Starting chemo January 2009?

My friend had her port....aka frenemy, out yesterday...they gave it to her to keep!    Good luck Bev! 

Hi all: Had rad #4 today. So far so good, although I'm tired afterward. I just back from a long walk and feel lots better. Will have 27 rads then maybe 6 bootss. I get a "bolus" on the skin every other day to bring the radiation closer to the skin. One more day and I'll have made it through a full week of work. It's ok. I'm feeling stronger, and my legs are less weak. I still have some tingling in my toes, and the infernal humming in my head or ears. Getting that checked soon.

Jess--I'm 3 weeks out from chemo, and I have frizzy white hair on top, with straighter white on the side and alittle dark mixed in. Not enough on top to go wigless. I hope I don't need to do comb overs.

Lost my last eyelash on left eye, and 3 hanging on on left. It seems there are a few short eyelashes growing, but I need to use mascara to see them, as I think they are clear.

 BevR-good luck with the port removal. Wish mine were gone!!!

Lisa--I'm impressed by how proactive you are with all getting information, making plans etc. I'm going to ask about the ovaries at my onc follow up next week. I'm in menopause so although I'm not producing estrogen I'm still worried about ovarian cancer.

Are any of you taking Ais during radiation. I still haven't started mine. I'm going to ask the rad onc tomorrow as my onc never did get back to me.

Well, I can't remember the posts from the previous page, so I hope you are all doing well.

Phyliss and Patti--You both are nearing the end!!! Good luck. I'm already cheering for you.

Hi Jewels.  Here I sit at 3:48 a.m. on my steriod high catching up on reading posts.  Don't know when I would find time or energy to do it otherwise so I guess steriod highs are good for something.

You ladies are moving fast beyond chemo growing hair, getting through rads, discussing future surgeries, genetic testing, hormone therapy etc. etc.  It is good for me to read your posts even though I am still in the chemo boat out to sea as it gives me some insight and prospective on what lies ahead but more importantly it give me HOPE.   Thank you all for continuing to post about your journey as it helps me to realize the trip does not stop after chemo. Has even inspired me to start putting together a list of questions for my onco dr. 

I had not even thought about removing ovaries as I am postmenopausal.  Is there an increase risk of ovarian cancer because we have had bc?  What about increase risk due to hormone therapy?  I was more concerned about risk of stopping estogren production completely i.e. heart attack and osteoporosis? I am sure there are different concerns depending on ages, but not sure where my concerns should be for my age. Should I even talk about removing ovaries with my dr. at 50? 

He told me two weeks out from chemo I should make appt. with rad dr. so I am getting excited about the fact that it is almost time to make that appointment.  Not excited to start rads mind you but to be moving forward.

Had treatment #7 today and only 2 more to go!!!!  Came home and slept from 5 pm to 11 pm and it is now 4 a.m. and no signs of sleep yet.  Treatment was easy except for the double poke to get IV in which I am getting use to.  Seems it is getting harder to get IV in as I have been using vains all along and they are beginning to protest...SEs after last weeks treatment were more emotional than physical.  I had issues for the first time with constipation due to taking the pain killers and that was not fun.  Not sure which is worse the pain or the constipation.  Hoping pain will be mild this week so I won't have to decided lol.

If I only had some hair...Really jealous of all of you growing hair back. I have some white fuzz but would not call it hair yet:(  Soon, Soon, Soon I hope)

It is funny that Lisa made comment about being together for a long time.  I still count on my fingers jan, feb, march, april, may, june and go WOW ONLY 6 MONTHS!!!  This feels like it has been going on FOREVER.

DH started his new job on Monday.  My sister is here for a few days and went to treatment with me today.  It is nice to have her here.  She is a nurse and I have been able to spend some time getting her to write out medical history on both sides of my family.  It is amazing what she knows that I did not know.  Since she is only a few years older than I am I can only attribute this to the fact that she is a nurse and has paid attn. to these things.  She knows the cause and age of death of every relative in the family. Amazing to me.  Since I think I have decided to do the genetic testing...don't you like how sure I am "I think I have decided"...well anyway the history is something that will be good to have even though it scares the you know what out of me, lots more cancer and heart problems that I was ever aware of.  When you are young and aunts, uncle, grandparents, etc. start dying you just assume it was because they were OLD know what I mean, never thought about why they died and of course never realized 50 or even 60 is not really old.

Glad my sister is here I think she is preventing me from feeling abandoned by my Dh as his focus has totally switch from me to his new job which he started on June 1st.  Trying hard not to be pissy about it...but...Hope it is not going to be harder to do when sis is not here fussing over me.

I know this is getting long so I will try to wrap up now.  One last fear I just need to put out to maybe relieve some of it is the about the Mammogram I am having tomorrow.  9a.m  (Actually today in about  5 hours lol.)  Really scared they will say some dreaded words I do not want to hear and not really sure I could handle right now.  It is a 6 month follow up so I think I was suppose to be done with chemo, etc. before we did another Mammogram, ,which would probably make it easier to face, maybe, kind of..I don't know for sure about that.  Well anyway please keep me in your prayers if you see this before then.  Just had to say it "I am scared." and I guess that it is okay to be scared right?

Love you all. sorry for rambling. Gotta love those steriods.

