Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

I was told by all my docs that a lumpectomy and mastectomy have the same rates.  My BS made a point of telling me that we could do a mastectomy but he would not be able to get all the breast tissue since it extends into your rib cage and back and it would be a false sense of security. An rads would still be part of the treatment.  I chose  a lumpectomy/chemo/rads and oomph.  Everyone has to make the best choice for themselves.

Jersey- With you on the wig thing.  I wore mine out for the first time today and felt like a phony.  I got more used to it but it was hot/itchy. I stay home most of the time and I'm on disabilty and don't have to go back to work till March so I am in scarves all the time.  I don't know what I would do if I had to work right now.  Feel Better!

Hi everyone

 It has been awhile since I posted.  I have read all the posts (to try and keep up!) and I am glad to see that most people have been better than me at posting, sorry.

Sarah - I am in Canada also.  I also was not given a choice between a lumpectomy or a masectomy but was told I would be getting a lumpectomy.  At the time I thought it was an acceptable option because my BS was sure I was Stage 2.  After surgery I was told I was Stage 3 and triple negative.  Would I prefer the masectomy now ...probably.  Am I getting BRCA testing ...you bet.  Will I have more surgery if it comes back positive ... absolutely.  Things are done differently here than in the US to be sure.  Sometimes for the good I guess, sometimes not.

I also have alot of pain still in my lumpectomy/auxilla node area.  I went for PT way back in July which helped some.  There are some exercises that you can do (stretching) that will help alot. With me it is the cording that is causing the pain.  When I stretch the arm against a wall several times a day I do feel better.  I would check with your health plan to see if you have coverage.  If you do go for PT I would do what I am doing.  I was told to find one who was trained in Vodder school (www.vodderschool.com) and find a therapist that was a registered massage therapist and that way if your plan doesn't cover PT most cover massage. The vodder school PT are trained in lymphodema massage.  The first PT that I went to in July was not and she gave me a very rough massage (not good at all!). I am going on Wednesday to get basesline measurements and more exercises to make the pain in the area better.

I have not gotten sick yet (knock on wood) however on days when I felt something was brewing I took Zinc (10 mg tablet) daily.  I asked the pharmacist and he said I could go up to 40 mg daily which seems like a lot to me. The most I have taken is 20 mg when I was sure I was getting the kids colds.  Has anyone else been told that this is safe?

 CJRT - Sorry to hear about your friend.  Somedays you look around you and feel sorry that you are the only one around you going through this crap (with the exception of all you supportive ladies) and then one day someone close to you tells you they have it and you wish you were the only one around you going through it.  My girlfriend has also been diagnosed with IDC shortly after me and I am so sad that she has to deal with this also.  But then I think of the plus side.  I will be almost done my Chemo when she starts hers and I can help her and then I feel better about it.

Kate - Congratulations on the chemo working so well!  It sounds like you have made a good well thought out decision for yourself regarding the masectomy.

My life this past week has been fairly normal that is the new normal.  The new normal is that I have pain in both sides of my chest (left side port, right side surgery), I am tired and ever so slightly nauseaus all the time, and a new twist (neupagen) I have hip and back pain if I sit too long.  BUT I can do everything I did before I started Chemo and more.  I got my kids outfitted and organized for Halloween (next treatment day for me too Maggie!), I cleaned up my very scary basement and I am having people over for dinner once again!  

This is crappy to go through but I am grateful that I can come here and find people who are going through what I am going through and that we will all get through this together. I was so pumped when Kimberly wrote about Chemo finish dates and realized that I would be done my last Chemo on January 2nd.  My son's birthday is December 25 and my daughter's is February 7.  We usually do my son's in late January and I realized that I would not have to postpone anything and that really made me happy! 

I hope everyone has had a great weekend.  Take care.

Karen

Kayrem- You are 100% right about how I feel. I'm so sorry your friend is going through it too, but that is great you'll be able to help her when she is in the trenches. Glad you'll be able to celebrate the kids' birthdays on the same schedule you are used to...definitely gives something great to look forward to.

 Belle- So sorry about how awful you are feeling. Hope you are feeling better soon.

RJ -  BIG HUGS.

hi all, better day today,hope everyone else is having a good one,too. cleaned my utility room,yeeeah! my daughter carrie brought me some homemade choc. chip cookies mmmm.

tomorrow is chemo day,taking a couple books to read to pass the time.

Hi Ladies

Kimberly - yeah you are right I am doing better than last round.  It really makes a huge difference when you don't spend the first 24 hours vomiting!  I am still nauseaus with the horrible headache but not actually getting sick helps the getting back on your feet part immensely.   It is true what you say about pre chemo nesting. I am heading out tomorrow to stock up on the Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste in preparation for Monday.

Belle - I am glad today is better for you.  Glad you had the energy to tackle the utility room!

Rjbaby - Sorry to hear that you feel so crappy.  You are done number 3 so you are now over 1/2 way done.  One day at a time and soon we will all be done,  Sorry to hear about the boys in your town (especially your grandaughter's half brother). The whole cancer thing freaks me out but at least it isn't like you are here one moment and gone the next.  Even the ones of us who may not be so lucky to be cured will still have lots of time to say and do the things that we feel are important.  But when you die suddenly and you are only 15 you really haven't experienced much of life and it is pretty sad for a parent to lose thier child (it just isn't the way life is supposed to happen).  I hope things get better both for you physically and for the young boy in your family.

SPCMadi - I am glad to hear that you are doing better.  It is great that you have booked a trip to Disneyworld!  You have inspired me! I now think we may be going in May also (rather than waiting for October) because I need something to be excited about to get me through the rest of this crap.

Well I have to go buy Halloween treats tomorrow.  My son is going out as Harry Potter and my daughter is going to be a fluffy bunny.  My husband will be taking them out and my brother will be handing out candy and watching over me. And my job...is to lay back and try not to puke!  But that will be my last FEC treatment.  Then I have 3 Taxotere and I am done Chemo, YEAHHHH!

Take care everyone.

rjbaby: so sorry to hear about the accident.  That is horrible.  I feel deeply for the family that lost their son, as well as you and the other family that are dealing with the serious/critical injuries.  Horrible.  I will keep you and those boys in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry you are feeling so badly. 

Kimberly:Your are probably right.... I probably won't be able to have another child just because of the risk to me.  My dr. has already told me I would have to delay tamoxifen if I wanted to conceive which I don't think is in my best interest.  My husband and I spoke about this risk prior to chemo - really to see if we wanted to harvest eggs.  The answer is no.  We decided against that and decided if we couldn't have another child naturally we would adopt.  I guess I was just hoping to still have the opportunity. 

scpmadi:Congrats on your trip to Disney.  I love that place.  I love universal studios and islands of adventure too.  I cannot wait to take my son.  He is only 15 months so he has another 5 years or so. 

I have a question - if your squeamish about possible TMI... please stop reading now I have had 2 rounds of chemo with my 3rd next Wednesday.  My period was scheduled to start on 10/9 - which after my first chemo (9/21) but before my 2nd chemo treatment (10/12).  I got it early and it lasted a little longer than normal.  About a week after - mid last week - I started getting a very light flow - like a watery flow with a little bit of brown blood.  I am wondering has anyone had this? I kind of started to panic today thinking the worst that it could be cervical cancer.  I know that chemo can send me into early menopause and cause weird things with your cycle.  I plan on calling the nurse tomorrow and based on her recommendation scheduling an appt. with my obgyn.  But has anyone had anything like this?  I am concerned and curious and eager. 

Hello ladies.

 I threw up today for the first time this morning since chemo started, trying to get the drain going better with Drano, Liquid Plumber.  I have cleaned up dog puke several times and been OK on chemo.  Something about that smell, chemical, made me feel sick before, and today I lost it, one day before next chemo, ran to the kitchen sink.  Dry retch, retch, retch.

I often want to hide during this sickness, don't want to let anyone else in, but saw a cousin and my aunt who knew my mom very well, and gained a ton of strength with the laughter, understanding.  I don't know why I want to hide away when, no matter where they are, the strength just seens to flow from them.  One part of me gets emotional.  One part of me feels so good to get the love. Mostly they just make me laugh and we share stories, and it's good.

Kate - You have a beautiful child. You seem to have a really great husband.  I felt really shitty bringing up the hormone danger to you and asking if you were aware of it.  I hope you are able to add to your family and live a long, long life.

I have chemo tomorrow and with all of the emotions and intelligence of a child, I don't want to go.  With all the intelligence of an adult, there is not really any choice.  Chemo.  Down the hatch #3.

Thank you ladies for support on this thread.  I would have a hard time doing this alone.

Third of four today -- had to wait for a chair so was at the clinic for about five hours today.  Still, I checked and double-checked that I was getting the 20% reduced dose my MO called for.  So far I've felt kind of like I did after my first chemo -- heavy legs, zonked brain.  I am really trying to be strong this time and "will" the SEs to be milder.  Yeah, that'll work. 

 Kimberly1961 -- I know what you're talking about.  I didn't want to do the third treatment, and I told my husband I was thinking about stopping and going to radiation.  I was dead serious, and if my MO hadn't listened this time and reduced my dosage, I might have gone through with it.

So *hugs* to you and to everyone here who is suffering from these crappy SEs.

maggie, i don't mean to make you scared of a/c,hopefully you won't have these side effects. it affects everyone different. regardless, we can and will get thru this.

i, too, am so thankful for the support on this thread. here's to less and less side effects for everyone!

going to bed,taking a compazine,sleeping pill hoping for a good nite'ssleep. nite all.

Hope you all are doing well tonight.  I have a question I was hoping somebody could help with.  I have my last DD AC this week and then I will start the Taxol in 2 weeks.  I was wondering what to expect?  My MO said I should take it better but the pain will be worse but I should feel better overall.  Did you find that?  I feel like I did when I just started. Any tips?

Wow, you are all very good about posting!  I am feeling somewhat "normal" since Friday, still tire easily and have really weird appetite.  I had last period on first day of chemo and haven't seen any physical signs since (I am 49).  Not sure what to expect.  I cut my hair really short after first tx, I still have some hair, I am wondering if anyone else does and if that will fall out or not????  I am so dreading tx #3, next Monday!  I think I know what to expect and I hate it!!!  I know how you feel not wanting to go to #3!!  Seems like it should get easier, but really seems harder!!

♥♥ Sara ♥♥ 

Bluejay- Hope this round is easier with the reduced dose.

Kimberly- Hope tomorrow goes well and so glad you had a nice visit. Definitely understand the mixed feelings of isolating verus being with those we care about who uplift us.

RJ- So glad you are feeling better and so sorry to hear about those boys.

Belle- Hope you are able to get a good night's sleep and wake up feeling good.

I also agree with everyone about how wonderful this group is and how it helps me feel connected when I am at my lowest. I hate knowing that others have to go through this too, but find you all so inspiring. Thank you!!