Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

Hi Everyone,  Just reading up on lots of you  I finished my weekly Taxol last week and had my first dose of FAC on Friday.  I had to go back on Sat for a Nuelastra shot.  Man this treatment is a lot different than the weekly Taxol.  Hopefully some of these side effects vanish soon

 Hoping all of you are doing well! 

Gamoflexus:  I would definitely check it out.  Better to be safe than sorry.  Ever since chemo started my left (only) eyelid would swell, get red and itchie and watery.  It would clear up after the dexametasone (steroid) but then act up after that wore off.  I put up with it for months using Tobradex (part dexametasone) and when my ond saw me she said I should have it looked at.  As a result the eye dr. said she thought it's a bacteria infection.  I'm on 2 antibiotic ointments tapering off for 3 weeks.  You don't want a bacteria infection to get INTO the eye.  Originally I thought it was from the cytoxan but it continued after on Taxotere too. 

 This taxotere #2 BTW is treating me much better this time.  Manageable pain with Advil legs and back, no nausea or abdominal pains.  I can handle this one.  My legs feel like tree trunks but not that bad.  I drank loads of water the day before the day of and am still.  That and getting the Neulasta shot fast instead of slow I think made the difference.  We shall see.

Yesterday was a tough day for me.  I went to the wake for my friend who died on Wednesday.  She was such a beautiful girl inside and out.  I remember when I was first diagnosed with the CC 7 yrs ago, I became friends with a woman at work who was going through a second bout with BC.  Three years later she died from the BC.

A year after my CC diagnosis my friend who died this week was first diagnosed.  We also became friends through our diagnoses.  Now both these women are gone and they only had one type of cancer.  Here I sit having had both cancers and I am doing well.  I am now doing things I always wanted to do while I am still able. 

My new mantra is the line from the Madonna song 4 Minutes - "At least if I die tonight I can say I did what I wanted to do.  Tell me how 'bout you?"

And most importantly - no one ever said on their death bed, "I should have worked more."

mslrg thanks for the kind words.  My friend who just died of the CC had been going to Germany for the same treatment Farrah Faucet had, she even had the same doctor.  She also drank alot of these crazy health drinks.  She tried to get me to take them.  I tasted them once and said 'no thanks.'  Who knows if she relied too much on "natural treatment" rather than convenional medicine.  I'm glad I had an agressive surgeon and that I took all treatment offered me.

I was just watching a local fun news/entertainment show called LX New York on WNBC.  They had Finola Hughes as a guest.  She talked about her struggle with hair loss.  She was promoting a product called Viviscal.  I checked out their website and then went to Drugstore.com and purchased the items.  I'll try anything to get my hair to grow.  I have peach fuzz, but you can still see lots of scalp through it.  I was looking at hair styles for extremely short hair on the internet today.  When I came home and took my wig off I realized OMG, it will be MONTHS before I can even have one of these styles. 

For anyone in the Denver area there is a place called Ink-b-gone that will remove for free any radiation tattoos from a breast cancer survivor.

http://ink-b-gone.com/homepage_layout/homepage/breast_cancer_survivor_tattoo_removal.html

Love & hugs to all.

Swolfram - Welcome to our group.  Sorry you have to join us.  Even though you are done chemo I think this group well help you.  I just finished chemo last week but it is not done with me yet.  My oncologist also said that many of us are so focused on our treatment and beating the cancer that repress the emotional feelings.  I had my own pity parties but I never really dealt with the emotional toll it took.  I am also finding myself in a weird place.  Who am I?  For the last 6 months I have had breast cancer an/or were in treatment for it.  Now I am just Lorrie but I am not the same person I was before.  Interesting....

welcome Swolfram. Issymom--you're right about everything you said--repressing feelings to get throught treatment and now being changed forever. This part is taking a huge toll on me, especially when everyone aroud me is saying, "Yay, you're done with cancer!!!"  feel like the journey is just beginning in many ways. The psychological toll is huge and underestimated by others.

