Is there a July 2011 group?

Hi Jamie so sorry to read about your uncle..hope you are good!!.

Today I had my second chemo and everything went well..I just hope I don't have so many SEs like the first one.

hi hope you feel better soon rabbit..all the best to you and to everyone...good luck to evryone who is having chemo tomorrow !!!

hugs and kisses toall of you!!

Hi ladies. I had treatment #3 of AC yesterday. I had my usual nausea yesterday and it's been better today, though I've had to take a few naps. I told my doctor about how wired I was last time since I had to take steroids twice a day for Days 2 & 3 (Day 1 I got it through IV). They suggested I take the steroids in the morning only for Days 2 and 3 and see how it goes. I also had my last expansion yesterday. Plus my stitches were finally removed (my surgery was May 25th, but they had to excise my wound on June 27th and restitch since it wasn't healing well enough), so I should be free to go swimming in about 2 weeks. I usually choose other forms of exercise, but now I plan on swimming because it's easier on the joints, no worries of shaving, and no hair worries.

On another note, my echo results are in and my output is 62% (55% and above is considered normal). I was a bit concerned about them detecting a murmer (that has never previously been detected) caused by leaky valves. It appears to be minor and shouldn't affect my chemo, but I plan to see a cardiac specialist after I'm done with treatments to make sure I'm okay. My onco was out yesterday, but I spoke with the PA and she said that my hemoglobin being low could bring it out more. Who knows. So my hemoglobin was 10.3 (they wouldn't do any transfusions unless I was closer to 8) and was 12.1 a month ago. I hope I can make it through my treatments. I'm also expecting to have a delay in treatment at some point due to my absolute neutrophil count. I was at 3.16 a month ago, 2.42 2 weeks ago, and 1.97 yesterday (1.5 is the cuttoff), even with neulasta shots each time. I am quite sensitive to chemo and when I had chemo for the molar pregnancy (that turned into persistent GTD), I had to stop it early due to dropping counts (no neulasta that time though). 

Since we're all sharing our stories....I'm 28 (29 in November) and last year when I was just 27, my husband and I wanted to have a baby. We found out on July 4th that we were pregnant, saw a heartbeat on our first ultrasound in early August and then on August 16th found out through another ultrasound that we had lost the baby. We were devasted. I had a D&C and then two weeks later went in for my followup with my OB. She told me I had a partial molar pregnancy and we'd have to wait to try again while my hcg was being monitored. Flash forward to October where my numbers stopped falling and I tried Acupuncture and Cytotec with little help (though the acupuncture helped with my anxiety). In December my hcg rose and I was diagnosed with persistent gestational trophoablastic disease and told I would need chemo. I had a CT scan of my pelvis and chest to make sure it hadn't spread. They cleared me of spread from my GTD, but completely missed my breast cancer (it was on the CT scan in November), which was at 1.5cm at the time. I finished chemo for the molar pregnancy on February 11th. We were told to wait 6 months to try again. The 6 months dealing with weekly blood draws, surgery, and chemo was very difficult for me on a number of levels. We were derailed in famly plans, I didn't have the "normal" miscarriage that people could relate to, and I felt like I couldn't find support from people because most hadn't heard of a molar pregnancy and not all information available online was up to date or accurate, so I'd get people telling me to not try again for a year (as if they "knew" what they were taking about), which really upset me. After finishing chemo, I decided to start running to get myself through the next 6 months until we would try again. I was finally getting back on track.

This leads me to this phase of my journey. 2 months after finishing chemo for the molar pregnancy I found the lump in my right breast. I wasn't going to take any chances and was seen right away, but I also felt like I'd been through enough that it was probably a cyst. After all, I'd hit the jackpot with being 1 in 1500 to get a molar pregnancy, then again with being among 2% of partial molar cases to need chemo, and again when I had to switch chemo drugs when the first didn't work. But apparently I hit the jackpot AGAIN with being among the rare company to get breast cancer in her 20s. I keep telling myself the "rare" has to stop here and that I'm just getting it all out of the way in just 1 year and that the future holds better days and experiences for me. 

I wanted to share my whole story because my molar pregnancy experience was in many ways more emotionally difficult and has also prepared me to be stronger for this journey. That doesn't mean I don't have my "why me" days or other difficult days, such as the day I was diagnosed, the day I was told to wait FIVE years to try again for a baby - with the ticker not starting until after chemo, the days leading up to my mastectomy, the days leading up to losing my hair, and other days when I just don't feel good and wish I could wake up and have it be October. But the support system I lacked during my molar pregnancy is now here. Everyone has heard of breast cancer and so they recognize the seriousness of this illness. One of the tough parts that others have already expressed here is when others tell me how "strong" I am and it makes me feel like I have to comfort others through their emotions and that I can't have a breakdown every now and then. But I think it's good to have a cry once in a while if we need it. It doesn't make us any less strong. It's a release of emotions and negative energy and then we can get right back up and be strong. And I agree, we're strong because we have to bed. We have no choice but to move forward no matter how hard it is. But I do know there are others in my life who wouldn't be able to handle this diagnosis with the same strength and grace that others on this site have shown. 

