Starting Chemo in June 2005

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  • sjstrader
    sjstrader Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2005

    Feels so good to be 2/3's done! Have MUGA scan tomorrow as a comparison to first one I got before Chemo started. Hope all is well, then meet with radiologist at the end of the month. Feels like I can make it.

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  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited September 2005

    I just started chemo, 2nd FEC coming up Monday - I have not heard about this issue with nails - how does it manifest itself? Are people careful around crowds (parties, restaurants, etc) because of low white cell count?

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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited September 2005
    Linny - most of us are having Taxol or Taxotere which can affect the nails, so you might not have a problem on FEC. For me, the nailbeds are tender and darker, and the nails are looking "warped" for lack of a better way to put it! I get Neulasta to keep my white cells up, so I haven't had a problem with being around people. My biggest danger is having a germy 13 year old living in the house!



    Jenster - I had to laugh about your hot flashes because my husband had a hard time convincing me that was what I was going through! I didn't believe him until one day I was HOT and saw on the thermostat that it was only 68 degrees in the house! I don't know what to do about them, but when I have one I feel like a cartoon with the dash lines around the head, representing heat rays, you know what I mean?



    I overdid it at work yesterday, and I'm paying for it today! My body wants to shut down...it's telling me NO WAY are you going to pretend you are not having chemo, dumb*ss!

    Nosurrender warned us, but no, I had to put my job first. What an idiot I was! I'm being a good girl now, just taking it easy and I'm feeling a bit better already.



    I hope everyone else is doing well, I love reading your posts and I hope those of you that are having worries will be having good news and peace of mind soon!! Love ya!
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  • 2frogs1princess
    2frogs1princess Member Posts: 120
    edited September 2005
    Hot flashes are no fun are they!?! I'm having more now since I started the Taxol. The girls at work are getting used to me ripping my do-rag off my head when I have them. One of my friends at work is peri-menopausal and carries a hand-held battery powered fan in her pocket. I think I might get one! Some flashes are worse than others. Now I know why my mom called them power surges. I wonder if they will be worse when I'm chemically induced into menopause to take Arimidex. Oh, the joys of this dreaded disease. Gotta do what we gotta do!

    ~Mindy~
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited September 2005

    LOL. I haven't whipped off any head covering in public, yet, but I have no doubt it's going to happen. And here I've been griping and cussing and moaning about the horrid summer and how I couldn't wait for fall. Still true, but maybe the summer wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. lol.

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited September 2005
    I've finally started doing Jazzercise bareheaded - what a relief! I sweat so much from my head, anyhow. And everybody knows about my cancer, and if they don't, they'll find out! But yes, the hot flashes are terrible, I just drip sweat!

    I just got home from my 3 month checkup after surgery. It just thrilled me to see her type in my notes "NED". First of many!
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  • minerva
    minerva Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2005
    Linny - I am also doing FEC, I have had 2 treatments. I didn't have any problems with my finger nails while doing Taxol. I noticed after #2 of FEC they started to pull away from my nail beds. I hope you bypass this side affect!

    Nancy - Good to see you post again. Please take care of yourself.

    Brenda - I have also joined a workout club. I try to go everyday that I am able. I know for me it gives me a little more energy to do the things I need to do everyday. Keep it up. You are brave about doing Jazzercise bareheaded. I keep my hanky on my head and breathe extra when I am sweating and having hot flashes.

    Jenster - I pray for fall also. I spent sometime in Dardanelle AR a couple of summers ago, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I can't imagine how you can handle hot flashes and the heat. I am please that you were able to volunteer as you wanted to. What part of Arkansas are you from?

    Pray for cooler weather for us all! Everybody take care!
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  • Scout
    Scout Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2005
    I went out shopping and out to eat with a friend today. Boy, it felt wonderful being normal!!! We shopped for two hours and had a long lunch...gosh, how I missed this!!
    I've had a hard time sleeping knowing that my surgery (to take out my ovary)is this coming Tuesday..yikes! I'm scared to death that they will find cancer in my ovary. The following Monday I have my second Taxotere. I had such a terrible time with the first one, so I'm not sure what the doctor will do this time. I meet with the Onc. at 9am, then have chemo, then see the surgeon at 1pm...it's going to be a long day!
    Anywho....I'm going to enjoy the next few days and try not to think about any of this...it's hard...but sometimes I actually DO forget!
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  • kimBe
    kimBe Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2005
    Quick post-Taxol #3 today (I am weekly x12 so already a quarter done). Was gone from work for less than 3 hours and everything is wonderful! I had myself pretty much the terrible first one was a fluke but had one little gremlin in the back of my head that kept saying #2 went great but they may not all go that way. Busy balancing 2 seperate jobs but that is starting to fall into place too. Oh and I love the fact that my husband had to point out "hot flashes" to me---thought I was the only one in the world that didn't know a hot flash----
    KimB
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited September 2005
    Minverva - I live about 20 miles Southwest of Little Rock. I've been here 17 years, but as soon as my treatment is over the family is moving to Pennsylvania. DH and I are originally from Southern California. Talk about a lot of culture shock!!

    Yes, the summers here can be horrid. So humid. Did you go to Mount Nebo or Petit Jean when you were in Dardanelle? As bad as the summers are, the fall is absolutely gorgeous. Especially in that area.

    We went to Yellowstone a few summers ago and absolutely loved it. Especially the cooler evenings - something we don't get here with the humidity.

    Jen
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited September 2005
    Now that chemo is done I find myself waking up in the morning feeling a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders.
    I know the steroids are keeping my mood and energy up but even so I just know I won't be getting "zapped" in two weeks.
    In the meantime I am moving ahead on the radiation scheduling as well as the operation to have the port out.
    I find the port irritating and want it gone.
    There is still more treatment ahead but chemo was the one that worried me the most.
    Then I heard from my daughter in college. She is getting more accostumed to being there and will be coming home many weekends. It turns out she got permission as a Freshman for a car permit because of my medical diagnosis.
    At least it was good for something. So I will be seeing her from time to time.
    That feels good.
    Today I made muffins and coleslaw and have the DVD or Taxi season two to watch. My chemo eyes are still blurry but T.V. watching is O.k.
    maybe before too long I can paint again. I did manage to do a big peony picture the day before my last chemo. My eyes stopped tearing just long enough for me to get it done.
    I am glad I have it to look at. It reminds me that I will paint again and in the not to distant future.
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited September 2005
    Jo - I'm so happy for you. It sounds like things are going very well for you.

    Congratulations on being finished with chemo! I know it won't be any time at all before your eyes clear up and you can really get on with things!

    Jen
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited September 2005
    Scout...hope you are able to get things off your mind and enjoy the weekend while you are feeling well. Happy that you got to have a fun lunch! We'll all be praying for you on Tuesday.

    Jo...nice to hear you sound so upbeat. CONGRATS on finishing chemo! I can't wait until I'm done.

    Have an appointment set up with Rad/Onc 9/20, so will be finding out more info then.

    Liz
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited September 2005
    Hi
    been thinking about all of you. Dana I hope your mom is ok
    and scout you are in my prayers.
    Kimbe I think we are on the same schedule. I had my third taxol tuesday with nine more to go. Although this is easier than A/C-no sores yet, I am getting sick with this one which puzzles everyone-OH well. At least I have one day where I don't move instead of three and four.
    The grimlin still plegues(sp?)us here, this computer just goes out without warning. Guess we will have to replace it. And I wonder why I have a living room set with holes in it SIGH
    But the end is in sight so I am happy, it just furniture right?
    Take care
    Bev
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  • minerva
    minerva Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2005
    Jenster - Yes I got to go to Mount Nebo. My daughter's inlaws live at the base of Mount Nebo. It was so beautiful looking all over the valley, very green compared to where I live. One thing that was alien to me was the chicken farms! Yuck!! That is one thing I would tell someone visiting to look out for!! LOL
    I live 300 miles south of Yellowstone Park. We moved here last year but lived for many years in Jackson Hole Wyoming. If you visited Jackson, maybe I passed you on the street. Small world!

