Starting Chemo October 2009

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2010

    Laura, good to see you again!  Although I'm glad you took a "cancer vacation" - we can't live eat and breathe cancer 24/7, even if it's difficult not to.  I hope you're able to avoid rads...

    Arby and Marie, congrats on finishing chemo!   Moving on to the next stage, as scary as it is, is one step closer to "grabbing life back" (as you put it, Arby).  I'm hoping rads is MUCH easier than chemo.  

    How about those football games yesterday?  I'm rooting for the underdog, the Saints.  Anybody going to a Superbowl party?  

    Well, I've got some running around to do today.  Will be thinking of all of my sisters and hoping today is a good day for everyone!

    Peace,

    Shelby 

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  • azdiva
    azdiva Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2010

    Haha! I am posting 2 days in a row!  Maybe I will even go get my blood work today . . . I do have an appointment with the PS tomorrow . . .

    I usually have a Superbowl party at the house, but I am thinking that it won't happen this year.  My last chemo is a few days before the game (isn't it on the 7th?), and I will probably be at my worst around that time.

    I have now worn my long wig 2 days in a row.  Might even put it on again today!  It has been a lot cooler here (50 - 60 degrees), so it hasn't been SOOOOO unbearable when a hot flash hits.  Has anyone heard of a Stellate Ganglion block?  If these hot flashes don't quit after I finish chemo, I am thinking I will do it.  Evidently it is immediate relief.

    Hope all is well with everyone!!

    Love

    Laura 

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  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2010

    Congrats Arby and Marie!

    I am sooooooo envious - I must admit. I have my last infusion on Thursday and am still undecided if I am going to skip it or not- don't want onc to "convince" me -just want to understand. Ses seem to effect my lungs badly - I just need info from him but I am getting more and more anxious as the days pass. We'll see what he says - maybe less taxoterrible?

    Have a great day! Valerie 

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2010

    Valerie, you can't skip...we are in this together...you and me on Thursday...we can do it. I will hold your hand in my mind.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited January 2010

    Valerie, sorry about the lungs SE. If you had a longer break before the next/final infusion, would it help?

    Nice to see everyone moving on to thought about next steps ... radiation, hair regrowth, etc. About hair, my onc said my hair might start growing back while I was on CMF (I had AC before that) but no sign of much of a growth spurt yet. I have about 20 half-inch hairs standing bold upright on top of my head but I'm not sure it they were there all along. One thing I have to say about being bald, it's nice when the night sweats come. I usuall wear a thin cotton cap to bed but throw it off when I get the night sweats, which happens a few times a night now. Anyone know if these will stop when I finish chemo or are they a menopausal symptom. Sometimes I get hot during the day but not bathed in sweat like I do at night. Not sure if these would be termed hot flashes or not. Usually if I just throw off my wig that's enough to lower my body temp. The hairless scalp is a very efficient a/c!

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2010

    Hi Mary - I am post chemo 3 weeks and I still have the night sweats.  Hot and cold, hot and cold.  Ugh.  It is back and forth the entire night.  I also have the same thing happen during the day.

    If there is anyone further out from chemo that could respond I would love to know if this stops eventually.  I am still on chemopause.

    Anita

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited January 2010

    HI girls ~ had my second to last chemo today !!! woo HOO.  Took a bit longer as dummy me forgot to take my pre-chemo decadron last night so I had to get extra this am.  Now I am full of steroids hot and clammy.  OH yea ~ and hungry.  I was there for 6 freaking hours.  Feeling ok just tired.  Hope everyone else is good today !  My last chemo is 2/8.  I asked about Zometa. She said right now no for me.  They are doing trials for people that had node involvement.  I have my final fill of my tissue expanders on 2/1.  And my exchange to implants on 3/16.  I start Tamoxifen 2 weeks after surgery.  So it is all going to be winding down soon.  Together girls we can get to the finish line. 

    Hugs to all !!!

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2010

    Ladies, I don't know what is wrong with me, but I'm starting to freak out about chemo on Wednesday.  I should be ready for this by now, I mean, it's the 6th time for crying out loud.  I'm just mentally worn out, and just thinking about it is making me want to cry.  I can't cry though, my kids are sitting with me in the living room playing video games.  I think I'm just hitting the wall.  

