October 2011 Chemo group

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited January 2012

    Going in for my 4th and final AC today!  Hoping the SE aren't too bad this time and then on to Taxol/Herceptin.  Can't wait to be done with the AC!!

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  • WIMusicMaker
    WIMusicMaker Member Posts: 78
    edited January 2012

    Congrats on your final AC dechi! I wish minimal side effects for you!

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited January 2012

    Congrats on the last AC...Taxol has its issues - but to me it is better than AC.

    I think I am going to try a support group next Tuesday. 

    Have any of you been and what was it like ?

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited January 2012

    Congrates on last ac. You'll like it much better. Did my 4th taxol today.have the munchies. Must feed

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited January 2012

    Happy do you mean like a real one that you met face to fave? I ve been thinking of doing same. Sorry about my spelling. My phone has mind of its own

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited January 2012

    Have been MIA for a while. Had my 1st Taxol 2 days after Christmas. However, I got a cold on Christmas Eve and still have it. It had me down worse than any tx so far. After 10 days of it, MO put me on antibiotics and steroids. They seem to be doing the trick. Atleast now I can get up and move around a bit.

    Fran, so happy you're mind is in a better place now. And yay for your brother in law!

    dechi-Congrats on last AC. I think you'll find Taxol easier. Longer, but easier.

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited January 2012
    Mary, regarding the metal mouth, for what it's worth, it helped me to switch to a baking soda toothpaste (more neutral tasting) and I found if I brushed my tongue a couple of times a day, it was better.  I have a lot of blonde facial hair, which thankfully stopped growing during chemo, but I still managed to find the occasional dark "old lady" whisker on my chin.  Why oh why, 4 1/2 weeks PFC,  is the only dark hair I have growing on my chin!
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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited January 2012

    AuntieNance-do your all done? no further rads? congrats if you are

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2012

    Tappy.. I go to a breast cancer support group. The first one was weekly for 8 weeks and now one and it's once a month. I found it really helpfull and met a few great women. I was the only one currently going through chemo there, but others had just finished. I learned lots of things from them about local programs that I wouldn't have known otherwise. we even had guest speakers on lymphoma sp? And a woman who sold mascectomy products. There was a big difference in ages as the youngest was 32 and oldest in her later 60s. But they were all women who were in there first year of being dx.

    I'm very glad that I went and would recommend going to anyone. Its nice to talk face to face with others who are going through the same thing as you. We talk about alot of the same things that are talked about here. I think that if you are thinking about it, that you should try it for a few sessions and see if it's for you. It may not be for everyone but if you don't try you will never know.

    Diane

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited January 2012

    fredntan, I completed rads before chemo, so all done (hopefully forever!) I start hormone therapy next week, which no doubt will present it's own challenges.

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  • WIMusicMaker
    WIMusicMaker Member Posts: 78
    edited January 2012

    Auntienance-Thank you for the advise. I do use Biotene and brush every time I eat something. I will try spending a bit more time on my tongue. I really think my digestive tract is just shot. It does seems to come and go with it being worse in the morning. I do need to drink more fluids too. I was given an increase dose of prilosec and I hope that takes care of the acid reflux. 

    I went to my radiation mapping today. I am now sporting 5 small tatoos on my back! For those heading to radiation next, it was a breeze. I start on January 25.

    The 4th chemo dose has really kicked my butt! I usually feel so much better my now. At least everything I am feeling is not too bad and I can put up with it.

    My return date for work was set today at January 23. I am only going back part time until a few weeks after radiation. I am so excited! The walls in my house are closing in on me. My DH and I have been getting on each others nerves. I want to start gaining that part of my life back. I also think the students will help with my recovery. Middle schoolers are a blast! My DD reminded me today that some of them will ask me where I've been the past 5 months, even though I have been very open about my cancer and sent multiple messages to them!

    Have a great night! Mary 

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    Hi, Ladies. Just caught up with posts and see that we will all (most) be doing rads together also. I haven't done any reading of those posts yet, one step at a time for me. It has to be better than chemo, though. I'm counting on all of us to help each other through that too! Nancy, you will have to let us know about the hormone therapy - what to expect, since you are starting it a little sooner.

    I have one more chemo in two weeks, so I can't wait until the worst of that is over in three weeks. I am so ready to be done with this poison stuff. This last tx (#5) has been hard, and at day 10, I am still so exhausted and weak I spend most of the day on the couch and that's fine with me - I don't even want to do anything. My fingernails are yellow and hurt all the time, and the sweats are so awful - beyond regular hot flashes.My teeth even got numb for a couple days. Emotionally, this time has been harder too. I cried so much and even now I cry almost any time I talk to someone. But, at least right now, I'm not really feeling sorry for myself. Just venting among kindred spirits. :-)

    One thing that has surprised me - after the first week of chemo is over, my appetite has been really good, and for healthy foods - meat, fruits, vegetables. I watch cooking shows on TV all the time. I used to hate to cook - now I can't wait to have energy to try new recipes. Go figure! 

