May 2010 Chemo
Comments
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Wow Day, you are ahead of me and I am 7 weeks out. Although I did re-shave mine on August 31st because it was inconsistent growth and looked like the scarecrow hair that had not come out initially just growing. Now, I feel like I have "all of it" growing in. But it is just stubs for now. You look good!
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Hi Ladies! As you can see, I've posted a new pic. No, I have not discovered a miracle hair growth serum! Although the husband thinks my hair is growing in, I can't see ~ or feel ~ any signs of impending re-growth, so I decided to switch my look from hats & scarves (especially now that the weather is getting colder).
Don't let that upbeat opening fool anyone. Got my repeat blood test results & it's another good news/bad news outcome. The ALP, which was so incredibly high & the reason the onc ordered the repeat, is normal. However, the CA 15-3 jumped from 40 to 48 since 8/27, so doc has ordered a 2nd PET scan for 11/19, my next appt with her. Probably making too much of it, but right now I feel like Roseanne Rosannadanna: "It just goes to show ya, it's always something." Anyway, I'm sitting here licking my emotional wounds & nursing a Black Bush (Bushmill's Irish Whiskey). But then, as Scarlett O'Hara would say, "tomorrow is another day!" (Don't why I'm channeling all these fictional characters ~ maybe just a good escape!).
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Tess ...you look great! I keep waiting for a day I don't look so tired to put up a pic of "Brandy." Mraybe its the feeling of putting on a wig make you feel like your acting, that is making you want to channel all the fictional characters.. I don't feel like myself with Brandy on, I feel fake..I'm so sorry for the wait your have to endure till the appointment with your ONC.cant you get it done earlier? I would insist..they wait is too hard...
So it 10:15 here in California and I am wide awake...steroids are doing a great job of beginning the hyper section of my next couple weeks...figures today I woke up feeling great..got a lot done before my appointment...ended up getting chocolate covers strawberries for the nurses...I was happy to see that they didn't bring them out for any one getting chemo. Took a picture of the nurses and me after they did their kinda restaurant singing..and giving me the certificate for completing my chemo...I will post that after this since, I have to move it over to another site first..
I'll do that now bye
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Hi girlfriends!
Tess try not to worry, one test is just not enough, these markers may go up for no real reason.Bad thing you need to wait for your PET scan so long, but you're on rads and they'll do their job. And whisky will kill whatever else is left ;-).
Leanna No problem, we can do our get-together in Fall, that could work too :-). Are you getting better?
Denise YAY for being done! I wish I was already there too! Like your story with the nurses, especially the singing part :-). Nurses in my outpatients are also great, so you give me an idea of what I should do too for my last tx!
Day Great hair! I still have my baby/chicken fuzz but better than nothing :-).
Hugs to all of you!
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Denise: Totally get the steroid high! Congrats for finally getting finished with chemo! I understand if you aren't as excited/happy as you/others think you should be ~ I had the same experience when I finished on 08/27! Re "Brandy": I think you should take the pic even if you feel tired ~ let's see what she looks like!
Magda: Thanks for the insight into the serum markers. I sort of know this, & I suspect that an 8-point difference is not significant (statistically). Nevertheless, I really expected the number to go down, not up, so most ~ if not all ~ my reaction was an emotional one. I'm thinking also that the radiation will kill the last remaining breast cancer cells, so the scan on 11/19 will reflect that outcome.
Everyone else: Have a good weekend!
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Kim - You are ALL ahead of me, because the rest of my hair is still falling out since I just finsihed my AC last week!! Thanks to my onc!!!
I know she had her reasons for reversing my chemo, but I've been without hair for so long now!! Ah well. Denise - Choc covered strawberries... that's a great idea.... those are a special treat - I'm sure they all loved them!! We (nurses) remember when we get special treats, and yeah, you know because we don't share them!!!
Magda - G'morning!!
Tess - I understand that disappointment, it's like another let down... but I don't think this is your body's fault... I believe it's the test's fault! So, push it to the back of your mind as best you can and look forward to the great things you have coming up!!!