Patti

Congrata Patti on one more treatment down!!!!  You're getting close to the end!!!!  You'll be worried about your hair in no time.  It seems to come back quickly.  It's short....but it's hair!!!  Hang in there on the steroids!  I hope you have a peaceful weekend!

Patti - Just two more!!!!  Those last two weeks will go fast.  You're almost there! 

Bev R--- So coooooool!  I so want my port out.  I am glad it went smoothly.

Yes Patti!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love your hat.

I really do need to add an avatar.  Well,   right now I look like my dad!!!  LOL

Good news Patti, I won't say just two more, I'm sure it seems like forever, but I am happy you are down to two more

Kim, the skin over the port has been red and inflammed for awhile and very sore.....I just thought it was irritated. The dr. said if it wasn't better in 24 hr. to call her. It isn't as it was sore but it is still inflammed. However, today is Sat. so I think I'll wait until Monday to see if it improves. I'm very happy that is is gone.....

BevrR--Hope it gets better by tomorrow. I bet you're happy it's gone. I'll be!

Kmmd: Thanks for the sympathy. My rad onc definitely surprised me with the news. I wished someone would have called and maybe we could have got the extra treatment going sooner.

Have a great Sunday, Jewels!

Kim, sorry to hear you'll have an extra week of radiation!  It does sounds like Alo 123 has a great product recommendation for you though.  Thanks for the info. Alo123.  I just found Oils of Aloha on-line.  I might get some and try it on my frankenboob scars.         

Patti: One more down!!  Closer to the other side.  Congrats on the clear mammogram!    I am 51, post-menopausal and still on the fence about genetic testing. See my med onc on Wed - will chat about it again. 

Phyllis:  Last one this week??? Friday if my chemo brain is correct?

Do you Jewels know what your "imaging" follow-up will be and when?  My rad onc says mammograms about 4 months after rads are complete -- "when things settle down in there', then every 6 months.

I've been on Arimidex 1 mg for a month.  Have completed 22 of 30 rads, I see some / most of the ladies on the Rads Boards don't start AIs til after rads.   Both med and rad onc were fine with me starting when I did.  Interesting how differently we are managed...

Relay for Life is Friday night - all night, til Sat at 0900.   Got my/our survivor shirt today -- it is dark purple -- so I am in search a of a white, silver or gold permanent marker for all the Jewels names...might have to settle for boring black ---- My survivor lap will be for US!

Take care Jewels

Nancy - really interested in what genetic counselor has to say.  Keep me posted.  My sister (younger) saw genetic counselor and they told her with her history it would be better for someone who actually has/had cancer to do the testing (guess that means me)...  Well anyway I do think I am going to do the counselling and see what they say.  Do you have to be  done with treatment before you do that?

Had 6 month follow up with surgeon yesterday.  Mammgram clear, exam did not reveal anything suspcious or concerning to her so will go back in 6 months.     She  did explain to me that I would be eligible for PS to reduce right breast so left and right would be same size.  I did not know that.  I had lumpectomy so of course I am not the same on both sides now.  I was also told that radiation will probably shrink the left one even further so I think I may look into reduction on right.  Not real sure yet.  Don't want to do surgery again but if I do not do it now insurance will probably not cover it in the future.

Just made my appointmen to see rad dr. on June 22nd.  Last chemo will be June 18th.  I am feeling kind of yucky..to put it mildly, but knowing there are only 2 treatments left seems to make it more bearable.  Of course, being out of school and not having to do much of anything helps too.

Suppose to see my onoco dr. during treatment this Thurs. so I am trying to get a list of ?s together.

Phyllis - LAST ONE FOR YOU ON FRIDAY RIGHT!!!!!   Whoopie! I will be only 6 days behind you. Good luck with the last one.

kt57:  Good luck with the relay for life.  I am sure it will be a rewarding experience.  I can not wait to participate in my first walk.  Really will need to get back in shape first.  I still find walking upstairs to my bedroom difficult lol..Let me know what comes of your discussion with dr. about genetic testing.  I did ask mine and he said he thought I should do it.

Take care everyone. Love you all.  Patti

Go Phyllis /Go Patti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way cool Bev.  No more rads, no more wig. Yaaaaaaaahooooooo!!!!!!

Hi  ladies! Yes my last chemo is Friday! I didn't think it would ever get here. Its hard to believe I've been going thru all this since Jan. I'm so glad alot of you are almost done with rads. I won't start those till Aug. sometime. I'm not sure if I told all of you, but my surgery is scheduled for July 17th. The surgeon said I would have to wait 4-6 weeks for rads. Did all of you have to wait that long? I was hoping all this would be over sooner. Anyways, I'm rooting for all of you to get back to normal. I also have not been wearing my wig. I wear a baseball cap everyday, even when I'm out. Don't care anymore. If people want to stare, so be it, but I really don't notice anyone doing that. I swear my hair is growing a bit. I have a couple of hairs in the front that are longer than the rest. the rest of my hair looks gray and dark. It will be interesting to see what it will look like when it grows out. Well gotta run my daoughter to school. 2 days left for her. My older daughter graduated this past Sat and had her party Sun. Had a great time and the weather was beautiful. Take care and I will let you know how my last treatment went.