November 2009-Starting Chemo

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2010

    Melinda,

    I didn't post when I was going till this morning and it will be this Friday. I don't know if my back keeps paining I guess I need to call to be sure they are scanning that area as well as my head. What do you think? When I went to my primary Dr. last week on Monday I only had the head aches, now I have the ache smack dab in the upper middle portion of my back. I still feel like I need to be burped really bad!! I'm beginning to freak a little again because I thought I'd be over the back ache from this am. If it's really bad tomorrow morning again I will just have to call my primary Dr. again

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited August 2010

    Brenda ~ I am hoping it is the tamoxifen.  Everything you are going through sounds like ME !  2 weeks off the tamoxifen I felt great.  Now I am exhausted, headache and a dull backache.  Hang in there ! 

    Melinda ~ too funny about your daughter giving you the Amy Winehouse hairdo!

    :)

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2010

    Alicia,

    Can you believe I'm still having pain in the middle upper portion of my back.  I think I may need to call and let them know so when I go get scanned they cover all the territory, then I won't feel the need to go back right away again. If it's nothing in both areas I'll just know I'm getting paranoid ~~

    The pain is on and off and anywhere from dull - to -  it knocks the breath out of me, go figure ~~~~~

    Good Morning everyone (((((HUGS))))) 

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited August 2010

    I would call Brenda and make sure they do a full scan just to have peace of mind.... (if that's freakin' possible)  Hang tough ! 

    Hugs,

    Alicia

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2010

    I did call and they still only set me up with a brain scan ~~

    I suppose now I'll have to go another time and loose another day of work ~~

    Everything is such a headache with me living so far south on the coast in a small peaceful town. 

    It ti's lovely however, just hard when it comes to Dr. Crap 

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited August 2010

    Brenda, how are you doing?  How is everyone?

    Saw little onc and had my echo as well...busy day.  Tomorrow is my cardiologist.. busy week I guess.

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited August 2010

    So many Warriors with aches and pains.  I'm so sorry.   :(  Hopefully, everyone will feel better soon??!!   How long before one's body gets adjusted to the drugs?  

    Michele:  who, or what, is a "little onc"?  Why the cardiologist?  (I didn't want to go back read old postings because I would have lost this.)

    Well, I had my first major chem brain screw-up today and an expensive one...at the grocery store today, I used the self-checkout scanner to check out, requested $50 extra on my debit charge, and forgot to pick up the money from the slot before I left.  Thought about it an hour later, called the store and, of course, the money was no longer there.  I cried when I got home and just prayed that someone who really needed extra money got it.   Decided not to beat myself up because it was already done and there was nothing I could do about it now.  sucks, though.  It doesn't help that I took my daughter back to college this past weekend.  She is my best friend and I miss her terribly, but this is what she is supposed to do.  It's just that I just got used to her being home since she was here for 3 1/2 months for the summer and we had so much fun together.  I"ll see her again in 3 weeks, though, for a weekend.

    I just got results back from blood work from my 6 mo. onc check-up and everything is "normal."   Will have a cholesterol test next month, but should have no doc appts., tests, or check-ups in Oct. or Nov.  yippee.  will be nice to be medically free for the two months.

    Happy Weds. tomorrow.    Nette 

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited August 2010

    Nette, my Big onc is chemo onc, and my littleonc is rads onc..I have been having heart palputations lately as well as dizzy spells.  yippy for good results.

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited August 2010

    Nette, my Big onc is chemo onc, and my littleonc is rads onc..I have been having heart palputations lately as well as dizzy spells. 

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2010

    Nette!!!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I know how you feel, I am so sorry you had to loose the $50.00 .

    I was fortunate that my groceries hadn't gone anywhere (but I did go right back in too as soon as I realized I had nothing in my cart) when I walked out of the store and left them, but I'm sure if it was cash it would not have been there. I almost feel like I need a sitter when I go out in public now so I don't make stupid mistakes anymore. And your Daughter dear, I know your gonna just miss her like crazy. I always wished I had a daughter just to be able to have that close friend to talk with like I used to do with my mom (still do) but the daughter would be really super.