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I decided at the 11th hour to go to NJ to see Emma. I have to make this short because she is waiting to go out. Tess ~ my heart is heavy for you/with you. It reminds me of my monologue and makes me angry! Cancer makes me angry and the way it has violated our lives. Prayers and best wishes and hugs to you!!! And all of you! Btw - I love your new look! Sassy and stylish! GolferGirl~ hurray!!! Re: vit D levels - my D3 was normal range (important one), but D2 was 4 (should be over 30 or 40). D2 is from diet and supplementation. Am ordering Garden of Life's Vitamine Code "Raw D3" - been told it's the best. Day ~ the biotin is working! Magda~ oh how I would love a Prague reunion!!! Laura~have shared my monologue with 3 friends. 2 of the times I started bawling - it's actually not hillarious. Though I could write a funny one. I've got the 5 oclock shadow too. Leanna ~ I'm going to look for your strawberry gatorade and send you a case if I find it! Re: surgery - maybe try yoga or meditation to deal with the worries and stress. The last thing any of us needs is extra stress/worry. Jen ~ why so long for BrcA? I just realized I am SOOOOOO scared to have mine checked because I can't emotionally handle it right now - the thought that my precious children would be at increased risk of going through this. It breaks my heart and will deal with it when I have to. Left message for onc to see if it we need those results to determine whether I'll need ooph or not. Will test if I need to, otherwise will deal with it later. Kim ~ lost brows after 7 wks? Thanks for forewarning. I've been so happy to have kept mine. You're half way thru - can't believe it! Oh Denise ~ I'm with you on the round face and weight gain. It's easy to say not to worry about it, but my gut got in my way while I was doing yoga the other day. So uncomfortable!!!! Re: tiredness - wanna know a secret? My sister is a physician and gave me botox between my brows so I wouldn't "look" so exhausted. Heehee - at least I look better than I feel :-)))) I highly recommend it (first time for me). Too bad she lives in Alaska! Also, irrigate your nose with salted water- it helps keep the germs out. My doc swears by it and so do I! Latte~I had bilat mx and am so glad I did. Good luck on the decisions re: ooph... Jen ~ I'm concerned about my lungs too - esp. since I still have shortness of breath. Thnx for the Emu oil tip! Theresa ~ be sure to get copies of labs so you can follow progress.
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here is my last chemo pic...
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Daiva - I'm with you on the BRCA test.... I actually let the test sit on my kitchen table for 2 days before sending it in because I was so scared of the results. Ultimately, I decided that I needed to know for my children; for BMX; and for ooph...
And, Denise, what can I say... you deleted your post!!
((HUGS))) all.
GO CLEMSON!!!!!!
PS - Still NO Strawberry gatorade.
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So...for all of those who asked why it takes so long for the BRCA test results for me - I'm not sure why the wait. I'll meet with the genetic councillor soon, but they told me 6 months to a year for the results to come back. Leanna, I'm with you about not being sure about wanting to know the results, but they are a bit of a necessary evil aren't they? My surgeon said that if I carry the gene I have a 90% chance of it coming back in the other side. However, my husband and I weren't done having our family, (we were six months into trying for our second when I found the lump) so I really didn't want the left side taken if I didn't have to. I've heard of others nursing with one side, and I'd love to nurse again. If I carry the gene though, I'll get the left side removed no questions. We don't know if we can even have more children though, we didn't have time to get eggs frozen, so I'm stuck hoping the chemo didn't damage all of my eggs. I'm taking Lupron which is supposed to protect the ovaries somewhat, but we will just have to wait and see...
The wait also might have something to do with the fact that I live in Saskatchewan and we have free health care, but a significant wait for some things (I've been waiting for an MRI for a while.) It has it's good sides, and it's bad. All of my prescriptions are covered, etc. So far the only thing I've had to pay for out of all of this BC junk is half of my wig, and the gas & parking money to go the cancer centre in Saskatoon. It's tax deductable though - anything over 70km - and mine is 265km round trip and I've put in 18 trips so far. That number will really go up once I start rads though! I used to live walking distance from the hospital until just over a year ago, sigh, that's the way it works though hey.
Summer - Thank you for sharing your story about your husband. Everyone I know can remember exactly where they were when they heard about it. I can't imagine having lived through it. What braveness.
Jen - So glad to hear that rads are going well! Thanks also for the tip of emu oil. I am also very fair and worry about what rads will do to my skin.
Denise - I agree that it feels "fake" when I wear my wig. I've only worn it once for about an hour, I look pretty good bald though, so I might keep this look of short hair for a while!
Laura - I hope your feet return to normal soon. That sucks
Day - awesome hair growth! Mine is also surprisingly growing in fairly even - I'm not done chemo until Oct. 15th, so I'm not sure why!
Sorry for the long post, I guess I'm making up for being housebound!
Take care,
Jenn
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njbhwg ~ am in Jersey and was thinking about you. How are you????
Jenn~ crossing my fingers and saying my prayers that the Lupron is doing its job and then some! May those ovaries be protected!!!!
Ok, funny chemo brain stories: Someone asked me where my Emma was going to college. I said Delaware. No Pennsylvania. She had to rescue me and said "New Jersey". Oh my, couldn't remember what state my first born is attending college!!!
My primary care physician asked what pharmacy I'm using and I gave her the name of the one I used 10 yrs ago - haven't used it since. It's not like I haven't been to the pharmacy lately!!!! LOL - thankfully I caught myself. Weis (my current one) is in my neighborhood and I'm there all the time!!!!
Speaking of Emma, we got pedicures and manicures yesterday. She preferred I wear my wig - no big deal. I couldn't wait to take it off by the end of the day! Not sure why, but my gut was all messed up yesterday and it's been 2 wks since last tx. Forgot my prevacid at home. Sleeping pills are making me snore like crazy and I didn't want to wake her. So I laid on my side half the night - tossing and turning (didn't take the sleeping pills). I thought of each of you and how grateful I am for you! Sent positive vibes and prayers up as I thought of you. Hope you have a happy Sunday! love to all of you! ~ Daiva
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Jenn~ I just checked out karenhurd.com - someone said she helped them get pregnant after cancer. I read some articles on her site - might be worth checking out. She also does phone consults. If nothing else, she has some good info about cancer on her site. ~ Daiva
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Thanks Daiva! I'm going to check out the site right now!
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Hi ladies,
Day 4 after tx#6 and still feeling quite good - it feels strange to take all these meds, but as far as they work, I'm happy :-).
Paxton Thanks for the L-carnitine tip, I feel so much better with it - I doo feel some numbness in my fingers, but bearable! Good luck with your rads!
Leanna AC is tough on your hair, but it will start regrowing soon - while still on T I can see my head covering every day!
Jenn Waiting for tests is hard, I wonder what I'll doo if mine don't come in before my operation, but I guess I'll just take the risk and have a smaller intervention and wait it out... Did you mention some family history? As for keeping your fertility - Lupron should really help protect your ovaries and at the same time it lowers your estrogen levels, so it combats the BC at the same time. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Daiva What an exciting time you're having with your daughter! And never mind the mind lapses, our heads are full and empty at the same time at the moment :-).
Hugs and love to everybody
Magda
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Jenn - That does stink that you have to wait for tests and such, but good that you have free health care (I know there are a lot of pros and cons). The BRCA test here in the US was about $8,500!!! Luckily, with our insurance we had reached our "catastrophic cap" so we didn't have to pay any more out-of-pocket, otherwise, we would have had to have said no to the test. Sometimes, here when you are 'insured' with your employer, you spend ALOT of money for health care b/w dedectibles, co-pays, out of pocket maximums.... etc... DH and I are dealing with that come Oct 1st... because our health care 'year' runs Oct 1 - Sep 30. So, a lot of money out of pocket again! BC didn't conveniently confine itself to one fiscal year, darnit!!!
