11tybillion- I know the last thing you want is to be second guessing your doctor, but I'd DEFINITELY talk to him about your particular needs (i.e. hospitalization) and ask him specifically why he doesn't order the shots for you.  It may be an overall policy instead of an individual decision.  Tell him your concerns about that.  I think once the docs consider specific circumstances their recommendations might change.  I know my doc very casually talked about getting me in for transfusions if my counts got too low, and I told him that it was absolutely NOT something I would be happy about and that I wanted to avoid it at all costs.  He kept telling me it wasn't a big deal, but I told him it was to me.  He didn't change my treatment, because I was already getting the shots prophylactically, but he made sure to watch my counts closely and give me more specific feedback about what I could do about it between infusions.  At the very least, it made me feel better that it became a priority to him as well.

Sometimes it doesn't matter, but I think that when the docs know where we're coming from, they can make better decisions for us.  Good luck and I'm praying that your counts stabilize.  That goes for you guys too Nkrun and Mslrg. 

Last night I was watching one of my favorite shows LX New York.  They did a segment on eyelashes.  They said that the cost of one month's supply of Latisse is $120.  They recommended a product called RapidLash Eyelash Renewal Serum.  They thought it worked as well as Latisse for less than half the price and no Rx needed.  I found it at drugstore.com for $43.  I decided to give it a try.  I'll let you know if it works for me. 

I see the finish line a commin'.  I have 3 more regular radiation treatments then the 7 boost treatments and I am done!!!!  Except for the 5 yrs of Arimidex.  One woman I spoke to said she didn't even know she was taking the Arimidex.  I hope that is so for me too.  Is anyone else having radiation right now??

Love and Hugs to all.

Hi Ladies, thanks for your responses regarding my last post. Pagowens--yes I am a school district employee--a principal,  with NO UNION PROTECTION. My district is battling a 30 Million dollar budget shortfall, and has laid-off 500 teachers, 400 classified positions (secretaries, custodians, food service, classroom aides, maintenance, technology, library techs, etc), every vice principal, several directors, and other administrative positions. I have been told I'm "lucky" to have a job to come back to. I guess that's true. But my blood levels are super low and I still have to get my exchange surgery. Long story short: I have togo back on May 24h and work that entire week. Then the next Monday is Memorial day, and I'll take my 5 furlough days after that (those of us not laid off are taking pay cuts, furloughs, and pay step freezes). This will mean that my family will stil get to go to Washington DC to visit family and have a little fun for a change, before we come back and I complete 7 more work days in June. Then straight to the OR for exchange surgery, hoping I can get back to work by mid-July when administrators have to start up again. I am very upset and scared. I feel like they're going to scutinize me to make sure I am perfect at my job even when I feel terrible. My teachers and other staff are mad as hell about all the layoffs and pay cuts, so the work place is pretty toxic rightnow. But I have to do what I have to do. Prayers, please!!!!

Hi Michelle,

I wouldn't take the Benedryl while still having Taxol in your system  - it is the cause of the "jumpy legs" that several of us have experienced.  Call your oncologist and ask what to take, rather than guessing on over the counter meds. 

My oncologist said no Latisse while on chemo.  She didn't say not to do it after chemo  - and, unlike other general users, I only intend to use the stuff until my eyelashes are back in.  I don't care about long and thick lashes .... just more than I got now so that my eyes don't look so stark.  I did buy the prescription Latisse at $124 at cvs and am glad to get the recommendation re the substitute stuff.  I thought it was darn expensive and it's not covered on my prescription plan because it's classified as cosmetic.  But, it seems to me that hair regrowth is addressing a SE of chemo and not cosmetic.  I;ll probably never win that battle with the prescription plan company.

Mslrg - just take it totally easy on yourself going back to work.  I went back part-time (20 hrs) in mid-April while still doing chemo and like last night, after an evening function I had to go to, I was EXHAUSTED and literally crawled into bed.  I'm paying for it today - a chemo day. Make the work stuff the total focus and DO NOTHING once you get home to conserve your energy and make it through.  I work at a college and had a hard time convincing my oncologist I should go back part-time.  She said all teachers, administrators, health care workers should NOT go back to work because of the proliferation of germs in schools and health care centers and hospitals.  I promised I'd stay in my office....which I mostly do.  She wants me to put up a sign that says something like "If you're sick or feeling sick, please don't come in - call me instead."  LOL  The receptionist now acts as my guard dog and  checks folks out first.  I've had only one time where I had to lock my door and lay down on the floor for about 30 minutes to regroup my strength and get on with the work.  For me it's the darn fatigue that is the most difficult to deal with and work.

And, I'm almost through the Anti-Cancer book.  Since reading the lists, I've been even more conscious at the food store re reading labels.  Geez Louise - I'm already tired and I can see this lifestyle change away from the toxins in food is going to take a LOT OF WORK.  I don't know if I'm up to it yet - like the exercise stuff.  My bones are just too tired.

Ciao,

Pat

I read an article about Latisse that may be of interest. Here is the link - you may have to paste on your browser if it does not work

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/health/02latisse.html?scp=1&sq=latisse&st=cse

Got my genetic testing back and unfortunately I have a  BRCA 2 mutation. Now I have to consider additional surgery as the risks outlined to me are high. Wish I could have had the double Mx in Dec when I had the single....but I guess I did not have the BRCA results then. Looks like I will be seeing the various surgeons a lot over the next months! I have decided that I am going for minimizing risks...so ooph, fallopian tubes, uterus etc out as well.  

On a more positive note - I had my last Chemo (Tax.) today! So after the worst SEs go in 8-10 days it is recovery time! I hope for the best! I had a low key celebration ...lunch with my husband. It seemed just right as I'm so tired from not sleeping last night due to the upped dose of DEX.  

Sorry to hear about all the additional stress some of you have been facing...hope it can be resolved. Some employers can be so callous and the recession has not helped matters. 

Pat and VegasDiva - Thank you for your prompt and helpful responses.
I'm waiting to see how Latisse is working for you.Wish you the best of luck. I would love some thick nice lashes, but one of the side effects is redness of the eye and I already have it from chemo.

mslrg - Thank you for the link to the FORCE website. It is a useful resource. I looked up your niece - she is doing valuable work! It must be professionally rewarding. 

Enjoy your trip to DC...there is so much to see in the area and interesting for children too! 

Issymom - Thank you for the supporting words. Good luck with the surgery in June. I hear that there are new less invasive techniques they use now and recovery is quicker. I have an appointment with the breast surgeon in a couple of weeks and am waiting to hear from the OB/GYN onc. surgeons. I feel my choice is clear. I know there is no guarantee but the less risk the better!

I have no siblings but will have to contact cousins to share the BRCA info...as they may want to consider testing as well. Not a pleasant task.  

What is your follow-up and surveillance schedule like? I feel like mine is lacking anything concrete at this point. I need to clarify with the docs. I can get follow-up with a med. onc (BRCA expertise) so I feel a little assured. My med.onc (chemo) is not big on tests. At least once I have the surgery I will not need the mammograms and breast MRI. Also since there is no reliable screen for OVCA...the surgery option should provide less worry as well. Quite a journey for sure!

Congratulations on your milestone...no more chemo! I too have about 2 eyelash and 5 eyebrow hairs! My head hair is starting to grow on the side...mainly white fuzz. I had some white before chemo but others had warned me about the white seeming more once growth started. I will have to look into natural or mild hair dye products for a few months/weeks (?) down the road.    

Good luck to all for now.  

Hi All,

11tyBillion- I don't know anything that helps to build up the WBC - I looked online previously and couldn't find much.  The only article I saw said eat plenty of veggies and fruit, especially oranges.  I eat one orange and banana a day anyway and eat lots of veggies.  I also looked at my chart yesterday while there for chemo.  My blood results track the various things, like WBC and RBC, and it has ranges for high and low.  Here's my results yesterday:  WBC::  Should be between 4.9 to 10.5.  I was getting Neupogen when my counts were around 3.2 to 4.3.  Yesterday it was 6.1, so no Neupogen this week (yea! Less bone pain). RBC:  Between 4.00 to 6.00, I'm below at 3.32, she didn't seem too concerned with that  Hemoglobin (tracks anemia): Between 11.0 to 18.0.  I'm at 11.1 as of yesterday but was floating around 8 and 9, so I did the egg yolks, spinach and calf liver stuff to build up the iron and I've been getting a bag of iron (feron) with each infusion.  I got a bag yesterday again.  So, I don't know how to interpret your .89 or 8.9 you cite for WBC - you need to ask your doctor or nurses for the ranges of high and low so you can understand where you are.  I hope this helps.

Issymom - yes, my leg hairs and chin and muzzie hairs are coming in first.  NOT FAIR!

 Zappit: Thanks for the article.  I did go see a dermatologist first and talk with her about me being a chemo patient.  She did prescribe Latisse and felt the risks were minimal to me after chemo as long as I follow the directions to the T.  She will only prescribe one package at a time and I have to go back for check ups monthly.  I have dark brown eyes already, so no problem there - am a little worried about the inflammation, so I'll keep a careful eye on that too.  I'm starting in mid-June after a two week break from chemo.  Hell, after filling my body with much more lethal toxins to fight the cancer, Latisse seems pretty lightweight.  Unlike some of the folks quoted, I'm not in it for a lifetime to have long lustrious eyelashes.  I'm just in until all my previous eyelashes are back and doing ok.  I figure that's a couple months. 

The funny thing yesterday when I brought up my eyelashes/eyebrows to my oncologist is that she recommended a nearby nail salon where her patients have gone to have fake lashes glued on that stay on for various lengths of time.  I laughed because that seems more chancy for infection than Latisse!  However, I am going to take a trip to the Beauty supply store and get some light, fake ones that I can wear for special occasions - like my 20th reunion next week.  I've worn fake eyelashes before and the hardest part is gluing them onto the eye and not the cheek, eyebrow or ear.

Had my 8th Taxol, out of 12 yesterday.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel!  Can't wait.

