Chemo June 2010

Hi Ladies:

You are all doing so well- congrats on everyone who is done with chemo!  I am six weeks post-chemo and having lumpectomy on this Thursday - hoping it all goes well.  Then I start rads. Chey and Danielle - I still have numbness in my toes and the Neuronton didn't help. My onc nurse said to try vitamin B6 - has anyone heard about that? IThe numbness is not terrible,  and I'm glad to hear that it may subside over time. Hugs to all.

Hi All- 

Chey-  I forgot about the fact that I am one of the few on the boards with a matched set of boobs. LOL.  The RO suggested that radiation may make one  foob tighter, higher, smaller and lumpier than the non radiated one.  I laughed when she said that because my real boobs had never been even or the same size.  So, I just figured radiation side effects would make me look more "normal". 

As far as the neuropathy goes I still have mine.  It is worse in the evening because I spend alot of time on my feet during the day.  But, it IS gradually getting better.  I did the dose dense Taxol 4 times over two months.  The neuropathy gardually got worse through out my Taxol and it peaked during my first week back at work which was about a month after my last Taxol. For me it is a tingling sensation with some numbness.  I haven't tripped or dropped things because of it.  I don;t know what I would do if my onc gave me an option to drop a treatment.  I guess I would still go ahead unless I was really really sick.  I really want to blast this cancer out of my body.  It seems there is always some weird decision that needs to be made when you have cancer.

baby-  could you have a sinus infection or ear infection?  Are you eating enough?  Call a doctor to get checked out.

Someone mentioned a skin rash on radiation side of their chest.  I am on week 6 of a rash on my face.   It is itchy and is gradually getting better.  My GP thought is was allergies.  I do have alot of pollen allergies.  If it gets worse I will go to a dermatologist.  But, right now I am just treating it like another indignity of cancer.

Latte- re BO The thing I notice is my head smells bad.  I think it's because of the extra sweating from hot flashes coupled with no hair to buffer the smell.  My armpits are sweatier.  I am using deoderant that the rads people recomended.  It doesn't really work.  Also my breath smells.

Anybody wanna' come visit me?  Don't I just sound gorgeous and sweet smelling!

I have noticed that I am starting to smell burnt.  I guess that is appropriate because I have had 25 rads and my cancer side looks like a 3rd degree burn.  I must say that there is not enough Biafine or Aquafor in the world to soothe this bad chest.  

About the BO, I have been using baking soda and I think it does help some.  I am going to order some of the Tom's of Maine but I do not have high hopes that it will work.  We have a shop here that carries something they recommend for breast cancer patients.  I will check on that and post back with the info.

Good luck to all that are still going through treatment.

Also,  I had a radiation rash like contact dermatitis during rads tx that cortisone did wonders for it.  I don't know if that could be what you have but it is caused by the response to rads and your clothes rubbing and creating a rash that itches like crazy.  Whatever you do----don't scratch!!!!  It will make it much worse and the skin will break down because it is still compromised.  I put cortisone cream on first and then put Aquafor over the top of that to seal it.  It  took about a week to totally clear up, but always ask your Dr about anything that is going on.

Chey I know it is hard to know what to do but follow your instinct and that usually works well.  

Binney - thanks for the advice about the sleeve.  I did not get mine yet and with the responses I got on here, I will wait to get my sleeve.  I can't wait to go the the Lymphedema therapy.  My arm is really hurting and the swelling continues.  It's not huge yet, but it's getting chubby.

Chey -  You know I only did 9 out of the 12 Taxol tx.  My MO said that the Cytoxin I took with my first A/C tx, was equal to 3 Taxol txs. I developed neuropathy in both feet the night of my 9th tx.  They alternate between burning and tingling (sometimes both) and the bottoms of my feet are numb.  It has been 8 weeks since my last Taxol tx and I can tell my feet are gradually getting better.  The bottoms are still numb but I can tell the feeling is coming back in spots.  The burning and tingling happen only rarely now.  So, I've said all this to say if you choose not to have your last Taxol tx you shouldn't feel as though you were short changing yourself.  You've completed A/C which is extremely tough on cancer and you've completed 11 Taxol txs.  And I want to encourage you that the neuropathy will get better but may take time.

Chey- want to call you today but was having a pitty party here in Tennessee and I was the only one here:)   I say go with your heart on the last TX.....This is you and I think you have done great... Buttttt we want finish on the same day if you don't take it.. :-)

Sherry, some ideas for coping while you wait for lymphedema therapy here:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#while%20waiting

It'll be good!

