Starting chemo January 2009?

kmmd--Hooray!! All clear. I hope that with time we won't be members of the nervous nellie club--but at this point with all we've been through of course we will worry about our aches/pains and symptoms. I'm glad they were able to push through all the cans so quickly. Waiting is terrible.

patti--I know the frustrated impatience you're feeling!!! I hope your pain goes away pronto. At 5 weeks out I still have ups and downs with nueropathy! My onc said to be patient. right.

Cil-good luck with the nails. I had Taxol, and have had some darkening but so far no loss--but your story makes me nervous!

Anyone have really dry skin? I've had some red scaly patches, and some painful cracking. I lotion up with my Burts almond, but need to do it all the time to work. I wonder if it could be the rads?

ddlatt: thanks, and the title alone would make look up that book.  Thank you for passing that on

Thanks ladies for responding to my 'nails' inquiry, I hope most of you don't have to go thru this.  I've talked to my oncologist, she said it's the Taxotere side effect.  Some people have it so bad that they have to have their nails drilled in order to be drained, I was so worry about that, once one finger got puffy with liquid, I iced it and lanced it myself.  So far it worked for the one nail that I lost, I didn't have to go in to my primary doctor to drain it.  Pain in the behind, but not nearly as bad as what we've been thru.

Cil

kmmd:  So glad all is well and that you  were able to get in quickly to see everyone.  Thanks for the words of encouragement.  It is good to hear that it only takes TIME.  I am going to try to remember that when I am getting down.

Holtbolt:  Max's total is climbing!!  Jewels: You can vote more than once -- in fact, you can vote with every new connect to the internet.   Keep on voting ladies!!!  

http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/1177058/pid/1175576

Kathy
Dx 11/11/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Hi everyone.  It's almost Friday!

Kmmd---So glad you were able to get results about the discharge.  That has got to be quite a relief.

Holtbolt--I voted several times.  good luck!

 Got the news from the onc that I am going to most likely lose my big toenail.  It is a colorful purple and white- a pedicurist couldn't have done it better.  Just wish I could repeat the fashion on the rest of my toes!!  (lol)

I am also going to get my port out next week!!!  And then on the way home I started to worry that maybe I was rushing it and should wait until I have a MRI on my left breast.  Sigh.......I am already worrying-been waking up in the middle of the night feeling fearful, so I am going to go get a bit of counseling over this AND I am going to ask for a MRI sooner than the scheduled one in the fall.  It's probably a good thing I didn't have my implant exchange yet, because when I start to perseverate about recurrence, I think I'd better have a prophylactic mast done.  Omigosh-here I go again! 

Thanks for all of you who respond to this thread.  Sometimes you all give me input which is a much need line of reason and sanity.

ddlatt---I am going to read that book.

Got up on the last day of voting and Jarred the Man Fan is 75 head (he has 1162, we have 1087). I pictured him sitting up all night clearing his cookies and revoting. Well, winning like that is very sad for the man-fan. Help me win legit and give my son the thrill of a lifetime!  Please forward this to anyone who can click and vote today....Let's help one of the good guys win for once!!  By some miracle, can we catch him and pass him by 5p ? Help!  vote as many times as it'll let ya! (and with diff. computers!)  Anything you an do to reach out for more... TY!!

http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/1177058/pid/1175576

we're getting there....!!!!  10 ahead of man fan!!!  vote!!!!

I am on pins and needles.  What a wonderful , exciting event!  My fingers are crossed holtbolt~!

Finally!!! Got the Christmas tablecloth off the dining room table!! I feel like I can meet any challenge!

Lisa--My onc said he'll give me Zometa, but wants to follow the SWOG trial protocol. It's 4mg/month for 6 months, then every 4 mg every 6 months.

I'm worried about the higher dosage, with the potential for osteonecrosis of the jaw and kidney problems. Also, I'd probably have to keep my darn port. My onc is still recommending the trial because he's not convinced one bisphosphonate is any better than the other. I feel that I'd kick my self though if I don't jump on the zometa bandwagon, with it's good preliminary results. However, one of the oral drugs (ibandronate I think) compares very well to Zometa in reducing existing bone mets with fewer side effects.

 When do you start? I have a dentist appt. on Weds. I have a couple mouth issues that might keep me from getting on the trial anyhow.

hotbolt: let us know about the contest, I have a lot of people who voted asking me about it.  Keeping my fingers crossed for your son.  Recon is a big investment in time and pain.  I've heard of people being irradiated with expanders in, but never of anyone with previous irradiation that didn't need a flap.  Good luck to you, you'll do what is right for you in the time that is right for you, and whatever you pick we'll be here for you while you are doing it.

Holtbolt--I have read a couple of posts about just your situation.  I think you are right to look for another PS who may be able to help you.  The threads I remember who have people who have talked about similar situations is under the IDC forum and the thread called multifocal disease.  It is mainly about treatment situations for those who have that, but there is one post that goes into details about how to deal with stretching skin that has been radiated.  Let me know if you need more info on it.

Other than that, to a worry free weekend JJS!

Ah, lisalisa, that's sweet!  My dd's birthday is Tuesday and she wants a camera with lots of fancy doodads and lenses with the proper number of pixels, etc.  She wants it because she is going to take her own high school graduation pics and doesn't want to do the "fake touchup doos"  ( her words) at a photography studio .  I figure if she can pull it off I break even with buying a pricey camera and NOt buying senior pics.  She cracks me up, no brand name stores for her, she's happy with goodwill!!!  Sometimes I cringe with her choices-not my taste- and then I am privately glad she is experimenting with that type of indepdence and not some of the other more dangerous situations a girl  could fall into. 

berkeleykim, for what it's worth, dr. mark moasser at UCSF, the only med onc i've had that i trust, highly recommends zometa, infusion every six months. he didn't recommend any other biophosphenate to me. i love your trampoline surprise!! 

jrgolomb - check out this wonderful link for camera recommendations. you don't need to spend much to get a fantastic camera these days:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm