April 2017 Chemo

Castigame

It was a huge relief when Onco told us both scans are clear. Thank you everyone for your prayers.

Now on to rads and more.

Mimi

DodgersGirl

rebamacfan123- congrats on clear scans!

Will be interested in how rads are for you. I won't be to the rads stage til October or so

Keep in touch!

Annbee

rebamacfan that is great news about the scans! I am right behind you with reds. Keep us posted.

Castigame

I am enjoying a few days of break. Mapping session on 19th and #1 is on 26th. Grateful that left is not necessary due to clear margin and no node involvement. Right chest wall only. Plan to start moisurizing w what RO gave me a few days before 26th. Among the tips I read, this was the most convenient and logical tip for me.

Even though I have new aches and pains from TX, it is getting better slowly.

Mimi

Annbee

Mimi- That is great having a break. I am hoping to have one too but it will coincide with back to school. I have been out since February. I hope the aches and pains continue to improve.

i also found out that MO is not doing any scans after chemo. She said there is no need. Yeah. I hate scans. She said a CT will be done for radiation, but said I won't have to drink the yucky stuff. I hope she is right.

I asked about my fingers. She said that it shouldn't be permanent because it does get better every week. Fingers crossed.

Feeling a bit good today. I am seeing the outlines of a rainbow.

Anne.

DodgersGirl

had Taxol 7 Wednesday and can't sleep tonight. Going to be a long day Thursday.

The good news is my port worked just fine!

The badnews is WBC keeps dropping while on Taxol

BJI

I also had taxol #7 Wednesday. I too had trouble sleeping, fell asleep for an hour, up for 2 hours, back to sleep for 4. Got a busy day planned, take advantage of the steroids. My port has worked great, only had trouble the first couple of times. I think it really makes a difference in the nurse. My WBC continues to drop, at 3.8 yesterday, they weren't concerned yet. My liver enzymes are up, They are seeing a pattern of increase on day 15, then drops back normal. Gave me extra flush of fluids yesterday, and stressed lots of water, which I do. Liver working overtime to flush the poisons out! Will see MO next week, haven't seen her for 3 weeks. Otherwise same SE, definitely more tired last week. Only 5 to go!

Castigame

Cant wait to start rads. Mapping session on 19th and 26th is the D Day. 25 seasions of right chest wall and 5 boosts.

Decided to be on Long term disability till Early Jan 2018 to get hyst. My health is more important than job security. My big boss (BC survivor) told me that she knew I need till next yr. If I get fired, my severance pay is 6 mo of current salary. I am truly blessed.

Thought of total hystrectomy makes me very scared. I really want to avoid it but I cannot. I have to because I need to be alive to nag my saint DH for money and everything else. And be able to kick my faithful dog daily.

Thought of the surgery makes me sad bc me and DH really have to say goodbye to having children. Hoping to get better soon and maybe just maybe we can adopt.

My beagle dog just got sad because she saw mommy crying. Too bad I can not have wine.

Mimi

Castigame

on a totally diff note. I lost quite a bit of weight. Pre chemo weight of 186.6 to post chemo 163. I still have no restriction re diet. I am thinking my metabolism changed for the better. I sure am not complaining except sitting on my butt is tad bit painful. Tried wearing padded panty. I still think padded underwear is the best but have not found a good one yet. If you know any remedy whether a good seat cushion or something else, I would really appreciate it.

Mimi

Anna-33

What kind of sideeffects did you have after cytoxan, and how long did they last?

DodgersGirl

Momojcbc- just wanted to wish you well tomorrow on the last chemo treatment. Hope Taxol hasn't been too hard for you.

Also, happy anniversary to you tomorrow, too!

Momojcbc

Hi Ladies-

Dodgersgirl thank you! I am so excited. Taxol has been a bit rough but manageable. Bone pain is my worst complaint. How are you doing? I also get a scan on Wednesday and doc apmnt thursday to go over it. EEEEK

Then My family and I head out Friday for a much needed vacation in Montana.

Annbee

I am getting for my last chemo at 8:30 this morning. Fingers crossed that is wil go smooth like all the others. It feels like the last day of school and that means the clock is going to move real slow today. It has been a 6 hour day for Taxol. I will take it!

Momojcbc- yeah for last day too!!

Hope everyone is well. Could not do this without you.

DodgersGirl

annbee- was just going to write to tell you best of luck today with last chemo!! Such a big accomplishment.