Gentle hugs,
Binney

sandiddstn:  Yes, I went through those feelings.  I am a strong person and was continually told by everyone how strong I was and what was wrong with me "You are doing so well."  Believe me, I cried a lot and didn't feel like me at all either.  I still worked and had to put up a good act there.  It was so difficult and now that I am finished it seems like it went by so fast.  It's so hard to just take it day by day but that is basically what you have to do.  I wasn't sure I could finish it either.  Hang in there and just remember it's not forever, eventually you will be through with the treatments.  Good luck and I hope your counts get better.

sandiddstn--Hang in there girl.  AC is he**!  Its ok to be emotional--just let the tears come.  I was bummed before starting radiation, because it means another 6.5 weeks of treatment.  It seems like it will never end!  Then I have herceptin infusions for 9 more months, and probably another surgery (cuz having only one size DD boob ain't working for me!!).  I so want to be done with this all that I could scream some days!

Sorry!  Now I started ranting!  But I just wanted you to know you are NOT alone!  We'll get through this!!!  

Sandidstn

I also had very low blood counts throughout the "red Devil' in fact I had to have a transfusion once and had a bit of a delay a few times. My two week treatment went extended to three weeks. But I got through it and feel so much better now with the Taxol. Still tired all the time but blood counts are all good andhave had no treatment delays.

Hang in there - it is kicking cancers butt!!! 

Sand - I don't really have much advice for you because I was only able to take one A/C tx.  But I feel for you and understand what you're going through.  TMarina is right - have a good cry, get mad, hit something!  I could never have imagined how rough the road through treatment would be.  I think my husband is getting tired of me saying, "I just want to be me again."  But it's true.  I'd give anything to be the old Sherry again. And yet, I have to make it through another day with no hair, an itchy wig, knees and a hip that are in constant pain, can't sleep, extreme fatigue and ultra white skin! ! !.  Having a place like this where I can be honest with my feelings and know others understand helps.  Ativan helps too, LOL!  The few times where I've felt like if I let go, I would plunge to the lowest emotional depths, I would take half an Ativan and it helped alot. Hang in the Sand.  It WILL get better.

Well, the diziness has subsided a bit.  The nurse checked my blood pressure the other day and i was fine.  But, I wan't feeling the diziness when she checked my BP.  I think it is caused by low blood pressure.  Now I just have pressure in my sinuses.  I will definately tell my onc. next week.  I am going to ask for a head MRI. to be on the safe side.

Sherry - What have you been told about radiation and recon?  I was told that any tissue expanders or implants will get screwed up from rads.  But, also that the skin won't stretch right after it's been radiated... so, what do you do first? rads or TEs/implants?  I think it makes more sense to stretch the skin/muscle before rads.

Toni, good luck with surgery tomorrow.  We will be thinking of you.

Sandi, we can all identify with your feelings.  Sometimes the only thing that helped was the lorazepam, a whole one.  Keep posting your feelings, it is safe here. 

Sherry, I've done 13 /30 rads so far.  Trust me, it is nothing after what we went thru in chemo.  My arm started swelling last week so I used all of Binney's suggestions and it has not got worse.  I did get a referal to the lymphedema clinic but apparently it takes months for an assessment and it's 2 1/2 hr drive from home.  I will be patient. Most of us are posting on the rads board but also staying here until the last of our group have finnished treatment.  We need to continue to support everybody here.

Love and Hugs, Mimi 

Hi All - final Taxol today!!!!!  Woohoo!!!  I got a little emotional because I am really going to miss those wonderful oncology nurses.  They were so good to me.  I took each of them a cancer awareness bracelet I had made for them.  Each one came by and I got a chance to thank them personally.

As for the neuropathy - I too had some of it for the last few weeks.  I found that massaging my hands helped a lot.  Walking was the best relief I found for the feet.  When it got bad in the feet I put on sneakers and walked for about 10 -15 minutes either on the treadmill or outside.  It helped a lot.  I slept with socks on my feet to keep them from getting cold andt hat also helped.   I did have trouble with the finger nails at the end.  Actually had to cut them all the way back because the nail beds got so sore.  They are looking bad but I am applying tree tea oil constantly and hoping they make it. 

I am so glad to be done with the chemo.   I never thought I would see the end of that road.  Woohoo!!!!  I have my a bone density test and MUGA next Monday.  An EKG on Wed and they deflate my expanders as well.  I go for my simulation the week of Thanksgiving and then I can start my radiation.  Progress!!

Hugs to everyone. 

I went to the hospital today and got a head CT.  Everything is normal.  The doctor thinks it's mirgaines.  I've had migraines in the past, but nothing with diziness! It's crazy! I was told I shouldn't be driving. Great. I am sooo fed up with chemo! Making my life hell.  Just one more next week!!! I can't wait!

grneyd--CONGRATS!!!!!!  No more chemo!  woo-hoo!

Yay Bon--last rads!!  How is your skin holding up?  What's next for you?

Nannababy--glad you have only one more! Hang in there!

Chey-->last year when I finished chemo I didn't have to go back for 4 months--seemed way too long to me too!