Starting chemo Sept 05

Hey Marg – how did the birthday go then? I have put even more weight on eating the birthday cake ;-)

Susan, I think this is the first time I have heard you swear ;-) I hope your eating problems are soon successfully resolved and you can again enjoy eating and preparing food.

Hey Peg – how about a virtual party in your new kitchen? The dogs too! after you have hired the cats of course!

Cheryl – I know what you mean about being scared to take so many pills – I have finally given into sleeping pills today – I so need to get some decent sleep now. I hope you soon start to pick up – stay home, work will go on!

Leanne – two small children, BC, house move and you are looking for more??? (campaigning).

Leanne – I talked the BC Nurse today (counselling) – well actually I typed out 4 pages of how I felt as I couldn’t ‘talk’ – it worked well and then the talking started after she had read it – saved time too. She was very good and she also later talked to my husband whilst I was having part 2 of the CMF today. This is something all very new to me – it is usually people talking to me for encouragement, advice etc and I listen to them – I am not used to talking and ‘admitting’ how I FEEL! Apparently I am emotionally and physically exhausted and it’s time to be selfish and think of ME!

Peg – I have an appointment for my ‘other’ problem (which I hope isn’t a problem) on 29 December – fingers crossed.

Had my part 2 of CMF today – hot flushes have started already. I have to go to Warfrin Clinic (thrombosis) on 22 December and then start next cycle of treatment on 3 January. I am looking forward to the New Year – I will certainly be kicking out 2005 with a great big boot!

Sandra from the UK

Hi all,

Well, I don't have colon cancer or an ulcer! It appears that I have irritation in my septum, which could be inflammation. And, they found a lot of scar tissue- a side benefit of the c-section I had 19 years ago. If the biopsy shows inflammation I get more drugs, if it is irritation, it should eventually heal itself. I find myself relieved that they actually found something, especially since I thought this test was overkill. Also nice that I am not being treated like an hysterical female.

Today is radiation number 22 and I am toasting up nicely. Only three more regular doses, and then we start the eight boosts. The finish line is in sight!!!!!!!

And I start the aromatese inhibitors today. Don't know which one since I am part of a randomized study.

Sandra, I am delighted to hear that you liked the therapist, and writing all that down was brilliant! So hard to reverse the normal flow of information. Did your husband feel as positive after his meeting?

Cheryl and Carol, I am so sorry that you are feeling so badly. Maybe the nurses have some thoughts? The range of side effects is so large; hard to fathom.

Take care all,

*susan*

Hi everyone,
It has turned cold here and there is no heat in the computer room. So only on special occasions do I get to bring in a electric heater and get on the internet.
On Monday the 18th is my last Taxol. I am ready for this to be over with and get feeling better. I think I am addicted to the vicoden but I don't think I can get through it without the pain killer. I actually wanted to eat today which is wonderful. I am tired of forcing myself to eat stuff just to put on weight. Well one more round and hopefully I will be done forever with chemo. That is the plan. I find the L-Glutamine and the B6, B12 complex vitamins a real help on the Taxol.
I scheduled a massage to help with all the pain after my last treatment. The therapist was recommended by another bc patient. I explained to her the back, hand and foot pain and asked to gently massage them out. Well her massage is reiki. Basically the laying on of hands to increase your energy field. I couldn't believe it. It didn't do anything for me. I needed thumb action on battered muscles. I could have cried. I looked forward to getting the massage for 2 WEEKS. When she called that night I told her I contacted another massage therapist and that I was in severe pain and it needed fixed. She didn't really say much and neither did I because it hurt.
I might not get to be on the boards much but you are all still on my prayer list. I hope you feel Gods peace especially at this Christmas season.

Good morning! I think...Boy I've been a hurting puppy with this taxotere. My last post I said I had felt like I had been run over by a truck and I still do just not as bad. Tuesday (day 6) I could hardly walk. Then I had forgotten to take my senekot the nite before and developed SEVERE GAS PAINS along with constipation Tuesday morning. It hurt so bad I passed out (not sure if I really passed out or not) and fell between my living room and kitchen because of the pain. Just like you see in the movies I crawled across the floor to get my cell phone that was on top of my kitchen counter sweating the whole time. I was so scared. called my doctor and she wanted me to go to the ER but I told her it was because of the severe gas pains but if it happened again I would call 911. Its horrible being alone thru stuff like this. Have alot of friends but they work so far away. In any case I got the gas and the constipation under control and yesterday seemed to feel better after I ate something after taking gas-X and mylanta 1st. I've been on the phone 4 times with my doctor since this taxotere treatment. I'm a mess!!! I bruised 2 of my toes, twisted my ankle & knee when I fell and slowly "hobble" through the house. I'm going to take the rest of the week off and see how I feel this weekend. The nurse told me if should get better that most people do better on Taxotere then on the other but she has seen it be the opposite too. I guess I was really lucky not haveing problems before.