    Take care all,

    Shelby 

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2010

    Shelby, why don't you make a nice warm bath, grab a small glass of wine or some other drink of your choice a good book and take some time for yourself...just think in two days this will all be done..you have come so far and it is only a few baby steps until the end..I feel a little freaked at times as well, but I try and think of the end, and how happy I will be that chemo is done.  Big hugs.

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  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2010

    I know exactly what you mean (see previous post) I think we r just worn out and sick and tired of feeling like sh#t. But I know Michelle is right Shelby- lets not think of it till the day of- space out- get thru it and know we finished. We'll cyber hold each other's hands and leap! aaaaaaaaaahhhh!

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    SHELBY

    Honey Ive felt exactly the same the last two TXs thats why i wanted to pull the pin on the last two  so  i spoke to my onco he said a lot of people feel exactly the same its a mild anxiety attack especially when you start really freaking out when you hit the treatment room the build up starts a few days earlier, with it he gave me some pills to help with it , ill be popping one about half hour before, i hope it works cause i really freak out ,try and get something from your doctor only ask for one pill take ANYTHING to get you through  it .Shelby there is only a few of us who are going for the Last one come one girl suck it up honey if  the others can do it you can to, just think a couple of months down the track you'll think to your self  oh shit SHELBY there was just ONE to go and you piked out AFTER doing 5 others , remember the 3 Gs get a grip, get over it and get on with it , and think of all the really hard things that has happened to you in the past ,now if you can get through that shorley you can get through around 5 days of feeling sick  you can do it .you know you can

    love you

    princess jojo

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    SHELBY

    Please forgive me if i sounded to harsh .

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2010
    JOJO, you are right we have to suck it up some times...we need to girl up...not man up. men are big wimps, we are the stronger sex...look at all the crap we have gone through and we are still strong, powerful,  beautiful and still manage to take care of our familiesWink.
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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    OH I CAN FEEL IT YEH COME ONE GIRLS LETS NOT BE LIKE MEN WOW IM PUMPED

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    Ill most probably need to re read all this next week ~~~~~~~~~

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  • snuziq
    snuziq Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2010

    Hey ladies,  y'all have been really prolific over the last few days.  Wow!  On the hair front - and back Smile  I was getting a little before my last treatment.  Some of it seems to have fallen out but I still have a bit of fuzz.   I guess I shall be the fuzzy kiwi of doom for a bit longer.  I'm not even guessing at color since my original color was an auburn/brown mix.  I'm hoping the red will come back since it's what fell out first, but like most of you I will take what I can get!

    Not to discourage anyone, but my last treatment has really beaten me.  It's the first time I actually got sick to my stomach (nausea yes, sick no).  Could be I forgot to get my Emend refilled. Yell  I was just feeling so good and positive it completely slipped my mind.   The onc had to call me in something that evening as I had already worshiped at the porcelain altar.  Since then I've just been tired & burpy.  Just use me as a reminder to take the pre-drugs!  Today I was thinking my asthma was acting up because I felt a bit light headed.  After reading the posts, maybe it's just a SE I missed before.    

    I guess I should be off to bed.  I just wanted to check in and warn you all NOT to follow in my footsteps. 

    Hugs and low SEs to all!

     Snuziq

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  • snuziq
    snuziq Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2010

    Princess JOJO -- don't let the sparking wand catch you on fire!  For some reason I just envisioned you with sparks like a welder's torch....

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited January 2010

    SNUZIQ

    LOL YEH IM ON FIRE NOW BUT NEXT WEEK ILL BE BACK ON MY ASS may be ive over charged my wand doing the hair thing hahaha_______

    PRINCESS JOJO

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2010

    Jojo, you were not harsh at all, it's what I need to hear!  Thanks everyone for the encouragement.  I would have had a glass of wine, but I was all out and didn't want to go buy some more.  I have to make sure I always have some in the house for moments like those!  I got some good sleep last night, and I feel a LITTLE better today, but it's only 6:50 in the morning so who knows how I'll do later.  I'll try to focus on the daily things today, got lots of homework to do, that should keep my mind occupied.