Well, that's my health care rant... no one has been able to fix it... so, all I can do is complain a little, because I don't have the solution either! You know, I didn't even mean to address all of that to you!! Sorry. I'll be praying for your ovaries and eggs to be safe, I can only imagine having to go through all of this, and praying that you will be able to have more children when you are done... I think most of us don't have to think about that side of it, and that must cause you extra worry every day. ((HUGS))
Daiva... let me preface my story by saying that I have many dear friends that are from Jersey.... but, like some others... I, um, enjoy the occassional mock on the State... like "Why do seagulls fly upside down in New Jersey?"..... "Because there is nothing worth $hitting on....". But, I digress (sp?)... anyway.. the point of my store... Your subconscience didn't want to actually admit that your daughter was going to school in Jersey!! LOL.. JK - I'm joking guys... I know it doesn't come over in print well sometimes... so please don't be offended if you are from Jersey or live in Jersey - I'M JOKING!!!!!
Pedis and manicures sound fun!! I think I've heard other ladies talk about their throats too! I can only take one pill at a time and use to be able to throw down a handful.. mine is smaller too! And, if you didn't see it on the YKYACPW thread... I told DH the other night - hey, we got our EOB for prescriptions, and it was $3,500 for the month of October.... he just slowly and quietly said, "Do you mean, August." WHEN will I stop being chemotarded!!!?? I have to go meet my Nurse Manager for the first time next week (she was hired right after I went out on leave) and she is going to think I am a flaming idiot!! Really... when I go back to work, she'll probably put me on a new grad full-out orientation!! LOL Well, that probably WOULD be for the best!! Magda - I read your post, and in my head, imagined doing the cabbage patch for you.... Glad treatment is agreeing with you so well!! Did you say you were wearing nail polish? I don't know how much it helps, but I continue to have problems with my fingernails from the taxol.... I still am afraid I will lose one or two if I hit them too hard, they are discolored and separated a bit. ikes...
Do you guys ever wonder what happened to all the ladies who signed up for chemo for our month, and then posted only once or twice?? There are a lot of ladies on that list up there!! I'm glad for our little-big group, and I pray for you guys daily... sometimes, I can't remember your name... but I know what I'm praying for!!
((HUGS)) all.
PS - feeling a little better everyday... confined to eating fruit, and salad, but that's good! My mom will be here Sunday to stay for a week while DH is in Pittsburgh with his job.... and I have bunches of appointments next week, so she will be a big help! I also finally decided to put Nolan in 1/2 day preschool... I was grappling with putting him back into "daycare" where he didn't really enjoy it, and didn't always like to go (would just rather be home), and I found this Church like 4 miles away, that has a program 9-12:30, which is academic based, and really what he needs to get ready for kindergarten (he's on the 'young' side with a July bday). And, it takes care of my worry of how I was going to go through radiation without putting him in that other daycare which I didn't want to do! I'm excited about him going here now!!
Oh - STUPID QUESTION - Anyone know, when they say "daily" radiation for 5-6 weeks; is it really daily, or just Mon-Fri daily"??
OK, Bye!!
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OK Chemo Brains...Leanna you were cracking me up while I read your post...you seem to be in a good mood.. Daiva...I keep writing the name of the company I used to work for on some paperwork for insurance/new Docs ..I have to make sure I proof any thing I sign any more...I worked for them 25 yrs ago..My DH says its because I wish I still did...
Daily RADs is usually 5 days a week weekends off ..I do believe they close weekends..
ok another Chemo Brain ...I cant seem to put a pic up on this site, I have before and cant do it now..that is what I deleted ,the last time I posted ....think I'll wait a few day maybe I'll have a clearer head!!...still looking for some where to go for the end of chemo outing with my DH ..I cant make it to NJ wish I could..monies a little tight right now..
Ranting about Insurance.... ..because of this new National Insurance Bill that passed this year ..our insurance is going up and we will be getting a lot less..with more out of pocket expenses...seem if you work for a private company that has given you good insurance before, so called "Cadillac" insurance..they will have steep tax consequences for giving employees good insurance.. so our company as well as some of our friends companies are backing off the heath insurance they have provided before...sucks big time...
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Leanna - glad to hear you're sounding better! For me, they told me that daily rads means 5 days a week.