Pat

Hi Everyone!  You are all such a great source of inspiration for me.  I am having my last chemo/Taxol tomorrow.  I went today for the blood work and was cleard to have my LAST ONE!!!  I have shared this with other people, but they didn't seem to understand the excitement that I had.  This is So Important to me....I am reaching a milestone!  WHOO HOO!!!!!!

To all of you that are done with chemo...WHOO HOO your you too!

For those of you on your path....keep the faith...your WHOO HOO is near!

Take care of yourselves,

Tammy

nkrun - I had a double mast with reconstruction.  I currently have tissue expanders and will be having them relpaced in the coming months.  I guess that I was happpier to have the breasts removed than to keep thinking about the cancer growing within...like a ticking bomb.  Actually, for the first 2 days while I was in the hospital I didn't look (too afraid)...then when I did look, I was actually pleasantly suprised.  I had 2 reasonable bumps where my breasts were..or actually a little higher since I've had 2 kids.  the only strange thing wa snot having a "nipple"...but that strangeness went away fairly quickly too.  The most strange thing for me (living in the Chicago Area) was when it was cold outside there was no "nipple reaction"...that was kind of weird!  i know too much information...but I wish I had thought of it before it happened! 

Anyway, I wish you the best!

Tammy

Hello Ladies,So many of you are coming along so well and getting some of these milestones behind you. For those of you still struggling with SE, my extra prayers are with you.

I saw my PS surgeon on Tuesday and was glad to find out I didn't need any more of those painful saline fills. I was surprised to find out that my 450 ml expanders actually have 600 ml in them--no wonder the tight turtle shell in the chest feeling. They are so painful and wake me up every night with cramping. I have been taking a lot of valium, darvocet and barbituates to deal wit the pain , especially at night. Anyway, the good news is that I can get my exchange surgery in mid June, and that will give me 3-4 weeks to recover before I have to go back to work to start the 2010-2011 school year. I still have to return on May 24, and also put in 7 days in the first part of June. All of my healthcare providers are completely disgusted at my HR department. I am too, but I have to deal with it the best I can.I a, also going to physica therapy to improve my range of motion and strength, as well as strengthn my knee thathas a torn meniscus. Yes, I feeli like my body is falling apart! Hope you al have a greatd day! Hange in there!

Hi Georgiabirdgirl--I had my BMX on Oct 24, then began fills about 4 weeks later. I had fill shots every week until I began chemo, then put them on hold because it was too much for me to do chemo and fills. I resumed shots about 3 weeks after chemo and had my last one about 2 weeks ago. My PS likes to wait at least a month after the last fill before she does the exchange. I know some PS wait even longer. As for the camisole--I have 2--the hospital gave me one on the day of my BMX and I bought one.  I never used the falsies--at first, it was just too painfl to have anything there. Then afterwards, I just couldn't be bothered with them. The camisoles are very useful though,with the pockets for drains, etc. The fabric is soft and there are no seamsto rub you where it hurts. Even now that I have "foobs" with my TE, I still not wear a bra--don't miss that one bit!

 Your husband had a bit of a shock when you put it to him straight. The people who love us have a hard time watching us go through this hell. As for not looking the same, you won't. I remember the first time I saw myself topless in the mirror, I was shocked, and said out loud, "They're gone!!!" and I started to cry. I knew they were gone. Hello! You can't have that kind of surgery and not know. But when I saw myself in the mirror, I did feel a huge sense of loss and shock. You will not look the same again, and the sensation will always be different. I have numbness and have been told it may stay that way forever. In addition to doing the exchange, my PS will be doing some liposuction around the sides. I expect them to look better than they did before, but they will never be real and will never be mine. I will learn to live with them and be thankful I am still alive. This is a very life-changing journey for us all on so many levels. Hang in there. Prayers!

I just read an interview with Melissa Etheridge in Natural Solution magazine where the last paragraph is

On looking at cancer in a new way
I actually tell people newly diagnosed with a life-changing health condition, Wow, great: Your body has reached this point where it's telling you that you can't go on like this anymore, and you have to change. I know that when my body did that, my life changed forever for the better. I've never been so happy and clear and strong and healthy, and that's what's lying in front of you. Because now you have the excuse you've been looking for to stop stressing yourself so much, stop requiring so much of yourself that you're making yourself sick. It's time to now say "No" to those things that you don't want to do and say "Yes" to what you do want to be. You'll look back on your disease and say, "I'm glad that happened to me."

My question is...does this happen over time or do you just wake up one day and say "yes surviving cancer was the best thing that has ever happened to me"? If so, I'm waiting for that day because right now I'm not feeling it.

mslrg, nkrun - I think I get the Etheridge quote. Cancer did make me realize that I have to start saying "no" to at least some of the stresses in life. Like you mslrg I wish that I had the luxury of saying that to all of the things that I have to do. However, I have found that there are some stress points that I'm able to dismiss. That's something that I never would have done before, preferring rather to try to be all things to all people and putting myself last. Not anymore, girlfriends, life is too short.

Had my last TCH 4/29/10!!! Now its on to radiation and Tam. Woo Hoo!!! I'm so looking forward to feeling like myself again.