Starting Chemo October 2009

Options
1…8889919394…113

Comments

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited March 2010

    Philippa, so sorry about the pneumonia!  I know how hard it is to be sick during chemo - I ended up in the hospital three times during chemo.  But it WILL end, I promise you!  And rads (of which I just finished tx #10) is so much easier.  I'm just a little more tired, kind of like when I was doing chemo, but not feeling sick or anything makes it definitely bearable!

    Jojo, chocolate and a swim is a great plan!  Maybe you could lay on the beach under an umbrella?  I LOVE the beach, it is my absolute favorite place and I wish I lived closer to it. 

    I missed you ladies, I've been gone for a week, busy busy busy with my new schedule of teaching apprenticeship in the mornings, rads in the afternoon and class at night.  Maybe that's why I'm so tired? 

    Blessings to all of my sisters!

    ~Shelby 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited March 2010

    Phillippa,

    Wow, pneumonia on top of chemo...you are quite a fighter I can see.  big hugs for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • azdiva
    azdiva Member Posts: 201
    edited March 2010

    Hi All - 

    JoJo - it is a vacation place.  I can't really call it a summer home because it gets as hot as Phoenix, so I sure won't be going there in the summer! Haha

    Getting ready for the implant exchange surgery.  Less than 2 weeks!  Also, I have my appointment for BRCA testing this week.  Not really sure how I feel about that.

    I have been really busy doing what seems like a lot of nothing.  Kids go back to school on Tuesday.  I need to get my life back in order!

    Hope all is well!  

    Laura 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited March 2010

    Philippa,

    Hugs, I cant imagine pnemonia on top of chemo! Just one more hun, your on the home stretch!

    Just wondering did anyone have nail issues with chemo. Thankfully we had a trial here and they were using ice gloves on my hands, my finger nails are fine. My toe nails are another story, most of them have some sort of spot discoloration, kinda like small bruises. Now as Im getting closer to leaving on vacation I have noticed that the nails are partially separated from the beds (some more than half the nail). Also have noticed a small gap where the nail starts to grow from?? Im thinking its a delayed chemo reaction, I did mention to my onc a while back the discoloration.... she didnt think it was a big deal and told me to just bandage them down so they dont snag. I have since received all my cancer files and she wrote that she thought i would loose my nails in a month... thanks for the warning.

    Anyway Im just gonna paint them pretty for my holiday and if they fall off after that... Oh well they will grow back.

    On the radiation side, the worst of the pain is done now and Im just dealing with peeling like from a nasty sunburn. Using TONS of cream to moisturize. The small burn on my collarbone 1 inch X 2 inches is the worst right now, figure Im gonna use zink on that one as well as try to cover it up. Doc says I can tan anything not radiated, so I'll get creative with draping scarves.

    I am really looking forward to going away. But have that nagging lil voice reminding me I go in for my surgery 4 days after I get back and I'll be boobless for at least a year maybe two (too much info when you read all your medical files) Am so glad dh decided to take us on a nice vacation beforehand... maybe I really will forget about C for a week. 6 more sleeps to go!

    Love and hugs Suz

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2010

    Laura ~ you are moving along with everything.  I am 2 weeks post my exchange and surprised at how sore I still am.  I start my tamoxifen today...  haven't been able to get myself to pop it yet this am.  Glad you had a nice little vacation at your new vacation home.  Hope you didn't get to bad a sunburn my oncologist told me an spf 60 sunscreen.  So I bought a Neutrogena spray can so I can just pfffffftttt myself quickly.  AND I love a nice tan ~~~  ugh, another thing cancer will take away from me !!

    Philippa ~ I hope you are feeling better!  REST and then get some more rest.

    Shelby ~ just reading your schedule and I am tired.  Then throw some skydiving in there and woo HOO!

    Michele ~ hope you are feeling good.  You seem to never complain.  Makes me self conscious of all the complaining I do ~ LOL

    Suz ~ I didn't have any nail problems but my sister-in-law did a few years back.  Her toes took a bit to grow out all the discolorations she never did lose any though.  I hope your burns heal quickly.  Enjoy your trip and definately NO thought of cancer allowed !!!