That said, with my molar pregnancy experience, I had more difficulty after my chemo than I did during and part of that has to do with the fact that I was so focused on getting better that I didn't have time to do any grieving during that period. I expect the same to happen when I finish my cancer treatments and have to start my 5 year sentence to try again for another baby. I mentally am already telling myself I will aim for 2 years of Tamoxifen and see how it goes. It's a bit easier to accept than 5 years. But I just wanted to say that if you find yourself more emotional at the end of treatments, it's okay and it's normal. Thanks for letting me share my story. I appreciate you all sharing yours as well. 

For those of you wondering if you can get expansions during chemo, I was told that as long as blood counts are high enough, you can. I was getting them weekly until chemo started and then I was switched to every other week (same day as chemo treatments) as long as I had good counts. 

For those wondering about Neulasta, I guess it depends on doctor to doctor. I'm glad I'm getting it because my counts do take a beating and would be worse without it. 

I am starting to get curious about the Vitamin D deficiency. I keep forgetting (thank you chemo brain!) to ask my onco about getting mine tested. I do know I am borderline hyperthyroid (overactive), which of course is different from those of you with hypothyroidism. 

Jamie - I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. I was hoping things would look up for him. I'm glad close family and friends were able to be there. How is your husband's step-grandmother doing? How are you feeling?

Also, welcome to all the new ladies on this board. Sometimes it's scarier before you ever get chemo than it is to actually get it. Chemo of course is no walk in the park. I've had some very rough days and I get it every other week, with the first week being the roughest and the second being a recovery week, but the unknown is sometimes harder than the known. The best advice I can give for those of you who are just starting is to drink plenty of fluids and to communicate anything and everything with your doctors. They can help manage your side effects from treatment to treatment so that you don't have to suffer so much. Also, if you can walk even just short periods of time through your treatment weeks, it can help with fatigue, nausea, and headaches. 

 kk11, thanks so much for sharing your story with us, it's a lot to go through especially at such a young age, I kept thinking I was the rare one, the one in a million type person that if something can go wrong it will with me, I have had a hard time with medical issues in the past etc, but nothing compared to what you have been through. 

I actually have a friend that had a molar pregnancy, a port, chemo etc. but I haven't seen her in 30 years and we're supposed to catch up soon for lunch. I don't know much about the molar pregnancies, but I did google it, still don't understand much about it....

Can someone explain to me how to edit my diagnosis so I can put my treatment and a few things in it? I see how to simply edit it, but I can't seem to figure out how to add personally written stuff in it, if that makes sense.  

Kk11 thanks for sharing with us. You are truly an inspiration for me to continue this war. We will be victorius!

Thanks everyone.  I feel as my uncle actually passed on Saturday and the machines were just making him look alive.  He went very peacefully.  He will be having a full firemans funeral on Saturday.  He was on the department for 47 years.  The roads will be blocked and his casket will ride on the top of the fire truck through the town.  As they pass the fire department, they will do his "last" call.  They will have taps and a bagpipe player.  I think it will be beautiful.  My husband is off so he will be able to go with me.

My husbands step grandmother was released today.  They said they could not do open heart because she is too old and weak but they did put 2 stints in.  They did tell the family that this is a temporary help.

I am doing okay chemo speaking.  I am still tired and everytime I eat, I get a little sick but it passes pretty quickly.  I do have the stinking mouth sores on the corner of my lips again but I know they soon to will go away. 

As for my fills, my ps will still do them but we plan them for the week after my chemo.  I had 400cc put in at surgery. 3 weeks later I had 150ccs put in. 3 weeks after that I had 100 put in and today (3 weeks) I had 150ccs put in.  Today was my last fill!!!!!!  I am now at 800ccs and I must say the boobs are rockin'!  My clothes look awesome in that part, now if I could make the rest of my body match, lol.  My boobs havent been this perky since I had my first son at 18 years old.  I LOVE my PS. He kinda has my sense of humor so we joke around a lot.  Im not going to lie...at first I thought he might be a dirty old man but he is really great.  I like to laugh and joke around about things and he is right there with me.  I see him again after my last treatment which is August 30th and then we will do the exchange the next month.  So around the first of October.  I am hoping to have everything, including nipples, before the end of the year!  I do not want to pay another deductible or out of pocket.  Which was only 250 and 750 but I prefer to keep that money!

Good luck to everyone starting treatment!  I hope everyone has a SE free day!!!!

Thanks for helping keep my spirits up!!

Met with my MO today before my 2nd T/C tomorrow. Last round my WBC tanked (less than 1) and I went into general sepsis and had to be hospitalized. After Neupogen shots my WBC shot up to 3 times normal. It is now back down to within a normal range My MO decided to decrease my T/C dosage 20% so my WBC doesn't drop so low. She doesn't want to do the shots this time either if she can help it. It seems that my body over reacts to the neupogen. My hips are still sore a week later. This can give me leukemia like symptoms or even leukemia. The leukemia has occurred in one of her patients so she tends to be conservative.



I feel like my eyeballs are floating because I am staying very hydrated. Last time I took my steroids at 4 am and 4 pm and it didn't seem to affect my sleep. I'm doing that again this time.



Tomorrow morning it's a stop at Jamba Juice and then the grocery store for snacks before 8:30 Chemo.



Good luck tomorrow everyone.

well hear I sit at quarter after midnite with a post nasal drip that would choke a horse its really getting on my nerves. anyone have any home remedies for this. cant get to sleep cause of the gagging sensation in the back of my throat.

Misswim: I started losing my hair day 13, 2nd treatment was day 14, by day 16 I could not stand it anymore. I would stand in the shower crying, because I could not get it to stop falling out. So I got it buzzed that night. Thought I would cry, but did not shed one tear. In fact it was a relief. The first night with a buzz was uncomfortable, probably from the way our hair lays and the pillow forcing it another direction. But the second night was much better (not as much hair). I have hats and turbans, but so far the old fashion bandana has been more comfortable for me. So now I can't wait for all the hair (on my head) to fall out.

Jaime: Sorry for your loss, your uncles service sounds wonderful.

Misswim, ewa-swimmer, dexxy, snoopy - will be thinking of you all on treatment day today. How amazing to not feel alone in this. Let's kick some cancer butt!



Kk11 - thank you for sharing your story. You have been through so much, so young, and just when you are trying to start an important phase of your life. You are right, I am sure, about needing some time to grieve. I do hope and believe there will be many good things to come for you (and all of us). We just need to get through this first!

rabbit - you asked about editing your diagnosis line/signature. If you click on your own screen name, then Edit Profile, then scroll all the way down to the bottom - you should see a box called Signature. You don't have to fill in any of the other stuff on that page - only what you want. If you add something to the Signature box, it will appear above the diagnosis stuff when you post. I added my treatment schedule - would be great if others did the same - it is hard to remember all the different ones that people are doing!

Thank you ANA_424. I did change mine.

Jamie, I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you can spend time thinking about his full and wonderful life. Grief is necessary and important, but I am concerned that you might spend too much time in that place when your body is already so down.

I know so many people who went through huge illnesses as they were grieving a loved one also going through one. For example, my cousin was dealing with her husband dying from leukemia when she discovered she had breast cancer. She went through treatments with her husband in the hospital and sleeping on a make-shift bed by his side.

For the sores in the corner of your mouth, I take the tsp of baking soda/4oz water and gargle it. However, when I have those particular sores, I turn my head sideways and let the rinse pour out of my mouth, going over those sores in the corner of my mouth. It helped mine a lot. Hope that helps you!

Jamie - my thoughts and prayers are with you & your family. Sending you lots of positive vibes. Take it easy and listen to your body, when your body tells you to stop, do so and take it easy. Hugs to you.

I just came back from my 2nd TC infusion, so far i am feeling okay, i am just craving for some indian food LOL so my sister is fixing me something:-) she's a good cook:-) 

Somebody asked abt the Penguin colc caps, I am using them and so far so good, we;ll see how things go:-)

Take it easy sisters. 

Well, #2 DD A/C is done. It was uneventful though I did have a great experience I wanted to share. My yoga teacher came to chemo today. During the adriamycin push, which gives me major anxiety, she held my hand and led me through a guided meditation, and deep yoga breathing which was incredible. I really escaped my head for a moment and went to another place, surrounding myself in healing light. It was phenomenal. The nurses were watching and listening and were transfixed. When she was leaving, they approached her about coming back to do it again. They thought she was amazing. I am home now still feeling the sense of peace I had there.

So far, just a little fuzzy headed but otherwise feeling good. Hope all my other Thursday sisters did ok today.

misswim: That is awesome! That is what I try to do when I do MRI's, PET's, CT's, muga's - all those things that you lay on a table and hold really still. I love those tests for that experience now. My cousin said she does the same thing during those tests, except she does a meditation where she imagines she is with her husband who died from leukemia while she was going through treatment.

At my treatment tomorrow, I am supposed to meet with a nutritionist to talk through some of the ER+ eating issues. I wanted to find out more about what to avoid and what could help. I have some good books, but a lot don't address the hormone concerns very well.