Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

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  • mmliv
    mmliv Member Posts: 128
    edited February 2009

    Firni - Glad you are plugging the LGFB class; it is a hoot and puts humor into our looks!

    Lisa - my last treatment (TC #4) is tomorrow! Though I am doing well (but no Zumba ...... just still aerobically walking 3 miles and short stint of lifting weights), I can tell that the effects are just waiting......

    Mary - How is the rash and the plan for your follow-on treatment? I start rads Feb 18th - I qualify for the dose dense so will be done Mar 10. 

    Good luck to all with treatments this week.  God bless.

    Mary L 

  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    Thanks ladies....yes, my zumba students have been with me all along.  I'm so glad this part is over...now just need to get my exchange surgery done in March and then I'm moving on! 

    I never wore my wig...if my daughter doesn't want it, donating it to the cancer center.  I just wear my hats and scarves.  Nothing at Zumba...they love the bald teacher! LOL

     Well, off to bed....have to be there early in the morning!

  • Brenny
    Brenny Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2009

    Firni

    I think one of the most rewarding parts of the LGFB class for me was that I actually got to see a woman bald -- and she was still smiling and going on with her life and looked ok in her wig.  Lots of the attendees were much farther along than me (I still had my hair), so their sharing of information was sooo valuable. Three ladies were wearing wigs that actually looked good, so I was most encouraged that I could also get through this.

  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited February 2009

    Lisa - you and I are on the same schedule.  My last TC on Friday too!!  My friends in spin class at the Y have been great - I am a bald spinning nut!  This is getting old and I am ready to start feeling better.  The fatigue after round 3 was bad for me too and I'm hoping this time will be better. 

    I haven't found a LGFB class in this area but everyone on these boards has been so helpful whenever I have a question or concern.  Even learned how to draw on my brows so I don't look surprised all the time - lol.

    Good luck to everyone for good WBC and onc appointments.  I meet with mine before my treatment on Friday and I also have a long list of questions.

    Bobbi

  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited February 2009

    Mary L - good luck today - just saw your post!!

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

    Brenny, you're right about being with other women that are ahead of you in treatments.  I think there was some initial surprise when the 4 of us took our head covers off and just sat there bald.  But there were lots of questions about hair loss, chemo, recon, etc.  among the group.  I, however, was the farthest along in the group.  It would have been nice to go to the class sooner but I found this board a few weeks after I was diagnosed and it has been my lifesaver!!

    It looks like there are quite a few of you finishing up chemo this week.  I'm just a little jealous as I still have 3 to go.  I know there are plenty of you trailing along with me.  Congratulations ladies!!!!!!!

    I'm kind of surprised that some of you have not seen your onc since you started Tx's.  I didn't see mine the first Tx but I have the last two.  Maybe because I get the weird SEs and he wants to make sure those are being managed.  

  • havehope
    havehope Member Posts: 503
    edited February 2009

    Updated list:  Congratulations to all !

    mimiwhite            #4  -1-Feb            4xTC Laughing

    Grancy11                #  2 Feb               6xTC 

    LindaBusEd         #-4   3 Feb             6xTAC

    mmliv                  #4  3-Feb                4xTC   Laughing

    zuffa                      #4 -  4 Feb           6xTAC

    Brenny                 # 4- 4 Feb              4xTC  Laughing

    Catrenae              #4 5 Feb        4xACLaughing+12xTaxol  

    Romiles               #3  5 Feb

    Lisasayers            #4- 6Feb                 4xTC  Laughing

    bobcat                   #4- 6Feb                4xTC  Laughing

    sdavis                   #4 9-Feb               6xTC

    cebula                   #4 9 Feb            6xTC

    Majanumba1         #4 9-Feb              TCH

    horsercn             #1 9 Feb (TH)       4xAC Laughing+12 Taxol+Herceptin  

    Colleen1960         #8  9- Feb        CMFLaughing 

    Bold                    #3  9 Feb             6xTCH 

    Firni                    #4   11 Feb              6xTC

    ptjen                   #4   11 feb               4xTCLaughing

    DrDecker            #3    11 Feb               4xTC   

    CindaD               #4   12-Feb                4xTC Laughing

    swest                   #4  13 Feb           4xTC  Laughing

    simvog                #4    16 Feb           4xFACLaughing+12xTaxol

    iktracey               #4    17 Feb               4xTCLaughing 

    apfuentes            #4     17 Feb               4xTCLaughing  

    Mandy1313         #5      17 Feb             CMF 

    LindaBusEd        #5      24 Feb            6xTAC  

    Romiles               #4    26 Feb               Laughing

  • Catrenae
    Catrenae Member Posts: 733
    edited February 2009

    Good Morning Divas,

     Congratulations to all those who are finishing up there chemo! I hope it all goes well and with few side effects. I have my last A/C tx this Thursday then start the weekly Taxol. Yeah!

    I too was quite surprised that some of you haven't seen your onc. since you started chemo. I see mine before the start of each tx. She reviews any side effects, does an exam, measures the tumor, etc.

    Again good luck ladies to those that are almost finished and to those that aren't we'll still be here!

     LaughingCat

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited February 2009

    Those LGFB classes look like such fun. Unfortunately they are held during the work week around here, and I can't take off work to attend. I just ordered a cute hat from the TLC catalog because after a while my wig itches too. I tried some soft knit caps but they are too big for my head and slip over my eyes. I feel like one of the cartoon characters with their face covered like that!

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

    You must have a petit head, Texas.  The TLC catalog does have some hats and turbans in smaller sizes.  

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 226
    edited February 2009

    I am so amazed by all of you who work full time and can actually exercise.  I swear I do not have any energy from one treatment to another.  This is day 5 and I am starting to feel better, but I don't know if I could actually go to work and or exercise. The most I do between treatments is clean up around the house and do PTA work for my sons school.  Maybe it is because I don't get a lot of time in between tx.  My hats off to all of you for doing all that you do.  I also can't wait to get my teeth cleaned.  It was the one thing I forget to do before starting chemo.  But I think I will wait until after my reconstruction surgery to schedule it.  I also see my onc before every treatment, I thought everyone did!!  Her nurse goes over all SE and does all vital signs, then she comes in and talks about SE and examines me.  I guess every place is different.  I wish all going through treatment this week all the best with little to no SE.  Remember it is a long road, but a road that we can get through.  We just have to remember that we are very strong women!!!!

    Colleen 

  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2009

    Congratulations to everyone that is finishing chemo this week! I hope your SE's are few and that your hair grows back quickly!

    We have a LGFB class coming up in two weeks and you all have convinced me to attend. It sounds like fun and I could use some help with the old eyebrows!

    Is anyone one else suffering from dry itchy eyes? I feel like I have a bad allergy. I will ask my onc next Monday before Tx #4. I had herceptin yesterday and it seems to be worse today.

    I need to run out to the store as we are expecting more SNOW this afternoon. I had to throw everything in the fridge out after being w/o power for 5 days. We had just gone grocery shopping before the big ice storm hit!

    Good luck to all who have treatment this week.



    Carolyn

  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited February 2009

     Hi Majanumba1

    I had dry itchy eyes and i also had runny wet eyes....I found that "refresh" drops, an over the counter med, helped both conditions.  It is worth a try but still ask your onc on Monday

  • Catrenae
    Catrenae Member Posts: 733
    edited February 2009

    Hi Again,

    I thought we all might could use a laugh and/or smile. I found this link on one of the other discussion boards here, and thought I would share it with you. It certainly made me smile and giggle out loud...such creativity! I love it... of course I am an artist-want-to-be!!!!

     I hope this brightens someone's day! Laughing

     http://www.quiltersofsc.org/artfullbras/artfullbras.htm

    Cat

  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    Just got back from meeting with the doc.  It's a go for Friday!  Yippeeee.  Here you only see your doc every other appointment, but somehow they messed it up and I just saw him once since starting. 

    He told me what I expected...wants me to do Tamoxifen...but I'm not sold on that yet.  So we had a discussion and I told him I would let him know.  Then he brought up a study regarding bisphosphonates that he wants me to consider, I told him I would read it.  It is the SO307 study.

    Anyway...I'm just focusing on getting this last treatment over! 

    Bobcat...I'll be thinking of you Friday!  Good luck to everybody this week!!!!

  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited February 2009

    Lisa: Yipeee yahoo!!!! Congrats. You are really something the way that you have been able to work out soo intensely during your treatment. You are a exceptional.

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited February 2009

    Lisa, Mary, Bobbi and Cat -  CONGRATULATIONS  on finishing chemo!!!! Yea!

  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited February 2009

    Mary Bobbi and Cat you too. What a great achievement. God willing I will get there too.

    I really wish I had only 4 treatments not 6. ugg I am so beat up already and I am only going for TX 3 on Monday. I am in awe of the ladies that work full time have kids and exercise with out chemo much less with it. You all are truly amazing.

  • apfuentes
    apfuentes Member Posts: 95
    edited February 2009

    Lisa - I will raise a glass for you on Friday night...assuming my tongue isn't still raw, haha!  Congratulations!  I can't wait until this all behind ALL of us!

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited February 2009

     Hi everyone.  I've been MIA for a few days.  On Saturday night I developed a cold and it hasn't gotten any better.  I've been out of work yesterday and today because of it.  I called and spoke with one of the Oncologists on-call on Sunday and he said it was OK to take over-the-counter cold medicines and as long as I wasn't running a fever, I'd just have to "ride it out".  I've been miserable.  I left another message for my Onc's nurse today but she hasn't called back.  Getting a cold 2 days after TX isn't the greatest thing.  I'm afraid it will develop into something else and just trying to rest as much as possible. 

    Congratulations to those finishing chemo this week!!

  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited February 2009

    Elaine Sorry to hear about the cold :(

    Well, I met with my onc today. I was suppose to go on Friday but since my mom is coming again, I have to pick her up at the airport, had to switch my appt and I really wanted to see my onc this time. All that to say that chemo isn't for another 6 days, as of now, my WBC is too low for chemo (I was expecting that) so I have to redo labs on Monday morning, I'm expecting it to be ok but he's talking about the neulasta now :( Haven't done it yet but he'll decide on Monday. Should still be a go. I hope so or I'd feel bad for my parents being here.

    That aside, I've had back pain since day 2. I tried the muscle relaxer and it didn't do anything. Didn't call since I'm tired of getting pills for everything so I thought it would just go away, well it's not. So I asked my onc about it today, it's on my shoulder blade, he checked it than ordered x-rays of it. If x-ray come back clean, and it still hurts on Monday, he's ordering a bone scan. Well, I didn't think much of it until I started walking to get the x-ray done and looked at the order sheet. He's ordering it to check for metastsis!!! I'm a little freaked out right now. He said to take tylenol for the pain and he's not thinking much of it but better safe than sorry. There goes the waiting again :(

  • jajebr3
    jajebr3 Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2009

    Good afternoon girls, started reading to catch up and am so happy to hear so many of you are finishing up,  I on the other hand am not seeing the light yet.  It has been so long since I have been able to get on and read and post, I ended up in the hospital for a few weeks after tx 2, took every once of energy out of me could not wake up bp was way low,  onc was very concerned and kept me what seemed like forever to help my body recouperate.  Let me out the day of my fortyth b day.  I am thankfull to have had that day.  And went yesterday for tx 3.  And will be visiting my onc every other day to get fluids and iv anit neasea meds to try to stay ahead of the se.  Just know ladies I got a lecture for not being a complainer, confusing, they say you should let them know everything that is going on or you will end up like me and in the hospital for a few weeks.  Just an FYI. 

    Congrats to all of you finishing up I am so JELOUS.  But know I will be there in 1 more ac and 12 weekly t forms, and who knows how many radiation treats, but I will be getting there one step at a time like all you lucky ones.

    Alyssa

  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited February 2009

    Cebula:I believe the rule of thumb is if the pain is there for 2 weeks straight, then you are allowed to worry. Did you have scans prior to chemo? I just have a feeling that you are going to be ok.  I will say a prayer too and hedge my bet.

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

    Jeez Caroline!!  That is awful.  Who would have thought anyone would be thinking mets at this point?  Did you have any base line scans before you started Tx's?  When will you know?  I'll pray that he's right and it's nothing.  

    Alyssa, thank you for sharing that we must be chronic complainers for anything.  It is so not like any of us to call the doc every time we have a sniffle or a pain or a little swelling.  Did you have an infection that got out of control?  It must not have been a reaction to Tx since you went in for #3.  I hope you stay feeling better and stronger.

    Elaine, I guess it's just that time of the year for cold and flu.  How more of us aren't getting sick is beyond me.  I do hope the meds get you thru and feeling better. 

    Even tho some of us aren't finishing chemo this week or next, we'll get there.  Before you know it we'll be done too.  Of course, then many are going on to rads.  I hope those people will stay with this thread.

    My finger nail beds are hurting today.  I hope my nails don't fall off. 

  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    Caroline...he is just being safe.  My sister, who was diagnosed two weeks before me, was having constant back pain....they did the bone scan...she was clear.  In fact, they ran every scan on her you can think of.  I really think it was stress for her....she was tightening her body so much, she was causing the pain in her back!

    Hang in there girlfriend!

  • mary5454
    mary5454 Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2009

    Caroline - I wil be thinking of you - sure it is nothing. You will feel better when you get the results.

    Congrats to all finishing up.

    Lainey - sorry about your cold..you must feel miserable. are you still trying to work?

     Mary L - onc did stop my chemo. My rash was actually hives all over  for a couple of weeks- finally under control with an antihistamine. Anyways - started rads today - piece of cake - in and out in minutes. Doing the does dense so done 3/3. getting my AI prescription tomorrow.

    Trying to change my diet. it's hard but have to do it. They really don't want you to lose weight during rads either - wil have to redo CT scan and measurements if you do. looking into a share organic farm for weekly deliveries. having some trouble finding organic chicken,. And whatever was the decision on Flax???

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 226
    edited February 2009

    Caroline:  I will be saying a special prayer for you and you will be in my thoughts.  I sure everything will be ok, but I know the waiting is the hardest part.  When will you hear did the dr. say?  Keep good thoughts and try hard not to worry.

    Hugs,

    Colleen 

  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited February 2009

    Caroline - they are just being cautious.  Don't worry about the terminology they are using.  I know that is so much easier said than done.  I have aches and pains all over the place.  Think of all the meds that they are putting in our bodies right now.  From where your pain is located, it sounds like it's stress related.  You probably have a big knot that is the culprit.  Try some stretching or breathing exercises.  Maybe that will help work it out.  *hugs*

  • LindaBusEd
    LindaBusEd Member Posts: 121
    edited February 2009

    Simvog,

    For the list:

    #5    Feb 24    5xTAC

    Thanks for updating! Linda

  • sdavis
    sdavis Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2009

    Caroline relax he probably put the wording on there so that insurance would pay for it. They have to justify every test.

    Hello to all I know its been a while. I also got an infection last week and ended up taking bukko amounts of antibiotics. Doing better now and as of monday my blood counts are good enough to have chemo again next week. I have #4 of 6 monday morning. Every tx gets a little harder. My fingers are so sore its hard to type they are finally now (two weeks out) beginning to feel normal as long as I am not too hot or cold.

    Speaking of cold OMG its frigid here in MI. And I have had enough of the snow for at least the next two years. This is the only time of year I consider moving south. Maybe just a long vacation in the hot, hot sun.

    Congrats to all finishing up this week.

    Sue

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