Starting Chemo in June 2005

Brenda,
Happy to hear you're vertical! lol

I start taxotere on Thursday. Happy to start the 2nd phase of this chemo.

Rebecca,
I too have a lot of stubble that never fell out. I still think it wouldn't have given good coverage and would have looked 'sickly'. Not that bald looks healthy, haha, but you know what I mean. I have never lost leg hair. It's grown just like normal.

I was sitting in my office today and a BALD woman comes in to meet with a CPA that we rent a space to. I lifted my wig up and we both laughed pretty good. We have similar BC stories and treatments. She just finished chemo and got tattooed for rads. It's like a society with a secret handshake when you meet other women with BC. Oh well, we're everywhere unfortunately!

Take care June Bugs!

Hi Junies,
Has anyone else felt worse with Taxol than AC? If I remember correctly I had about 3 "good" days each AC cycle, but with the Taxol I'm not having any days that I'd call "good." Maybe it's because I went back to work and have more reason to be tired, or because the treatments are catching up with me. I dunno, I just know I'm tired of feeling yucky! Today I went to the dermatologist to have my head examined (har har) and he said the little red spots on my scalp were normal. However, he found 3 precancerous do-dads on my arms and froze them off. He also told me to put Lamasil on my oozing toenail (all together now..."eewwww") to prevent a yeast infection until the nail comes off. Just thought I'd mention that in case anyone else is having the same problem. The oncologist is going to consider dropping my last Taxol if the neuropathy gets any more pronounced. But I'm counting my blessings...some of you ladies have been through far worse, especially those of you with additional surgeries. I think about you guys all the time.

I want to plant tulip bulbs for my victory garden, and I found some on Tulips.com - they are called Darwin hybrid Ollioules (soft pink with dark pink stripes). I want to try and force them indoors during the winter as well, since I never got around to doing a garden this summer and now I feel like I missed out!

Nancy..the taxotere is taking a lot more out of me...I think it's the cumulative effect of both chemos. I just know I will be very grateful when I cross the finish line...even if I have to crawl across!

Liz

Nancy, the nurse liasion at McKay-Dee in Ogden told me that most people do better on taxol. However, she said recently they've had a rash of ladies who've done worse on taxol than A/C. Maybe you just happen to one of those who just happen to do worse on it. For me, I haven't had many side effects--just aches and pains that are worse than A/C, plus a little numbness in my toes and a couple of fingers. Onc told me today, that he doubted that it would be long term. I guess this just goes to show how different chemo is for everyone.

I only have one tx left. I'm thinking about getting a shirt that says "I'm done." I figure the s*#t eating grin will be proof enough.

The onc also mentioned doing a few tests before getting into rads. Feel like I have to put my 'learning' hat on again. Yet another adventure in this journey to recovery.

Hope everyone has a good week! I'll be up to my ears in aches and pains...

Cue the James Brown music.......
I feel good...da,da,da,da
I knew that I would now, da,da,da,da,da
Two weeks since my last chemo and in the last three days I have started to feel a feeling I haven't felt in months.
Yes......it is a feeling or almost NORMAL.
Except for my gooey eyes I can do most of the things I want to do around the house. I also find I am not feeling sad .
Tomorrow I meet with the surgeon about having the port out.
On MondayI go to get tatooed for radiation.
so in many ways the "train" keeps puffing along but for right not and maybe for the next week....
Cue the James Brown Musice
Ifeel good Da,da,da,da,da
I knew that I would now da,da,da,da
I feel good, Da,da,da,da,da,da
I knew that I would now, da,da,da,da,da
So good
so good
I want you
(repeat)

Well, it's day 3, and sure enough, I woke up achy at 3 am and didn't get back to sleep. But, I think I'm going to feel ok to get stuff done. I've decided that since I feel more achy than tired on Taxol, it helps to stay busy just to be distracted. I've got a list of errands to run before leaving for Maine on Friday.

Dana, so sorry you're feeling blah still. But, it's the end! No rads for you, right?

Jo, I'm so glad to hear you singing again!!! When do you start rads? I start on the 10th. Getting back from vacation on the 4th, then simulation/ tatoos on the 5th (plus first pottery class).

Nancy & Liz, so sorry Tax. is treating you mean. My first tx was way worse than A/C, but they have been getting easier. Though, I kept hair through A/C and now have lost all but a few strands, plus eyebrows. Darn!!! I thought I was going to be one of the few who get to keep some hair. But now that chemo is over, I look like a chemo patient! I'm hoping for an inch by Christmas.

Ladies, let me know you radiation start and end dates so I can update the calendar.

Brenda

Scout,
I hope you do better! Remember that Chumbawumba song "I get knocked down, but I get up again?" I think that's going to be my new theme song.

Jen,
I will pray and think good thoughts for you. I was anxious at the doctor's office today about blood counts, but they were okay. But my back is still hurting and she made me get an x-ray. Yikes! I had a clear bone scan in June, so send good thoughts my way as well.

Damn hurricanes! They aren't calling for mandatory evacuation for my area, but a lot is being effected by it. No batteries, water, and gas lines are 5 cars deep! I just plan on pulling in the patio furniture and laying low. Some plan, huh? I'm still getting my chemo tomorrow and that's all that counts. They moved my appt from 2pm to 8am so nurses could go home.

Later!

Jo...great to hear you singing.

Jen..praying hard that you have #2 tomorrow! Pretty pathetic after what this stuff does to us that we are upset at the idea of missing it...but I would not want a delay either.

Brenda...I thought I would keep my brows and lashes. Still have some lashes and about 1/3 very skimpy brow on one side and 2/3 very skimpy one on the other. Eyebrow pencil is doing the trick for now...plus my wig has bangs and I wear glasses.

Scout...wish I had some information to help you....but I'm sending a super cyber hug to let you know we care. You are doing everything you can...hopefully you will get some answers from your doctors and help clear up the confusion...it sure can make your head spin.

Dana..today was barely vertical! I was going to leave work a little early...my excuse was that I couldn't stay vertical much longer! But then the phone rang, and someone came in that I had to help...and poof...it was time to go home!

Bev...we are staying till the last of our troops cross the border.

Watson...we have family in Humble...they decided to head out for Dallas early AM tomorrow. They do not live in a flood zone, but are taking extra caution. I know you need to stay to get your treatment. Be careful and hope you get good news on that Xray.

Liz

Here's hoping it's a good day for all tomorrow.

Oh, Watson, I can't imagine dealing with that kind of traffic after chemo. At least you will get to have the tx before the storm hits - I'd hate for you to have to delay. Keep safe, and do what you need to do for your own well-being!

I'm busy getting ready to leave tomorrow, just reserved a room for tomorrow night in the mtns. of Vermont, then on to Maine coast on Saturday. I can't wait!

Well.........
I made it to my chemo no problem. I survived my first taxotere so far! I"ve got the red face from this dang decadron, but I always do.
Coming back from chemo was insane. I sailed along through Houston proper, but when got to outskirts near my house omg!!! I was on a road (aka parking lot)for over 35 min. I finally started driving through the grass and when I would need to cut back onto main lanes, I whipped off my wig, pretended to cry and told them I was sick from chemo. Tee hee, they let me cut. My main concern was that $5,922 Neulasta shot i had in my car that needed to be refrigerated. Temp is 100 today in Houston!!
Oh, well, drama drama. Well, gotta go clean out my "hurricane closet" so we'll have a place to hunker down!

I'll chat later.

Watson, I'm so glad that you got home safe and sound...good for you for using your quick mind and getting home much faster than everyone else!
Jen, I just had my second Taxotere on Mon. I'm taking it weekly, hoping that I don't feel as bad...but woke up this morning feeling pretty crappy...but not bad enough to stay home. I dragged myself to Target, and although I felt terrible, it felt great to get out!
My surgeon called. My tumor (rt side) has shrunk from 5.5cm to 1cm!!!! I can have a lumpectomy now!! The bad news is the last time I had an MRI they saw spots on the left breast. Well, they are still there, so now I have to have biopsies on the left...there are several spots....so here we go again! It's weird getting good and bad news at the same time, ya know?

Scout....I think that is great news about the tumor shrinkage. I'm sorry there was possible bad news too.
Watson...You are so brave. I would have fallen apart and not been able to problem solve at all.
good for you.....
Today I saw the surgeon. I probably will have my port out next week. He is taking my case to a consulative group to then give me a recommendation for further surgery.
So I may or may not have to have my ovaries out.
I could kind of tell he was leaning toward not having it done.
I think the recommendation will probably be "cloudy" and I will still have to make up my own mind. The thought of less surgery is a nice one though.
I had some bad news from a friend diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.
Once again it sent me from "singing James Brown" to "Singin the blues".
I know many many people have treatment and then go on to live full and happy lives. Unfortunately the two people I have known up close and personally have not.
Arghhh..........
I want them to be O.K.

Hello girls!
I am sorry I have not been posting- but I HAVE been keeping my EYE on you- (Liz can you post the Fluffy eye?? I am too dumb to figure out how to do that!)

A couple of things....
Yes some girls do better on Taxol than Taxotere and visa versa... I believe I mentioned that to you before (sorry for repeating myself) But there are also people who have chemicals in their own natural system that just counteract any drug. Some drugs go through fine and others are fighting tigers. I was allergic to ALL anti nausea meds! What fun I had! NOT.

Scout- you had an incredible response to treatment! We can call Scout Exhibit A the next time someone asks "How do we know if chemo is working???"
Those spots on your other side? It seems to me that you had huge shrinkage on the tumor and no reaction on the mystery spots.... as doctors like to say "when you hear hooves think horses- not zebras..." in my humble opinion those buggers didn't budge because they are B9! PET scans pick up everything! Even people with BC are allowed to get normal lumps and bumps too!

I think there was the discussion of ovary removal? and BRCA testing? First to the ovaries: if you are pre-menopausal you should discuss everything with your doctor and weigh the risks vs the side effects of sudden meno. If you are unsure then there are medications like Lupron and Zolodex that put you in a chemical Menopause. What is good about that is - it is reversible!

BRCA tests- all I can say is DO NOT go to the nutjob genetic counselor I did!

Seriously, if you have a strong history of cancer in your family- breast or ovarian- and it is a first degree relative, ie mother, sister, grandmother- then you should probably discuss your options with a genetic counselor. But even when you have the test done it can actually raise more questions than answers. For example, if you test positive do you watch and wait or have everything removed? What if you test with an "uncertain" result - ME! Then no one knows what to tell you. The most important thing is to learn everything you possibly can about it so you can make an informed decision and can handle the results. Personally I had the blood drawn in June. I just found out the results this month. (it is only supposed to take 5 weeks) and my result was a variant of unknown risk because only 17 families have had it and that is not enough to tell whether I am at increased risk or not. It cost me $5,000 to find out that they haven't a clue. So just know ALL the facts before you dive into that pool!

RAD girls... how many have been through their first consult?
How many have been told "all you will need is Aloe Vera"?

ASK FOR Biafine RE cream from the start. If helps prevent any irritation or burning- and if you burn and start using it after the aloe does diddly it heals it. Just tell them you have a crazy Aunt Towanda who insists. You will be HAPPY you have Biafine. That stuff saved me.

All you Texans! Didn't anyone ever tell Rita Don't Mess with Texas!!!

Jenster, yes, I definitely feel like working out and staying active helped my counts to recuperate, certainly I felt psycologically that I was fighting! But since Taxol, and I assume Taxotere, is easier on the counts, I would definintely say yes! My counts rose steadily during Taxol, by the last one my hemoglobin was almost back to normal, my WBC were always way high because of the Neulasta.

Well, it's raining and they're saying to expect gas to $4.00 in two weeks. Great time for a driving vacation, huh? Maybe I'll check in if I get to internet somewhere, if not, I'm thinking about all of you!
Brenda