Starting Chemo October 2009

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited February 2010

    MICHELE

    Milatry is that army and are you both in

    ,Sam was in the NZ army for around 10 yrs 6 was in the SAS   this was before i knew him it was hard stuff the very little he has told me ,but it has made him a stronger person when the world seems to be falling around us he dosnt seem to budge.

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  • feistybluegecko
    feistybluegecko Member Posts: 133
    edited February 2010

    oops - sorry internet is playing up, just back home and it's good to be back but communication a bit unreliable!

     now 5 days after first taxotere and fingernails are really tender, mouth feels as if I have been to the dentist and been frozen from throat to nose, and never mind the digestive system!  I eat really soft, healthy food - so how on earth does it turn into concrete onthe way through!!!!    ouch!!!  I am terrified of the poop fairy!

    hope you are all doing well - we are all at such different places now.  I think i will be last to finish chemo (i still have 3 taxotere at 3 weekly intervals if bloods are ok.........)

    Love and hugs to you all

    philippa

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited February 2010

    Hi Phillipa - dont worry we will be here to cheer you on.  My toenails are still tender from the taxol treatments and I am 4 weeks post chemo.  Make sure you are taking stool softners, drinking lots of fluids, and taking some type of fiber aid.  No need for you to suffer.  Stay strong.  You can make it.

    Anita 

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  • ve1787
    ve1787 Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2010

    Hi everyone,   I am popping in from the December thread.  I have finished 4 A/C treatments and will begin my first of 4 treatments of Taxol next Wed.  Those of you who had A/C and Taxol would you let me know if you think Taxol was harder or easier.  Also, any "words of wisdom" you could pass on I would appreciate.   Thanks alot!!

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

    Taxol should be easier.....other than possible body pain and neuropathy. But the aftereffects of AC will continue for some weeks into the Taxol cycles.

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited February 2010

    Hi ve1787.  I found taxol to be different and not necessarily easier.  I had a lot of lower body joint and bone pain.  i needed percocet to help me with that.  Once I started to take percocet then it was a lot better.  I had much less fatigue and no nausea on taxol.  I did get neuropathy in my fingers and feet.  However, I was prescribed neurotin which took away my neuropathy in my fingers.  My feet are slowly starting to get better...but it is very slow progress.  My nails turned blackish purple but did not fall off.  Even with the severe bone and joint pain I would take it over AC anytime. 

    Anita

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

    Philippa, my nurse gave me good advice...she said take stool softeners starting on the day of treatment for a couple of days.  I did that and then one the third morning i took a laxative...bam did it ever work..I was determined not to bet as backed up as the treatment before...OMG that was bad.  I thought I had a huge cork up there..

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

    Jojo, Militaey covers not just the Army but Navy and Air force here in Canada.  My husband is a fighter pilot, or at least that is his trade.  Right now he is in a career manager job.  Which means he helps other pilots path their careers..I work in a shop that sells tack for horses.  The department where I work sells cloths and shoes..including The origional Blundstones...

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited February 2010

    Hello Everybody!

    I'm having such a good day today - the sun is shining, I did a bit of shopping this morning and I'm having lunch with a good girlfriend for her birthday.

    I hope everyone is doing ok.

    Meredith - so good to hear from you!

    Congrats to Laura, Holly, JoJo & Mary on finishing treatment and to those of you that are still having treatment - just hang on - you can do it - you will hit that finish line too!

    Today I went shopping for a bathingsuit to take on my vacation.  I found 2 great ones - bought them both - and a couple of new bras too.

    Here are the bathingsuits I bought today (no that is not me wearing them - I wish!):

     They fit so nice I wish I had looked at mastectomy bathingsuits before!  I was really discouraged heading out to the shop but was really surprised to find some that were not too "old ladyish".

    These are nice and long and they are faux tankini style - all one piece!

    I was kind of dreading poolside relaxing but now I'm looking forward to it!

    Hugs to all...

    Marie

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited February 2010

    Oh I almost forgot - a couple of you mentioned eye trouble.

    I'm having eye trouble too.  I was wearing readers before but now I find I need them all the time - I can't see anything within arm's reach.

    I hope when the eye dryness goes away the vision will improve!

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  • DebbiD
    DebbiD Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2010

    Mary Please mark me down for finishing chemo #6.  Yay!!  The side effects came on fast and strong with this one. Nausea, fatigue, nausea but feeling a little better tonight.

    Keep on standing strong everyone.

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited February 2010

    debbid, congrats on finishing #6.  Hope you get to feeling better soon.

    Marie, you will look like a Sex Goddess in those suits.  Have a really good time on your trip.

    phillipa, drink lots of fluid, eat a fiber cereal and take that stool softener, you will be glad you did.  I was only constipated after one tx and I knew I would never do that again.  It is so easy to keep it at bay.

    michele, sounds like you and your family have an interesting life.  When I got married, my DH was in the Army.  He only stayed in 4 years and then we moved on.  We were only stationed in two different places, they were both in Texas.  Can you believe that, we never left Texas?

    Had my first mammo since dx today.  I went not expecting them to do a mammo on my bad boob, but they did.  Great news, no problems and nothing to worry about.  I just didn't think that you did a mammo on a boob that was being treated.  Guess I was wrong, it certainly  wasn't the first and I am sure it will not be the last.

    I hope everyone has a restful and relaxing weekend.  It is good to hear how everyone is doing and  the  list is getting long for the ones that are finishing. 

    Juannelle

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

    Juannelle, glad to hear your boobs are being good boobies...keep up the good work.  My husband and I move on average every three years.  we have lived in 9 places since we got married.  It great to see so many places and my kids adapt well to change. But it hard finding good friends and relationships.  I am luck I have some great girlfriends in lots of places.  Just not here....

    Debbei, way to go girl.

    Marie, I love both of your suits.  The black one is sexy as well...you will have to fight off the cabana boys on your trip..

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  • arby
    arby Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2010

    Dear MarieK, I read your long entry and wanted you to know that some of the SE you are dealing with can be dehydration and or steroid related.  I was always dizzy and had eyes that refused to focus together for 11 days or so after each chemo.  I couldn't enjoy reading, putting together puzzles or sewing...justy any close work made me dizzier and eyes run more because I was concentrating too hard just to SEE IT.  I doubt that eye drops will help at all.  I was also told to wait 6wks after my chemo to see the eye doctor just to let my eyes return to normal.  Any one else receive similar advice.  Keep drinking and look at your med sheets.  Compazine and other anti nausea pills do list dizziness as a side effect. On onc nurse warned me about that one!  Best of luck for the rest of your treatments.   Where did you find such cute swimsuits????I looked at Lands' End today and was disappointed that they didn't have patterned one piece styles in for Mast. gals.  I am really not confident and very self concious. I want something sturdy at the neck and not tie halter styles like they showed.  I mean we need to be comfortable and free to swim and play, right?  Are you finding these suits at a Dept store?  Pass on a good name. thanks  arby

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited February 2010

    Arby - Thanks for the info. I did find that my dizziness is a side effect from one of the chemo drugs.  That has now gone away.

    Both of my suits are from Amoena http://www.amoena.com/ca-en/Products/Swimwear/

    I bought them at a local mastectomy boutique (here in BC) but I did see that this place carried them as well online.

    http://www.womanspersonalhealth.com/swimwear/amoena-swimwear-2010-cruise-collection

    There are so many nice ones that it was hard for me to pick out the ones I liked best!

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

    Marie ~ cute swimsuits !  YOU will look great and I hope you enjoy your much deserved vacation.

    Michele ~ sounds like settling down is a perfect idea after all you have been through !

    Juanelle ~ so glad your boobies are behaving, I am sure that is a relief !

    As JOJO says - 2 more sleeps till my last chemo I am in that pre-chemo pissed off teary mood.  BUT it will be the last of the pre-chemo jitters.

    Hugs ~

    Alicia

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

    Alicia, don't be teary...be happy...nanananananana..don't worry, be happy...ok that was me singing..

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  • Hopbird
    Hopbird Member Posts: 387
    edited February 2010

    Marie - love the suits.  I will be looking for a suit this Summer that covers my port, I guess.  That should be easy-not! 

    DebbieD, congrats on finishing!  Woo hoo!   

    Juannelle, what I THOUGHT was that if you had lumpectomy they still scan your naughty boob.  If you had mastectomy, they don't.  That's how it was for me.  Of course, I'm glad the MRI they did on good boob looked at bad boob, because that's how they found my previously negative nodes were now positive and started me on chemo...........

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited February 2010

    Hopbird, I guess I thought they just didn't do anything until after all the treatments were finished.  I was just surprised, that is all.  I am sort of glad that they went ahead and did the mammo on the right side, at least I know that  all is well for the moment.  Like I said they were very gentle and didn't  put their best squeeze on me, like I know they can.  I know we all have questions as to when to get another mammo on the bad side, well I guess I know now.  I will go back in 6 months to get the bad one done again.

    I also had a whole body PET scan in October and it was all negative.  That was reassuring, so I guess I can stop worrying for awhile and live in peace.

    Hope you have a good restful weekend.

    Juannelle

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

    Thanks for breaking out in song Michele ~

    :)
    Alicia

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2010
    Alicia, thank goodness you couldn't hear me.Laughing
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  • lainieo
    lainieo Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2010

    Hi All,

    Keeping my fingers crossed. I haven't had a fever since this morning. I go for blood work on Monday and I better be able to have my final chemo on Thursday. The blizzard here has finally  ended. They are saying 17 inches. CRAZY WEATHER.

    AzDiva- I had a radiation consult last month with an amazing doctor who I really trust. and he told me that a year ago he would not have recommended radiation for me. I have 2/12 nodes that were positive and he explained that there is new research out that supports radiation with 2 nodes. It used to be that if you had 4 or more positive nodes that they would recommend radiation.I was definitley bummed because I had a mastectomy and did not think I would need radiation. At this point I have come so far and figure that I will do what I have to to insure this doesn't come back.

    Marie- Love the suits. Have  a great vacation.

    Congrats to all who have finished. I hope to join the club soon.

    Lainie

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2010

    Hi everyone, well, I now wish I had that Neulasta shot - I've been stuck in the hospital since Thursday with fever and very low counts (my WBC was .3 this morning, and ANC of 70).  All they have found so far is a UTI.  I have been on IV antibiotics, and thankfully, they took me off the fluids today - I was starting to get swollen!  Fluid overload!  Unfortunately, the doc won't let me go home until my counts are up some more, so I guess I'll be watching the game from my hospital bed tomorrow.

    Y'all won't believe what one of the nurses said to me today!!!  She was a "loaner" from another unit, but still...She was talking about a mammogram that she had had that came back not entirely negative, and she said that she hadn't been worried because her boobs were so small, she would have definitely felt a lump, and that SHE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN HAPPY TO FEEL SOMETHING THERE!!!!!  Yikes!  What the hell?  I mean, I had just told her that I was here because of breast cancer!  What a ridiculously stupid thing to say, right?  Ugh, people can be soooooo thoughtless.

    You guys were talking about the way friends have reacted - Anita, the same thing for me, nobody ever brought me or the family a meal, even when I was in the hospital!  Offers, but no real "meat and potatoes" - nobody actually stepped up to the plate.  It is a bit disappointing.  It's interesting how something like this affects the people around us.  My hubby has been having a hard time of late, saying how he feels helpless because he can't "fix" me.  I told him I'm sick, not broken, and I need his support right now (he was kind of ignoring me while I've been in the hospital).  I wanted to scream at him that it's hard for me, too, and to man up and be there, but I was able to restrain myself.

    Marie, I'm glad your doctor feels that your boob issue is not something serious.  And I'm glad he got to see you sooner!  Boy, that can really gnaw at your brain!  

    I've been gone too long, I can't remember what everyone else has said!  I missed you all for the last few days.  Congrats to all those who have finished chemo, I'm SO SO SO happy for you!

    Peace to all,

    Shelby 

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited February 2010

    Shelby, I wish that I had said I would send you the two Nuprogen shots that I have in my frig.  I am going to donate them to the cancer center where I go, so they can give them to someone that doesn't have insurance.  But I would have gladly sent them to you.  I hope you get to feeling better and those nasty ole WBC cells will come back up.   Maybe this will be the end of the chemo blues.

    Juannelle

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

    Shelby ~ hoping your wbc comes up really soon.  I am so sorry you are in the hospital.  FEEL BETTER ~

    :)

    Alicia

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

    Shelby, glad you are on the mend..take care.  I hated taking those darn shots, but I guess they really do work..sending ya big hugs.  Will you be cheering on the saints or colts...we are cheering for the Saints..

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  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    Hi Shelby I don't even get what the hell that nurse was talking  about? Strange chic. Sorry you couldn't just walk away - such a drag to be stuck there - I hope you get lost in the game and I am glad you have your computer! get well soon- Prayers your way - Valerie

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  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    Michelle - I'm rooting for the Saints too! (They got more heart) V.

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2010

    Gotta go for the Saints, even though I'm afraid the Colts will win.  It should be a good game no matter what!  And those commercials...despite the controversy, I'm sure there will be lots of innovative and funny commercials.

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

    Going to root for the Colts here ~ (Giant Fan at heart so I will root for Peyton Manning)

    Enjoy the day ~

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