Safe to Postpone Chemo?

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  • ImSnoozy
    ImSnoozy Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2012

    Thank you ALL for your help.  I guess chemo is the right way to go, I will manage the side effects.  I am happy to hear that brain fog is not as prevalent as I had thought, that's good news.

     As to the size of tumor, it was a needle biopsy that showed it at 2.4.  But I still think that it didn't grow over the course of 9 weeks says something!  

     So I guess I will start March 1.  I already bought the wig!

    xo

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2012

    imsnoozy - good luck, you're doing the right thing!

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited February 2012

    ImSnoozy. I know you are doing the right thing. I never had a problem with brain fog that interfered with anything. You will get through this and you'll get your work done as well. Stay on these boards. Connect with other women going through chemo at the same time. We all have lots of tips for dealing with se's should you have any. My only advice for you to stay strong is to avoid crowded areas and sick people when your white count is low. So if you can avoid being on a plane for those few days every cycle, you should be able to stay healthy. Get rest as needed and keep yourself hydrated. Best wishes.

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  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 736
    edited February 2012

    Im snoozy,

    I didn't notice much brain fog with my first six rounds of TAC chemo at all.  I had a little more trouble concentrating and multi-tasking, but I can't say that was from the chemo - the life threatening illness itself makes it hard to focus on things that suddenly seemed mundane to me.   I have had more "chemo brain" during this last 4.5 months of a clinical trial, but I have still worked full time and my qualilty rating for my work actually increased recently, so I guess I'm doing ok. My job involves analysis of data and writing reports.

    Be careful of buffets during chemo.  The only time I was sick was when I ate from a buffet.  I had to take antibiotics because I became feverish with chills and body aches.   Best wishes to you and I'm really glad you decided not to postpone the chemo.  There's a very active thread, "Calling all TNS" if you would like to join in, please do so!!Smile

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited February 2012

    That is good that it didn't grow, as they can grow fast! My docs had just told me not to get too excited about size difference from different scans as they can appear differently. I am still interested in what you are taking for when I am finished with radiation

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited February 2012

    I'm interested in what your taking as well, I've started taking a bunch of suppliments and vitamins.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    Snoozy, I had 4 tx with FEC, then surgery (BMX), then 4 tx with taxotere.



    During the first 4 chemos, I would have 2-3 days after the infusion where I was tired, had stomach trouble, head aches etc. But after that, I would come back to some semblance of normal pretty quickly. Since chemo was every 21 days, I felt fairly OK for most of it. But the effects are somewhat cumulative.



    Then I had surgery, which is tiring and then the next roundof chemo. The taxotere was more difficult for me than the FEC. I felt worse than with the FEC and for longer. I still had some decent stretches after tx 5 and 6, but by 7 and 8 I was just TIRED and fed up with all the weird side effects.

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  • bethcw
    bethcw Member Posts: 98
    edited February 2012

    Robin Roberts had triple negative BC (I think), and was able to be on air daily during her chemo and radiation (with a few accommodations).  I think she did a great job of managing a high profile public position.  I also was able to work during chemo, with some accommodations, so I think it is doable, although not fun.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    Snoozy, glad to see that you are plowing ahead with the chemo. I wish you an easy time with it. The brain fog hit me fairly late in the process. It can be annoying, but I took to writing notes to myself. You can find ways to deal.



    Also, let people help you. Outsource anything and everything that can be outsourced and concentrate your energy on the stuff you truly enjoy and that truly matters.

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited February 2012

    I believe you are right, it was Robin and she did work thru chemo.  I did 6 x TAC and I also worked thru chemo.  Although my bosses were extremely lienent with my schedule.  I would get treatment on Thursday, return to work on Tuesdays, work 1/2 days that week, then the next two weeks I would work full time until Thursday would come and it was treatment time again.  To be completely honest I probably could have worked a bit more, but I figured since work was being so understanding and thankfully we could swing it financially I didn't push myself.  I think once you get that first one out of the way you'll see how much you can and can't do.  Good luck and very very happy you decided not to delay. 

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  • ImSnoozy
    ImSnoozy Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2012

    Thanks again to everyone,

     I have been reading a lot of books on alternative therapies. Some are not so reliable, but I believe these are:

    One of my favorites is The Breast Cancer Survival Manual written by Dr. John Link MD.  He suggests the following during chemo: 

    Beta Carotene 10,000-25,000 units, Co Enzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) 100-200 mg, Selenium 100-200mcg, Vitamin E 400-800 IU, and Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids 1,000 - 2,000 mg 

     I also found a book I like called Anti-cancer by David Servan-Schreiber MD, PhD.  He was a 30 year old Psychiatrist when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He relates his journey, how he learned nutrition and attitude have SO much to do with recovery, but found that traditional medical doctors - his peers! poohed poohed it.  

    Then there is the work of Dr. Johanna Budwig, a seven time Nobel Prize nominee who discovered that a simple blend of cottage cheese and flaxseed oil twice a day stopped or cured cancer!  But she was not allowed to publish this information in German scientific journals.  (That is a recurrent theme in all three books.)

    So, okay, I'll do conventional therapy, but I'll add in some alternative on my own (I will discuss with the Oncologist as well, of course!)

    :-)  

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited February 2012

    I'mSnoozy, also check out Life Over Cancer by Keith Block.  Lots of great info - he is a big integrative oncologist in Illinois.

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited February 2012

    ImSnoozy..nothing wrong with checking out ways to help out before, during, and after chemo.....even though I had agressive chemo (and glad I did)..I still try to exercise plus taking vitamins...

    Not sure if it helps..only time will tell..but I feel better...exercise has helped me maintain my weight plus tone up...I think that the vitamins etc have helped give me energy...

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