Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • BlessedOne2
    BlessedOne2 Member Posts: 106
    edited October 2009

    PS73 - that's exactly what happened.  My ejection fraction was 45-50%. I am taking Lisinopril to try to correct it.  It looks like you and I were diagnosed 3 weeks part.  I am triple positive, 0 nodes.

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2009

    LindaSue - I'm triple N and went through AC then 12 weekly taxols. 

    Pam

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited October 2009

    Blessedone, that solves it then :)  ..I hope it heals quickly!! 

    Thats pretty crazy, dx same month and both in the 2a/grade 3 club.

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited October 2009

    I FINALLY GOT MY PORT OUT!!! Feels like another milestone. The procedure went okay. 

    No one told me not to lift and I picked up a 1 year old child. OUCH!!! 

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited October 2009

    wow, congrats!!!!!  yeah no more port dance, no more port dance :)

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2009

    Hello Triple J's,

    I was just checking in and reading the posts. 

    PauldingMom: Congrats on getting your port out!

    My port removal is scheduled to be removed Oct 28th.  I can't wait.

    Congrats to all Triple J's who finished chemo!  For those of you who are still getting chemo, I hope you have minimal SEs.

    Right now I'm having second thoughts about getting radiation.  I'm in the gray area for radiation and I'm scheduled to start Nov 16, but plan to talk to my ONC on Oct 27 to discuss risks vs benefits.  Having my ovaries removed on Nov 5th since I'm ER/PR positive and still plan on getting my right good breast removed too.

    Any thoughts on whether I should get radiation or not?  I had the sentinal node biopsy and although my sentinal was positive the additional 15 were negative.  My onc thought radiation was not needed since a thorough lymph dissection was done during mastectomy.

    Hugs to all,

    Connie

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited October 2009
    Connie, I'm ER/PR + and have had no ovaries since '98.  I was originally scheduled for radiation only until the oncotype testing on my tumor showed a high rate of recurrence in 5 years, then the chemo got added for the initial treatment after lumpectomy.  Now in the middle of radiation.  Don't particularly like it, but prefer it to chemoCool
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2009

    HI to all!,

    Congrats to all getting ports out. I can hardly wait until I reach that mile stone.  Hope everyone has minimal SE on chemo this weekly. Taxol is really giving my bowels a fit. I took stool softeners just like I did last time and senocot-s and still I had issues. So Its off to get some Mira lax, metamucil, tucks pads, more hemorrhoid cream.  I am so disgusted that I have an issue that I thought I had a handle on darn it!!!

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited October 2009

    Hello triple J's. Today was the last chemo cocktail for me. It was the easest today, only one poke and away we went. It is funny it was the fastest one also. Congrats to gilly and jayne they are done this we also. It has been a long journey for all of us and we all amde it or we are almost there.  Hip hip hooray and a pretend glass of good cocktail to all. Thanks for all the support of this board and all who who wrote on it. Hugs Dianne

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2009

    Dianne congratulations on finishing chemo! I'm pleased that it was the easiest and fastest.

    I'm keeping everything crossed that my blood counts will be OK and mine can go ahead. Gill good luck with yours. I'll raise my pretend glass of that cocktail to you all.

    Jayne xoxoxo

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2009

    Dianne, Congrats on finishing your chemo!!!! Hope you feel well. Gilly & Jayne, congrats on finishing this week. Wednesday will be 3 weeks that I finished my last Taxol and I am starting to feel pretty good. Hope you all feel good soon!!!

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited October 2009

    Yes Dianne and Jayne. Three cheers for us. Last taxol tomorrow - yeah!!! Fingers crossed for your blood count Jayne. Well done Dianne. We are strong women.

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2009

    Connie - my medical oncologist and my B surgeon both said that if I chose to have a mastectomy that I would not do the radiation.  However, my sentinal node was negative so I don't know if that makes a difference.  The radiation can damage the skin so I guess that can make the reconstruction more difficult.  I would go through it if the drs said that it was needed.  I had a lumpectomy in left breast in 2006 and one in right breast in June 09.  I understand how you feel about removing the good breast.  With my history and the fact that my BRAC1 test came back with inconclusive, I have asked about having double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  I talked with oncologist and surgeon this week and they have consulted with each other and think my choice is a good one considering my history.  I understand that this does not preclude me from getting cancer somewhere else in the future.  But isn't that something that everyone deals with who has any type of cancer.  And, like you, my dr. has recommended removal of ovaries.

     Jayne - I'm in the same shape as you.  I've missed taxol treatments the past 2 weeks because of low blood counts.  I was close last week and dr. is sure, I'll be able to take treatment this week.  She does not want me to miss any more - so on Friday, Monday and Tuesday, I'll begin neupogen (not sure about spelling) injections.

     My toes are numb from the taxol and I really think that I'm getting the Avastin (from the chemical trial that I'm on).  I have several of the SE that come from Avastin.

     Congrats to all who have finished chemo!!

    Pam

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited October 2009

    Wow, July Jedi's..it's already  the end of October!  Time flies when you're fighting cancer...sometimes.

     Had 2nd weekly taxol today (actually yesterday). Had premed steroids & benadryl cut in half since I had no allergic reaction last week. Low and behold, had a reaction. Had to get more steroids and stop tx for a few minutes. But was able to tolerate it finally. Blood counts are good. This is MUCH bettere than AC for me.

    Pam- Had to do nuepogen during AC. Really worked well to bring the counts up. Some bone pain though. I think the radiation issue is due to no lymph node involvement for you. I had uni mx with no recon, but have decided to have good breast removed and have DIEP flap surgery. Consulting with NOLA.  Course I have to wait 6 months after radiation....which will be about this time next year. Like you, I just want to make sure I've done all I can.

    Congrats Dianne, Jayne & Gill.....you're heroes...so glad you are through.

    Joni2- hang in there through radiation. I'll be talking to you as I get closer to that...probably mid Feb since I'll have chemo to mid Jan. The hardest part is over for you.

    Joni1

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2009

    To those beginning radiation:  I had radiation in 2006 and thought I was just going to walk in - jump on the table and be zapped.  Little did I know how long it would take to get the markings done, and go through the simulation and all the other stuff involved with rads.  I'm not trying to discourage anyone - just want to let you know it's more involved than your normal x-ray.  I was quite disappointed that it took several weeks to begin.

    Joni1 - sorry - who/what is NOLA? 

    Pam

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  • Lauren3
    Lauren3 Member Posts: 289
    edited October 2009

    I had my simulation this morning... it WAS quite involved... and time consuming... but glad I got it over with!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2009

    Hi Pam,

    Had taxol yesterday. I am doing much better this round. Took adivan at bedtime and I actually slepted until 5:00am Yeah.

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited October 2009

    Pam-NOLA is short for New Orleans where The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery is. Drs Marga Massey, Frank Dellacroce, and Scott Sullivan practice there as well as other locations. Some of the best microsurgeons from what I've gathered. I'm hoping for surgery with Dr. Marga next fall.   www.drmarga.com

    Joni1

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited October 2009

    Hello triple J's. Sitting in Nebraska in the middle of a snow storm. Got through chemo and the neualsta shot. Achy today and slept 14 hours last night. Just going to start a new quilt today.I hope everyone is feeling better. Jayne and Gilly congrats on being done. Hugs dianne

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2009

    Well my blood counts were fine so I had my last chemo today, Hooray! I know I need to get through the side effects, but at least it is for the last time. Then I will have radiation and eventually reconstruction.

    Pam I hope your blood counts come up and you are able to go ahead with your treatment.

    Gill congratulations on being finished.

    Joni1 I'm glad that Taxol is proving to be better than AC for you. May it continue that way all the way to January.

    Hope all you Triple J's  are doing well, whatever stage you are at. Hugs to all.

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited October 2009

    YEAH!  Congratuations Jayne & Gilly!

    Joni2

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited October 2009

    So Glad to see Jayne and Gilly done at last. Way to go girls!!! 
    Those of you still finishing up, you hang in there, we are all praying and/or sending best wishes your way. 

    Lisa 

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited October 2009

    Well done Jayne!

    Today is my birthday (55)! I had been planning a party tonight - more a celebration of the end of chemo but decided against it. I am just too tired!!! And food still does not taste good so I think it is a wise decision. Anybody else have taste issues with taxol? I did with AC but expected things to improve with taxol. Oh well, I guess I have to wait a couple of weeks for the taxol effects to go away.

    Jayne - how long did your shingles last? Did you get antivirals? I did and they really helped. I am in my third week now with just a few painful days and they are fading away.

    Good luck to those still on tx - perhaps see you on a rads thread.

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2009

    Gill Happy Birthday to you!

    I understand how you feel about being too tired to celebrate, oh well you can always celebrate later when you can enjoy it more. I have had taste issues with Taxotere, I think it is because I keep getting thrush in my mouth.

    I did get antivirals for my shingles. I think I had quite a mild dose anyway and the antivirals made it fade very quickly. I didn't get a lot of pain with mine, and what I did have gradually went away over a few weeks. I had slight sensitivity to touch over my eye for a while. Now there is just a slight pink mark in my eyebrow that seems more noticeable straight after I have Taxotere, I actually think it could be the steroids that make it do that. No more steroids for me so I expect it to go completely now. Glad to hear that yours are fading away.

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2009

    gillyone,My taste improved a little with Taxol but still had issues. I finished Taxol 10/7 so it is almost 4 weeks and everything tastes pretty good. My tongue still burns a little if I have anything spicy. How are you doing with the tingling in your fingers and feet?  Did you have any problems with that?  I am still getting that and it is very annoying.

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited October 2009

    Hello Triple J's, Gill Happy Birthday. Gilly and jayne it is great to be done. The thrush thing is back for me again, so it screws up the taste buds. I have no tingling or such, they said that might happen. Just been really tired this week and achy. It anyboody hair growing. My granddaughter looked at mine and said Grandma you have hair, but it is all gray. then she laughed. She is five. Have a great weekend  Dianne

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited October 2009

    My hair is very thin, completely white (altho I was almost all white prior to chemo)and not growing fast.  My head was shaved on July 17 or 18 and my last chemo was Sept 10-I'm starting to freak a little bit.  My dad has very thick hair and I always was like him in that regard-my mom's hair is very thin---eeeckkkkk I dont' want that.

    Joni2

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2009

    Congrats Janye and Gilly

    Blood count up on Thursday so I had treatment.  Had my first neupogen shot on Friday - have another on Monday and Tuesday.

     Gil - my taste issues seem to be worse with taxol - but maybe it's because I'm on a weekly dose.  With AC by the second week taste seemed to get better - just in time for another treatment.  Guess I'll miss all the "good tastes" of the holiday.  But I have not lost weight - keep looking for something that tastes really good.  Happy birthday!!

     josybee - I also have the tingling in my toes - fingers OK for now.

     Have a great weekend!!

    Pam

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2009

    Pam glad your blood counts were up and you could have your treatment.

    I had my hair buzzed on July 14th, leaving some short stubble. During FEC most of it came out, just a few hairs stayed here and there on my scalp. While I was on Taxotere it started growing back again. It is still pretty thin and not totally covering my scalp all over. The longest hairs are about half an inch and sticking up. The colour started off as pretty clear looking but as the hairs grow it seems to get some colour coming in from the roots. As I only finished chemo on October 29 I am not too worried yet, it's just good to see some hair!

    I have also had tingling in my fingers and feet, but so far it has always gone away within 3 weeks.

    Hope you are all having a good Halloween.

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  • goldie34
    goldie34 Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2009

    Hello!  I am new to this and happy to have found all of you.  I wish I had you from the beginning of my treatment in 6/09.  Just dealing with s/e's of completed TCH regime.  Herceptin every 3 weeks continues til next June.  Anyone having trouble with s/e's including facial sensations near the eye?  Twitching eye at times?  Hair is growing in and I am so excited!!!!

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