April 2010 starting chemo

Options
1…3537394041

Comments

  • DancerMel28
    DancerMel28 Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2010

    Hi Girls,

    Have been off for a while as my ballet girls have been competing in a local Eisteddfod so have had pretty long days for the past 5 days.  I finish Rads next week (only got 5 boosts to go!!!!) and I am returning to work just 2 days a week the week after.  THis past 5 days has been interesting as I've had really long days with my girls dancing (one day was 8:30am until 11pm and then the next was 12pm until 1 am damn scheduling sucked!!). I've been getting a little worn down with the driving too and from rads but the Eisteddfod was in same town as my treatment so one of my parents drove me down and took me to my appointments in between the girls dancing so that was really helpful.

    Will be interesting to see how I go back at school anyway - the best part is my principal is really supportive and he told me we'll take it week by week and see how I go so no pressure which is good.

    Have read through all the posts but can't remember everything!  Something about blood noses - yes had them during chemo my onc said bridge of nose gets very sensitive during chemo which causes them.  I've been going 'topless' more and more lately - got a nice coverage of hair but it's still only about 1cm long (sorry have no idea with inches as we use centimetres in Oz but I know an inch is longer!) so it's not really a style yet but am just so sick of scarves and beanies and I really haven't taken to wearing my wig. Most people say I look better with nothing on then the scarves so there you go.  I too went to a concert and it got soo hot I just whipped the scarf off and kept dancing - people next to me were a bit shocked I think!

    Hope everyone is well anyhow, til next time.

    Mel

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saralmom
    saralmom Member Posts: 329
    edited September 2010

    Hi all - I'm freaking out a little bit and could use some support.  I hope someone has had this happen and can tell me it's nothing.

     My onc's nurse called yesterday to tell me that my liver enzymes have been "creeping up" lately, and they want me to have an US and see a GI liver doc.  This got me so upset that my husband called my onc last night and she assured us that she is not concerned about mets and that it's elevated bilirubin and not enzymes and that it's just probably the way my body behaves b/c it's been this way all along (has not been "creeping up" nurse had that wrong.  She said that if she thought it was due to cancer she would have had me see someone a long time ago, was waiting for me to finish chemo to deal with it.  Please someone tell me you have had elevated bilirubin and that it turned out to be nothing!

    I also posted on the concerned about mets board, so hoping for lots of reassurance...

    Sara 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2010

    Yay for you, marcy4! You got the same "laughing" notation up top. I'll get the emoticon problem figured out at some point.

    2010 will definitely be a year to remember for me, too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2010

    Marcy4 - Congratulations on finishing Chemo.  YEA... :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • caltex_catlady
    caltex_catlady Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2010

    saralmom, I hope the liver stuff turns out to be OK. During chemo, my onc said that they ran liver tests because the chemo itself can affect the liver, as it's processing out stuff from your blood. I saw a spike in my bilirubin and creatinine after starting taxol; they'd done fine during AC. I guess they weren't too much out of range, though, and luckily, they seemed to be back to normal in the test I had before starting rads. I don't know if you had your bilirubin or creatinine tested before chemo. Maybe your numbers were higher than "normal" even before you started. At least they're doing the tests they need to do to see what's going on.

    So I don't have any direct knowledge of this area to help you with, but I'll give you what reassurances I can anyway. Let us know how it goes.

    Karen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2010

    Ok, maybe I am just beig crazy here butI have not had migrains in 2 years (used to get them every year (clusters) for about 15 years) and I just started getting them again.  I know a symptom of brain mets is headachs does anyone think this is something I need to worry about.  I told my onc last week that I was having migrains again and was not sure if my migraine meds would interefere with chemo and he said no and mentioned nothing else about it.  I am sure there is nothing to worry about but I am a little freaked.  Nothing seems to have gone right since the beginning and I am kinda parinoid.  Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

    Jen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited September 2010

    FIrst of all, Yay Marcy, congratulations on finishing chemo!!  Take it easy so you will have lot of energy for rads.  Enjoy the lovely fall in Ontario.

    Mel, I think that you look great "topless", it really is a big step. One inch is two and half centimetres, so your one cm is about half an inch.  I sounds like you have been busy, but the finish line is so close, you certainly sound excited.

    Sara, like Karen, I don't have any direct knowledge about this, but I think that there is some truth to what your onco said about having someone look into this long ago if there was concern about mets. You have had some weird side effects from your chemo, maybe this is just another one.  I hope so.

    Jen, I'm sorry that you still haven't been able to control those migraines.  Chemo does a number on our hormones, is it possible that is the reason that they are back?  You have had a tough time of it, I don't blame you for being a little paranoid.  

    I think that we will all think the worst if we have aches and pains that weren't there before.  This is probably the "new normal" for us.  Sigh.

    Karen, there does seem to be a problem with the emoticons.  It's the program, not you.  I hope that they get it fixed.  It's a small thing, but I was so happy to get that smiley face!

    Have a good day everyone.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2010

    First of all...Kelli and Marcy...congratulations on being done chemo....what a huge relief.  Now you can look forward to finishing up the rest of your treatment and/or surgeries......yay.

    JenC thanks for that suggestion; it's an excellent one and I will look into finding a chiro that does acupuncture.

    Dutchgirl:  thank you for thinking of me on my/our anniversary.  I hope you and DH had a nice dinner.....my evening out with friends was quite a bit of fun.

    Re going topless.  I still get some stares but my rad tech today told me that my hair was fabulous so that was a great boost and makes me think that I'm right and that it doesn't look like I'm a cancer patient.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2010

    Saralmom,I too noticed that I had elevated bilirubin but only from reading my reports (where it gives you acceptable ranges).  No one ever mentioned it was a problem and I had a creatinine test before my last MRI that was in the normal range so perhaps as Caltex has said that your Onc is just being cautious.

    Keeping my fingers crossed it turns out to be nothing.  Hang in there. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2010

    Dutchgirl6 - Hormones are probably the cause but I made an apt. today with my PCP to see what we can do to stop these and something better for prevention I hope.  8 Days now with 10 migraines.  My legs look like pincushions from where I give myself shots of Imitrex:(

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited September 2010

    Marcy - Congratulations on being done! This will be a year for all of us to remember, won't it?!

    JenC - I do hope those migraines go away! I have been getting some serious headaches - wonder if it is a reaction to the taxol you had?

    Sarlamom - hope you find out that it is nothing, which it probably is since the onc said they would have checked it sooner if it was bad, right?!

    Mel - proud of you going topless - that is great! Take it easy with all that running around you are doing!

    Can't wait to get back to feeling somewhat normal - hair Grow!! ;-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    I finished chemo a week ago Wed. Had the worst SEs of the whole time last week end, but kept telling myself it was over.  This week I feel pretty good. I see the Rad ONC on Tue.

    I hope everyone has an SE free week-end

    Lee

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited September 2010

    Hooray Lee, congratulations on finishing!!  I'm glad that you are feeling good this week.  Good luck with the Rad Onc.

    Karin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2010

    Well, no chemo again yesterday:(  Just want to get this done.  The oncs office said we defindately have to start back up next week but with probably a much lower dose so the neuropathy does not get any worse.  At least it has stayed the same and not progressed over the last two weeks.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

    Jen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited September 2010

    Lee - congrats on being done!! Yeah! Good Luck with Rad onc.

     JenC - how are those migraines doing? Happy that neuropathy isn't getting worse - wish it would get better for you. How many more treatments does your onc. think? How many were you supposed to get and how many have you had? Do you need rads?

    Chemo brain is really starting to happen to me - I say the wrong word for what I am trying to say all of the time! Like tonight I told my husband I need to get the oil but meant laundry!! Don't even know how oil came into my mind!!!!

    Hair is growing - s-l-o-w-l-y but it's growing!!! Eyelashes and brows are not growing at all - how long before others noticed them coming in? Feels like I am losing my eyelashes once again.

    Hope everyone is having a wonderful SE free weekend! ((Hugs)) to all

    Kelli

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2010

    Kelli - Migrains are still here.  Had one day without one in the last 11 days.  Starting to drive me nuts.  I have 5 treatments left but not sure how many they will do.  I have skipped 2 and they said that we have to start back up next week but that was from the PA.  I am calling my onc this week to see if I have to make up the missed 2 or if I am only doing the last 3 (had total of 12 did 7 so far).  I have an appointment at the beginnig of next month for my simulation for rads (28 rounds) and they will schedule when to start I also need to schedule the removal of my port between the end of chemo and start of rads so I really need to know how many I have left to do.  Hopefully he will tell me and not do the usual (well have to see).  Sorry to hear about your chemo brain, I hpe it bets better.  My hair is growing to, just wish it would grow about 3 inches overnight:) 

    Hope everyone is having a good weekend and feeling good.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited September 2010

    JenC - Good luck this coming week with talking with the ONC. I am praying for you that your migraines and neurapathy will go away! Hope you don't mind!? It really sucks to not feel well and then not to know when the end is. Hope that gets figured out soon for you. I hear ya about the hair!

    Have a great week everyone!

    Kelli

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marcy4
    marcy4 Member Posts: 162
    edited September 2010

    Congratulations Lee on being done.  It feels great doesn't it!  I still find it hard to believe. I think on Tuesday morning I may just pack up my Chemo bag from habit.  I go tomorrow for a MUGA scan.  Hate the thought of them using a vein, but they don't have the nurses there to use the PORT. 

    Jen C. Hope things go better for you this week. I know you must be feeling very discouraged right now, but the end will come sooner or later.  All the best. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MelBell07
    MelBell07 Member Posts: 106
    edited September 2010

    Hi All,

    I was hoping I could join this thread...I started chemo in Apr...4 cycles of AC every 2 weeks, followed by 4 cycles of Taxol every 2 weeks. Had a bilateral mastectomy in March. Doing 35 radiation treatments and then 5 yrs of Tamoxifen.

    I finished chemo on Aug 5, which I thought was the best day of my life. I'm 20 radiation treatments down...and starting to slow down and get slightly discouraged. I'm ready for it to be over.

    I miss my hair. I'm tired. I wish I had known there was a there was a 4/2010 chemo thread...but I just joined the forum in July.

    Thanks for listening, all. Hope everyone is doing as well as can be. <3 </p>

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited September 2010

    Hi MelBell.  You will probably see some familiar names from the Sept, rad thread.  I`m sorry that you are feeling so down, I think that the whole process is starting to take its toll.  But, you're almost done, just hang in there and feel free to vent anytime you need to.  It's too bad that you didn't find this board while you were doing chemo, it's a great group!

    I have a question.  My finger nails are growing strangely.  They have horizontal lines on them, which I noticed during chemo, but on my thumbs and one of my index fingers, they look like they are growing in layers, kind of like scales.  Does anyone else have this?  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MelBell07
    MelBell07 Member Posts: 106
    edited September 2010

    Thanks dutchgirl :)

    I have lines as well - they're white. I have a couple on each nail that started with chemo. They've almost grown out...maybe a couple more weeks and I think they might be gone. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2010

    Hi MelBell07 - sorry you didn't find us sooner but glad you did finally find us! Sorry you are feeling down. I was soooo glad when I finally finsihed chemo last Monday. No rads for me but I had 12 weekly treatments of Taxol. I too am so sick of being bald - can't wait for hair again!

    dutchgirl6 - I do not have that on my nails but underneath they are very sore and bruised. On another forum I did hear others talk about their nails having the white lines on their fingers! Not sure how long this will last - sorry. The SE's really suck!!

    Hope everyone is doing well and has a great weekend!

    Kelli

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    Now that I've looked, I have the white horizontal nail lines as well. I'm just glad my nails didn't fall out. I'm grateful for no neuropathy in my fingers, too, I've been practicing for a concert on Tuesday, like crazy and I sure wouldn't be able to play with neuropathy. I'm not 100% yet, but I'll be good enough to sit in the back like I usually do. I'm really excited!!! We are playing Beethoven and Shostakovich, my favorites.

    Like many of you, my hair is really coming in SLOWLY. It's very thin on the top, and my scalp is very visible. Now the question is to wig or scarf it for the concert. It is breast cancer awareness month, so I'm thinking scarf.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MelBell07
    MelBell07 Member Posts: 106
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Kelli. Rock the scarf Shelley!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    Well, no chemo again this week due to the neuropathy.  Will be talking with the Onc this thursday to see if they will start me on another drug instead of Taxol for the last or just say move on and start radiation.  Onc.  seemed pretty confident that if we had to just "move on" there would be no adverse effects and minimal increase in chances of recurrence opposed to the chances of the  neuropathy becomming permanent.  We shall see. 
    Jen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 947
    edited October 2010

    Dutchgirl: I had problems with my nails too ... mostly on my right hand.  I had the ridges, it's like the nail died halfway down and turned white and my finger tips were very tender.  I couldn't pick things up.  It was very frustrating!  I'm five months out of chemo and my nails are almost completely normal.  They're a bit thicker than they were before chemo.  I had TC in April to mid May.  I had a bone scan last Friday, so I'm anxious how that came out.

    My hair took its sweet time coming out.  But now it's thick and curly.  I have no idea if it will stay this way.  It's still very short and I haven't had a hair cut yet.  I just wish it wasn't gray. :-\

    Jen: I'm sorry about your neuropathy.  I hope you get good news from your onc.

    Welcome MelBell.  I'm still struggling with tiredness.  I had a physical last month and my blood was a bit off, so I'm on lots of vitamins.  The chemo really takes it out of you, not to mention the radiation and surgery.  But I think the chemo really does a number on our bodies and it's important to follow up with all the tests and bloodwork and scans after the treatment is over.  Depression is so common to many of us and it's ok to ask for help with anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds to get us over the humps.  I'm going to see if the vitamins help with this.  If not, my PC gave me an Rx for Effexor.  Cancer and its treatment is hard enough to deal with, so I don't mind being on an anti-depressant for a little while.

    -Theresa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    Scarf it is! Thanks, Mel! Went to Ross and found a black one with black sequins (dress is concert black). While I was there I found a gorgeous two piece long black dress for $13.99! Only at Ross, gotta love it. I had an outfit I usually wear, but not a nice dress like this.

    JenC - sorry your treatment is postponed again. I'm a big fan of Boost and Luna bars for extra protein and nutrients. They taste pretty good as well. Hope your headaches ease up, too. Hugs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2010

    JenC - sorry to hear about it but as long as the neuropthy goes away that is that matters!

    theresap60 - what vitamins do you take? I am really tired this week - 2nd week out of chemo.

    Thanks! Have a good week everyone!

    Kelli

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    Thanks everyone for the wishes.  Kelli - I have not had chemo in three weeks and I am more whiped than I was during chemo.  Kinda wierd. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    Well, so the Onc today and since the neuropathy has not gotten better I am done with Chemo.  I have mixed feelings but he did reassure me that I am "cancer free" and the increased changes of recurrence without finishing treatment are so minute compared to the chances of the neuropathy becoming permanent it is not worth the risk to be permanently impared.  I will be starting radiation probably at the beginning of next month.  I have one more "fill" with the PS and port removal and then simulation at the radiologists on the 25th.  Not sure if this deserves a smiley face since I did not actually "finish" chemo but I am kinda glad to be done.  Hope everyone has a great day.  Oh and the migraines have stopped to so I am having a good week:)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories