Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

lilyp6

Hi Dolly, Yes, he's A-OK, thank goodness. No follow-ups needed for 10 years. He's a good man and definitely a keeper, who does not suffer silently. I'll give anyone a pass for keeping up my care for 4 months practically solo, though, with another 6 months + to go!

Anonymous

Lily,

So glad to hear he is OK. That solution can be awful. I have had a few friends do that recently and it is horrendous 'cleaning the pipes out' before the procedure.

Dolly

labscientistmom

lilyP & dolly: good morning! just a quick checkin before I need to run errands. My obgyn was asking me to do another colonoscopy before my cancer diagnosis and I was putting it off. That solution is NASTY and sitting on the toilet for a whole afternoon/eve is brutal to my hip and tailbone. I am hoping (fingers crossed) that since I just had abdominal CT scan, that will substitute for the scoping. maybe, hopefully??? My mom had colon cancer, so I have had two of them so far. Its been about 10 years, so....anyhoo, it won't be till all this other mess is done, so maybe next year, when I actually turn 50. I shall have colonoscopy to celebrate 1 year post diagnosis!! (sounds like a crappy celebration to me...) Lily, Is your first A/C infusion tomorrow??

Hope that everyone is having a minimal SE day! blessings, A

Anonymous

Oh Labs,

You need a much much better celebration than a colonoscopy!!! Haha what are you like? You need to convince hubby to take you to Venice and sail up and down on those lovely gondolas and eat gelato. I will come with you, just to check you are OK haha...

Are you OK this week? I have been off and on. I have had zero SEs as in no mouth ulcers or bruising or anything really, just a general feeling of delicate tummy and extreme tiredness. I really think I am going to have to have time to recover after chemo before returning to work. The tiredness only kicked in after this week.

I am starting to get panicked by chemo stopping and also by every wee twinge I feel. Like the other day I had a sore knee and immediately thought this thing is now in my bones grrrrr and then had a headache and thought OK it's in my brain. I have not felt like that before. But I am not going to give into it. I am stage 1B or 2 (still no idea) and had macrometastasis in one lymph node. I was worried about that but I did ask my radiologist what that meant and she gave me some fancy term that described that it had not grown outside the lymph node.

I wish I could remember the term she used. It has calmed me a little. But I still just wish that one lymph node had not had anything there.

I am going to exercise tomorrow. Now trying to get weight off and my nephew is going out with me to the gym. He leaves for university this Saturday. I will miss him so much. We went to the shops today and I bought him some trendy gear for uni. We bought converse shoes, trendy jeans, some nice shirts and trainers and a tracksuit for sports. He is off to study law. Gosh how time flies past, it seems like yesterday when he was born.

Labs, just to make you feel more normal, I have a cervical smear waiting for me after this boob thing is done with. My doc said I could put it off just now as I had enough on my plate. How lovely to be at that age where every nook and cranny needs to be inspected haha.

Dolly

Jiffrig

dolly, Ihave the same diagnosis as you, mine was put at IIA because of that one blasted node. Did you have surgery as yet? If so, how many nodes did they remove? I am hoping it won't be many for I fear the lymphoma. I am having the nipple sparing DIEP with use of my own fat to fill (and resulting tummy tuck, yeah!) so they will only have to radiate the lymph area. I am also cold capping and have enjoyed your journey with that. I am at 4 weeks out, just had third A/C and do have shedding starting and then DD taxol x4. Hope I have as good of results as you have had.

Little-Red-Corvette1

Labs How are you doing on the AC? I'm right with you on the colonoscopy! Only I was a bad girl and did not get mine at 50 as I need to see a colo-rectal surgeon because of dang hemoroids! TMI? Anyway when they did my catscan they did say that was the only area they could not be 100% sure of without a colonoscopy which I can do after. Have your sinuses gotten any better since you are not on taxol? Dolly is right you need a much better celebration than that! Venice sounds lovely. I can come too! I will even row!

Dolly you are so sweet to take your nephew shopping! I took my niece the other day. She is 8 and all she wanted to do was buy for others. She is so special and giving. She goes back to school next week. This week she is free from camp so I get to spend time with her. You are right time does fly! I also think every little ache and pain is related to cancer coming back! Goodness when this is over I will probably freak out every time I get sick! That's when I remember to give it to God to whom all things are possible. Don't be hard on yourself about the eating! I've battled obesity all my life and found the more I obsess the more I gain! I

Lilyp6 Glad your husband is all good. How are you feeling these days? The worst days for me were Thursday and Friday of the first week. After that everything is managed ok. You are a trooper going to work! I find I definitely don't like the steroids! Roid Rage is a real thing!!!! I work in customer service and I don't know if I would be able to control myself if someone complained about the stupid things they usually do while we are all going through this Cancer! It really puts things in perspective. I plan on going back a new me with a new attitude! Not sure when. Definitely after chemo maybe during Rads. I have no idea how often I will have them yet.

Seq24 Thinking of You. When is your first AC? I will be with you in spirit. I slept through my first one! It's the Benadryl plus lack of sleep the night before!

Love and Care to All

Jo

lilyp6

Labs, had my AC on Tues, felt very out of it and not hungry yesterday. Am taking all the meds to keep the nausea away. It's not too bad, but the Ativan puts me out. At the moment I'm starving, so that must be a good sign. Hope you're well today and out and about. And yes, a much better celebration than a colonoscopy please, for your 50th.

Little Red, yes, right on time with the SE's, since it's Thurs. I agree about the steroids. They are so powerful. This time around the effects were muted for me, but it's not safe for me to be around others when I'm really flying. Yet, during my weekly treatments they did help me enjoy some of the only times that I was hyper and feeling great. Keep us updated when you have your next treatments lined up.

boobsBgone

I am so happy to see so many of us toward the end of this experience. I am a bit nervous about my DMX on Sept 13. Hubby took the week off and hopefully things will go better than chemo did for me. I figure if I plan for the worst, then I will be pleasantly surprised when things go well. Opposite how I did it for chemo - where i figured on the best happening and that is not quite how it went, I do not want to be disappointed again!

Dolly: I felt the same way, when chemo (the hard stuff) stopped then I was thinking every new tingle was something new. Then I just decided to stop freaking my self out and enjoy the reduction of SEs. I only have a few SEs now - nausea, fatigue and lack of energy are the worst of it now. phew.

Keep happy everyone and may SEs be less each time! Rest well.

Anonymous

Jiffrig,

I am using the Paxman machine which is a wee bit different from your cold caps as the machine keeps the head at a constant cold temp. However that being said last Friday I stupidly asked to go to the toilet before the chemo got put in and my nurse forgot to turn the machine back on!!! I was sitting having my chemo put in for 45 mins and she had not even put the machine back on!!! I am expecting a lot more hair loss this next 3 weeks. My own fault as I just assumed that they would remember to check the thing was back on. Lesson to learn here is ALWAYs assume everyone is a bloody idiot!

I have one more chemo to go so hoping hair will last that long. After chemo is done, I am starting on my biotin tablets which are meant to promote healthy hair growth and nail growth.

I hope you have good success with your cold caps as it does help a lot! I have to say thought that the hair that is saved is of such crappy condition I have often considered shaving the lot off. Hair is brittle and frizzy. I cannot wait to see good normal shiny hair again.

Jiffrig

dolly, it will happen! Four years ago I had vasculitis and was on heavy steroids and my organs hot affected for a short time. I lost a lot of hair and it got really "cottony" feeling. Drove me crazy, but it did come back to full and healthy very quickly. You may have to go shorter than usual for awhile but it pays off. Do take the biotin. I have been taking it throughout (and before) double dose and I have to file my nails constantly they grow so fast. Not sure what will happen when I start taxol in 2 weeks. Ugh!

Anonymous

Yeah,

I am saving Biotin for about 6 weeks from now. Then will get started on it big time. I still have hair on my head and family say they don't even notice a change, but I do. It feels so dry and so thin. But to be fair I started with a big bushy mop of hair to start with. Are you on chemo just now or just about to start?

If just starting, then you will get one big shed of hair, sort of like a ball of tumbleweed at around day 16 after the first infusion, then after that it will just be several hairs every few days. You won't ever get that same big tumbleweed ball ever again.

The good point is that you get to keep your hair, the bad is that cold capping is a not so great experience. My advice is to ask your nurse for a wee sedative whilst doing the cold capping and take a paracetamol too. These two tabs helped me not feel the cold or feel so sick. But it is worth the discomfort because every day you wake up to hair on your head. Although the gorgeous ladies on this site have totally rocked the bald look. They have looked fabulous and stylish. I guess it's all to do with right attitude and confidence. This bunch on here have tonnes of confidence and great faces too!!!

D

bbbb

I AM DONE!!!!! Last chemo was Monday! I am so excited! Having the usual SE's and storm HERMINE has been messing things up but praise GOD we did not loose power like so many in our area. I don't think I could have stood feeling yucky and not having power! I start radiation in October and then arimidex after that. I have been working but took most of this week off and thanks' to the storm Friday school was cancelled and Monday is Labor Day and I should be feeling ok by Tuesday so I actually didn't have to take too many sick days. Oncologist was so nice and celebrated the end of chemo - was very positive about the work the chemo did in helping me stay cancer free forever! I am focused on getting through the rads, starting the meds, hysterectomy in December and hopefully shedding this wig sometime in the spring! Even though I feel really awful tonight, it's all good because I AM DONE! I can't tell you how much this thread means to me. To hear and discuss with others going through the same thing is absolutely invaluable! You all are the best blessings!

lilyp6

bbbb, not feeling so hot tonight myself, but woo hoo!!! That's definitely something to celebrate. Stay safe and hope we both feel better soon.

ClarkBlue

bbbb - WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! Congrats!!

-Keel

Anonymous

bbbb,

I am sooooo happy for you! Well done getting through chemo. I have my last in 2 weeks and will be starting RADS in October too! How long is your Radiotheraphy for? I have 4 weeks on RAds. How many are doing longer and why?

I am in no doubt that even if SEss are bad you don't really care coz now your all about getting that poison out your body and back to great health!

Stay safe in storms and take time to rest over this weekend

Little-Red-Corvette1

bbbb. A BIG YES! (Fist pump) AND HURRAY FOR YOU! I am over the moon for you!

bbbb

Dolly - I have 5 weeks of rads beginning in October. I had IORT (high dose radiation treatment in tumor bed) during lumpectomy with different RO. My new RO doesn't want to do the new higher dose three week treatment because I already had IORT so that kinda backfired on me. I am ok with it now because I really trust my new RO and feel like he is doing what is safest for me - even if it means two more weeks of rads. Live and learn I guess. Still feeling pretty lousy today - seems to be taking longer this last time to bounce back but you are right - I don't care - so glad I don't have to do this again! My staple, swiss cake rolls now taste awful so I am at a loss as to what to eat. I have lost some weight but not enough to be concerned with, just finally a nice perk in this whole mess that my pants fit better!

Lilyp6 - hope you are feeling better soon - I think I am not bouncing back as fast because I am just sitting around and not doing much. Going to force myself up and to church tomorrow and I think I will feel better. I don't go back to work until Tuesday and I think I should be fine by then. Prayers for you!

My treatment center has a bell you get to ring when you are done with treatment and everyone around celebrates with you. It was wonderful and I can't wait until everyone on this thread gets to celebrate their last treatment!

bbbb

Oh and there are still people in our town without power because of the storm yesterday and we never lost it - God is good - I never would have made it with my wimpy self without power!

boobsBgone

bbbb: you go girl! Yeah for ending chemo. i was told the SEs can take up to 2 months to get out of your system, so keep trucking on! (not sure where thar saying came from). needed a new saying! Be safe!

So glad we are ending chemo. some of us for sx and then i believe most radiation. we got this. the hardest part is over and we did it.

Anonymous

bbbb,

You are no wimp. You would have made it even in the pitch dark. The glow coming off you right now from the sheer joy of ending chemo, would have been light enough!!

Hope you are feeling good today.

Boobsbgone - how are you this fine weekend?

I am sadly reporting that my hair has taken a turn for the worse. I am still able to cover up but I suspect my nurse last week forgetting to turn the bloody machine on during my infusion, might actually be the reason for this. I am getting hair out every time I brush now whereas I had about three infusions with little or no hair coming out. It's just as well that it's getting close to last chemo.

The task of growing in all my hair again is kinda making my head spin these days. I do have hair, but clearly, I am going to have to go very short and start to grown to shoulders from there again. Otherwise I'd have odd clumps coming through at different lengths from what's already here. Grrrr.

Anyone else exhausted? I joined the gym a week ago but so far not got the energy to do anything, but have been looking at the classes and have decided on a 5 classes a week. I am doing:

Monday - aqua aerobics

Tuesday - Swimming

Wednesday - gym

Thursday - gym

Friday - Pilates

I am terrified about the weight already gained. I have gained a straight 7 lbs in weight since chemo. And I was not skinny to start with. I need to remove weight before Tamoxifen.

I so hope energy levels return after chemo and don't dip during RADS.

D

PS Labs - how are you and how long now? Hope nose stuff is clearing up or at least getting less troublesome.

boobsBgone

Feeling motivated today and wanted to share my energy. I have a cat rescue function (for those that do not know I run a cat rescue in LV) on Sep 11, A Kitten Pageant, and I am lead person of course. So, i am trying to get all the details done and ready for next weekend so I don't have to rush like we do every year! I am glad it is before my surgery, I did not want to miss this event. It is so much fun and I am looking forward to having a good time!

So, we are cleaning out part of our garage to find last year's pageant decorations. I saved them, somewhere, and now we have to find them! LOL see what happens when you do not label things correctly.

Enjoy your Sunday and so glad everyone is nearing the finish chemo line!.

Dolly: sorry about your hair, it will grow back! most likely thinker and fuller too! I am still bald waiting for my hair to grow back. I am tired of my ears being cold!

May today be full of energy and adventure

Anonymous

Boobs,

Have you not had operation yet? When do you finish chemo? You must be soon too.

How lovely that you are getting to your cat event and going to have some good fun.

It is very important to get fun in the middle of all of this horribleness. This has been my 'annus horribilis' (said in Queenie voice).

Don't do too much though. It is certainly not worth stressing your body out with work.

D

Heathet

Dolly - well crap for that nurse not turning on your machine! That stinks but only one more treatment and your hair always looks so thick in the pictures you post. I didn't completely shave my head, I left about a centimeter of hair. Most of it had fallen out after the chemo but I have these weird patches growing especially around the sides of my head! Some little areas are an inch long! I keep thinking if this keeps up I might have enough for a comb over! 😀 My weird sense of humor!

I have a decent wig and lots of wraps but I can't wait for the day I can run fingers through my hair again! It's weird some of my dreams I have hair and in other dreams I don't.

Hope everyone has had a happy Sunday!

boobsBgone

Dolly - my last chemo treatment ended abruptly July 27. I was not strong enough for the next since I had just gotten out of the hospital. She adjusted my chemo to only Herceptin for a year and scheduled me for sx. So, my whole plan got changed because I got so sick from chemo. I was told I was that small percentage that cannot handle chemo (great!), so we had to adjust. So my DMX is scheduled for next Tuesday, then radiation some time after I heal.

Heathet: I have similar dreams where I have my hair back and others I have my caps or bald! weird. I am still waiting to see it grow back. wish it would hurry!

Hoping to go to the movies with hubby today and have a fun filled day. may everyone have a great day!

lilyp6

Hi Ladies,

I am slowly joining the world again today. That AC is no joke. The nausea and weakness from not eating much were still at work yesterday from my Tues treatment. I had strange cravings in the midst of it as well, and got a small meal in here and there. I had hot flashes last night again, and didn't get a lot of sleep.

