May 2010 Chemo

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  • packjen
    packjen Member Posts: 281
    edited May 2010

    JavaHog,

    2 Neupogen shots and my counts were back to pre-chemo levels.  Actually the nurse was about to give me the third shot and I said I thought I only would get 2 (based on what I had been reading on this board) and she checked my numbers and then checked with the doc and they cancelled the 3rd shot.  I don't know if the shots they give you to take home or the ones in the clinics are different strength than the ones they give in the hospital when you are actually neutropenic.  I have read on the April board of a woman who gives herself 4 shots in 4 days.

    Jen

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  • snipinfool
    snipinfool Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2010

    I am ready for my first round tomorrow.  I just want to get this started, so I can be finished.  I hope everyone does well with their SE's and their next round of treatment.  

    Summer38 and Juliebed1, I will be thinking of you tomorrow as we start this journey.  

    Thank you to all of you wonderful ladies who have started before me and have shared the good and the bad.  We will get though this together.  

     Merry 

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  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2010

    Merry, Summer, and Julie, I'll be with you (on my second infusion) tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you all!

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  • fotopet
    fotopet Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2010

    Ladies - I apologize in advance for missing your last couplle of day's posts.  But I am on Day 2 and in a bit of a fog.

    First chemo treatment was a bit more eventful than I would have like.  But, on the good side, the staff stayed uber-calm and quickly dealt with the issues.  Could have been worse, I am sure. 

    Say started out ok with doc giving finial clearance to proceed and me being relieved that the pre-chemo blood tests are just a finger stick.  Then off to the infusion room and the fun began with three unsuccessful attempts to get a viable IV before they finally got one going.  First one went in fine but blew.  Second attempt the nurse could not get it into the vein and gave up to get another nurse.  Her first attempt also blew.  So my entire hand is severely bruised and sore as hell.  THey finally got a line in the lower forearm but could not do the blood draw that the doc had wanted.  Their solution was to get the chemo going and try to get the blood out when the session was done.  (That actually worked).

    Premeds went fine - the benedryl was a trip - hit like gangbusters!

    Then the Taxotere.No sooner had they gotten through the saline and the Taxotere itself hit anbd I got a scary reaction.  Immediate chest and jaw pain, stomach contracted and DH says I turned the color of a cooked lobster.  They immediately stopped the IV, four nurses came in (very quickly but very calmly).  Within a couple of minutes, I felt fine again.

    So 20 more MG of steroids (bringing the day's total to 46! No wonder I couldn't sleep after that). A half hour wait then restt the Taxotere, slow at first then ramp it up.  The doc called it "challenging" my body to accept the Taxotere.  Well, it worked and we got through the rest of the treatment without event.

    Went to the Look Good Feel Better program last night.  I highly recommend it to anyone who can get there.  Got a great bag of cosmetics that I would NEVER splurge on for myself and tips on minimizing effects of chemo on the skin (I never would have thought of using all disposable applictors - but the infection possibilities with mascara alone . . .)  Was actually good timing, I needed the fun energy in the room. 

    Felt a little nauseated on the way there but I blame it at least as much on the greasy, fatty, fried foods DH and I packed for chemo and ate for dinner than on the chemo itself.  I took a Zofran and felt fine after that.

    Then, virtually no sleep last night.  (Have to talk to the docs about that).  So I am fatique-fuzzy today. And beginning to get a real metallic tase noticible in the water I am pounding down.  Oh yea, and woke up flushed in the face, like I was just out running (maybe the huge amounts of steroids?)

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  • Summer38
    Summer38 Member Posts: 253
    edited May 2010

    Ok, ready for my first treatment today but really, really nervous! More nervous than I was before surgery. I think I might ask for something for anxiety....

    Juliebed & Snipinfool - good luck, I'll be thinking of you guys!

    Jenny B - I hope #2 goes smoothly for you!

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited May 2010

    fotopet - I am sorry you had such a rough 1st tx, but it looks like you are in good hands with the nurses there. 

    Jenny B - Good luck today on your tx.  I am hoping for min, side effects for you.

    Juliebed and Snipinfool - good luck and remember to drink lots of water!  I hope all goes smoothly for you both.

    Summer38 - You and I are on the same treatment, I will be having my second tx tomorrow.  I had some SE's but compared to what I have read from others they were minimum.  Day 1 and 2 no SE's, day 3 my stomach started to turn and stayed that way thru day 5,   Day 6 woke up feeling nauseous but by mid day it was gone and have been feeling better every day.  Every once in  a while I will have an afternoon where I am bone tired, so as long as I nap, it seem to work it self out.  I hope that you have even less SE's than me.

    Have a great day!

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  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2010

    fotopet, I'm so sorry about your IV and your reaction to the taxotere. Yuck! I hope you can get some sleep, and soon. Did they give you Ativan? It's *really* helped me with sleep.

    I'm going to Look Good, Feel Better on Monday. With all the glowing reviews here, I can't wait!

    Thanks for your good thoughts, Laura & Summer. Thinking the same for you!

    Okay. I'm hyper this morning (steroids--I was up all night, too). Off to tc #2. Phew.

    Hugs!

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  • marmalade_skies
    marmalade_skies Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2010

    Hello everyone!

    It's been 2 weeks since my first AC. I have gone back to work on a 3-day week basis and tomorrow's my #2 AC. Already! I feel fine enough to work but the problem I have now is acne! The acne on my face is much worse than the buzz cut! The breakout is constant and not dying out. Is anyone having an acne problem? Any suggestions how to treat it?

     As for hair, JennyB, I tried pulling some of my buzz-cut hair as I was reading your post, and yes.. they come out quite easily. I guess it won't be long till they fall off completely. *gasp* I've already gotten used to my buzz-cut. In fact I quite like it as it's really cooling and my friends thought I look kind of cool in it :)

     Hopefully #2 tomorrow will be similar to #1. Good luck to me! Take care everyone and hang in there. We can all do this!

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  • countryfrau
    countryfrau Member Posts: 94
    edited May 2010

    Good morning,

    Im on Day 3 of TC and guess I'm having payback for the uneventful Day-1 I had. Feeling what I assume is the normal way to feel after being pumped full of toxic meds (designed to heal me; so how weird is that?) and other meds to lessen the SEs. Very tired, but no nausea...just a grinding stomach that hurts a lot, especially when I move around or it's empty. Cracker munchy helps. So I just 'go with the flow' and am grateful I feel no worse. Thanks to all who encouraged drink, drink, drink. I'm sure it's made a huge difference in how I feel. I'm up to about 80-100 oz a day. Is that enough you think? That, plus the small glass of prune juice have helped stem constipation so far.

    DRIM-Thanks for your comments about the Neulasta shot. Most everything I've read has been negative..hopefully I can be like you with no problems.

    Mommyto4Greatkiddos-Welcome to this thread. There's lots of support here. Good luck with your first treatment tomorrow.

    njbhwgirl-So sorry to hear you were at the hospital. Are you feeling better? That must have been scary.

    Day- Loved your comment about just going bald w/hoop earrings. I've seen that look and it's been great on those who can wear it. Wish I didn't have such a large round head...don't think it would work for me. I say, go for it if you can!

    fotopet-I'm so sorry that your first treatment began with such difficulty. It's comforting to know that the staff knew how to handle the situation, though, when you had the Taxotere reaction. That was a big fear of mine, since so many ladies have commented on it. I, too, have the 'decadron red'..probably not as much as you, but enough that my DH keeps telling me how healthy I look with this 'red glow'. :)  Hope your SE are less troublesome.

    JennyB, Merry, Summer38, and Julie-Good luck with your treatments tomorrow. Will be thinking of you and wishing for uneventful infusions for you all.

    And, once again, I am in such awe of all of you and thank you so much for your willingness to share and encourage. 

    Jan

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  • Redbarb804
    Redbarb804 Member Posts: 299
    edited May 2010

    Good afternoon,

    I hope all you ladies that started today or had your second tx had a uneventful day.  Remember to drink. 

    Fotopet: I am so sorry to hear about your reaction.  I know 2 women who had the same problem when they started the infusuion.  I hope you are feeling ok today.

    I have been having an easy go of it until last night.  I have been tired, but nothing more than what I got pre chemo.  Then 11 o'clock last night hit.  I started with lower back pain.  Tried tylenol, no relief.  At 2 o'clock i took a pain killer.  That helped and I fell asleep.  Woke up again this morning still had pain.  Took another pain killer at around 7.  Slept till 11 woke up ate something.  Then got sick.  Don't know if it is from too much pain killer and little in my stomach or the real deal.  I will keep everyone posted. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2010

    Hi fotopet,

    I see that you added me to the list. I wasn't sure when I'm starting chemo, but it turns out that I wil be starting on June 7. So June group. Still I find it very useful to read the posts here since youall are ahead of me.

    Good luck you all!

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  • CTherese
    CTherese Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2010

    Day 7 of Treatment #1: Went for a three-mile walk today and feel generally good. There is some fatigue but I got my period yesterday and that may be the cause. Yesterday I learned I have a bladder infection (UTI) which, I was told, was not due to the chemo. The symptoms were burning when having to urinate and the feeling of having to urinate frequently. I have only had a similar infection once when I was eleven. The burning sensation started the night of the first chemo, so it's hard to believe it's unrelated to the chemo. In any case, I am on cipro and drinking cranberry juice and the discomfort has almost wholly gone away.

     Redbarb: so sorry to hear about your back pains. I have had some mild back pains too, but nothing like what you're describing. I'll cross my fingers for you that it stops!

    Countryfrau - sorry to hear about your stomach aches.  I find that it helps to always have something in the stomach but never eat a big meal in one sitting. I don't know if that will help you...

     fotopet - so so sorry to hear about your first day! I pray the second infusion goes much better for you! 

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  • Drim
    Drim Member Posts: 302
    edited May 2010

    countryfra - you are definitely drinking enough water. I think they say 8 - 12 (8 oz) glasses around the infusion time. Probably closer to 8 once you're out a few days. Prune juice is great too. I've been drinking that and eating dried prunes and I've had very little constipation issues.

    CTherese- I got my period yesterday too. It seems a little bit heavier than usual and it came a couple days earlier than usual. It will be interesting to see how this affects me the next couple of days. I also thought I was getting a UTI which I never get. I had some burning in the area (TMI) and I did feel like I needed to urinate quite a lot, which I think means I need to do a better job with the wipies those first few days as to not irritate the skin. Luckily the probably seems to be pretty much gone now which I'm surprised at. I guess healing of any kind surprises me now.

    Last night I went out for dinner with a bunch of friends and had what amounted to a glass of wine. I'm not sure that was the smartest thing to do as I did get a headache and did not sleep very well. I feel pretty okay today but feel like I can't wait to get home from work.

    I'm starting to get nervous about my hair. Nothing at all is happening yet anywhere (Day 9) and I'm doing the cold caps so the anticipation of the results is killing me.

    Good luck to all of you receiving treatment this week!!!

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  • packjen
    packjen Member Posts: 281
    edited May 2010

    My hair hurts!  I can remember, way back when, having a hangover so bad I said my hair hurt, but now it really does.  I guess this is where my life-long fettish for satin pillow cases pays off.

    I am at day 14 after 1st TC and still have all my hair.  I really try to avoid tugging on it, but when I do just one or two come out.  But I have a feeling it will be any day now that I decide to get a buzz cut. 

    I have heard that using one of those tape rolls for lifting pet hair and rolling it across your buzz cut helps keep the fallouts from getting everywhere.  Has anyone tried this?

    Jen

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  • Victoria21
    Victoria21 Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2010

    Mommy to 4 great kids:

     I am new to this forum too and found it so helpful. Thank you ladies for all your tips.  I too am scheduled for 1st round tomorrow 5/20 and am also doing TAC x 6 every 3 weeks.

    We can do this!

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited May 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    I am from the May 2008 chemo group and just wanted to stop in and say Hello- we had/have a great group of women in our group and it was so helpful to have people to talk to. A large portion of our group is getting together the first weekend in June in Texas- it will be the first time many of us have met face to face event though several individuals in the group did manage to meet.

    The road is tough but friends and people who have "been there, done it" really do help- a little bit of humor also helps. our group used to decide on a weekly chemo "destination" and that imaginary place would help pull us through treatments- sitting on the beach with an umbrella drink, in a hammock etc- you get the idea!

    I hope all of you hang in there together and I will be praying for all of you in this journey- not a great way to spend your summer but many of you will finish before the next school year- which was always a great thought for me and my kids while I was going through.

    Jen, I had one of those round lint rollers and used it on my head- worked great just be careful not to press too hard or it hurts. I buzzed my hair around day 16 when I first noticed some fallout and it started hurting- by day 16 it was an all over fallout- BUT it also started growing back before I finished chemo and now not quite 2 years post chemo, I think I have had 3 haircuts.

    Hang in there Ladies- there are many others praying for you and helping to pull you through- if you ever have questions for the old timers, post on the May 2008 board and someone will answer- we are still hanging out together!

    Kristy

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  • CTherese
    CTherese Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2010

    Hi KristyAnn, Thank you so much for posting here. I for one have a lot of questions for you May 2008 ladies, such as: how long did it take before your energy levels returned to pre-cancer state? If you went through chemopause, what was it like and what are its consequences? Did your hair eventually return to its pre-cancer texture and color? Do you regret any of your decisions about treatment?  I am sorry to deluge you with so many big order questions!!! Perhaps I need to wade through the discussion archives and all the answers to these questions are there!  presently, I am focused on the daily issues of chemo aches and pains but am aware that the bigger and longer-term questions are huge unknowns to me!!!

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  • nanaof2
    nanaof2 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2010

    Fotopet - that sounds frightening, glad to hear things have settled down I have heard about the Feel Good....I plan on attending too.

    Redbarb. I can't take pain meds on an empty stomach either. Hope you are keeping everything down now.

    Danielaes  - Good luck in June.  I had read a lot from the April group and found it very helpful. But, love having these ladies going through this with me - they are all so smart and loving.

    Packjen- what a great idea with the rollers, definitely worth trying.

    Victoria - welcome.  I am also having 6 treatments too.  This is a really wonderful group of women.

    Kristy - How nice to hear from you.  I only imagine being two years out.  You had some great ideas.  I will have to ask around to see where we should all take ourselves.

    What about it, maybe we should each take a turn or start the destination and have each add something to it?  What do you think?

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  • packjen
    packjen Member Posts: 281
    edited May 2010

    When I go to my "happy place" it is this little island in the Andaman Sea off the coast of southern Thailand.  It is called Kho Kradan.  There is only one "resort" on the island, turquoise blue water with gently lapping waves, another island in the short distant view and the marine preserve for snorkeling 100 yards down the beach.  I am there in one of the hammocks reading a great book.  There is a litter of puppies that have taken up residence under one of the bungalows and I frequently look up to see one braving it's way into the open, scraping it's belly as it climbs out of it's hiding place.  I suppose if I think hard enough I could get one of the staff to shake off the cobwebs and bring me a cold beer.

    Jen

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited May 2010

    Day 12 or 13? Not sure if the day of the treatment counts as day 1 or not.

    My hair is happily falling. I am combing my hair every hour or so, in order to not drop hairs all over the place. It doesnt' come out in clumps, just hairs from all over the head, it seems like it falls more in the back though.

    I got me some nice round ear-hoops, silver ones, pretty neat and got them for only $2.25 (+$1 shipping) on ebay! (click on the ear-hoops words to see them) So I'm all set for the "bald fashion statement"! lol!

    Well I did bid on more, but we'll see if I win them. I also bid on some plain wire hoops that I can make into sophisticated ones.

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  • cf1957
    cf1957 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2010

    Hi...time for me to join this party. I am starting chemo tomorrow, May 20th. Took my pre-day decadron today; legs feel kind of achey but that may be stress. I am totally ready to do this--bring it on baby. I look at it as a good friend coming to visit, one that could potentially save my life. I'm hoping it is "unnessecary chemo" as a patholgist friend said...a life insurance policy. i had a small amt of cancer in sentinel node 3mm (don't really understand where to post the stats everyone has (someone pls tell me how to do this.) Diagnosed 2/22/2010. 2.7 cm tumor (they said it was only 1.5 when I had the ultrasound. 1/9 nodes (that axillary node disection has been the worst part of all this! still slightly swollen!) Started with a lumpectomy, needed a "small re-excision". That turned up another small spot so I said f.. this, take them both off. Double masectomy in March 12; clean margins, no cancer in other breast. Really glad I ended up with that option. Gives me peace of mind. They were able to insert silicone implants under chest wall (no torturous chest expanders)--had been large breasted all my life and, told Plastic Surgeon I would love to be small. So the extra skin helped and I now have very perky small breasts that have healed really well and I am thrilled with the way I look, altho I am sad to loose the sexual part of the nipple thing--that is a big deal that I haven't seen discussed much on the board??.) I started walking the day I came home from the hospital (2 miles) and haven't stopped so I credit that with fast healing and feeling strong going into chemo (I walk 4 to miles many days of the week. You have all read no doubt that being at a healthy weight and walking 3 to 5 hours a week showed in a big nurse's study of 2000 women that it reduced their recurrance rate by 40%...so I figure this much I can control in a world where much seems out of control. Although the weight gain from chemo/herceptin reported on this board has me worried. I lost 15 lbs in last 3-4 months by working my butt off and do not want to regain.) I am ER+ and borderline HR2+--Mayo and clinical trial lab says they would treat me as positive even tho I am in some sort of grey area, but they all seem to feel that my numbers indicate I would benefit from Herceptin. I am also in the BETH trial and have been told I won the draw and will get Avastin. I'm glad about all this. I'm hoping I can get through this with a minimum of grief but I know every one is different and it is a crap shoot in many ways. Thanks everyone for sharing your most helpful stories. I'm off to pack my chemo bag now.

    DX 2/22/2010 Stage IIb  1/9 nodes (3mm in sentinel node)  2.7 cm. ER+, Her2+ (borderline but being treated with Herceptin) Lumpectomy followed by re-excision followed by bilateral mastectomy. Clean margins, no cancer in other breast, will not need radiation, or so I've been told by radiation onc. Don't know onco score but was told survival rate greatly helped by treatment.

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  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2010

    Welcome, CF. Sounds like you're doing everything you can to conquer this beast! Good for you.

    I had my second round of T/C today and basically slept all day. Don't know if it's the chemo or the fact that I didn't sleep last night. I'm still groggy but forced myself to get up.

    I feel really great, but I know this time not to let that fool me! Hehe. I know what's coming!

    I'm anemic, though. Is anyone else anemic? Today my hemoglobin was 10.4. Nurse said "don't worry, it's not too low, but if you pass out, call us and we'll give you a transfusion."  Okaaaay....great.

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  • angelwoman1
    angelwoman1 Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2010

    Okay, well we are really scared here. I get the port put in Tuesday 25th, and I think i will start ac once every 2 weeks of 4 times and Taxol omce every 2 weeks 4 times., he says I will lose all my hair. I love the fact I will look better than my husband!

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  • sacphotomom
    sacphotomom Member Posts: 366
    edited May 2010

    Hi Ladies...day 2 of 2nd treatment and felt really good went for my walk could only go 1 mile and it took forever.. my legs were feeling a little shaky..still the walk felt great...Drove myself in for the nulesta shot at 2:00 pm, then while I was driving home the tiredness hit like crazy, was planning to go to the grocery store but nixed that and when I walked in the door I laid down on the couch and fell asleep for 3 hours!!!!

    The headache the Cytoxan gave me the lst time so far has been stopped ...I hope that lasts....I am taking Advil instead of Tylenol so if it does get bad again I can take the Norco right away..but Nurse said I can stay on it for the Nulesta pains.

     This time my appetite has been way up, still scared to eat too much really don't want to see it again...but no real nausea....

    OK hair updatee..today when I got up I looked at my pillow ..no hair...  went to move my hair so I can take off my top, huge chunk came out..combed through and even more ...after my shower another huge chunk....later when I was putting on my shoes my son (19yrs old) came in and says wow you hair does look thinner!.... ..so making appointment for Friday to have it buzzed..my DH is going with me...still not truly prepared for it......but I'm thinking while I'm there I'm gonna buy the other wig I liked! 

    fotopet so sorry to hear of you episodes with Taxotere..hope your feeling better now .....I'm planning to go to Look Good Feel Good next Tuesday...so Glad it is a positive experience..looking forward to it!

    Jennyb Are you on Taxotere too? TC+T..just wondering ..because the nurses have on prescription bottle to take day before pill only when I start Taxotere...for now with just TC don't take pre-chemo meds..just curious..

    Day  Your earing sound great!

    packjen Sounds like a wonderful place to be.!  Very Happy!

    Angelwonman1 You will love the port..it makes it so easy...

    cf1957 Welcome!

    Every one that had 2nd round today .It was so much easier this time with the whole unknown thing behind you..don't you think? At least it is out of the way and even though SE suck, its not as scary .Of course reading and having all you to share with help so much...

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  • sacphotomom
    sacphotomom Member Posts: 366
    edited May 2010

     PS:  Have you all notice when someone finds out about your Breast Cancer and they have gone through it too, one of the first things they want to do is show you their reconstruction?  And they are willing to pick up their blouse right there...just a thought ...You know I will probably be that proud of them later too....it just crackes me up!

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  • Irishtess
    Irishtess Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    Good morning all you brave ladies!  I just finished reading the recent posts & want to thank everyone for sharing your experiences.  I'm still a chemo virgin ~ my 1st treatment is tomorrow!  Although I'm anxious about it, I've drawn great comfort ~ and really good tips ~ from all of you.  Countryfrau:  I really enjoyed your post about your "first time" !

    Mommy:  Welcome ~ the ladies here are wonderful.  Nana & packjen:  So sorry about the hospital trips ~ hope that's the one & only time you'll be there.

    On the hair side:  I decided to shave my head while I was still feeling healthy, so did it last night.  Two girlfriends joined me & we took pictures & drank champagne!  When I figure out how to upload photos here, I'll show you.

    Hope all of you have a restful weekend.

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  • Summer38
    Summer38 Member Posts: 253
    edited May 2010

    Reporting in from 1st AC - not as bad as I thought.First I have to give a big THANK YOU for all your kind words & support!!!

    Had a few tears as soon as I sat down, I am NOT a crier but I think I was just overwhelmed. They asked me to be in a study being done on "younger" women to study the effects of chemo on your ovaries so of course I agreed. For this they had to draw blood before I received any medicine. Well, for the 3rd time in a week my normally "super veins" would not give up blood... anyone else have a problem with blood draws after being diagnosed?

    Anyway, once they started treatment everything went pretty smoothly. Did get a mild sinus headache with the cytoxan drip but that's it! A little extra tired last night and a queasy stomach but noting I couldn't handle. Slept off and on last night and today feel pretty much the same as last night. I will get the neulasta shot this afternoon so hopefully that goes smoothly. All in All - so far not too bad!Smile

    They gave me Zantax to take... has anyone used it? My pharmacist told me it's highly addictive so I'm kind of afraid to take it! Also, really wanting a cup of coffee - has anyone been brave enough to try? LOL

    LauraM, glad to know someone on the same road - I will be watching you closely. Hope your next tx is smooth!

    CF & Victoria - best of luck today and Irishtess, good luck tomorrow.

    Angelwoman - Welcome!

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited May 2010
    CTherese

     how long did it take before your energy levels returned to pre-cancer state?

     Its still not quite there BUT I had a mastectomy, developed an infection and netropenia after chemo 1 and went into the hospital, got a PICC line, developed septic staph in the PICC line the week before my final chemo- spent 9 days inpatient and another 8 with IV antibiotics at home, finally finished chemo, waited 5 weeks and started 33 rounds of radiation, found out I was a poor metabolizer for tamoxifen so opted to have hysterectomy (instead of just ovaries)- that was 2 months after finishing rads, finally finished herceptin and enjoyed 6 months of no treatment and not I am an in clinical trial for neratinib and definitely NOT on the placebo- it has nasty side effects. My energy is close to pre chemo levels, I did manage to keep working all through chemo and rads and Im sure that did not help in the energy recovery plan but it sure helped in the financial plan.

     If you went through chemopause, what was it like and what are its consequences?

    I had hot flashes after the firts two chemos- not terrible- I was 47 at time of diagnosis, had the hysterectomy before anything returned so it hasnt been terrible 

     Did your hair eventually return to its pre-cancer texture and color?

    My hair started ocming back after treatment 4 out of 6, came in a lot grayer than before and it was curly until my firts hair cut. My hair person says now it is a bit coarser than previous and is thicker- Im still debating on whether to go back to coloring it.

    I went commando(bald) most of the time- worse cute hats to work and church- but at home, in Texas, in the summer- well it was au naturel! 

    Do you regret any of your decisions about treatment? 

    NO- i had a left mastectomy- considered doing a bilateral and chose not to- may eventually rethink that decision. Chose delayed reconstruction so it was a skin sparing mx- I have not started the recon process and dont know if I will but I left the options open. Many of the May 2008 ladies did choose recon and most are happy- a couple had healing issues and one had ot have it redone.

    I opted NOT to have the lymph node dissection- my docs were in conflict over this one- onc said yes, breast surgeon said NO, breast cancer risk specialist said No- so they left it up to me since I have had so much more medical training than they have  LOL.

    My onc is aggressive with me- I realize and hope that some was unneeded- but I was highly Her2+ and dealing with a cancer with a really high recurrence rate- so we opted to treat aggressively. Most dont have rads after a mx but I did due to a positive intramammary node that was found in pathology even with a negative sentinel node (a rare combination).

    The American Cancer Society has a make up class for cancer patients and it is free and really fun- I dont wear a lot of makeup but I went and learned a lot, had a great time- you get a lot of free products and some good ideas for dealing with makeup and lack of hair!

    I used to be hot natured- I am now cold natured- I blame that on chemo!

    I look back on that summer and can hardly believe that was 2 years ago- I am grateful for the summer Olympics because that got me through all the TV time I had during treatment.

    Lemon flavor helps if you get the yucky mouth stuff- ask your dentist or go to Walmart and get Biotene if you have mouth issues- I guess the biggie is ASK for help whether it is for side effects or asking a friend to bring dinner- I was always the giver and I had to really learn to ask and accept help during those months!

    Kristy

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  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2010

    Sacphotomom: Oooh, that sounds like what started happening with my hair! I still think I need to buzz what's left of it--it's short but stringy and white/blonde, so I look super old. Let us know how the buzz goes! 

    Yes, I'm on Taxotere. That stuff...phew. Intense!

    Summer, glad to hear everything went okay--sorry about them having a hard time w/ your veins, though. I haven't had that issue, but I think it's pretty common. I hear you on the overwhelmed tears--I've gotten those a few times throughout this craziness. I'm off to get my hydration and Neulasta in a few minutes!

    Irishtess, good luck tomorrow!

    Kristy, thanks for sharing your experience and for all the helpful suggestions!

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  • DianaCC
    DianaCC Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2010

    Hello Everyone~

    My mother had breast cancer in 1988 and had her right breast removed and then again in 2008 to have the left one removed.  Both my grandmothers also had breast cancer. Mom done the genetic testing in 2008 and she tested positive for the BRCA2 gene so I knew I needed to be aware
    that I might get it.

    I started going to the Cancer Center to have my mammograms three years ago.  This year I went in for my routine mammogram on Jan. 14th.  Two weeks later they called me to tell me they found microcalcifications in the screenings and wanted me to come in for diagnostic screening, that was on Feb. 15, while I was there they ordered an ultrasound as well.  Whatever they saw it was decided I needed to come in for a needle core biopsy on Feb. 22.  On Feb. 24 I got the call to confirm that I had breast cancer in my right breast.  They scheduled me to see a breast cancer surgeon on Mar. 3, he ordered an MRI for Feb. 26th.  The MRI didn't find cancer in my other breast or in my lymph nodes.  He gave me my options, scheduled me to see a plastic surgeon on Mar. 8 and a genetic counselor on Mar. 9 (they did the lab work on Mar. 3 for the genetic
    tests). 

    All those appointments behind me I had to make a decision.  Although the cancer was found in only one breast I decided I didn't want to go through all this again.  Whether I test positive for the gene or not does not guarantee I won't get it again.  I mean come on, I have cancer now! So I made the decision to get rid of both of them, we want them to be even right! Wink

    So what I've found out is that I have invasive breast cancer with ductal and lobular features, stage 1.  I did test positive for the BRCA2 gene. 

    On April 1st I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders.  Although I knew I had made the right decision by having them both removed the surgeon only confirmed that fact a week after surgery saying that 2 lymph nodes had been removed from my left breast that showed signs of cancer forming.

    On April 30th I seen the oncologist and he decided I needed four rounds of chemo, one treatment every three weeks.  Taxotere and Cytoxan.  He ordered a port placement for May 7th.  Let me tell you the IV in the foot is not a pleasant experience!!!  First treatment was May 14th, just three to go.  I don't have too many of the side effects yet..... nausea, constipation, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and I'm currently keeping the mouth sores at bay..... but I've just got started too. 

    There's a lot of caring and compassionate people on these boards and I've taken comfort in a lot of the posts.  Best wishes to all!

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