Clinical Trial E5103

Just wanted to also send my best wishes to you Swanny! I don't think you will regret joining the trial. I only received 5 out of 8 possible Avastin treatments and had to be stopped on the drug due to side effects and I don't regret it for a minute. Like you said, attack it aggressively with every weapon available to you!! And like Kari said, the best part is how closely you will be monitored. That's always a good thing!!

Good luck to you!

Like TexasRose I only got 4 out of 8 avastins. I had a reaction to taxol so they switched me to abraxane which is not allowed in the trial.

Swanny- How are you doing? Have you started chemo yet? Been thinking about you and praying for you. I hope you are doing okay. It's a scary time, but we are here to hold your hand if you need us.

How is everybody else doing?

I'm enjoying my "break". Now that I am on the every 3-month schedule of Zometa, it's really nice to not have to go up to the hospital all the time!! The weather here is turning warm and our pool is ready to swim in. Unfortunately, we had a slight "cool" snap here today and couldn't swim this weekend for the first time this year. Hopefully soon!! I did see my first fawn today. We have a huge deer population and it's baby time!! We also had an email this weekend from our chief of police that a mountain lion had been spotted in an area just a few houses down from ours!   We've always had them, but I hate to hear they have been seen so close to houses although we are very wooded and secluded. Definitely keeping my eyes open for that!!

My hair is coming in nicely and I gave up the hat a few weeks ago. My hubby and I have volunteered to chair the golf tournament for a local organization that raises money for our local hospital's cancer research center. Very excited about that! I sometimes go several hours without thinking about cancer. I guess that is progress!  

I hope you are all well and healthy and happy. I think of you often and pray for all of you.

Hugs, Mary

Sorry I have not posted.  I had my first chemo session on Thursday.  Been waiting for the ball to drop but for some reason I have not had any side affects yet.  Lucky!  I was so afraid of starting chemo that I had a couple of panic attacks.  One on Monday before chemo at the doctor's office and one the morning before chemo at my office.  Luckily my Dr. had given me a prescription for Atavan and that helps me from panicking.  I got a new wig.  I had one from the American Cancer Society but it did not fit too well (I have a big head).  So I bought one locally and I really like it.  I also bought a hallo (ring of hair) to wear with hats.  I think I am ready for losing my hair.  Should be within the next week.  Hopefully I won't panic when the hair starts to shed.  Hope everyone is doing fine.  Oh and some bad news - I realized that I am triple negative - did not know what that meant until I looked it up.  Very scary. 

Thank you everyone.  Today will be my 2nd chemo treatment.  Can't wait!  I have been very lucky so far.  Side effects have been minimal (metal taste, tired, tired, & tired, and a kind of brain fog for day 4 & 5).  Hope my good fortune continues.  I still have hair but I am expecting to lose it any day now. 

Jenni---We're starting pretty close together.  I have my first treatment tomorrow, 5/28.  Good luck to you!

Laura

Swanny, glad you are doing well with the chemo. I hope that continues for you!!

Welcome Laura and Jenni!! I hope you both have an easy time of it also.

My clinical trial nurse called today. I have to have another ECHO and EKG for the trial. Oh well. Always nice to know they are following me closely and those tests are easy. I see my primary on June 7th and I know she will order a mammo on my remaining breast. I'm getting uneasy already just thinking about it. Guess that never goes away now. No test is "routine" anymore.

Good luck ladies! We are here for you if you need us!  

Laura and Jenni

How did your first chemo sessios go?  I have my chemo on Thursday afternoons at 2 pm.  Then I am tired and not feeling quite right until Tuesday at noon.  After that, things seem to pick up for me.  How has it been for you two?  The metal taste is the worst.  I love Pepsi and I have not been able to drink it since Friday.  Last time, I gulped two bottles on the Weds and Thursday before chemo, it finally tasted good.  I have some little black marks in my nail beds.  Not sure what that is about but I remember reading one of the girls saying her nails turned black and I think they even fell off?  Not sure about that. 

Well - hope you are both doing well.  Keep in touch.

Welcome grneyd5600

I have my 3rd treatment this Thursday.  So far I have been very lucky and have minimal side effects.  My buzz cut is finally starting to fall out.  I can grab little sections and they come out.  I still have hair everywhere else (arms, eyelashes, eyebrows).  Maybe in another week I will be completely bald.  As I have said before, I have chem from 2 - 5 pm every other Thursday and then I feel "yucky" but nothing bad until noon on Tuesday.  Then all of a sudden I start feeling my same old self except for the taste part.  I hope all goes well for you and keep in touch.

Swanny, good to hear you are doing so well.  I am hoping for the same!  We are going to buzz cut my hair a few days ahead of the "fall out.  My hair is down to the middle of my back and I am just not wanting to deal with the whole fall out in big clumps thing.  So buzz cut will be first. 

 Kari - thanks for the welcome and the hugs!  Both are great!

Swanny thanks for the wishes,  I am finally catching up today on the boards.  Not liking this chemo thing but gotta do it.  Had my first treatment last Wednesday and am feeling normal today finally.  No throwing up, just horrible nauseau, dizziness and acid reflux.  My voice still isn't back because of the acid.  Well now I know to take more meds!!!  Hopefully next time will go better.  No mouth sores but my throat is swollen and hurts to swallow.  But I am finally coming out of it, thank god.  Next time I will def be popping more pills haha.

Kari - thanks for the note! I am glad to know you are done and made out ok.  I am so ready to get started so I can get done!  I actually put out my wig yesterday and put on one of the hats I bought.  It was on the dresser when hubby came home and it made him laugh!  I am like you will probably wear the hat to work but going "free" when I get home.  I ride a harley so the doo rag is part of my normal attire anyway.  I have a bunch ready to roll!

 Jenni and Swanny - hang in there girls I am right behind you.  I hope you both make out ok. Sending good thoughts your way!

mitymuffin,

Sounds like our treatment plan is the same . . .I had my first AC on 5/28 and will be having my next on 6/18.  I was EXHAUSTED and a bit nauseous the first several days after my first treatment, but I was good about taking the anti-nausea meds and that helped a lot. I've been feeling great since except for the sore on my tongue that appeared several days ago---sure makes it difficult to talk and eat (2 of my favorite activities!)   I worry a bit that the next treatment could be a bit more difficult . . .trying to stay hopeful it might be the same.  Will be halfway finished with the AC after next Friday regardless.    Good for you for keeping up with the exercise . . I'm thinking of getting back into my walking routine tomorrow.

Hugs!

Laura

Charliebird, Its good you are getting back into your walking routine. Walking is great medicine.