    Hugs to all,

    Alicia

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited March 2010

    Hi Alicia: I'll be interested to see how you get on with the Tamoxifen. My medical onc wanted me to start Tamoxifen before rads but I resisted that on the grounds that if I experienced any SEs on rads, I wouldn't know what to blame. The rad onc agreed with me. So I'm waiting for two weeks until I've finished radiation.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited March 2010

    Alicia, I bitch to my DH...he just laughes it off...can't get much past him...my cancer card was cancelled a while back..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • feistybluegecko
    feistybluegecko Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2010

    thanks so much for all your lovely wishes - i am still feeling pretty rough and spend most of the day horizontal!!!  just sneaking online once to keep in touch with the world.

     love and hugs to you all

    philippa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited March 2010

    great to see you Philippa.  It is hard some days to find the time to get on here, now that I am working again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited March 2010

    Yah me, I had a good mammogram...My good boob is still my good boob.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited March 2010

    Yah, on the good boob Michele! Congratulations!!

    Philippa, {{{Hugs}}} hope your feeling better soon.

    Yes Ladies we all can do this one step at a time, Love Suz

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited April 2010

    I was reminded today of how strong my memories are of chemo days. I have an appt with my medical onc on Monday and she wanted me to have bloodwork done today so results would be available on Monday. I chose to go to the infusion center next to where I have my radiation treatments rather than drive further to the one where I had my chemo. I did this partly because I knew they could use my port. It was quite a pleasant center with six treatment chairs and a number of patients dozing off as they were undergoing infusion. A lot of really strong memories welled up in my me and there were tears in my eyes as I left. I cried all the way home. I never cried while I was undergoing my own infusions so this reaction me completely by surprise.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    I think your reaction is perfectly normal.  I still go to the infusion center for the Zometa trial, but they remodeled the whole infusion center, even moved it to a different section of the building, so that helps me not associate it with chemo.  But getting the port accessed, that's still a reminder.

    I'm sorry you were sad.  (((((((Big hugs)))))))) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2010

    Mary, I completely get it.... the sounds, the smell, its all still there. I have had to have my port flushed twice since chemo and its done on the same floor. I almost hit a panic when I go.

    They left my port in as the surgeon said she would remove it during my masx surgery. Thinking back now I should have just gone ahead and had it out a few months ago..... now because its so high and visible I have nothing to wear on vacation that hides it. Didnt even think about it at that time.

    Oh well, I head out tomorrow night to go on our trip. Im not packed as I have so much extra weight on, I am having a hard time fitting into my vacation clothing.... I will still try to make it work.

    Love and hug to all you strong and beautiful Gals, Suz

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Suz, enjoy your vaca!  Relax - you deserve it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hopbird
    Hopbird Member Posts: 387
    edited April 2010

    Hi all!

    Congrats to Dee for finishing...Philippa, you'll be soon.  Sorry you had to deal with pneumonia.

    And so many of you have finished rads.  I got sidetracked by surgery....had to wait before it started (to get white counts up) and now I'm waiting to get through recovery.  (Couldn't raise my arm above my head to do rads for a week or two!) Surprised  My path report was really good, and there was some question as to whether rads were necessary, but in the end my docs decided to hit it with everything.  As much as I would love to skip the rads, I agree.  We're going on Spring Break next week, so will deal with it the Monday after we return.

    I'm having issues with Spring fashions and the port as well.  (Mine is still in for Herceptin.)  AND I am still going to that place every three weeks, so it does feel like it isn't ever really behind me.   My doctors are there too (upstairs) so its not like I wouldn't be going there fairly regularly anyhow.  It does feel nice on the visits where I walk PAST that part of the building and go up to the doctors offices. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • feistybluegecko
    feistybluegecko Member Posts: 133
    edited April 2010

    What a day - ages at the hospital, lots of extra tests and chest X Ray to make sure pneumonia is banished but finally......................  I got the go ahead and had chemo 8, taxotere 4 and what i hope is my last ever dose of chemo is DONE, FINISHED, OVER!!  So I am over the wall, out of the ring, completed Event 2 of the Triathlon fro Hell and Mary please can you give me my kissy wissy smiley face!!  If there is a kissy wissy smiley weeping face that that would be just perfect ;) !!

    A weird day, I cried like a baby when they took the needle out - I was overwhelmed emotionally and physically and it seemed like I could finally let go of the fears and gritting my teeth only when it ws over.

    I hope you are all well my sisters, and I know that I will lurk/follow rather than post as the side effects sweep in but after that I hope to be more active here.