Everyone - I have been asked if I want to join a research project for BRCA+ BC patients - in the project they are giving rads to the healthy breast as well as to the BC breast, because they hope to prove that it will reduce the chance of BC occurence in 15 yrs in the healthy breast from 40% to 20%. What do you think - would you do it? The negative side is that you have the same rads SEs on the healthy breast too, and that if cancer does develop in either breast in the future, they can't do rads again, so have to do a bmx. The pros are the chance to reduce my risk of future BC, plus they do the rads at the same time so it's no extra hassle.
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Hello Everyone;
my computer finally fixedl..yahoo..just read all your posts but my chemo brain will never be able to keep track of it all.
what does stick in my brain is SUmmer and your DH and being there at 9-11...wow ...what a special man. I am sure your family sees life so differently as so many of us do since the horrible day. God Bless.
came back from onc. appointment today and reviewed my cat scans and still no definitive answer as to whether or not bone scan shows mysterious spot. However my onc really thinks it is arthritis and that we will review again in 3 months. I also had to cysts on liver and kidney which she swears is not from bc... so once again we will redo scan in 3 mos. All in all good news
Here is the funny part...My blood tests show I am not in full blown menapause.. Yet I am 56 yrs old and she cannot believe the reports or the fact that chemo did not put me in menapause..;.and for that reason she wants me on tamoxifen for 2 years then femara...I asked her the percentages if I chose not to do thatl... My arthritis has gotten so much worse since Taxol...she said 10% recurrence with drug and 18% recurrence without. I have decided to give my body a 6 month break and then I will start drug...I just want a break......
okay...5 weeks out and I still have no signs of hair l....at all...except on my legs...how stinko is that....lol Day: seen your hair...wow oh wow..so jealous...I asked onc when I could see hai growth but she said each person is different...oh yuck for me.;
my next big thing is implants.. anyone else have exchange soon? I go Nov 22nd and have to decide which kind to pick..anyone done? or have any opinons?
re: OCTOBER outing...want to know who can attend:? All are invited just want it to be a totally relaxing time...we deserve it
sorry not a personal note I was behind eight ball here...Love to all of my friends...
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NJ - I have 10 more rads treatments then I can go to the PS and discuss when I can do the exchange. I can't wait because these TEs are very uncomfortable at times.
I wish I could join you at your beach house but I have made plans for DH and I to go to our condo on Maui for a week in November. I have my nephew flying in to take care of the girls so DH and I can have some alone time. This all hinges on his current job being finished on time. In his world jobs move around a lot and it is very hard to plan. But I have booked our tix and saved the time at our condo, so even if he can't go I will go by myself!! I deserve it!
Jen
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Good morning ladies!
Leanna A cabbage patch? Had to google it out as I have never heard the name of it LOL (though I know the dance) - thanks even if it was imaginary :-). I'm glad to hear you found a good place for Nolan, so that you can feel calm while on rads! Sorry to hear about your insurance.... In my country my treatment is fully covered (though there might be problems if the treatment was a long-run one) and I'm lucky to be in a clinic that is part of a medical faculty, so they're basically doing the top-notch treatment because of teaching and research. As for my nails, I do wear nail polish, I always have and didn't stop during my tx - a coat of hardener and a coat of colour, and no problem so far. After my first Taxotere my nails hurt for about three days a week after chemo, but then stopped, I'll keep you posted about this time.
Girls, what's alll this talk about chemobrain? Are they giving you stronger doses? I knock on wood, but haven't been so chemotarded so far - I keep working from home, although I don't manage as much as before, but I guess it's more due to fatigue than chemobrain...What about some SUDOKU to keep your grey cells going ;-)?
Latte I wouldn't frenzy about the other breast, this disease is about attitude too - we'll get rid of it now and won't allow it to return :-).
njbhwgirl Praying for you so that it's arthritis indeed! There's no need of other bad news for us so far!
Jen Maui? Lucky you! Enjoy it!
Best to all of you
Magda
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- packjen: wow Maui....how wonderful..so happy for you!! I hate the TE"s too...they are uncomfortable and they really hurt after my treatments.... right now it feels like huge hard water balloons which my grandaughter loves to hit....ouch!
- curious to see what your ps says...I am betwixt and between getting the new gummies or just doing straight saline. I am not looking for asthetics as much as comfort. My onc. says they will never feel the same as your real breasts but in time you adjust and feel comfortable.
- majdula: I had chemobrain even before I started chemo...ha ha....
- sacphotomom: I know what you mean about insurance. just had mine changed here as of Sept.1st. Now I need referrals, prescriptions higher, deductibles higher,etc.. glad I had all my treatments on old insurance(aetna) they were fabulous but their price went up 30% so we had to switch...not looking forward to bills for my exchange this year.....yikes....
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Denise - On healthcare again... I heard under the Obama administration; what's in Congress right now for healthcare, will include, in 2013... a 3.8% (I believe somewhere around there) sales tax on the sale of you home!!! What???
Latte - I'm sorry, I can't answer your question. We had decided before the test that if I was BRCA+ that I would have a bilateral.
Jersey - Glad for the good news!! I understand wanting a break! Do it!!!! As for the exchange... I'm having DIEP (I believe that's the one), so that's the one where they take tissue from my belly and make a breast, but it is not connected. I so wish I could go in Oct... my first surgery is set to be scheduled the 2nd week in October! But, I know I'll be able to catch a meeting later!!
We'll have more! As for insurance... I'm also hoping to be able to have my exchange in time before my insurance resets again... of course, my insurance is through the military reserves... so, it all depends if they let me back in... if they don't, I'll lose my coverage! big boo!Jen - Your trip to Maui sounds awesome!! And, help with the kids will be great!
Magda - I'll do the "running man" for you too!!
That's awesome about your cancer center! -
Leanna: I would of liked the DIEP but believe it or not there is a 6mos waiting list for that with my PS. As it stands now I booked the exchange in June and got November appointment..Unbelievable huh? My PS said if Idon't like the outcome of implants, he will do the DIEP.. I hear the DIEP is the most natural of all and you get a tummy tuck to boot...guess we need something.
Magda: wow thats great news about your insurance and center. Glad it is easy for you. RE: arthritis is horrible. had hip replacement in 2009.. Mind you I never took one drug nor had any operations before 2009 with exception of having my kids. Now I have cataracts from chemo, my left hip is killing me ..Onc says definitely from drugs. I fear I will be doing left hip next year...my god I just want to be away from hospitals, needles and any kind of tests. I am so done!
After October outing I will plan something for next summer. We will all be healed by then and have our hair and will be able to do the beach....
xray girl: thanks for asking...how is your daughter doing? Did you eat in jersey? I am only 35 minutes from monmouth. let me know when you might be going again...If you have time, we will meet
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Leanna - thanks for the kind words! I try not to think too much about the fertility thing. It doesn't make dealing with BC any easier that's for sure. Wow about the insurance though. I know I read somewhere what one round of chemo would cost without insurance - I can't imagine. I'm a teacher, and in Saskatchewan, we don't make a lot! Add to that student loan payments that take up 20% of my pay cheque - and there is no way I could afford treatment if I didn't have coverage! PS - I'm so glad that you've found a place for your little guy. My son is back at the sitter's now that school is back in (she only watches teachers kids so she works days that teachers work.) He LOVES it. On Saturday and Sunday he is so disappointed when we say that he has to stay home with us. In part it's because there are other kids there, and part of it is because she is just a sweetheart. We feel very lucky to have her, and it's so worth keeping him in to save the spot for when I go back to work. (That and I get to watch something other than cartoons during the day hehe!)
Jen - Maui sounds amazing! For sure you deserve it. There is no time like the present to pamper ourselves!
Jersey - I totally agree that it's reasonable to take a break. Mentally and for your body! Glad that your news was good
Majdula - Not only do I get chemobrain, but I'm even more klutzy. I've never walked into so many walls, slammed my fingers so often, or dropped things so many times a day in my life. Oh yeah, and I just poked myself in the eye hard enough to knock my contact out. Yeesh. Sometimes I think I should do myself a favour and stay in bed.
