Starting Chemo in September 2017

mkn86

congratulations paulette! i'm glad to see you holding that certificate!!!

Today i don't have much energy. I stretched for a bit. But now i'm just resting and might fall asleep again. we'll see. i am trying not to sleep too much as it might keep me awake at night. i'll probably try to read a book or something.

OCDAmy

Paulette! So glad you are finished! You are a tough cookie! I'll see you on the rads groups.

Travel Girl, I'm sorry about the iron, hoping this does the trick and you don't need a transfusion, especially eith surgery coming up.

Mkn, glad treatment is moving forward

PauletteK

mkn, try to do more walking, that help fatigue. If you don’t have much energy do 10 minutes first, then walk again after few hours.

Henrietta405

congrats, Paulette

Travel_Girl

Paulette - whoop! that is awesome!!!! Long road, you must be thrilled.

PauletteK

Amy - will see you in rad thread but I might be in December group don’t think I will start that soon.

Thank you ladies, this has been a toughest journey I ever had and I still haven’t finished yet. Still have radiation to do. I’m just blessed to have you all by my side and God at my other side, my DH on my back. I hope non of my friends or family have to go through what we did. I really hope medical could find a way to cure BC without chemo. Chemo kills cancer cells at the same time it kills our good cells. That makes us so weak and sick from this treatment. I wish there is a better way in the future.

Have a good weekend ladies, I said enough!

beauz

Hi everyone! I am gate crashing your party here.

PauletTeK- in regard of chemo, I totally agree with you. Also I dreaded the frequent visits by the blood sucking vampire. On one hand chemo destroyed our blood, on the other hand our blood was taken frequently. What a double whamy! I whinged about blood draw in my first two appointments with my oncologist. To my total surprise, he said to me " if you don't trust me, you can find another doctor." ??…… I hope they can find our counts by a prick on a finger, like they test blood sugar.

PauletteK

beauz - you make me smile, yes I’m getting nervous to MO office every time I was there my BP will jump up high. I am so tired of giving out blood also. Also we have to worry our white and red blood counts weekly. Sucks!

OCDAmy

Paulette, I'm probably not starting rads until after Thanksgiving so if there is a December group I'll join that one and see you there.

LPH

Haven't posted in awhile. Have cycle #4 of 6 TCHP tomorrow. Every cycle has been different for side effects. After #1 had lots of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea so for cycle #2 MO dose reduced the taxotere and carboplatin. Didn't have as much of side effects but ended up with extra IV fluids about 3 times. Cycle #3 after have had IV fluids a lot and extreme fatigue. I still am working full time. I only take the days of seeing the MO and getting chemo off. Also since I work in oncology center I can call and get IV fluids while I am at work so only takes about 1.5hrs for that. I have great support of my coworkers in that regard. A Indianapolis Colts player #93 came the last week of October for breast cancer awareness month. He gave pink bouquets to breast cancer fighters and survivors. The lady on left is another nurse I work with who is a 3year survivo. I am on the right currently fighting.

Meg101

Congratulations Paula! You made it through such a long and tortuous schedule of treatment. And you did it with such a positive attitude, while being there for the rest of us. Thank you.

I'll probably start rads in January or February. Either way, I'll be watching for the new "rads thread" so I can join with the rest of you.

I ended up in the ER with a delayed reaction to Taxotere (10 days after round 3). I felt like something was boiling under my skin on my neck, head, torso, arms, etc. Benadryl didn't help. I started hyperventilating, sweating, etc. Took a dexamethisone steriod. Daughter called paramedics who took me to ER. They gave me an EpiPin, more steroids, hydrocortisone cream. I'm home now, but still having some burning and itching otherwise all is better. Has anyone else had a similar reaction?

OCDAmy

LPH, love the pic! That's great you are able to get care where you work.

Meg, oh my gosh, that sounds scary! Do you think they will continue the taxotere? That's crazy that it took that long to have s reaction!

PauletteK

Lph nice picture and you are one tough lady Work and chemo together.

Meg - I only have reaction during infusion and some rashes popped up on day 4 nothing as serious as yours. You need to tell your MO, they might have to low your dosage or do something.

I’m on my day 3 of the last chemo, it kicks my butts I’m so tired, my hands and feet are so numb. I did my morning walk still won’t help much.

Henrietta405

Happy Monday! I have my first CT scan since my diagnosis today. Crossing fingers that everything has shrunk. Then I’ve got my 4th out of 6 chemos on Wednesday. I’m so tired all the time now. I’m trying to mentally adjust that I’ll just be tired until January at the earliest. Luckily the semester is almost over so I’ll get a little break from work soon.

PauletteK

good luck Henrietta, just two more to go, you can do it!!!

🙏🙏🙏🙏

Travel_Girl

Meg101 - I had a reaction to TC 10 days on #3 as well -- it was a bad rash -- she told me that if it happens again, she would prescribe a steroid pack -- you should definitely tell your MO -- apparently common with TC -- and my MO didn't blink twice when I said -- 10 days after #3? She said yep -- thats about right .... don't let it go ... tell them -- this is your quality of life -

Meg101

Thanks for your responses regarding my delayed Taxotere reaction. My MO wants to discuss alternatives.

Travel Girl - It must be more than a coincidence that this reaction with Taxotere occurs on day 10 after round #3. If I had known ahead of time that an itchy rash could be an allergic reaction, I wouldn't have waited so long to get help. Thank goodness for steroids and Claritin.

toughcookie_21

Hi All! It's been a while since I posted. I think many have moved on after completing their chemo treatments. I had my 4th TCH of 6 last week and I seem to have bounced back much faster this time than the others. Keeping my fingers crossed that the last 2 are as uneventful. I still get mouth sores and a stomach ache, but the big D is under control and my biggest complaint is the fatigue and hot flashes.

I attended a Look Good Feel Better class last night and it was great. I would encourage anyone to attend at any point in your treatment. It was a small class but both of the other women that were there have breast cancer. One has been stage 4 for 5 years and has been on different chemotherapies for most of the 5 years. I was awed by her strength. I hope one day to pay it forward and I plan to look into mentoring or volunteering once I'm feeling better.

I have been working from home since chemo started and haven't been to my office in over 3 months since before surgery. I am going in for a meeting on Thursday and I'm so nervous!

Travel_Girl

Toughcookie - I would be nervous too -- I have not been to my office since August - I was hoping to go in this week (requires a flight for me), however, my round #4 of #4 of TC -- was the most difficult -- i also realize now that I came down with a cold late last week, also contributing to my tiredness/recovery. Be strong, be proud and you have go this warrior woman. Stand proud and don't get emotional -- use work a diversion from this cancer world -- you have got this!

Tomorrow marks 3 weeks PFC for me and I think today is the first day that i have felt ' non-fuzzy'.

Surgery is scheduled for two weeks from yesterday - my hemoglobin numbers are still down - so fingers crossed that the 27th will stick, as much as I dread surgery I am looking forward to phase II of this treatment journey

OCDAmy

Toughcookie, I went to a Look Good Feel Better class and met several breast cancer patients as well. I loved getting all the free products! Mine was mostly about makeup and wished they had done a little more about wigs, scarves, hair care, etc. But I really enjoyed it.

I had my first appointment and mapping for radiation. I will be starting after Thanksgiving. I am nervous but excited to be moving closer to the finish line. I still want to keep in touch with all of you and see how you are doing. So many of you must be getting close!

PauletteK

Amy - I’m nervous also, I haven’t done mapping since I just finished my chemo last week, so I don’t think I will start my rad until December. We have a FB group, if you interested PM me.

Tough - you will be fine in the office, I bet many of them missed you so much. I called my office I know they missed me and asked me to stop by when I’m ready. I am going to meet with friends this Friday I might be able to meet them after thanksgiving when my WBC is back to normal.

Travel - you have been 3 weeks PFC already, time fly when you don’t have chemo! Prayers for your surgery. I still can’t control my tears still get emotional when I talk about BC.

Meg - how’s your skin now? Are you feeling better? Thinking about you.

Travel_Girl

Paulette -- the first time I was dx, I was like that for years -- any discussion of BC would send me over the edge to tears.

This time has been different - mostly I have been more matter of fact, however, there are moments that I think am fine and bam! tears ... more than anything it frustrates me -- as does crying in general when I wasn't planning a good cry.

I think it is directly related to how tired I am or how 'well' I feel. At this point, I won't be back in my office until January at some point - I am hoping my emotions (and health!) are under control when I head back in. As I type that sentence I am laughing at myself -- I can't really control that much can I

Today a new SE - probably nothing to do with chemo, more the cold I caught - I have no voice. It is making work interesting. Ohmmm... bring it on people!!! I lost my voice and probably feel better than I have in 3 weeks and everyone at work things I am 'so sick' -- ah well.

PauletteK

I’m sorry you are getting sick and lost your voice, Travel, you need to get well soon, your surgery day is coming up. I’m not good in holding tears and I am not afraid to show my emotions now. Maybe I’m getting old.

