Chemo starting in December 2010

Options
1…2223252728…43

Comments

  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited January 2011

    Hi LisaMomofFour: Re Genetic testing

    I thought you might be interested to know that my Mom tested negative for the BRCA gene mutations years ago and she was negative.  Last year she was advised to do the test again because they had improved the testing. So now they can find 90% of the mutations and before they could test for a much lower percentage of the mutations.  My Mom was retested last year and she still is negative. I realize that I'm in Canada and the genetic tests are free for high risk families so that is why it was an easy decision to get retested. 

    After my recent diagnosis, they say we can be tested a third time because the testing has improved by another 3% in just a year.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LisaMomOfFour
    LisaMomOfFour Member Posts: 465
    edited January 2011

    Thanks Sharon.... They did do some updated testing on me just recently.....all still negative which is good news of a sort.....though my three daughters will still be considered high risk since I was premenopausal.



    Thanks for the insight, I appreciate it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    that's really interesting about the genetic testing. I didn't know that.

    GOOD LUCK sammolisa! let us know how it goes!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dlcw
    dlcw Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2011

    Hi All - I get my genetic test results on Friday and am feeling a bit anxious about it.  LisaMomof4 - I didn't know my daughter would be higher risk even if the gene is negative (I was premenopausal too at dx).  She is 13 and has already asked me if this is something she has to worry about later....I hate that she's thinking about that already (as I hate everything about this whole disease).

    This is my week off from chemo and I feel pretty good physically but have been struggling a bit emotionally.  Can't seem to stop thinking about recurrence and what-ifs....look at my kids and wonder how old I will get to see them reach....really in a negative place and can't seem to shake it.  It's going to be nice here today (mid 60's) and I plan to get outside for a bit and see if I can't refocus on where I am now as opposed to where I might be (or might not be) someday in the future.  My physical SE's are almost gone by today (mostly GI) and I'm hoping that will help as well.  Anyone using something for moods?  I haven't talked to my doc about it but might next week...just curious what others having this problem might be doing.

    Hope everyone is having a good day and minimal SE's.

    dlcw

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LisaMomOfFour
    LisaMomOfFour Member Posts: 465
    edited January 2011

    I hope I am not spreading bad info......I do know that a friend of mine is treated as high risk precisely because her mother was dx'ed with bc prior to menopause......but I haven't yet broached this topic with my children's pediatrician or my onc yet. My oldest just turned 14 on Monday. Can't believe I will be registering her for high school tonight.



    I am in the same boat as you, dlcw, with the emotional situation. Just left my onc's office a little while ago and she wrote me a scrip for an antidepressant. Will take a couple of weeks to work but I hope it takes the edge off.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    I too have emotional rollercoasters especially between days 5-10 after a cycle. I also chalk it up to ovarian suppression too, as I had extrememely high estrogen/progersterone receptors ( 95%), and now they are as low as possible. I can be a-ok one minute, then look at a picture of a friend and it triggers an emotional mess, all because of hair, or a smile, or something which seems minute, but at the time is huge.

    hugs to all, we truly are on cancer's rollercoaster! hang on tight! it's gonna be shaky ride!!

    stomach queasiness and all!!!

    does anyone else get nauseous at the THOUGHT of going in for next treatment? I do, anytime i even think about going into the cancer center, i get sick to my stomach.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hopefortomorrow
    hopefortomorrow Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2011
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUVWzvFYk0kst Just wanting to share this- He explains the song originally was written about her having cancer--
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited January 2011

    ANGEL....hooray for you, sounds like you had a great day.  I don't know if this will help, but my blue cross nurse who calls and checks on my twice a month, recommended yogurt, and I really thought I "hated" yogurt haven't tried it since I was a teenbut tried some,  liked it and I eat one a day and it not only helps keep the stomach/bowels in check, I swear it made my dehyraded tongue( I drink alot of water) go away along with that "raw" bottom feeling.   Geez, makes me so glad to have one more chemo and done!!!

    Hope all is well with everyone.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • meglove
    meglove Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2011

    Hi Dec sistal, I finished 4 rounds of dose dense AC. Nausea finally got better today but my both eyes hurt every much, ache and watering on the muscles surrounding eyes. will call onc tomorrow. anybody experience this before and how did you make it better? thanks. hope everyone feel better day by day!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sammolisa
    sammolisa Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2011

    Well girls,   it wasn't bad I'll have to say.  No allergic reactions during tx.  Slept  thru it because of the benadryl, then came home and slept another 3 hours or so and got up and had a sammich and then went back to bed for another nap with the hubby for 2 hours - this last nap was just rest not sleep per se tho.  Feeling ok so far,  a little uneasy in the stomach but overall feeling not too bad.  The nurse said the body pain that comes with the Taxol takes a few days to come out because of the drugs they give ya on the day of tx to suppress the side effects. 

    So far so good!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sammolisa
    sammolisa Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2011

    oh!  they changed my regimen ..... taxol every 2 weeks for 8 weeks.... which means.......I GET TO GET THE PORT OUT IN 8 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT!  I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel and it's beautiful.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited January 2011

    YEAH SAMM!!!  So glad you will be done with the port soon!! I've been thinking of you! glad things are going ok!! I"m so jealous about all the sleep you are able to get!! GOOD for you!! I"ve been jumping on the january rads to get info as I am going to radiatin onc for consultation  tomorrow to start that journey after 2/3 last chemo. I'll share any info I get from my rad onc. I am hoping to be one of the lucky ones who only need three weeks (canadian protocol and study) instead of the 5-6 weeks.   take care all...Italian ice time!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011
    My 2nd opinion went great!!! here is my blog if you are interested in reading all about it. http://hewillcarrymethrough.blogspot.com
    I am so much more at ease about the whole thing!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited January 2011

    Anyone doing taxotere alone , I start tomorrow!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    well i think i figured out why my stomach and bowels have been so messed up lately. i think it's the way i have been eating. i haven't been eating hardly any veggies, as i have been craving meat and carbs. i made a chicken stir fry last night with tons of veggies, and i feel right as rain today. i think my body was craving some of those good leafy colorful veggies!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011

    hdangelbaby: I get that way too. Carbs have been the best thing for the nausea for me so I tend to stick to those and forget the veggies. Then I crave a salad and feel better!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LisaMomOfFour
    LisaMomOfFour Member Posts: 465
    edited January 2011

    Back from chemo #3 and feeling mentally excited that I could tick off one more treatment.  Only one more A/C to go, then on to Taxol.  Feeling very loopy, either from the chemo or all the premeds in the drip who can tell, but I know I will drowse off and on for the rest of the day. 

    I haven't had many food cravings, just little to no appetite.  Not due to nausea, just who knows?  Still dropping weight..... I'm going to fit back into my wedding gown soon, and I got married in 1989, haven't seen that size in a long time.  (I'm betting that a few things have rearranged themselves, lol, though my breasts are back in the same place they were, thanks to the tissue expanders.....). 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • peacebear
    peacebear Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2011

    i have a picc because my dr didnt have test results back for other tests and didnt want a port in my chest to aggravate my chest wall.....as it is....my ct scan showed up results in my left ovary...now waiting for the ultrasound results to see size of whatevers in there. i dont flush my picc daily though, its a weekly thing where the nurse comes in. the low blood pressure im told today is chemo affecting my heart...time to slow it down a little:P

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hopefortomorrow
    hopefortomorrow Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2011

    Hi everyone-

    I went in for my first Taxol treatment, but the ONC changed me to Taxotere for 12 weeks-

    (Coni I will be with you on this one!)I guess it is to help reduce the amount of steroids I am on. I am cautiously optimistic tonight, no nausea and feeling good! She said that I might get achy a few days out and to paint my nails with tea tree oil since the nails tend to dry out and sometimes fall out. (Lisamomoffour comes to mind-right?)  BTW Lisa, jealous of that 1989 size you are back into! For me it would take a miracle to get me back into my 1986 wedding dress!!!!

    Samm- you are still my inspiration, we started out the same, but I wimped out and I am on a different plan. I am glad you will be done with all this in 8 wks!

    Angel & Karebear I have the same type of cravings! I do eventually crave vegetables too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    Today I am having a photographer friend come by my house and take a portrait of me. a topless one, nipples covered, of course ;), it will be a survivor pic, black and white, showing my axillary dissection scar, my lumpectomy scar, and if we can get it to show up, my port scar. it will say " this is a picture of a cancer survivor", now, i wonder though, i'm still in treatment, does that make me a "survivor" yet? i think yes, cause i'm "surviving" stupid chemo!

    what are your thoughts? thank god it's an SE free day, or I wouldn't be up to it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011

    hdangelbaby: We are ALL survivors!!!! We are all still here right?!! That is my thought anyways! You are brave doing pictures. I don't think I could. <3

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joystars
    joystars Member Posts: 95
    edited January 2011
    angel: indeed we all are survivors. That's how I see it, we are all fighting the good fight.
    Good luck with the pictures, indeed an important period in our lifes that has marked us forever.
    Just like karebear said, you are brave and that's what you need these days...

    Btw has anyone ever watched the "Why I wore lipstick to my mastectomy" movie? I did, few days before my LMX,  was important for me. Just thought about it because of the pictures angel mentioned....

    No SE so far here, my baby really really keeps the action going on! 
    Not really looking forward to next Monday, 3rd round of FEC here I go.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    thank you for the positive remarks!!!!! gives me courage to go topless! i will post a pic when i get it back, the girl should be here any minute to do it!

    THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST SUPPORT GROUP OF GALS!!!! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited January 2011

    Angel, you go for it !!!  We are all survivors, and we will continue to be.  You are such an inspiration, I thank you, had a rather anxious day meeting with rad onc for first time, everything hit home during the visit. Thank you Angel, your courage and honesty in your posts make me smile and help me to know what I am feeling emotionally and physically is something we all are going through.   Good luck with the pics!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kaseymomto2boys
    Kaseymomto2boys Member Posts: 55
    edited January 2011

    I have mainly been a lurker but wanted to say, "Hello". I just finished my 3rd round of TAC today. I have 3 more to go. I have been constantly worrying if I made the right choice doing TAC over DD AC-T. My oncologist says they are both just as effective but I'm such a type A and somedays wonder if I've made the right choice. It's too late to change now!! It's so nice to come here and read about everyones journey, making me feel less alone. I am curious if any of you that are doing DD AC-T were offered TAC and if so what were your reasons for chosing DD AC-T over TAC?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    I wasn't offered TAC, I was really only offered DD AC then 8 weeks of T.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sammolisa
    sammolisa Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2011

    Well, the first 2 days were good.  A little bit of nausea, tho last night I had alot of heartburn.  Tonite is a different story - the body aches have set in.  It's the annoying kind that nothing you do makes you comfortable.   I really wanna soak in my old bath tub in my old house that I don't have anymore. lol.   The tub was HUGE!  Now I have a little bitty tub that isn't comfortable at all.  Showers aren't the same when everything aches.   Took a vicoden,  tho it hasn't helped much.   Appetite is fine.   Other than that,  no other side effects yet.   Hubby takes great pleasure in making sure my toes are still feeling good by tickling them lol.   Hdangel -- my hubby wants pics of me too!  Nothing topless,  just good pics of me bald while it is still bald.   He has it set up for a few weeks from now.   I am venturing out of the house a little more and am starting to take a cake decorating class at Michael's starting a week from monday.  Been wanting to do that for awhile now.  

    Hope -- you have been my inspiration too.   Keep on the cold mitts for your fingers,  I hear taxotere is worse than taxol in losing your nails.  

    Trusting in the Lord that he is leading my down a path, and thankful for the 8 weeks instead of 12,...........

    Hope everyone is well

    Love ya all,

    Lisa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    sammolisa, are you having DD taxol over 8 weeks, or 8 weekly?  my onc said I could do either one I wanted. The DD or 8 weekly.

    let me know! thanks!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hopefortomorrow
    hopefortomorrow Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2011

    I don't know what I would do without you guys! Love you all!

    Hi Hdangel and Lisa- I just want to mention my onco nurse said that when you do the Taxol DD over 8 weeks you should be prepared to feel like a truck ranover you a few days out. She said the side effects will hit harder than the lower weekly dose given for 12 weeks.

    Thanks Lisa for the advice on the taxotere. They told me to get tea tree oil to paint my nails with from the health food store. (using a childs paintbrush) She said it smells really bad going on but doesn't once it dries.

    I felt great the first 24 hours, but suddenly I have a headache that is massive and scary. I also have had heartburn and have felt like my tongue is swelling- I read that that is a common side effect.

    One of my friends works for a dentist and yesterday she showed up at my door with a whole load of biotene samples and a pink toothbursh! I already knew about the biotene, but she was so sweet to do that. She had the gel too that you put in at night. She gave me the whole clinical rundown since that is her job! I have just been using the salt and baking soda mouth rinse.

    In the mail yesterday another friend sent me a leopard print snuggie! It was something we have laughed about, but yesterday it really made my day that these two gals took time out for me!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011

    Hope: I am so glad that your friends could make your day yesterday. I had a day like that a week ago. I got a couple of pkgs in the mail that I wasn't expecting and it made my whole day.

    Good to know about the taxol 8wks. That is what I will be doing after my last a/c treatment thurs.

    I am so thankful for these boards. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time and the support is like none other. My family and friends have been amazing but they haven't gone thru this or are physically going through this now. As awful as this disease is, it is great to have "friends" going through it with me (if that makes sense- I wouldn't want anyone to go through it but if we have to I am glad we are together) I hope that sounds better than it sounds to me!! Undecided 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories