April 2010 starting chemo

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited July 2010

    Shygal - I just wanted to let you know that my DCIS showed up first in my mammogram.  I followed up with an MRI that showed it was more extensive then the mammogram showed but the mammogram was key in my initial diagnosis.

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  • Emme
    Emme Member Posts: 205
    edited July 2010

    Hi Ladies-

    I'm chiming in on the water park head covering issues...I sometimes wear a cotton woven scarf when I go to my friends pool, other times I wear a ball cap.  They both can get wet, the scarf dries quickly and the ball cap stays in shape even when wet.  It's my friend's pool I don't care if they see me bald, I wear the cover for sun protection.

    Jen you would be amazed at how accepting children are.  My friend's grandaughter is 3 and I thought I would scare her at first too.  I was wearing a hat when my hair fell out the first time, and she piped up and said that she had a new hat too!  I told her that I wore my hair because my head was cold and that I didn't have hair because I had to take special medication.  She smiled and said that she couldn't take her hair off.:)  Last weekend she was at her grandma's and she wanted me to put her to bed and she was talking to me...she said "Emily where is your hair today? (my wig)  Did you leave it at your house?"  Gotta love my little Olivia!

    I think if you are comfortable, people are accepting. People feel badly, but don't stare more than if I just wear a scarf.  I have been going out more and more bald...It's just so damn hot. 

    I am soooo thankful for this forum...it has been my lifeline.

    Emme

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  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited July 2010

    sumby: Be sure to take your steroids when they told you to. Your treatment may be different from mine. Yours sounds more like what I did with the AC drugs in the first half of my chemo. I'm now on taxol.

    Karen

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  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2010

    LauraM - wow...that is very interesting and different than what I was told.  Thanks for setting me straight.

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  • Emme
    Emme Member Posts: 205
    edited July 2010

    I'm starting my herceptin Friday.  I have to admit I'm a bit nervous.  Firstly, I hope I don't have any bad SE.  Secondly, Since my last fill, my port has tipped.  This should be interesting!

    Emily

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  • farfaith
    farfaith Member Posts: 46
    edited July 2010

    im done ! last chemo !!!!!   know surgery on the 6th                                                                    

    shygl im praying for you the lord is gona take care of you!                                        

      Suby i had 4 Taxotere  16 mg steroid 2x day for 3 days my fingers and toes hurt my body hurt i got blisters on my hands and feet my stomic was in pain  have had neropithy my nails are going to come off , it got better each time but i had the highest dose they could give me.it took about 6 days to start feeling better . i think my first one was bad because the steroid made my tummy hurt dr. said try it with out see how it gose i took 3doses mist 3 it was afel take the sterods i was crying i hurt so bad.  every one is diffrent i know some that have had it with me and they have felt pritty good.ill be praying for yo.

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  • SGJ05
    SGJ05 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2010

    Emme, I have had Herceptin for the last 6 cycles and so far no side effects that I am aware of:) I actually had them start with the Herceptin each chemo cycle because it went so fast!!! Good Luck!!

     Question for ladies with TE's--When are you having your surgery to have them out? I am going to have these things for almost a year before I am able to have the surgery and am feeling a bit bummed:( Do any of you still feel discomfort? For the last week or so, they have felt uncomfortable again.

    Hope everyone is having a good night!!

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited July 2010

    Hi Karin,

    Glad your chemo was uneventful. I hope mine will be also! Getting the house vacuumed up (ala dexo and hot flashes) so when Mom and Sis come tomorrow it will be all nice.

    I just had muscle aches and GI problems last time. A friend at work said her fingernails and toenails were sensitive to the touch but never fell out, after the 2nd tax. Let's hope that doesn't happen to us.

    I have had lowish/borderline white counts all along, and even delayed my 3rd FEC treatment one week for low counts, but Onc has not given me anything to raise them artificially, so I guess they must not be too low. He also said the taxotere doesn't usually drop the counts as low as the other drugs, and they were ok 1 week post-treatment after the first one. Guess I'llf ind out tomorrow~ hope to stay on schedule and get this over with.

    Goodnight, sleep well...

    Shelley

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited July 2010

    HI Shelley, like your friend at work, my fingernails were tender, but no discolouration.  I am, however, developing horizontal lines across them, so they look kind of funky, but it really isn't too noticeable, except to me.  I sure hope I don't lose them, I think that would be worse than losing the hair, I mean, you can't buy wigs for fingernails, can you.

    Good luck with your tx tomorrow, I hope it goes well.  Sleep tight, amid the dexo and hot flashes! 

    Karin

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  • marcy4
    marcy4 Member Posts: 162
    edited July 2010

    Emme,

    I havee had one dose of Herceptin with no side effects that I noticed. I had Taxol with it as well.  I am getting my Herceptin every 3 weeks and my Taxol weekly. 

    I was not sleeping well at nights with hot flashes and just waking up very frequently.  I am now taking my antidepressant regularly and am back to getting a decent nights sleep which has made me feel much better in the morning..headaches and backaches are basically gone.

    Hope everyone is having a great week. It is nice that so many of us are seeing the finish line. Today I booked a camping trip to Frankenmuth for our family for the end of July. My kids really want to go and I have scheduled it for days I am anticipating feeling good.  We have done this for the past 4 or 5 years and the kids really enjoy the Jellystone Campground. They have been such good supporters throughout this ordeal, it seems like an important thing to do.  I am really looking forward to getting away from home, the hospital and the whole Chemo thing if only for 6 days!

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  • Emme
    Emme Member Posts: 205
    edited July 2010

    farfaith- Congraulations on finishing your Chemo!

    SGJ and Mary Thanks for the encouraging words on the herceptin.  I too have been taking effexor and my hotflashes are horrible...I can't imagine what they would be if I wasn't taking it.

    As for the TEs...I hopefully will finish my fills in 2 weeks and have my exchange within a month and a half...that is the plan anyway...I am filled to 800 ccs and they hurt, they're hard a rocks and I can only sleep on my back...They never hurt until I had this last fill a week and a half ago.  I go for another fill on Monday.  I can only imagine.   How come you're having yours so long if you don;t mind me asking?

    Em

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  • SGJ05
    SGJ05 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2010

    Marcy4--Your trip sounds like so much fun and I bet your kids are excited!!!! I planned a big party in August to celebrate and rented a Bounce house for the kids--they are counting down the days, LOL! Keep us posted on how it is:)

    Emme/Marcy4-I have effexor for the hot flashes but haven't tried it yet; I am nervous about side effects from it, have you had any?

    As for the TE's and why I have to wait so long:( I am having radiation mid-August for 6 weeks, my PS won't perform surgery until at least 6-8 weeks post radiation--that puts me in November and I am going to be back in school full time:( I had hoped to get in before Christmas, but my break from school is late in December and my PS is out for 2 weeks for the holidays. Looks like I am keeping these things until Jan. which stinks:( That is so exciting that you are having your exchange in a month and a half. Please keep me posted on the recovery.

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited July 2010

    SGJ05 - Have a TE (after having the implant removed:( ) and they will not even start filling it until I am done chemo (around mid October) then once it is filled they are going to leave it there for at least 2 months to let the skin stretch and then surgery so I am looking at mid next year at least before having surgery so that will make about a year that the TE has been in:( 

    Jen

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  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited July 2010

    Hi All! Well went to WI. Dells and had a blast with some really close friends. Went swimming and down water slides and everything! Wore a cute white hat but did take it off to ring out the water! People stared but like I say o-well that's life - won't see them again.

    About TEs I have mine filled to 700 ccs and that is all I am  willing to do. Drs said to wait a couple of months to strecth skin and such. So I will exchange around Nov./Dec. Can't wait!

    Good luck to everyone!

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  • toughmom38
    toughmom38 Member Posts: 79
    edited July 2010

    Karen- Mark me with a Laughing, I had chemo #6 today!!!  I still have 11 Herceptins but was told I can expect NO side effects with it.  Gave me Emend today for the 1st (and last) time because my nausea was SO bad with treatment #5. Hopefully it will work and I won't feel like I'm going to throw up 24 hours a day...

    I have to make an appointment for one month after chemo with my PS for my consultation about surgery to take out my TEs.  They will then put me on the surgery schedule for one month after that, so I'm looking at the middle of Sept.  The PS said they like to make sure the white counts are back up and my hair is starting to grow back before they cut me open and expose me to possible infection.

    Wishing everyone a good weekend and little or no side effects!!!

    Jennifer

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited July 2010

    LauraM -

    I don't have a PT, how hard did she massage? I have been doing a little of it myself, but I'm kind of scared to do it to hard. Can you describe it? I have been rubbing some cream on it every night in a circular motion, but I don't think it is helping.

    Shelley

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  • SGJ05
    SGJ05 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2010

    toughmom38 and farfaith--Congrats on finishing your last chemo., I am keeping my fingers crossed that your side effects are minimal if not non-existant!!!!!!!!

    JenC/Kad22-- Glad I am not alone in a little bit of wait for the exchange!!! I cannot wait until I have these rocks taken out-YAY!

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited July 2010

    Karin, did you have your treament Wed? I had mine yesterday. I'm feeling tired and my teeth hurt. That's it so far, no nausea again, :)  I've been taking Aleve to ward off the aches this time. So far it is working.

    Let me know how you are feeling. Sending you hugs. Hi to Sylvia when she comes. My sister went with me to my chemo and did ok. She thought she might be able to handle it, but it wasn't as bad as she imagined :P

    Take care!

    Shelley 

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited July 2010

    Hope everyone is doing well this week and will have a good weekend.  Has anyone else been having hot flashes since starting chemo?  At least 5 times a day and a few times at light I get this overwhelming feeling of heat and start sweating.  It goes away after about 2 minutes but it is really annoying and interupting my sleep.  Not sure if this is a normal side effect or the start of early menopause (I am 37).  Thanks for any input.

    Jen

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  • SGJ05
    SGJ05 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2010

    JenC--I have hot flashes like you would not believe!!!!!!! They didn't start until after my 5th round of chemo., but they are here now and are awful. My Onc gave me a script for effexor (low dose), apparently this works wonders for hot flashes:) I have not tried it yet, I am waiting until I am completely over the chemo side effects before adding another drug. I will keep you posted on how it works. By the way, I am 35 y/o and my last period was well over 2 months ago--I think this is just another lovely side effect of chemo and does not necessarily mean we will be in permenant menopause.

    shelley43--Good to hear you are not ecperiencing any nausea, I hope your aches and pains from chemo ease up soon.

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited July 2010

    Shelley43, hi.  I had my treatment on Tuesday, and I am completely wiped out today.  I felt really good yesterday, and went nuts baking, laundry, gardening, cleaning.  Now I am paying the price, but my DH just brought me a cup of tea and told me to take the afternoon off, wasn't that sweet, lol. Glad to hear that you are doing ok, and that the Aleve is helping with the aches, but I'm sorry to hear that your teeth hurt, that must be a drag.  But if you are anything llike me, you have no tastebuds anyway, so who feels like eating.  I'm glad that your sister was able to go to chemo with your, and now she can experience the post chemo experience with you as well, our sisters are stonger than they realize, it is amazing what they can cope with!  Enjoy your visit with her.  ((hugs))

    JenC, I have been having hot flashes siince I started chemo, and I haven't had a period either.  I am older (51) so it was about time for me, it just pushed it forward by a year or so.  My onc told me that because of my age, I most likely would stay period free (yay), but it is possible that it is temporary in your case.  She also gave me ativan, for those sleepless nights, but I haven't taken any yet.  Between the chemo, heparin, neupogen and tylenol, I feel over medicated as it is.  I am with SGJ05, I think my body needs a medication holiday.

    Take care everyone

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited July 2010

    SGJ05 - Definately keep me posted on the effexor, may be something I talk to my Onc about.  at times it feels like someone has a heater blowing on me:(  I am not planning on having any more kids (1 is enough) so if my periods dont come back I would be upset... 

    Shelley43 - I take Ativan at night to help me sleep and I dont feel groggy in the am or anything, actually most of the time 1/2 a pill works great to help me get to sleep.  But I have noticed since Chemo I have a hard time sleeping even when I am not having treatment.  Not sure if that is just because of everything on my mind or because of treatment.

    Hope everyone has a great weekend.

    Jen

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited July 2010

    Dutchgirl6 - Hope you start to feel better soon. Had enough energy to go to the flea market with Mom & Sis this morning searching for boilded peanuts (not the same in Texas I guess) and some sunglasses. Then was ready to crash in the afternoon. Took a swim to cool down from the outing and then a long nap. Heartburn is starting. I've decided the bad taste in my mouth is from the dexomethosone. They taste terrible. Unfortunately, I'm still a little hungry and ate a pretty good dinner that DH cooked. Tomorrow will be my wiped out day, I'm sure of it.

    JenC , thanks for the Ativan suggestion. I'll ask the doc. I keep waking up around 3 and it takes at least an hour to go back to sleep. I really can't afford this sleep loss when I'm trying to work. It happens almost every night unless I take 2 benedryls instead of one. I also don't want to take too much medicine. Already taking so much for the side effects, but that might be worth it. Have't tried anything for my hot flashes yet, but I might ask at the same time. I mentioned it yesterday, but he didn't suggest anything to alleviate them. :(

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited July 2010

    Hi Shelley, I hope you enjoyed your boiled peanuts, and that you are feeling ok today.  Take it easy today, and enjoy the company of your mom and Karin.  Hopefully DH will have his chef's hat on again tonight.

    It sounds like 3 am is the magic hour for our chemo induced insomnia, that seems to be the time that I have been waking up too.  I guess it's halfway through the night.  Jen, I'm sure that it is a combination of the treatment, and everything that is going on, physically, emotionally and mentally.  I am hoping that once this is all behind me, I will finally have nights of uninterrupted sleep....

    Have a good weekend everyone

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited July 2010
    JenC- yes I'm having them too, all day and at night. I'm 43 and started having them after my 3rd chemo treatment. At night I'll throw the covers off, and yes, it is very disruptive to sleep. I don't think there is much we can do, at least you have your meds when you decide to take them. I don't have anything yet. I guess "chemopause" has set in. I had two HEAVY periods during my first two chemos and not one since. I'm on #5 now of 6, and the onc says he will do a blood test when I'm finished to test my ovary activity and estrogen output before deciding on hormonal therapy. For now, I guess we just have to make it through these. I guess it's not too much given everything else we're going through. Just one more annoyance!
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  • DancerMel28
    DancerMel28 Member Posts: 122
    edited July 2010

    Ditto here with the hot flushes!  The 4 days after my 4th chemo were the worst - coudlnt' sleep at all during the night.  I think mine is a combination of having zoladex and chemo - i haven't had a period since i began chemo as a result of my ovaries being shut down for protection during chemo.  I'm 29 so am hoping (silly as it sounds!) that they return soon now that I've finished....and that the hot flushes subside though with going on tamoxifen next am thinkiing they will prob stick around Frown

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  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited July 2010

    I think that I may too be having hot flashes. I wake in the night very hot and can't sleep and sometimes during the day I get overwhelmed with hotness?! Does this sound right, could these be hotflahes? I just chalked it up to another SE from chemo. Had two periods during AC but havn't had one in 2 months. Not a problem for me at all! ;-)

    DancerMel28 - I do hope yours returns for you and will pray for it to happen - sounds silly but I want you to be able to have want you want!! ;-)

    I seem to have to go to the bathroom every hour during the night. Anyone else?

    Oh one thing to rant about - I love fresh vegetables couldn't wait for summer and my garden but everytime I eat a fresh vegie, tomatos!!, I get soooo sick bad GI - ohhh does it hurt! WHY OH WHY do the fresh veggies have to be out of my diet!!?

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  • saralmom
    saralmom Member Posts: 329
    edited July 2010

    Hi all.  Yes, I am having hot flashes as well.  I don't think of them as ACTUAL hot flashes though b/c they aren't horrific - so I call them heat waves.  I do throw the covers off during the night, and my husband is constantly commenting in disbelief how hot my skin is.  I'm 43 and was not near menopause yet, but I haven't had a period since mid-May.  I guess that makes 2 periods during AC and none since then.  I guess if I take Tamoxifen I won't get them during that either?  Does anyone know about that?  If so, I guess I'm officially done with periods.  I have 3 kids and wasn't planning to have any more - my youngest is now 9, but for some reason chemopause bugs me.  Like I feel so different from my former self and it wasn't a natural progression and was pretty much forced on me.  Whiny...

     Kad - I am up in the night to pee at least 2-4 times.  Drives me crazy.  And I have really bad heartburn, but I haven't pinpointed what is causing it - will have to pay attention to vegetables.  Maybe part of my GI stuff too...

    I have my 8th weekly Taxol tomorrow.  Will then be 2/3 done with Taxol and 3/4 done with all chemo including the AC.  Love to keep track of the progress!  My only real complaints lately are bloody drippy nose - so gross - and gross fingernails with a fair amount of finger pain/neuropathy.  My PA told me to soak my fingers in diluted vinegar and then paint my nails with Tea Tree Oil.  Might help.  The peeling on my hands and feet seems to be done.  Oh - my hair seems to be coming out even more - the fuzz that is left is more sparse - such a bummer b/c I thought it might start growing back in during Taxol.  I also have very thin eyebrows and lashes.  Makeup still works but I'm dreading the possibility of losing it all.

    Have a good SE-free week!

    Sara 

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited July 2010

    Hey Girls,

    Sounds like we are all having the same type of hot flashes. Mine come and go, but most noticeably at night. I have them during the day too, but they don't bother me quite as much then. "Heat Wave" is a good description, Saralmom, sounds like we are the same age and on the same chemopause track. I don't mind not having mine either, especially if it will help my prognosis and lower my estrogen.

    If you are having GI symptoms, it's could be acid in the fresh fruits/veggies. I've been taking Zantac and it works really well to help heartburn and allow me to eat fairly normally. You might give it or another OTC anti-acid tablet a try. It works quickly, too. You also have to watch out I was told for foodborne illnesses from fresh food, make sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any possible Salmonella or E. coli, which could really do damage if your counts are low. I was advised to steer clear of these during my "low week" and stick to processed (canned) canned fruits and veggies which are safer.

    Hope you all are feeling well and can get some rest. Stay cool!

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  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited July 2010

    I had my last chemo treatment last Tuesday. Yay! The onc says she's going to confer with a radiation oncologist to confirm my initial plan, which was not to have radiation because there were only two nodes, they got good margins, etc. I hoping to hear back on that soon, but I don't expect the plan to change. Which means I can start feeling well again.

    I've had the usual pains from the taxol for the last week, but I think I turned the corner last night. I decided to take my chances and not do the neupogen shots this time, as they just cause that much more pain. The onc said that would be OK if I continued to take it easy (avoid crowds, etc.)  Once I gain a little strength again and don't feel like I'll keel over, I need to start some exercise again.

    Next up will be taxomifen for a couple of years, followed by aromatase inhibitors. I'll start that after a month. I've been perimenopausal for a few years (so I've already gotten to know hot flashes) and my periods were becoming less regular. The chemo should have pushed me over, so (I hope) I won't have any more. The last one was in March, a few weeks before starting chemo. The doc did say that when you're on tamoxifen, you need to watch out for spotting or periods and to see the gyn if those happen.

    Have a good week, everybody!

    Karen

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