March 2010 Chemo Start

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  • LillyC
    LillyC Member Posts: 64
    edited August 2010

    Finished radiation today...a surreal feeling!        

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    LillyC;  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! 

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  • Joj129
    Joj129 Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2010

    Congrats Lilly! My last rad is Friday. I told my husband I am so excited that I feel like it's my birthday! His reply was well it is!!!

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    Just stumbled upon this on youtube...it made me laugh and it made me cry.  I hope we'll all be doing this dance very soon!!!

    www.youtubecom/watch?V=ETiL4NPJE-g  It is a breast cancer survivor dance  Enjoy!

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  • Ana1973
    Ana1973 Member Posts: 88
    edited August 2010

    Yesterday was my last rads! They gave me a certificate and had me ring the bell! It felt so good to walk out of that place...I wanted to scream and raise my hands in victory, but I thought they would send me to the nut house...ha ha ha. When I got home DH had 1 dozen white roses and 1 dozen red roses waiting for me along with a card expressing how proud he is to be my hubby. What a great day! I start on the "T" train on Monday, but I'm not dwelling on that today. Tomorrow my friends are taking me out to celebrate! God knows there hasn't been much to celebrate in the last 8 months, so tomorrow I will dance! Then the DH and I will go out on Saturday to celebrate a little more before I turn into an evil witch with "T".

    I think of you ladies all the time. I pray for all of our health. Hugs to all the Marchers!

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2010

    Hip Hip Hooray - Congrats Lily and Ana!!!!  I am so happy for you.  I still have the rest of summer to go, but I am celebrating with you today.

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2010

    congratulations Lilly and Ana -  celebrate a bloody great effort.  Ana, I jumped on th T-train one week ago and so far I haven't turned into the evil witch of the south, in fact not much difference at all so hopefully my train will keep chugging along in a very boring way for the next 5 years.

    Enjoy the celebration, enjoy having your time back, enjoy getting back to something appoaching normal. And for the others still going, we're still here with you, keep going you're almost there.

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  • mamaof3bugs
    mamaof3bugs Member Posts: 198
    edited August 2010

    I had my lumpectomy on Feb. 22, almost six months ago and just now I am starting to have shooting pain and over all discomfort.  I still have some swelling and the pain usually only happens once I have taken my bra off.  Anyone else experiencing this?  I am almost done with my chemo but my tumor markers were up last week (53)so of course I am jumping to the worst possible conclusion...the TN cancer is back :(  I know the chances are slim but that slim chance still scares the poop out of me!  I completed 4 rounds of DD AC and I have done 14/16 rounds of taxol.  I spoke with my onc and she said not to worry that markers can go up during chemo and that my neuropathy can make them jump as well.  So any input on post lumpectomy pain would be appreciated :D  Thank youl, Angi

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2010

    Hi Angi - My lumpectomy with 18 lymph nodes removed was on 2/18 and I've had 2 delayed symptoms relating to the surgery.  The first was the numbing of the underside of my upper arm.  Onc says it is the nerves repairing themselves and the delay is quite common.  The other symptom is tenderness and occasional pain in my chest - just below my affected breast (right at the bottom of my bra line).  It started when I started rads, so I assumed it was the effect of the radiation, but my radiation onc says that its internal healing / repair / scar tissue from the lumpectomy and the reason I'm feeling it now is due to the swelling from rads.  

    I know that neither reflects your exact situation, but they both represent normal delayed symptoms of the surgery.

    As for tumor markers, my onc doesn't rely on the markers.  She feels that with unlike other cancers, markers for breast cancer are not very stable, especially at our Stage. What about everyone else, are you measuring your markers??

    As for me - I'm into double digits on rads 10 out of 35.  By Friday, I'll be 1/3 done.  Breast looks good so far.

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2010

    Hey Angi, I started having little twinges of sharp pain several weeks ago -going up to my deltoid muscle, and a few others down my arm - the nerves slowly regenerating I think. The area of numbness under my upper arm is still there but is decreasing in size.  I'm not sure if you have a tissue expander - mine is still uncomfortable if I lie on my side, and sometimes is sore all over - but it goes away. It's hard not to worry isn't it? I hope yours settles down :) 

    By the way - the tamoxi train is having lots of nocturnal hot flashes and it's very annoying, and sleep depriving - my onc has suggested something called remifemin (black cohosh) which I'm going to get tomorrow.

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  • staceyt
    staceyt Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2010

    Hello Ladies,

    Just checking in - Lily and Ana Congrats to you both - Marilyn 1/3 of the way Great!

