Anyone starting chemo in June 08

Congratulations Ellie on your clean scan. Good luck with the Pet scan.

I'm hoping to get my port out in January. Hunky let us know if you get to keep yours. I ended up with a rash on my chest above the breast and neck, a result from rad. My onc rad said not everyone get this but of course I did!!!!!! Itches like crazy after  rad treatment, by the morning feels better.

How is everyone doing with hot flashes and night sweats? I'm having a hot flash as I type. Can't strip as I have students.

Have a fun day.

Karen -

There is a drug called "Effexor" and it's used to as a anti-depressant / anti-anxiety med. and it also helps relieve hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Rover

Elliemae, I am glad you had a good CT.  That is excellent!  Thanks for the well wishes on my port removal KK.  You other girls are fairly deranged....hehe...I don't think I ever want to see that port again.  When I go to get it flushed, the smell of that heparin/saline almost makes me puke and lingers most the day. Don't know if it is from chemo memories or what. I had quite a few plugging issues with mine. Almost every time they had to put the stuff in it to de-clog it or I had to stand on my head to get it going.  Then I just had to sit there for another half and hour and wait.  I will be glad to be rid of it.  Might have to have another one put in if mets show up, but I will deal with that when I have to.  My surgeon said he could throw another one in lickety split.  Sarah, mini bellows...funny...except the tube will probably be plugged.  Now Nancy, I did find using it as a tree ornament quite entertaining as well as a rear view mirror dangler.  NOPE....just decided I never want to see it again.  And Nancy, don't bomb out on us just because you are done with chemo unless you want to.  Wyoming...hope your rash gets better.  We have quite a few rads left to go.  So far I am doing ok with the rads other than I feel like I am in the twilight zone everyday I walk in that door.  KKing...I have also heard there are drugs for the hot flashes but currently don't take anything.  If I start to have 8 or more "Super-Novas" a night, I might have to look into that. I sleep with the bedroom window open right by my side of the bed even in the winter.  Well, wishing you all a great Friday and Weekend.  HunkyD

Hey Everyone!  I am finally done rads too.  They saai the SE's will be up to weeks after treatments stop.  Yup - kind of slacked off in the creaming the boob up - I have a heat rash and I think my nipple will fall off!  Well it is not as bed as that and will take it over chemo anyday!  But found out the journey deos notyet end!  I started tomoxafin Monday - met with the pharmacist and he said to make sure I take 1500UI of elemental calcium and 800 of Vitamin D.  He siad that I will only be on tomoxafin for up to 2 years and then they will switch me to something else - which will attack the bones so he said to start building up my bones now!  Give me a break!  From what I gather - Iwill never have BC again but will get everything else! Enough of that - how is all doing - Haven;t heard from Chocolate lately?

My air is starting to come back - very dark - (I was a dirty bolond!) AND I had to shave my legs and arm pits yesterday!  Didn't ever foresee me ever getting excited about that!.  My BF phones to see what I am doing and I tell her I am washing and conditioning my hair - yup theres not a lot of it but it is there and needs my care and attention!

Have a great weekend girls!

Hey Junies.......christmas shopping is going well......about 3/4s done........have my daughters b day party tomorrow......be glad to have that behind me......6 of her little friends are going to the spa for nails.....hair and make-up......and then they take "glamour shot" style pics of them......should be fun.......lost another 4 pounds......so now 12 in total.......I am actually lighter than I was before being diagnosed........it feels great......I know with the surgery on Dec 15th.....I will be innactive for a while so I am trying to get as much off as I can.......I haven't seen the 130s in a few years.

Glad to see everyone is still posting and keeping in touch.......good luck to all with treatments still ongoing.......herceptin and tamoxifen feel easy......except for the stupid hot flashes......those I could do without.........hair is trying to make a come back......about a half an inch long........I'm still blonde......yay........eyelashes and brows are slow growing......but coming.....I see mascara on the horizon......

HunkyD......good luck with the port removal..........Have a good weekend!

Cheers

Jax

hi y'all from sunny San Diego!

The weather is fabulous! Hot, sunny and blue skies. Just praying for all those folks whose homes are in the line of fire up by LA. There's always some challenge in life, right?!

Tijuana is very interesting. Lots of folks from Canada and the US are here for treatments. There are many other clinics, too and plenty of people going to get dental surgery. And their teeth look great! Anyway - about me - LOL - the treatment is pretty easy to handle - lots of detoxing, a chelation IV, super high doses of Vit. C, laetrile (which is illegal in both the USA and Canada) and other minerals/vitamins, also live cell injections from Germany and a few other things too.  I felt pretty sick on Thursday/Friday - perhaps detoxing too fast.  Couldn't go far from the banos. (bathrooms) Crossing the border into Mexico takes 5 minutes, but coming home each day takes at least an hour, and we have a very short line for tour buses and non-Mexican residents.  I would hate to line up with everyone else. It must take forever! Anyway, i have done 5 days treatment out of 21, so only 3 more weeks to go. Sundays are closed, and this week Monday is Revolution Day holiday in Mexico.  We were all joking that we dont want to be there for the celebrations because they probably shoot guns into the air. haha. bad joke I know - but I actually wouldn't mind letting some steam off that way!  Anyway, everyone has great reports of loved ones, or themselves coming back for the 5th yr. for once/yr treatments and they all seem to be doing so well - it gives me a lot of hope for this method.  stay tuned....

