April 2010 starting chemo

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited October 2010

    Jen, I think that you deserve a big smiley face, after all that you have been through!  Congratulations on being done.  I'm glad that the migraines have stopped as well, I wonder if they were stress related?  I hope that the neuropathy goes away soon,

    Shelley, how did your concert go?  

    My hair is coming in nicely, I have been going out without covering up a lot more lately.  I am still wearing the wig to work, but I think that after I come back from my holiday at the end of the month, I will hang it up for good. 

    Saralmom, it's been a while since we heard from you, how are you doing, and how are you coping with rads?  Did you get the results from your liver US?  I have been thinking of you, and hoping that everything is ok.

    Have a good day, everyone.

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010
    CoolSmileCoolInnocentWink Jen C - You deserve every one of those with all you've been through. Good Riddance Chemo!
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  • saralmom
    saralmom Member Posts: 329
    edited October 2010

    dutchgirl - thanks for asking about me.  I had posted about the outcome of my US on the Concerned about Mets board - and I must have forgotten to do the same here.  

    I met with the gastro doc and had my US last week.  This doctor agrees with my onc that there is nothing to worry about.  Bilirubin isn't that high at all, other liver numbers are all normal.  And then the US came back with normal everything.  So they agree that it is probably Gilberts Syndrome - a benign condition.  Side note that my brother in law is also a liver specialist and my doc faxed all of my labs to him as well and he agrees that there is no reason to think this is cancer.

    So why is it that my right upper quadrant is suddenly hurting since this all was brought to my attention?  Stupid internet with lists of symptoms.  Am I imagining all of this?  Is my liver full of mets even though all tests so far say no?  Should I trust the outcomes and just go on?  Do I ask for a CT scan?  Do I need to see a therapist?  I can't imagine feeling this worried about mets forever.  It's torture. 

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  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2010

    JenC - You deserve many smiley faces!! Glad you are done and on to rads! Also, happy to hear that your migraines are gone!

    I too have felt so tired this past week - my hubby thinks I am coming down from all of those steriods they have pumped into me!! I agree - sooo tired.

    saralmom- hmmm... it sounds like your drs. know what they are doing and to have a nice brother n law to look at the labs is great. I think we just worry now forever - sucks! I have had a pain in my left side for 3 days and worry about it but it comes and goes - sometimes I think I am making it up but then it gets painful and I wonder what it is? hmmm.... If you think that you won't be able to go on without those other tests i would ask for them to give you reassurance.

    Husband threw me a surprise done with chemo party this past Sunday - very nice! Tired after but was so nice to see everyone and feel sooo loved!

    ((((HUGS))))

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    Karin,

    Thanks for asking about the concert! I'm still on a music high. It went very well, my boss and Mom are both pretty good musicians and both said "fantastic" so I guess it was ok. We played parts of 5th symphonies since the theme was "taking the 5th on the 5th". The first movt of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, which I have always wanted to play. It was cool! If you have never heard Shostakovich's 5th symphony, you should. It's the first symphony he wrote after Russia banned his 4th sym. for 25 years. It's sort of the musical version of giving the government the finger. Check it out on YouTube, it has a great video with Leonard Bernstein conducting the 4th movement. That's the one we played. It is unbelievable. Notice he is conducting without a score. God rest is soul.

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  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 947
    edited October 2010

    Kelli - I take "Slice of Life" adult gummies "Vegetarian" -- I'm not a vegetarian, but that's what was on the shelf.  I tolerate them very well.  I also take vitamin D, B12 and was taking magnesium, but it was giving me a stomach ache.  I might cut those in half and try again.  Oh, and Adora dark chocolate calcium.  Wow, those are good and I don't mind taking my calcium at all.  I tried Viactiv, but they upset my stomach.  The Adora's do not.

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  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 947
    edited October 2010

    BTW: My onco wouldn't let me take any vitamins or supplements while on chemo.  I've been out of chemo since May and am just now starting a vitamin regime.  I should have started earlier.

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  • lexie5
    lexie5 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2010

    Hey Shelleyj43,

    Use the Luna bars in moderation.  They contain soy and anyone that is ER+ is suppose to avoid soy.  The Luna chicks have a team here in Tahoe and when I ran into them last month, I mentioned that they should create soy free bars since so many of us women have breast cancer with ER+.  I've switch to eating Zing bars I found at whole foods that are soy free.

    lexie

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    I didn't know that Lexie, thanks for the head's up. We don't have a Whole Foods around here, so I'll see if I can find them somewhere else. I just have about 3 a week so hopefully that isn't too much soy.  I don't eat soy at all unless it's hidden. I'll have to start reading labels better!

