Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

Moondust

Eleanora, I believe that with HER2+ you get the benefit mostly from the Herceptin and not so much from the chemo drug. The chemo is given with the Herceptin because no studies have been done using Herceptin alone. That's why your MO won't say whether skipping the taxol will change the effectiveness - no studies yet. But I know at some point they stop the chemo and continue the Herceptin for a year, so the big brains must believe that the Herceptin continues to be effective without the chemo component. I think you would be better off skipping taxol and not making it up later.

Labmom, I'll be in your pocket for your first AC. It is always scary when we get a new treatment. I hope you don't have any worse SEs and that some of the taxol ones go away!

Little-Red, sitting at the beach sounds nice.

Acie, I had a lumpectomy but my cancer is not as aggressive as yours. And I am concerned about being lopsided. My operated breast is actually bigger than the other side at the moment. A combination of radiation and a seroma (which should eventually be absorbed, in theory). My BS said last Thursday that she thinks eventually my right side (lumpectomy side) will get smaller. We will give it a year and re-evaluate. She said the insurance will pay for getting the two sides evened out if they do not end up that way naturally. For me, that would mean a reduction on the lumpectomy side, but I also have heard that radiated tissue is harder to work with. I guess if I had known how big the lumpectomy side would get, I might have wanted a mastectomy and reconstruction. But on the reconstruction forums I see that many active women think implants are very uncomfortable when exercising. And I don't have enough fat for the non-implant kind. There are so many factors that go into the decision. I know a lot of women are very happy with double mastectomy and reconstruction, though.

Lily, I hope your energy comes back soon. I am definitely feeling more fatigue after my 4th round. I hope it goes away in another week or so. It's not so bad that I rest very much, but I can't get as much done as I'd like to do.

Heathet

This may sound crazy but I'm scheduled for 6 rounds of taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin (#4 is Friday) and I want to talk to my MO about skipping #6 and just continuing with Herceptin for a year. I know they have a formula to determine the number of treatments that will be the most effective but I want to know if 5 will be just as effective as 6. It's just taking such a toll on me mentally and physically. I'll listen to my MO, I know she has my care in mind. Maybe I'm just being a chicken-baby but I just want to get my life back.

Acie

Moondust - thank you for weighing in. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experience. I wanted to hear what real women had to say, not just studies.

LittleRed - how did today go? I know my 4th AC was actually easier than my 3rd. I hope it is for you, as well. They tell me that AC is the hardest part. I start Taxol tomorrow, so I will let you know how that goes.

Heathet - I am very concerned about you not finishing the recommended treatment. I know its hard, its so very hard sometimes. But you can get through. The time will go by more quickly than you think. All you have to do is get through this and you will get your life back.

Anonymous

Heathet, Get them ALL done. Do not drop out on last one. You have to finish it. It is difficult and awful, but please finish it all.

Anonymous

Labs,

Hey, I don't get to speak to much these days as you are not on FB much. I am fine and dandy. Getting there. I have my 5th chemo THIS Friday. I hate them. Hate the IV bit but will certainly be asking for the wee blue pill again.

I am hoping you are well. How are the sinuses? How did the appointment go with the sinus doc? Was he worried about it?

Are you back to work yet?

I had my radiotherapy appointment today. I told them I would not be having tattoos. Doc was not too happy and said she would advise against this....but her only reason for this was that it could be a hassle for me, should the pen marks wear away after they are put on and they have to align me up to CT scan all over again. Haha...more like it is a cost for them. I stood firm and said, I was not bothered about hassle as I had got so used to that now. I often think these docs can be quite insensitive. She was a young woman about 30 and asked me why I was so against them. I just said, well how would you feel having blue ink marks on your beautiful clean skin? Nothing else was said. But she defo was not impressed with me.

D

PS Did you hear about my newspaper article??? It is sooooooooooo exciting.

Anonymous

Boobsbgone,

Are you doing OK?

Little-Red-Corvette1

I am going to start with how much I love you this group! We are all a little different but all the same.

Labscientistsmom I used Eye moisturizing drops Baushe & Laumbe Soothe. The eyes can dry out. Watch the tongue too! Now to you: sometimes when you mention something I'm not sure exactly what it means. Then my Dr. Goes over it and I'm actually pre informed! Because of you. Example: you mentioned you were glad to get over the oral steroids. I received my prescription today! Dexamethazone! Apparently you can start as high as 5 pills the night before/after first treatment depending. I'm starting with 2. I am a Her 2 neg.