    Jo- I am so glad you are done with chemo. Good luck on the rest of your treatments. I understand the tearing eyes, they can be irritating.

    Scout - Hope your surgery goes well and the test results come back in your favor.

    Have a nice weekend everyone!
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited September 2005

    Well, the rad. oncologist called today and we scheduled my treatment. I go in on Oct. 5 for simulation and CAT scan and tatoos, then start tx on Oct. 10. Six weeks 30 total treatments, the last five of which are boosts. So I'll finish on Friday before Thanksgiving week. That will be awesome, being all done with everything before the holidays. Hopefully I won't burn too badly, and will have enough time to heal. The worst is the drive downtown every day, but as I mentioned, I really like this young dr., and the Clinic uses a breast shield to guard the other breast from scatter radiation, plus does something called CT mapping or something, which Dr. thinks is really good (hell, I just take her word for it, she's the pro, right?) Anyway, I'm ready to get past this and on with the rest of my life, and I'm optimistic about the future in general. I've got another grandbaby on the way, did I mention that? I'll be babysitting for a couple of months next spring between the time that DIL goes back to her teaching and the end of the school year, then they will use regular daycare when she goes back after summer. I'm excited about it.

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  • MichelleB39
    MichelleB39 Member Posts: 51
    edited September 2005
    Watson- I have these little grey/white hairs sticking up all over too! I have a few stubs in certain areas. The onc said it would take about a month for my hair to start growing after my last chemo. That means next week. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

    I didn't have to do the Taxotere just a/c. I have been mapped and tattoed and will start radiation next Thursday! 6 1/2 weeks of daily radiation and I am done!!! Woo hoo!!!
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited September 2005
    COngrats to Jo! YEAH!
    Prayers and good vibes to Scout.
    All of you getting tatooed and starting rads...they may mark you up with a Sharpie pen. Don't wear anything you don't want stained. Those darn things are PERMANENT!

    You all are almost there! Gee - then what will I do?
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited September 2005

    Nosurrender, you have been our champion for all these months and it is just now dawning on me that you must have times when you need someone, too. Have you got a coach? If not, maybe we've all come far enough that you can lean on us for a change!!

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  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited September 2005

    Hi Minerva, thanks for the post, I have read a lot about side effects, but did not see anything about nails. I will have second FEC this Monday.

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited September 2005

    Where's everyone today? Thought I'd better bring us to the top. I had a two day show this weekend, weather was outstanding, sales were pretty good too! I've told Greg that he's stuck going with me to shows next year, though, because it's so much easier setting up and taking down with him there to do the lifting and toting. Pottery is heavy! Every time I do a show I wish I had taken up crochet or somethin - LOL. I keep feeling like I should have chemo tomorrow, but it's actually a week from tomorrow since I moved up to Friday before Labor Day. I'm feeling pretty darn good, but my appetit has gone out of control! Anybody else feel like they want to eat all the time? I swear, I feel like I'm pregnant!

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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited September 2005
    Didn't you notice? I already do lean on you!
    Thanks!
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited September 2005
    Today is my last steroid day. That is both the good news and the bad news.
    today I am getting some books on tape since I can't see very well at all anymore.
    I keep telling myself I just have to get over this last taxol. I know from journaling the next two days are the tough ones.
    I sat outside and soaked in the warmth yesterday. I even managed to make muffins. I always feel better if I can do something concrete.
    Today my daughter goes back to school.
    This whole week has no Dr's appts.
    so that is a good thing.
    How is everybody else doing?
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited September 2005
    Jo, how many kids do you have? I know your daughter went off to college, is this another daughter that's still at home? What grade? Your eyes will be better soon, and things will look a whole lot better for you (pun intended), I just know it. You'll be able to enjoy the fall colors in New England. Do you paint landscapes? Maybe this will be the year to do some really outstanding paintings, after investing so much of yourself in healing this summer.

    Today I'm doing homemaker type things, after being gone all weekend. My house needs a good cleaning, and I've just started two batches of beer, and I think I might bake bread too (a yeasty day!). My garden is looking real raggedy, especiallly after all the wind and rain we got as Katrina went by two weeks ago. It's sort of sad to see it starting to die, signaling the end of summer. It's a beautiful time of year, with the way the light changes in September, but it always makes me want to grab and hang on to the last of summer. Can't say I'll really be glad to see the end of my "chemo summer", but I wish I had been able to be more engaged in it.
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited September 2005
    I have one daughter. She is going to college about an hour away. She got permission to have a car on campus because of my medical status so this was the first weekend she could drive home. It was nice to see her. She looks so much more grown up than when she left.
    I sat out in the garden ysterday and looked at all the things that should have been done to it.
    I haven't even thought about ordering bulbs.
    Everything seems out of "sync".
    I hope as I start to feel better things will fall back into place.
    Right now I am glad the summer is over. It was a summer I never want to remember.I think it has given summer a bad name.
    I am not ready to forgive .....yet.
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited September 2005
    Order those bulbs! Plant them for your victory garden.
    They were planted while you were trying to get over the last Taxol and just facings rads. They will bloom when your hair is down past your ears, your eyes are all clear again and you are LIVING as a SURVIVOR.
    When you see them bloom you will be in awe of how far you have come and how much you endured.
    (the next time you post you better have dirt under those nails! )
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  • Scout
    Scout Member Posts: 76
    edited September 2005
    Hey everyone! I'm here! I have been busy in the garden and cleaning the house. I have surgery tomorrow and I'm scared out of my pants! The hospital just called to ask all those stupid health questions...just made it all too real when she called.
    Here's a link to all my flowers...sorry there are so many...I love taking pics of my babies!
    http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shoeforyou...m/ph//my_photos

    We are going to the baseball game tonight too...I'm sooo excited! This will be the Cardinals last time playing in this stadium (a new one is being built next door) and our seats are box seats with airconditioning! I know that sounds silly...but I haven't been able to attend a game yet because of our heat...it's in the mid 90's and it doesnt' really cool off in the evening.
    Well...wish me luck tomorrow! The doctor is making me spend the night, so I won't be back until Wednesday. When I am able, I'll post back. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't have ovarian cancer.
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  • 2frogs1princess
    2frogs1princess Member Posts: 120
    edited September 2005
    Scout-I've already sent up some prayers for you for tomorrows surgery! I'll be sending more too. I took a peek at the pics- you do a really good job taking pictures. Such pretty flowers! Are you in St. Louis? If so, we are only about 1 1/2 hours apart. I live about an hour south of Springfield, IL. Good luck tomorrow, I wish you the best!
    ~Mindy~
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited September 2005
    Scout,
    I too will be thinking of you! I logged on yesterday to double check when your surgery was. I'm sure you'll be fine.
    I"ve got all kinds of Cardinals baseball stuff around my house. (hubby is from there) You have a great time at the game. Will you miss the old stadium? Our old stadium here in Houston has a lot of residents in it now from New Orleans!
    Try not to be scared and post as soon as you can to let us know how you did. Maybe you can train your husband to post for you!

    Take care, sweetie!
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited September 2005
    Scout, great pictures and flowers! Wishing you well tomorrow and you're in my prayers. I'm so glad you have the game to look forward to tonight. Enjoy yourself. Eveything will go well tomorrow...at least once you are knocked out! Ask for plenty of pre-surgery "happy juice" (that's what they call it at my hospital). It would be great if your husband can post so we know how things go.

    Big, Big Hug,

    Liz
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