A lovely friend brought us food for the second time yesterday. The next time someone is seriously ill in my life, I will not ask what I can do or offer to help. I will make some food and take it over - period. Today I'm going to make an easy chicken soup and get a good nap. I was on vacation this week and go back to work tomorrow. I'm definitely looking forward to getting some good days before my next infusion on the 20th.

bbbb: I'm ready. Here's to bouncing back! I hope you were able to get out and about a little.

Dolly: So sorry about your hair. From the pics, you really do have quite a lot. Maybe it won't be so visible to everyone else. I am exhausted too, but I promise you'll feel loads better when you are able to start your workouts.

BBG: And here's to energy and adventures! I hope you are able to get to the movies. I'll be thinking of you next Tues.

Heathet: I realize now that I took my hair for granted, and resented the time that it took to maintain. I never gave a thought to how long it took to grow. I find myself fascinated by people's hair now.

Little-Red-Corvette1

lilyp6 You are so right about the meals! I had a friend order me Hello Fresh delivered and my sister cooked it for me. It was so appreciated and thoughtful! I always felt great the weekend before infusion. I went on Mondays. Ate like s champ. If it turns same for you maybe you can plan an outing! Or a special treat. I have an extra week before taxol so I hope to have a great week! I hope you feel better soon. Eat when you can, take care of your tongue! Mine is sore! I must sleep with my mout open like it's not dry enough! Good Vibes to You and Al

Little-Red-Corvette1

Heatnet when I saw your post last night It was a hmmm moment for me because all my friends keep telling me my hairs growing back! Then you spoke of the comb over and Sorry I LMBO thinking of Trump because I have that sense of humor! 😜

Dolly I admire your your fight to keep your hair! That alone is amazing in itself! I still have chemo and have not really discussed rads yet. But like you I don't think I want constant reminders when this is over.

I went on Facebook and one of those slideshow things came up and I thought....Gee I had nice hair! Lol I miss it. Then I found a can of my favorite Sebastian hairspray in a breast cancer pink can and thought "isn't it ironic?" Because I am a Jersey Girl and we LOVE big hair!

Have a Good Holiday All

boobsBgone

Lily: so glad you are doing a bit better. I hope that you continue to stay strong. Secret Life of Pets was a fun movie, hubby loved it too. if anyone goes to see it, stay thru part of the credits so you don't miss any.

rested after the movie, i think the heat got to me. after yesterday, hubby and i cleaned out the garage for 3-4 hours, i took breaks! Hoping everyone has a great day!

seq24

Little Red--I just saw your post to me with your question of when I start chemo. I start this coming Friday the 9th. They told me they will not be giving me Benadryl for the AC, which I am glad for. I keep wondering how are you supposed to eat the ice chips, drink the water, etc, if you are sleeping anyway. Needless to say, with every tick of the clock I am getting more and more scared. I have heard of SO MANY horrible side effects from this that I am afraid I am going to get every one. I have a whole box of OTC meds, prescriptions, high protein snacks they said to get, etc. I just look at it and think "am I really going to need all this stuff?" It's a scary thought and one that keeps me awake most nights.And that's not even including the hair loss part. I am struggling big time with that alone! There are no words to express the amount of fear that I am feeling now. More than anything I have ever experienced in my life. Thank you for your support and caring!

ClarkBlue

I had an OT appointment for the swelling in my arm - met with a lymphedema specialist, which was nice. He measured both arms and verified the swelling and to get a baseline measurement. He was so glad to hear that I came in because I didn't want it to progress versus waiting until it was out of control. He also said he could help me keep things under control during radiation, since that can exacerbate things once you have the beginning of it. I have an appointment with the radiologist on Thursday to find out when I'm set to begin treatments. Will be having 30 treatments over 6 weeks. Just ordered my radiation "cooling" roll and lotion - apparently this is good to wick the heat away from the skin right after treatment. We'll see how they work! http://www.lindiskin.com/radiation-basic-collection

It's so hot and uncomfortable here - time to hit the pool!

Have a great day everyone!

-Keely