Acie: The surgeon I chose was 1 of only a few practicing 10 years ago when I had a needle biopsy that was negative. She is currently the Director of the Cares Breast Center. She diagnosed BC without even pulling fluid. She told me I NEED A LUMPECTOMY. And I will tell you she took ALOT! They take a very good portion around the lump to make sure the lab report comes up with CLEAN MARGINS. 3.5 Centimeters app an inch feels more like i had 1/4 a breast removed. We never discussed Masectomy honestly so I didn't consider it necessary. She wasn't going to remove more than one node but she did 3. 1 involved. I see her in January.

I'll never forget Moondust talking me off the roof that night when I was freaking about my lump! I swore it was coming back until she told me about hers.

Like some have worried did I get enough chemotherapy? why is mine like that? did I get the right surgery? I figure all we can do is trust in God to see our way.

And Dolly...How are you feeling? Other than befuddling your Dr.s? I sometimes think like you...After I donate the headwear, do I pack the personal gifts away? Bury the reminders in a box, or showcase the support, and love. Yes the ultimatum. Get our lives back. I wifi always carry the scars. On a lighter note can you help me get on Facebook? I'd love to post some pics. And hear MORE about your paper!!!!

BoobsBgone I pray you are feeling better. ❤️❤️❤️

Well steroids go away I have the Neulasta shot tomorrow....

XOXO Jo

Anonymous

LittleRed,

Email me with your FB name and I can get one of the girls who administers it to add you in.

D

boobsBgone

I am happy everyone is still holding strong. I have those days, as we all do, that it needs to just end so we can get back to our 'normal' things to do. Being sick is not part of the plan.

I have kept food down for the past week, phew. Still have major nausea but pills holding it at bay. I have major fatigue, tired all the time - just walking to the kitchen is exhausting (and my house is not that big). I take major naps all day and have a PT coming in a couple times / week to help me regain some strength from all the loss from the hospital stay. I am still struggling with eating enough, so I just do my best. Still on waffles, for now. Drinking enough is even tougher, not sure why. water tastes so bleh - i switch back and forth to cranberry juice, that seems to be helping.

Acie: I will be doing surgery soon, I chose DMX with no recon. I don't care about my boobs since they tried to kill me (so hubby says). I honestly did not want to have to worry about the extra time and pain for recon. mostly selfish reasons. They interrupted my tx in order to do sx because of my last hospital stay. makes me nervous that after surgery that I will have more chemo - but she says it won't be as severe. let's hope not.

Dolly: is there a link to the article?

Time for a nap, the air guys are fixing the AC unit so it is a tad warm in the house right now. hopefully done in a few more hours! Stay well, may all your SEs be gone and you have the energy to keep smiling!

Anonymous

OK I willl add you onto my FB...and I can link you up with Pepper (Petrina Hamm) she has admin rights to FB page. It is a secret page that nobody can go onto unless let in. It cannot be found on FB either. Thats because some people like myself have not shared their breast cancer on FB and with family.

So I have nothing on FB about cancer.

I am Beatrice Fathrington

labscientistmom

Acie, I wrote a long detailed post onthe June chemosabe's part of FB and I must not have actually submitted it, cause later when I checked it wasn't there. I need to get some sleep, but I will post back in the California am. I am triple negative too, Blessings, hope you sleep well and feel better SOON! -A

Acie

I have good news. My tumor shrank from 2.9cm to 1cm with just the 4 AC infusions. Started the 1st of 12 taxols yesterday. Taxol is a world away from AC. Did not feel bad last night like wit AC. They gave me a bit extra ativan so I was a little out of it, but I had a great nap on the couch when I got home. Feeling very good this morning. Interested how I will feel when yesterday's IV steroids (not taking oral) wear off but so far so good.

LittleRed - did not realize you had your surgery already. My team is waiting until after chemo. You describe exactly what I am concerned about. I dont want to loose too much breast. I am medium sized and cannot spare much without being lop-sided in my opinion. I am going to pester my team with questions and meet 2 BSs and 2 PSs before I do anything. I feel I have the benefit of time now, where I did not when I was diagnosed. When you see your surgeon is that just a follow up? Are you considering any reconstruction?

