Anyone starting chemo in June 08

Options
1333436383994

Comments

  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited October 2008

    Happy Halloween, 

    I have had 5 rad treatments 33 to go. Much easier than chemo.

    Slowing losing my 8lbs, I'm not quite as religious on the walking as Vinogal is on the elliptical.

    My taste buds are all most back to normal, unfortunately because Halloween candy taste extra good.Tongue out

    Everyone have a fun Halloween and a great weekend.

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2008
    I was covered in hives last night and spent 4 hours in the ER getting IV benadryl, steroids, and pepcid.  They are mostly gone now.  Since I live alone, have had allergic reactions to many things in the past, I was in a bit of a panic that something more severe might happen.   My son and dil met me there, took me home after,  and I took a taxi over.   The oncologist on call told me to go to the closest ER, and to have them phone her for details and instructions and that I did not need an ambulance unless I got chest pains, so I took a taxi over.   Hugs to everyone, Blessings also.  Let's have a super duper weekend with that extra hour and celebrate life and living.   nancy 
  • Bonnie02
    Bonnie02 Member Posts: 193
    edited November 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    Glad to hear most of you are doing pretty good with the exceptions of hair and things like that. I was hoping my hair would come back blond but when I thought about it, if it wasn't for hair color it would be gray.  So guess what color is coming back in, yes you are all right gray, looks like I have a gray halo around my head, oh well better gray than none.  When you are finished with all treatments and you go back for your checkups how do they know if any cancer has returned. Do they scan you or something like that?  Just started thinking about that today.

    Chocolate, got my fingers crossed for you with your treatment in Mexico!

    Jax loosing 8 pounds I am jealous I will have to learn your secrets.

    Hope you all have a nice weekend.

    Bonnie

  • SanDeeLou
    SanDeeLou Member Posts: 96
    edited November 2008

    Hi Ladies

    Been a while since I  posted here.  Jax, jsut what are your secrets for loosing 8 pounds.  I started chemo on June 19, 2008 and have just recently been showing a weight lost.  19 pounds so far, but I only have 2 more treatments.  Guess I'm just a late bloomer.

    LOL

    Sandy

  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited May 2011

    Nancy, sounds like you had a scary Halloween....hope everything is clearing up for you today.  Thoughts are with you, it is tough going through this shit alone.  Glad you have your son and DIL close by.  Anyway...hope the rest of your weekend is better....

    I made lasagna tonight and am about ready to rip into a big jug of wine with it.  Took me two hours to make by the time I washed all the pots pans that I didnt want to put in the new dishwasher that "doesn't leak".  30 minutes in the oven and it will be ready to go.  Made garlic butter and got that ready to spread on the el cheapo french bread, and just need to make the salad....anybody hungry?  Oh, I'm sure this will help me lose 8 pounds.  HeHe!  Screw it!  Jax, you are going to have to tell me the secret to your motivation.  Wyoming....we'll be done with rads at about the same time.  Hope everyone has a good Saturday night and I am thinking about you all.  HunkyD

  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 439
    edited November 2008

    Hey Junies.......my motivation is wanting to look hot......have been feeling......let's just say,,,,,less than my best for quite a while now.........the extra weight......the bald head......and no brows and lashes.....I miss feeling "hot"......so.......since I can't make my hair grow any faster......I figure I will take care of the one thing that I can control.......all the excersize is giving me tons of energy and I am feeling very strong.......I have always had a strong will power and I am enjoying planning and eating healthy meals again......hubby has lost 5 pounds already......so it's a good thing for the whole family......but HunkyD...... the lasagna sounds great.....I am joining you in the jug of wine thing.......diets are not for Saturday nights..........enjoy!

    My eye is swollen and has been for a few days........don't know what that means.......but have decided to go to the clinic tomorrow if the swelling is still there......probably nothing......fingers crossed that this isn't some kind of SE from the Herceptin that I'll have to live with for a tear.....feeling kinda like a freak.

    Have a good weekend to all!

    Cheers

    Jax

  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited November 2008

    Bonnie, my onc said that he will be doing blood work and looking for CA 15-3 antigen.

    I made french bread pizza but Hunkydory's lasagna sounds much better. Hubby and I have been trying to take a walk every night after work. Slowly the weight is going. I walk to my rad treatments. Only takes 7minutes there and back, so total time for rad is 30 minutes. I do this on my prep when I don't have any students. My principal is so supportive.

