I was done! Shaking, chills, I went down for about a 3 hour nap! Today I won't even attempt an outing! I have my last AC Tomorrow then Taxol. LabsMom Glad to hear the sinuses were nothing too serious but what an awful SE. Take care of that cough! Once you start AC if you get the neulasta it really fights off those germs!! Dolly hopethis Sunday finds you feeling well!

Blessings and Hugs to All

Eleanora23

Anyone have oncologist choose to stop TAXOL due to mild numbness (CIPN signs) Also did they leave it up to you to decide whether or not to continue with treatment ? (I'm reposting in this thread). I have completed 9 of 12 weekly TAXOL treatments. Thank you !

My post in TAXOL group:

Question! About whether or not oncologist stops treatment when mild neuropathy sets in on the tAXOL x12 regimen - and if they usually continue to do full 12 treatments. I reported mild but persistant numbness, very light, in my toes and hands during the week after TAXOL treatment no 9. Oncologist said to stop for the week. Also said that is I were to "make up" the missed tx at a later date, that would be up to me. Seemed to not have any opinion on it (as I know what is best!). I understand that the regimen of Taxol x12 plus Herceptin is now pretty standard for Stage 1 HER2+ but that there isn't much research, but I asked: "Will this cause a problem in the treatment plan being effective" ONC answer: "I haven't the least idea/ no way to know" Just wondering if anyone stopped early or skipped a treatment?

labscientistmom

Eleanora: I just finished 12 weeks of weekly taxol, and had neuropathy from the first week on. I am triple negative, so I don't have the option of hormone therapy and other targeted therapies, so I think that's why they didn't stop it,although they slowed it way down to 2 hours from one hour because of breathing issues and my eye's not focusing. I had worse neuropathy the first two weeks when I forgot to ice at all (first weeK) then only iced my hands (second week). Since I started glutamine supplements and continued icing, I have mild neuropathy in my fingers mostly tips and nails, but also up to middle joint. numbness in my toes and a bit on the bottom of my feet. I would discuss the options you have based on genetic testing and Her2+ status.

littleRed: praying for no anxiety on Tues about scary A/C, this is my friend and is killing the cancer. I am determined to take my Zofran at 6 hours on the dot and am so glad to be leaving the oral steroids behind!! I was thinking, the first bad SE I noticed on my second infusion was that suddenly my eye's wouldn't focus. I am hoping the bleeding in my sinus will improve as the taxol works its way out of my body in the next two months. they ok'd the sinus CT scan after all on the day I saw the ENT (maybe he put in a good word or something?)..so will try to fit that in this week too. My cough is improving slowly, hoping my labs will be ok to start chemo so I can get it DONE. My skin is all rashy and angry too, I am not enjoying that. Sounds like what a lot of you talk about on your heads where you shaved it. chemo, its just soo lovely.....NOT

Dolly, did you have treatment on Friday? Hope you are having a lovely day today.

lilyp6: assuming we can get our SEs worked out, yes lets meet at InNOut, that sounds lovely!! Maybe we can coordinate our just before chemo day to meet then. I see that you are triple Neg too, did they scan your tumor again, did it shrink with the taxol? It sounds like they will do surgery after A/C but before rads? I am sort of feeling better, the cough is holding on with sharp-clawed feet but improving slowly. I have had pain in my knees and more than usual swelling in my ankles this week, and angry, rashy skin, I think my body is still freaking out about the 12 weeks of taxol even after a week off. I appreciate the prayers on Tues, want to not freak out this these new drugs, this is helping me, this poison is my friend. My poor husband got a cold during his first week of school, so we are desperately working hard for him to not give it to me. Its his turn to nap today. ((HUgs) to all

Acie

how is everyone? I have been feeling good the last week and have not been online here. I need to catch up

I do have a question I hope you all can help me with. I know some of you have already had your surgeries. I still have 12 taxol before surgery but I am already quite consumed with thoughts and worries about surgery and what choice to make. Lumpectomy vs mastectomy... What surgery did you choose and why? I really want to learn from you guys on this so anything you are willing to share I appreciate.

If you have not had surgery yet but have info or opinions I am also interested to hear those.

Have a great week everyone!