April 2011 chemo

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  • Sarah246
    Sarah246 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 2011

    Hi profbee! Congratulations on finishing your AC. Are they going to give you both Herceptin and Tamoxifin at the same time? Because my doctor said I didn't have to worry about Tamoxifin until I neared the end of the Herceptin, whatever that means.

    I'm currently on Herceptin and the side effects are small. I have had tiredness, diarrhea and bone pain. But nothing as bad as the chemo. But still irritating. I don't understand where this pain and stiffness is coming from. If it is the muscles or if it is coming from the bones. I notice each doctor seems to say it can't be coming from what we are doing. It seems like they are all in denial about what side effects are involved with what they give me.

    Me, you and the rest of us will fight this together.

    Hi BernieEllen! Amen BernieEllen! Thinking of you.

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

    Anyone else look pregnant from a swollen belly? I had a little girl ask me at the pool if I had a baby in my tummy. When does that go away?

  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited November 2011

    Just checking in.. finished my rads on Thursday!  Got pretty burned in the armpit area and the skin is purple and peeling..  I discovered lump in my remaining breast.  They did an ultrasound and found 3 cysts.  Two are just regular but one had an echo in it. I have dense tissue too which is how my cancer presented in my removed breast.  Dr. thinks after chemo that there should be no cancer but I'm sure they will asprirate the funky cyst.  I go see the surgeon on the 9th.  I'm thinking I might just go ahead and schedule another MX so I don't have to keep dealing  with cysts and worry...

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Hi Sarah, i don't think i'm getting any more treatment after rads.  Nothing has been said.

    I'm TN so i don't know if i need the other stuff

    Bernie 

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    Geo-sorry you have another worry, no fair. Exactly why I had a dmx.

    Bernie, you have made it, you are rockin strong

    Windlass, yes to the fat belly on taxotere, Phazime helped me. And yes it does go down again after treatment is done.

  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited November 2011

    Thanks, Sarah.  That's great to hear. Yeah, I'm going to do Herceptin and Tamoxifin at the same time.  I don't know--that's what they said.  I can't believe I just finished AC and they're saying to start the Herceptin in like 3 weeks.  ugh.  Iknow it will be a way shorter infusion and I'm not schlepping to Boston for these, I'll just go locally, so it should be less of a pain...especially since the SEs are minimal, but I'm finding it hard to celebrate the "end" when I have a year of infusions to go!  Blerg

    Geo--oy, sorry about the worry.  I've gone back and forth so often about whether I should have done the BMX.  I'm hoping I'll feel better about them when they are squishy implants and not the hard, alien TEs.  They don't move at ALL and are hard as rocks..so they just don't feel like a part of my body.  But that said, I will likely feel way better with the squishies and those cysty worries won't be there anymore.  Anyway, one good thing is that insurance has to cover it if you decide to go ahead and do it.  (I'm pretty sure that's the case.)  Take care honey...such a stress.  Sorry about the burn too.  ugh.

    Windlass, my tummy is my problem area, so I feel like it's always like that!  ugh.  I doubt that mine will magically go away--without like sit ups or something.  

    Hi Bernie and Merilee! 

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Morning everyone, hope you all had a good weekend.

    Only two more burnings to go. Celebration time. 

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    Bernie, you crack me up ! LOL Especially with the name Bernie! Tuesday we will celebrate! You are Almost there, Hugs.

  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited November 2011

    Yeah, Bernie!  I'll be thinking of you.  Glad you only have 2 more "burnings."

    I start my "burnings" today -- #1 is at 9:00 a.m.  A tad nervous.  Went Thursday for measurements and "tattoos," and the machine and "vault" looked rather intimidating.  Hopefully it won't be so bad once I get started.  If all goes according to plan, I'll finish on 12/20, right before Christmas. 

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    Suzy

    Good luck today, really not that though at the start. Try to think of the beam as a healing light, it helped me to view it that way.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011
  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited November 2011

    Thanks, Merilee.  Good way to look at it.  It wasn't bad.  Glad #1 is over with.  Now I know what to expect. 

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Hi ladies, had the most amazing afternoon.  One of the ladies on another forum is over here on holiday and we met up today.  Just like meeting a dear friend, we only had an hour but ncould have talked all night.

    Our hubbies got on really well, that was good because we almost forgot they were there.

    The amazing thing is - we chat on here and think we only have The one thing in common - that is so not true, all sisters together.

  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited November 2011

    Nice one, Bernie.  SO true--man, we've all talked about everything under the sun!  :)  

    Merilee--I didn't do rads, but for chemo I tried to envision healing...then usually just fell asleep.  LOL!  I guess I'm not the best at the visualization thing.   

  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited November 2011

    What an awesome story, Bernie!  So very cool!

  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited November 2011

    Yay to be nearly finished rads Bernie.  I've had 11 and have 14 more to go.  Good luck Suzy!

    Congrats on finishing your rads Geocachelinda.  Let us know how you get on with those pesky cysts.

    I love that story Bernie.  Did any of you read ChrissyB's USA adventure thread? During her trip she stayed with and met so many ladies she had only chatted with on here.  You really did get that sense with her that everyone was an "old" friend.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    During Chemo I visualized my taxotere as a mean drug like sniffing vicious wolf who went in and tore the shit out of anything that even hinted at smelling like a cancer cell. Then I visualized the Cytoxen as a pacman going behind cleaning up that mess and carrying it out of my body.

  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited November 2011

    Hi All

    Stopping by to check in and say hello. Congratulations to all who are coming up to milestones in our marathon...wahoo!!!!!!!!!!

    I remember when I would read about people finishing up parts or all of treatment I couldn't imagine myself being there...it was all so heavy on me.

    Love hearing your story Bernie. You are all so familiar to me now, it's funny how you can feel an easy bond with people you've never met. If any of you are ever in my corner of VT come see me, I'd love to have you.

    XO

    Sue

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Hi sue, that's exactly how i feel about you all

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

    Last official chemo tomorrow - #4 of Taxotere. Then on to rads...

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Hi Windlass - glad to hear you are finishing chemo.

  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited November 2011

    Good news, Windlass.  Happy that chemo will be behind you.  I have rad#3 today.  So far, so good.  Hope it's smooth sailing for you.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    Windlass, your post brought a huge smile to my face, this is for you

     Image Detail

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    Regarding the bond, yes it is very real. Everyday I check these post to see if everyone is doing ok,. Windlass was right when she said before that when we are all through our treatments we should try to do a meet up someplace beautiful.

  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited November 2011

    Merille/Windlass -- that would be so fun!  Some beautiful tropical island perhaps?  With hammocks and beautiful beaches......

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited November 2011

    You got it Suzy

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Hi everyone.  How are the rads Ladies getting on?  I'm still sore but not too bad - red wine is an extremely good painkiller.

  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited November 2011

    Bernie, I've had 14 rads so far and skin is starting to feel uncomfortable and tender. 11 to go. I'd better try the red wine remedy. That's my kind of medicine.



    Yay for Windlass. It's brilliant to finally finish chemo. Its been such a long haul. I'm 5 weeks past chemo and I'm still so thankful everyday that it's over!

  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited November 2011

    Hi kiwimum, the rads do get to you but even though i have a burn it's not so bad.

    Windlass, great for finishing chemo.

    As for a beautiful place, you are all invited to my place 

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

    Updating my profile in a moment to put "Taxotere" into the "completed" category!!

    Yay!!

    (Now to survive the three weeks of misery that follows the infusion.)

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