March 2010 Chemo Start

Michelle;

So sorry to hear about this latest delay...ask your onc for Ativan to help you with your anxiousness...this should help you deal with the feeling of panic attacks.

Also, I suggest you send out an email or text to everyone and tell them how much you appreciate their support but that you will send out an email when you get the results of the blood tests on Tuesdays.  They will understand.

Finally, ask your doctor about switching you to Abraxane.  My doctor made that move for me on after Taxol #6 because of complications I was having with Taxol. It is less toxic even though it is used to treat metastic breast cancer. 

Just remember, 'If today was rough, rest up, clear your mind and get ready to start fresh tomorrow.'  Your doctor will get to the bottom of this and reducing your Taxol might well take care of everything.  It's not uncommon for oncs to do this.

Fondly, Heather

I had my 3 month check up this week.  They only did normal blood work ,,, no tumor markers, no scans, nada.  Kind of scary ... seems like there should be more to it! Everything was fine though as far as they could tell anyway ...

I'm sorry Michelle!  Bummer! You have had a tough road ... hopefully this change in the amount of medication will do the trick.

Lilly- you are bragging!! We ended chemo at the same time but I am no where near a haircut!  I will be glad to get rid of this bald spot on the top of my head.  I bet it feels good though ...

Marilyn - your hair will grow!  Mine has taken so long but it is coming in finally along with the eyelashes and eyebrows. ;-)

Hugs, Charley 

charley, good news on your check-up... I guess we all have to deal with that "is that all?" feeling when we go for our reviews. I'm working on my head, trying to convince myself that I can put this all behind me, and I think I'm ok with that 95% of the time, it's just that 5% where I let my mind wander to scary places.

Michelle good luck with Monday - can you allocate an email list for your friends who are worrying about you, so you don't have to take so many phone calls?

My eyebrows are patchy but growing fresh stubble- lashes still pretty sparse. Hair is coming through ok but not a skerrick of my previous dark brown hair - it's a rainbow of grays - slate, pale gray, and white. I'm not ready to be wise Badger.

are Heather and Michelle the final Marchers on chemo? thinking of you girls and also the final rads girls. And also any of us Marchers just finding a new way forward - hope you're all feeling ok.

Lisa

Hello Marcher. I had my port taken out last week, all I can say is ouch!  It didn't hurt as bad when they put it in but I think that was because I was so distracted with being newly diagnosed.  I will be having my ovaries taken out at the end of Sept and I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on recovery time, I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and they kept me over night...I am hoping to be able to go to the SG Komen 3-day to root on my friend that is walking in my honor a few days later.  I am starting to feel a little more energetic but the hot flashes are driving me batty!!  How is everyone else?  I am here everyday checking up on everyone but I don't post much.  I hope all my March sisters are doing well, I pray for you everyday.  xoxo, Angi

Angi-I had my ovaries removed when I had my mastectomy. I have a few very small scars on my stomach from where the surgeon inserted the tools he used to remove them. I don't know which procedure your doctor will perform on you but mine used a very non-intrusive surgery. As for pain, I felt nothing ever from my ovary surgery BUT I also had the mastectomy at the same time and was pretty much focusing on that. I did have side effects though like bleeding (small amount) for about a month and a half and HOT FLASHES!!! Still having the hot flashes...I went through what my doctor calls "surgical menopause" because of the surgery. Doctor told me the hot flashes will leave one day. They are getting less intense but still annoying. At least I don't wake up anymore in the night sweating like crazy. Only a couple "flashes" each day now but it has been 6 months since the surgery. The good news is that I don't have periods anymore and can't get pregnant!

Everyone else- I had my last chemo Aug.16th and just now coming out of the horrible side effects. It seems that after each chemo it would take me longer and longer to feel better but now, that's all over with! I start radiation September 10th and I have to admit I'm a bit nervous. Everything you ladies have posted about radiation makes me think it will be a walk in the park. That makes me feel ALOT better.

