Ohio Chemo Sisters

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    Cookie - YAY for #5!  I just had #4 TCH...can't wait until it's over.  Have you found each one to be a little harder?  A port is definitely the way to go, you won't regret it.  Hope you are feeling well! Think Spring yes!

  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited February 2012

    Fran, My MO said that she did not think I needed a port,said my veins look good,but I do wonder if my veins are going to last one year. So thrilled that you are almost done. I just had my first yesterday so far no issues,but I understand if there are side effects they  do not show up until day 3 or 4. Hope I am a lucky one with minor side effects that I can handle.  Our Cleveland winter has been pretty crazy.My magnolia tree has lots of buds.     Hugs Eileen in Solon

  • ihatemyboobs
    ihatemyboobs Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012

    Ohio here! Recently diagnosed with a BMX unofficially scheduled march 8.

  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited February 2012

    Cookie,

    You will love your port. I used the EMLA cream on it and never felt the stick. Herceptin is a lot easier than hard chemo.

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    ihatemyboobs - Welcome to our little thread...great name by the way!

    Cookie - I agree with sewingnut, ask for some EMLA cream and apply it about an hour before you go in.  I never feel the stick.  Can't imagine having a new IV each time.  I only have the one arm for blood anyway because of the node removal so the less they have to stick it the better!

    Eileen - glad you are feeling good today.  Hopefully you will get through this weekend with minimal SE's.  I'll be thinking about you!

  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited February 2012

    Thank you Kelly,  I just got back from the grocery store. I feel great.  I pray it continues. It is raining here today so to exercise my joints have gone up and down the stairs for ten minute cycles. I get my hair done every friday,if I feel this good tomorrow I will keep my appointment and have it cut short.

    I am trying all the helpful hints from you wonderful brave girls. Hope you are doing well.   Hugs  

  • ihatemyboobs
    ihatemyboobs Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012

    Kelloggs- Thanks!  Perhaps i will know more about chemo in my future after my SNB tomorrow! Yikes- not looking forward to it!

  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited February 2012

    Good luck with the SNB Hater (lol),

    Keep us posted!

  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited February 2012

    beautiful weather today- a tad breezy with no hat etc..walked the dog ...

    yesterday was my last steroid for this round-today i'm not sure how i feel yet- mybottom gums are trying to hurt and my hair actually hurt this morning- too early for that! whiny me....

    hope all of my OHio sisters are well today! i'm hibernating from germy ppl....

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    Lumpy - the sun is shining in Canton too and does wonders for the mood, even though I am stuck at work.  Enjoy it!

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    Eileen - wondering how you are today?  Still feeling good I hope!

  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Kelly,  Yes I am still feeling great,. Did some laundry this am and going to get my hair done at 2pm.  It  will be 48 hrs since chemo so they say side effects come at about 72 hrs. I pray not !!!! Getting a little more anxious about the next few days.. Hope you have a great restful enjoyable weekend.   Eileen

  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited February 2012

    Lumpy,

    All whining allowed here. My teeth hurt when I was on TCH. I knew it wasnt a toothache when all my teeth started to hurt. Sunny here in Parma too...

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    sewingnut - yes...for about a week to week and a half after treatment my teeth hurt too.  My gums feel like they are shrinking away and it hurts to brush.  UGH I hate that feeling!

    Eileen - Maybe you will get lucky and have very minimal SE's.  I am so glad you are still feeling good....take advantage of this beautiful sunshine today and have a restful weekend.

    Lumpy - my MO told me the hair would start going about 2 weeks after my first tx.  Well she nailed it!  Day 14 it started.  My hair hurt too - kinda the feeling you get when you have a tight ponytail in all day.  My scalp tingled too.  Sorry to report it is probably the beginning of the end for your hair.  I was devastated but now it's been gone for almost 2 months and I am having fun with the wigs and hats. 

    If my legs can stand the walking I plan to spend the day with my DH at Legacy Village tomorrow.  I need some retail therapy!

    Hugs to all of you and have a great Ohio weekend!

  • OneToughCookie
    OneToughCookie Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2012

    Hello Ohio ladies -

    The sun sure does make a difference in everyone's moods! Just got back from the grocery store and even got the car washed. The food all looks so good in the store, but when I taste it at home it tastes crappy. Next week things will begin to taste better, tho. My teeth hurt today too.



