Starting Chemo in July 2009

Went ahead and scheduled mammo for March. Right after rads completion. Of course, yes I'm already thinking, "What if they find something?"  Not sure we will ever get over that.  SOO sorry to hear you are so sore. Your body has been through alot ya know. Try and relax, rest every chance you get. I'm realizing even with bc we overcommit ourselves...especially during this holiday season. Maybe we just don't want to admit that what we've been through has beat us up pretty bad. I'm starting to really learn how to say "no", and try not to sweat the small stuff. Christmas will happen, whether every thing is perfect or not. Well be thinking of you as you have your mammo next week. Please let us know when you get your report.

Wow, Elizabeth...your neuropathy is so much worse than what I've experienced. I know you are ready to be through. Thanks for your input...helps me to know what I might expect. I've missed the comradarie of the chemo ladies.....but I know how thrilling it must be to be finished with chemo and walk away from it for a while.

I'm loving the soft hair as well. My DH just wants to rub it. Hope it stays and continues growing.

I too, am still having daily nosebleeds and little pus filled postule that come up on day 3 every week. (gross). Of course I have to drain them. Looks weird for a 50 year old to have so many facial bumps. What a journey, huh??

Lisa - I wish I had words of wisdom beyond what Joni1 and PS73 have said...I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and praying for a clear mammo. 

((((HUGS))))

Lisa, so glad you're ok -  I think the taxotere affects you for months.  I had a different setback (not going to talk about it here - won't help anyone) and I had myself CONVINCED that my cancer was in my liver, bones, etc.  For various reasons, onc ordered a whole body CT - guess what?  NORMAL. 

My last taxotere was September.  Even in November, my stomach was not 100%, had a pain in my side, bowels were not right, I was exhausted (& low on vita D and B12 when my primary checked), and my bones ached - but none of these pains were related to any cancer that had spread to distant sites. 

It's so darn scary - all the aches and pains that the chemo causes even months later.  But, encouragement for everyone growing the hair - the "bald patches" do fill in - it takes a few months and now after 3 months I have a light brown/dark blonde kind of Jamie Lee Curtis very short amount of hair that covers my head.  I'm still wearing my wig out and hats in the house.  I need some more upcoming testing and if all goes well, I'm thinking about investing in some extensions for bangs, getting some foiling and back to my real hair without the wig. 

I see some of your names on other lists now and always feel such a connection to this July group - chemo was hard and it helped so much to come here and read.  My prayers for those finishing the longest courses and for those who have radiation ahead.  Hoping you are all able to enjoy the holidays with your families.  Love & Hugs, K

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you,  wishing everyone joy and happiness be thankfull for all of the little things in life.......enjoy !

Merry Christmas everyone!!

I finished my Chemo (12 weekly taxol) Tuesday YEAH !! I seem to have ringing in my ears again tonight don't know what is causing it?? Fatigue sets in Thursday Thur Sunday. So I can hardly wait to see how I feel by the end of next week (I have got to feel better than this) It has been a long hard haul but, I made it but not without the support of the  July Jedi ((((((HUGS TO ALL)))))

I hope everyone had a very Blessed Christmas!  I haven't visited this site in awhile....miss catching up on everyone.  I have had a noseblled or two, and SO many bruises everywhere.  Anyone else bruising????

I think we are all ready for a very NEW YEAR!!!

Hugs and love,

Linda

Joni1 - hang in there, it's almost over. I am 9 weeks PFC and the difference in how I feel is amazing. My cheek numbness is gone as is that in fingers (though I am losing some nails), I can taste food again. The 5 pounds weight I have put on can attest to that. I am less tired and just feel good!!! Also I am almost at the end of rads - just 4 more boosts to go with skin doing really well.

And finally - my hair has started to grow! It is so pale it's hard to see but I can feel it. DH rubs his hand over every morning and tells me how much there is.

So before you know it you really will feel better. I'll be thinking of you with the last of the taxol.

Hi Triple J's!!  It's been awhile since I've been on the site and posted.  Congrats to all who have finshed treatment and best wishes to those who are still moving through it.  YOU CAN DO IT!!

 I finished 4 rounds of TC on 9/23 and FINALLY finished 30 rads on 12/4 (Yeah!!).  I totally underestimated the emotional impact of radiation.  For me, having to go in day after day after day felt like a long road to hoe.  And, because you are going in and out so fast, it was harder to have 'radiation buddies' like I had 'chemo buddies'.  Oh well, just glad to be done.

I really enjoyed reading all of your posts and seeing how you are doing.  One thing I realized I have missed about this thread is getting validation of the side effects I am also still experiencing.  Sometimes I just assume it must just be me, so I found myself saying, "Hey wait, I have that one too!    So here is my list of lingering side effects:

- Fuzzy face (was surprised to hear how many of you have noted this one)

- Red scaly patches (what are they and what is causing them?)

- Bruising

- Body aches, especially arms, legs, knees and feet

- Neuropathy (continues to plague me but I'm still hopeful it will run its course and go away)

Take care everyone and happy holidays!!

Hello Triple J's.

Joni1 almost there now, roll on 4^th January!

Gill I'm glad your hair is growing again. Some of mine is so pale it is almost invisible but my DH says he can see my normal colour coming back and keeps telling me how much it is growing. I went to my appointment with my surgeon on Christmas Eve with just a hat on and no wig. It is too cold here at the moment for me to go outside without a hat. I also had purple nail polish on because my nails are still not right and need covering up. They have white horizontal marks and some are starting to separate from my fingers at the ends. The very end of one of my thumbnails came off on Christmas Eve, there was another layer underneath so could have been worse.

Diane good luck with your exchange surgery.

I am feeling so much better now than while I was doing chemo. I didn't even feel particularly tired from rads, I think I had an easy time of it. I will get my next mammo 1 year after surgery, so May 2010, not looking forward to that. I need to wait 6 months to a year after rads to do reconstruction. That's fine because I haven't decided exactly what I want yet.

A very Happy New Year to all you Triple J's! Hoping it is happy, healthy and altogether better than 2009.

Happy New Year!

I finished rads yesterday and feeling pretty good.

Jayne - your nails sound like mine. I have lost one (thumb) and I can see that several more on their way out. They are not painful - just look horrible and feel a bit strange. Oh well.

I LOVE hearing those words "I completed my chemo on..."  Congrats to everyone posting that.  Lisa, thank you so much for this July board and Happy New Year.  I almost thought I'd be back with you b/c I had a second primary identified this fall, dealt with, and thank God node neg, but waiting on oncotype - turned out low onco so no additional chemo for me.  Once was certainly enough!  God bless everyone in 2010 and thanks again - I love seeing everyone on other boards moving on with reconstruction, etc. and I'll never forget how much help this site was this past summer during chemo.  Thanks again! 

Hair? LOL...I'm still waiting on mine

I'd love to see some photos of those of you who have some growing back though!  Even if you want to send them privately to me nikkistevenson@comcast.net

niknak - just to agree with what Lisa said. I am 10 weeks PFC and hair is  just starting to grow. It first came very pale - transluscent even but now looks a bit dirty. There is no length to speak of, just this velvety covering. So I'll be wearing hats for a while yet!

Gill, you hit the nail on the head with the "velvety" description!  I am also 10 weeks out since my last TAC and that is exactly what I would say my hair is right now.  I wish it grew as fast as the hair on my LEGS! LOL

Is anyone else who had mastectomy and rads still nervous about shaving the armpit??  I tried in the shower today but I was really scared of cutting myself.  My scars are great, my skin has healed perfectly but I am as numb as can be!