     Keep hanging in, everyone!     Barb

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  • Moonflower83
    Moonflower83 Member Posts: 92
    edited January 2012

    Hey there,

    how are you doing? I feel a little bit...strange. My last TEC session will be in 10 days and I don´t know how to deal with it. End of chemo...end of security?

    I can´t imagine that my hair will grow back and that everyone will think that it´s over, that everything is fine again. Of course I get radiation. I have my first appointment with the radiation doc on monday and there I will be told when it finally starts and everything else. It is so unreal...I should be happy that chemo will be over, in the beginnig I thought I would be happy at this point. But I feel nothing!

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2012

    auntienance--you and I are on a similar path, I did rads before chemo and just strated on letrozole (generic femara) last week. Just read several pages of the Femara forum here, and boy is it scary! Crossing my fingers that I won't have bad s/e. So far so good but my onc said it takes a month to take effect, and that months 3-6 are the worst for joint pain.

    I'm about a week out from the end of my last TC cycle, and starting to feel like a normal person again. I still have a hard time getting going in the morning, but that's been true for about 30 years, it's just a little more pronounced now. ;-) I do have one fingernail lifting up...it actually smelled bad, so I've been soaking it in hydrogen peroxide a couple times a day. Painted my nails so I don't know what they look like now, they were looking gross which is why I painted them. 

    Also started the "couch to 5k" program this week, it's a 9-week, 3x/week plan to train for a 5k run. Had some sore muscles after the second day running. It feels good to be doing some exercise more vigorous than my old-lady-pace walks. Also went on a 2-hour hike on New Year's Day! YES! There is life after chemo!!!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited January 2012

    do any of you'll make little trips while on chemo? my sister was thinking we could travel down to visit mom in SC-its a 6 hr drive. Mom was just up at christmas. But I'm not sure. I've been doing well with not catching anything. I feel secure in my little "prison" I mostly stay home. I go out some. the grocery store is so fun. I think i just answered my own question. I don't think I feel secure enough to travel outside my area. I don't want to do anything to risk missing a chemo dose.  there was woman with cold in waiting area this last time. she had to go home and miss dose until she was better.

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2012

    I stayed in through most of my chemo. I avoided parties, malls, didn't go to the movies. My WBC stayed good throughout but I was paranoid about getinng infections. I don't think I would have felt secure doing more than a day trip, and certainly would not have gotten on a plane.

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited January 2012

    I stay close to home to....this is the time of year for colds and flu

    Woke up this morning...my nails feel strange, does that mean they are lifting ?

    Also my right foot feels like it is asleep all day...is that the taxol working its magic !!!

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  • sherrybaby
    sherrybaby Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2012

    My fingers have been numb since right after my first Taxol treatment. My toes and other parts of my feet went numb/tingly since the second one.

    The joint/bone pain is still horrible. I spend most days in a Lortab fog.

    Good news is that I have only one more treatment to go!! I find it humorous that it is on Friday the 13th. I had the allergic reaction the last time so I am hoping that doesn't happen again. It was rather scary.

    I hope everyone is having a good weekend with little or no SEs.

    Sherry 

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited January 2012

    congrats on your last tx Sherry!. I've got 8 more. I remember in beginning it seemed like so many. now it doesn't seem like so much. Do you start rad's next? have you seen RO? I'm confused about the rads. are all the facilities the same? I'm so distrustful of doctors now. (they sat on my BC for 2 yrs-were calling it fibroglandular tissue-said not to worry-bastards)

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  • sherrybaby
    sherrybaby Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2012

    I will do rads next, but not sure when yet. My cancer clinic has pretty much everything so my MO is planning on sending me to one of the ROs on staff. Once I go I will let you know what it is like.

    It is my understanding that I will get a bit of a break between my last chemo and the beginning of rads. I am glad because I think I need one especially since I am planning to start back to work a week after my the last chemo treatment. It is going to be strange after being off for 3 months.

    Fran, I am so sorry to hear that they didn't do anything with your cancer for so long. Mine came up so fast I found it myself in between yearly mammos. Cancer just SUCKS!

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  • Carla9112
    Carla9112 Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2012

    Hi everyone - just wanted to drop in and say hello.  We sure haven't heard from a lot of our sisters in a while.  I hope everyone is doing okay. 

    A lot of us are just about to move on to radiation.  I hope that we can still hang out on this thread until we get through it.  I went out to one of the radiation boards and decided I better not go there again.  It really got me scared.  I just keep telling myself that everyone reacts different.

    I'm still trying to recover from my 5th treatment even though it was 9 days ago.  It sure did hit me hard.  One more to go and I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to get through it.  I'm so glad that there is a bit of a break between chemo and radiation.  I sure do need it.

    I hope everyone has a great week.  Talk to you soon!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited January 2012

    I had the worst dream about visiting rads.

    It was my local rad oncology place. Which is brand new. Well it was really dirty. They stole my clothes.and purse.all I had on was hosp gown

    No shoes.dirt floors. They told me to go in this room. Had light that just radiates whole body.



    Took me hours to make appt in rad center farther up north.

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  • Moonflower83
    Moonflower83 Member Posts: 92
    edited January 2012

    Hey,

    today was my first appointment with the radiation doc. On Feb, 2 they do another CT to mark where the beast was and on Feb, 6 radiation will start. The whole breast 26 times and then just the beasty area 8 times with boost.

    They said, that there should be no problems with the skin. We will see....

    I was in no good mood this morning. Just can´t see hospitals and doctors any more...

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited January 2012

    Chin up Moonflower. I think we all go thru that stage of being fed up with the whole thing. I hope today finds you in a better frame of mind and ready to fight again! You can do this!!

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  • Moonflower83
    Moonflower83 Member Posts: 92
    edited January 2012

    Thank you stjude,

    today is better. I´m just so confused about everything. Chemo is nearly over, that scares my a little bit, because I felt secure doing chemo...and radiation is something new and unknown. A lot of people think after radiation everything is over and like it was before, but for me it is not.It will never be over in my mind. And this seems like hell...

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    Hi everyone. 

    Moonflower, I hope your days get better soon. I want you to know that we all go through the same fears and doubts - its part of the cancer hell. None of us will ever view life the same after all of this. That said, I know several ladies who are years past their cancer treatment, and they promise me that it does get better and our lives get back to "normal."

     The hardest thing for me is how my life since diagnosis has been entirely consumed with cancer, and every bit of my energy has gone into doctors, tests, decisions, treatments, more decisions, etc. and the accompanying emotions from all of it. And it has been going on for months and months and feels like forever. 

    Just know that you're not alone. We will get through this a day at a time.

    Have a good day, all.     Barb 

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2012

    Well put Barb. You were able to express exactly what I was thinking.



    Tomorrow is my second to last tx. Yeah, I can't believe the end is in sight. Have already started Herceptin and will start tamoxifin when chemo is done. No rads for me. Saw the oncologist today and we decided not to lower the taxol dosage, because of neropathy. I think it scared me to much to think of lowering it and it got a bit better although I still have a bit. She said we may have to lower it next tx if it seems a bit worse. that sits alot better with me to lower the last one.



    Hope everyone is managing things well and the end is in sight... For chemo at least !!!!,

    Diane

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited January 2012

    Had my 6th tx today. Only 2 more to go! Then on to Tamoxifen...ugh. Got my normal dose of steroids which is making my glucose levels very high. I'm hoping this cycle I will feel better than the last.

    Barb, you have a great way with words!

    Moonflower, it seems that once we get used to our new normal, and get our groove going, then it's trying to adjust to our old normal. I have grrr moments sometimes when I look in the mirror. I look as though I've been attacked in a horror movie. I have to tell myself to rock it and this too shall pass. We bc gals are strong!

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  • Carla9112
    Carla9112 Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2012

    Hi ladies - hope you are all doing well.  Can you believe we are almost finished with chemo?  Boy - I remember the days before starting and this site was such a blessing.  To be able to talk to you ladies sure did help get through all of the anxiety of the unknown.  Remember when we first started talking  - we all had hair!!! Laughing  Now we're getting ready to get it back it again.  I just can't wait!! 

    Some days it seems like it has gone by so fast but then others it seems like forever.  I'm going to try to stop complaining though.  There were so many women that lost the fight in December.  I came home yesterday and sobbed when I saw that Zoh had passed away.  I really enjoyed reading her posts and was just so sad that she didn't get to take the vacation she so wanted with her son after stopping chemo.  I'm fortunate because my kids are grown.  There are so many on this site that have little ones.  I just don't know how they do it.   

    Well, just wanted to say hello!  Talk to you soon!

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  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2012

    Hi all - It's been awhile since I posted.  Oh Carla, I read about Zoh and it makes me so sick to my stomach.....She seemed like such an amazing woman!  So sad for her family.

    Well, I will be having my last treatment on Tuesday...YAY!  It is so hard to believe that we are finally at this point.  I am hoping that because its my last treatment, the SEs won't seem so bad. 

    Got a call from my surgeon's office today....will be having MRI, mammo and ultrasound on February 1st for an assessment, appointment with surgeon on the 6th to go over everything....appointment with plastic surgeon on the 16th and surgery scheduled for February 29th.  I am now wrestling with the decision to have a bilateral, rather than uni.  UGH!  I am leaning towards a double.  I am 43, strong family history, and I don't want to deal with this again.  I know my surgeon isn't going to be happy with my decision, (he is all about breast conservation if possible) but I think that is what I am going to do.  My tumors have responded well, but I don't think they have even shrunk enough to have an adequate lumpectomy!  I am anxious to put this all behind me and I am thankful for this forum.  Its provided me with such valuable information and support.......I hope everyone is doing well??

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