Starting Chemo April 2009

I had lymphatic massage last week and it felt wonderful. I've got 2 more appointments booked.

Helen and Chelev - good to hear!

Hugs, Judy x

Betsy - it was a tough one to treat, let me tell you - I struggled for 6 weeks and it's still sore!

First we tried Cipro.  That didn't even make a dent.  Then my onc gave me a shot of rocephin (spelling?) - can you say OUCH?? and put me on levaquin for 7 days.  then after a follow up, which we could see it was getting better but not gone yet, another 7 days of levaquin.  Now I am doing manual lymphatic drainage to help remove the remaining celluitis (swelling) in the breast and minor swelling in the lymph node.  Definitely better now, but it was a long haul.  We also did an US and MRI, just to rule anything bad out.

I too am having more hot flashes again - especially at night.  They went away for a while after I started tamox and have come back.  Maybe it's cyclic?

Thanks about the hair - after everything I went through this summer, I am especially grateful it is now growing with a vengeance and yay, my bangs are back!!!

Helen...what did they tell you about the bump on your arm?

Chelev...you look normal!  Whee!!

Where do I go to find out how to post a pic? 

I laughed out loud at the "normal" comment - my husband said something similar.  "You don't look sick".  I didn't think I ever looked "sick" - but I understood - and yes, only those of us who have been there, balded that, would really understand.  I don't feel as conspicuous now - like everyone is staring at me and my bald head.  Lena, it will catch up - give it time to thicken up and grow!!  I'm sure you look terrific, even if you don't think you look human yet.

Chelev...I certainly meant 'normal" as a compliment!     I guess I didn't even think (habit of mine). before I typed it!  But I'm glad you took it ok!

I'm also 5 months PFC ..my hair is just starting to cover my ears..somewhat..but it has come in fairly thick and over my whole head...the bangs need to grow more but they will! 

I do have to make sure that my ears are REALLY CLEAN .....since they are "out there"! \

I think cc baby is having her surgery today

Mature scar tissue heh?  I guess that is a good thing...So..Helen..you are the mature one around here....guess someone has to be...certainly isn't going to be me.

Helen, good to hear that the lump in your arm is ok. Have you seen the dermatologitst yet? I don't mean to nag you - just concerned : )

Hope everyone is doing fine today.

Hugs, Judy xxx

I left a message with the onc's secretary asking for a referral to a dermatologist but haven't heard back yet. I will call again if I don't hear in another day or two. My friend's  hairdresser says she has a product that will stimulate hair growth. I am going to see her later today but I will check out the ingredients to make sure there is no harsh toxic chemical in it. At this point I figure I should try.

Just checking in to wish everyone a good weekend!

Helen, how are you doing today?

Hugs to all,  Judy x

Hang in there Helen - every day is a step forward!

Stay warm everyone - hugs, Judy xxx

Spent the entire weekend in the house. Wrapped gifts, cooked, watched football. It felt wonderful and cozy.  A snow weekend every few years isn't a bad thing!

And I was so aware the whole time of how good and healthy I feel - how long ago those awful summer days of chemo are behind us! Hope everyone is having a happy and loving holiday season.

Amy

Chelev,

What were the symptoms of your breast infection? I called my rads onc again today, as I'm done with my antibotics. Now they want to put me back on a steroids...remember those from chemo? Yuck.. His nurse said, if I get done with the steroids and there is still no improvement, I need to go back to my surgeon. What the heck, I think the inflamation is definately related to rads? I'm getting frustrated again but fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), the antibotics cause a yeast infection, so I have to wait until that's cleared up before I start the steroids. So at least I will be able to enjoy my holiday. As I recall...I really didn't like steroids. I got very down on them. The bad part is this timing is now during my busiest time at work. Oh well, it is what it is.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday.

Betsy 

Hi, Betsy.  My symptoms started with tenderness around the nipple, with constant greenish/yellowish discharge that was kind of sticky.  Eventually, the tenderness progressed to out and out pain, radiating from the nipple outward.  The breast was swollen and warm to the touch and the pain was constant - from rubbing against it with the seatbelt or by accident to not being able to lay on my right side at all, to not being able to work out if it involved running or even fast walking (the bouncing was agony).  Started also having alternating and both, depending on the day, swollen lymph nodes under my arms.  Mentioned it to the onc nurse when it first started and we tried a week or two of warm compresses a few times a day.  Then a course of cipro, which didn't do a thing.  Then the rocephin shot (can you say ouch???) and levaquin for 7 days, and another course of levaquin for an addtional 7 days.  Had an MRI to make sure it was nothing "bad", and you could see the swelling.  Now I am getting manual lymphatic drainage a few times a week to help make sure the lymph nodes are draining the right way and to remove the breast swelling.  It's much better now - I can actuallly touch the nipple without pain.  Still a painful area right near it, a little tender to touch, but better.  While my onc never out and out said why I had it, she did agree it sounded about right to be a complication from rads healing.  Cellulitis and mastitis is what is on my form (swelling and breast infection, in other words).

Hope you do okay with the steriods.  Are your symptoms similar to this?

Merry Chiristmas my favorite ladies=o)!!!!  Here's to health in 2010!  May we all be able to say ADIOS to 2009 never to see a year like it again. Enjoy your time with your families as those special memories are pricelss.   HUGS, Dawn