    Love and hugs to you all and thanks so much for your support and well wishes

    philippa, chemo graduate (in the slow group;) 110

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Philippa, I'm SO happy for you!  You've had a tough go of it, and you just kept on pushing along.  Great job, and congratulations!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited April 2010

    Congratulations Philippa on your graduation from chemo! 

    What's next for you? 

    Are you one of the lucky ones who are now finished with treatment? 

    If not, I hope you get a bit of a break to recover before moving on with the next tx. 

    Whatever - I hope the next stage is easier for you!

    Gentle Hugs,

    Marie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2010

    Yea, philippa, it is done,  over and all that.  Hope the SEs are mild this time and you can get out and enjoy life again.

    Juannelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited April 2010

    Philippa: congratulations on finishing up the last chemo treatment. I hope the SEs are mild. After all you've been through, I think you're going to find radiation to be a "cake walk." At least you won't have a lot of travel to do with that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Hello lovely ladies...am having a great Easter here in Ontario.  Friday was 29 degrees...8 degrees above the the highest temp in history...My sister-in-law and nephew were here for a few days...nice

    Phillippa, Yahoo for you...it is like a huge weight lifted from your shoulders....AAAHHH.

    Hope you all are doing well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CAtharsis
    CAtharsis Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2010

    Good for you Philippa! Finally!!!! :) Hope you are doing well.

    BTW: I looooove seeing our thread in the second page of this forum.... it means we are getting through ;) That being said, I come often to see if there are any news: thoughts, updates, venting, happy end of treatment and so on.

    :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RaiderDee
    RaiderDee Member Posts: 150
    edited April 2010

    Philippa, Congratulations!!  I know how great it feels to finally be done.  You had quite a rough go of it but you were able to pull through and get it done!  I'm really, really happy for you.  Celebrate as soon as you feel up to it.  Do something nice for yourself, you deserve it.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Philippa ~  YOU DID it !!!  Congratulations ~  I hope your SE's go away quickly and you feel better each day.

    :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2010

    Hi all...

    What excellent news for so many of us.  Congrats to those who have finished and/or are close to finsishing their chemo and/or rads.

    I had my next to last chemo today.  Let me restate that...my next to last scheduled chemo according to my protocol.  I feel confident that with my BMX (after the earlier two lumpectomies) that we got all of the cancer, I do not want to jinx myself.  With that said, my white count was only a 1.9 and my anc only a 0.8 but I promised to go back for th 5 neuprogen shots and they did it anyway.  I am so struggling with the completion of my chemo but now I can say only ONE MORE (for now and with God willing for ever).

    I had my last fill for my reconstruction asfter my BMX and now I need only wait 4-8 weeks from my final chemo for exchange.  There is a light at the end of this h#$% tunnel!

    We have so become true survivors.  No one, and I mean no one, can understand the shoes we wear unless they walk in them - something that I hope and pray that fewer and fewer women will have to experience.  Stand proud and be proud - we all deserve it!

    love and peace to all...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Jaclyn ~ woo HOO just 1 more chemo for you.  AND then a few weeks till your exchange.  You are almost there.  I hope your SE's stay to a minimum and you are feeling okay.

    I too hope fewer women have to travel down this rough road in the future.

    :)
    Alicia

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RaiderDee
    RaiderDee Member Posts: 150
    edited April 2010

    Jaclyn, congratulations!  You're almost to the finishline!!  You will be amazed at how good it feels to finally be done.  I had an appt. with my onc today.  I don't have to go back to see him for 4 months and I also found out today that I don't have to do rads.  I'm a very happy girl.  Next step is the PS to get my left expander put back in so I can get some dang boobs!  I hope everyone else is doing well too.

    Dee

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Jaclyn, good to hear fromyou again....and yahoo for being almost done...It seems like sucha  long road doesn't it.  Almost done.

    Hope all are having a great day.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CAtharsis
    CAtharsis Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2010

    Jaclyn: good to hear from you. Good luck with SE, you're almost done now...As you put it, we will get out of the tunnel, look at the light, it is within reach... :)

    News from me: I saw the rad-onc this week and she said we would be starting within 2-3 weeks for 6 weeks (25 treatments and 5 boosts). They will treat my breast, supraclavicular nodes and axillary area since at the "initial presentation", one of my axillary node was big. I'm afraid of the SE related to the nodes' areas... but still I'm mentally and physically ready to: let's kill those rogue cells and get back to my life!

    Have a nice w-e and let's enjoy life with our loved ones.

    Hugs, Isabelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories