Starting Chemo Feb 2010?
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My PS said its "normal" to wait a month after chemo before doing any surgery. So I am just supposed to let them know when I am done with chemo (and I am sure the proof of good blood work) and then they will schedule the surgery. My breast surgeon said the port removal is very easy and it can be done in a regular office visit. Again, I think they will look at blood work to make sure you can fight off infections- and word from the onc that it will not be used again anytime soon...but I am going to be pushing everyone to get it out ASAP. Mine is ugly and gross and is really going to be showing up with my summer shirts. Its surprising that my breast looks good, and cleavage is ok with the TE, but I don't wear anything slightly revealing because of the port.
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I guess that is one good thing about having my port break--its already out and I don't have to wait to see what the docs want to do. Mine was taken out in the OR though, maybe because it was a complication? I don't know how it could be removed in the office though. Still loving my PICC line, well, I love it compared to the port but it is a nuisance. Especially with warmer weather--I have to always wear 3 quarter-length sleeves...but i am glad to see that I wasn't the only one who didn't really like the port.
Had to have a biopsy of my new lump on Wednesday. Ouch. Surgeon called the next day and said all was OK, and we just need to keep an eye on it (whatever "it" is). yay!!!
Its been 10 days since my 2nd Taxol treatment, and I feel pretty good now. Food tastes OK, bone pain is mainly gone, but i still have the neuropathy in my fingers and toes. that never went away and I hope it isn't a permanent thing. I've got 2 more Taxol to go, and I don't know if the neuropathy will get worse with more of that stuff. Oh well, if I can get thru A/C, I guess I can get thru anything, although for me,the SE from the Taxol are lasting way longer than that of the A/C.
Hey, well, one upside to chemo--I'm now able to fit back into my favorite pair of tight comfy jeans woo hoo. Lost about 10 lbs and hoping to keep it off--might be tough, especially with all the steroids, But its nice to be a little slimmer just in time for summer!
Take care all, and I wish you all a SE weekend!
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My surgeon doesn't do anything in her office, so my port removal (not that I'm counting the days or anything) will have to be done in the hospital. But I've got a long way to go.... it will be in until next February.
Lindee, glad to hear the "yay" news about the lump. Seems like a lot of women in our group have had scares about lumps/growths/etc. and usually it turns out to be not a problem. We'll all be on pins and needles forever about that stuff, I guess.
Lindee, I'm enjoying the same weight loss... had to buy new jeans! I am going to work so hard to keep it off, not just for vanity but also because of the link between overweight and BC. I've battled weight all my life and am down 30 pounds from two years ago, and I will be so distraught if I can't keep it off. I'm supposed to go on Tamoxifen or some such when I'm done with chemo/radiation, and I guess that can pack on the pounds, but apropos of that New York Times article the other day about the shady areas in testing for hormones in cancer, I'm going to ask for a retest and have a serious talk with my onc about this. My Her2 test was clear and unequivocal that I am strongly Her2+, but the estrogen test was borderline and not so clear. What's a bigger risk? Gaining more weight and the other issues with Tamoxifen, or not taking it?
I'll probably never get an answer to that, and like so much of what we all have to do, it'll be an educated guess on the part of my doc and me. But fortunately I don't have to deal with that yet. The dozen or so drugs I'm dealing with now (carboplatin, taxotere, Herceptin, Avastin, steroids, benadryl, Emend, and Neulasta, plus the Claritin and Advil for bone pain and the various things to deal with constipation, intestinal distress and hemorrhoids) are MORE THAN ENOUGH!
Good weekend, all!
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Well, the Claritan didn't work for me...bummer. I feel like I got in a car accident or something. Even my throat is sore. And these hot flashes-holy cow! So annoying! I've changed clothes 3 times in 12 hours.
Lindee-so glad your lump turned out to be nothing! Awesome news!
Hope everyone else is doing well with few SE's...have a great day!
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I'm going to be flying less than a week after my mid-chemo rescans (mammo, MRI, CT, bone scan) - is there any chance I'm going to set off the airport scanners from residual radiation? Should I ask my onc for some kind of letter to show to the TSA/HSA folks?
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Hi vmarie, sorry to hear about your throwing up, hope you are feeling much better now. hi kshep, last thurs was my last AC too, am hanging in there. it will be over soon before we know it
hi burley, Subway sounds good although i am not really a bread person, anything to cheer your appetite.Those having tx this week, all the best and SEs to the bare minimal and more happy days for all ov us!!!!
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burley - I take Zyrtex (can't spell it correctly since I take the generic) for bone pain. One in the morning and one at night for 5 days. It has helped me. If Claritan doesn't work, it may be worth a try. I had to get the doc to give me something for my sore throat. He gave me some Clotrimazole (a lozenze) that you have to dissolve in your mouth and a swish, gargle, and swallow med. They work great. I started getting a sore throat after my last two treatments. I take the meds for about 3 days and I'm better. Good luck.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
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Well, today officially kicks off the single most fun and important week in Louisville, KY, Derby Week. I attended the annual Kentucky Derby Brunch by the River, even though I am 3 days out from my last chemo. Hundreds of people attend, many local politicians, and muckity mucks, and it's a really fun social event.
My SEs have been fairly controllable so I didn't anticipate anything going wrong. My husband usually doesn't do these things, so he just dropped me off and was waiting at home (about 10 minutes away) for the phone call when I was ready to come home.
We ladies get all decked out in our spring finest and, of course, a Derby Hat is a MUST for this event. So, I wore my pretty bright red one with a red flower-print dress. (Here is a link to show you some of the hats people wear: Kentucky Derby Hats )
Well, as I was leaving, I was walking towards the herb pavilion near the parking lot and all of a sudden, I couldn't breath.
I mean, I felt as though a horse were sitting on my chest! Then I started to get confused, dizzy, disoriented, nauseous! I pretty much just collapsed on a bench and realized there were several people trying to get me to respond: Are you okay? Is there someone we can call? Etc.
I couldn't even answer except to wave my hand at them!
I was scared out of my wits!
And my hat had blown off and I was there all bald and eyebrowless and about ready to barf on all their plants!
Finally, a few minutes passed and I was able to talk and breath again. By the time I was able to talk coherently, everything had passed like it never happened in the first place!
Wow! Has anyone had a reaction like this at all during chemo!?! This last infusion was my very last one that I'm going to be taking, but is this sort of "event" something I should anticipate happening again?!
My husband showed up about 5 minutes later and now I'm home and ready to jump into bed. Yikes.
I don't think I'll be going to the Derby this year if this is the sort of thing that I can look forward to!!
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Oh Ezscriiibe - I'm so sorry you had such a weird experience! DH and I had been planning all year to attend Thunder Over Louisville until this beast struck - so we put it off for another year. I am so glad that you got to go at all though. Hope you're feeling better now and whatever happened is done and over with.
I just finished up tx #4 last Thursday. I'm tired and a bit queasy, but not nearly as wiped out as I was after the first three. I hope this holds for #5 & #6! Usually by Sunday, I'm too tired to even *think*, but DH got me up and out of the house. It's a beautiful day here in TX so I'm glad we went, even if it was just to Wal-Mart!
Hope everyone avoids nasty SE's this weekend.
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Wow, ezscriibe (Michelle) - that must have been really scary. Sounds almost like a panic attack - I had one when I was in the shower once a while back and it was similar to what you experienced. You should definitely call the doc today and get a hold of someone - they need to know this. I really hope you are feeling better and that you don't experience that again. At least you were surrounded by good samaritans who were trying to help out, and, that you weren't driving when it happened! Take care, get rest, and I'll be thinking of you. Mo
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Michele-I had a similar experience but I thought it was caused from getting up too quickly. I went blank and dizzy and fell, and it took several minutes of my husband pulling on me and talking to me before I became coherent again. Very scary. I'm glad you were ok and there was a bench nearby for you to rest on. I ended up on the floor, and I'm still black and blue from it. I hope they both were fluke incidents!
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You know what, burley, I think maybe you have hit it. I think it might have been a blood pressure drop, now that I think about it.
I probably should have had them call EMS. But after spending the rest of the day at home and in bed, I'm feeling much better. Thanks for everyone's words of support! Hugs to all my ladies!
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Ezscriiibe - it could very well have been a blood pressure drop. How is your red cell count? I've been told that could contribute towards dizzy spells and such also. Glad you're ok. I know that must have been scary.
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I have flown twice with my port, Riley, and never had any issues and didn't need a letter of any kind. My tissue expander didn't cause any issues either.
I just finished TCH #4 and it was the worst for me too, so far. The first 3 were basically a breeze, but this one made me much more tired and much more queasy. I wonder if there are better anti-nausea meds than the Compazine and Ativan for rounds 5 and 6...?
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Faithfulc - I will get my port out between chemo and rads:) That is in 3 more weeks!! A week and a half before my last one. I'll be thinking of you this week for your #5. I hope you don't have a throw up episode again:)
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Ezscriiibe-wow, how scary. Glad you are feeling better. I hope you called the doc or plan to tomorrow.
