May 2010 Chemo

Daiva - My favorite way to wear the buff is to turn it inside out and then cross your arms inside the tube of material and then grab each end and pull it through from both sides at the same time.  I then put the cap on and adjust the size and the little part that hangs down by pulling on it and then pulling the outer area over little tail so it doesn't stick up. 

Funny story from the weekend I want to share..   I was at the gas station near where my daughter cheers on :Sunday and there was a young Middle Eastern guy working. I handed him my credit card and asked him to fill up my tank.   When he handed back my credit card back he said...are you Jewish or Muslim?"  I looked at him and said what?  He said are you Jewish or Muslim and pointed to my wrap.   I looked right at him and said no.   He asked what  I meant.  I said I have Cancer and he looked at me and said... what?  I said I have cancer and I pulled up my wrap and said I have a bald head, that is why I wear this wrap.  He looked at me and took a step back and said..Oh, sorry!    You should have seen the look on his face when I pulled up my wrap.  I found this very funny.

Have a good day.

Tess, do you mind sharing what you Alk. Phosphate # was? I think mine is high too but my doctor isn't saying anything. Good luck on your testing going forward, fingers crossed. Leanna - I hope you're feeling well and I'm glad you have some help this week. OMG, I hope you husband is feeling ok too - enough already right??? Daiva - Ugh, your security debacle sounds like fun! I'd love to be at the prayer breakfast! HAHAHA Thanks for the vit. D tip too. Patricia - I'm glad you had a nice time with your sweetie. The trip planning and shopping should help keep you in a "happy place"! Good luck on #12 tomorrow! Keep walking Paxton, glad your'e feeling better! Majdula - Hope all went well today. Laura - I should look up the videos on how to tie the buffs. I just did the easiest one on the card that came with them, LOL obviously lazy and I don't care. I will start my rads the day before you but I'm not getting it done right under my arm, maybe bc I have no nodes left??? Not sure why. Denise - So sorry your SE's are so awful! YOU CAN DO THIS - ONLY ONE MORE!!!! Day - It's nice to hear from you, come back soon. Packjen - I'm glad your SIL is around to help while your hubby is away. I totally understand the weight issue - I'm up to about 170 from 145 but I've decided to worry about it after I'm all done. Too much on my plate right now..... Don't stress too much.

I have my after chemo follow up tomorrow and then my "dry run" rads on Friday. Then we're secretly getting a Maltese puppy for my daughter over the weekend - can't wait, it's only 3 lbs!!!

Paxton, Jen & Denise -  I hear you on the eating right challenge (and you Daiva on the wine!)  I LOVE to cook, and I also love to eat!  I am on Taxotere right now though, and it doesn't seem to matter what I do, the scale just keeps on climbing.  I did really well this past week - walking every week day for about and hour, eating really well (and less.)  I was so looking forward to my weekly weigh in to show myself how much it was paying off, and non only did I NOT lose any, I gained a bloody two pounds.  ARGH!  Oh well, I guess people will just have to love me the way I am, a fat ass instead of a smart ass.

I heard from the genetic councilor today.  I was hoping to find out if I carried the BRCA gene before my November surgery, but apparently there is about a 6 month to a year wait on results right now.  Frustrating.  At least I get to go for an MRI before though, if they find anything abnormal on the left side, they're going to lop it off too.  At least the scale will go down then!

Hugs to all  Jenn 

Kim I was just about to ask If any one has heard from you, thanks for checking in and really glad rads are going well for you!

OK the whole weight gain thing... This week when they weighed me before the ONC visit I was sure I have gained weight ...I feel so darn bloated.  I thought for sure I would be about 5 lbs more ..but I actually lost a 1 lb...yea go figure...I have a really round face now .I usually have very defined check bones ...they have disappeared..and my eye lid are so big they almost go over my eyes...forget about wearing any rings..even my feet are big ..my baggy sandals that I wasn't wearing any more fit snug...isn't this soo fun!...ahh!

ok the buff thing ..is that a do-rag?  feeling kinda dumb about it....

Jenn When we are done with the Taxotere the walking we are doing while on it will start to show itself when the bloat goes down...OK thats what my ONC says so this is one thing she better be right about! lol  Did I mention that she says that last Taxotere is the easiest...can only pray it is...

Summer   I still shed tears when I think of men like your DH and his co-Firemen...Every since that day when I hear a firetruck I say a short prayer that they will all be back home soon and safe.

Denise,

I think you asked where I was doing my rads.  I drive to Rohnert Park every day (72 miles r/t).  Books on CD help ease the pain.  I was doing CDs to help me learn Spanish, but that took a little too much brain work when I needed to concentrate on driving.

 Jen

Hi Girlfriends!  I have my 1^st rad tx today & I'm actually looking forward to getting started!

Day:  Good luck with the festival!  Looking forward to hearing all about it.

Kim:  So good to hear from you.  Thanks for the prayers & good wishes for those of us following you into radiation land.

LauraM:  My, you have your hands full!  Do your feet hurt from neuropathy?  Are you taking anything to alleviate it?  My toes and heels are numb; some days are worse than others.  On the rad issue, from the red outline on my chest at the "dress rehearsal" it looks like the radiated area spans from mid-chest up along the lower throat area, under the arm, & down the side about 3" below my incision.

Latte:  Have you made your decision about removing your ovaries, or are you still just considering it?  I had a complete hysterectomy in 1999 & never regretted the decision (I'd had horrible period issues; wound up with cramps just about all month, every month for a few years before the surgery).  Unfortunately, I was placed on hormone replacement therapy right away & stayed on for about 6 years, way too long as I now know.  On the positive side, I think I've avoided ovarian and cervical cancers.  Now that I've been through thyroid cancer (that was last year; a piece of cake compared to this!) & BC, I'm really glad that I elected to have everything removed.

Leanna:  It's always something, isn't it?  Hopefully, the antibiotics will do their thing & your DH will be on the mend in no time.  Thanks for the prayers on the blood work.  No word yet, but I'll let you know when I hear.

Jenn:  What a lovely gesture from your co-worker!  Thanks for reminding us to focus on the good people in our lives.  Why such a long wait for your genetic tests?  At least the MRI will give you some indication of what's going on.

Magda: Your work sounds fascinating!  I love the idea of a Prague get-together!  Also, thanks for the compliment!  From the time I was a teenager, I've worked with my hands ~ sewing, quilting, embroidery, etc.  I started stringing beads after my maternal grandmother died (re-strung one of her costume jewelry necklaces & thought, wow, this is fun!).  A few years ago, I started working in fine silver, then bronze.  Earlier this year, I had planned on doing some copper pieces, but then found the mass, got my dx in March, etc.  Haven't done much these past 5 ½ months, although I did a piece for a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fund-raiser in June.  Lately, though, I can hear the metals & the beads calling me, so I think I'll be back at the workbench soon.

Packjen:  Wow, you're almost at the half-way point in rads!  Glad to hear it's going so well.

Patricia:  Good luck with # 10 tomorrow, & thanks for concern re the liver tests (no word as yet).  I also appreciate your insights into work.  I had planned on working as long as possible.  Heck, my Italian grandmother lived to be 97 & my Irish grandmother to 88, so I assumed I'd have lots of years.  I still may have those years, God willing, but now, after having gone through all this, I'm re-evaluating many issues, including that one.

Paxton:  Don't beat yourself up about the cookies.  You've been through so much ~ twice ~ that's taken a huge toll, physically & emotionally, on you.  Maybe you could eat a carrot for each cookie you eat ~ you know, start off slow?!

Denise:  I understand your reluctance to have the chemo on Friday, but it's the last one!  You can do this.  I'm sorry that your sister & brother have not been there for you.  Hopefully, the ladies here have been able to give you some of the support you missed from family, even if it's at a distance.

Theresa:  OMG ~ I can't imagine how your DH must have felt/still feels.  On a happier note, welcome to the new addition!  Name?  My ALP  (alkaline phosphatase) # was 178 units/L ~ Sloan's reference range is 45-129 units/L, so way high!  The ALT, which the onc also wanted re-tested, was 38 units/L (reference range is 5-37 units/L), just a little over the upper limit. 

Daiva:  I totally understand losing it at work (been there, done that, got the T-shirt!).  You sound so relieved about not having to return while going through rads.  No, I hadn't looked up de-tox ideas, but thanks for the lemon water tip.  Some research I did on the ALP test, which was the really high one, suggested that what you eat before the test can affect it.  The night before my last chemo ~ which was the day the blood sample was drawn ~ I was at my cousin Joey's house.  Not exactly "My Cousin Vinny", but close!  On the menu: lasagna, mashed potatoes, chicken cutlets, broccoli rabe, 3 different kinds of salad, wine, pastries ~ you get the picture! ~ & refusing anything is akin to an insult!  So, I'm hoping that my healthful eating, non-drinking (boy, was that tough!) & fasting before the re-test pays off!

Thanks to all of you for helping me on this journey.

Tess - more prayers!!!!  Come on normal results, already!!!

Latte - Maybe I missed it, are your BRCA + ?  I am not... but I'm still thinking about what to do with the ovaries... I mean, I don't need them, and if I don't have them, cannot get ovarian cancer.... someone play devil's advocate... if I even need that????!!!!

Starting to feel junky today... but my breathing feels funny, so I think I'm going to go cut the grass to get some exercise.  Maybe not a good idea... I'll let you know later!! 

LauraM:  I LOVE the gas station story.  TOO funny!  Summer:   My son worked hard to get a job as a firefighter here in the Atlanta area due to 9/11 -- his Dad (working for a private enterprise) was up in NY at that time (but was safe) and it made an impact on my son.  God bless DH -- one never knows what each individual's journey is about.  Paxton:  Hang in there -- I've had some skin breakouts too -- body is confused about things probably! 

Okay, educate me about the thought process on removing ovaries?  I am 54 and had my tubes tied years ago so I still have my ovaries.  Can you gals enlighten me on what that discussion is about?  Thanks! 

Much love and hugs to you still doing chemo.  I am so glad to be past it and indeed your body does finally regroup.  

leanna, kim and others who were asking about ovarries - I just got my genetic test back and i have the BRCA1 mutation, which means that I am high risk (research varies but can be up to 54% chance) for developing ovarian cancer. Since ovarian cancer is extremely hard to detect until it is advanced, the std recommendation for gene carriers is to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes after the age of 40 (and sometimes a total hysterectomy too). BRCA1 gene carriers also have a 40% chance of developing BC in the other breast within 10yrs of BC dx, so that's why I am thinking about a bilateral BMX at this point. you can find a lot more info on www.facingourrisk.org.

sacphotomom - i was really sick during my AC chemo - cold, fever, sinuses, coughing, etc. My PP put me on antibiotics because he didn't want to take any chances with me. Since my temp was back to normal by the time my next chemo was due, it didn't get delayed, but I felt pretty awful.

Sacophotomom:  There is a germ going around -- cold bug -- feel bad -- running nose -- started as a bad sore throat.  I got it a week after my last chemo and it kicked my butt down for about 2 weeks.  (I never went to a doctor for it -- I just rested.)  My husband got it and got antibotics and felt better after about a week.  Make sure your doctor knows about it.  Best wishes on NOT getting it! 

Latte:  Thanks!  I don't have that genetic component.  I plan to ask plenty of questions before going on taxomifen because from what I research on the computer -- it sounds like lots of side effects as well as possible cervix cancer???  Anyway, I need to educate myself.  Thanks!

Leanna    Which surgery are you having?  If you were not so far I would bring over my strawberry gatorade...I discovered it the last chemo round...its good!  Just to let you know the surgery I had DMX was not so bad. they gave plenty of stuff so nothing hurt.  went home with plenty  even tho I didn't have to take much. The biggest pain (in the butt) was the drains.. but my DH was a sweetie and he milked them for me,. I had 4, then after a week only 2 ..I put them in to some cut off feet of nylons so they could slip easy into my pant pockets ..I ddn't like then pinned to my shirt..they pulled my shirt to much..I know you talked to the PS . So he probably took pics of your breast but take some yourself...so you can remember what they look like..Funny thing is, after my surgery date was set, I would find myself feeling my breast..as if to remember what they feel like!..

Ok so I have my consult with the Rads Doctor on the 4th..they called the wrong facility,  but it works out, OK because its actually closer..then the one I wanted to go to.. I didn't want to go downtown because of the traffic, but it turns out the radiation dept. isn't in the hospital there, it's off site...and just off the highway, much closer!I I hate driving Downtown, and they have valet parking...bonus!  That was one of my big concerns about going to downtown..

Does anyone have a question they would have asked, before the rads started, that they wish they would have asked before? Have to start looking up stuff ..

Hi All, I am way behind on reading posts.  Sorry!  Leanna- glad to hear you are feeling good so far and that you have help this week!  Now if you could just find the strawberry gatorade!

Sacphotomom- will be thinking of you tomorrow.  Last one!! Yay!

Jenn- so glad to hear about your shrinking tumor!  That is such great news, congrats!

LauraM- loved the gas station story

Drim- you are almost to the finish line on rads.  How are you holding up?

Summer- thanks for sharing your 9/11 story.  wow!  I can't imagine what that day was like for you and your DH.  Someone was looking out for him, for sure.

Majdula- I would love a Prague get together, too!  I have always wanted to go there but somehow haven't gotten around to it.  But a BC reunion would motivate me!

Daiva, I'd love to hear your F cancer monologue.  I might even have a few lines to add!  I'd also be interested to hear what the doc says about your vitamin D levels.  I take a vitamin D supplement, too.  I didn't know your levels could be low if you are taking a supplement?  It's very interesting, I had a parathyroidectomy about 5 years ago.  The parathyroids are next to the thyroid and regulate calcium and vit D (I think?) in the blood.  Mine were messed up and I had too much calcium in my blood and not enough going to my bones, which caused kidney stones to boot.  Anyway, got that surgically fixed 5 years ago but all my BC docs have been fascinated by that and how my vitamin D levels were really, really low before that surgery.  Makes me wonder how much those low levels affected or contributed to the BC?

I am thrilled to say I finished rads today!  Hooray!  And for the most part, my skin held up pretty good.  I've already been taking tamoxifen for a few weeks, too.  I have noticed a few side effects with that.  I was losing weight when I first started rads, but I've already plateaud.  Not gaining, but not losing either.  My rads doc thinks that's the tamoxifen.  She says most people lose weight easily on rads, but not if you are taking tamoxifen.  Grrrr.  I didn't want to have to buy fall clothes in a larger size, but that may happen as its getting chilly and my regular clothes don't fit yet.  I'm also having more insomnia/restless nights.  I haven't used sleeping pills yet, but may have to break down and get some because I am not sleeping well and am pretty crabby because of it!  Thankfully the hot flashes haven't been any worse since I started.  But you know what, today I don't care about any of that.  I am just happy to be done with rads and have another step behind me.  I celebrated with homemade apple muffins tonight. Not good for my weight, I'm sure, but good for my mood!  (((HUGS))) to all, sorry I missed some of you.  I need to catch up this weekend!  Hope you all are feeling good!  Beth

Hello girlfriends! I've finally had my tx#6 yesterday (T# 2) and have only 2 more to go!!! My liver panel was the same as three days ago (borderline) so my onc decided it was worth going along the plan. She gave me some phospholipids to boost my liver, omeprazole for my stomach upsets, stronger ibuprofene for my aches, highered the dose of steroids. So far so good :-).

Laura Funny how people react to things :-).

Theresa Boy, your husband's occupation is tough... Thanks for sharing such a strong story!

Sacphotomom Don't get too panicky about colds - my Dad had several since my first chemos, I caught one after tx#2 and was given antibiotics. Luckily I had a week after that to recover, but basically if you don't have fever and infection, it's OK to go and have your VI. Just one more to go!!! I wish I was there ;-).

Latte Sorry to hear you're BRCA+... I'm still waiting for my results, but so far they don't consider anyting more than a full mastectomy and two years of Zoladex (boo some more hot flushes...). Did you mention anyone in your family having BC before you?

Leanna YAY for your first meal :-)!!! I know how you feel, I was also sooo happy when I could starting eating again. And yes, you can feel a surge of energy four to five days post tx - I did too. I would walk to work and tell myself - wow how great to be walking :-).

Tess and Golfergirl OK for a BC survivor reunion in Prague. Anyone else would like to join? I guess we could do it somewhere in the coming Spring - the weather should be right if we're lucky and we all should be sufficiently out of trouble to be able to fully enjoy it :-).

Tess Thanks, I really enjoy my work.Right now I'm looking forward to our Doors Open Days which should take place a week after my last chemo, so I hope to be able to make it. This is always fun, as we have groups of schoolkids (and sometimes even kindergarten kids) coming over and they're very enthusiastic - we do our best to make chemistry sound and look like fun! And I too love to work with my hands - knitting mostly!

GolferGirl Yay for being done with your rads!! And  don't worry about your weight right now, you'll be able to sort it out soon :-). Now on with the good life!

Sorry if I missed out someone, sending my thoughts and prayers to everyone though!

Hugs!

Hi Ladies.. I just had a long post to everyone typed out and some how it disappeared while I was writing it... I stepped away for a second and went back to it and it was gone..ugh!  Maybe that was God's way of telling me I was being too wordy today!  LOL

Irishness - My feet just ache when I am on them for any length of time.  It started when I had the blisters while on Chemo and then even though the blisters are gone, the achiness is still there.  I am sure it will get better soon.

GolferGirl - So glad for you that you are done!  So how do you feel about being done with treatments?

Daiva - I would love to hear your F monologue also, I bet it is hilarious. 

Sacphotomom - I had a sinus infection and was on antibiotics during my 2nd or 3rd tx and didn't miss a treatment. 

Madga - Only 2 more left!  YAH

My rad dry run is Monday then Rads start on Tuesday. I will be glad to get them started so I can be done.   My hair has been growing back for sometime now, but in the beginning it was colorless wispy stuff.  Just recently I am seeing color, like a 5 O'clock shadow on my head, I am guessing this means that my hair is really coming in now. YEAH.  Has anyone experienced joint achiness since they have been done with chemo?  Just in the last couple of days my knees, wrists and shoulders are achy in the joints.  Was thinking this was a reaction to all the steroids getting out of my body.  Any thoughts?

If I missed anyone.. sorry, didn't mean too!  Have a great day.