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited October 2010

    Ah yes, label reading.  I'm lost at the grocery store if I don't take my glasses with me.  I don't need them all the time, so they are sometimes left at home.  Thank you chemo brain!

    Shelley, I'm glad that your concert went well.  I know the Beethoven, but I'm not familar with the Shostakovich.  I will have to dig through my DHs cd collection and see if he has it, or check it out on youtube, as you suggested.  Did you look into the Metformin study?  I signed the consent forms this week, so I am in it for the next 5 years!

    I am taking Vitamin D, Jamieson chewables, chocolate flavoured.  Yummy!  I will definitely look for the Adora, that sounds pretty good.  theresap60, do you get those at your health food store? I am also on a multi vitamin, but I am hesitant to be taking any other supplements, especially after my Tamoxifen counselling session. 

    It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, so to all my Canadian sisters, Happy Turkey Time!

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    Karin, I emailed the study coordinator to ask if I had to be in Toronto and haven't heard anything back. I've used two trial matching services and can't get matched for anything. I don't know why.  I will see what my Onc says, he's knows I want to contribute, but I won't see him again until Nov 2 after I've finished radiation.

    I started using reading glasses lately as well, but haven't thought to take them into the grocery store! I guess I'll have to start doing that!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2010

    Dutchgirl6 - you mention Tamoxifen counselling.  Did they give you a sheet that tells you what to avoid?  I did not get anything when I started taking tamoxifen and I don't know if there are any problems with some of the OTC stuff I take.  Can you share your info?  Thanks.  Happy Thanksgiving to you too.....

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited August 2013

    Shygal, the sheet I got pertains to herbal supplements.  However, I did spend a good half an hour with the pharmacist discussing possible SEs, and ways to treat them.  Here are links to both the handouts that I was given.  The first is about the natural supplements, the second is the info on tamox:

    www.bccancer.bc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/D650CB8E-8EC7-44F4-9D48-DD8BFFA82663/29769/NHPandBreastCancer2008.pdf

    www.bccancer.bc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/82F4B3F5-B25C-4998-A3E3-833CDE84FD2A/33179/tamoxifen_handout_1Apr09.pdf

    I hope that they work.

    Shelley, according the the information that I received, the metformin study includes Americans, and you don't have to live in Toronto to participate.  I think that you just have to live close to a centre that is included in the research.  In any case, you have to be at least 4 weeks past your last active tx, so waiting to talk to your onc in November won't exclude you from the study.   I hope it works out for you, it might be fun to compare notes, or that you can find another one to participate in.  

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  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Dutchgirl6 - I couldn't get into the links you provided but was able to find the documents once I went into the bccancer.bc.ca website.  I'll take a look at these 2 documents to make sure that the vitamins and supplements I'm taking will not cause a problem.  BTW...my Mom takes Metformin for her diabetes so I'm curious to understand how metformin can help with BC.

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited October 2010
    Shygal, apparently not only does metformin lower insulin levels, laboratory testing has also shown it to decrease cancer cell growth.  So, the study is designed to determine if it reduces the chance of recurrence in early stage breast cancer.  I'm glad that you found the documents, sorry about the links not working.  Sometimes the technology gets the better of me.
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  • Emme
    Emme Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2010

    Hi Ladies, just checking in. I haven't been on in a while.  I hope everything is going well for all of you.

    Emme

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    I am sooooo excited.  I get my port removed on Tuesday  YYYYEEEEAAAAAA.......  Just thought I would share.  Hope you are all doing well.

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  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2010

    Congratualtions JenC....you are finally one step closer to the end!!!.   Do we have anyone who is still in TX?????

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited August 2013

    We will have to change this topic to De-Portation!  I'm getting mine out on Oct 28th!!! So excited, I can't wait to sleep on my stomach again. I tried, but just couldn't get comfy. Those who have gotten them out, how was it? I was told it was an outpatient procedure at the hospital. Details???

    Emme, it's good to see your name again, welcome back. Hope things are a little better for you these days. We are here for you.

    Karin, still no word from the Metformin trial coordinator. I think it is just in Canada from what I can tell.

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  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited October 2010

    Isn't it funny how we take the little things for granted, like sleeping on our stomachs?   I also sleep in that position, with my arms underneath me, and I couldn't do that when I had my PICC line in.  I'm sure that contributed to my chemo insomnia.

    Yay Jen and Shelley, it must be a good feeling to have the port removed.

    Hi Emme, it is good to hear from you.  Where are you in your treatment?  I hope that you are doing well.

    Shelley, I will ask my onco about the Metformin trial, if you want me to.  I'm sure that the literature I got stated that it included Americans as well.  I have an appointment coming up in a couple of weeks.

    Have a good week everyone.  I am very excited, I am headed to Bermuda on Wednesday!  A whole week of gossiping, shopping, eating, laughing with my 4 wonderful sisters.  I'm sure that we are going to have the mother of all group hugs!

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  • lexie5
    lexie5 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    Things are looking up for me.....sort of.  I finished a 100 kilometer bike ride on Saturday (70 miles), lost all the chemo weight and I get my port out this Thursday.  Not so great is my hair or lack of.  It's really pathetic looking and I won't be without my scaves for a while.  When I get my port out, they will also remove my other breast and put in tissue expanders.  Hope you are all doing well.

    Lexie

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    Shelly,  I am getting my port out this afternoon I will let you know how it goes.  I have been told by my surgeon that it is a simple in office procedure that takes about 1/2 hour with a local only. 

    Lexie - How did you loose all the chemo weight  I have gained about 20 pounts.  Stopped chemo about 5 weeks ago, have been watching what i eat and exercising what I can (neuropathy stops me from doing some things for long periods of time).  

    Jen

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Jen, good luck with your procedure!

    I'm thinking of getting a bike as well, I've tried jogging, but being a uni, it feels really weird even with a sports bra. I need less impact. Also my hip hurts and I need to strengthen it. I think biking would be a good way to go. I need to lose 10 chemo pounds.

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  • Emme
    Emme Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2010

    Well I am currently having herceptin tx every 3 wks.  I have 13 more tx..I will be done in March 2011.  Right now I am just very tired.  I am scheduled for my exchange surgery on November 12.  I am having a bit of pocket work and lipo done at that time.  My PS is going to pull out my port as well.  I like that term de-ported...

    Lexie! Congratulations on the bike race..70 miles..hell I can't drive that far, nevermind ride a bike! I am in awe of you. I too put on a few pounds with my last course of chemo.  I on the other hand have not been trying to take it off...I need to get on the shedding..bandwagon. The only thing I want growing on my body at this point is my hair.  Well..my hair is so curly..and soooo grey :(  I am not accustomed to seeing myself grey.

    Tonight I am going to the Paint the Night Pink Event in Bristol, CT.  I am going to meet some of the local women from this site..It is very exciting.

    Have a great night!

    Emily

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    Emme - have a great time tonight:)

    Shelley - Port removal was a breaze.  The worst part was the shot of to numb up the area.  I cannot believe how big the port is and how long the tubing is I was shocked.  A little sore and have to go back in a week to have the stitches removed but otherwise, really easy.  No worry needed:)

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  • lexie5
    lexie5 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2010

    I lost the chemo weight on my bike.  I had a custom bike made during chemo.  They painted a breast cancer ribbon on it for me.  I started mid way thru chemo and my first ride was only 5 miles but by my last treatment I was up to 40.  We're talking flat here, no hills.  But it worked and I'm back in my skinny jeans.  Give it a try ladies, I feel so much better.  Now I'm just hoping they don't find cancer in my other breast when I have my other mastectomy tomorrow.

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited October 2010

    Good luck tomorrow Lexie - you've inspired me to bike it off! Prayers for your surgery & recovery. Our diagnoses are very close and just a week apart. I keep thinking about my other breast. What made you decide to give it up? (only if you don't mind sharing)

    Shelley

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2010

    Best wishes for no cancer and a speedy recovery tomorrow Lexie.  I to only had a single done and wonder if I should have had both but my surgion and onc said why remove a perfecty healthy one.  Well, the other one was healthy at one point to:)  Keep us posted on your recovery.  Big (((((hugs))))

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  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2010

    I wish I could bike to lose my extra 25 chemo pounds!! It is getting cold here in WI! I biked the summer before and had lost the 25 pounds!!

    Good luck everyone and ((Hugs))!

    Kelli

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  • lexie5
    lexie5 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2010

    I had two tumors of IDC plus a lot of DCIS.  I asked my surgeon if I should take the other breast and he thought at my age and how much cancer I had that it was a good idea.  I'm recovering now.  They didn't find any cancer but I'm still glad I did it.  I would have had to have a reduction to match the reconstructed breast since there's barely enough skin for a "B" cup.  I'm on my way to get my drains out this morning.  WOO HOO!!! 

    Take care everyone,

    Lexie 

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