My nails are still there but are so tender right now. It's hard to tell whats going on with them because there isn't one thing on my body that isn't hurting. I did buy some "tea tree oil" to use on them once they start getting weird looking. I've been told by several people that works great.

Even all my cats know something is going on with me. Animals really have a sense and can really tell things are about to happen. They also know when things aren't right with you. I was in bed yesterday most of the day & normally 3 sleep with me at night. Well yesterday I had 6 in bed with me. Rather hard moving around sometimes but I still love it.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday....take care

Cheryl

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since my first (and last post). I had a RtMRM on Nov.28th. I still have the drains (yuk) b/c I am still putting out 75 cc's a day (disgusting). I cannot wait until they come out and I can drive and bathe.
I had 7 out of 14 lymph nodes test positive. When the drains come out, do you develop lymphadema right away?
Having drains did not keep me from climbing a ladder to decorate our 9 ft tall tree. My hubby said he'd do it, but NOT my way, so I said "forget you, I'll do it myself!"

Liezel, Hope all is well with you. Let us know how the tax goes. What is the typical schedule of taxotere?

Tina, my TX sister,
How are you doing?

Take care all,
Michele with one L

Take care all

Susan, firstly I was so pleased to hear your health news. Yes it was good for my husband too – he is usually a very private person but he did well with the BC nurse and I think it is good for him to know he can talk to someone else – quite a break-through really. He never realised I asked her to talk to him, he sort of thought she was filling him in about me, which she was in part – we are devious aren’t we us women?! I am working very hard on mind over matter at the moment – been talked into a hypnotherapy session at the centre I have begun to attend. I did visual relaxation this morning. I was talking to a lady about this mind-over-matter business, she had been given just months to live with ovarian cancer – this was 15 months ago and the specialists are amazed at her progress. Any thoughts on this mind over matter business folks?

Norine I have also tried a couple of sessions of Reiki. I have yet to get to the massage (through aromatherapy) but my Onc said she has to stay clear of my arms because of the mastectomy and thrombosis – something about the oils I believe – all new to me this relaxation stuff. I just know the little bit of complementary therapy I have already received at the centre would have cost me a fortune had I been paying for it – I’ll give it a go.

Michele (with one L) – glad you got your Christmas tree up successfully – just some things men can’t do as well as us women.

Tina – I have succumbed to sleeping pills – I do need my sleep – everything seems so much worse when so tired.

I am doing a bit on online tutoring (done before and comfortable with) which is keeping my mind a little active and is not too taxing – I am thoroughly enjoying it and they can’t see what I look like – I am really enjoying this.

Speak soon.

Sandra from the UK

Susan...I've just started my hormonal treatment--femara. What is really curious is that the nurse said 'let me know if you tolerate this, if you don't we'll switch you to arimidex'. I've tried to read up on all the studies but can find nothing that really applies to me. I was not menopausal until the chemo. I also wonder if I'll stay in menopause. My onc says that if I don't, they will switch me to tamoxiphen. He is certain I will stay in menopause as I am 49. We'll see. Went for a bone density test yesterday to get a baseline as this can cause bone loss.

Peg...congrats on being done with chemo. You're right, you don't feel done until you don't have to go to when your normal appointment would be....

Here's hoping everyone is going to be able to find some time to enjoy the holidays. Just remember to keep faith...tiz the reason, for the season.

Janet

Last drain out this morning...things are looking great...just one more follow-up with the surgeon on the 21st then back to the oncologist.

Just a quick note between things on this very busy week,
Tina

Hi all...

Peg, Hurrican Laura is so funny! Some children are whirlwinds and there is nothing you can do about it. My daughter is up to her eyeballs in studying for her exams. She isn't sure when she will be able to come home, but I can assure you that I will get a phone call at the very last minute.

Tina, yea on the drains! Keep healing and take good care of yourself. When do you resume the Taxol?

Janet, there was a large breast cancer conference in San Antonio last week with lots of new studies about AI's. The news is good for anyone in menopause: chemical or naturally induced doesn't seem to matter. Some of the best results seem to be for women that have 2.5 years of Tamoxifan and then switch to AI's.

Sandra, mind over matter when used with the words cancer makes me nervous. :-) I am reluctant to make us, the patients, responsible for the fact that we randomly got breast cancer. The idea that if you have a 'good attitude' you won't get sick seems to 'blame' the patient. My Aunt had a great attitude, but the bone mets killed her. On the other hand, I do think that we have some control over how we approach our illnesses, and perhaps attitude can reduce side effects, etc. And yet, even in our small September Group, we have people whose side effects are way beyond controlling mentally. Can you see how conflicted I am yet???

This week I had [count them] EIGHT medical appointments and started on the AI's. Colonoscopy and uturian ultrasounds look good, and the genetics counselor has approved my application. I am part of a Phase 3 study to compare Aromasin and Armidex for both effectiveness and side effects. I was randomized into the Aromasin group. Peg we can compare side effects.

Radiation fatigue has set in and I haven't found the energy to go shopping for gifts. Heck, I don't even know what I would buy my family if I had the energy! Only nine more radiation sessions to go! The end is in sight.

Hope you are all well,

*susan*

Hi everyone

I havent posted for a while, but always read everyone elses posts.

I am still on FEC, have #6 on 28th, two more after that one, so I will finish chemo the first week of February.

Apart from the fatigue I have been fine, and seem to have got off very lightly compared to some of you ladies.

I did have some fluffy white growth on my head, like baby hair, but I didnt like it so I got my hubbie to shave it, I wont have proper growth until I finish chemo anyway.

Sandra
I believe in the power of the mind. Have you read any good books on the subject? I would be interested to know if you have.

I hope everyone has a Great Christmas.

Maxine

Sandra,

you said "get into the art of relaxation, perhaps becoming a little more selfish and to educate myself to give myself more ‘me’ time"

Isn't this interesting? This was my goal for this year! I was determined to do several things during my child's first year of college:

1. Redefine my marriage so it wasn't all about raising the kid, and move back to it being about us.
2. Find time to reconnect with friends, new and old; Spending evenings going to dinner with girlfriends, not just couples.
3. Take the time to think about me.
4. Work less, make more.

I didn't need BC to know that my life was out of balance, and here I am, depending on my friends to help me out. Spending less time working [though making far less.] And my marriage has become about us without any effort. Nothing like a life-threatening disease to make a couple to look at each other in a new light!

I look forward to seeing your journey towards a new balance. Keep us posted! There is so much to think about.

All the best,

*susan*

Susan,

It is hard to tell a 13 year old there will not be any Christmas. Unfortunate for myself my entire family is in Oregon and Washington state. I am hoping next year we can go for Christmas up there. This year my dad had hip replacement surgery and I had a double mast...kind of hard to get together.

I am not buying for one person...had it not been for the generosity of others my daughter would have nothing.

Some day I hope to give back....for all the kind people out there who have stepped up to the plate in my time of need (this is very strange for me..as I am normally the one helping others...)
Tina

Hello September friends,

Tina, glad to hear the drains are out and I hope your recovery is going well. I just finished visiting with a friend from work who brought over meals and treats for my kids, and I'm thinking about your comments about the generosity of others. In the last year I became a single mother of three and was diagnosed with breast cancer. A few months ago I was thinking about how hard it was to accept help, not even mention asking for it. Until someone pointed out to me that it's a gift to others to allow them to help. I've been amazed at how much love and support have come my way in ways I would not have imagined. And others will need us in the future, too. I'm sending my wishes that the taxol is gentle with you.
Sandra- It seems like you hear that mental state is so important in cancer, and I think that anything that relaxes and helps with fear is invaluable. When I read stuff that makes it sound like we have total control with attitude I feel frustrated because I don't believe we do...there are so many factors involved. Today I visited with a friend who is dealing with lung mets who always has been an upbeat person, I don't think cancer changed that. I think the most important thing is to do is take care of yourself the way you define it, isn't always as easy as it sounds!
Peggy, so glad to hear you feel done! Think you and I are on roughly the same schedule. Finished my last dose dense taxol on Dec 15. I wore a tiara during treatment, what a day. Am having the aches still today but knowing they are the end is so much more tolerable. Going to start radiation in about a month, getting port out first week of January-hooray. I'm going to the naturopath on Wed to see if acupuncture can speed the numbness from the feet and hands. Going back to work in 2 weeks and looking forward to the normality again! Although I'm not sure "normal" is what it used to be.
Wishing everyone healing and relief from symptoms,
Lisa

Happy Christmas everybody!

Not very Australian (snow and all) but cute nonetheless! Sound helps, too.



http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=0212320003

Tina, i hope they get the fluid under control.

Susan and Peggy...I started my Femara last week...after three days I had bone pain that woke me up at three a.m. (not that hot flushes don't wake me up throughout the night). Aleve seems to help and we'll see if my body adjusts. I'd like to hear any reactions or side effects you experience.

Hope EVERYONE has a wonderful Christmas...keep Jesus close in your heart!

Janet