Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

riley702 - whew! I know that must have been an awful scare! I'm so glad it was turned out to be a false alarm. God IS good!! Hope you have a great vacation.

Going for #5 of 6  TC tomorrow. So glad to finally see a glimmer of the home stretch!

faithfulc - so glad you're so close to the end of this!

I think someone mentioned a bit ago about the Look Good Feel Better class. If you haven't been to one and there's still time, I highly recommend it. Learning how to cut up a t-shirt to make a scarf, and drawing on eyebrows alone made it totally worth it for me!

This really is a wonderful group. I don't post a lot - but believe me - I'm so grateful for all of you!

Hey-anyone on Taxotere specifically?  I start that tomorrow.  I've heard it's supposed to be easier that AC and Taxol. 

Taking the steroids today, but I don't feel any different.  We'll see if that's still true after I take another dose tonight and try to go to sleep!

With it in the 90's here, my hot flashes are HORRIBLE!  I never used to sweat, but this is crazy.  Sweating between my "boobs"-ugh.  And the top of my bald head sweats too!  Probably time to wash the wig.

It is so awesome that so many are already finished! I have to admit I am a little jealous! For those of us who still have a ways to go, we will get there!

Gardenslv: That is really mean to dump that on her on Mother's day! I'm sorry she has to go through all that. Lindee: I can attest to life after divorce & we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. We have his, mine & ours, with our youngest 2 still at home. So hang in there is someone better out there. Someone said something about starter husbands which I thought very funny.

Writer: I was hoping you were out of the woods but at least you are almost to the finish line! And there's the weight LOSS, now that's a prize! I've had to buy bigger pants! UGH!!! Somehow you"ll get everything done. We women are so good that way.

My last FECH will be on June 28, so I have a long summer ahead. I've got my first one done, with few SE's, I just felt tired and run down for a few days but no nausea, was taking zofran. My big toes are so achy I'm afraid I may loose the nails. This just started. I also have very sore palms of hands and soles of my feet. Constipation was not an issue with the taxol but sure is this time. Taste is way off too. I have been making green & black tea with sliced oranges in it and it is good. I'm also so puffy. I feel like the stay puff marshmallow man from the movie Ghostbusters! And finally I also am turning into an emotional moron. That really ticks me off because I hate to cry. Maybe I should just go for the anti depressants. They may help with the hot flashes & maybe I could get some sleep for once. Monday is my 2nd FEC so I will be closer. I have been getting the weekly herceptin close to home so at least I'm not having to fly every week now.

Laura

Sitting at key-mo. Bloodwork was fine, luckily. Slightly anemic, but otherwise fine. I'm seriosuly hoping I don't have to ice down my nails and toes-it's already cold in here-but I will if the nurses want me to.



Every time now they ask me if I know I have a balance due...duh, yes, of course. Can I pay the $400 now? Duh, no...I've been making monthly payments, but I guess they still have to ask. Doing the best I can for them and everyone else!

I was just so relieved that my onc. said the tests were fine, I didn't ask many questions. I did think to ask for copies of my test results on the way out and now I have questions that I hope some of you ladies might know the answers to. My doc seemed to be pleased with the results, but I don't understand all of the terminology and that bugs me. I tried googling them, but got frustrated quickly, so I thought I'd come to the people who could help me.

I had a breast MRI with and without contrast that used a CAD-stream computer-aided detection system to obtain multiplanar and 3-D reconstruction images. Subtraction images were created from dynamic contrast data.

"A few stippled minimally enhancing areas are identified in both breasts most consistent with fibrocystic change. The right breast demonstrates no suspicious areas of enhancement. Lymph nodes bilaterally have decreased in size likely related to chemotherapy effect.

In the lateral aspect of the left breast, the patient's malignancy is identified. This is an irregular enhancing mass that measures 2.1 x 1.3 x 1.5 cm. It now demonstrates 98% persistent delayed phase. Previously, the mass measured 3.1 x 2.7 x 2.9 cm and demonstrated only 42% persistent delayed phase. Inferior and posterior medial to the known malignancy, there is a 3 x 2 mm enhancing nodule. This has decreased in size when compared to the prior study.

Impression: Interval decrease in size of the patient's known malignancy with improved kinetics."

OK - what is "persistent delayed phase"? Why is it good that it is increasing? What is "kinetics", since that term only appears in the impression? Is it related to the persistent delayed phase? "Enhancing" means the tissue is being lit up by the contrast they use, right? So is it possible that nodule beside my tumor might also be malignant or pre-malignant? This is the first I've heard of it. And do clean lymph nodes decrease during chemo? I only had one biopsied (FNA) that was enlarged on US and it was negative. Could there have been positive nodes that are responding to the chemo? That would mean I'm really not Stage IIa after all.

Also, my tumor grew in the week between the first MRI and the day of my first chemo, per my onc.'s clinical exam both days. I'm TN, Grade 3, with dense, cystic breasts and 4 or 5 calcifications in each breast besides the little cluster marking my tumor. Even with the encouraging results of my chemo so far, more and more I want both breasts off completely. I don't want these things to be able to try to kill me again even if I beat it back now. Am I completely over-reacting? I won't talk to my BS again until I finish the chemo in August.

Thank you!

Well, they told me I would be more tired and I AM!  I've been either lounging in bed or in the recliner since I got home from treatment on Thursday afternoon...other than getting my Neulasta shot yesterday.  The worse side effect?  HEARTBURN!  Really?  Geez.  Had to go to the grocery store at 9:30pm last night (husband wasn't home from work) to get something for it.  It feels o.k. so far today-now I'm just dealing with slight bone pain and stiffness.  Although I haven't eaten anything yet, and it's already 1:30 in the afternoon.  I'll have to find something bland.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Swiftbird, my #5 was much better than #4.  #4 the nausea about did me in.  I got Emend for #5 and will have it for #6.  Emend was a lifesaver.  Good luck, we are all almost done!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

V

grdnslve - the pain you are experiencing is likely from the Neulasta shot.  What you described was exactly how I felt after my first one and it lasted about 36 hours.  I did not have any problem with the other 5 shots of Neulasta.  Hopefully that will be the same for you as well:)

Riley, good to hear things were ok with the MRI!

Lindee - How many rounds of radiation will you be getting?  They didn't say anything yet about Tamoxifen for me, I finished a week ago and go to the radiologist in 2 weeks....I don't want to ask either, because I am still not sure that I am going to go on that or not.

I read many of you have 'the blues' so to speak, as I got closer to the end, I too have felt sort of 'pushed down' and mentally not my self.  My last meeting with my onc I asked about my moods and if I should be on the look out for anything going.  One thing that has become more pronounced with me that I mentioned to her, was a bit of OCD.   She told me that she noticed even prior to my treatments I had the OCD tendency and that I should watch it closely, it should get better, but if it doesn't she want me to let her know.  At least I am aware of it I guess...she did also say that women feel protected during all of these treatments, the multiple meetings with Dr.'s etc., and I may have a 'withdrawl' phase once I pass through and go to every 6 months of check ups, she said it can come in different forms, from saddness, to increased anxiety etc.  My DH was with me so he can help point out any changes etc.

I am looking forward to coming out of this last chemo funk, #6 initially was tougher than the last few, but I also did not watch what I was eating the first 2 days and ended up getting sick all night and had bad 'cramps' for hours....that was miserable, but now I am good, I just can't concentrate all that well and my short term memory is really bad,

I am not expecting my hair to show any signs of life for another month I figure, but I am hoping that by vacation in August to sport a boys cut?  We will see.  I have not lost my eyebrows and most of my lashes are there.  I don't have any neuropathy, except at night my arms fall asleep easily depending on my position, thinking that is related.  My fingernails are weeker at the beds, but not black.  I haven't exercised as much this last month, I walk on the treadmill from time to time, but just haven't had the same energy to get up and go....although work and kids activities etc. have all been good.

This site has been such a big help for me and all of you have been amazing, I couldn't have done it without you all!!!  To those still plugging along I wish you little SE's and those who have finished continue to check in from time to time and give a 'life' update:)  I'll be trolling around still through my radiation etc....and beyond:)

All the best!!!

 Leta

Burley I take two Omeprazole every day to protect me from heartburn and they really work. They are probably called something different in your area. My heartburn began after the 2nd chemo and once I started these tablets which protect the stomach it went away. They are prescribed as my nurse advised me not to take over the counter drugs while on chemo.

Faithfulc and others I am also aware of OCD since I started this treatment. I cannot stand anything being out of place . I have a specific location for all of my scarves and sunglasses and my handbag is so tidy it is unbelievable. I get quite anxious if anything is out of place. Strange isn't it ! My short term memory is also poor and the doctor puts it down to fatigue I also find it hard to read for any length of time. Before this I used to read book after book. I am told that the old me will return. I must say the bit I like about this whole thing is how much more I value life and those around me. Just sitting listening to the birds and enjoying the Spring is a real joy I am sure you all feel the same.

Oh girls, I am miserable!  #5 has done me in...heartburn, mouth sores, EXHAUSTED.  I am so out of it-I feel so strange.

My accomplishment today was taking a shower before 1pm.  I've got a call in to the doctor to see if there's something they want me doing about my mouth, but nothing back yet.  (nice, huh?)  So far, I've been swishing with diluted peroxide like my paperwork says to.

Had a mini meltdown last night-lots of big tears, but they were short-lived.  My poor husband-I know he wants to make everything better, but there's nothing he can do.