    I believe I read on this thread about Yoga - I asked before but didn't get any responses.  For those of you who do yoga can you recommend a beginners DVD - My onc said it would be very good for me as I'm still not at full speed I go for my eco on the 13th.  So any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

    I did get out on my motorcycle (finally) on Sunday the weather was gorgeous so the DH and I took a long ride.  It was fabulous, I can't explain to you all how good that felt - but I'm sure you all know what I felt - Ahhhh! 

    I think and pray for all of you daily - Hugs to EVERYONE !!! - Stacey

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  • teemee
    teemee Member Posts: 122
    edited August 2010

    Lilly, Ana and Joj129, congrats on finishing radiation! I just had #21 (wow! I didn't realize so many!) out of 32. I'll be done 8/25. No idea what I'll do with my time then ;) I am so used to being at the doctor now, I forgot what it's like to plan life around appointments.

    And congrats to everyone on the milestones. We have truly run the gauntlet, are still running it, and are making it through pretty darn gracefully ;)

    On my end, hot flashes take up more time than 'normal' flashes, I'm exhausted, blah blah blah, rad onc thinks I am in medical menopause. Chemo went and killed my ovaries, or something. Much of the time I feel worthless and helpless, but I hear this happens with menopause. Jeez--seems like you should get extra worth and confidence for achieving menopause!

    Hugs to all,

    Toni

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  • barb_k
    barb_k Member Posts: 76
    edited August 2010

    Be careful with the herb remedies and watch for soy. My onc. warned me about it even lysine has soy. Just a precaution.

    I've just been following post as I went back to work this week and am exausted. not used to standing on my feet alot.

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2010

    angi, marilyn - my onc doesn't seem too convinced by the BC tumour markers -but I think she's going to do them down the line sometime (? 6 months).

    Stacy I can almost see your smile on the back of your bike.

    Toni -hugs (((Toni))), you're more than halfway through the rads.

    xxx

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited August 2010

    Toni - I think chemo has killed my ovaries too.  But apparently that is a good thing?  I am certainly not back to "normal" ...  I'm working, trying to exercise, (will start running in a few weeks again), but things feel weird and different. I'm done with my surgeries, chemo, now I just have to move forward. I know I just need to take it one day at a time and enjoy the little things but life is so different now. Will I ever forget about it? 

    Ana, Joj and Lily - Congrats on finishing rads!!

    Ana - Post those pics of your hair.  My hair is coming in ... very slowly ... still have a bald spot on the top!  Won't be posting any pics for awhile ...

    Hugs, Charley

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited August 2010

    Hey all - congrats on those milestones, we have all come so far.  One month on tamox, so far so good. I'm another in chemopause. They're not hot flashes, they're mini tropical vacations! 

    Stacey, no recommendations for videos but I am signed up for a beginning yoga class starting next month.  It's 8 sessions, once a week over lunch time, mostly breathing and stretching, and just $20 thru the wellness program at work.  I'll let you know how it goes.

    My hair is coming in enough that people feel comfortable saying, hey your hair is coming in. :-)  It's white and I love it.  Makes me feel wise and sage and been-there-done-that.  Wrinkles just add to the mystique. Maybe that's my defense against negative menopausal feelings. Again, look how far we've all come, in our treatments and in our lives.

    I say good for us!  Life is hard enough without cancer and surgery and chemo and rads thrown in. But we're doing it!  Thanks you guys, I appreciate you all so much.  {{hugs}}

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  • Ana1973
    Ana1973 Member Posts: 88
    edited August 2010

    Well ladies...I danced my butt off! It felt so good to have something to celebrate and having so many of my friends around me celebrating with me. I thought about all of you and the long bumpy road we have all endured and are still enduring. Tomorrow starts Tamoxifen. I have read about all the possible SE but feel very encouraged by other woman on this site that are taking it and doing well.

    Charley- I'll change my avatar soon to show the hair growth...:)

    I pray for you all every night. Sending hugs.

    Ana

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2010

    Go Anna! I hope you wore out your cha cha heels. I noticed that I had more nocturnal hot flashes last week(after starting tamox), which woke me and made me tired during the day - but they seem to have settled now - I only woke twice last night - kind of normal since the chemo pause. Good luck with yours - it seems most people get through OK without too many SE's.

    Hair stalled  -and looking wise too Badger :)

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    Congrats to all who are through chemo and rads.

    With respect to hot flashes, I recommend the Coleman Mini Fan.  I have only found it at Target and buy whatever is on the shelf at the time because I give them to all of my friends.  I've went through menopause for over 2 years ago  but have had some sigificant heat with Taxol.  So give it a try...they've saved many of my friends.

    Also, onc put me on new drug today because I started having neuropathy last week with taxol #7.  So today we started Abraxane. It actually is supposed to have fewer se's and no bendaryl.  Has anyone else been on Abraxane? 

    You all sound wonderful. We're getting close to the end. 

    Heather

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2010

    I started getting a little peach fuzz on top.  You can't see it, but you can feel it.  I'm pretending that it is blond - but most likely it is silver - oh well as we are all too familiar  "you can't have it all".

    Rads continue. I see the doc this morning to talk about a tightening of the throat. It comes and goes, but started 4-5 days ago. :(

    Everything else is good. My pinkies seem to have bounces back from the neuropathy and my energy level is good.

    BTW - if you haven't had your Vitamin D levels checked, it is worth a look. I met with the Arthritis/Rheumetology (?) specialist yesterday (I'm deficient), she said it is very common and often undiagnosed. I'm on a mega dose weekly for 12 weeks to replenish.

    Hugs to all.

     Mariyn 

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    Marilyn;  I mentioned Vitamin D in a previous postings as my doctor had my Vit D levels checked. I'm on 2,000mg/day.  I'm curious, what is your mega dose?  Heather

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  • sandiek9
    sandiek9 Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2010

    Hello everyone,

    I'm enjoying watching (from afar) everyone finishing their treatments, and take heart we will all be done with chemo soon. I finished a while back and am a third of the way through rads. I'm pretty red in all 3 spots that get zapped, but so far not too tired.

    I was (twice!) on megadoses of Vitamin D. The dose was 50,000 IU's once a week. I'll be having my D checked again in a month, but right now my dose is 3,000 iu's a day. Don't forget the calcium intake! It's hard to get in the diet, but I try to because the body doesn't metabolize it well through pills.

    Heather, did you make a decision on the other mastectomy? I had the same choice and was also perplexed by the docs who discouraged it. My decision was based on the fact that ILC can be difficult to diagnose with mammos and ultrasound, and is more likely than other cancers to occur i the other breast. Tough decision, but follow your instinct!

    Good luck to all. Keep your sense of humor! xxoo Sandie 

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    Sandie; 

    Right now, I'm definitely leaning towards having my other breast removed.  I don't think I want to endure MRI after MRI just waiting to see if it occurs in my other breast.  It is a tough decision.  I don't have to make it until at late next summer because I won't be finished rads until mid November most likely.

    I'll also figure, I might as well have 2 perky boobs when I'm 80!!!

    Heather

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  • sandiek9
    sandiek9 Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2010

    Yes, Heather!  matching set of young, perky breasts! xxoo

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2010

    Heather - I'm on 50,000 once a week. It's a prescription dose that I'll take for 12 weeks with the hope of getting me back to normal, then I would go to 2,000 units a day. I am also going to meet with a nutritionist who specializes in cancer patients to talk about my diet moving forward. I would like to get as much of my nutrients as I can through diet.

    I finally got to the Look Good Feel Better program last night.  It was a hoot and the bag of goodies was great!!  Although there is only so much you can do with 3 eyelashes and wonky eyebrows! 

    Marilyn 

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  • mamaof3bugs
    mamaof3bugs Member Posts: 198
    edited August 2010
    Today I finished my chemo.  Kiss mine cancer!!!Kiss  xoxo, Angi
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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2010

    yeh Angi, go girl!! 

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited August 2010

    congratulations Angi !!!

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    Well, today my onc told me that he is going to stop my Taxol treatments as I have neuropathy that is continuing to get worse.  I have completed 8 of the 12 treatments (actually 7 of Taxol and 1 Abraxane).  I'm extremely nervous about not completing the entire cycle of 12 treatments.  

    Has anyone else had to stop treatments because of neuropathy?  What did your onc say about your prognosis given you couldn't complete the cycle?  I'm really nervous about not seeing it through until the end.  

    I've basically sailed through my chemo with few serious SEs and didn't expect not being able to complete the entire treatment plan.  

    Heather 

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2010

    Well, today my onc told me that he is going to stop my Taxol treatments as I have neuropathy that is continuing to get worse.  I have completed 8 of the 12 treatments (actually 7 of Taxol and 1 Abraxane).  I'm extremely nervous about not completing the entire cycle of 12 treatments.  

    Has anyone else had to stop treatments because of neuropathy?  What did your onc say about your prognosis given you couldn't complete the cycle?  I'm really nervous about not seeing it through until the end.  

    I've basically sailed through my chemo with few serious SEs and didn't expect not being able to complete the entire treatment plan.  

    I'm really nervous about stopping my treatment plan.  Heather 

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