Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

bravepoint

Yes, Lyn. My blood counts were better today than they were a month ago. I rang the bell! Yeah me!!

Next up rads April 18th.

Great questions in your post on the weekly Taxol thread! I feel like s*** today as per the usual day of chemo. Can't wait for the SEs to go away even though mine were not that bad.

Gail

Julesbabe55

Damn Connie!! Praying you can continue on Monday. And moving a fire pit? Hope your tests come out OK.

Lynn - I have a picture of you trying to harangue your line - thanks for the smile. As for seeing a specialist for the thalassemia, I'm not seeing one now. I would probably see a hematologist though there is not much  they can do. My brother saw a hematologist and the only thing he could recommend was to take folic acid which is supposed to help with getting the red blood cells to be more normal shaped. I mentioned it to my onc - she said the folic acid is ok but like everything else wanted me to wait before I thought about taking it. Glad to hear your count is at 10 - that's normal for most folks. Mine is normally around 9 and with the Taxol has been fluctuating between 7.4/7.5. Funny thing - even with those low numbers, I'm not tired and I try to walk at the Y every day doing at least a mile. Hopefully now that Taxol is done, my numbers will start getting back to normal.

Gail - congrats on ringing the bell. Now on to the next phase

Had my first appointment with the radiologist Thursday. Looks like I'll be starting that regimen April 10th for 6 weeks. Have an appointment next week to figure out the angles and all that stuff. To be honest, I almost lost it during the appointment - the idea of another 6 weeks of appointments put me very close to the edge.  Interesting about your getting a mammo. I saw my surgeon for a follow-up today & she said no mammo until after radiation. Interesting the differences in each of our journeys.

My fingers were bothering me all day today - I shouldn't complain really as the neuropathy has been tolerable. For some reason today the nails on my fingers were super sensitive. I'm still keeping up with the B6 & glutamine. My onc recommended continuing that for 3 months - something about nerve endings taking longer to bounce back. Hopefully that will help and this annoyance will slowly fade as time goes on. 

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Julianne

VLH

Woo Hoo, Gail!

Lyn

Connie1230

no chemo again today....2 weeks in a row due to platelet counts. Plus other counts were low so I'm having a blood transfusion tomorrow. I'm starting to woner if I'll ever make ithrough these last 3 chemos

VLH

Darn, Connie! I hope the blood transfusion proves helpful. I know you want to put the chemo behind you.

Lyn

Julesbabe55

Connie - sorry you have to wait another week. I can't imagine how frustrated you must feel. Hoping the transfusion works and you can get back on track. Keep us posted.

Julianne

KLNiss

Connie - I am so glad you are getting a transfusion. I am hoping and praying that you feel much better after it. Good luck!

Kathy

bravepoint

Connie - You will make it through! Hope the transfusion helps get the blood counts up.

Gail

lidabit

Connie - I am so sorry to hear. Just keep swimming. Sending good vibes of increased platelets. Jus got my pathology back from surgery - my deep chest margin was less than 1 mm off tonradiation I go. I was looking forward to being done, but this was not in the cards for me. Just keep swimming

VLH

Sorry about the radiation, Lidabit.

I met the radiation oncologist today myself. The location isn't convenient, but she specializes in breast cancer while the more convenient RO is a generalist; she does prone position; and, she offers the Canadian protocol so 15 sessions vs. the traditional 30+ visits. My mapping will be next Friday.

Yesterday was my first mammogram since my diagnosis last May. Nothing scary noted. Yay!

I'm freaked out because I think I'm going to lose the nail on my big toe. This is especially disconcerting because I'm diabetic and, if I ever I get my endurance back, my job is teaching dog obedience classes and there's a real risk of a big dog accidentally stomping on me. :-(

I'm trying to adjust to wearing this #@&#$ lymphedema sleeve and glove. The RO today said that lymphedema isn't common with only a sentinel node biopsy. She mentioned 5%. I've beaten the odds numerous times during this cancering stuff so seems like I should be able to win a lottery or two.

Connie, fingers crossed for perky platelets next test. You are overdue for some good news!