    Eileen - glad to hear you've made it thru the first few days. You "sound" strong and in control. :)



    Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

  • Jaytee
    Jaytee Member Posts: 1,211
    edited February 2012

    Just thinking of all you ladies in active treatment right now-----you are all in my thoughts and prayers today-----It may get  worse before it gets better------but it WILL get better!    Those cancer cells have found themselves in the middle of a battlefield and the big guns are firing right at them.  How can we not get a bit of battle fatigue.  Take care----get plenty of rest---drink lots of water-----be good to yourselves!  

    I've been whining lately about the SE's from the hormone therapy I've been on since summer-----but really if I continue my battlefield scenario, they are the occupying forces-------so for all of us today---CHARGE!   Into battle we go------------damn this cancer, full speed ahead!!!!!!!

  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited February 2012

    we've been watching a lot-i mean A LOT of westerns and civil war movies at our house and i think we need a bugler-CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Jaytee
    Jaytee Member Posts: 1,211
    edited February 2012

    Second that lumpynme!!   I'm pretty computer challenged, maybe someone can find a good picture of one to post on here.  Think of it everytime you head out to the next treatment!

  • ihatemyboobs
    ihatemyboobs Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012

    SNB complete! Easy peasy, I got worked up for nothing. It was also my first time being sedated, very strange experience.

  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited February 2012

    I live in Middleburg Hts., OH and grew up in Parma, OH. I work for the Cleveland Clinic and am a patient there.

  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited February 2012

    Hi carcharm,

    What do you do at the Clinic?  I worked for a great Dr beford we moved to Parma.....

  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited February 2012

    Great news Hater!  When do you get the results back?  How many nodes did they take?

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    Glad your SNB went easy Hater!  Sending positive vibes for good results!

    Welcome carcharm!  It sucks being a patient where you work.....I am in the same situation.  I work for the Pulmonary Critical Care group here in Canton.  They are the intensivists at Aultman Hospital of which I am now a patient as well!

  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2012

    hello everyone...i am going to have to learn what all these things mean..snb   mo  as i am totally new to this.

    i tried to listen to my little tape recorder and decipher my notes the dr said i have invasive ductal ..negative lymph glands (she took three) 

    am calling her office today because i cant remember other stuff they said

    also, what is this about your nails and ice???

  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2012

    oh...also my estrogren/progesterone was positive

  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2012

    ooops...also i go for a muga scan...on 2/27 not familiar although i know it is something they do in regards to the heart.

    i will be going to akron general medical center for the chemo dr on march 2

    they suggested i go to my gyn as i have not gone for approx 3 yrs and have a good exam ...i did have a d&c in 2004. 

    and, i just found out recently that 5 second cousins had breast cancer, 1 first cousin had brain cancer, and a half brother had throat cancer.  my sister had stage 4 breast cancer and passed away in 2004 (she never went to dr after feeling lumps for about 1 year...then had lumpectomy, then mastectomy...but, didnt start chemo till like 5 months later due to her husband not carrying any health insurance on her....HE HAD INSURANCE...and he was a physician)

    i go march 1 to genetic dr at akron childrens...i am 67...hopefully this will help my neices down the pike

    this is just so overwhelming and i hope that i can be strong with all this

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    munnybunni - maybe this will help http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic/773727 it is a link to the fhread where you can find all the abbreviations.  I know this is overwhelming right now.  You will feel much better after you meet with your chemo doc and get a treatment plan.  As far as icing goes, some women who have taxanes (Taxotere or Taxol) ice their fingers and toes during infusion as there is the possibility of nail problems.  I get Taxotere and I don't ice my fingers and toes but I do chew on ice chips during infusion to help prevent mouth sores.  Don't know if it works or not but I have never had mouth sores and I have completed 4 txs. Nail issues can happen from what I am told they are a lesser known side effect.  I have not iced and have had no problems.

    Take a deep breath and let it out.  I know your head will spin for a while but it will get better and you have a whole site of wonderful, wise women who are going through it too for support.  HUGS!!!!

  • ihatemyboobs
    ihatemyboobs Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2012

    I should get my results "no earlier than Wednesday" but I don't know how many nodes she took. I believe it was 2 on each side but I was a little drugged post procedure to remember! However, I do remember her telling me that she found tattoo ink in my nodes, weird right?! Never knew that happened with tattoos.

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited February 2012

    Hater - I guess it depends on where your tattoos are! lol

  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited February 2012

    Got "deported" today....Now if Northside Hospital in Youngstown can find an anesthesiologist that can start an IV they would have it made. After digging around twice he finally used a pediatric needle. I told him they should have broght down a chemo nurse to start the IV. He promptly left me and went to the patient next to me and blew her vein. This while 5 residents were looking on...... Just happy its over =:0)

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