Binniebin

Toughcookie, all the best for work, I hope everyone is nice, kind and welcoming. Those that care about you will no doubt find it hard seeing you too, and may not know what to say. No doubt they have missed having you around. I know what you mean. I get very nervous when I see people the first time with my wig on. I know strangers wouldn't know it's a wig but I'm very conscious of what people think even though I have had very positive comments. I'm introverted so that doesn't help!

mkn86

sorry to hear about your voice travel_girl. maybe it's dry throat that's causing it? anyway in case, avoid cold drinks and spicy food for a few days. but keep hydrated. warm tea with a little bi mt of honey and lemon might help. and maybe wrap your neck with a thin scarf when you sleep. few tricks from the choir a few years back.

toughcookie, best of luck with work. i'm sure your colleagues are looking forward to seeing you.

glad to hear you had fun with the class Amy

dose 2 of 12 taxol for me today! not excited and trying to calm down but happy with my blood test so hopefully things go well. fingers crossed!

Travel_Girl

mkn - how did it go with your DNA discussion?

My accunpuncturist told me there is an upper respiratory virus going around that results in loss of voice for about 3 days. We will see how that works with my compromised immune system. Fingers crossed, I need/want to be better by surgery consults on Friday. Fingers crossed.

Binniebin - I am on introvert as well, totally relate

Paulette - I wish I was better at showing my emotions - and so does my daughter, I think you are fine. Go with it.

OCDAmy - w/ everything else you had going on rads is going to seem like a piece of cake. You are on your way. I hope you are feeling ok after your final chemo -- I still feel a bit tired, might be this virus I have. I am having trouble sleeping through the night due to substantial night sweats. I yearn for a solid 8 hours uninterrupted. its the little things.

I wish everyone happy healing -- one day at a time.

PauletteK

Travel - hope and prayers for your cold and you feel better soon.

Mkn - how’s your DNA discussion go? How’s your infusion today? Prayers and hugs!

mkn86

thank you for the well wishes and prayers ladies infusion was uneventful today. benadryl knocked me out cold hahaha! but now i'm wide awake at 4am. maybe these are the steroids?

The DNA test, they told me the results. the doctors in Germany and my MO will try for a conference call next week i tested positive for BRCA2. which will end up in suggestions for more prophylactic surgery that will take time to get used to. And maybe more medication to take as preventive measure. But i've seen the numbers and there are certain things i can't risk. the lack of proper screening tests for ovarian cancer really weighs in on decisions. but there are also people who have defied odds. so today i spoke openly to my MO and he's receptive to what my plans in life are. same with the doctors in Germany. They always say "we also have to factor in what she wants in lifefor the updates in the treatment plan" so i will wait also to see what options they will give me. I am surrounded by practical doctors and i like that. I am also considering talking to my OB about this. we'll see i have a day or two to set an appointment to talk to her and see what she thinks. And also a relative who is also an OB. I want to see what he thinks too.

to be honest it's not an easy pill to swallow finding out about my gene mutation and knowing if i had been born male my chances for BC are at 8% but because i'm female it becomes 67%. same with the risk for ovarian cancer. even harder to swallow that i am an outlier by getting BC at 31 years old instead of what's in the stats (BRCA2 mutation carriers develop BC 10-20 years later than me) and usually with hormone receptors. however at the end of the day these are numbers counted after the fact. and statistics might possibly have some skew based on sample size, etc.

Please don't get me wrong, BC at any point is not something anyone of any age or gender would want to have. it's truly terrible. but the news had me wishing i fit into the statistics for once and i could have those 10 healthy years back, unburdened by cancer, and do something significant with it.

but there is comfort in knowing what lies ahead. and that i have time to really weigh my options. and that keeps me calm. (Or maybe it's all the meds i have in me now that's talking 😅)

So i wait until after they have the call. And see what my options are.

The good thing to focus on today is that my WBC counts were stellar! over the normal limit and chemo dose 2 of 12 was uneventful. and that my MO was very happy with how the tumor is responding after only the first dose. one day at a time! one dose at a time. :

Henrietta405

Mkn, sorry for the BRCA news but it seems like you are dealing with it well and I’m glad you have good, practical doctors. And good work on the high white counts!

mkn86

thank you Henrietta. sometimes it's really tough to keep a level head through all this. at the beginning i was devastated and there were tons of tears and when i calmed down and got a grip, i thought about it and looked up facts and the numbers and studies/publications. I tried not googling... but i suppose filtering out the irrelevant information was also a process i had to go through.

It's still devastating news for me butmaybe now the only question for a lot of things is timing.

I hope you're doing well.