Starting Chemo February 2009?

Options
1…5455575960…179

Comments

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Just when I thought I should be getting out of the whole I am still in it :(   I was having difficulty getting out of breath when I did anything for the past 3 days and I finally called my onc.  I let him know that I can handle be nausea or out of breath but dealing with the 2 of them at the same time I needed him to let me know I was gonna be okay.  Long story short I am anemic and I have been since treatment #1 so I have to go to the woods (which is what I call the hospital that I go to) today to have blood drawn, an  ech. and they want to check me out because I am not rebounding.  I think I will within the next 12 days BUT it's effecting me in ways that I feel like I am falling apart quickly (weight loss, muscle mass GONE, want to puke, at the same time I feel like a fish out of water)  It sucks !!! 

    Anyhow so I am hoping that my heart gets a good check-up.  Sorry for the whine above but I honestly feel worse these days walking to the bathroom then when I used to run 16 miles at a time. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    Jaimieh-Anemia will do that to you, make you out of breath and cause your heart to race, also dehydration... are you drinking enough water??  I had this problem throughout all my treatments, AC and TX. Just getting out of bed to walk to the bathroom got me out of breath. Whenever I told my onc this he said "are you keeping up with the fluids?", and I wasn't, so as soon as I guzzled, and I mean ALOT, I felt better.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2009

    Michelle - glad you are feeling a bit better mentally. I am seeing my woman next week, I hope it goes well. It is funny how you can hold on to one negative conversation you have had and forget all the other positive things you know. It is crazy for a Onc to have said that to you - the death rate is not 100% from this, nowhere near, so for anyone to be saying that to you is absurd. What was he thinking??? I am glad you have found a dose of sanity, and your counsellor sounds great. And what better example do you need than someone who has walked the walk you are walking!!

    Jaimieh - hope all the sacns turn up something that helps you. I have just been complaining this morning as to how fat I am. God, I will be glad once the steroids are done with, I hate how everything feels tight.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    Kerry-The steroid affect will be gone once you are done. I don't get cravings anymore and I think the puffy stage is gone.  But now that I can taste again , I'm eatting more cause I am enjoying tasting food!  So I need to try and stop that, take my walks, and eat healthy.

    Today I have the most energy I have had in a real long time!  Oh yeah... my face is breaking out like a 16 year old....wth!?!?!? aghs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited April 2009

    Lordy, Susan! You are such a wonderful ray of hope as so many of us start looking at what it will be like "on the other side." Thank you for being so inspirational!

    Everybody...I'm reading when I can, trying to keep up with these ridiculous eyes (BTW, sunshades even in the house seem to help the watering) and am thinking of you all constantly. This last crash is a doozey, but I know one day very soon I will wake up suddenly feeling better. May each of you be SE free and happy today!

    Yesterday I took my last post tx Dreadardon. Nowhere to go from here but UP!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited April 2009

    Well, this morning I began taking my decadron. Got the results of my bloodwork this morning and everything looks great to get my last cytoxin/taxotere infusion tomorrow.The onc called me tonight and discussed the allergic reaction a week after the last round, She says she doesn't want to rule out the possibility that is was the chemo drug reaction. She will make sure I have a steroid script just in case I get my sexy swollen lips again after tomorrows tx. I'm a bit apprehensive about tomorrow and the impending chemo hole that is waiting for me of the other side.I will pray like Sue did and ask my Higher Power to guide me through acceptence of each day while I'm in the hole and bring me angels to help me  to continue to find joy and enthusiasm in my life. I know that each and every one of you Fab Feb Furies are my guardian angels! I appreciate you all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suzmarks
    suzmarks Member Posts: 83
    edited April 2009

