2011 Sisters

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited June 2011

    Thank you for the welcome TinaTand welcome to you Vickilf. I'm sorry to hear that things have been so bad for you Vicki. I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday and saying a prayer for you. My lumpectomy went much smoother than I expected...hopefully, yours will too.

    On my third day of rads...so far so good but I know it's early.

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Posting this as I sit in the chemo chair getting my first TX/CT treatment. Now the side effect waiting game begins. So far in this journey, I am utterly amazed at the level of support the American Cancer Society offers. Picked up a wig two days ago and signed up for the Look Good, Feel Good class.

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited July 2011

    I'm saying a prayer that your SE's are bearable!

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Thank you.

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  • TinaT
    TinaT Member Posts: 2,300
    edited July 2011
    Merlinda:  I received a number of calls from the American Cancer Society in the days between diagnosis and surgery especially with offers for different services, prostheses (didn't need-nipple sparing surgery with immediate reconstruction start).  The nicest thing for me was that they work in conjunction with the hospital's breast cancer navigation services where my surgery was done.  It was 125 miles from our home so they made hotel arrangements for my husband at a very nice place free of charge while I was in the hospital.  Ended up having to stay an extra day so that additional day was at a very discounted rate.  Was such a nice surprise to have it all taken care of!  They also had a program to help pay for gas since I had to travel so far, but we declined that.
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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    6 hours since my first CT, why am I craving popcorn? Only SE so far is constant drowsiness. Neulasta shot comes in the AM.

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Two days since my first treatment.  No SEs.  I almost feel as if nothing is going to happen.  I am prepared for the onset... but I am beginning to wonder.  Is this normal?

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  • Huskerkkc
    Huskerkkc Member Posts: 536
    edited July 2011
    Merlinda...wishing you the best with SE's and hope it continues. My bad days were always 3-5. Chemo day was easy (other than being in the chair all day), and day 2 was fine (wired from steroids I think). Day 3 was when Neulasta SE's kicked in. Also (sometimes, but not always) the constipation. Drink lots of fluids and consider a stool softener or similar for a few days. It can sneak up rather quickly!
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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Thank you sister!

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Finally after three days, the SEs began.  I have a stomach ache and my whole body is aching. Thank God there was no vomitting or diarehha. 

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited July 2011
    Merlinda...I'm sorry to hear they started. Hopefully they won't last long....
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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    This evening, the pads of my hands started blistering and hurt, also my scalp is feeling irritated.  I dont have a good feeling about the next few days.

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  • TinaT
    TinaT Member Posts: 2,300
    edited July 2011
    Merlinda:  I'm a non-chemo girl (Oncotype DX on the borderline but I opted out), but I still feel for you.  So sorry you're going through this.  Please take care of yourself!
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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Just notice that my abdomen is distended and I feel really bloated. Are there any suggestions for bloating. The on call doctor just called me back and said it was nothing to worry about and told to take mylanta or gas-ex.

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  • Nikisezz
    Nikisezz Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2011

    hi all. New to this site. I've had a bilateral mastectomy, lots of chemo, radiation, and looking at a year of hercepton. Glad to have all the tough bits over with, but I'll all I went through, I find myself becoming a big baby over the tamoxifen starting next month. Has anyone started that journey yet? Any SE? Thanks gals!

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  • Nikisezz
    Nikisezz Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2011

    hi all. New to this site. I've had a bilateral mastectomy, lots of chemo, radiation, and looking at a year of hercepton. Glad to have all the tough bits over with, but I'll all I went through, I find myself becoming a big baby over the tamoxifen starting next month. Has anyone started that journey yet? Any SE? Thanks gals!

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  • Fitz33
    Fitz33 Member Posts: 243
    edited July 2011

    Merlinda, what kind of chemo drugs are you getting?  Did you get a Neulasta shot the day after your chemo?

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  • TinaT
    TinaT Member Posts: 2,300
    edited July 2011
    Nikisezz:  Welcome!  Sounds like you've been through a lot already.  I started Arimidex in April so can't help you with the Tamoxifen, but there are threads devoted to the various hormone therapies.  I'm sure you'll find lots of help there.  Hang in there!!!
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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Taxotere/Cytoxan, yes Nuelasta the day after chemo.

     I currently have alot of flu-like symptoms.  I guess this should last 5 or 6 days. Dont feel like doing anything at all.

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    So today the bone pain is deminished, ut now I have a neck rash... Everyday brings a new symptom...

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  • Fitz33
    Fitz33 Member Posts: 243
    edited July 2011

    Merlinda, the flu-like feeling is common with chemo.  Keep track of your symptoms and write them down for your next onc appt.  It helps to write things down because with chemo you'll get so forgetful.  If anything comes up that you need to know about right away, call your doctor or email him or her.  I had a different symptom everyday too so I know what that's like.  I was told to take Claritin for 3 to 4 days for any bone pain from the Neulasta shot but I never needed it as mine went away in a day or two.  The neck rash is something else...you might want to call your doctor if it gets worse.  Every body is different so there's no way of knowing how many days you'll feel symptoms.   

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Symptom of the day:  HOT FLASHES!  I mean hot flashes like I have never had before.  Rash is still here and the pain is milder, but still here.  I am at Day 7, post Chemo #1.

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  • ssmith37
    ssmith37 Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2011

    Same here Merlinda!  It's unbearable sometimes.  I just posted on another thread about the hot flashes.  I have to keep wiping myself down with a cool, wet wash cloth.  I am also at Day 7, post Chemo #1.

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    SSmith37, let's keep up with each other...  Doc says I should feel pretty good during my 3rd post C/T week.

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  • groovygirls
    groovygirls Member Posts: 223
    edited July 2011

    new to the sisterhood- diagnosed 7/6 on groovygirl#1 birthday. I was diagnosed with IDC after TWO bxs in my left breats were positive. Both are under 1 cm but there are 2 of them that were not there a year ago. ER/PR+, HER-. I am 45- premenopausal with my only risk factor being female. These were not there a year at my annual mammogram. I am thinking about a RM for both. Needless to say- I am devistated and don't know what to do....My surgeon refered me to plastics...WTF what about oncology. I do have a second opinion at MGH beginning of August. I am on a preplanned 2 wek vacation with my family. I thought this would be a good thing but I really hate family dynamics! I would have thought my sister would be more understanding of what I am going thru/will be going thru.....can't pick your family like your friends

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Day 11 after, Chemo Treatment #1. Side effects have almost all subsided. I. Actually feel pretty good and my appetite is good. I am visiting the local ACS office for a "Look Good, Feel Better" class. My hair hasn't showed any signs of falling out... Not that I am looking forward to it, but I am beginning to wonder if it's really gonna fal out. Anyway, this is my daily update, I hope all of my sisters out there are doing okay.



    Until next time,

    Merlinda

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Day 12 and, just like clockwork, my hair is beginning to fall out. Glad I went to the ACS class yesterday. Now I am trying to decide if I should go ahead and have my family shave my head...

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  • Kymn
    Kymn Member Posts: 999
    edited July 2011

    Hi Merlinda, sorry you had such hard SE first go around, I was like that too. Its so odd reading your posts they could have been mine 4 and 1/2 months ago. I cant believe I have made it through and you will too before you know it. Glad you are here to let us help you pass the time.

    hugs Kymn

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  • Merlinda
    Merlinda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2011

    Thanks Kymm. I don't have any friends or family who have ever gone thru this. The information void sucks. So if I am going to go thru this, I at least want to share my ride with someone who can benefit from experiences. Without the undying support of my husband, I would be so overwhelmed.

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited July 2011

    Hey Ladies.  Groovygirl: sorry you are joining us.  Standard treatment is surgery first and then see a medical oncologist after surgery--when the final pathology is in--to talk about whether you need chemo or other treatment.  I had chemo before surgery because my tumor was (is) large in hopes of shrinking it down before surgery.  

    I have my last round of chemo on Monday and then will have surgery.  I meet with the surgeon on Thursday.  I'm anxious about it, but will be glad to have a date set.  I'm planning to go on vacation between chemo and surgery.  Chemo has been rough and my tumor has been stubborn and aggressive.  It is actually twice as big now as it was when I was diagnosed, but the center is liquid-looking, so they don't know if there has been any reduction in size.  Frustrating. 

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