Hope you will post on this thread from time to time to let us know how you are doing!!

Annbee

I need all of you and will not be leaving. Radiation is next.

DodgersGirl

momojcbc- bone pain on days 4&5 are still with me from Taxol. The dryness of my sinuses is most annoying but certainly something I can get thru. Will be nice though to have the SE behind me

A vacation in Montana sounds wonderful. Do you have family there? Montana is such a large, beautiful state. Hope you have the best time.

Good luck with your scans. Hope they show chemo winning the battle with cancer.

Hope you will post on this thread from time to time to let us know how you are doin

DazzlingEagle

I have my last chemo this Wed. July 19. I finally learned and made myself some meals to freeze so I have a quick good meal when I'm not feeling good the next days after chemo. I am getting the Nuelasta on board again which I am happy about. I am not planning on taking any Motrin or Tylenol for any pain because the side effect of constipation and all that happens from that is not worth it.

And scary, the surgery is next. I thought I was getting a lumpectomy but I spoke to the surgeon for just a minute on the phone this morning and she and the oncologist now want another PET scan. Ugh. And then present to a tumor board and then decide what surgery. Also I am scheduled next Wednesday to have another breast MRI and a diagnostic mammogram. It seems like a lot while recovering from the final chemo. I had an oncologist appointment last week and I am confused about the scheduling of everything and he told me no matter what I will get Herceptin every three weeks, so if I have a surgery on a Tuesday, I will still have to get to the chemo center for getting herception the next day on Wednesday. The Herceptin every three weeks can't be delayed. It seems like a lot to deal with.

I contacted the patient navigator to get in touch with a therapist who deals with lymphodema. I wanted to go before surgery for some preemptive care.

DodgersGirl

dazzlingeagle- I was thinking about you this morning as I thought you had said this Wednesday would be your final chemo. Nice to hear from you!

Thanks for sharing what happens next. I still have 5 chemo treatments to go and have no idea what happens next other than 3-4 weeks after chemo there is surgery and then rads.

Best of luck on your scans. Hope they show the tumor shrinking or gone

Annbee

Hi dazzling eagle- yeah on your last chemo tomorrow. I am also getting ready to start freezing some meals. I go back to work on Aug 7rh and I think I will be starting radiation the same day.
I am surprised that you would have Herceptin the day after surgery. It seems like a to me. I don't know about Herceptin. I had a BMX with reconstruction and was in the hospital for 2 nights. I could not imagine having that too. Does Herceptin effect your blood counts? I am just thinking about my surgical experience and how both my BS and especially my PS was all about no infections. I was given a bottle of antibiotics to take 4 times a day for 30 days ( I never finished it). It will all work out in the end. I remember my husband telling me to trust my doctors. They know what is best. He was right.

DazzlingEagle

So my breast MRI and diagnostic mammogram arescheduled next Wed. July 26. Then this morning the BS's office called me again and they want to do the PET scan on Wed July 26, the same day. Okay, fine, but when I told her there's no way I can drink 8 glasses of water the day before and then the 44 ounces of plain water two hours before the PET scan, she just wasn't understanding it or something. I can barely drink one swallow of water the week after chemo. You can't drink anything with sugar in it and apple juice and that kind of thing is really all I drink for most of the week following chemo.

Okay, small rant -- why does the scheduling have to be so difficult? It's not like it's a surprise to either the MO or BS that my last chemo is July 19 and I'm sick the week after. When I originally saw the BS, she assured me all tests would be scheduled for a day I wasn't sick from chemo. The BS's office keep on saying you need surgery 3-4 weeks after chemo. You need all these test in time for tumor board. Okay, that's fine and that was my understanding from previous appointments. I don't understand why it is turning so chaotic now. My chemo and the tumor board meeting and the timeline of when I need surgery is something that's been set for four months. It's so frustrating.

I think what I'm going to do is cancel all scans and reschedule. I am available every single day the following week for whatever scan appointment or water drinking required. I don't care if the tumor board doesn't review it.

Well, now the reality. These tests are needed to have the lastest best info. about the surgery. If the BS wants the tumor board to review it, I need to get them done in time for this to happen. The first PET scan had such an awful result I am dreading the PET report more than drinking all that water.

DodgersGirl

dazzlingeagle- huge pet peeve of mine is having all the medical people scheduling tests at the same date and time. I feel your aggravation.

Thanks for posting all this info. I haven't seen my BS since March and haven't seen my MO in weeks (her PA is who I see right now every 3-4 weeks) so I have no idea what happens after chemo. I see my PA MO next week. Now I know what to ask. Assumed there will be mammogram and PET scan just don't know what else? Chest X-rays for surgery? Heart tests?

Again, best of luck tomorrow. And best of luck navigating the steps after chemo.

Annbee

I understand how you are feeling. When I was first diagnosed it seemed like test upon test, but not all on the same day and not right after chemo. I had a CT scan 2 days before my surgery. Was supposed to be a PET but insurance was a pain. As soon as I go to home from surgery they wanted me to have a bond scan. I said no way. I can barely move. I had it done after my 3rd AC when I was feeling good. My RO wanted me to come in today ( a day after my chemo treatment) I said no. It is scheduled for next week. I also have been wondering next steps and I sat down with my MO last week and she wrote it all down for me. All could change with the RO. It makes me nervous with every transition from one treatment to another.

DodgersGirl

annbee- have you seen your RO recently? Do they give you a break between chemo and rads?

I believe I will have a 3-4 week break after surgery before radiation.... but that won't be until fall. Hoping rads is over by thanksgiving-- what a year.

Annbee

I have not seen my RO since February. They have been calling and checking on me this whole time. I see him next week. According to my MO she said I can start radiation 3 weeks after my last chemo, which was yesterday. So that means August 7 and that is also my first day back at work. What a year exactly... ugh

DodgersGirl

annbee- are you joining a group that is starting rads in Aug? Sure would be nice to have a chemo buddy to follow thru rads

Annbee

I would like to but I haven't seen a group yet. I may join the July group

DodgersGirl

utjoy- isn't tomorrow your last chemo?

DazzlingEagle

Hi Dodgersgirl. I don't know if you will need a chest x-ray and heart test. I think you might be like me, out of the "normal" breast cancer box, although every patient is unique. (The breast surgeon told me at one of the appointments it's like the breast cancer skipped my breast and went right to arm pit and lymph nodes.) So either doctor will order whatever specifically you need. I think most likely you will need a mammogram or possibly a diagnostic mammogram. Because of the targeted treatment I've been on, Herceptin, which has a side effect in a small amount of patients of heart damage, I've had two heart tests. I could be wrong but I believe it's a heart test every three months for the Herceptin patients or something like that.

If you do have a pet scan, you have to start preparing for it the day before with a special diet of no sugar, no carbs. No diet pop, no juice, no toast and jelly, no cereal, no milk, no carrots, no potatoes, no tomatoes, etc..

The day of the pet scan, hopefully scheduled in the morning, no food, just tons of water. If the test is in the afternoon, you can have small breakfast. And water. No exercise the day before or the day of the scan. You have a sugar test before they will even say you are okay to start the prep for the scan. Then you get an IV for the uptake solution and that takes an hour. You have to sit and you're not allowed to talk much or walk around; basically no physical exertion. Then you rest in your lounger for a little bit longer. Then the actual scan takes about 45 minutes. You have to put on hospital clothes so they make sure no metal is near the machine. The hospital or clinic doing the test will have a written list to send you and even have meal plans on there; at least the last pet I had that's how it worked. It's not hard but it's not like you just go in for a five minute x-ray.

I am a lot calmer about it now and it's not bothering me anymore. The underlying reason I got so worked up is because I try not to think about it too much but I'm really worried about my cancer and if there's something really wrong that makes waiting a week for surgery too risky.

But last chemo, number six, tomorrow morning! Still have to go every three weeks for Herceptin but that's okay.

Oh, so I am basically handed over to the breast surgeon starting next week. I don't know if I need a plastic surgeon but I want one if necessary so when I called the breast surgeon to find out if they have a plastic surgeon they recommend, the breast surgeon has one that I researched a little and he seems great but I haven't met with him yet. The breast surgeon said they will coordinate with the plastic surgeon too if necessary when the type of surgery is decided. And I see the MO in six weeks and can contact him with any chemo related side effects but for the majority, I am dealing with the BS for the next six weeks or so.

No one really understands the chemo side effects like this group. I don't think the doctors or their staff really get it either.

DazzlingEagle

Hi Annbee. Congrats on your last chemo. Mine went by really, really slow and at the same time really, really fast. Can you believe you did it?!

DazzlingEagle

Annbee, I just had one question for you. The esophagus pressure or pain you had, did that just resolve over time? I get the same thing which contributes to hardly being able to drink anything.