Chemo June 2010
Comments
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My neuropathy in my feet seems to be getting worse. Tonight my feet are swollen up like footballs again and I can hardly walk. I did manage to make a chocolate cream pie today. I've heard it helps with blood counts (wink) so I ate two pieces!!!
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Hi Sherry - I also have neuropathy in my feet, but as far as I know, the swelling isn't connected to the neuropathy. I think swelling means your body is having a hard time flushing out the chemo, and when I had it the onc nurses told me I need to drink even more, becuase that's what'll get rid of the swelling (and also try lying down with feet slightly elevated). Hope this helps you :-)
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Do any of you have suggestions as to how to choose a oncology radiologist? Does it need to be someone who specializes in breast cancer? Is there anything specific in the way of equipment that they should have (like the IMRT) or other equipment?
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Latte - thank you and sorry I didn't respond sooner. I was out celebrating my birthday - woo hoo! Anyway, yes that is my new wig.
I got a new one for my sister's wedding. My husband picked it out (he liked the brunette).Soooo.... I thought I was in the clear with neuropathy... but no! I started getting it on Friday night. Myt toes are starting to go numb! Ughhh... I'm taking the L-Glutamine. I hope it doesn't get any worse.
4 more Taxol treatments! I told my DH yesterday that I'm so over chemo! I'm trying to do the best I can, but I'm tired of being tired. I just want to be normal again!
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Bon - I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to her!
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sherry- Like latte said, I don't think the swelling is related to neuropathy, sounds like you are retaining fluids. Drink those fluids to flushit (I liked this typo so left it) out. And I do think I read that chocolate cream pies are helpful too!
Bon- A bucket list! What a great idea! I'll go first. I want to take DH to Portugal and listen to real Fado music in all the small restaurants. We love Portugese Fado music! What's on all your bucket lists? If we dream it, we can make it come true! This would be a fun thread to start.
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Hi,
Just popping here to show my avatar, it was taken by my dear daughter, who calls me "boldy" .
Done with the chemo last Tuesday and seeing some hair already, so far I'm the only one seeing it under a magnifying glass but.. better than nothing,
love,
Daniela
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I have a bucket list sort of . I already swam with the dolphins now I want to pet a lion or tiger.
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Daniela - Congrats on finishing chemo!!! Lucky you!
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Daniela - Love the avatar. Whoo HOo on ending chemo!!!!!!!
Mitymuffin- I had questions about how to choose a rads place too. My medical oncologist wanted someone she knew to treat me. But, this person was an hour from my house. I liked her alot but couldn't handle the traveling. Am going to very small rads spot near my home. I simply asked other people with medical background if I was making the right decsion. They said the place I am going to is fine. Wish i could give you more info. But, I don't have it.
My bucket list... play with my Grandchildren when I am very old.
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Daniela- Love your daughter's "Boldy" name! Congrats on finishing chemo. I finished last week and have been flying high and happy ever since...feel like I am on a honeymoon! When sales people ask "how are you today" my obviously-enthusiastic "I am just fabulous, how about you?" seems to stop them in their tracks!
Mitymuffin- Of course doctors always referr to their friends, we all network. I think there is a certification process for rads centers. I think if they are certified (involves inspecting the machines regularly etc...) they are all pretty much alike. From what I hear, the daily schedule plus waiting time is actually the most tiring aspect. I would definitely see if you can find rads close to home. The added driving time, traffic etc...would add to the burden.
Dolphins, petting lions and tigers and YES to playing with our grandkids. All great bucket list additions. Here is another one for me. I want to explore Egypt and the pyramids with my son (he was and is insane for history, mummies etc...)And I want to go to Paris for the first time and kiss DH on the Eifel tower! I have travelled all over the world, but always saved Paris because I wanted to go with someone I loved, corny, but true.
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Wow.. Bon, you just gave me alot to think about, I will pray for you friend.. Ladies. the neuropathy does get better.. It gets worse then it starts to ease up.. It is not in my feet as much as in my hands and my last treatment was exactly two weeks and three days ago.. my fingers are still real sensative to water especially hot water. I find it very hard to wash dishes.. but my feet are not as bad as they were.. did anyone experience peeling of the skin with sever dryness..
Daniela, congratulations on finishing chemo.. and to anyone else that I didn't mention..
My bucket list.. umm to marry my husband again on the beach and watch my children get married and have kids of their own..
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Designermom and JFV, thank you for the advice. I must decide between radiation at the center where my oncologist (a general oncologist) is located, where I've had my chemotherapy, where they have a general "radiation onocologist" and a larger hospital radiology center that has a "breast radiation oncology specialist." My oncologist says that either one is fine. So, one is a smaller center where I already know a lot of the people, and the other has the "breast specialist". I don't know what it important in making a choice.
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vicky thomas- I love your bucket list idea. I hope you share the idea with your DH and kids...even if you never get around to it. You sound great. I'm still proud of you.
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Hi All,
Today I was scheduled for my second round of TC chemo (I am supposed to have 4 rounds) but my liver enzymes (ALT or ASL -not totally sure of which one) were 180 so they want to delay treatment for at least a week. I wondered if anyone else had this problem and what course of action was taken to try to figure out/resolve it?
As of now, I am off all Tylenol products, which I had been taking in small doses. I also know that Taxotere can stress the liver, so if they don't come down, I am wondering if they will switch me to another regimen like AC.
I appreciate any information folks might have on their experience with this. Best, Beau
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HI All
Met with the Rad Onc today. I like him a lot. He had actually studied my path report in depth and was prepared with good information. (better expreience than my BS appoint last week) I was a bit disappointed to hear that I need to have all the saline drained out of my expanders. He said that the full expanders would interefer with the rads that he wantd to do and it was in my best interest to have the fluid drained out. Dont get me wrong, I am not married to the saline but I just wish I had the rad onc consult right after my surgery and Iw ouldn't have spent all those hours getting "fills". Ah waell, hind sight always better than front sight.
My weight is out of control! I gained another 2 lbs this week. I am so puffy in my stomach that I look like I am pregnant. Luckily I don't have the swelling in my legs for my face but the weight gain is going to add to my anxiety for sure! I know some of this is water retention from the steriod but still, this is nuts!
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Jackie - that is such disappointing news about having the saline drained out of your expanders. I know how much work it is to get those expanders filled!!!! Ughhh!!! So, can they do the exchange surgery after you're done with rads? Have you talked to your PS about this?? I'm doing rads with my silicone implants (from my exchange). I had BC last year and only had BMX and exchange surgeries. My rad onco said that I would be okay to do rads with the silicone implants. I might get capsular contracture. As long as they don't have to remove my implants, I'm okay.
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Jackie- I agree with kittycat. That stinks about the expanders. I am so sorry.
Kittycat- I have silicone implants too and was also told about capsular contraction. I figure my reall boobs were never even or smooth. So if one of my implants contracts or gets lumpy I might actually feel more normal. LOL. Of course I hope it doesn't happen to either of us.
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SKD, Congrats on finishing chemo. Good luck Thurs with MRI results. I haven't started the Tamoxifen yet. Do they start it before or after chemo?
DMom, I bought a laptop with a web cam in it and will try to figure out skype.Thanks for the advice
Gin2ca, How is it going with work this week. Are you finding it hard ot return?
JFV, Good luck with the tamoxifen. Let us know how it is and if you experience S/E.
Binney4, Thanks for the info on lymphedema. I learned a lot from those sites.
Sherry, sorry for the delays. They are so frustrating and it is disappointing when the finish line keeps moving back.
Daniela, YEAH! hair again
Love and Hugs, Mimi
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I survived my trip to Mexico. I am home, but grateful for the time I got to spend away with some girlfriends. The hubby and kids survived without me, although the laundry was piled up and the house had no food in it
I have my LAST chemo tomorrow! One more time to deal with constipation, fatigue and twitchy eyes.
I don't post much, but I am so thankful for each any every one of you. This has been my only source of information and support from the beginning. Congrats to everyone done with chemo!
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Hi ladies
Here I go clogging the boards again sorry! Took daughter to get her learner's permit today. I told her I can't help her learn to drive. If I do my hair will never grow back. I'll pull it out as quickly as it grows in.
Mimi and everyone else. It's early yet but I have no side effects from Tamoxifen. Wasn't too expensive either. A friend who has been on it about a year says the only side effect she thinks she notices is more intense hot flashes. But, she says they aren't that frequent.
Jenn glad you made it to Mexico and COGRATS on your last chemo!!!!!!!
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JVF - you're not clogging the board - i love what you write, especially your comment about your DD's driving license. It reminded me that my Dad took for me two lessons and then told me that I needed a professional instructor and there was no way he would teach me! 20 yrs later, he is staying with me at the moment, and driving me places, and his driving scares me so much that I might try to pull out my millimiter long hair too!
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Beau, My liver enzymes were elevated throughout chemo but never too high to delay chemo. I did have two delays because of infections and low white counts. It's tough to answer your medical questions, I would encourage you to call the onc or the chemo nurses to find out the answers. I wish you luck, let us know what you find out.
JFV, I nearly cracked up laughing at your post. Thank goodness the last of the six children in our blended family got her license last year. You are right, I couldn't go through that now.
Love and Hugs, Mimi
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Had my last chemo today!! I told everyone it is my last chemo EVER! the cancer center gave me another "graduation" certificate (all the nurses sign it and write notes on it), and they told me "No More!" Lol!
I made my appt. for rad simulation in 2 weeks, then the rads will start the following week. I'll have one more week of the smaller dose of Herceptin, then the week after that (same day as my simulation) I'll start the larger 3 week dose.
I thought maybe I wouldn't need the Nuelasta shot tomorrow, but onc. wants me to get it, just to be safe. I thought that was a good idea because I will be going down to KC to visit my DD, and I don't want anything to prevent that!
JFV--I'm sooo glad I am done teaching my girls to drive. DH hated it more than I did, so it was always my job to teach them!
Jackie--bummer about the implants! You have a good attitude about it though! I've been gaining weight too, the onc said it might be from the steroids. That and lack of exercise! Oh, and maybe those desserts I had this weekend the 3 times we went out to eat...
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I called the PS today. He is out of town at a seminar and due back tomorrow. The office did tell me that the Rad Onc had already called and assured me that PS would call us both as soon as he got back. Have to tell you I was so pleased to hear the Rad Onc was so quick on the follow through. I am eventually going to have silicone implants but PS told me we would wait until after rads to see what the skin was like. I have thought about this more - at least with the saline going in we have managed to stretch my skin pretty good If the rads bothers my skin and I have to reduce the amount of skin it won't be such a bad thing! I had been saying I wanted to go much smaller on the boobs than I had before - this just may be the sign!
TMarina - congrats on finishing chemo! That is so excellent! Very nice touch with the graduation certificate. I like that! BTW I am pretty sure the amount of food going in my mouth is way above the normal amount I put in before so my weight may be a bit self induced. Much more fun to blame it on the steriod though! I went to a craft fair over the weekend only came home with dessert mixes. What does that tell ya?
I sent my onc nurses cookies today. www.Cherylandcompany.com had a special with pink heart cookies. I sent a box to my "angels". I figure I better sweeten them up for Thurs. Taxol #8 will soon be in the books.
Hang in there my sisters! Hugs to you all.
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TMarina....HOORAY FOR YOU!!!!!!
So glad your chemo is done forever! You are certainly one of the most inspirational women I've encountered in this cancer journey. JFV...I taught my ex-husband to drive and my roommate, both at the same time! Imagine what that was like...we'd go places as a threesome. One would drive going, the other would drive back home. It was wild. I must have had nerves of steel back then.
I'm adding the purchase of a convertible to my bucket list. I want to feel the wind through my hair if and when it grows back!
11 rads tx down, 22 to go! And tomorrow I get to have Herceptin #6. Hooray! Saw the movie about the discovery of Herceptin. It's called "Living Proof" and stars Harry Connick Jr portraying Dr. Dennis Slamon, the discoverer of Herceptin and the one who kept pushing and pushing for it's use. One of my friends got the movie from Netflix. It was made-for-tv, probably Lifetime, so the acting isn't the best but the story is pretty good.
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mimi- so glad you will be able to stay in touch with friends and family with Skype while away at Rads Camp! Hope you let us know whow it's going too.
JFV- Teaching your kid to drive, now that's scary! My guy is 12. I have a feeling I am going to have to have someone else train him to drive. We would make him totally crazy!
Jackie- Dang! Wouldn't you think the doctors would sort of coordinate treatment better? So sorry about the implants. If anyone can handle it, you can! Tell them if they screw anything else up, you will run over them with your motorcycle!
Bon- So you taught was it "Richard, the rat, may he die" to drive? You are a good woman. I'm looking forward to that convertible! If I get to Florida, we're going drivin', top down, petal to the metal, and yes, wind in our hair! How about Key West? Haven't been there since 1975.
Tina- I see fireworks, hear music, see thousands of colored balloons....all celebrating your very last chemo EVER!
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Thanks Ladies, you all make me smile! I'll be sending up prayers for everyone while I'm wide awake tonight on my steroid buzz!
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TMarina: Yay for you! I really am happy that your chemo journey is over. Tomorrow I go to onc to see if I can start my second chemo regimen. This will be the third week in a row I've gone to start chemo - been told no go the previous two times because of my wbc and platelets being too low. Mixed feelings about it. I want to get it over with, but I am really fearful of this new chemo regimen.
I have been having major joint pain the past four days. It is keeping me up at night. I can't find a comfortable position where I don't hurt. My right hip is the worst. Last night I gave in and took a Demerol. At 2:30 this morning I was awake with a terrible burning pain in my hip and never did go back to sleep. In addition, my body is swollen all over - feet, ankles, arms, shoulders, face. I even took a water pill today and drank more water than I usually do - but still I remain swollen. Why did it take three weeks after my last chemo tx for all these SE's to appear???
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oh Sherry, girl you just always seem to get the worst of it. prayin' you catch a break SOON! I would call the onc in the morning. there may be more going on than just edema. Something is not working right and flushing that water out. Are you having any trouble breathing? If you are, please go to the ER. Sometimes fluid can get around your lungs, and they can give you some stronger diuretics.
Take your demerol as prescribed, please don't be afraid to use it for the pain. I take percocet for my pain from the Taxol. Get something stronger if it doesn't work.
Your body def. needed this break from chemo, and may need a longer break. Try not to be too disappointed. You body needs to be strong for the next chemo!
take care!!
Tina
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