I'm fighting a stupid cold that I caught from Connor. I'm hoping that it's gone by Friday - second last chemo woo hoo! I'm usually pretty productive during the day, but I'm thinking I'll camp out on the couch today - I have a good book and left over chocolate trifle from last night - what else could I need! Supper is taken care of, our contractor (who is fixing the basement from the May long flood) forgot to plug our very full freezer back in on Thursday when he was drywalling behind it, so we had a bit of a mess to clean up on Sunday when we got home from my parents. We lost about half of the meat, but the other half was thawed but still had ice crystals on it. We have A LOT of eating to do this week. Good thing those steroids give me a healthy appetite LOL!
Ah well, my dad said that if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all
Hugs, Jenn
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Leanna ~ I'm having DIEP too - PS thinks it's not worth taking the risk of implants after rads. Good news about Nolan! Your Oct. sx is mx right?
Latte ~ that's a tough decision! I'd have to hear some strong supporting reasons to irradiate both breasts. Keep us posted.
Magda~ count your blessings if you haven't experienced chemobrain. I swear it's for real! and oh so annoying!
njbhwgirl ~ re: exchange, at least the sx is not as extensive as DIEP and recovery is much easier. I would personally have chosen gummies over saline if i was having implants.
Jenn~ geez - 6 mos is a long time. I still have to drop off the forms but was told it would take a week to get the results.
Jen ~ Maui sounds great!!!
I've been surprised that bouncing back from my last tx (#6) is taking so long. They were right when they said the meds were cumulative. It has kicked me in the butt! Still so fatigued. I did walk yesterday and today - yippee. Hoping the shortness of breath gets better - today seemed a bit easier.
Oh yeah - last thing. My friend who is a nurse gave me ginger gum made by Sea Bands - its for nausea associated with travel, pregnancy and chemo. I kept meaning to mention it - found it quite helpful.
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Leanna and x-raygirl - I am also considering DIEP, but don't know whether to do it at the same time as the BMX or delayed (I don't know if i can face the longer recovery period right now and i think it might be hard to do it with my 2 yr old, so i may wait a year or two). Are you doing it with the BMX? Do you know how long they wait after DIEP before you can do rads? (I am leaning towards BMX and DIEP, and not entering the rads research program)
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Latte ~ is that even an option to have it done at the same time? I had BMX in March with TE to prepare for the "new girls". I don't think my PS would have done it at the same time. My rad. onc. wants TE fully expanded before doing rads, then DIEP 6 mos. later.
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xraygirl - thanks for the answer - i have spoken to people who had it done together and also delayed - but not with TEs - I didn't realize you could do DIEP with TEs - I was told they would use fat and skin from abdomen area. But maybe I misunderstood - I haven't actually met with a PS at this point, am just talking to people who have done it themselves.
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Latte~ hmm... I see my PS on Thurs. and will ask. The original plan was for me to have TE and implants - that was until they realized the tumor was 6 cm. vs. 2 (which is what they thought originally). If it had been 2 cm., there would not have been need for rads, but it threw me into another stage (along with the fact that my sentinal node was positive). That's just how it worked in my case. I would think that they would still need to expand the area under the pecs since the tissue is all removed. It's all fascinating to me! But I'd prefer reading about it rather than any of us experiencing it! Good luck with your decisions... ~ Daiva
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xraygirl: I originally wanted the gummies but reading so much on these boards that they are uncomfortable..I cannot make my mind up. Bringing 3 of my friends with me on Nov. 3rd so we can all make decision together. I also too believe that you have to have TE's and didn't think there was immediate DIEP surgery after bmx. but maybe some ps do this...I do know most people are happiest with the DIEP..It is a much longer recovery because of the incision in the stomach area but heard results are great.
I also found the last tx was hard.. I got neuropathy in my toes and my back and left hip still hurt. I also had really tough time with my last AC treatment as well. I personally think my body was meant to only have 3 treatments of each drug. Remember this is not an exact science and I do believe in years to come the drugs will be more tailored to each person's body..
Leanna: you have more than one surgery? Did they say how long you will be in hospital for DIEP?
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