    Jax hope you eye clears up.

    Nancy how are your hives. Have you found out what the cause?

    Everyone have a good week!!!!

  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited November 2008

    Wyoming....glad you have such a great principal.  What do you teach?  I have a very high respect for anyone in the teaching field.  You don't get paid nearly enough for what you do. 

    As far as exercise goes...my plan is to start getting on the treadmill.  The weather has dipped here and I don't think there is going to be too many pretty fall days for walking.  I am feeling stronger all the time.  I know that is going to change towards the end of rads.  Doc says fatigue might be a problem at that time, and I also read it here on the boards.  I am working half days throughout my completion of rads.  I also have a great boss!!!!  I hate this daylight savings stuff...it screws me up more than I already am.  It will take me a month to get used to it. 

    Jax, hope you find out why your eye is swollen.  There is always the nasty SE's to bite you in the ass.  Not fair!!!!  Ok...time for me to sign off.  Hope all are feeling well.  I think of you gals every single day.  HunkyD

  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited November 2008

    Bonnie.. I had my followup with the onc doc and he said that I will need a mammogram, ultrasound and he is sending me for an mri next May.   He said there is no need for scans or anything at the moment unless I have a complaint about something.  I am taking the tamoxifen and he said there is no blodd test or anything to check if it is working.  He said just carry on and consider yourself "cured" because I have done all that can be done.  So, I take it that I am now on my own to look after myself and hopefully nothing comes up. 

    What does everyone think of that???

    Nancy and Jax ...hope things clear up for you both.

    HunkyD... Lasagna sounds good... actually I indulged in the wine this weekend, it was so good.

    Enjoy the day tomorrow

    Karen

  • Kellke
    Kellke Member Posts: 424
    edited November 2008

    I had the second to last of 16 chemo appts today.  Then they squeezed me in for a MUGA although I was secretly thinking that I only have one chemo left and who cares if it is damaging my heart...  I was polite and didn't say it out loud, instead I had a little nap while they checked my heart.  What a difference from 5 months ago when all this was so new and SCARY.  :)

    I was wondering if anyone had heard much about trental?  It is a drug to be used during radiation to help with lung function.     Thanks,  Kelly

  • Bonnie02
    Bonnie02 Member Posts: 193
    edited November 2008

    Thanks a lot for the information Karen, I figured it would be a lot to do with your own findings. I am sure we all know if we don't quite feel right and to have it checked out.  Half way through my rad. treatments and then I think there is a possibility that I will be taking Herceptin, will find out this Thursday.

    Good luck to everyone, hope you have a good day.

    Bonnie

  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited May 2011

    Karen, glad you are about done with the journey.  It will be scary with every ache or pain you feel possibly being misconstrued as cancer.  That is what I hate.  My onc also seems to not want scans until I give him a reason.  He says he will see me every three months after I complete radiation.  I only have 6 rads under my belt so far.  My armpit is feeling a little tender...not a skin burn issue but maybe more lymphadema - tender type pain.  Wearing a bra definately irritates it more so I have be "Free-bra-ing" it after work.  I have genetic council plus I see both my regular onc and my radiation onc tomorrow.  I am going to see what they think about pain from radiation and lymphadema.  I have been doing my exercises and have a good range of motion.  Arm does not appear to be swollen.  Anyone else experience this type of tenderness from rads?  Kelly...sorry, but I know nothing about that medication.  Glad you are also near the end of your chemo.  Hope all of my Junies are doing well.  HunkyD

  • SuePeet
    SuePeet Member Posts: 71
    edited November 2008

    Hey sounds like everyone is progressing towards an end!  I have three rad treatments to go and I will be done!  Breast is a little sore - onc said effects will mostly come out after treatment is done - for next two weeks!  Guess it leaves you cooking inside!  Oh well - still think much easier than chemo!  Halloween - didn't have hardly any kids so have lots of candy left - or did! Afraid to weigh myself!  Keep saying tomorrow I will eat only healthy things - yup tomorrow hasn't come yet!

    Expecting snow in Clagary tonite!  Yikes what happened to summer and fall!

    Have a great week everyone!

    Sue

  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited November 2008

    HunkyD, I teach American History, Psychology, Web Design, and Computer Applications. I teach at the alternative high school after teaching for 10 years at a junior high. I still can't feel anything under my arm and along the triceps. I have good range of motion and so far no swelling. What type of exercises to you do?

    Sue, we are expecting snow tonight and tomorrow. So far I have been able to walk to my radiation treatments but may not today or tomorrow. I like the chance to get outside for a few minutes before I go back to teach.

    Good luck to everyone who are having some kind of treatments. Radiation is much better than chemo!!!!   Have a great day.

  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited May 2011

    Wyoming, sounds like you have quite a schedule at school.  As far as exercises, I just do windmills forwards and backwards and make sure I have good range of motion.  I think people at work who catch me doing these exercises think I'm ready for the psych ward.  I also do the massage routine quite often to keep the fluid moving.  The rad onc said he thought my nerve got cut under my arm and its trying to rejuvinate.  Mine used to be numb like yours but is very tender now.  Who knows.  Rads onc is watching it close.  I see my surgeon next tuesday so I will ask him about it too.  He is also going to take my port out on next Friday.  YEA!  I do have to go to the hospital as an outpatient but thats OK.  I ought to be pretty loopy for rads that day.  I already warned the techs. They are fairly crazy and and with an evil smile said...."We'll take care of ya, don't worry"  Think DH will have to take me that day.  Sounds like everyone else is doing OK.  I imagine Jax is xmas shopping...and Chocolate is packing for Mexico.  Wishing everyone well, HunkyD

  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited November 2008

    HunkyD, Your techs sound like mine. It makes if fun to go get radiated, laugh at mine every day. I have god range of motion but I will start doing windmills and get a massage.

    I was going to go see my Mom in Hill City SD for my birthday, but they got hit with a blizzard so will wait until next week. So instead my hubby and I are tagging along with daughter and son-in-law to high school football game in Cheyenne, WY.  I bought a new hat for my super short hair. I may get a chance to shop for xmas. I was at Wal-Mart and xmas music all ready. The holiday season gets longer every year.

    Everyone have a good weekend.

  • Elliemae32
    Elliemae32 Member Posts: 72
    edited November 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    Well the babies are doing great and it is time for me to start chemo again....  I am also getting a cat scan and a pet scan over the next 2 weeks as well as starting taxotere on wednesday for 4 cycles.  Getting scanned does scare me a bit, but hopefully everything will look GREAT. 

    Any tips on the taxotere treatment?

    Ellen

  • Rovergirl
    Rovergirl Member Posts: 194
    edited November 2008

    Hi All -

    Just checking in..... still have 5 AC infusions left - down to counting them on one hand.  Have an appointment w/ the BS next month - gulp!  Hard to believe my 27 weeks of chemo is finally coming to an end and it's time to start thinking about the next stage of treatment.  A little nervous about surgery and rads. - know what to expect from chemo - the others are unknowns.  Usually find my imagination is worse than reality.  Still I'll be pushed from comfort zone - double gulp!

    Hope everyone has a good weekend.

    Rover

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2008

    Hi everyone:   I finished pre surgery chemo Nov 6 - finger nails are lifting off the nail beds, sensitive and hard to put in earrings and button blouse.  Hair is showing on my head and chin... but eyebrows are still awol.   My tumor is down to almost nothing - have to really feel around for it and that could be the marker.   

    Dec 5 I will have lump and rads after the first of the year for 6 weeks unless I qualify to do mammosite.   Rad onco appt is on Wednesday.    Rover, everyone says rads is easy compared to chemo - but every day (mon - fri) for 6 weeks... eeekkk.....    I will find out soon enough.

    Hugs and Blessings,  Nancy 

  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited November 2008

    Nancy ..glad to hear you finished the chemo.  I found the rads were much easier to handle...no bad side effects except for the breast gets tender.  Wishing you well with both.

    Rover girl... glad it is down to counting on one hand.  You are almost there...congrats.

    Elliemae.. taxotere didn't cause any nausea or vomiting for me.  I did experience the same bad taste in the mouth and some bone pain.   I just kept trying to stay hydrated as much as possible.  Have some painkillers available for the bone pain.   Will you be getting the neulasta shot as well???  It does help with WBC but adds to the bone pain.   Wishing you all the best with this.  We are all here and may of gone through taxotere that can help you.

     Well, I have 3 rads to go.. the end is in sight..

    To all the Junies.... Enjoy the day

    Karen

  • sarahsewer
    sarahsewer Member Posts: 79
    edited November 2008

    Hello All,

    It's been busy for all of us, eh?

    I finished chemo in September and had a mast three weeks ago. Joy of joys, it's been suggested I get two more TAC tx before I start rads. I wonder if my taste for chocolate will disappear again. M&Ms have never lasted so long in my home.

    Wouldn't you know it, as soon as the hair on my legs starts growing back KABLOOIE, I'll lose it again.

    Sarah

  • Elliemae32
    Elliemae32 Member Posts: 72
    edited November 2008

    Sarah, I lost the taste for chocolate for a month or so too.... very strange side effect!

    I have a cat scan tomorrow.  I don't know why, but it makes me nervous. 

    Ellen

  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited November 2008

    I have 11 rad treatments finished 27 more to go. So far no problems. Hair is slowly growing on my head, no hair any where else. I would like my eyebrows to come back!!!!!!!

    Hope everyone had a good weekend.

    Have a good week.

  • Kellke
    Kellke Member Posts: 424
    edited November 2008

    Wyoming, 

    What a small world.  My sister lives in Keystone SD and her kids are bused over to Hill City for school.  It just goes to show how inter connected we are all and we usually don't know unless we visit enough.

    I had my last taxotere today, will keep my port for awhile because I keep going every three weeks for the herceptin through next summer and will also start radiation in three weeks.  I have fuzzy hair on my head like a duck and my nose and eyes are constantly running.  It is strange to think of getting hair again but I guess I will get used to it and it will really be nice to taste again.  This is the first year halloween candy was safe around me...      Kelly

      

  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited May 2011

    Sarah, I am 5 1/2 weeks out of my TAC trts and still haven't shaved my legs.  I think I will before I go in for my port removal Friday.  Sorry about the chocolate SE.  I need to rid my house of chocolate.  My weight is still not dropping like I had hoped.  Elliemae....hope your scan is good.  I'll be thinking about ya!  Taxotere gave me bone pain, but as KKing said just ask for pain killers if it gets to serious. The neulasta shot made it worse for me but I had trouble keeping my counts up without it.

    Rover, congrats on almost being done and good luck with the surgery.  Rads is easier so far for me but I am only 10 into it.  KKing with only 3 left..congrats.  How are you doing?  Sue should be done also. Wyoming...my hair is slowly coming in too.  My eyebrows are gone as well.  I'm not holding my breath about them either because I have heard they can grow in and fall right back out again. It is hard to believe but Christmas is just around the corner and you are right, all the stores have their stuff out.  Vino....you making progress on your shopping? 

    Kelly, Bonnie, Choc, Sandy, Nancy, and anyone else I missed (can't page back) hope you are all doing well.  Have a great week.  Cheers....HunkyD

  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited November 2008

    The only good thing about not eating chocolate is that with the Holidays you may not eat as much. Also a bad thing because all the goodies which I love. My wait may have to wait until after the holidays because I'm not going without since I finally have my taste back.Laughing

    My grandson is turning one today. It is hard to believe that he is one already. It just goes to show how fast things go.

    Kelly, It is amazing how small our world is.

    To all; good luck with your treatments and have a good day.

  • Elliemae32
    Elliemae32 Member Posts: 72
    edited November 2008

    Yea, CT scan came back "clean"!!  I am getting a pet scan next week.  I hope I have the same results!  sorry so short, I have 2 diapers to change : )

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2008

    Good luck with all your tests, scans, and treatments.   I had the rad onco visit today.   It is probably time for me to sign off this thread, as I was done with chemo on Oct 30.   Still not feeling "normal" but I have reclaimed Thursdays and am now 2 weeks post chemo.   Surgery will be Dec 5.

    Hugs and Blessings for everyone,  Nancy 

  • sarahsewer
    sarahsewer Member Posts: 79
    edited November 2008

    HunkyD,

    Yea, you are getting your port out! Do you get to keep it? I wonder if it could have a craft use. Could it be use a mini bellows?

    Sarah

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2008

    A goofy thought:   hang the port on  Christmas tree or rear view mirror?   And just what do they do with them after they are removed?  I hope they do not go into the recycling bin...  I am only drinking coffee, so no good reason for my insanity this morning.   Hugs for all,   Nancy

Categories