    Alicia,

    Sporting a new do? Your hair looks great!!!! 

    Michele,

    That's the same way I think of my oncs the big one is my chemo and little one the rads onc. I really like my rads onc so much better though she was a sweetheart, the other onc was an a@@.  The Cardiologist Dr. is that for the dizzy spells? 

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2010

    Nette: Sorry about the $50 but I appreciate your attitude in hoping that a person who really needed it found it.

    Brenda; When will you see someone to get Friday's scan results?

    I am very frustrated....

    I saw Rad Onc today, he is still concerned about Clyde and seemed pretty surprised that surgeon didn't remove it.  He is not buying pus filled abcess or nectrotic tissue theory.

    I see Big Onc tomorrow, I guess I need to just walk in with a list of pro's and con's for cutting it out. It seems like the big con is compromised wound healing. I run the risk of not healing if I have it removed.

    So it still may be cancer, but to find out for sure we wait for scan time or take it out and run the risk that I will have an open wound. (Rad nurse said she just had a patient that spent 53 days in hospital from wound that didn't heal after rads).

    But, it ain't cancer until someone says it is cancer.

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2010

    ((((((((((Melinda)))))))))) Damn Clyde~~~~ Absolutely right~~ It's not cancer till they say so~~

    Please way all your options and be ever so careful.... I am not sure when I will get the results. Usually no news means good news...They only seem to call when it's bad. Friday will be a busy day for me, I am having pre blood work done so it will be ready for my yearly physical (Sept. 22). That appointment is at 7:00 am. I have to fast. Yucko------Have to drive all the way to Tally from Carrabelle without a coffee or nothing to eat. Then right after my blood work I have to get a chest X-Ray, then at 9:30 I get my first mammogram since diagnosis, then at 2:30 I get my MRI on my brain, to see if anything is up there...Ha-Ha. Here of late I think it's pretty empty.  I just keep telling myself if that is the price I need to pay for LIFE I can deal with it. 

    What does rads do that makes wounds not heal, I didn't know this. 

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2010

    Brenda: You only fast to fast for the bloodwork, right?? They would have to sedate me if I had to do all that testing without any coffee in my system!

    I am not sure exactly why rads screws up wound healing, but it does. That is why a plastic surgeon won't touch me until 6 months after rads. And even then, prolly no implants, radiated skin just won't hold up.

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited August 2010

    For what it's worth...I was told by my "little onc" to wait a year after rads to get reconstructive surgery as the rads cause the breast tissue to change in weird ways and you wouldn't want to get the surgery and have it continue to still be changing.  Also, I just read that the rads "can  interrupt normal wound healing mechanisms."  I am surprised that the rad onc thought it okay to have Clyde taken out, knowing the possible healing issues.  One would think he would know better than any other dr.

    Alicia:  LOVE THE HAIR!!  You look awesome! I don't understand why you are worried about the upcoming party and your hair.  I personally think the short dos look awesome with a really sexy dress.  :)

    Brenda:  glad you did get your groceries.  I was wondering about that.  God luck on Friday.  At least you get all the things done and on the same day and out of the way all at once.

    I saw my rad onc only one time after I finished the rad treatments and I won't see her again.  All other check-ups are with the BS and the big onc, and my PC, of course. 

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited August 2010

    Nette ~ ugh about the $50 bucks that stinks....  Can imagine you will miss your daughter, but am glad you got to spend the past few months with her.  It was good timing !

    Brenda ~ hoping all goes smoothly with your test on Friday and that you get good results.  GREAT news on your blood work and all being "normal". 

    Melinda ~ I hope you get some answers tomorrow on Clyde.  Agreed until they say cancer  - it is Clyde ~ and hoping and praying he is never deemed the dreaded C word.  Either way he needs to go away one way or another.  Gentle hugs!

    Michele ~ how are you feeling with the heart palpitations?  Anything new?

    Hugs girls !

    Alicia

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited August 2010

    Geez ladies! I've been reading posts and it's like a roller coaster! One day we're good, and one day we're falling apart.

    Don't feel bad Nette...I left my cc in an ATM not to long ago. $50 is hard to give up, but having the added headache of cancelling, disputing charges, reissuing, and all that jazz isn't fun. It's hard when the kids go off to college. My niece is a senior at UNC-Charlotte and just went back. Can your daughter come back on for a weekend trip?

    Clyde...Go away...none of us want you...Be gone!!! Melinda...can they at least aspirate it to get some fluid out to test? Enough is enough for you, my dear!

    Alicia...I agree...you look wonderful!

    Brenda....(((HUGS))) Sounds like an all day ordeal. Good luck! I'll keep some extra fingers crossed tomorrow :)

    Michele...do you know what is causing the dizzy spells? I remember you talking about this earlier.

    As for me...I read the posts, but work like crazy. Libby is back in school, and 7-year old homework IS NOT FUN!! Anyone want to switch?  I'm still doing the naked Herceptin and the Tamoxifen train.

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2010

    Just got back from Naked Herp.

    I told Big Onc that I needed a Clyde plan. I gave him the run down on what Rad Onc and Surgeon have said. He said I can go ahead and schedule a biopsy to happen when I have hit the "six weeks post zap" mark.

    So I will schedule it with Surgeon and not worry about it until then,

    Oddly, the week that occurs at the 6 weeks mark is exactly a year since the first biopsy.

    One of the ladies that does chemo during my naked herp is a former nursing home patient of mine. She is a hoot, really delightful and I schedule my Herp for when she is there. I gave her my red curly crocheted wig, we had a lot of fun with that today during the drip.

    I'll make her dreadlocks for next infusion.

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2010

    Biopsy scheduled for 9/17 (unless he decides it should be done in hospital) which is exactly one year since last biopsy. Cue Twilight Zone music....

    So that gives me the full 6 weeks to keep cooking, improves chances for wound healing and gets us an answer before the next scan.

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited August 2010

    Melinda, it is a Do-over.....this time it will be good ressults.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited August 2010

    Melinda: Glad that a biopsy is finally scheduled - it will be fine!!!

    Regarding naked herceptin - does anyone else get really emotional followig a treatment. I was like a bear with a sore head yesterday which ended up in tears later on. Still feel weepy today.

    I asked my onc about the tiredness and he said it is most likely from the Arimidex. Guess I'll just have to get used to it. I got him to check out under my arm as it has been feeling really tender. He thinks it's the bone hurting from the rads. The boob is still one big lump - wish it would soften up.

    Hey, only 5 naked H to go!!! Doesn't seem like much but it will take until December.

    Also asked him about the pain I get from my port sometimes. He said they might have to operate to fix it - stuff that!!! It's been ok since the tx so we'll see how it goes. It only happens when I move my right arm a certain way and then I get a sharp pain next to the port. It might be pressing on a nerve.

    Next week will be interesting, I'm attempting my first full day at work on Monday. Given that I'm really tired by 11:30am, not sure how it will go. I'll still do 2 half days Tuesday and Thrusday and have Wednesday off and then a full day on Friday.

    Have a great weekend girls!!!

    Sue

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2010

    Brenda: Good luck with all your appts today. I laughed when you were saying you feel like your brain is missing, remember when I had the scan and they asked if I had a kidney removed?? Let us know when you get your good news results.

    Alicia; Happy Cancerversary, one hell of a ride. But you kicked ass and now you can go forth and conquer anything. Cuck Fancer.

    Sue: You will be finished with Herp in December?? Wonderful news. I don't think I started the Herp until March or so, whenever I started the Taxol. Do you think they will deport you when the Herp is done?

    Linda: Are you all moved in and right at home now?

    Michelle: what's the word on the heart check, ticker doing OK??

    Nette: Congrats on a month or two of NO doc appts, how great is that.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited August 2010

    Melinda: I plan on having it out before Xmas. My onc let my DH have his out straight away both times he had chemo, so I expect he will do the same with me. Might have to get it out earlier if it keeps hurting.

    Sue

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited August 2010

    Melinda, saw the chardeo guy this week and he is sending me for a stress test in OCT.  So again I wait...but At least I know I am not having a heart attack...

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited August 2010

    Well... my cancerversary is today ~ and it went off without a hitch.  I was so busy all day with final plans for my daughter's Sweet 16 party tomorrow.  Me and my kids went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my 1 year ! 

    Michele ~ why do you have to wait for OCTOBER ~ seems too far away?  grrrr

    Sue ~ sorry about your port pain.  :( 

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited August 2010

    Well... my cancerversary is today ~ and it went off without a hitch.  I was so busy all day with final plans for my daughter's Sweet 16 party tomorrow.  Me and my kids went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my 1 year ! 

    Michele ~ why do you have to wait for OCTOBER ~ seems too far away?  grrrr

    Sue ~ sorry about your port pain.  :( 

    Brenda ~ how did your tests go today?  Thinking of u.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited August 2010

    Alicia: Glad you had a nice cancerversary. What date is it? What I mean is : was it the day you got the biopsy result or the day you had your mammo.

    Brenda: Hope the scan went OK.

    Sue

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited August 2010

    Hey, I forgot to tell you - my hair is more wavy at the back and now the top has started going wavy too - woohoo!!! I had a look in my hand mirror last night and the back is so cute :)

    Sue

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited August 2010

    I decided to use the day I received the diagnosis because the was the day it was definite and my world was changed forever. It's not the day I'll choose to remember the in future, but for now, I like to think, and celebrate, how far I've come from that day.  Alicia's idea of doing lunch sounds like a great idea.  I still have the basket of cards and notes from well-wishers beside my bed and I plan to put it away on that day: Sept. 1.

    Brenda:  I hope yesterday went well with all the appts.  At least they are all behind you for now.

    Sue:  congrats on the curl!!!  I am still lovin' the wave I have, too.  So not like anything I've ever had.  Yesterday at the pool, two friends were talking about it being time to color their hair again, and I'm thinking: not me.  :)   It makes sense that your port might be bothering you because it is occasionally pushing on a nerve.  

    Melinda:  did the dr. give any possible explanations for the palpitations?

    Melinda:  what "next scan" are you referring to in your post, "getting the biopsy results before the next scan" ? 

    Happy Saturday, everyone!!  Nette 

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited August 2010

    Nette: I like the idea of putting away all the cards on your cancerversary. Perhaps we can all throw away our stool softeners and other chemo related meds!

    I did pack up my scarves and hats, I kept the one's I like since I don't believe I am completely done. I put them in the closet in case I need them again.

    I am due to have another PET scan after 3-4 months after the end of radiation. There is still that questionable area in my chest, oddly, not where Clyde is. I have yet to be labeled "cancer free". The last lymph node finally died (it was under my pec muscle), but there is still a weirdness that shows up that they are watching.

    Brenda: Did anyone say anything good from all your doc visits yesterday?

    Happy Weekend!

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited August 2010

    Sue ~ my day of diagnosis (got my biopsy results) was 8/27.  I have packed away in a drawer in my diningroom all of my cards and well wishes.  My meds are in a plastic shoebox in my closet, and my wigs and scarves are in a bin in my closet.  I too Melinda ~ still feel the need to hold onto that.......  HOPEFULLY we never need it again !

    Nettie ~ I am jealous of your waves...mine is my original straight hair.  :(

    Happy Saturday girls.  Tonight is my daughter's Sweet 16 Bash !  woo HOO ~

    :)

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