Calling all TNs

Titan · December 2010

I had 4 dose dense AC and 4 dose dense Taxol..side effects are different for everyone..you may find alot of information on the chemo thread..read the group right b-4 yours and then join with the ladies that are starting when you do...you will find alot of support there..I still hang out with my chemo April 2009.

I lost my hair and ate alot! Had cravings for weird foods..like KFC and Wendy's and mashed potatoes with AC..with taxol the food cravings stopped but had leg aches..some numbness in my feet..some weird bowel issues...never slept well during the whole thing so I got alot done and was never late for work...Do you drink alcohol? It was almost like being drunk for 16 weeks but without the fun..if you know what I mean.

laurajane · December 2010

Funny, and a bit ironic that when I asked my onc a couple of weeks ago what she would do if this Carboplatin/ Gemzar didn't work what she would recommend I'm pretty sure she said don't worry we'll put you on Avistan. LOL. Well, l'm so thankful that this chemo mix is going to work positive thoughts go far ! I've been busy painting. Yup! I hired a couple of guys to do most of it and I am finishing the rest. Benjamin Moore has a great paint called Aura, doesn't stink at all. So now my livingroom is smokey blue, dining room is rich carmel, kitchen is green apple with a little royal purple thrown in and my new drawing/painting studio is peach with hot pink and red. (I know this sounds like a crazy color scheme but it looks pretty cool. I have a little bungalow that was built in 1926 and I repaint all of the rooms usually at least once a year sometimes more often depending on my mood. It's funny I bought the house 8 years ago and have spent the last 8 years working on the gardens procrastinating on the interior and this year I have such a strong desire to make the inside as exciting as the outside. I'm going out with friends tomorrow to a new martini bar and then meeting a friend after to go and hear some music. I've had two weeks off from chemo due to low WBC and RBC and am feeling great. I want to have as much fun as I can before next Tuesday when I go back for more of this chemo cocktail. Well actually, I hope to continue to have fun after next Tuesday too! Loving life and making it great! Hope you all had a great day.

Lynn18 · December 2010

Laurajane: You're up late also? I just want everything available to us triple negatives that might possibly help, whether it is avastin or PARP. I am sending positive thoughts your way that the Carbo/Gemzar works great with little side effects. Good night!

laurajane · December 2010

Thanks, Lynn. I want something that works for all of us too! For now I'll go back to painting and try not to think about it. Hmmm? I actually may stop for the night and finish tomorrow. I hope you have sweet dreams and wake up tomorrow with a huge smile on your face and have a fabulous day.

MBJ · December 2010

Titan: I have never been able to do a diet in my life for the same reasons. The reason I liked it was because every day it gives you a meal plan--you know what to eat for the 21 days. No brainer, nothing to think about.

kelben · December 2010

Hi again, sorry been away for a day, and I agree, you have been very busy.

Sugar, I'm up in Huntsville aka "Gods country" how are you managing with all the snow you've been having lately?

Anonymous · December 2010

LJ- sounds like a Thomas Kinkade cottage!

laurajane · December 2010

It's going to be a great day today. After setting aside all of the bills that came in todays mail. LOL. I also recieved a beautiful silk scarf from the Good Wishes Program with a Christmas Card signed by all of their staff. I love it. I also recieved the movie Princess Bride that I had ordered from Netflix after reading all of your comments on the movie. I haven't seen it and am really looking forward to it. Two wonderful things that have happened today because of all of you sharing. Thank-you. I am trying to finish the painting today. I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

MBJ · December 2010

Titan: Here is the link if you want to look at the "diet". To me it was just learning a better way to eat and to easily get rid of weight in my tummy area. I now have to work on muscle tone. BTW: It's the 28 day Fresh Start Challenge that has been over for awhile, but it's still available to do and to read on line: Hope you like fish! http://www.dailyperricone.com/2010/01/28-day-start-fresh-challenge/

Luarajane: I live in a 1930's building now, but my last two homes were 1920's buildings although not a cottage, an apartment. When we lived in Silverlake we had a buttery pale yellow living room, a two toned orange & chili red dining room, a black and white diagonal kitchen floor with white and chili red accents, a green hallway, an apple green bedroom with purple accents, a soft red back bedroom and a soft aqua bath. Loved that place! It was only 650 sf but it had a huge covered patio off of the bedroom with a skylight and a front porch and it felt like a house. My work moved and so I had to either move or change jobs. Now I kinda wish I had changed jobs. Sounds like you are going to have an amazing day. Me, I'm still working on the challenge that is my home before our annual xmas bash, which I didn't get to do last year. Hope I am up to it.

MBJ · December 2010

Laurajane: Just found out about a product that boosts NK Killer cells and it's on sale for half off right now. My dr recommends it for boosting our immune system. This is great for those of us going through chemo (only take it on the off days of your regiment) and also for those about to or just completing surgery. I purchased it through NutritionLeaders.com and it's called ImmPower.

Just read this article on the holidays and drinking:

This time of year is the season to enjoy delicious food, delightful libations and good company. Unfortunately, the libations can be problematical because of the body's proinflammatory response to alcohol.

Having a glass of wine with your meal is not a problem, because wine can provide some important antioxidants called polyphenols that do help protect the body. I suggest drinking a glass of wine with your meal, rather than before, to avoid a rapid rise in blood sugar and the ensuing burst of inflammation throughout the body.

Whether combined with sugary mixers or taken straight, drinking hard liquor causes inflammatory problems in the body. Alcohol is detoxifed by the liver. The alcohol content of hard liquor is very high. The metabolites of alcohol are molecules called aldehydes. Aldehydes cause damage to the cell plasma membrane as well as to various portions of the interior of the cell, causing and inflammatory reaction along with this destruction. In summary, wine is fine, but forget the martini.

Happy Friday!

Lovelyface · December 2010

Hi Titan - It seems like we both had the same regimen, dose dense AC and Taxol. I am wondering how you are doing today? Since yours was in 2009, you are done over a year ago. I am doing my last two taxol. I am wondering whether the toxicity ever gets out of our bodies. I read something on this website today regarding toxicity which greatly bothered me. Will our bodies ever become pure again, like it used to be? With my third taxol, I have begun to cough like crazy and although have finished 8 antibiotics given by my onc., the cough is till very bad. I have a feeling it is the side effects of taxol. Are you back to your normal healthy self, after chemo? Or do you notice any weird things in your body. Did you do rads after chemo? what is your opinion of that, please? thanks.

moe0279 · December 2010

I just received a beautiful wrap from the Gaila Fund...its beautiful! not sure how to tie it but will learn...

What a sweet surprise on this Friday afternoon! Hope everyone is enjoying today!

laurajane · December 2010

Moe- I just went on and ordered one. They look so cool and give the illusion of hair.

MJB- Thanks for the info. I don't actually drink martinis or any hard alcohol except for an occasional bloody mary. But I think it is really sweet of you to send me that info. I think it is so cool that the apt. you described sounds so similiar to my house. I even have the black and white checkerboard floor in my kitchen. My studio is looking wild crazy colors may inspire me to paint even more.

Hiedi- I love my cottage it's kind of more Mary Englebright'ish. I think that is her name. By the way looking at past post I see you have the same evil demon that I have. Wild that that is exactly how I picture my demon.

Anonymous · December 2010

This gal does a nice job on ecards:

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2007134554829&source=jl999

Blindsided · December 2010

Lovelyface: I had a horrible cough with my first 2 TC treatments, accompanied by a lot of post nasal drip and over salivation. When I had my 3rd treatment Tues, my Onocologist recommended Claratin, and the cough disappeared. hard to say whether the cough was due to the taxatore, the cytoxen, or just some random bug, but you might give it a try!

mommafluff61 · December 2010

I had surgery on Dec. 2nd and the 1.3cm tumor was removed with clear margins & no cancer in the lymph nodes. (doc said he removed a plum sized section of my breast.

Monday will be my first meeting with the Med/Onc Dr. Any suggestions of questions that I should ask? I am assuming that because I am TN, that I will be getting chemo.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Kelley41 · December 2010

I had my first follow up after fininshing chemo. Was wondering what is "normal" for these 3 month visits....I ask because they never drew blood and did any testing? Do you guys have your blood tested every time you go for your follow ups? Thanks - Kelley

jenn3 · December 2010

Moe - I did DD AC every other week and 12 weekly Taxol. SE's are different for everyone, but for me the AC was the hardest of the two. Taxol wasn't a walk in the park, but I felt better. Just be sure to rest when your body wants rest and drink plenty of fluids. When you feel good, have fun!

Mommafluff - I would bring a notebook with questions to ask and to write notes in. Ask him about the chemo and SE's, ask him about radiation and why or why not depending on what he says. If you have to do chemo, what kind, will you also need the Neulasta shot (to boost WBC). If you do chemo talk to him about premeds and/or antinausea meds. Take notes and if you can have someone with you because when the dr starts talking it doesn't all sink in and it's hard to remember.

MBJ · December 2010

Lovelyface: What do the nurses/Onc say about your cough? Usually they are really careful in regards to reactions to chemo. I had difficulty breathing on my last Taxotere, and they took me off of it.

TifJ · December 2010

Blindsided and Lovelyface- I had the exact same cough and post nasal drip after the first 2 TC! My onc. also suggested Claritin- worked for me!! Tx 3 has been really pretty easy so far (on day 9). One more to go on the 30th!!

tnbcRuth · December 2010

Kelley, I have my first follow up on the 30th, and I know they are going to draw blood. My onc said I would be monitored only by doing a blood test every 3 months...that any 'activity' will show up there. ( I don't think its the tumor marker test.) If anything at all shows up, she'll have me go for further testing. Any opinions?

99Sporty · December 2010

I just got scheduled today for my first infusion - 12/30.. DD A/C x 4 then DD T x 4.. sounds like that's pretty typical among this group. I'm just ready to start. A friend told me to suck on mints during the infusion and that helps prevent some of the metal taste in the mouth - any of you heard/done that? Any other goofy tips? I'll be headed to the chemo threads soon since I now have a start date.

LRM216 · December 2010

I get blood tested at each 3 month visit. She does Vitamin D testing every 6 months. I think tumor markers are every 6 months too, but not sure if she does them every 3 months. I go next week for my next "3 monther" so I will ask to be sure.

Linda

Titan · December 2010

Sporty..try an Italian ice or ice chips while you take the Adrimycin...it is supposed to help with mouth sores. The first infusion I got an Italian ice..the next time it was just ice chips..amazing...but at least have something...I had them every time..never had a mouth sore. ASK for them..or if they don't offer them take ice with you.

barfraz · December 2010

Thanks, Titan...very informative. Well, I feel like the antique of the group. I was diagnosed at age 66. My cancer was 3+ cm. Shape of a barbell with handle over the ducts, skin and lymph nodes are involved- axillary and subclavicle. Today I completed 12 Taxol infusions (done weekly). The mass can no longer be found on exam. In 10 days I am scheduled for ultrasound and FAC infusion (12 infusions give every 3 weeks). Next comes mastectomy, then radiation therapy. My most painful/aggravating symptoms other than fatigue and aching joints and muscles, has been neuropathy and now I am losing toenails and fingernails. I'm quite computer literate but not accustomed to forums, so don't know the "lingo" yet.

Titan · December 2010

Mommafluf..you will probably have chemo...I think standard of care for chemo is if a tumor is over 1 centimeter...being TN I'm not sure what the standard of care is but I think about 99.9% of us on here have had chemo or are going through it now or are going to go through it so you are in the right place!

Titan · December 2010

barfraz...you are certainly not an antique...! And glad that that tumor is dying!...good, good, good.

Keep in touch with us here and let us know how you are doing..we truly care.

I lost one toenail...freaky...

MBJ · December 2010

barfraz: Certainly not an antique. After chemo I think we all feel a bit older, though. I have been trying to lose one toenail for awhile now. Taxotere obliterated my cancer, though they still had to take it out. So glad you had the same results.

MBJ · December 2010

Ruth: My onc tests markers once every three months and I am hoping it will drop to once every 6 months once I hit my year mark in March of having chemo/MX. I also get Vit D levels tested.

mitymuffin · December 2010

Congratulations Swanny! How do you feel? Did you get any fatigue toward the end? I have 7 more to go, but 6 of them are boosts. We will start the New Year treatment free and healthy.

Calling all TNs

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