Beth-I plan on asking my doc the same thing for rounds 5 & 6. #4 was brutal and I am really worried about #5.
So, this past week, I have started to wear my wig. I actually still have some hair and am able to wear a baseball cap. The top of my head is SUPER thin. But, if I want to dress up a bit, I have started wearing a wig. Went to church this AM with a a wig on and after that, went to Costco. One of the gals selling a mixer said "Wow, I just love your hair". I said "thanks" and smiled. Then she said "I really wish I could have hair like that". I smiled at her and my husband and said "You can". She said "Oh no, it really just can't work on my hair". I said "seriously, you can". Then i leaned closer and whispered "it's a wig, I am going through chemo. So, really you can have this hair!" We both laughed super hard and chatted for a bit. It was such a fun conversation. So nice to make light of the ugliness of chemo. Something that hasn't happened nearly enough!
Hope everyone is doing well and having NO side effects!
V
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Thanks, Beth! I think I've read too much about those airport scanners that see everything...
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About traveling during chemo: found this information on about.com:
Going on a trip during chemotherapy for breast cancer can be a nice break from the rigors of treatment. But since airline security is high, you may have metal on or in your body that will set off the alarms on metal detectors or wands. Being prepared will help you get through security with fewer problems. Plan ahead and know what to bring with you.
Chemotherapy Ports and Pumps May Set Off Metal Detectors
If you have an implanted port (chest or arm) or an under-the-skin pump, carry an identification card for the device. If you don't have the ID card, ask your doctor for a note, written on letterhead that describes the type, purpose, and location of the device. Have the ID card or note with you, ready to show the security staff. Not every port or pump will set off the metal detectors, since some do not contain ferrous metal, and because different levels of security may be in place.
Tissue Expanders and Hand-held Metal Detector Wands
If you're having breast reconstruction done, and have a tissue expander in place, you may have a magnet in the expander. The magnet helps your plastic surgeon find the valve through which saline is added to the expander. A hand-held metal detector wand will usually pick up such a magnet. Ask your surgeon for a note or ID card, explaining the placement and purpose of the magnet. Have the ID card or note ready to show to the security staff.
Syringes and X-ray Machines
If you need to carry an injectable medicine, such as Procrit or Neupagen, or you need an EpiPen(TM), get a letter from your doctor. The letter should state the reason for your medical need, and an explanation of the medicine. Make copies of your prescriptions for these and any medicines you are bringing, and carry those with you as well.
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(((((faithfulc)))))
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Leta, yeah - only one more left and you'll be soon done with chemo (I hope forever).
My 2nd and 3rd week after #4 went by fast and I feel pretty good. This Wednesday (the day after tomorrow) 4/28 will be my #5. Hoping it'll go smoothly. And thanks for telling me about your "port plan" :-) I'm hoping to get it out before rads start towards the end of June. It is getting warm which makes the wig a bit uncomfortable. Still having hot flashes certainly does not make the situation better. I used to think that the A/C at work is set too low for the summer. Now I'm so thankful that I don't feel hot too much in the building.
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Dear Febuary Sisters,
I am off to my fourth and last TC chemo treatment tomorrow! I am excited to be done with chemo but not excited for the coming chemo "effects." That being said I am so grateful for all of you faithful sisters for sharing your journeys and sharing the support we all need. As everyone says this is doable, but I do not have to like it. I'm thankful for the medicine and the job chemo is doing in our bodies. It feels like chemotherapy treatments are gamers with their Nintendo and PlayStation games-fighting the enemies and getting our remaining cancer cells.
Friends and family are saying this treatment time went so fast. Well, it did and didn't go fast for me. You know what I mean. Boy, I am on a steroid high today. I was even outside pulling weeds and trimming grass by the patio. I was doing that after spending days in my recliner feeling yucky.
For all of you continuing your chemo journey, you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Can you believe it is almost May? Take care!!!
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hi michele, sorry to hear about your incident this late and am glad all's well. hi leah58, congrats to your last tx! cant wait for mine to be over soon in 3 more months with 12 Taxols
last AC tx was doable except for the constipation which phew! (pardon me), am glad its over
today is my 6th day and am still having the reflux, anyone knows how i can prevent it other than meds? am slowly feeling pain over my body as well.......will be praying for easier Taxol tx.would also like to thanks all of you for sharing your stories, how to cope, how to deal with chemo and many other stuff although i am staying so far away from all of you. am looking forward to much brighter days and months and years to come!!! God bless all of us
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Leah: So glad you are on your last tx. In a week or so, you will feel much, much better. That after-chemo is a grind, but you're hanging in great.
me: Other than watching which foods and not lying down after you eat, I can't add much to the reflux problem, but I did switch around my otc's to find one that worked better.
