Starting Chemo February 2009?
Comments
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Judy~ Good luck today!!! I know I've posted this before but: a baking soda/salt solution worked wonders for me when I had mouth sores.
Linda~ I painted my toenails too! Ha! I didn't want to see the black lines anymore.
Jancie~ I hope this last treatment is your easiest. You've sure had your share of crappy SE's. {{hugs}}
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Oh, Jamieh, hurrah for not having to send away your children!
Judy ~ There's always room in the psych ward for a fellow Fury. Pull up a chair! Grab one of Denali's margaritas! About mouth sores: I got this stuff called Orabase. It's a benzocaine paste made by Colgate, and it comes in a very small tube. I found it to be very helpful.
Gramof3 ~ I've had no port problems at all, and I'm sorry you're having so many of them. Oh, the aggravation!!!
Sue ~ Oh heck, nails can go all wonky that far out of chemo? I kept mine polished black during Taxol and for two weeks after; maybe I should polish them again in case it really did help keep them from lifting.
Well, Furies, the surgeon finally called me with a date, and it is this coming Monday June 1st. I cried and cried and cried. I sooooooooooooo don't want to do this. *whine, whine*
For anyone who cares to, I'd appreciate hearing stories of your injections for SNB. I think I'm dreading this more than the actual surgery which probably sounds stupid, I know.
Hugs to all,
Artemis -
Oh Artemis, I so understand your fears! No, it doesn't sound stupid at all to be dreading the injections for the SNB. I did, too. My surgery (bilateral mastectomy with SNB) was in September 2005 and I will never forget how scared I was about the "big needle right in the breast." It was not bad at all. I found it so much easier than the placing of a wire for the wire-guided surgical biopsy. They used good amounts of lodocain to deaden any pain and I felt a teeny pinch, that's all. Good luck on Monday. I haven't read back on your thread, I was just drawn here by your name. If there's any info you think I might have and that would be helpful, please IM me.
Anna
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Artemis~ You've been through chemo! You can tolerate anything!!!! I won't lie and say it doesn't hurt but I didn't find it to be that bad. Frankly, it wasn't much worse than the lidocaine they give you for the core biopsies. Would I be all excited to have a SNB again? Not really... But having been through it, I wouldn't worry much about it either. Does that make you feel any better?
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Ditto on the nails, ladies. My thumbs especially had purple moons there for awhile. That started to grow out with a white moon forming below the purple. Then I noticed the new nails growing were a whole different color than the old. It's a subtle change, from an orangish back to the normal color. IThe whole nail, not just the "undercoloring" of the moons.) I didn't notice that part had changed until it started changing back. In any case, those changes led me to believe I was in the clear.
Wrong-O Webbie!
My nails grow fast, so I've kept them trimmed up until the end of chemo. I'm 7 weeks out, so they were getting a bit long. I used my thumbnail to slice open a celophane wrap yesterday and the entire area above the purple crescent shape that is/was growing out turned white. Yup. Lifting. Argh.
I have some not very good photos of what it looked like before. I'll try to get them up in the blog ASAP. I taped them with paper tape to keep from catching them on anything, or I'd send photos of now too. LOL!
About that SNB dye, Artemis. I don't want to scare you, but I do want you to be prepared. You need to ask ahead of time what they will do to numb the area prior to injection. Lidocane, like AnnaM said, at the very least. I've read several threads where people didn't know they weren't getting anything at all until it was too late. Including me. I wouldn't do it again without it. Period. SNB is technically optional in the first place because it isn't needed to treat you, only to determine diagnosis/prognosis. You can threaten to skip it if they don't offer you something. And yes, I would go that far knowing what I know now. On the other hand, those who had EMLA or something like it, had no serious complaints.
I'll be thinking of you Monday.
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Artemis I was lied to by my surgeon and told I would get my SNB by IV. I was shocked when they told me where the needle was going so I was blindsided completely. I was showing the tech my arms so she could pick with arm to put the IV in. I looked like a real idiot when she goes "Oh I'm not giving you an IV" so like Webbie I was blindsided (now I'm kinda glad) but at the time I just kept telling her in my VERY loud voice PUSH the stuff in faster. I didn't cry but ask for numbing cream or lidocaine and don't let them lie and tell you they can't. I will be thinking about you Monday hoping chemo. did a great job for you.
Oh in other stinkey me news I think I have 3 poxes. GREAT
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Michele S ~ you are turning into a regular little cheerleader!