    Hi all, just poking in for a quick hello to say I'm still in this business. My sister came in from out of town and we have been on the run somewhat. We had originally planned a big getaway for this vacation week but since I was only a couple of days post tx we went up to Saratoga Springs for a couple of nights, only a half hour from my home. Aside from diaharrea, nose bleeds, some stomach pain, and mouth discomfort we were able to enjoy ourselves. I feel like I'm so out of touch with you all and will have to do some catching up. I'll do that next week.I know I made the suggestion about a get-together so I hope lots of people have chimed in and perhaps some ideas have even been proposed. Before I get off, it's almost 2:30 am and I have to get up somewhat early, I was hoping I could get some feedback on a personal decision I need to make. I am part of a clinical research study that I signed up for that is having some people have 6 tx of TAC or 6 tx of TC. Luckily I got the TC treatments. However, because of this research study I am supposed to have 6 tx when standard practice is only 4. I finished my 4th tx last week and so want to be done with chemo. I can pull out of the study and am now contemplating doing so. I feel bad because I like to complete something I start and of course altruistically it's a nice thing to help others which is what getting zapped with chemo 2 more times would do. However, I really want to be done. I don't want 50% more tx, I don't want to spend a big chunk of my summer doing radiation when I could probably get it done before summer starts if I begin soon. Just wondering what others would do in my situation. Hope I'm not interrupting a discussion that's going on and hoping all are well. Look forward to catching up next week and hearing your input. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2009

    Hey suzanne - My opinion - do what feels right for you. If you want to be done, stop it. DO NOT stay in the study because of guilt or obligation or any of those reasons. If I could have pulled the plug at 4, I would have, study or not. This is your life and be selfish. After going through all this crap, I think you have a right to try and reclaim some of your life as soon as you can. Like you say, you can be done with Rads and enjoy some of the summer to boot. Don't feel guilt!! Just think how great you would feel if you knew you were all done.

    So Cheryl is nearly all done too. You go girl. There may be a hole in front of you, but it is the last time you need to fall in. My last Tx is hovering like a carrot in front of my face!!

    susan - you sound so great. Gives me hope, I feel so crummy!! How are Rads going?  Do they hurt? Does it take very long? I feel I know nothing about Rads at all, have kind of ignored the fact that I am having them, as they seem so insignificant compared to Chemo! It was funny, when I was seeing my Onc last week there was a couple I met who had just seen my Onc for the first time. She had been told she needed Chemo and they were all of a twitter and a bit upset. I started talking to them, and actually made them feel better about the whole deal - she was stressing about the hair of course, and he was just stressing. I felt like such an "old hand" at it all - telling them what to expect, saying she would be fine, dah dah dah. I forgot how overwhelming it had seemed at the beginning, and how, even though I have hated it, I am getting through it and managing OK. We all are. And then it will all be done with, and I will become a Rads Virgin!! Some new tricks to learn, I guess.

    Well, spring seems to finally be deciding to grace us with her presence.  Double digits again today. Time to soak up some Vit D!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    Suzanne-I'll ditto what Kerry said and I say go with your guilt feeling!
    Kerry-I start rads on Monday so I will let you know what's it like.  I'm have my final filming this afternoon, they'll make sure I am all set to go.  Tomorrow ct scans and bone scans... eck, I have to drink a quart of that nasty chalk drink for the ct scans, there goes my stomach!  Give yoiurself time to feel better... it WILL happen in a few weeks!

    Cheryl-Good luck with your last tx, good days are on the horizon!

    Hoping everyone has a bright day!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited April 2009

    Kerry:  I did rads back in 2004, and I can tell you, it was not that bad at all.  My skin held up just fine (I bought some cream called RadX and used cocoa butter).  No burning, no pain.  I know not everyone will have that experience, but many do just fine.  I would get rads Mon-Fri, and be really tired on Saturday, and that's about it.  You will be more tired by the end, but overall, it is sooo much easier than chemo; fatigue was my only side effect, and that was only for 1 day, and was nothing like chemo fatigue.  I just napped on Saturday, and relaxed on Sunday, and was ready to go by Monday.

    I am so happy for those of you finishing up chemo; I still have 9 weeks ahead of me, and it seems like forever.  *sigh*.  One of my toenails is getting funny, it's not turning black like I've read about, but seems to be turning whitish-yellowish at the bottom, and I think it will eventually come off by how it's looking now.  And the bottom of my feet get tingly sometimes.  I want to get through at least 8 of my 12 Taxol's, so I hope the neuropathy holds off.

    I am getting 20 mg(?) of steroids as a premed for Taxol.  But nothing to take at home to kind of 'wean' off that huge dose they give me.  Is this standard during Taxol?  I feel like I get such a huge dose, I am very energetic the day after tx, but then crash, when I shouldn't have to.  But my onc doesn't think I need to wean off at home.  It's frustrating.  I'm sure other women are getting steroids to take at home.  I have a few leftover from the AC, and I think I will experiment and try taking them to see if it helps, then approach my onc again about the issue if it helps.

    Hugs to you all!

    Judy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Okay 6 hours at the doctors office yesterday and here is what I learned:

    1. My cardiac ef went up 2 point (go ticker go !!)  meet the most wonderful sonographer and I will be going to see her for now on.  I left with a big hug and told to keep going which made me feel great.

    2. Then 2 the doctor's office for a visit (Hr 120-150 still) BP normal and I have 100.7 fever.  So I have them stumped off to give blood....One stick thru the port, one in the vein and that's all done but wait there is more fun...

    3. Here came a wheel chair with someone wanting me for a CT.  That stated no contrast I get ther ooops it says contrast so another IV in the arm.   At this point I am tired and I wanna know why I always have 3-4 days where my heart races and I can't catch my breath.  I sit for the CT for an hour and finally they call me back.  The did it first without the contrast and all of a sudden I have 3 people around me asking me about the "magnets" in my shirt so i had to explain the double chamber TE's that I have in.  They then go back and power inject the nuclear die which was hot and made me feel like I peed my pants and then we were done.  The test itself was easy I just waited a long time in the waiting area.  Afterwards everyone of the woman wanted to know about my TE and how they do it ex....  I told them and they were shocked of all the stuff I have been thru and I of course reminded them of their monthly breast exams :)

    So after all these test to rule anything out I am not anemic at this time (WHHHOOO) and they think that I have a severe reaction to the withdrawl of the steriods.  Nothing is in place for next time except Emmend :)  Which I am hoping to be my saving grace thru the nausea.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    Jaimieh-Gosh you sure are going thru alot.  Your HR is up there, I'm sure it is very uncomfortable. Did they give you any incling as to why it's so high or what can be done to lower it?
    On the ct scans and your "magnets"... I'm having ct scans tomorrow, and I was wondering if they were going to have a problem with my double magnets.... I hate the iv contrast, I always expect something to happen as it rushes in the iv...aghs to tests!

    Hope u feel better SOON!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited April 2009

    GO Cheryl! GO Cheryl! GO Cheryl! I hope you are celebrating your ARSE off with your infusion team right now. (Make hay while the steroids last, haha!) Hang in there, Lady. Don't screw up like I did and think that the last hole will be easier just because it's the last. I fought it too hard. Dumb move. It's taking longer. Go with it, but go knowing it's the LAST CRASH!!! 

    Suz, don't let the study factor into your decision at all. It is irrelevent. You need to look at your mental health, your physical health and the intitial reasons you decided to go with six instead of four in the first place. I wouldn't wish the last two of these suckers on anyone, but your stats are almost identical to mine and my Onco didn't want to hear a word about four from me. (The dose dense was optional, the number wasn't because of the node. Although I had vascuar invasion too and don't know if you did or not.) Six might not be right for you, but you can't make that kind of decision on emotion, obligation, duty or anything else not directly related to getting your odds to an acceptable level you can live with. Having said that, AND having lived through all six, if I could've quit at four, I would've. Not much for advice, I know, but please don't let anything cloud your judgement. You know you and your body best, nothing else matters.

    Jaimieh, whew! You have really gone to the mat this time! I'm glad to hear you're improving and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Go Emend! 

    Judy, both of my thumbnails look bruised at the bottom of their beds to about half way up. Other fingers to a lesser degree, but the thumbs are the worst. It did begin the same way it has for you and my Onco said he thought I might lose a few. I haven't. It hasn't gotten any better, but it hasn't gotten any worse. Try Apple's tea tree oil tip.

    The tinglies are a definite sign of neuropathy. I didn't do glucosamine or B's as many have suggested. You might look into them now. I wish I had. My fingers are not in great shape and neither are my feet. No sensation other than dull pain up to my second knuckles and my feet feel blistered like hot pavement burn. I just didn't think it was a big deal in the over all scope of things, but now that it's "over" I'm really very annoyed with it. 

    As for the steroids, as I have mentioned in the past, my Onco is a less-is-more kinda guy. He didn't give me any pre or post steroids at all up until the very end when the edema got bad. Even then, according to my beloved Auntie A, he was dead wrong. (She says that a lot about doctors, haha!) If you are going to experiment, you might appreciate her take on it. She had me take 1/2 dose the day before, full dose the day after (I got a full dose in my IV the day of), and then 1/2 dose the next day and the next. My pills are 4mg each and he had prescribed 2 of them for a total of  8mg per day. I do have to say that it prolonged things, but it was gentler. My goal being not to look and feel like a bag of water, it also worked from a medical standpoint.

