Taxotere/Cytoxan starting July 2011

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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2011

    I got my hair buzzed while I was on vacation. We woke up in the hotel the first morning and hair was all in the bed. I was horrified, and embarrassed. We went to a barber shop and had it buzzed. Adventures in vacationing . . .

    First morning back at the gym after final chemo. It felt so good, especially knowing I should have no more down days that I have to skip the gym for.  

    My first appt with Rad onc is tomorrow, 10/4. 

    Peachy/Theatercat: wish you well this week. Just keep counting them down. They go faster that you expect.

         

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011
    Here I am at work with my new hair and everyone loves it!  LOL    Bad part is my customers are asking me where I had it done.   Wink
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  • rossileo18
    rossileo18 Member Posts: 245
    edited October 2011

    Peachy, that's great! Did you style your wig yourself? Then YOU are the wonderful stylist! Post a pic!

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011

    Okay,  changed my profile to me with my new hair!   I call this one Lola.   LOL   One of my customers at work said his wife had breast cancer and had 6 wigs and she named all of them a different name.   He said Brenda was his favorite!  LOL   So I named mine Lola.     I have another one I wear around the house,  that one is Bonnie.  Makes it kind of fun really.  

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2011

    Peachy, I love it!

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011
    Thank you AuntieNance!  Smile
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  • rossileo18
    rossileo18 Member Posts: 245
    edited October 2011

    Lola -- like your new look!

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited October 2011

    Gorgeous Peachy/Lola:)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Love the new look, Peachy!  My wig's name is Sheila, and I have ordered two more.

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011

    Thank you!   I feel like a different person!  :)     I ordered another one too PhillyBird,   Kind of like Lola,  just a little longer.   

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  • Snoopy73
    Snoopy73 Member Posts: 287
    edited October 2011

    Hello ladies!! I had my first radiation yesterday, it went well and uneventful. The techs and my Rad nurse are so nice and helpful. No skin issues so far:-) Just sooo tired (dont think its from the Rads though, had a fun and busy wkend, took the kids out on saturday then walked 6 miles for the Amreican Cancer Society's Making Strides against BC!!).

    Phillybird - you asked how the marking/tatooing process is.... my appt went on as follows - met with the Rad nurse practitioner first, went thru my meds, explained to me the Rad process, took my picture (then they give you an ID with a number and you have to present this to the tech everytime you come in to do your radiaition) etc this was for abt 25 min; after that I met with my Rad Onco, he went through the Rad process again, the short term SE and Long Term SE, how to prevent them, how to take care of your skin.. he explained abt the tatoo and how they look, that i can remove them after. He explained the research behind radaitiona dn how successful Rad has been in recnet years. Reviewed mt path report and explained to me how Rad will help ME to beat BC.. this was for a little over an hour. Then I was taken into a Rad room with the machine in the middle...I was asked to lay down on my tummy, my face looking down and my arms stretched out holding to 2 poles.... they positioned my and made sure i was in the correct postion. Then they asked me to lay still and they took some "films" first, then they told me that they are goin to be tatooing in 4 places (2 on my back, one under my arm and one where i had the lump), they told me this will take few mins... the tatooing is not painful at all!! mind you, i hate needles!! you jsut feel a little prick and thats it!! After the tatoo, they checked agian on their amchine to make sure that the markings are in place and that was it!! This took abt 30 mins.

    The simulation is basically a "dry run", its like you are doing the radiation but not really.

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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2011

    Peachy: you are gorgeous! 

     I met with my rad onc today. pretty much the same MO as Snoopy. I do my "dry run" on 10/4 and start my 33 sessions of rads on 10/5.  Oh, and NO antioxidants allowed during rads.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Snoopy and LadyBoss - Thanks for the rads update info!

    I am still having eye twitches and eye tearing, plus some irritation in my nose, even 15 days into cycle #4.  Must be the cumulative effect of the chemo.  So glad I do not have to do any more of that.  Still waiting for my new wigs to arrive. 

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited October 2011

    5 weeks after last chemo and I am still having this horrible rash:( now antihistamine don't work anymore. Only calamine soothes the itch but I cant possibly step out of the house all white and pasty!