 I just started physical therapy today--for my chest and knee. The pain in my chest is too much--appaently, scar tissue adhesions need to be worked out. SO be forewarned: if you have not yet had your mastectomy--do the exercises they tell you to do so this doesn't happen to you.

Hello -

Haven't posted in a while!  Had my last chemo treatment- and did celebrate with family.  I was so glad to be done.  I struggled with how to go on after chemo and have decided to eat better and exercise as well as take care of ME and little more.  I think this coming Monday (my usual day to get chemo) will be even more celebrating because I don't have to get up and pack up for chemo!!!!  It will be more special to me than others.

I will have my implant exchange May 18th.  Implant decision was hard.  I signed up for a trial so that I will be able to get the 410 implant (gummybear)- but I also consented to silicone.  My surgeon said I could probably go either way so in the operating room he will bring both and try them- he will even sit me up while in there to see how they look....I didn't know they do that.  Oh well I hope God oversees and I get the best implant for me.  While in the waiting room I did meet a girl who had gummies and she let me take a peek- they looked good.  She also said that people say they are hard but she hasn't noticed that.        

I will be receiving radiation after my implant is in- I asked my surgeon about this and he said he felt better doing the implant before because of the risks of infection.  Not sure but if anyone out there was wondering.  I had thought I would have my TE in during rads.  My rads should start around June18th.

Grace- great pics from your trip.  I also have the Cancer fighting kitchen book- and the recipes look great.

Issy and Gramo-Congrats on finishing your chemo!!!  Gramo- I mentioned Latisse and my mother said the SE are bad- what do you think?  Are they safe?  I really would love to use it.

Vega- sorry about your losses- That is something that is super hard for me to deal with.  I hated going to chemo and seeing people really struggling- it hurt my heart.  I hope you find comfort soon.  You sound like you have a great attitude.

swolf - welcome!

michell- have a GREAT last CHEMO FRIDAY!!!!!

stcards- TODAY IS YOUR DAY- WAY TO GO GIRL!!

mslrg- I too look into alternative ways- I would really like to try acupuncture.  Sometime I think whats the point when I hear of people like vegas' dear friend who drank the drinks- I'm torn.  I guess it all comes down to- I want to feel my best so I will eat healthy and now that I've done my body good.

georgia- jennifer giffin talks about here experience with having a toddler running around after surgery- you can google her; she has a blog. 

So I had my last chemo April 19th and these are my SE- numb fingers tips both hands- only thumb, index and middle finger.  Feet numb- more at different times- Toes same thing.  Swollen feet at times.  I had watering eyes pretty bad but now I think that is getting better.  Lashes maybe 5 left.  Hair coming back but fuzzy.  Hot flashes settling a bit but a good nights sleep isn't really happening.  Just plain tired- walking 2 miles is really hard and can't be done everyday.  I feel good but at night I crash early.  Chemo weight gain- 12lbs.  Here's a funny story - I had pre-surgical testing and when the nurse entered my weight the computer - said - weight change recheck...lol  I guess I was having a hard time with my weight gain.

Worst side effect- I feel like I look like a weird man...lol. 

Family seems to think that now that chemo is over - I should be back what I was before....not so.  

TE- is a 500- and it's full.  I had no pain until my last fill to fill it completely and now there is some pain and sleeping stinks.

       

Hi All,

Wow - it's hard to keep track orf who is doing what - we're all busy doing something!  I tried to look back on former posting (but there are LOTS to go through and no search function) to find out who was taking Claritin in order to mitigate effects of Neulasta.  Yesterday at my Taxol #7 of 12, I told the nurse practioner that the Neupogen shots I am not getting 3 times per week seem to be causing me a lot of leg bone pain and she said some folks have used Claritin prior to the shots to help mitigate the pain effects and it seems to work.

Does anyone take Claritin prior to Neupogen shots?  If so, how have you used them, when did you take them and did it help? 

I stopped today and bought some since I have to go to get the shot today, tomorrow and Friday.  It is helping to elevate my WBC but it's coming at a big cost in bone pain. However, I don't want to wind up in the hospital again with another bout of bronchitis or some other infection due to low WBC.  I've been using one Oxycodone at night to ease the pain so I can sleep and tylenol extra strength during the day (doesn't do much to help). Because I am also in the Avastin research trial, one of that drugs' SE is blood thining and nose bleeds (I get minor nose bleeds now nearly every morning) and blood clots, so I don't want to take Advil or any other aspirin-like pain killers that will thin my blood further.

 And, talking about Avastin research trial that I signed up for in January prior to starting chemo, I asked yesterday when I will know which group I am in (A=placebo, B=Avastin during reg chemo schedule; C=Avastin during reg chemo cycle plus another 10 infusions over 30 weeks post reg chemo).  I'll find out when I get unblinded May 18th.  Now that I am an experienced chemo patient, I am wishing very hard that I am not in group C since it means that instead of my chemo ending June 1st, it will end in Mid-October!!!  I had no experience with which to judge what that meant back in early January - instead I was eager to try whatever to prevent recurrence.  Now, of course, I know what it means and it's a major sacrifice.  I did ask if I am in Group C if my radiation would be postponed and my oncologist said no, I could do the Avastin chemo and radiology at the same time.  So, that was a relief. 

Hugs to all,

Pat

dgirl24   So glad to hear that you are finished with your Cheno treatments . It is so nice to start feeling like  yourself  It has been 3 weeks today since my last Chemo and I can say I'm starting to feel more like myself . If I could just get past this slight lymphedema (sp) in my hand that I have and also some mild tingling in my finger tips and bottom of my feet  I would be golden . I'am dong PT for the swelling , which has help a great deal .

Thanks for mentioning the possible SE with Latisse I will look into that before I ask the doc .

As for rads and TE it always amazes me how treatments are so different . My PS will do the gummybear exchange after I have 28 treatments of Rads .He thought he would have to do the exchange before rads but the radilogist spoke to him and told him after is better . We can just have faith that our Docs are making the best choices for us .

I had to chuckle when you mention you can try them out in the operating room . My concern is that doc can make the lft (mast) look like the real breast on the right .

question has anyone had their port taken out yet . Breast doc said she can do it right in the office and to be quite honest this scares me sh--less!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for Pity Partys . for me I never get and invitation for them they just happen out of nowhere . Take for instance Saturday , such a beautiful day working outside which I love . mowing the lawn and when it came time to wash down the mower my husband said "I'll wash the mower" I said hey no I usually do it . so I procede to wash the mower down and I start to cry uncontrollablly. Why dear God is this happening to me I'm a good person I love the outdoors why its just not fair I'm kind never hurt anyone . I was so angry and down right pissed off . After this cry , which my husband found me crying I felt so much better . I guess we need these once in a while

If I don't mention anyone my name I do read your post and wish everyone the best , circle your life with laughter and love from family and friends

I know it was mentioned here before but the booK AntiCancer , holy moly what an eye opener I could'nt put it down lst night . Somethings I found disturbing but lots of great info

Fondly Linda

I think I turned the corner yesterday afternoon on the side effects from my last Taxol.  I just didn't feel like myself (no energy but not sleepy) and then at 4pm I started to clean and take care of things that I have wanted to for days.  It was weird.  I have had a headache since Saturday (comes and goes, sort of).  I am pretty sure it is allergies as I have some congestion as well.  That is not fair.  I have spoken to several people who have gone through chemo.  They said you get feeling better initially but it will take quit some time to truly be well physically.  Going back to Georgiabirds analogy of pregnancy, they say it take 9 months to have a baby and it will take 9 months to go back to normal.  I think chemo will be like that as well.

I have a pre-op appointment next Thursday to have my port removed.  It will be done in the OR and they say it will take 30 minutes.  I would be stressed to do it in the office but I trust my BS and if that is they way he did it, I would say OK.  I also was able to schedule my hysterectomy for June 4th.  My gyn office now has a robotic device that does the surgery laproscopically (surgery will be in the hospital).  It is supposed to much easier recovery.  I am all for that!

Take Care!

I AM DONE WITH CHEMO

Had my sixth, and final TCH today.

Now, just Herceptin every 3 weeks till Jan 2011. My blood levels still are hanging in there and the neulasta shot is doing its thing.

I got the ok from all my doctors to take Biotin 10,000 mcg a day to help with hair regrowth. There actually was some black stubble up there when I checked today. It really wants to come back in it seems.

Got this info off the hair hair hair thread. 

Examine today - same as last two. Numerous cysts on both sides and no evidence of the cancer mass! Yea

 Hope everyone is doing well 

MsLrg- Good luck with the physical therapy, hopefully you will finish the fillings with less pain.
Dgirl - Please keep me informed about your exchange and radiation. I'm 3 days behind you with both, implant exchange and radiation. Both my PS and my radiation oncologist agreed that the implant exchange should be before radiation. I will get the gummy bears too, on May 21 and then radiate it starting about June 21.
Vegasdiva- how is your radiation going? Did you get any side effects? I was reading the radiation booklets they gave me and I'm a bit worried. Maybe the unknown, maybe I'm tired and feel like this will never end. There is always something else coming up. I guess I'm loosing my patience.
My onc wants to put me on Tamoxifen during the radiation. Does anybody else start Tamoxifen soon?
I'm still taking Neurontin, for the shingles complications and it is helping a bit with the neuropathy.
Pagowens - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to finish chemo in June. Has to be so hard to think that it might end in October. At least you can do the radiations in the meantime.
Stdcards - Congrats on your final chemo!

Best wishes to everybody!

Bubbalu- my doc said that they don't know why it helps, but that there is so much anecdotal evidence that they are recommending the regular claritin 2 days before chemo and 3 days after if you are complaining of bone pain.  Normally advil helped with mine, but after my blood clot and ensuing coumadin, I can't take it anymore.  My Doc's on the more conservative side, so I'd say it must be pretty widely used now.

Stlcardsfan-congratulations.  doesn't it just feel great to turn the page on this chapter?!  I am attaching a couple of pics from today.  My family is VERY happy to get the chance to have their regular mom back.  See below the "HOPE" cake.

Bubbalu:  Yes, I met with surgeon last week - I was all prepped to have a bi - but without saying so, and insisting it was my choice and he'd do whatever I wanted, I got the feeling he was steering me towards a uni.  He kept repeating that once it's done,it's done - I could always try the uni and he'd be more than happy to do a prophy later if I wanted.  He also is booking me in to see a plastic surgeon - I had already told him no recon - but he wants me to know EVERY option available to me in case I change my mind later.  He even phoned me this week and went over everything again with me.  The funny thing is, after speaking to him on the phone, and re-considering my choice, I felt a little calmer.  Maybe the uni, for me, is the way to go.  I always accepted that the left breast had to go, but the decision on the twin sister is the one I was sitting on the fence with.  He said we'll leave June 1 as the surgery date - but that I have a little more time to consider my options. 

On another subject, I tried the Claritin with my 2nd and 3rd Neulasta shots.  I don't really know if it made a difference or not.  I had no bone pain, except after the first one.  However, I started taking Arimidex  ten days ago - and I'm having lower back pain, which I've never had before in my life.  Is anyone else suffering from this?

Hugzz to all - you gals are all amazing.  The information and support on this site are beyond priceless!

Hi All I'm seeking some advice and apologize of this subject was addressed earlier....I met with my surgeon and onc yesterday. Based on my current response to the chemo their recommendation is "just a lumpectomy and removal of the lymph nodes" followed by radiation, herceptin and 5 years tam. Both docs are big proponents of "keeping ones parts intact". I was told the risk of getting another cancer in my breasts is about 15% greater if I keep them. In the docs opinion the 15% does not outweigh the risks/recovery of major bi surgery.  It seems everyone I talk to is getting both breasts removed as a  preventative measure so I'm not quite sure how I feel about "just a lumpectomy". Since I'm still getting weekly t/h and have nine more to go, I don't have to decide on surgery options for a few more months. 

What is your take on this?