Labs - I look forward to your post on FB. I don't know your name but hopefully I can figure it out when you post. I am curious what you have to say since you are also 3N.

I'll share a little more about my surgery questions and concerns... I have been doing surgery research but there is so much information out there and some conflicting. I am a little worried that all these lumpectomy recommendation are due tot he new "guidlines" int he US, you know the same guidelines that say you don't need a mammogram until you're 50. I personally know a couple of women who went lumpectomy and now wish they had done MX or double MX for symmetry and better results (granted these are ladies in their 40s). I have a family history of cancer, which is why I have been getting annual diagnostic mammograms since I was 35 and leads me to want to remove all breast tissues to significantly reduce risk, On the other hand I dont want to have more surgery than I need.

I know many of you already posted about this on FB, and I thank you for chatting with me there.

I may also see if there is a good surgery forum here on BC.org and what they have to say.

Little-Red-Corvette1

hi Acie- I had my last AC on Monday so I'm still riding high on some steroids! Why I'm up since 4:30 NJ time!

Yes mine went very fast! It's why I get a bit worried. I will say I do research and am confident in my decisions. I am 53. Single never married or had kids. That is a factor in developing BC. Also obesity. I was up to 290lbs. Now 195. I come from large Italian family- all about food! I found a large lump under left breast.

I know the Dr I chose is a pioneer in the field. I mammogram 5/11/16 Chose between 2 surgeons the other one had done a previous needle biopsy on the right 15 years ago and she was between practicing.Researched and called the other for the appointment the next day. That's when I found out she was the director for the breast center at that hospital. They got my films directly from the radiology place I've been getting my mammograms forever so all my records are there. No schlepping films.

They called back for an appointment on the next Tuesday 5/17/16. In the meantime my nipple had inverted and I had a shelf look. I have dense breasts. She gently examined me. Took my sister and I to a consult room. Put up my films, sat down, held my hand and told me I had Breastcancer. The lump on my left breast measured about 2.5 cm. Classic BC based on "spiculations" stage2. There was something on the right she wanted to needle biopsy first then do a lumpectomy. She only plan to remove the one node. She told me back in the day it was standard to remove 25. Fluid confirmed the BC Thursday 5/19/16.

I had the needle biopsy 5/31/16 which was negative so just got a puncture and a marker. Then I had the surgery 6/616. One day - I went home. I had went to a previous surgery class they offered where they went through everything. Gave out the care info. Excercises for lymphodema. I ended up have 3 nodes removed and a Jackson Pratt drain, which was a little unexpected but she felt the one node looke funky. Only the one was involved.

I had a few follow up visits with my assigned nurse practitioner then the Dr. I had some fluid build up but no lymphodema so far thank God. My body has absorbed all the fluid.

She referred me to an awesome oncologist who I guess she's been with went to NYU. He ordered a cat scan because I lost almost 80 lbs. which was clean thank God. Went through all my labs. How to understand my 5 year is 85%. Positives;

1. She pulled with full clean margins

2. Her 2-

He gave me 3 factors on way we want to do the chemo to make sure any micro-organisms we don't know are there are eradicated.

1. It was lobular rather than ductile so the cells line up rather than cluster and can be missed on a previous mammogram

2. The actual size was 3.5 cm still stage 2

3. It had a high proliferation rate

I go to the on the same day to the hematology center, have the blood drawn, port flushed. Dr. Fein comes in reviews everything, as well as next steps, I get prescriptions there, then the room where I lay in my leather chair with everyone else and we get infused.

Next day Neulasta but done with that. Not with taxol. I don't think my dose is that high because I'm starting with 2 steroids pm-am.

My breast was in very swollen after surgery, the port was worrisome, it took the full to 8 to 12 weeks to heal. I had a lump under my arm which they said they want the body to absorb and it did.

I have large breasts and I'm okay with the scars. It inverted again. And I know many women who have a lumpectomy end up with a reaccurance and a Masectomy anyway. But I believe in her. She was performing surgery when it was so much more evasive. I went with experience. And when I told my oncologist I was worried the lump was coming back, he examined me, said he believes it's scar tissue, but will keep an eye on it and if it's a concern , send me back to Sussn.I was glad he takes my concern seriously.

SOOOO THATS MY STORY!!!!!!.

I just finished AC I have 3 weeks off because of Labor Day. Then taxol Tuesday's.

I am not returning to work until February but I may be doing rads then.

Well I hope I didn't bore you!!!!

I'm gonna try Facebook 😬😬😬

Joanne Ciccone

labscientistmom

Acie: on FB I am Angela Cooper. My post is there, hope it helps. remember also 3N patients are usually
BRCA negative too per my oncologist @City of Hope. I was thankful to get to surgery quickly, honestly I just wanted to get it out, and in addition to opting for healing from an easier surgery, with less time in hospital for equivilent outcomes, I also felt that consulting with a plastic surgeon who would do the reconstruction stuff would make the process take longer. I was sooo glad when they scheduled me for surgery only 2 weeks after my diagnosis. fyi, I am 49.

Dolly: I really am impressed with your article, great job and Congrats and Huzzah on getting published!! Did they pay you? that would be a bonus! I struggle with FB as lots of people train of conciousness thing just gives me a headache. the chemosabes group is usually not like that, just don't have time to get to it every day. Its hard to post there on my phone too. I had my first A/C infusion yesterday, going for my neulasta shot today (due to adhesive allergy I can't get the onpro thingy). My sinuses still bleed most every day, oncologist thinks its weird to only be one side of my sinus thats bad. Taxol has bothered my eyes, since about the 3rd week, and thats when it started bleeding too. My friend thinks maybe cause I only sleep on that side, but usually I sleep on my back. anyway, the ENT didn't seem too concerned about it, gave me some good info on helping it heal and what to do if my platelets drop and it bleeds a LOT. The CAT scan was fairly unremarkable too. I am glad there isn't other cancer in there. I am not going back to work until all the chemo is done.

BBG: SOOO glad to hear you are holding your own> Smles and {{hugs}} and YAY.

Gotta go to physical therapy appt. I will write more to other posts when I get back. blessings, A

Anonymous

Hey Labs,

I was soooo excited about my article. It was all down to a friend of mine who writes for the paper and he put me in contact with his Editor. They read it and liked it. And both men thought it was a good ad for BC and would remind women to check. I did not get paid, as I was writing for other reasons, to get a message out. But it was fun today to go and buy 5 newspapers hahaha...

So you have finished Taxol? What is the AC going to be like? I hope your sinuses clear up. That must be so annoying. Have you had any meetings yet about your RADS? I had mine on Monday. I had thought I was getting 6 weeks of RADS, but am only getting 3 weeks and then 1 week of a boost (just in nipple area where the lump was). Then after that i will be done.

I was asked to go on a trial that would try patients on 1 week of RADS every day but with a higher dose. I am not sure about this at all and think perhaps I will just go with the old method of 4 weeks RADS. I am so grateful to all the trials that have been done in the past to benefit me now, but I have to admit that I cannot stand the idea of doing a trial and then it dragging on for another 5 years to gather data. I want to be done with all of this by Christmas.

Are you doing anything TRIAL wise and if so what?

I am glad you are not back to work yet. Also be careful even going back when doing RADS. My radiotherapist told me that RADS can make you very tired and exhausted even more thatn chemo??!!! Which I was pretty shocked to hear.

I a feeling tired these days. My eyes are itchy and crusty always around week 3. Suppose that is my low immune there. I have eyedrops but they are not that great. I have my second last chemo on Friday. I am going in on my own this time as parents not available. I am going in on bus and taxi out. I hope I will be OK. I am not worried going on my own though as things in life often have to be done on your own.

I hope I am OK this Friday as God has given me 4 very good infusions so far...hoping he is going to keep last two the same and no side effects...well no vomiting is what I really mean.

So far I can only report having had a bit of sickness, dry eyes, hair thinning (still got loads thanks to CC) and red face immediately after chemo. I hope your infusion went well.

Just think this Christmas we will be done and finished all this awfulness.

It is weird, when I got this diagnosis, I was so upset and betrayed by my own body. How could it do this to me? I hated my breasts for being so bad. I hated my shitty immune system for not working properly.