Lyn

bravepoint

Lyn - Good news on the mammogram! I go for my CT sim/mapping next Friday too. Guess we'll be on the same schedule again except I'm down for 29 sessions. Yuk!

With me, it's my right thumb nail that looks like it might come off. It's split at the top to half way down so I'm hoping it will just grow out....

I teach dog agility classes and have been able to keep up a couple of classes through most of chemo. My husband helps me set up the equipment. I do just an hour at a time as more than that is just too tiring!

Gail

VLH

I'm very impressed that you could be agile throughout your treatment! The AC affected me far beyond what I anticipated and I get very frustrated at how difficult it's been to try to regain any strength or endurance. I had to look at a Rally obedience video from shortly before my cancer diagnosis to assure myself that I could do a Fast pace on a lengthy course without even breathing heavily since I now practically pant after walking a few yards out to the mail box. Bah! Humbug!

Owie on the thumbnail! I figured out yesterday that by lacing my athletic shoes tightly close to the toes, it prevents my foot from sliding forward and bumping the fragile toe. My right foot could be seen in sandals in polite society, but the left is a hot mess with purple scars and some peeling skin plus ugly nails. It's the foot that had the hand-foot syndrome.

My radiation oncologist participated in a clinical trial related to shorter treatment times and she believes that as those results are published showing the shorter protocol is effective, insurance companies won't pay for the longer plans. It's important to note that I'm lucky that my nodes were negative since that's an important factor. I'm such a wimp that I would be hard pressed to make the jaunt to radiation every week day for six weeks. I'm sorry that you're facing that, but know you're up to the challenge!

Lyn

bravepoint

Lyn - On AC I was out of commission for a week but pretty good for the next 2 weeks so taught those weeks. I was able to teach all through the Taxol and even ran my dogs in a couple of agility trials. It was good to do something normal that I enjoy. I was out of breath at the end but it was worth it.

Sorry to hear about your toes. Ugh!!

I'm node positive so maybe that's why the longer treatment for me. Our provincial healthcare covers treatment in Canada. It's 30 minutes each way so it will take up 1/2 my day likely. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Gail

Connie1230

Litabit, sorry about your having to do radiation. Lyn, glad to hear you can do the shorter radiation protocol. Reading about your nail issues makes me nervous. So far mine are ok although some of my fingernails are dark. I don't think my toenails are. I remove polish and put it right back on them and never think to inspect them until after they're polished again.

I have 3 chemos to go but only one scheduled. I called today trying to get them to schedule those last two but they say they'll take care of this Monday when I go in for chemo. My appt. With the radiation dr is going to have to be changed as it's the same day as my last chemo should be assuming I can do the last 3 without any more delays. They schedule appt with radiation dr 2 weeks after last chemo which, of course, means that radiation is going to last into June unless they'll consider that shorter protocol. This also means missing my grandson's graduation which makes me cry every time I think about it. That's was my goal.....to be able to travel to go to that.

I don't remember if I ever posted about hurting my back. I stupidly helped my husband move a fire pit so that he could clean the lanai there. It was 2 weeks ago today and I am just now able to go without constant pain pills. I had an MRI Tuesday but can't see the dr in the spinal clinic til April 4th. I felt and heard it pop....not fun. They think it was a compression fracture from the X-rays which is why an MRI was ordered. I am so thankful that it seems to be improving but I can assure you that I'm being very careful. No one ever told me that my body was weakened from the chemo which means that my back also isn't as strong. I also really had no idea how heavy that fire pit it was.

Seems like most everyone must be done with chemo that started in October. I'm still plugging along and can't wait until this is over and I can move on to radiation

Pamela23

You ladies are a month ahead of me, I did CT from Nov-Jan and I am doing my last week of rads next week. My question is--did any of you lose your taste and if so, how long until it returned? I'm 9.5 weeks PFC and can only distinguish between sweet/salty/spicy but no actual flavors yet. Starting to get concerned!

Connie1230

I have lost my taste too. I am still getting chemo because I had to miss so many. I don't know how long it takes to get it back but I'd sure like to know

VLH

Connie, you did tell us about hurting your back. I had no idea that chemo could make patients more prone to injury. :-(

The hits keep coming here. A thunderstorm with one inch hailstones blew through tonight and I'm fairly sure that my one year old roof is toast so that will be another deductible of well over $2,000. Because being unable to work for months, paying two catastrophic out-of-pocket co-pays in less than a year and having over $1,100 of vet bills related to Katie's cancer weren't damaging enough. Poop!

Lyn.

Connie1230

Lyn, you have had much more than your fair share of issues. I hope your roof isn't as bad as you think. I know how damaging hail can be; one of my sons has had roof and siding issues due to hail. All I can say is that's I'm really sorry.

Yes, my nurse practitioner told me that everything is weaker due to chemo. Honestly, it never occurred to me either. It is getting better and now pretty much just hurts by nighttime but I am being very careful with it and about everything. A neighbor told me to really be careful with my walking; if you fall, you're more likely to break a bone. That happened to a relative of hers during treatments and she was told that by her dr. I think chemo must affect everything I need your body at this poin

KLNiss

Hi Ladies - I am now officially a member of the lumpectomy team. Had mine on Friday. They only needed to take out the sentinel nodes which were clear. I am working through the stiffness and soreness. I have major pain in the tricep area of my arm from nerve damage I guess - it was explained to me that I might experience that. It is only bad if I over exert for now - like taking off a shirt over my head. I have my follow up next week and then on to radiation.

sending hugs and hope you all - K

VLH

Thanks, Connie. My balance and muscles strength are both poor since chemo so I worry about wiping out. The clutter in my house makes it worse. I need to borrow the cleaning and organizing people from "Hoarders" and Mike the contractor who fixes owner's home. (Can't think of the name of the show... Maybe "Mike Makes It Right"?)

Stay safe and GOOD LUCK with finishing your chemo soon!

Lyn

VLH

I saw the medical oncologist yesterday. No guarantees, but she thinks the toenail may be alright. Fingers (but NOT toes!) crossed.

She noticed that my port seems to "want out" and it's good that I'm done with chemo. You may recall this is my second port, this one put in by an interventional radiologist while the first was implanted by a surgeon. Seriously, what is it with me and ports? Apparently, my body doesn't tolerate foreign objects gladly. Although I would have liked smaller, perkier breasts, perhaps it's a good thing that I didn't go with the bilateral mastectomy and implants. I want to get the radiation out of the way, then will get the port removed. Mapping is tomorrow.

My hemoglobin was just below normal range throughout treatment, but was up to 11.2. Being mildly anemic on top of chemo and Fibromyalgia can't have been a good thing.

Connie, I wish you were done, too. It's quiet here, but I hope you'll keep us updated.

Lyn

deemendoza

Hello ladies, just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I was just sitting in my living room thinking about each and everyone of you!!! Thinking of how frightened we are were as we faced our 1st chemo days in Oct and wanted to simply say THANK YOU for walking with me on this journey.

Connie1230

One more chemo and I am done. Fingers and toes are crossed that my blood counts don't delay this one next Tuesday. I am so over this and ready to move on to radiation.

Dee, have you had your surgery? How are you doing?

I do have a compression fracture in my back. I will be having therapy here at home instead of driving to Mayo for that but am waiting to schedule it until I see radiation dr. Monday in hopes that she will have the schedulers schedule radiation treatments so that I can schedule this without having conflicts timewise. He said I could just be very careful and it will eventually heal on it's own but recommended the therapy. I could also have what he called in layman's terms cement injected but he didn't encourage that at this time.

After talking to a few people who have had radiation, they advised me to talk to the radiation dr about the therapy. They said they weren't at all sure they could have handled it due to the fatigue. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Anyone doing radiation now and want to tell me just how bad the fatigue is?

bravepoint

Connie1230 - Glad to hear that you have just 1 more chemo treatment!! I can't help with your radiation questions as I don't stat til April 18th.

chickdudefood

Connie1230, I am nearly done with radiation--I had 28 whole-breast sessions, and after today will have just 3 more "boost" sessions. From what I can tell around the waiting room, people's level of fatigue, just like our reactions to the chemo, is so variable as to be almost meaningless. I find myself wanting to sleep late, but otherwise I'm feeling so much better than I was while on chemo that I'm tempted to say I don't have much fatigue at all. And it's so hard to separate everything out--emotions, anxiety, just everything piled all together so that I can't point to the radiation as the cause of my general malaise on the days I have it. In the past week the weather has improved somewhat here in New England so I've been walking a couple of miles a day--and a couple of months ago I was to weak to even consider going around the block by myself. I realize this isn't very helpful. For what it's worth, my friends and the literature say that exercise helps with fatigue, so perhaps the therapy will be good in more ways than one.

Good luck with your final chemo! The further away I get from it, the better I feel, noticeable on a daily basis.

Best,

Kate

KLNiss

Hi gals! Connie - one more to go!!! yay!!! I echo Kate's comments as well. I feel better and better each day - even had my lumpectomy and still feel like I'm recovering daily. I won't start RADs until May probably. I need to be able to hold my arm over my head for awhile and with the lumpectomy pain I'm still working on that.

Deemendoza - me too! Spring is finally here and when I think back to September it feels so different. Hoping and praying that we are all on the other side of this thing.

xo - Kathy

Connie1230

Yay, I am DONE with chemo finally! I'm sure you all realize how thrilled I am. Radiation starts May 1 and I am not a candidate for the shorter protocol because my tumor was larger than 2.0 cm....so I have to have the entire 32 treatments. That kind of bummed me out but I'll get over it.

For those of you who are in radiation now, is it with you lying on your stomach? I didn't realize that until I met with them. I understood the shorter protocol was in that position but didn't realize the longer protocol was also on your stomach

VLH

CONGRATS, CONNIE!

I think the stomach / prone position is an option regardless of the length of treatment. My radiation mapping attempt was a disaster due to claustrophobia and my blasted encapsulated shoulder. Making things worse, they were an hour late, doctor had been called away by an emergency, and being dumped into rush hour(s) traffic meant my trip home took over 1 1/2 hours. I hadn't packed yet to leave the next morning to visit my family for the first time in more than 3 years so I was nearly in tears by the time I got home. I'm scheduled to try again in 2 weeks with pain pills and a sedative on board. I was scheduled for tomorrow, but couldn't find anyone to take me.

The good news is that a month after my last chemo infusion, I can finally walk to the mail box without nearly keeling over from a racing heart & shortness of breath! After more than four months of those symptoms, which mimic heart disease, I'll be devastated if we can't figure out a way to do prone position.

I wanted to respond to the other notes on the thread, but I'm a pooped pup. Please know that you're all in my thoughts.

Lyn

bravepoint

Congrats, Connie!! So happy to hear that you made it to the end of your treatments! I start radiation next Tuesday and am lying on my back with my arm raised slightly above my head.

VLH - So sorry to hear about the disastrous appointment. Hope they can work out something that you can tolerate. I'm almost a month PFC as well and have more energy than I did. Just wish I had hair, eyebrows and etelashes.....

VLH

Bravepoint, I lost all but two sad little eyebrow hairs, some exiting weeks after the major fallout, and see no regrowth yet. I'm finally getting some scalp regrowth, but my formerly dark brown hair is growing in a shocking white. (Yours is white, to, isn't it?) I'm still completely bald on top and the left / surgical side is much shorter / thinner than the right side of my head, which is a fraction of an inch long. (I think you're on the Hair thread so apologies for the duplication.)

Kathy, isn't it amazing to finally start feeling better? My shoulder is killing me today, but I was so pleased to do a little vacuuming yesterday. With the herniated disc / inflamed SI joint and having a tough time with chemo, my house hasn't been clean in well over a year. It's disgusting...horribly cluttered and just plain dirty. As much as I hate the delays in moving forward with radiation, I'm looking forward to the respite so I can begin to dig out this pit before the rads fatigue kicks in.

Lyn