April 2011 chemo

Sarah, my surgery was 8/29 on the left side.  My left arm doesnt hurt, but the underarm area is for sure kind of numb - feels weird - and I do get some prickly feelings.  I have some neuropathy in my fingers and the left side is a little worse.  Did you have the axillary dissection?  I did.  Also, I feel that the left breast is a little swollen, too.  I am more worried about radiation encouraging lymphedema!

Do talk with your docs!!!!

BTW, I have realized that the docs are guessing about all this and not everyone agrees!  Thank heaven my three docs talk to each other!

Windlass - yes I've had 4 x AC and 12 x Taxol. Is this what you are getting too? Yes our stats are similar, except in your case Herceptin. Are you done with the chemo part? Thanks for the support.



Profbee - yes they are angry horrible zits. Today the right side of my face is quite swollen, especially under my eye. I look like I've been punched. I was going to wait to see my onc on Tuesday, but maybe I'll call Monday. Maybe I need some antibiotics. Glad to hear you are coping with AC.

Kiwimum: I got 4 ACs a few months back, and I get 4 Taxoteres now (instead of the weekly Taxols). I wanted Taxol, but the TDM1 trial specified I had to get Taxotere. Taxotere has not agreed with me at all, but I am going to perservere and try #2 on Wednesday again anyway. 

Who else did Taxotere here?

Suzy, GeocacheLinda, Kiwimum, Artiecat - we are all in the scary IIIc club. I don't know about you gals, but I am glad we have chemo available at all. Despite all the horrors, if we can kiss cancer goodbye and kick it to the curb it will have been worth every single side effect.

Blah. Woke up this morning and face is swollen on the side I have the red lumps. My eye is also swollen shut. I have just come home from the doctor. It seems they weren't zits, I have shingles.



I am totally p*ssed off. It's the never ending bad news health year. Roll on 2012 and renewed health!



Sorry for the moan. I hope you are all well and coping.

heres to a better 2012!! can't wait til new year!!we all need to celebrate!! my journey started in jan so yeah every month this years and into next year will have something to do with cancer. although it is easier what part i am dealing with it is still there, a big pain in all of our sides

i am on # 11 rads out of 32 so for me this is almost over but i already have my next mammagram appt and i am already gearing up for that in feb. trying not to worry about the future though but how can we not.... it is going to be a great monday warriors!!

Just ordered a new computer so I should be back on by the week end, I miss you gals.

One of the gals on the triple positive thread got shingles recently, too. Kiwimum - let me know if you want me to figure out who if you want some company/advice/etc. She said it was hell.

Yaya - how are you handling Taxotere? Did you lose your hair from it? Did you have serious brain lapses? Anybody else besides Yaya and myself getting Taxotere?

I'm getting it again in just two days and a bit nervous.

Miss you, too, Merilee!  Bummer you had to order a new computer, though.  But we'll look forward to you being back on here.

Windlass -- I'm doing Taxotere, too.  It has NOT been the "cake walk" that my onco promised, but it hasn't been really terrible either.  I just generally feel like crap most of the time.  I can still function; just don't feel too great.  My hair is coming back....ever so slowly.  I have #12 of 12 this coming Weds., and I am SO looking forward to being done with it.  Then it's on to rads after a month break. 

Hi Profbee

Thanks so much for your concern, I feel better just talking about it. I go tomorrow for my first radation appointment, I plan on talking to them a great deal about my fears of damage being done to the heart.  They have been giving me muga scans to check my heart during chemo. So far so good occording to them. I am just worried about the radation coming and if its worth it to my heart.

Artiecat

My surgery was Feb 1, 2011. Yes I had it. I had 4 lodes taken out and they were cancer free. Can't understand why that breast would be twice the size of the other one. The last time I said something about it back in July they said it was nothing. Just still healing. Now it's even bigger and the arm on that side is bigger than the other.

 Scc218  Glad you are feeling better.

Kiwimum So sorry  about the shingles. That's all you need. Sending healing lights your way.

Windlass  I agree about being glad we have chemo avalible, since they are saying there's a shortage of some of the cancer  medicine.

Pawprintgirl24  Here's to a better 2012. Same for me this year. Oct is breast cancer month. Every month had to do with cancer. Maybe next year will be better.

Merilee  Hurry Back.

Sarah, I'm glad they're on it--you keep reminding them!    Could the bigger size on that side be lymphodema?  

Windlass, leave it to you to be so concerned for Rangermom.  You're so thoughtful.   

Artie: I refused to go through with my taxotere infusion that first week. (But went on to do it the week after that, and paid for it will the horrible brain side effects.) Other than that, no ... though I would refuse like crazy if I needed to.

Why? Are you thinking of saying no to something?

Artie, no not me, but then I think as a stage 2er, I have it easier.  I'm sure there are women on the stage 4 boards that have.  Is there anything you want to talk about?  

When you're ready, we're here.  Thinking of you tonight.

The WHOLE WAY!  I'm bringing it, Walt!

BernieEllen - I'm sure that's not the company you were hoping for. Fingers crossed it's not those same 3 every day. Perhaps a good book and iPod will be needed.



Artie - I tired to tell my onc I didn't want my last chemo next week. I figured that as I was missing this week maybe I could finish on #11. Definitely not he said. When youve got lots of nodes like me he wants every drop in me.



Me, my face is sore and more blistered and swollen today. It's just time now for it to go away. In a few days hopefully I'll have some improvement.