Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited May 2009

    Wow, Judy! That's quite a story. I remember that storm. I lived in Ann Arbor then and saw a funnel cloud, too. We had huge tree limbs down in our yard. One hit our car and dented it. None hit the house (or me!)

    Delani, what a funny story! My boys do things like that, too. I'm glad to hear they can survive into adulthood! By the way, here is a picture my DH took on mothers day with my three sons.

    Cheryl
    Dx 10/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited May 2009

    What handsome sons you have!  But I'll bet you have your hands full!

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

    Cheryl~ I didn't think you were old enough to have sons that old.  (I hope that came out right). 

    I am slowly falling in the chemo hole even though I am trying like hell to stay out of it.  I noticed this morning that my hands have started to shake which has always been a sign for me...grrrrr...  I hope it's not a long one.  I am already looking forward to feeling better.  I am like a broken record...sorry...

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited May 2009

    i live in Kansas and have never seen a tornado.

    i hopefully look everytime we have warnings (every week in the spring).

    hugs to all

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  • Bethie1
    Bethie1 Member Posts: 393
    edited May 2009

    Thanks gang!!! 

    Kerry--What do you mean by the "crash"?  Does the time between last chemo and rads feel worse?  I hear between chemo and rads--chemo is worse, so if fatigue and queasy were my worse complaints I should be OK, unless they're are painful SE's i should be aware of-such as a sunburn, etc.

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited May 2009
    KerryMac ~ No, I've still not heard from the surgeon.  I gave him all day yesterday and this morning to call.  I called the office this afternoon to ask what was going on and was told, "The doctor was busy seeing patients all day yesterday."  (I thought, well excuse the heck out of me, but I do believe *I* am a patient, too.)  Office lady went on to say, "I'll put your chart on his desk, and someone will call you."

    Now, where has my chart been if not on his desk?  She said on Monday she'd put the scans on his desk; perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd think they'd be with everything else, y'know...IN MY CHART.  Grrr....

    Judy ~ Fiance needs a kick in the behind if you don't mind my saying so.  Two hours in the only bathroom is ridiculous, and I'm someone who loves to read during long baths!  And his saying "whatever" to you is just flat out rude.  On second thought, don't just kick his behind:  kick him on out the door.

    Hugs to all,
    Artemis
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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited May 2009

    Artemis~ I hope you get those results soon.  Waiting for results is the WORST.   Almost worse than chemo~ heh.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited May 2009

    so wishing you good results..

    shudder

    i've had a great day fullof energy and great weather... got tons of stuff done. (catching up)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009
       I think I may be doing this even longer than summer....had my 14th treatment of Abraxane on Wed. and asked the oncologist what he meant when he had said longtern  and he looked at me over his glasses and said you of all people, of all my patients, should know what long term means.  we are going to do it just like we have been, find a treatment that works and stick with it.  So I said, but I thought you or maybe it was the PA said something about 24 treatments and he said we will do scans again after 24 and see where we go from there.  The scans I recently had done (after 12 treatments) were stable in the bone scan and the CAT scan report said slight decrease metastatic lesion right lobe (there were two in my liver )as compared to Feb.scan.   Because of that slight decrease I am willing to stay on this stuff because at least it is working and I can put up with hair loss, losing nails, my food tasting like crap, not sleeping and all that other stuff as long as the treatment is working.  He did decreast the steroids and reluctantly gave me a RX for a sleeping pill because I told him I just really need sleep and regardless of how tired I am, I do not sleep.  Anyway, that is my report and I am very very happy.  I have been doing this a long time, but the scans always make me nervous.  Amazing how everything hinges on those reports.  Now I am going to go take one of my pills and see if I can manage to sleep through the night without waking up.  I agree with your post Suzanne....this is one great group of women.  I think this whole message board is great and I have checked out many. 
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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited May 2009

    Michele and apple ~ Thanks for your encouragement.  I'm certain there's nothing to the results, really.  The radiologist said the 2 spots the surgeon wanted looked at are just cysts.  I saw them myself:  perfectly round and black.  It's just aggravating for someone not to call when they say they will.