    Michelle, I meant to tell you how happy I am that you've found someone to help you get your head to focus differently. It sounds to me like something that is very, very familiar to a lot of us. I know from dealing with family members with OCD that the "broken record" that plays over and over is no easy thing to defeat. Once you get stuck in the groove it takes a monumental effort to find a new one and keep it. With no help from the IDIOT that started the track, I'm utterly amazed that you've been able to even function thus far. How AWESOME that you got a survivor to help you keep perspective! Every ounce of positive groove breaking energy I can send is on the way, always. I didn't want to intrude, say the wrong thing, or make it worse as I suspect I may have in the past, so I didn't ask Kerry for your email. I will, however, be sending you my phone number. I think you are a stellar individual and am thankful to have met you through this ordeal. Please also give our love to Kat. She is never far from my thoughts either.

    As for me, well, there is light in the hole today. I ran the vaccuum in my bedroom and around my crash pad! All by myself! I thought my legs were going to give out while I was wrapping the cord back up, but they held. Next stop, MY DESK! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Go Cheryl!!  Congratulations on your last infusion :)  Yup it's something to celebrate even if you know the hole is on the other side. :)  Just be kind to yourself!

    I actually went for a small walk and a bike ride today.  Whooo!  Small Victories!! 


    Dx 12/24/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited April 2009

    Suzanne, I know that a well planned research study will factor in a percentage of participants who do not follow through to the end. If you are concerned about compromising the study, don't. They will get their meaningful data with or without you. Search you heart, write down pro/con lists to compare the options before you. Ask God for guidance while doing this, if that helps. You will know when you come to the best decision . It will just feel right. We will all support you whatever you decide.

    Yes, I am home from my last infusion. It's funny, but I didn't feel much elation as I was being unhooked. I just wanted to get out of there. Don't get my wrong, the hospital and nurses were great! I think I will feel more elation when I rebound from my eventual chemo-crash. THEN it will be done. Getting the poisons pumped into my veins is easy. I will rejoice when I climb out of the hole and get some semblance of my old life back.

    I don't need to do radiation; but, will have my tissue expander exchanged and my other breast augmented and lifted to match in about a month. I will call PS next week and we can set up an appointment to plan.

    Cheers!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited April 2009

    Suzanne- If I were you, I'm look at the reasoning for 6 tx vs 4.  What are the stats?  What about outcome data?  If you feel that 4 is no different that 6 then I'd stop now.  If not, then I'd keep trucking along.  But, remember, as loooog as chemo feels, in the grand scheme of LIFE, 2 more treatments isn't that long.  (*I* need to remember that everytime I bitch about having chemo 'till June.)

    Web~ You didn't say anything to make it worse.  I was in depression-hell and couldn't cope with anything.  I called you last week but you were in your post-chemo crash. I left a message.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Cheryl I have 2 treatments but I will be following to hear how your exchange goes.  I have mine scheduled already (yeah, I'm not excited or anything).  I am looking forward to having boobs that move and I can actually sleep comfortable for the first time in 7 months. 

    Michele~ Thanks for posting that advice to Suzanne.  I keep telling myself that when someone with the same exact stats as I do has less treatments.  I keep reminding myself that just to get thru with it.  It really will not matter that much once I am done.  ((Thank you)) :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited April 2009

    so the latest saga in my cardiovascular (ie my body hates my port) ordeal... I blacked-out last night and had a RESTING heart rate of 240.  BP was too low to measure.  So then... my body does what it does best and I go on a puking rampage... on the night before chemo.  Lovely.  After a phone consult w/ the onc on call and a cardiologist (who happens to be the DH of my best friend), they figure it was 1 of 2 things:

    1. dehydration and hypovolemic shock~ could be because I worked all day and walked the dogs after work.  I COULD NOT keep down fluids yesterday either except for a meesley diet coke.

    2. atrial flutter~ caused by my port "bumping" into the a node (not LN but an electrical bunch of cells that trigger rhythmic contractions) in my rt atrium, thus confusing the shit out of it and causing it to litterally "flutter" rather than pump. nice, very nice...

    I (like the stubborn dork I am) stayed home, tried to drink, and slept.  At chemo today my HR was still 110-120 bpm so I'm going for an echo and ekg tomorrow morning.  I did still get chemo but I also got a ton of IV fluids.  I am peeing non-stop now!

    so that was great fun Thought you would appreciate (esp living4today and Judy... haven't ya'll been through this?).

    Hope everyone has a quiet night.

    Michele

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Michele~ Wow I hope at least you infusion went without a hitch.  It's scary having a high HR I spent the last week with one that was over 100 most of the time.  How many more taxol's do you have ??

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited April 2009

    Jaimieh~ I have 9 left (of 12 total).  Did your HR go up during the taxol? or later? I can't remember... I did remember that a few had had that SE here.

    I actually sleep mostly during taxol (between the benadryl and ativan, I'm out).  The infusions themselves aren't the issue. Tho' I puked once at chemo as soon as I entered the room. lovely. There's me, trying to be perky and not the *probem* patient: "Hi ladies <insert my waving to the wonderful chemo nurses>  nice to see all of you. <insert barfing into the nearest trash can which happened to be next to some poor old guy and his perfectly done up wife>"  Nice... I threw up again a couple of more times but it was in my very own puke basin.  Now, you'll love this, the nurses have now given me a basin for my chemo bag so I won't frighten the elderly when I walk in next week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Mine has gone up the after my treatment on Saturday after an infusion on Monday and I can 't get it to come down for 3-4 days.  It's horrible.  I get Taxotere and Carboplastin

    You poor thing.  I would let you use my trash can.  Isn't it great when you are trying to be so perky but yet your body does something else.  It's amazing what our bodies have been doing to us.  I was the streak trying to make it to the bathroom today at Pre-school.  Soon we will feel better, sweetie soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited April 2009

    Jaimieh~  The thing is that I really don't feel bad (physically).  Well, last night I felt terrible but that was just strange... The vomiting thing is now just a reflex. Yeah, it hurts and feels crappy for a second or two while it is happening but I'm not terribly nauseated anymore (that heavens for that!!!!).  The things that trigger it are strange: the chemo room, my chemo bag, putting on my emla cream, seeing red kool-aide or punch, baking potatoes (smell of them 'cause my mom make a ton of them at my 1st cycle of AC), chick-fil-a (boo-hoo), and other random things...

    But, you are right, it will be over relatively soon.  Are you getting emmend this time??? I still get it eventhough taxol only causes nausea in a sm % of patients.

    Michele

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited April 2009

    I made it through my first Taxol.  I was so irritable and anxious by the end that I really need to apologize to my nurse.  I just wanted to go home and be done with it after sitting there in the chemo chair for 6 hours.  The A/C only lasted 3 hours.  I think the problem is that my valium wore off and the steriods where kicking into high gear hence my horrendous mood.

     I am now on a steriod buzz.  Not enough to deep clean but enough to drive to the barn, get some things done.  On my way home I had a flat tire which wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't ruined the tire which was only 6 months old with maybe 2K miles on it and a really expensive snow tire that costs $200.  So my hubby came and rescued me and brought my regular tires to the car place as I didn't want to buy another snow tire and today was the last snow day of the year (knock on wood).  But he was pissed off and I really don't care.  I ruined it - I didn't realize it was flat when I was driving on it because I have really bad hearing an I was going slow so it wasn't as though my car was out of control.  I am just waiting on him to yell at me so I took a valium because I can see this would likely turn into one knock down, drag out fight and I am in no mood for it due to the massive amount of steroids I am on.  Didn't help that he saw a pack of smokes in my purse so he is trying to pick a fight on that one.  GO AHEAD - I DON'T CARE - I AM UNDER ENOUGH FREAKING STRESS AND I AM ON STEROIDS!!!!!

    I figure I will crash and burn by Saturday so I am going to take my lortabs as soon as I start aching really bad and if I have to lay in bed for three days so be it.

    I am not on any nausea meds (thanks to Taxol) but my finger tips are already sore.  The tops of my nails are sore.  I didn't think that would happen so fast.  I don't have any tingling sensation but I am already on those pills that are to help that side effect of neuropathy.

    Hope all is well with everyone else.  Will get back to ya'll later as my eyes are already starting to burn from being on the computer for all of 10 minutes. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited April 2009

    Michele~ I will be on emmend for my final 2 treatments.  I just have all my odds on it working. 