Webbie - don't scare me with any fingernail pictures - say apple - close your eyes ! and i won't look at them.
Artemis - best of luck.. really - i hope you are totally free of this carp.
i hope you're all feeling good. the big news in Kansas is that i am going to buy an organ.
i can buy this monster for 1500. (there is absolutely no market for them so i can purchase one for pennies on the dollar). It probably won't fit into my basement door, ... fortunately there are smaller ones available.. really all need for practicing. It is just impossible to get into churches to practice anymore. I remember when i was 10 i had a key to the organ loft. (the church was always open)... i found a great contact and i should have an organ in a couple weeks (they have smaller speakers available so it won't be too loud.
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Apple! It is WEDNESDAY! If you'd just check my roller-coaster post from pages back you'd know that today... I'm not depressed. By Fri (and Sat and Sun), I'll be all doom-and-gloom on ya. Don't fret. I totally think you should buy that organ. Bust out a wall to get it inside if you have to... You deserve it!
And Web~ I really didn't think the SNB was that bad. But, I have a pretty high pain tolerance. It's my (in)sanity tolerance that's low.. and my vomit tolerance.
Speaking of vomit, my chemo nurses gave me my very own vomit basin to carry on the elevator and in the waiting room for tomorrow! It's even pink! (too back it doesn't have a ribbon on it <snort>)
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Artemis: We'll be with you in spirit. Remember that worrying about the SNB just makes it hurt longer and worse. While I remember it not being pleasant, thank goodness it doesn't last that long. Take a Xanex before you go in. The surgery isn't bad at all. I had one mastectomy and I'm thinking about getting the other one removed. Looking a addition surgery and recovery doesn't bother me in the least.
Apple: get that organ! You SO deserve it. Your church should help you buy it! You'll be serenading your neighborhood! Lucky them!
Michelle: you should graduate from chemo with a gold-plated vomit bowl. Take it home and fill it with flowers!
Jaimieh: are you saying you have chicken pox???? Hope I read that wrong!
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Thank you all so much for your input about SNB. I'm meeting with the pre-op nurse on Friday; I'm going to make a great big noisy fuss if she says they can't give me something to deaden the pain. I'll tell her that I know better because of my sisters on BC.org so there! Nyah!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! *hugs*
Jamie ~ That is terrible for your surgeon to lie to you like that. I am outraged on your behalf.
apple ~ I'm so happy that you're getting an organ! Hurrah! I like playing organ even though all I can do is chord while my sister-in-law REALLY plays piano, lol.LOL, Michele ~ Your very own pretty pink vomit basin, heeheehee! I hope you don't have to use it, sweetie!!
Love you all, you Fabulous Furies!!
Artemis -
Yup I now have the chicken Poxes.....grrrr....
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Jaimie: OH NO! You poor thing. My DH caught chicken pox for the second time when my daughters had it years ago...they gave him a special med to keep it at bay, can't remember what it was called now...are they going to give you something?
Apple: what a cool organ! it is HUGE! Wow, you must have some amazing coordination to play that thing! Linda is right, you deserve it, have fun!
Michele: we are so on the same schedule...I had chemo #8 today, and I feel good. I'll feel good tomorrow, but the weekends are hard. We have a collection of those pink basins here, I take them every time we are in the ER for my DD. They come in handy, eh?
Webbie: I keep my nail covered to protect it, but also because I don't want to see the darned thing until it is ready to come off. Ick. Out of sight, out of mind.
Artemis: my hospital didn't numb anything, and it felt like bad bee stings to me, kind of a stinging explosion....the good thing is that the pain goes away quickly when it is over with, it doesn't last long. hang in there.
I am playing Guitar Hero with my son...haven't played in a while, but I did really good (I've always been good at video games). I think i will play it more often, it is an enjoyable diversion and lots of fun! I play medium, son plays expert of course, darned 11 year olds, lol. I used to be able to play on 'hard'
Hugs
Judy
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Jaimieh....I'll be around for sure. Next February seems like SO far away! So sorry to hear you have chicken pox!! That's just not right.
Michele....I'm with you. It's hard to "move on" after this diagnosis. One day at a time, eh?
Kerry....hugs. I hear you on the Dad issue. I would feel exactly the same way. I'm sure it's denial but still...you're his daughter. It's so interesting to see how people react to this diagnosis.
apple....that thing is AWESOME!!! I would so love to hear you play.
I'm going you ladies in the psych ward. Sometimes I get so terrified my girls will grow up w/o a Mom. I HATE, HATE, HATE thinking that way!!!! Frickin, frakin, frellin disease!!!!
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Guitar Hero fun (after DS went to bed, DD took pics)
my serious playing:
and black and white????:
I think this could be my new therapy!
Judy
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Judy....awesome pics!! Looks like fun. Maybe you can bring that to the psych ward for all of us?!
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am I on the list as having started in Feb.09?....couldn't find myself on it which is why I started posting on this board. My lst treatment was Feb.18.....I get Avastin every other week and abraxane every week.....once amonth get zometa and faslodex added to the mix and they give me a premed every week which is a combo of steroid, antinausea and something else. Cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this message board and have learned a lot from you ladies since joining.
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Judy I didn't see your pics when I just posted. What do you play, rhythm. base, lead?.....My husband is a guitar freak.....I think he had over 25, but just lately sold a few.....one older Gretch to pay for a $1,600 uke....he is really into ukuleles now, but only has about 6 of them (that I know of anyway....am sure there are some hidden away) He plays every day and has actually posted some videos of the dogs howling along with him.....have not decided yet if they like to sing along or it is torture to their ears and they are protesting. You go girl!
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I am DONE WITH CHEMO!!! My last treatment was today. I talked to the physician (he is under my oncologist) and told him of the difficulties with Taxol and he said "I am never going to tell another patient that Taxol is easier than A/C because I am hearing that so many are having problems with excruciating pain on Taxol" Yeah......they are listening to us whine!
Artemis - I demanded a 10 mg of valium BEFORE they sent me down for the shots in the nipple for my SNB. that took the edge off but the lidocane still burns as they are pushing it in you. Luckily after that you won't feel a thing. I have an extreme low tolerance for pain and I tell each and every doctor that I see about this as if I have more pain than I can handle, I just pass out.
Apple - congrats on getting an organ! My mom (deceased) used to play the organ. My grandmother taught her and even today my grandma who is 94 years old still plays the organ.
On the nail issue - I never painted my nails - just figured that getting oxygen to them would help. My nails never turned black - just a dark orange and then the tips of them kept getting wider and wider (the white part) start growing back towards the cuticles. I have 4 nails where the white goes back a lot further than it should. Personally I really don't care as I was never one to polish my fingernails unless I was going to a wedding, funeral, or celebrating my wedding anniversary.
I am so very thankful that I haven't gotten any neuropathy symptoms at all. I don't know if it is the daily does of 100 mg of gabapentin or maybe that SE just won't hit me.
I am on a steroid high right now so my husband is more than happy to have me gone as much as possible as now is the time that I will tear into him if he even looks at me the wrong way. He won't be safe from my wrath until Saturday at the soonest. If I am feeling bad from the pain I will just take my morphine pills and hide in my bedroom the entire time sleeping and watching TV. He even asked tonight if he should sleep on the futon in the basement area because of the massive amount of steroids I have in me. I think he is as elated as I am that no more steroids, no more chemo. Just down to surgery, radiation and reconstruction.
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Jancie....CONGRATS!!!! So happy for you! I hope the SE's wear off soon & you never have to deal with it again!!!!
Marybe....welcome. There's a great group here!
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{{{{hugs}}}} Jaimeih
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Kristine - I am with you on the kids. It breaks my heart to even think of them growing up without me.
Jaime - Oh no - Chicken Pox....!!!! Will that affect anything???
Jancie - Congrats on being done!! I just took to my bed and DVD player with the pain too.Awful. I am still getting lingering pain 4 weeks out.
Judy - love the photos! You look like you are having so much fun. Good therapy indeed!
Artemis - good luck on Monday. Try not to worry too much, the recovery for me was not bad at all. Hope there is nothing left in you to remove!!
Pouring with rain here. The garden is loving it. Having a Baseline Bone Density test this morning (for when I start Arimidex in August) Am so over all these tests and appointments. On the hair front, I seem to be growing a mustache.....!!
OK, hope a good day is had be all!!
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Kristine: thanks, it is fun!
Marybe: it's not a real guitar, it is a guitar video game! But my DH also plays in a band, he plays bass. I no longer have to help him lug his equipment out to the car since my surgery, yea! Those speakers are soooo heavy, and I've been his "roadie" long enough, 25+ years!
Apple: thanks for the advice, and I hope your mouth sores heal soon, they are no fun at all!
Jancie: You sound like me, I like to "hide out" in my bedroom, too....we do need some alone time don't we? I'm glad you're all done now, and it is awesome that your doc listens to you....I often wonder if mine does.
I am so happy that so many are done with their chemo....I only have 4 left now....it sounds like the end will actually come. At first, my goal was to make it through 8 tx's, which I've accomplished now,so now I have upped that goal to 10, and maybe I will eventually get all 12 tx's if the se's hold off. I am getting excited now!
I hope that those of you doing rads have time fly by quickly, too, and that you're done before you know it. I should find out next week if I will be joining you all...although in the beginning they had said no....now they are 'discussing' it??? Nothing like waiting til the last minute to decide.
Hugs to all, and have a great day.
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Jancie - congrats on your chemo being thru.. you've had a rough time.
a hard ride, so to speak.
Jamieh - are you sure it's chicken pox? I had some weird rash blisters that looked alot like chicken pox.. the on days 2 and 3 after chemo.. maybe they'll go away.. it seems some people get shingles too.
Well, the kids are home from school. I love my kids but the oldest one is 14 and a pita (if you know what that means).. they're all messy. It always takes about a week for me to get used to the fact that they will be invading the house. (what i've come to think of as my space). We are so blessed to have a great kid hangout - tons of trees, forts, tvs, food, reading places.. thing is - all the friends like to come over to our house. I put signs on all the doors that say
kids beware - wash your hands and take off your shoes upon entering - use your own bathrooms .
(i'm nice, aren't i?)
Dx 5/10/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 3, 4/9 nodes, ER+ -
Jancie-Congrats! a hard ride for you for sure.
Artemis-When I had my SNB I was already on the table getting ready for them to put me out for the surgery... the anesthesiologist(sp?) asked me if I wanted "something" to relax me before they did the SNB, so I told him yes, then he said "1 cocktail or 2?", and I said "2", and out I went! I don't understand why they don't put everyone out who is getting a SNB if they are in for surgery anyway?!?
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Susan: my SNB was done the day before my surgery, so there was no getting put out. I had the SNB and went home.
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3 weeks out and taxotere eyes are clearing up and nose bleeds have stopped. My complexion is slowly coming back to normal and my energy while not great is much better. I worked my first 40 hour week in ages last week................surgery next week and then.....................yeah hormone therapy.
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Hi! I'm home from surgery. Everything went well. My husband is taking good care of me. I'm sleepy and pain is not too bad right now. I am checking in with you girls 'cause I know you are wanting to know how i'm doing. It's naptime now...
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Yay, jancie!!! Congratulations!!! *IV pole dance* Thanks for your input about SNB injections.
KerryMac ~ Thanks for your encouragement!
susan13 ~ Wow, I hope my SNB experience is like yours. When I talk to the anesthesiologist tomorrow, I'm going to say, "What kind of sedation will I have?" as if there's no chance in the world that they won't numb me at all. I'm going to be large and in charge, lol.
xpectmiracles ~ I'm thankful that surgery went well for you. Take care, and thanks for checking in!
Hugs to all,
Artemis -
happy for you Grace4me.
I've got a big smile on my face. Do you have any hairs?
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Whooo Cheryl got her soft boobies ....whoooo. I have been at the psych. office this morning sitting on the couch..hehe...
Glad you are finished Jancie
May your last bit of SE's be gentle. Judy keep taking one more off you are almost there. Love the pictures !Apple~ It's funny you asked that because I am second guessing the doctor myself. NONE of us are itching which is the strange but we all have these bumps. I'm not so sure they are chicken poxes but the 4 of us all have them. Whatever they are needs to go the heck away so my daughter can enjoy the last couple days of school and I can spend some one on one with my baby boy
I feel a little off but it's week 2 after chemo I always feel off. I only have 3 still but they need to go away. When I was at the hospital I stopped at the boutique to buy a sun hat and 2 other cancer patients where there and we had a blast. I am now the owner of a white hat that is a little different than I would normally pick but it's fun. One of the other cancer patients was very jealous of my hair growth and she was 6 weeks out and said she doesn't have as much as me.
She doesn't realize she made my day. Oh speaking of my hair I have one long piece that I refused to cut off and it now is a curly piece. I think I'm in for some curly hair.
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