Now after 4 months I have a new respect for my breasts and body. My body, that I have cursed for months now, has been fighting so hard and has made sure to keep me safe and not have too much illness in me. And my poor breasts are trying to remain clean too and heal. But more than anything that hair of mine, has been so fantastic and has fought like hell to stay on my head and not let me down. I know it is thinner, but nobody else does. It upsets me still to see how thin it has got, but I know it has tried its absolute best for me. I will never mistreat my hair ever again. It is so important to me now.

I joined the gym yesterday. It cost a lot of money. But I got a tour of the place and it seems a very lush place to work out. It is a Bannantyne gym. So I am planning on going tomorrow for a short workout. Then after Friday, I will resume training if I am well. I am planning on getting lots of weight off now and exercising 5 times a week.

I am so glad that CAT scan was good. Imagine getting a bloody tumour in your nostril??? Most rare and unlikely. Chemo makes you bruise and bleed.

DD

bbbb

Hello everyone! I have been BUSY but I have missed reading posts! I am back at school full time and things are going well now. Third chemo knocked me down and it took me alot longer to get up, maybe because I was working! LAST chemo is Monday! I am taking off most of the week next week to recover and rest. Catching up on everyone's post for the past few weeks! Hope everyone is doing well. Had bloodwork today and my numbers are good! Good thing as my little angels are full of germs! Eyes are dripping water all the time and nurse said it was a gift from taxotere clogging my tear ducts - I will try the tricks she told me before going to eye doctor.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

labscientistmom

BBG: I have a suggestion for yucky tasting water, add some cranberry juice, like just a quarter cup even, to your water bottle. I have a big 24 oz camelbak that I refill, so use a bit less if you are drinking from a smaller container. I do this with apple, grape or cranberry juice and it really makes the water taste better. Grape and Cranberry go a long way for a little splash. I also mix coconut water with that to help with muscle cramps. Glad, glad that you are keeping food down and at home!! Keep up the good spirits, you are strong and courageous.

Dolly: I am doing ok the day after my first A/C. Its quite creepy seeing a bright orange,red bad going into ones body. It needs to be a friendlier color, like lavender...I have the steroid sunburn today, got steroids as premeds with infusion yesterday, but thank God don't have to take the oral steroids the day before, day of and day after any more!! Yay!! Got my neulasta shot today, so far so good on that. Ran errands today and nothing scheduled for the next three days, so I am ready for some down time if I need it. Plan on being vigilant with my zofran so no cookie-tossing for me. The bleeding is actually in my sinus, the nostril part of my nose is normal. The cartilage on my nose is sore, and my cheek bone is sore. It bleeds in the septum where you can see looking up your nose, and also inside the sinus. It is swollen on one side too, cause the saline won't go up as far when I squirt it. Yes, chemo makes you bleed, and the mucus membrane on my septum looks like it has road rash. I am looking forward to it improving.

re: radiation, I did see the rad oncologist once already. she sent me for lymphoedema PT.. I see her again in Sept, then start rads some time in Oct. I am not in any trials right now. I will ask about it next time I go. The current plan for me is 6 weeks of M-F rads, with a boost maybe on the one side where the DCIS margin was "close." Also, since my tumor was on the left, there is some kibitzing to be done to make sure they don't radiate my heart and damage anything. Definitly the going back to work is going to be flying by the seat of our pants and playing by ear. Even if I can work the every third weekend that I cover blood bank that would really help. Also he put restrictions of 6 hour shifts til done with rads and no lifting and such. I too look forward to being done by Christmas!!

LIttleRed: I am using eye drops, the TheraTears. my eyes were dry with taxol too, and the RN warned me that cytoxan is very drying. I have the therabreath mouth lozenges and biotene rinse to keep my mouth on the up and up. Thanks for your suggestions. glad so far you are doing well. My husband is Italian from Long Island, so you sound like family.

Moondust: I think my fingers are not as numb today, YAY! I was doing a good job distracting myself yesterday, and a friend came with me, and I know God has good plans for me, and is always with me, so it went ok despite the freaky orange stuff. I don't enjoy the steroid sunburn, but so glad to not be taking it orally any more. Hope you are doing well!! I don't know about you across the mountians, but its been nice to have the cool off at night and in the am here.

Acie: YAY, Huzzah, your tumor shrunk, whoo hoo, thats fantastic!! Keep taking your l-glutamine and get something on your nails to strengthen them. As the taxol went on, my nails split much more easier. Glad that so far your SEs are ok, It was day 3-5 where I would feel the worst, sometimes headache and body aches. and terrible reflux, get some zantac if you don't have already to keep that at bay. Blessings, A'

HUGS to everyone,

labscientistmom

bbbb: you are amazing, glad you only have ONE MORE infusion, whoo hoo. Chicken soup is my recommendation, it boosts the immune system too!

Acie

Red - I really appreciate you sharing your story. What a whirlwind. I also have Taxol Tuesdays going forward.

Labs - Thank you for responding to my questions (and identifying yourself!) I did not know that 3N were also often BCRA negative. Do you know any more about that? Thanks for the SE tips on taxol. I had reflux before all this, so I have the meds but I still get the reflux. I hope it does not get worse like you say... we will see.

I am off tomorrow for a fun long weekend. I have never packed so much medication every in my life. I don't want to get stuck out of town without something I might need. :-)

labscientistmom

Acie: hope you have a great weekend, and the SEs stay home like they did on my vacation. I agree, my meds bag was HUGE!! another suggestion I found useful is to have aloe vera juice on hand, a couple swigs of it is helpful for really bad burning reflux. It tastes vile, but it did work when nothing else did. I will see what I can find about triple neg correlation to genetic testing. Enjoy your trip!! praying for safe there and back again. blessings and {{jhugs}} A

boobsBgone

Hi - feeling better today, I guess because I see the silver lining finally. My apt with my BS went great. My tumor shrunk by more than half (i forgot the number already, I really have to write things down) and so did the lymph node. We discussed what sx since I can do the lumpectomy if I wanted. After much discussion with my hubby, I decided to stick to the original plan of DMX so I don't have to look over my shoulder every year and worry about it.

my surgery is scheduled for Sept 13th. I am both nervous and happy about it. I am hoping it will be a routine procedure for me, since chemo was not. I am still on herceptin and not sure when radiation will begin, that is the next conversation. I guess one bad-ass thing at a time! LOL

Labs: I will do that - I switched to juices, cranberry and orange and I can tolerate it, which has been pretty good so far. And I am eating a little better, which is making us very happy since I have a tad more energy now, phew. French Toast for breakfast! YUM. I hope your sinus' resolve quickly so you can get back to your own self!

Acie: Enjoy your long weekend, and I also hope your SEs stay home.

Have a great day with no SEs and enough rest!

Little-Red-Corvette1

Hi All... The IV steroids are finally starting to dwindle so I'm taking a rest day! Been keeping up here though. This last AC is definitely not as rough as the last ones were.

Bbbg I am so happy over all the progress! Your lump has shrunk!!!!! YES!!!!! Sept 13th happening soon!

Moon you are definitely Smart!! I asked nurse about heceptin out of curiosity, said what you did! After my lumpectomy my boobs were same because of the swelling. Now that it's most healed the side I had the surgery is smaller. But the lump was underneath and I have big breasts so the difference is not noticeable. Excercise is always a pain! When all is said and done of course I am a candidate for reconstruction but.....NO WAY. At least that's how I feel now.

Acie - Enjoy your Weekend!!! Thanks for listening/reading my story. I pretty much had to handle it all and I know I did not question a lot so now when the little doubts creep in.... I have everyones stories and experiences. I even question the Dr and nurses about some of the other drugs to better understand my situation! I think my MO chemo treatment is not so aggressive as it is more precautionary. My 12 week taxol starts with 2 oral steroids. The nurse said it can be as much as 5 the evening before. My healthy living choices after treatment will be a big factor in reacurrance!

Labs Once Italian always Italian! It's like the Catholic Church, your never released. So your family! Seriously I hope all is well with the AC. Those red tubes are scary! Think of them as cancer cell hit men. I pray all your taxol SE'S start to heal! Especially sinus! Big Hug

Anonymous

Little_red

Who told you that lumpectomies usually end up in recurrences? My reading seems to indicate that the chances of recurrence are the same for both lumpy and mastectomy. I am just curious in case I have missed something here.

Did you get a hold of FB? I tried to send you a friends request but you did not respond. Maybe I have gone into your trash folder?

DD

Little-Red-Corvette1

Hello Dolly... Always wanted to say that!

I did not get your friend request. I did go public with my diagnosis on FB. With the size of extended family and friends it was unavoidable.

I never specifically was told a lumpectomy VS a Masectomy had a higher recurrence. I just made that conclusion based on the fact there was still breast tissue. I'm not sure why. As I explained to Acie, when I was given my treatment plan, I never thought to ask, why am I not having a Masectomy?Thank goodness I've learned more information reading about all you fantastic ladies here. I now feel confident asking Dr questions about SE'S and other treatments!

J

Moondust

Dolly, good luck with your chemo today!! After today, only one more to go!! The end is in sight! What type of eye drops are you using? I use artificial tears and they are soothing.Oh, I also wanted to say how absolutely tremendous that you were published in the Edinburgh News!! I am looking forward to your next piece. Will you remain Lydia or use your real name?

BBG, I'm glad you are feeling better and SUPER glad that your tumor and node shrank so much!

Little-Red, I hope you are feeling good even without the steroids. All of this cancer information can become overwhelming. It's good to take a break from it sometimes.

Acie, I hope you have a great fun weekend!

Labmom, are you going to have rads in the prone position? Sometimes they do it that way to avoid the heart. My RO did the breath-hold technique to avoid my lung even though it was my right side. We have cooled off a little. It's only getting to 99 instead of 110. What a difference 10 degrees makes! And it is cooling off more at night, too.

That's it for now. My son and his wife arrived home from Korea this evening, where they were stationed for a year. Next they'll be going to Seattle.My son is a helicopter turbine mechanic in the Army.

KNardo88

Yesterday was my last chemo! 4 months to the day since my diagnosis.

I will have an appointment on 9/22 (to allow for chemo to work its way through my body and avoid overlap) to settle the plans for hormonal therapies going forward. Right now, the plan sounds like 10 years of Tamoxifen and monthly Lupron injections (not sure of the duration for the injections, though.)

Still need to schedule my exchange surgery, to get my final implants in! These expanders are driving me nuts.

Glad to be done with chemo but there is quite the long road ahead! Really feeling grateful to be able to share this, despite how much it SUCKS, with you amazing women... I won't be retiring from the boards, just because chemo is over for me ;-)

Xoxo

KNardo88

labscientistmom

KNardo88: love your picture, congrats and HUZZAH on finishing chemo. Praying that you can schedule the surgery quickly and that it goes smoothly. Blessings and [[HUGS]]

Moondust: how wonderful to have your son & family home for a bit. I love the cooler nights and mornings, hoping that keeps up. I am not sure about rads body position, but the rad oncologist said they would position me to avoid my heart. I meet with her again in September.

BBG: whoo hoo, your tumor shrank, that's awesome!! Hope they can schedule your surgery quickly and the worst is behind you. SOO glad you are eating better and not so sick!! {{HUGS}} to you too!!

Dolly: in your pocket today for your infusion. SOO glad there is only one more. Only 3 more for me. We are almost done!!

May all our tomorrow have less SEs and lovely weather. blessings, A

seq24

I hope you don't mind that I would like to start following this board. I don't start chemo for 2 weeks but would like to hear about your experiences up to this point. I am scared to death!!! Of the side effects, especially losing my hair, well, of everything! I do have a question now for all of you this far in the process. Have you been able to drive yourself to and from treatments? I will not always have someone to drive me as we have crazy work schedules. If there is a time where I have to drive myself I am going to have to do so. Someone told me that if you get in an accident while under the effects of chemo, you could be ticketed for driving under the influence of medications. Also, immediately after a treatment, have you been able to return back to work? Another dilemma I have.This BC has forced me to cut back my 10 hr. work days to 3 hrs. That's all the oncologist told me was all I would be able to work but I must be able to work that every day. All of this really stinks!!! I am a bucket of tears constantly and totally freaking out! I'm really wondering how it is humanly possible to go through this!

KNardo88

seq24, welcome, and sorry you had to find yourself here--- but I will tell you that these ladies all have a wealth of support, advise, and warmth to give! What chemo regimen will you be having? That makes a big difference. Personally, I just had my last round of AC on Thursday. That's Adriamycin and Cytoxan. For all 4 of my infusions I took (and fully needed) a complete week off from work. I never drove myself to or from chemo, but in my experience the SE's held off a few hours so if I had to, I guess I could have.

Stay strong. I know everything feels and sounds crazy and unimaginable right now, and we are all there with you on those days--- but you will get through this just like we all will! We are here for you!!!!