    I'm glad you've had such a great day, apple.
    Smile

    Marybe ~ I'm very glad that your treatment is working, and I pray you'll get some good rest tonight.

    Hugs to all,
    Artemis

    P.S.  Michele!!  How can you, the Vomit Queen, say that waiting for results is almost as bad as chemo?!
    Tongue outWink

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2009

    Maybe Michelle vomits while waiting for results too....!

    Hope that Dr calls you today though, sometimes I wonder what they think they are doing. 

    Apple - glad you are feeling great. It must be the sunny weather, I am feeling really good too. Oh, yeah, and I aren't having Chemo anymore....

    Marybe - happy to hear your treatments are working. Guess that is why we put up with all the nasty side effects.

    Anyhoo, hope everyone manages to have a lovely day today.

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited May 2009

    Artemis~  I hate the mind-games that I play while waiting.  I'd rather puke any day than wait for scan/biopsy results... Undecided

    Marybe~I'm soooo happy for you that you are responding to chemo. Great news!!!Laughing

    Had #8 yesterday and am calling in sick today.  I'm going to work Monday instead eventhough it is a holiday so I won't have to take a sick day today.  I'm not feeling terribly bad but am weepy.Cry

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2009

    Big hugs sent out to you Michelle. Hang in there, you are closing in on the finish line.

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited May 2009

    Judy-- How about going to a farm supply store and getting a huge galvanized tub or even a watering tank.  You could put it outside and your DD's fiance could bathe all he wants--read, soak, play with a rubber ducky--whatever--to his heart's content (as long as the neighbors don't complain)!!

    MrsRockyTops--I have a sister living in Costa Rica. Her DH is a physician and they are medical missionaries.  You and I can keep each other company this summer.

    Bethie, Kerry  Kowabunga!  Glad you're done with the chemo.

    Marybe Hope you caught some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs last night!

    Artemis Hope you hear back soon.  If I have one more person tell me to "be patient" I think I'll throttle them.

    Michele I go through weepy cycles--tear up at absolutely anything.  Sometimes it's frustration (like trying to read the teeny tiny print on a meds bottle, even with my glasses on) other times no reason needed. 

    O.K.Furies, I'm getting ready to go in for T #3 and am planning an uneventful session.  I'm going to drive up to central MO tomorrow for my grandson's first birthday party!  Can hardly wait!

    Take care--thinking about you all.  Helen

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

    Michele~ ((Bighugs)) Hang in there you can do this.  I hope you don't get sick today. 

    Marybe~ I am glad your treatment is working.  I hope you get some sleep. 

    I have been sleeping almost non-stop since Monday.  It's been good but geez you would think after 6 hours of sleep during the day I would have some energy..NOT.  I am in the chemo hole but I will eventually come out the other side.   It seems like this TX has been easier mentally than any of the other treatments.  I think it is the fact that knowing in 17 days I don't have to get TC is helping me get thru this time.  I still have the normal numb fingers, toes, yuck mouth, and weak body but I can do this :)  I am a little concerned about my exchange surgery in 26 days but I will hopefully continue to improve everyday. 

    Sorry if I don't make sense I am rambling....loll....

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    Hi ladies just checkin in....

    Michele-You are a real tropper... just hang on a bit longer!!!!

    Artemis-Waiting is just the worst, I hope u hear something soon.

    Well ladies, I have successfully completed my radiation therapy this morning.  It was no where near as bad as chemo. The weeks went by very quickly.  I lost one day of work this last Wednesday cause I had the "rad crash". My skin is burnt pretty badly and my armpit is a very angry looking red... but... I am done!  Now onward to tamoxifen.

    Hope everyone has a great long s/e free weekend!

    Sue

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

    Whooo Sue! 

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  • living4today
    living4today Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2009

    Hey Michele,

    I am glad you listened to your body and took today to recoup.  Interestingly, my onco told me yesterday that many patients really struggle around tx#9....tried of the journey, etc.  So I am warning everyone who has daily contact with me....that I will need a little xtra tlc in a few weeks.  Are you having any issues with neuropathy?  other s/e's...

    Thanks to everyone else with their continued posts...much encouragement to us still on the road to the finish line!

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  • MRSROCKYTOP55
    MRSROCKYTOP55 Member Posts: 403
    edited May 2009

    Helen, what part of Costa Rica do they live in?  My DH is in the southern zone for twelve days with a mission group do some building projects.  I am staying at our pastor's house and he will be taking me for treatment.  This morning he sounds as if he is coming down with something, so I guess I will stay in my bedroom until he improves.

     For those who are done with chemo, CONGRATULATIONS!  For those of us who aren't, we can do this!!!

     Have a wonderful day and God Bless, Kathy

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited May 2009
    Hi, Furies ~
    Ok, the surgeon's office finally called.  Office lady said, "The dr looked at your scans, and you're ok to go ahead with surgery.  When were you thinking about having it?"  I kind of laughed and said, "I don't know; I figured YOU would tell ME."  She said, "Do you want me to look at the schedule and call you back?"  

    What the heck?!  I just said ok, but in hindsight I realize I should have told her I'd hold while she checked and by the way why didn't she check the schedule BEFORE she called me?!  Honestly, if I had any hair, I'd be pulling it out.
    Yell

    Michele ~ I'm sorry you're not feeling well today.  Take good care of yourself.  *hugs*

    Gramof3 ~ LOL @ a washtub for Judy's chronic bather!!!  Happy birthday to your grandson, and I hope you have a great trip.

    Yay, Sue, for being done with rads!  I hope your skin problems clear up soon.

    Hugs to all,
    Artemis 
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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2009

    Sue - Yah for being done with Rads! Good luck with the tamoxifen, I start June 1st.Let me know if you get any major SE's.

    Artemis - big relief the scans were clear. Yep, you should have just held, they will probably take another month to get back to you. I had to wait three weeks for my Surgery, my Surgeon was so booked up. 

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited May 2009

    could i be any busier?

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

    Wow Apple when you are done......

    I hope it's good busy :)

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited May 2009

    it's catch up busy... 

    i am on a weekly taxol regime on a monthly schedule roughly.. 3 weeks of treatment then 1 week off.  This 4th 'month' really hit me hard. .. i just felt awful.. i sooooooo understand how it is easy to become emotionally challenged when you feel bad physically.  just 10 days ago, all of me felt as if i were slowly dying... just deteriorating.. it was really hard to deal with.  i thought of my funeral, and regrets of my husband who would fondly say 'she was such a good worker'...  

    enough of that.  i feel soooo much better.. back to normal.  anyway, i've done what seems like 2 years of landscaping and pruning..   the place is looking almost spiffy.

     i can't wait to have this chemo over.  i've been so long without hair,  (i did have it for a month in the middle)    i looked just like an elf.  i would pull my ears out to be pointy  and cross my eyes..

    here's pic from January.  I'm so worried i'll just be one of the women who are on chemo forever.  i really hope i get a break... a long long long long long break.

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

    Apple I think your hair is adorable.  I hope you get a VERY long break soon!!

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited May 2009

    Hey Ya'll!

     I know I've been absent and long overdue. I guess I just really needed to do something besides CANCER for a bit.

    My life sort of carried on without me for six months or so there. I have a lot of catching up to do in that alone! But, we've had some major family stuff come down on several fronts too, and some sad news among friends also. I've always kind of felt sorry for those folks that "everything always seems to happen to." Lately, it seems I'm one of them. Craziness! I've been spending a whole lot of mindless hours just shutting my brain off at night. Inarticulate, but awake, sorting through the things that need doing, feelings about them, the idea that while life is short, it does go on...

    But we're coping and doing well, all things considered. Minor signs of strain and shifting here and there, but I'm actually amazed at how well we have all come through this so far. 

    I will take the time to catch up on the eleventy hundred pages I've missed this weekend, I hope. I've been thinking of you all, even tho I haven't had words to get it across for awhile. I look forward to catching up. (Never actually being able to KEEP up, but catching up is far more doable than chemo!)

    For now, the long winded update on me is:

    Slightly burning from rads already @ 7/38. Seems odd with my skin, but well, luck of the draw. Nothing serious. Just annoyance. Tech says pure aloe, nothing else. However, compared to chemo, I have to say rads are ridiculously easy so far. Of course I won't open my mouth too far and let the chemo door hit me in the hindside....but seriously, not in the same ballpark, maybe not the same state.

    Six weeks out of the last TX. Not the last crash, mind you, the last TX. I crashed harder than ever on the last, and that took a full two weeks. So, adjust accordingly for your own personal "crash pattern." BUT!

    I can taste things with increasing appreciation. (like the second glass of wine I'm having!)

    My dental check up was fine and there is no sign of thrush/mouth sores/permanent damage

    If I'm careful, it no longer takes three people to raise me from squatting on the floor with my kid.

    My nails have horizontal stripes I'll post photos in my blog when I can catch my tail, but it's a crazy deal. I don't think I'm going to lose them. There are white moons growing in below the black ones.

    My hair. Well, I shaved it again two weeks out. I looked like a tomato plant--white spikes growing every few inches to about 1/4 inch long. The black 5 O'clock shadow I never lost didn't even become more than stubble. It's six weeks. And it's happening again, only more-so.

    My husband and several friends have actually supported keeping it shaved. I dunno if they're trying to humor me, or tell me that they're used to me bald now. Either way, I didn't mind being bald at all. This "invisible" fuzz thing is for the birds. If it can't grow back right, do I want it back at all?

    My eyes are still unfocused feeling, tho they have dried out quite a bit. Other sinus issues mostly gone--in prime allergy season, who knows what from what anyway?

    The hot flashes have slowed down but have not gone away entirely.

    The edema is down since I stopped the Chantix. (Buyer Beware!) However, my left side still swells at night (1 week off) and that includes the foot, more than the right. Haven't had time for the MLD an hour away from me. Rads aren't time consuming--if it's close to your house! 

    Anyway, I can honestly say there were moments this week when I was driving in my car with the window down and the music up thinking...Damn! I feel GOOD!

    What a wonder, in the middle of all this to stop and realize that you actually feel GOOD.

    Soon, ya'll. Soon.

    --'runnin' out of breath tryin' to juggle, but loving my friends and my life...

    Webbie

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited May 2009

    First off - been thinking of each and everyone of you - congratulations to those that have completed chemo and are on rads now.  Like Webbie - having a hard time keeping up even though I am reading every day before I head to bed.

    Having a really tough time with Taxol #3 - that was 9 days ago and I still have excruciating pain in my knees that I am having a hard time keeping on top of.  I saw the medication specialist today and she was concerned that I was exceeding the daily dosage of Lortabs.

    So now I am on a pill form of morphine.  I can't take one tonight because for the first time in months my dh took me to a nice steak dinner and I wanted a margarita.  Was strongly warned today to not drink alcohol while on morphine so I will stick to the Lortabs tonight and start taking the morphine in the morning.

    I made an appt to speak to the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon on June 9th.  Shortly after that I will have surgery.

    I haven't decided what kind of reconstruction yet.  Do I want to decrease the size of my non-cancer boob to a size A to match my cancer boob or do I want implants and make them both a C cup.  At this point I really don't care as long as they match in size and perkiness.  I will talk to the plastic surgeon about long range complications of implants when I speak to him.  In any case, I have time to make that decision because I don't think any reconstruction will happen until next March which will be 6 months after rads.

    Have one finger nail that will come off for sure, all of the others look pretty good.  I don't have any neuropathy from the Taxol and if I do, I probably wouldn't know since I am on gabapentin which helps with the SE's of neuropathy.  I am taking a small dosage so I guess if I had it I should feel some tingling.  Now if I can only get rid of the pain in my knees I would be ever so happy but if I stand too long I hurt so bad so I have forced myself to lay down for 4 hours in the middle of the day.

    The weather is nice so when I have energy I have been working in my flowerbeds getting them ready to plant my herb gardens this year.  Everything is moving in slow motion because I only have a couple of hours a day where I feel good.

    So has anyone decided if a rads group will start up or are we all going to just stay on this thread?

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  • suzmarks
    suzmarks Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2009

    Wow so much going on in the 3 days I've been away! It's so interesting how we're all in our own place right now, no more contemplating what chemo will be like, lots of info. out there now about rads. I finished chemo on May 20th. I haven't been back to work yet and with Monday being Memorial Day I'll have had a 5 1/2 day break. I've been gardening and cleaning the house. Two days out and I'm not feeling too bad. Hopefully it remains that way as I'm going paddling on a Dragon Boat with Breast Cancer Survivors on Sunday. Can I consider myself a cancer survivor? I'm not there mentally yet. I'm not starting radiation until the end of August. I can't get it set up in time to be done with my 6 weeks and 1 day of treatment by mid to late July so I'll wait. I have things going on at the end of July and a wedding in the middle of August. My radiation oncologist is comfortable with me waiting the couple of months to begin rads so what the heck.

    Can't wait to hear about the rest of you completing your chemo. It really is nice to get it over with even if with having the SE that follow, it's just something to know you don't have to go back for more. I'm not sure when I'll get my port out. Has anyone gotten theirs out yet? If so how long did you wait?  Feel good and hope you enjoy a wonderful, long weekend.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2009

    Hey - good to hear some good news from Webbie! I know it is funny - BUT - there is still a life out there. Your life does get so consumed by Chemo, I want to tell you all to hang in tight, because once you are done then you do get your life back! Glad to hear Rads are going well - I keep thinking to myself they are going to be so much easier than chemo, and I too worry that I am going to be proven wrong. Sorry about the nails, the Ice Mitts seem to have saved mine.

    Apple - you look great in that photo. I would love to have that much hair. It looks so soft and lovely. My scalp is certainly darkening up, but nothing you would really call "hair" yet! I just want it long enough so I can go without a wig. I wish you (and all of us) a very very very long break from Chemo. In fact, how about a 40 year break...??

    Suzanne - way to go - Dragon boating! Sounds fun. I think you have every right to call yourself a "Survivor" whenever it feels right! Sounds good to have a bit of a break before Rads start - I don't think the timing is as critical as for Chemo. I wouldn't mind a bit of a break too!

    Jancie - great to hear from you too. So sorry about the pain. I would just go to bed for a couple of days mine was so bad. Hope the Morphine does the trick. Your dinner out sounds lovely, I would love a nice steak. AND a Margarita or two!!

    Anyhow, it is my daughters school Spring fair today. The kids are super excited.  Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited May 2009

    Helen:  you are too funny....I can just see him out in the yard, in a metal tub, thanks for the laugh!

    Jaimie:  hope you get through this last 'hole' quickly! 

    Sue: congrats on finishing rads!!!  How wonderful to be done with chemo and rads, now you can relax, take care of yourself, and enjoy your summer!

    living4today:  the 9th tx, huh?  I just had #7, and don't want to think about things getting worse, although I know they probably will. 

    Michele:  I can sympathize on the weepiness, and just feeling so BLAH all the time....we're getting closer to the end, though....I hope you are feeling better and can enjoy your weekend

    Apple:  You kind of stated my feelings about these horrible se's....sometimes I am actually afraid of how badly I feel...these are some strong chemicals we are putting into our systems, and I just want to be done.  It's nice to have a few 'normal' days and working in the garden is what I like to do, too....fresh air and sunshine is always a good thing.

    Web:  glad things are getting better for you....good to know that you have climbed out of the last hole, and that there is an end to this chemo hell!

    Jancie:  Oh, the knee pain sounds terrible, I'm so sorry you are going through that.  I hope the morphine helps control the pain for you. 

    The other night, DH and I took a walk (I've just started this, going slowly at first)...anyway, about half way through I started feeling really weird, didn't think I would make it home, it was very scary.  I crashed when I got home, and have pretty much been crashed since.  Fingertips and some toes are numb this morning.  Bone pain is starting today, but so far isn't as bad as it was last weekend. 

    Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

    hugs

    Judy

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