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  • rossileo18
    rossileo18 Member Posts: 245
    edited October 2011

    Phillybird,

    I'm still having irritation in my nose and dry eyes as well as neuropathy in my fingers. Taste still isn't back to normal yet either. But come to think of it, two weeks after number 3, I still felt far from normal.



    I had my simulation this week and it was pretty different from snoopy and ladyboss's experiences. I was on my back, for one thing. The techs made molds of my legs and arms so that I could be positioned the same way each time. I got the tattoos too, but in addition, I'm marked down the middle of my chest from my breastbone down to my belly button with a red marker!!!! I feel like some kind of voodoo doll. Then they ran me through a CT scanner and it will take a week before my oncologist will have my radiation plan ready. So the very earliest I could start is the 11th.

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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2011

    FrancesC: have you tried taking your steroid for the rash? If the pill doesn't work, you may need a steroid cream.

    Phillybird: They are not going to mark me up until my "dry run" on 10/4. Although I don't think I am going to get that breast to bellybutton mark. I did get run through a scanner. That is how they make sure to get the marks in the right place.  I am going to do the rads on my stomach. My onc says that you avoid hitting the lunch this way.

    #4 chemo for me was not as bad as you ladies have had. I was recovered after a few days. No lingering problems.

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011
    Made it through chemo #2 today!   I am officially 50% through this and happy about that!   So far I feel fine,   but getting my Neulasta shot tomorrow at 1pm.    The doctor didn't think I would need it because my white cell count was so high. But since I tolerated it so well,  he would rather give it to me to be safe.   So that's Ok.   Got really sad news over the past 2 days,  a good friend I went to school with died suddenly,  he was only 45 yrs old.  His heart did not beat right and it took him from us 3 days ago.   Then today my father got a call from my uncle in Germany that My Aunt had passed away from heart blockages.   She was my father's oldest sister.    But even though my heart is heavy with sadness,  I was very up beat today and felt good about receiving round 2.  2 more to get through!   Smile  
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Peachy - Sorry about your friend and aunt.  It's tough to deal with sadness and death when you have to be super up and positive for yourself.  The whole BC thing has made me enjoy life - even the little things - all the more.  Glad your white count is holding strong.

    I am finally feeling better - twitching is gone and only a bit of eye tearing.  Food and wine taste great.  Mostly trying very hard to get up to speed on my new job - it's my fifth week.

    Looking forward to the rads planning and filming next week.  Really want to get all of this stuff behind me.

    Rossileo and LadyBoss - Thanks for all the updates.

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  • theatercat
    theatercat Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2011

    Hi, Peachy, I had no. 3 yesterday go back today for hydration. Just  some bad stomach cramps last night. hate getting neulasta does a number one me. I usually start feeling ill on sunday night will be taking emend this time.One more to go, then on to taxol which I hear is easier.

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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2011

    I am going on a retreat this weekend. It is called the Bluebonnet Retreat, and it is for adult cancer patients. It is sponsored by my hospital, and it is totally free. I am so ready for a weekend of rest and pampering. We leave today at 10:30a, and return on Sunday at 2p. I will let you guys know how it goes . . .

    Peachy:  Yea! Halfway done . . .  

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  • rossileo18
    rossileo18 Member Posts: 245
    edited October 2011

    Peachy, Hooray! Halfway done! Sorry to hear about your aunt and friend. Seems that life always throws you something unexpected on top of all the other stuff going on with BC, but it seems that youre dealing with it ok. Hugs to you.



    Looking forward to spending a week in Tucson to visit family starting Saturday. It will be my first time out of Chicago since I was diagnosed.

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited October 2011

    Enjoy your much deserved break Rossileo. Lady boss wow a retreat! Enjoy it too! Peachy half done, two more to go, yay! Theatercat you are seeing the finishing line too. As for my rashes, steroid cream also didnt work. I have resorted to taking dexa ( leftover from chemo) and will continue it for at least 3 days to see if it helps. So far after taking it this morning, it has improved a little. Done 10 rounds of rads. So far the biggest side effect is tightness and pain on my left arm. I do get tired too and need a nap after each radiation.

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011
    Thank you everyone,  tough time to get through indeed,  but staying as positive as possible.   Have to say I feel a lot better after round 2 then #1.    I was able to work today and then drive myself 45 mins to the doctor for my Neulasta shot.    Came home,  took a nap and I have a little heartburn,  but other then that I feel Ok.    Food has lost it's taste once again,  but managed to get some fried eggs, greek yogurt, and chicken tenders down today.   Staying hydrated with lot's of water and rinsing my mouth often with the salt & baking soda rinse seems to be helping out a lot.    I have a 3 day weekend to recover,  so hoping all goes well so I can return to work on Tuesday.  Smile   Wishing you all a good weekend!!!   
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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2011

    Glad to hear everyone is doing well. My retreat was great!  They spoiled us all weekend - lots of food, crafts, massages, a movie, a hayride, and a DJ on Friday night. Lots of crying, and lots of laughing. We all had one thing in common - C.

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011

    Sounds like a great weekened LadyBoss!   That's awesome and I am so glad you enjoyed your retreat!   You definitely deserved it!! 

    I sat outside for a while yesterday,  it was nice to get some fresh air.   I did well on Friday,  but Saturday was a little scary for me.   Trying to get my BP meds regulated around my treatments is the worst.   I started having heart palpitations Sat afternoon, and had to call the on call Dr for advice.   He told me to take my BP meds to see if that would help, and to call back if there are more issues.   So I took my meds,  took a shower to calm myself down,  because I think I panicked which made it worse.  And after that it seemed to be fine.   Had some dinner at Friendly's and walked around Walmart afterwards,  felt fine.   Got home, and around 10:30pm I went to go to sleep and it started again.   My BP cuff picks up irregular heatbeats,  so I knew it was off.    But I did have ice tea with dinner,  caffiene can't be good.   And then probably had an anxiety attack worrying about it again!    So finally about 1:30am I fell asleep and have been Ok since.    I slept really well last night,  and today I feel a tad loopy and tired,  but Ok.   My tongue feels fried once again,  and food tastes horrible,  but I can deal with that.   Hoping no more heart palps again.   That was scary....           Hope you're all having a good Columbus day weekened!  

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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited October 2011

    Peachy: please take care of yourself. Keep your stress level down. And I agree that caffeine is not good during chemo. And then you have your high BP. Just rest/low stress. You are still gorgeous!

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011

    Thank you LadyBoss,  and I  am going to try.  :)    (((hugs)))

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited October 2011

    Peachy rest well, don't exert yourself. I have stopped all caffeine during chemo and even now that chemo is over, I don't desire it anymore.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Peachy - hope you're feeling calmer now. 

    I had a PET scan today - which looked good to the RO.  We'll see what the radiologist thinks.

    Also did my rads planning - lots of black marker all over and four pinpoint tattoos.  Hard to make out the tattoos past all the freckles and black marker.  Ha ha ha.

    Feeling pretty good and thinking that I better stop eating out so much and start hitting the gym a bit more.  Been so busy with work and commuting though.  Once I start the rads next Monday, I will really have to be disciplined!  Getting zapped at 7 AM will mean going to bed way too early for me and getting up at 5 AM (also way too early!!).

    Anyone out there losing eyebrows?  Mine are sneaking off, one hair at a time. 

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  • peachy-pie
    peachy-pie Member Posts: 201
    edited October 2011

    Visited Urgent Care after work today,  heart raced all day long.  My pulse is usually 68-85 and had been between 105-114 all day long.   Feels like it's beating out of my chest,  so went to have it checked.    EKG was Ok,  sent me for bloodwork at the hospital.   The doctor just called and said bloodwork came back ok,  so they want to see me in the morning to check my stats again.   Also said to go to ER if this bothers me through the night.   First I was told could be because of the steroids,  but been off of them for 4 days now.  Now they're saying possible infection somewhere.   That scares me because I have 2 heart valves that have mild regurdgitation from taking fen-phen years ago.   This is scary,  not liking this at all.  :(

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