Michele: How are you doing?
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Is anyone else dying from hot flashes? This is crazy! I cannot seem to regulate my temperature. I'm always either hot or cold-nothing in between. The worst is at night-I wake up all night either sweating or freezing.
Apparently I completely skipped my period this month. Not a bad thing, unless it decides to pop in on me unexpectedly.
Doing fine after treatment on Thursday. All the bone pain has gone away finally. Just in time for me to deal with tissue expander pain...ugh
Hope everyone has a great day!
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Burley - Hot flashes has become a way of life! I asked my onc about it and she said it's just one of the many wonderful SE's. It's worse for me at night also. Seems I spend half the time putting my sleep cap on and the other half pulling it off - along with the covers!
She also told me that once I start Tamoxifen, it will just prolong the merriment. Since having a partial hyst, I wasn't sure I was post-menopausal (no period for years now), but apparently I get to join the fan brigade too! Hurray!!
I sincerely hope that hot flashes will come to an end for you once tx is over. Take care.
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Well, I had my final chemo last Thursday, and it's still kicking my butt. Mostly the weakness and fatigue. I can't seem to stay upright.
I guess the one good thing is, that it WAS my final! woo hoo.
Now on to radiation next month.
My hugs to all you who have had your final or are getting your final this week! One more step if the fight down!!
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I'm so happy for you Ezcriiibe! You made it through the final tx!!! Praying for your strength to kick back in quickly!
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I'm almost halfway done! I got my last Taxotere today, so I won't have to do those damned steroids after tomorrow. I finish Xeloda next Monday, so my poor cracked and peeling hands can finally heal. Re-do all my scans, take a week's vacation, and start the last 4 cycles (Avastin, Adriamycin, Cytoxan). Then, surgery. I think I'm seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel!
Hope everyone has good luck and/or quick recoveries from their SEs.
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Lindee, that's great news about the lump turning out OK. I hope your next two Taxol treatments go smoothly and the neuropathy goes away.
Leah, congratulations on finishing chemo today! Yay!!! I hope all went well and there are no, or very little, SEs.
Michele, that's great you completed chemo last Thursday! Woo hoo!!! Sorry the last one is knocking you around, and I hope you feel better soon.
Leta, that's great that your last chemo is just around the corner. I hope you're feeling great and will sail thru the last one.
Faithfulc, I'm sending out good thoughts for your 5th treatment tomorrow. What's even better is that afterwards, the countdown begins for your final chemo.
My 4th and final chemo was 2 1/2 weeks ago. Recovery has been OK, but with more fatigue than before and reflux/digestion issues the past few days. I never had the reflux/digestion problems with treatment until now, but I caused it by eating too many beans, nuts and fruit. I couldn't help it, all of these foods tasted so good after the safe food I've been eating, so I went way overboard. I've been paying for it the past few days, but today I'm almost back to normal.
Another strange thing that happened was getting some blood while brushing my teeth this Friday night then again Saturday. At first I thought I must have some type of mouth ulcer, but I couldn't see or feel anything. It seemed my gums were bleeding a little, which kinda freaked me out, and of course it was happening on a weekend. I also had a tiny bit of blood when blowing my nose, but I wasn't leaking anywhere else. It made me think my blood wasn't clotting as well as it should be, so I increased my intake of Vitamin K via spinach. With previous chemo infusions, I had been eating spinach religiously and hadn't had any problems; this last time, I hadn't had any spinach. I sent the hubby on a "spinach run", had a couple of bowls on Sunday, and no more bleeding. I hope this was it, but I will call the onc if I see any blood again.
I hope everyone is feeling great and having minimal SEs. My best to those having treatment this week. Take care!
Cindy
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Escriiibe-CONGRATS
Michelle-CONGRATS
Cindy-i too have been having some slight blood when I blow my nose. This has been happening to me throughout my treatments.
Burley-the hot flashes totally suck!! For me, they are worse at night as well. I too was told the tamox would help them continue too! Oh joy for summer....
Just curious if anyone else is experiencing any teeth sensitivity? This last treatment, my upper teeth and gums kind of hurt. No bleeding, they just are sensitive to hold and cold and just kind of ache.
Hope everyone is doing well and having little or no side effects.
V
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