    SnuziQ, sorry you're feeling ill.  And I will definitely take that Emend - it's a lifesaver!

    peace to all,

    Shelby 

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  • Enjoyful
    Enjoyful Member Posts: 3,591
    edited January 2010

    Hey everyone -

    Finished my last treatment yesterday!  Mary - Please slap my last smiley on me!  Yay!  I have fluids and good meds today, then more Thursday.  My onc warned me that the next month would be the worst for SEs, so I'm going to beg for weekly fluids today.  Wish me luck.

    It's great that we're coming to the end of chemo and can move on with our next phases of treatment.  I'm done with the bad stuff for now, since my recurrence was within the field radiated at initial diagnosis and I can't be radiated there again.  So it's an AI and hopefully Zometa for me from here on out. 

    My darling sis is taking me on a post-chemo trip to Montreal (yeah, I know, heading NORTH for a winter break??) and St. Louis in two weeks and I hope I'm up for it.

    I don't post a whole lot here but I read everyone's posts and appreciate all of you.  Your wit, humor in the face of extreme horror, kindness, and openness have all been great gifts.  Peace and the best of health to all!

    E

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited January 2010

    Shelby ~ so sorry about how you are feeling.  But I think #6 was the toughest one to drag myself too.  I still get mad/sad/angry a few days prior to each chemo.  YOU can to it ~ we are here for you.

    Hugs ~

    alicia

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Dear Jo Jo Princess,

    Whatever you do, don't wave the wand on your a** after waving it on your head or you may get the hair on unwanted places first :-)

    Haha!

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited January 2010
    Enjoyful, happy to slap a Kiss on you. Congrats!
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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Mary,

    So many Kiss's bring a cheer in my heart!!!

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2010

    Whahoo Enjoyful, another one done...

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited January 2010

    Good Morning Ladies!

    It is truly a good morning for me - the sun is shining and yesterday's Zometa infusion went well!  My right arm looks like it's been mangled (from Friday) but the chemo nurse was able to find a good vein with no damage.

    I'm still feeling a bit light headed and if I get up too fast I feel the spins but if I'm careful I can do my "stuff" today.  Just need to hydrate and rest for the next few days and hopefully this "dizzy spell" will go away.

    Shelby, Valerie & Laura - I understand how you are feeling - hitting that wall and dreading your last TX.  But really it's just one more and you've been through so much already - just put your big girl pants on and do it!  Finish it! No regrets this way and no wondering "what if"!  Just do it!

    JoJo - love the 3 G's

    Michele you should trade the Santa hat for a cheerleading outfit!  You always have so much support and encouragment to offer - I really appreciate it even when it's for someone else!

    Alicia - you are really moving along!  Feb will go by so fast and it will be March before you know it.  Too bad our hair doesn't grow as fast as the new boobs!

    Snuziq and others with fuzz - I'd love to hear what colour your hair grows back!  I was brunette but went "blonde" to avoid the skunk roots and now I'm wearing a dark brunette wig most days.  The new hair is growing in white/clear and stick straight but I suspect it will come back gray and white.

    E - congrats on finishing chemo!

    Mary - I get the night & day flashes too.  Sometimes I sleep with my night cap folded in 1/2 on my head just over my ears (they are still cold).  My daughter says I look like a paper doll when I do that!

    Everyone else - sorry I didn't call you out by name but I do hope your week is going well for you and that you are getting close to finishing or finished with min SEs!

    I'm so amazed by all of you - your strength and caring has made this little October group so special!

    Thanks!

    Marie

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited January 2010

    MaryNY - I'm done my chemo too!  Please change my last smiley face to a happy face when you get a chance.  I finished on Jan 19!

    Thanks!

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  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited January 2010

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    i really do feel pride for our little group! We r making it!

    Give the disease a run for its money!

    Anybody doing any of the walks this spring? (Avon or Komen?) 

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited January 2010

    I definately hope to do one of the walks with my daughter this spring. 

    My oncologist told me not to be surprised if my hair starts to fall out again.  Had Taxol #3 tomorrow and still have my last one on 2/8.  I hope it doesn't.  I mean it isn't much, visible only in the light but it's a START!!! 

    Marie ~ glad to hear your Zometa went well.  Hope that dizziness goes away soon. 

    :)

    Alicia

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited January 2010
    MarieK: congrats on finishing! Nice to see another Kiss.
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