April 2017 Chemo

DodgersGirl

Dazzlingeagle- wow!! Thanks for all that info. I think you explained things better than any of my

Here's to mammograms that show chemo has wiped out lots of the cancer!

Annbee

Dazzling Eagle- yes it resolved over time. I could always eat and drink. If I took heartburn medicine it cleared up.
I have had my BMX with reconstruction prior to chemo. The breast and plastic surgeon do work closely together. Breast surgeon started the surgery and plastic surgeon finished the surgery. While it was emotionally hard and scary, the recovery was easier than the chemo. With surgery you would feel better almost every day. Chemo is so up and down. Yes it went slow and fast at the same time. I am being turned over to the radiation oncologist next week. I have already met him. They have been checking in on me during these past 5 months. Ready to get it done. I was told no scans other than the CT scan to set up mapping for rads.

Dodgersgirl- thinking of you today!!

DodgersGirl

taxol 8 this morning. My port worked again this week!! And best news of my day is that my white blood count is up from last week to 5.6!!!

Castigame

Excellent!!!

Annbee

dodgersgirl- happy your port worked and WBC is up too. 4 more to go. You got this.

BJI

premeds started, port worked good, so on to taxol/herceptin #8! Hopefully goes as smooth as others. Was much more tired this last week compared to previous week. Met with PA this morning, bloodwork good, no new SEs. Will get last 4 treatments scheduled today. Wow, in the home stretch, then just herceptin for 9 months. Have daughter and 19 month twins coming this weekend, staying for the week. Yea!

Castigame

I am hoping my new arthritic hands are due to some chemo left, I doubt it though because my blood test numbers were really good. And I have been drinking liver detox tea,

Darned it too many doctors appointments. And long term disability paperwork aggravated arthritis, picked up ginger. Tumeric and fish oil, I counted 12 diff type of pills and 18 individuals pills per day.

Decided that hystrectomy will be done near home. The OBgyn near me is highly qualified, made an appt to ask him to do surgery, since i will be on disability for the hyst, timing is crucial. When I told the receptionist "hyst", I felt the psychological brick off of my chest.

I am going to be 110% by christmas 2017 will be a nagging wifey and dog kicking mean mama,

Mimi

DodgersGirl

Annbee- thanks for the encouragement. I think I had my first real "chemo brain" moment the day after Taxol 8. ... found myself struggling to find specific words during an afternoon conversation. I think it scared my family. Didn't have the same struggles today though.

Annbee

Bji- enjoy your week with your family!

Mimi- I know how you feel about being 110% by Christmas, my goal too. When is your hyst?

Dodgers girl- I have had that happen. It does not happen often. I sent out a disclaimer to my family (7 siblings) at the start of chemo that is could happen. I have a couple sisters (I love dearly) that could be easily upset if I forgot something. It has worked so far.

Castigame

Hello, sisters.

Looking forward to radiations to start this Friday. Slightly disappoibted that I cannot make to Look Good Feel Better class bc rad time. All other appt do not conflict.

Rad should end by ealry Sep. Yea Onco and BS followup right after rads completion. Colonoscopy will be done during recovery period. Recovery till about mid October.

Hysterectimy no later than early November. Going back to work early Jan 2018.

Dang I am spoiled w fantastic hubby and good job.

Mimi

PauletteK

Hi ladies

I like to be 110% by the time of Christmas also!

Question about taxol is it harder than AC? I have 12 sections to do after AC at first I think I was told it is milder chemo did I hear it wrong?

Hysterectomy I have that done 13 years ago the surgery was more painful for me the recovery time is longer than breast surgery.

DodgersGirl

paulettek- I did 4 DD AC in April/May then started 12 weekly Taxol. So far have had 8 Taxol treatments. AC had different SE for me than Taxol and took me out of commission for a coupje of days as I couldn't keep my eyes open and was was queasy for a few days but with the week off between AC treatments, I had many good days. Moving to Taxol, there is no week off to have good days which I miss. No bone pain with AC or Neulasta but Taxol introduced that new SE for me along with really dry sinuses and mouth sores. All that come back each week when pre-meds wear off. My best days are day before chemo to day after chemo. Then the bone pain and dry sinuses kick in. This week had chemo brain and a hint of neuropathy in one finger

Having said all of this these are my experiences and many others report very little side effects.

Tpralph

Rebamacfan 123

Sorry to hijack this thread. I'm actually in the June chemo group. Have just finished my second Ac chemo

Teese suggested that I talk to you about a sideeffect I'm having. Rust coloured staining of my hands and feet. A few spots actually. Did you have similar? Should i be concerned?

DodgersGirl

rebamacfan123- best of luck Friday. Keep us posted on tips and tricks you learn, pkease

Castigame

tralph,

Browning of skin was not pretty for me and I thought it was a clear sign of toxicity.

I have been doing doing epsom salt scrub starting right after AC#2. Here is my silly routine.

1. Add some a water to epsom salt to make glob of sorts

2. Scrub hands and feet w the glob. Put some in exfoliating gloves and socks. Put those on.

3. Scrub the rest of my body wearing gloves and socks.

4. Soak feet while listening to music

5. Rinse and take off socks and gloves when finished

The salt been helping me many ways. I use first aid type salt mixed w detox formula.

Mimi

Annbee

Mimi- It is a great feeling to have such a great husband and know you have time to recover before going back to work. I go back to work two weeks from today. I think I will start rads the same day. May I ask why the colonoscopy? My brother passed away last year from colon cancer and all the siblings (7) of us have already been getting them before the age of 50. I was due for my 2nd one this summer and the gastrologist said not to worry about and my MO has not mentioned it. Would rather get done before school starts/rads then after rads.
PauletteK- I had dose dense AC and finishes dose dense Taxol a week ago. AC was harder for me but doable. I never got sick to my stomach just queasy. I slept a lot but about 2/3 days before my next infusion were my best. Follow what your doctor gives you for meds and drink and drink as much water as you can. Also I found seabands (sea sickness bracelets) to be helpful. Taxol was easier on me. I had bone pain days 2-5 and I do have numb fingertips. The finger tips would get better towards each infusion.

Castigame

Supposedly my genetic test showed variation of PTEN mutation (Breast ovarian thyroid Cs and more). Thyroid was removed few yrs ago. 😅And I had colon polyps removed a few yrs ago. I really want to get them all done this yr. My employer has been extraordinary I dont even plan to have drs appt during work hrs as long as I work there.

Mimi

Annbee

Mimi- I understand, polyps makes sense then for a colonoscopy while off of work. I didn't know if it was something they check after going through all our treatments. I don't mind getting one but like you I don't want to have appointments during work. I have thyroid issues too. It has been behaving itself for now. Thank goodness.

Annbee

I saw my MO this morning and I have been officially released from chemo with a go ahead to get my port out. She said to wait till next summer for a colonoscopy. I could not have gotten through this without all of you.

DazzlingEagle

Hello,

Annbee congrats on the good news. That's great.

I finished my last chemo last week. The recovery from it was about the same as the others. Except this time I've been a lot weaker and shorter of breath. It's getting better. I still have to go every three weeks for Herceptin.

So I went this morning to get another breast MRI and mammogram. The radiologist tells you right away the results. Well, I had to wait about half an hour, then she reviewed with me. There's another tumor wasn't there five months ago when I had my first breast MRI. Then I had an ultrasound done and the radiologist came back in and said it was a tumor and wanted to do biopsy right away while I was still there or they gave me the option to wait. So I did not have the biopsy yet because I was too shocked to say yes.

My PET scan is tomorrow morning and I dread what else that's going to show. The surgeon was going to have my case reviewed before the chemo board on Friday. I don't know what will happen now. I already had an appointment set with the surgeon for next week to finalize surgery plans.

Annbee

DazzlingEag- I am so sorry they found another tumor. Try and stay positive for your PET tomorrow. It does not mean that it has spread. Also it can be removed during surgery. Please keep us posted tomorrow. Sending positive thoughts your way. Hugs

DodgersGirl

dazzlingeagle- I, too, am sorry they found another tumor. Praying your oncology team and tumor board present you with a positive solution. Sending prayers and positive thought for your pet scan, too. Agree with Annbee, stay positive about the PET scan. Please know we are all here pulling for you and saying prayers

DodgersGirl

met with MO PA today. While doing 12 sessions of Taxol, my schedule has me meeting MO PA every 4th session so it's been a month since I saw her. I asked her what isafter chemo. She then told me the plan while taking notes so I will have a handful of appointments in August.

Plan is to have mammogram and MRI. Then see the BS (expecting surgery mid Sept). Don't know what she will say? Lumpectomy? Mastectomy? BMX? Then 3-4 weeks after surgery will do rads for 35 sessions. Then after a brief recovery, will have hysterectomy. Will have colonoscopy before or after hysterectomy--- unknown order at this point. Also will have an appointment with dermatologist as I have a few pink spots on my arms which MO PA believes is from Taxol killing pre-cancer skin spots

Thanks for all who have shared their journey here. It sure helps to not feel so alone on this crappy path.

DodgersGirl

general question to those who have finished chemo-- how quickly did the SE drop off?? Are you guys feeling like back to pre-chemo days yet?

Annbee

Dodgersgirl- it sounds like you have a plan. I normally would be scheduled for an infusion this coming Monday so I don't really know about coming off of the chemo yet. Mentally I am doing better. Not dreading Monday.

DodgersGirl

annbee- enjoy your break between chemo and rads!

I am looking forward to my break between chemo and surgery...hope the SE disappear!

StaceyB

DodgersGirl - It has been a month since my last chemo - I was on 3 week cycles - so a week out. I am starting to feel way more energetic. I am mostly dealing with hot flashes which have been making me miserable, but over-all feeling so much better. I start radiation Monday, so we will see what that will bring.

DodgersGirl

StaceyB- thanks! Best of luck with rads.

Are you reading the August Rads group and the green tea tip?

Pambc010417

Dodgersgirl-

I am 30 days past my last chemo treatment. I started feeling much better about 21 days PFC. My taste buds are still off and food does not taste right but at least I can enjoy some food and wine! My energy is good and I make sure I walk everyday. I can tell I'm getting stronger everyday

I'm still losing eyebrows and eyelashes but I was able to save 90% of my hair with a Penguin Cold Caps. I just started taking Viviscal dietary supplements to help with hair growth.

Good luck with your journey!

DodgersGirl

pambc010417- thanks for the update. Looking forward to the recovery period from chemo.