I'm checking emails and get your updates on my PDA and it helps me feel connected while i'm away.  DH left for home today because someone has to work and pay the bills (if not me)! He'll be back in two weeks but it sure feels lonely already.

ttyl8r, Choc.

(ps: Sue Peet - isn't it nice to use less than a tsp. of shampoo and conditioner? I love it!!!)

HunkyD, I have only 7 eyelashes and a few more eyebrows left. I am also airing out, as soon as I get home the bra goes off. No arm problems except numbness. Thank you for the birthday wish, had a good time with family.

CholateLover keep us posted on your treatment.

EllieMae how is the new guy?

Have a good day.

Vino, she is so cute!!!  Bet that was a fun day for her.   She comes from good "stock"  Thanks for sharing the picture.  Hope all your preps for the holidays are coming along.  Your surgery is right around the corner girl.  I know you must be anxious to get that done with.  My husband and son have graciously offered to do the cooking for Thanksgiving so that is nice.  I am sure I will have some to do but not nearly as much.  I can almost taste the wine now.  I need to fast for about two days before. Wyoming....just think, we are about half way done!  Choc...how goes it?  I know it seems like I am posting quite frequently but it has now become part of my KKing "Air-Out" session. Seriously...thanks for the tip KKing!!  Hoping all of you gals are doing well and gaining strength with every day.  HunkyD

Great news that my chemo tx worked so well that the MRI shows NO sign of cancer or tumor - only the marker is visible.  But a small spot is next to the original area, and looks like only a calcification or cyst.  An ultrasound will be done so the surgeon will know how much of that tissue needs to be removed.   Apparently MRI with dye contrast is best for cancer cells, while ultrasound is best for cysts and calcifications.  Hugs for all,   Nancy 

Thanks, Hunky.  I am still waiting for them to phone with an appointment time/date.   Wait is another of those 4 letter words.   Happy Friday for all.    Nancy

Tuesday is my ultra sound appointment,  Will get port flushed, blood work and EKG for the surgery on Dec 5.   Even if us shows clear, a small amount of tissue will be removed, as well as a sentinel node biopsy.    

Good luck Nancy on the US...sounds like your surgery is planned and will be the end of your trts.  Do you have to do rads?  

Wyoming...we are halfway....and straight into the holidays for the end of it. I have been doing the manual massage therapy so often I think it shifted my radiation markers.  Swelling went down under my armpit enough for them to have to re-align or something.  Took quite a bit longer Friday.  Techs did'nt say anything when I asked if something was wrong other than "your line is differen't. Guess I will find out Wednesday when I see the rad onc.  Glad you had fun shopping....(girl day).  I have been starting my xmas shopping online.  It is too easy...debit card is shrinking, but I love it.   Oh well, I don't really have the energy to go out and fight the crowds.  I hope your aches are minor.  Isn't age a beaut!  I have nothing after radiation as far as trts except tamoxifen which I am not looking forward to.  Just something I have to do.  I am considering talking to onc about antideppresssnts when I am done with rads.  I just feel like I am not a very fun person anymore.  Not good going into the holidays.  I also have been considering "cleaning out the basement" and removing the other breast but I know that will not happen until next year.  I am just hoping for no mets. My onc also will not scan for no reason. He believes there is no difference in survival rates.  Enough rambling about me, I hope everyone is doing well....thinking about you all....pipe up a little bit everyone...our board (topic) is slacking!  HunkyD

HunkyD, I'm  on Paxil for hot flashes and night sweats but I think it has also helped with feeling down. Keep you chin up.

Nancy good luck with surgery.

Karen, my rash is on my upper chest and shoulder. I put anti itch cream through out the day. My skin if rough. My breast is a Little pink. It helps to go bra-less.

Everyone have fun getting ready for the Thanksgiving week!  Wyoming

Happy Thanksgiving to you too Nancy and all you ladies celebrating it. 

Wyoming, my skin is starting to itch a bit and I noticed some redness in my clavical area which is a field I also am having radiated.  My armpit is starting to get the itchy feeling the most. I think because it does not get as much air and produces more sweat.  I have an appt with my regular onc next wednesday and am going to talk about anti dep drugs with him.  I really don't want to go on any more drugs but.....  Plus, can you have any alcohol when you are on anti dep?  I am by no means an alchoholic but most certainly would be sad to have to give up my wine or occasional beers for good.  From what I see on the internet, I could not get a solid answer on that.  After a few drinks is one of the few times I am happy ... .  I also wonder if it negates any of the effectiveness of tamoxifen which I will be going on post radiation.  Guess these are all valid questions to ask the onc.  Just thought you could give me a little inside info if you knew.  How are your rads going?  HunkyD