August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

Summergirl, learning about lymphedema -- how to recognize it, what to do if you develop problems -- can really help reduce the fear. How about asking for a referral from any doctor on your team for an evaluation by a well-trained lymphedema therapist? Here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

A visit with a therapist will give you baseline arm measurements for future reference, personalized risk reduction tips, instruction in a simple prophylactic lymph massage, and fitting for a sleeve and glove or gauntlet for travel and exercise. 

One of the problems we face as bc veterans is that medical professionals often lack training in lymphedema and accurate information. While it's true that weight gain can increase risk, it is only one of many risk factors, many of them unpredictable. Many of us on the lymphedema board here are small, trim and fit. There just are no "safe" assumptions about risk, which is why a trained lymphedema professional can be so helpful.

Deodorant use has no relationship to lymphedema risk that I know of, though anything that irritates your skin can be a risk.

Gentle hugs,
Binney 

Tomorrow is it! Very last time! I go this afternoon so they can mess with my port so that it will hopefully work better tomorrow! I'm so excited to be finishing, but I still don't feel like I've fully recovered from the last time, so I really don't want to do this again! DD 31 is taking me, and then to the genetic counselors on Monday. Next Thursday is simulation and CT for radiation.

Working this afternoon. Trying to close one more case! 

I had no 4 yesterday, 2 more to go.  The SEs havent really hit yet, although the nausea seems to be worse this time.  I don't get steroids only at the infusion, must depend on the mix you get. So I am tired.  However, I was really pleased, all my levels were up yesterday from the previous time.  My Hgb was up as were the WBC.  Go back this afternoon for the nasty neulasta.

summergirl , I always had my menstrual , even now through chemo..and I always had an irregular cycle..now it's SO regular that it drives me up the wall really! Everyone told me , no period during chemo , and after I'll go on fake menopause for 5 yrs..ummm , apparently NO.So far it's pretty normal although my onco is amazed my body is able to produce enough hormones for period.

Thxs Rogyn6463 , I know I shouldnt panic but as my periods were always like clockwork every 28 days until I had my surgery and then they stopped , I started thinking all sorts of stuff Im probably just panicking over nothing but this stupid BC has made me like this ,  I will call them tommorrow .

Hi.  Does anybody have problems with their tongue?  I had chemo last Thursday and all this week my tongue has been "raw" and burning, like it does if you eat soup to fast, only it lasts longer and is worse.  I can hardly enjoy eating food.  Is this an infection or normal?  I dont have a fever, its just irritating.

Congrats to Robyn!  I hope you treat yourself to something wonderful after all this (a pink Lexus?); you deserve it! 

Tanya--I just finished round 4 last week and my mouth has felt exactly as you describe since the first round--raw, sore but weirdly numb like I've burned it on hot food.  But, like Robo47, it hasn't stopped me from eating!  Mine has just become a kind of gnawing inconvenience, but if it's really hurting you, get some of that Magic Mouthwash Michelle mentioned.

YaYa5--are you out there? are you doing okay? Today is Day 7 of round 4 for me, and I feel much weaker and shakier than I have on Day 7 of any other round. How 'bout you? Geez, I hate to think what round 5 will be like.  I can't think that far ahead.  One day at a time, right?

Love and peace to all.

Hmmm... a pink Lexus??? Not a bad idea. I think my husband might approve of that before the golden retriever puppy I've got in mind! He's been such a jerk lately...I'm so disappointed in many members of my family, I've got to just focus on the friends and family that have been there and been SO supportive! I should have remembered that when my Mom was sick, I was on my own taking care of her, nobody else stepped up, so why would they do it for me now? My oldest daughter has done a lot, as have a couple of friends, but the people that disappointed me when my Mom was sick have disappointed me yet again. Why am I surprised?

At any rate, today is it! Last treatment! Woohoo! They accessed my port yesterday, and I've still got the needle in. Does anyone know if I can shower with this thing? I think I will, 'cause nobody said not to! Anyway, it should save the three hours it has taken to get the port working each time. I think it's the nurse. Every time she tries it we mess around for 2 1/2-3 hours, but two other nurses have managed to access it immediately. She's very nice, knowledgeable, and otherwise very professional, so I feel funny saying something, but could this really be a coincidence? 

I can't wait for this to be over! Then I can think about getting through radiation! It's going to happen soon! 

Have a great day everybody! And thank you ALL for being there for me when I need it! I would never have made it without this group! 

binney -thanks for the info on Lymphedema -I was actually going to ask you that mysel!  I had 26 nodes taken and now I am upset after hearing that its not necessary....but I did have 3 positive (lumped togethr, so maybe more)  I go to PT, but I am thinking I need more --I am numb to my elbow, and of course its my primary arm.  I am just upset b/c I don't know if I can do my normal things -paint, garden etc....I am always checking my arm!!!

Hey Ladies - so need to vent .... I finally picked up the cold my 3 year old has been hanging onto for the last week.  I call the MO office first thing this morning to find out if I can take any OTC cold medicines.  Of course, I have to leave a message for someone to get back to me so I leave my cell number since I am at work.  Just got home to find out that they returned my call at 10:30 this morning to my home number!  So frustrating!  Especially since when they call to remind me about my appointments that the call both home and cell.  And now the office is closed....

So do any of you know if we can take any sort of cold medicines?

Congrats Robyn on being done.  Yay you!

Hope everyone has a great weekend.  I spent all last weekend in bed so this one has got to be better.  Have my first round of Taxol next Wednesday.  Not really looking forward to that. *sigh*

DONE!!!! And today went so much smoother than before, 9-12:45 and I was done! Much better than the 6-9 hours each transfusion has taken while they messed with my port! I know I'm about to feel cruddy for the next few weeks, but this time I don't have to cry and find the courage to do it again, so I think maybe a more positive attitude will help me deal with it all.

On Monday, which will probably be my worst day, I meet with the genetic counselors. MO and I decided today on an oopherectomy in January, regardless of the genetic testing. That test will now simply determine if the uterus goes with the ovaries or not. She wants me to get rid of the estrogen production completely, and I agree. It makes a difference on my meds, too, 5 years instead of 7. And less of a risk of bone loss. I don't know what I'll do about my breasts if I've got the gene yet. I'd like to keep them, but it depends on my risk I guess.

Thursday I have the simulation, tattoos, CT scan, etc., and my friend Susan showed me the room and machine and told me it really isn't all that scary. I shouldn't need anti-anxiety meds, but I can take them if I want, and she'll make sure I get home safely one way or another. She REALLY helped alleviate some of my fear! She's AWESOME! (My oldest daughter's MIL happens to be the receptionist at the radiation cener),

Hmm..what else. Port out in 3-4 weeks. Thank God! I can see the eye doc in December, my eyes should be back to "normal" by then. 

Doc actually wrote me the presciption for the drugs I'll start taking in January, to help me use up my flexible spending plan balance for this year, I've got stuck with almost $800 left in there, so this might help. So will the glasses. 

Flowers from my oldest daughter today, and the flower delivery store just called for directions, so more on the way. I got an awesome book in the mail from a co-worker, a couple of cards. It's really been an awesome day overall. It's a good thing, 'cause my husband's still being A HUGE JERK! But Doc agreed, the golden retriever puppy is an awesome way to finish this up. She's going to get one from the same litter:-) 

Hang in there everybody! WE WILL ALL GET THROUGH THIS! 

YAY Robyn!!!!!  Woo Hoo...another one of us done this journey!  One month from tomorrow and I'll be done too!

Hi everyone - I'm about 9 weeks into chemo now (4 DD AC complete and 1/12 taxol), and at the ripe old age of 39 the menopause symptoms are kicking in big time.  The worst of it for me has been the insomnia - I haven't slept more than about 5 hours a night in 10 days.  I started taking Ambien 3 days ago before bed (5 mg), but it doesn't seem to be helping.  Ativan doesn't work for me either.  Anybody else having issues?  Any suggestions for dealing with the insomnia?  I am so exhausted.  I'll be going on Tamoxifan after finishing chemo, as well as either lupron or oopherectomy, so I guess I'm going to be dealing with this for a long time to come.  Breast cancer - the gift that keeps on giving.