I also have a few lingering problems...2 of my toenails have just fallen off (gross!!), a little bit of tingling on the bottom of my feet, and no taste buds to speak of. Hoping this all goes away soon. As for hair, about 1/4 inch all over which I colored last week. Was thinking I would go "scarf less" after I colored it but it still looks stupid. Not long enough yet. I think I'll have to give it another month.

Think of all of you often.

 Thanks to all for your kind comments, it really does help.  I went to the liver specialist last Friday.  Really liked him, very thorough.  He ordered blood tests and an MRI of my liver and a MRCP(scan to produce pictures of bile ducts, pancreas, gallbladder) .  I went for the blood tests on Sat. (13 vials of blood) and most of the tests came back neg.  Liver enzymes came down a very little bit, and some tests are still pending.  Waited until Wed.to finally get authorization from insurance co. for the MRI.  I believe the hold up was the Dr. office, not the insur. co.  Called for the MRI, convinced her to squeeze me in on Friday, the 3rd, THEN realized I CAN'T HAVE AN MRI BECAUSE OF MY TISSUE EXPANDER!!!!  Auugggh-- I forgot all about that.  I honestly cannot remember anything.  Anyone else having memory problems?  I sent my daughter to pick up my son at 11;00am instead of 11:30am.  I swear they said 11:00.  She was not happy with me.  I told her to just wait and enjoy the quiet time!!   Anyway, still waiting for Dr. to call back to see what he is going to do without the MRI.  What he told me was that from the blood tests and the MRI he would be able to tell from what part of my body is causing the enzymes to elevate.  It could be bone, muscle, blocked bile ducts or liver. 

We have been using Caring Bridge as a means of communication to everyone, which has been wonderful.  However, certain family members and friends think they can call to hear it from me. When I'm aggravated it just annoys me.  Oh well, if I would just stop with this drama, no one would have to call me. 

This has been a very difficult week, as my cousins son 23yrs old, overdosed on drugs last Wed.  He had been battling his addiction and was currently in a half way house.  This is her second child she has lost.  25 years ago, she lost her first born, a 14 month old girl to meningitis.  She was 8 months pregnant with her second daughter  at the time.  His memorial was yesterday.  We need to move onto a new year!! 

congratulations Charley and Anna on the positive reports from your follow ups!

Yeshua4me:  Congrats on finishing chemo.  Glad you are beginning to feel better.  I'm sure each day you will feel more and more like yourself! 

Ana, Wow, that's great that your hair is 1 1/4 inches long.  I feel like I am holding steady at 1/2 in.  Mine is very straight.  Did yours grow in straight and then get curly?  Just curious. 

Hugs and good days to everyone.  Will keep you posted on my chemo saga.  (Or lack off)

Michelle

Ana!  I can't believe you have so much hair!!!  It looks great! Did you have it trimmed as well? At the rate I'm going I probably won't be seeing my hairdresser for a few years.

And yes Kayne, I forget things all the time.  It is driving me nuts. Kids and hubby are irritated with me and I am writing down everything at work so I don't forget what I got up out of my chair for ... <sigh>  I do hope it does get better. And I hope your road gets smoother ... 

Hugs to all of you,

Charley

Michelle, I hope your liver specialist has come up with another imaging plan for you. It's easy to forget about the magnet in the tissue expander, it'll be good to get it out hey, and have a plan for finishing off chemo. My memory is still poor, but I think improving. Sometimes I forget where I've written down notes to remind me of things

ANa your hair looks great, I'm holding off a little more for some length before the colour.

Charley, has everything healed well, and are you happy with the exchange?

yeshua4me- the tastebuds come back and what an appetite- I'm eating like a horse and loving chocolate and desserts - I'm going to blow up into a huge blimp.  Been having a hard time with motivation this week, the gym, study. Just prefer to hang around the house in my slippers and do household jobs. Feeling like I really have to force myself to get back out there at the moment. Hopefully next week will be more positive.

Heather, good luck for Tuesday, the girl's got stamina!

Lisa

Oh my gosh! Ana, your hair looks GREAT!!! My hair is coming in thick but still really short. I don't have any bald spots at all anymore. I'm so envious of you Ana. You truly look beautiful.

About the memory issue...my latest bout was a few days ago. I was in the kitchen with my two sons. My youngest had his girlfriend sitting next to him eating as usual. He is 19 and has been dating the same girl for over 2 years. I wanted to ask her something and for the life of me I couldn't remember her name! My oldest son (28 yrs.) was standing next to me so I, very discreetly, asked him what the girl's name was. He said, "What?" so I repeated my question. Again he asked, "What?" because he was confused by my question. Again I repeated my question but the girlfriend heard everything and said, "Crystal!" I was embarrassed and explained to her about the "chemo fog" that overcomes me at times. My oldest son laughed and apologized to me for not understanding my question because it was so weird of me to ask what her name was. Anyway, that stuff happens to me all the time. Usually I just can't say a word I want to use. I mean, I can think the word but it just won't come out of my mouth and then someone else will say the word and I'll yell, "yes, that's it!" all excited.

I'm having a new issue. I finished all chemo 2 weeks ago. The last couple of days I can barely move my body. My bones ache horribly. I even take a vicodin pill so I won't hurt so much. Not only my bones, also my muscles. And I mean EVERY bone and muscle in my body aches. I never had this before. Is it normal? I walk up my stairs and it takes real effort. Just bending over to pick up something from the floor is hard. I feel like I am 80 years old! My chemo was taxotere. Did this happen to anyone else and if so, when does it go away?

hello lovely Marchers,  I have eyelashes again - they're not long, but it was like one day they weren't there and the next they were - it looks like I'm wearing eyeliner.

I remain very fatigueable - just got home from a full day at work, I moan and groan bending down to pick something up - it's now 8 weeks PFC and I'm wondering how long it was Marilyn before you felt you had your strength and energy back? Foggy brain making PhD reading almost impossible- lucky my gray hair makes me look wise and I can nod sagely pretty well

Lisa

So nice to hear that all you Marchers are surviving; I have two more chemos left - if my counts stay OK.  It has been a week by week trial, though my onc says getting to 10 of 12 carbo/taxotere/herceptin is a big accomplishment.  No neuropathy for me; I've just been tired and cannot taste anything.  And my eyes water constantly.  Does anyone know if it's the taxotere that is wrecking the taste buds?  I hope it is not the Herceptin, as that will continue for many more months.  I envy all of you with grow back; my hair is barely growing, but every little bit is an encouragement.  So glad that you all have continued to post your experiences; it has been a great help to me!  I continue to pray for us all!

thanks Charley and Marilyn, I know it will get better. I think I've been a bit down in the dumps too, with all the reality of the past 6 months catching up I guess. And I'm waking  up still a few times a night with the hot flashes, so I think sleep deprivation is part of it too.

Marilyn, I don't know much about neuropathy, but from what I've read from others, for most people it eventually clears up - do you take B6?

Hope your last chemo went well Heather, and the SE's aren't too bad. And Chelsea, you're almost done too- my watery eyes settled down within a few weeks of finishing, and the taste buds came back too.

hugs to all,

Lisa

Marilyn, I still have neuropathy in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of my right hand - some numbness, but mostly just annoying when touched - sort of tingly and real sensitive.  My onc says that it could take up to a year to go away.  After that, it would be probably permanent. I finished chemo in mid-May.  She said mine might also be carpel-tunnel since these are the fingers that it affects.

I changed my picture to show my SHORT WHITE hair!!! Yes, I have had it cut...just at the neck and around the ears.  It's about 1/2" long and straight.....not complaining or bragging, just reporting! 

Love to all!