    Jancie~ Sorry the steriods have you aggrevated (I hate being on them for that reason alone). 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kmn0701
    kmn0701 Member Posts: 117
    edited April 2009

    Hi ladies! I haven't been online much this week. Prepping for big chemo #4 of 6 tomorrow. I'm so happy for those of you who are done!!! WOO HOO!!!! I don't feel like it'll ever end since I'll be on Herceptin until next freakin February. Rads after big chemo ends (last week of May) & then SIX months before I can have my exchange surgery. This better work is all I have to say. It's too damn depressing to think of going through this for nothing!

    Michele....glad to see you back. Hang in there, hope the throwing up gets better!

    Hang in there ladies, this too shall pass.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suzmarks
    suzmarks Member Posts: 83
    edited April 2009

    Thanks for the feedback on whether to stop at 4 or continue on with 6 tx. I'm going to ponder this question for a bit and seek out some medical opinions as well. I really am having problems with nose bleeds from this last tx. Last night I had to pull over while driving and work on my nose with a lot of pressuret. It took a fair amount of time to get it to finally stop. Tonight I was out to eat with out of town family and had another episode. It's rather embarrassing dealing with this situation in public. Anyways hope everyone has a great weekend. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suzmarks
    suzmarks Member Posts: 83
    edited April 2009
    webwriter - forgot to ask you, what is vascular invasion exactly?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited April 2009

    Michelle, I'm embarassed. I haven't even checked my messages. I know that there are at least two from my stepmother and there is no WAY I can even listen to them without my blood pressure going through the roof. She's got a heart of gold, but the wit of a flea, so when she thinks she's helping... Anyway, there is now proof that chemobrain is real. I already gave you my number?? SHEESH! 

    One of these days you are going to catch a break in all of this. When it happens you will hear me hollering cheers from across the bay. I guarantee it.

    Jancie! ROID RAGE! Oh yeah! We get that over here. Hang tough. It'll be over soon. The Man tried that one with me tonite. I think he just needed to let off some pressure. I wasn't playing the game tho. (Thank goodness my steroids are done!) He quickly realized what was happening tho and we're off to a great start for the weekend. Hope it works out that way for you too.

    Kristine, you hang tough too. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I didn't think so at the time, but a friend of hubby's from work told him at the beginning of this that it was going to be the hardest year of our lives. A year. GADS. But maybe it did help us to know going in that it wouldn't be "over" anytime soon. If it makes you feel any better, his wife told me (before we had my receptor status) that Herceptin was merely time consuming and no big deal at all. It will work. It has to. For all of us.

    Suzanne- Nose bleeds SUCK! My husband has them when his iron levels get screwed up. Don't know if there is any correlation with us, but you might check it out. Whatever you decide, we'll be behind you 100% all the way. Vascular invasion is a fancy way of saying it got into the blood stream. It was in my initial biopsy report, so we knew it when we still thought the nodes were clean, the grade two and the stage one. Just another "high risk" indicator. We were starting to think I was going to "run the board" until the receptor status finally came in. Regardless, do what works for you and rest easy in it. There is no right and wrong. Only peace and good living.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2009

    Just a quick hello to everyone. The kids thought 6:30 was morning time today - guess it is light out now, they wake early.

    So happy to hear of people actually finishing up - we will all get there in the end. 

    I'll be thinking of you today Kristine! hang in there. And it is working. Really well. For all of us.

    Suzanne - the other thing you need to ask your Onc is whether you got the full does on your 4 Tx's. My Pharmacist was telling me they give lower doses each round if you are getting more treatments. E.g - if you are getting , say 6 TC, the amount of T is less each time than if you are getting say, 3 T's.  If they were expecting to give you 6 rounds, the dose per round may have been less than if you were getting 4. You want to make sure you are not under treated. That being said, my husband was reading somewhere that the first treatment kills about 99% of what it is going to kill anyhow.

    Well, I am still suffering a bit. Was hoping I would be better for the weekend, but realistically I am thinking next Wednesday. I can see the last hole is going to be the hardest, as I so want it to be over with. Blek.  Anyhow, go forth and choose to be happy today!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2009

    Suzanne - Forgot to add about Vascular Invasion - it is really just an indicator on whether you need chemo or not. You don't need to worry about it, cos you have had Chemo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories