Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

It has been a while since I was on here, and it is amazing what everyone is accomplishing these days!  I ditched the wig about two weeks ago--here in Ohio it was in the 90's and I just couldn't take it anymore.  My hair is about 1" and dark (I used to have a medium brown) with quite a bit of gray.  I work at a Catholic church and was so worried that I would offend someone, but our priest from Poland told me that I looked like "a chic French girl" and it made my day!  Everyone seems to have gotten used to the look and my kids don't even care that I go out in public "au natural."

I am looking into the compression sleeves for flying too--we are heading to Disney in August and I don't want to be miserable while there.

I also had my "glad chemo is done" party with my friends this past weekend.  We ate and drank and laughed and it was so wonderful.  I was glad that I celebrated this victory and we made plans to do the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk in October.

Prayers and hugs to all of you who are still enduring treatment and testing.

Renee

Sher - glad things are better at home and will be keeping you in my prayers for clear MRI results.

Happy Birthday to all the July birthday girls. Celebrate and enjoy.

I have been wigless for more than a month. It got to hot to stand a covering. My hair is coming in salt and pepper and as curly as orphan annie. It is not my favorite but once you have no hair some curly, gray hair is not so bad. Some people don't recognize me, but strangers have complimented me on my hair so it can be that bad. I think if I color it I may be happier.

I have this weird thing with my nails going on. The top third of my nail is white and there seems to be a layer of dead skin under the nail trying to get loose. I am keeping my nails short and there seems to be good nail under so maybe it will go away.

It is good to hear that I am not the only one struggling with the "new" normal. I am quickly being caught up in the life of pre-diagnosis but often think that I should be doing something different. Maybe it has nothing to do with bc but like many I will turn 50 early next year and it may have to do with that milestone.

Glad that so many are on the road to wellness. Stay cool in this heat.

Barbara 

stlcardsfan

Thanks for posting information about the headache being a side effect of herceptin. I have been experiencing terrible headaches lately and in the back of my mind Ive been thinking oh no brain tumor.

bbd & georgiabirdgirl:  However, I think the tea tree oil did keep a fungus away and maybe saved my nails from turning black and lifting off.  Thankful for the smelly tea tree oil!  My DH made me go to the deck to use it.

Hi all,

Had my first fill this week. Wasn't to bad. Also got the ok to start exercises to get my arm and shoulder movement back.

Herceptin #10 out of 18 done this week as well.

On we go! 

HI Everyone,

Friday was radiation hump day for me - #17 out of 33.  It's been okay - just a bit of redness around the nipple area and itchy on top of my shoulder where the bra strap is iritating.  

When my 19 lymph nodes were removed (at the lumpectomy surgery in Dec) because 6 were cancer, the doc told me that most likely the lymph nodes wouldn't have any more cancer in them since they usually travel in a line down the system (hence, more lymph nodes removed beyond the cancerous ones).  But, some could still be cancerous (it's rare, I'm told)... I know that's why the radiation for me includes from the top of my shoulder to under my right boob, my underarm and top of arm.  This is in case the chemo didn't get everything.  The radiation machine that rotates around your body is getting me at 10 o'clock, 12 noon, 4oclock (the side) and 6 oclock positions (my back) . I'm hoping those lymph node suckers that still might have some cancer in them get sizzled!

I had a follow up visit with my oncologist this past week - I'll be taking daily Femara after radiation is done, not Tamoxifen.  Femara is targeted to post-menapausal women like me, I'm told, and does a better job for those ER+PR+ BC women whose ovaries have stopped producing Estrogen.  She ordered a new dexascan (bone density) because Femara can cause Osteoporosis (wonderful) and joint arthritis (like my knees don't hurt enough). 

I am now imagining myself as a shorter, creakier, white haired old lady....at 57. 

The better news: I had a lymphodema evaluation this week and, thank goodness, don't have that at this point.  I have to buy a compression sleeve as well since we're going to Florida in September - did anyone buy theirs online?  And, I went for a 6 month follow up at the dentist who told me my gums look wonderful - chemotherapy usually clears up any gum problems and most of his post-chemo patients look good as a result.   Now, that's a wierd positive side effect. And, my onc gave me the script to go have my port out - YEA!  I go see the surgeon on Wednesday.  I'm hoping he'll schedule it for Friday.

My black nails are growing out as well.  I'm glad you guys posted that they are black underneath because I've been embarrased that my nails look so darn dirty underneath and trying to clean them out.  My toe nails don't seem to be growing out as quickly, however, with the big toe nail still looking like something was dropped on it.  My toes neuropathy has reduced a bit but is still there - I'm thinking the Taxol permanently injured my nerves in the toes. I've been wearing sandals all summer, which helps.  I'm worried about the winter and closed in shoes.

Happy birthday to our July friends - I'm going to enjoy my birthday in October.  I'm glad I'll be turning 58!  Have great vacations for those of you going away.  We're going to a friend's second home in Florida and planning on doing nothing!  Just sleeping late, eating out and being with each other.  I'm hoping for good weather (and not any hurricanes). 

Hugs all!

Pat

youngmomof3:   So sorry to hear that you require more chemo.  I had chemo, then mastectomy...my tumour was 6cm, 0/5 nodes.  I asked my onc about further chemo - he said it would give me no advantages.  I would have done more chemo if he'd recommended it, but he only suggested rads.   I know you must be disappointed.  Our kids are tougher than we think they are.  You will all get through it this time, just as you did the last.  However, I hope the A/C will be easier on you.  Everyone here will be praying and wishing you a better journey.

Hi Youngmomof3,

I did the AC dose dense (every 2 weeks) for 4 cycles.  I'm sorry you are going to have to go thru this chemo.  It's the heavy duty stuff. To be honest, it was very difficult physically for me.  AC kicked my butt.  I don't know how it will be for you - you're younger than me, have a different stage and have had a different treatment to date.  But, with three kids to take care of....I'd advise you to get some help from family and friends.  I'll be praying for you and thinking of you. Hugs!  (My hair fell out after the second dose - around day 17-18 of start of AC treatment.)

Stlscardsfan - thanks for the advice.  The PT gave me a list of nearby providers  - but, she also mentioned the sleeves are cheaper on line.  My insurance should pay so I'[ll go get fitted.  Why are you wearing the gauntlet?  Did the sleeve make your hand swell?  I'm also doing this for prevention when flying.  Radiation increases the risk for lymphodema.  I've had enough side effects and would love not to have this one!

Ciao!
Pat

Youngmom-so so sorry to hear that you may need more chemo. In January I started out with 4 doses of A/C before moving to T/H. To be honest, A/C can be rougher than T/H. For me the fatigue, nausea and general being out of it  was a little bit more intense than with the T/H.  I got A/C on Thursday and was pretty out of it on Saturday and Sunday. Friday was a good day because of the steroid high. Monday I would start feeling good enough to go back to work. You are a tough cookie so I expect you to breeze thru it.

I have my lumpectomy and complete lymph node dissection this Thursday. Originally I was scheduled for a BMX but since the chemo did its job so well, my BS convinced me that a lumpectomy was the way to go. This is of course all dependent on clear margins.

Youngmomof3 - sorry to hear about more chemo.  Yuck!

My dad had a stroke on Saturday, July 17, in Minnesota.  My husband and I flew here on July 19.  They weren't sure if he was going to make it.  He still has a lot of brain swelling, but it seems to have finally peaked.  Now, he is looking at rehab.  It was a severe stroke and his left side is paralyzed.  The doctors are amazed that he is talking and that his memory is in tact.  I had to cancel my herceptin treatment, but will have it on August 4th after we return to Okinawa.  Still on schedule for our move to Ohio on September 3.

nkrun-praying for your surgery on Thursday.

Wow, Ladies, lots of catching up! Young mom of 3--I've been thinking about you and wish you the best on this journey. My secretary just had her second round of A/C yesterday. SHe seemed to do Ok after the first round--just a few days of fatigue, but I think it's going to kick her butt this time around.

Grace--so sorry to hear about your dad's stroke. This must be terribly stressful for you.

Pagowens, hang in there with the rads--you're doing it!!!

I have been back to work 3 full weeks now. It's exhausting, but I'm managing. The school year began on Tuesday because we're on a modified traditional schedule. I took yesterday off to go for my last appointment with the department of homeland security, where I was approved to becoe a US citizen. My swearing in ceremony s on AUgust 11th. On Monday, I'm seeing my onc and will have to make the Tamoxifen decision. Still not decided.

Hey Bubbalu,

My last infusion was April 28, so that's 14 weeks ago (WOW! ).  Here's what my hair looks like now.  I think I was able to go safely without a hat or head covering for the past 3-4 weeks.  Lately, I get complimented on my cute haircut.  I say, "you mean my hairgrow?!"  I have been taking biotin everyday since my chemo cleared (12 weeks ago), along with my other supplements.  It is supposed to help your hair grow.  My hair grew in straight and dark, which is what it looked like before it fell out.  I have no idea if the biotin helped or not, but I thought it was worth a shot.  

Mine started out very fuzzy and baby fine.  It was sparse and funny looking for awhile.  It would develope bumps all over, which I sook learned were hairs trying to bust through.  I loofahed my head and body every time the bumps appeared, and suddenly new hair would be there.  It got to the point that I couldn't wait to shower, so I could have new hair when I got out.

Hi Bubbalu,

I can never figure out how to insert a picture, so I changed my avatar with today's photo - taken with my phone so you can see my hair length.  My hair started out fuzzy white stuff, then looked like a Dalmatian with white/dark spots all over my head, then finally started growing in to what it looks like today.  I've also started getting comments re love the cut!  I just say thanks (and laugh).  It started coming in around the 9th to 10th treatment of Taxol (around mid-May).

I started Biotin capsules and my vitamins (one a day, B12, D)  one week after last chemo - so around June 8th.  I didn't have this much silver before, just a couple strands...oh well!  I'm not dying because of the time, expense, energy needed.  And, I'm a little worried about the chemicals now.  My attitude re the Biotin is...what the heck!  Might work.  My hair is shinier than before.

It will come back - I know how impatient we can get!  Glad you're doing okay.

Pat

Thanks Bubbalu.  I'm pretty happy with my hair these days too.  It's amazing how much having hair matters after you haven't had it for so long.  A year ago, I would have cried if someone told me I had to cut my hair this short.  Today, I feel like I'm rocking a trendy pixie cut! 

Pagowens- I love your hair.  I'm with you on the dying.  There are all natural dyes that are supposed to be ok, but I think with all the changes I've already made, this is probably one I'll be able to live with. We'll see.  So far, I've avoided all the grey coming in.  If that changes, I may change my tune.

Biotin is one of the B-complex vitamins and it helps with a lot of your metabolic processes as well as hair growth.    I take a 1000mcg everyday but I will probably stop taking it altogether next month.  It makes my leg and chin hairs grow rapidly too, but that was an easy trade-off to get my eyebrows back.  My doc was fine with me taking that, a multivitamin, COQ10, and an Omega (along with my daily Tamox- of course).  I just have to be careful that the vitamins don't have soy filler in them, which A LOT of them have.