April 2011 chemo

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited March 2012

    BernieEllen, Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem with us.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Awfully quiet on here. I guess I am the only straggler still in treatment.

    Love to anyone still checking in.

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited March 2012

    Hi Windlass, i do still check in.  How are you doing?  I'm waiting for the results of my one year mammogram check up.  Other than that i'm ok, still have a few chemo side effects but that's normal.

    Lots of love. 

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited March 2012

    BernieEllen, I hope you will get excellent results on your mammogram.

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Elizabeth, have appointment on the 26th

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    I thought I was doing great during that mammogram, which was 100% fine. But when I went into the darkened room to look at it with the radiologist, I burst into tears. Man, it brought everything back.

    I hope yours turns out perfect too, BernieEllen.

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited March 2012

    windlass, Your reaction sounds perfectly normal considering all you have been through.  I am so happy that your mammogram was fine.

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  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited March 2012

    Hi Ladies, it has been a while since I checked in!  I have hair now!  I colored it brown because it came in mostly white.  Going to be seeing a recon surgeon next week.  I hope he can give me perky boobs and a flat belly!  Started hormone pills.. something called arimidex.  I have been getting hot flashes again with them.  I though just getting my ovaries out would be enough, but nope he said pills too.  I also had my port flushed, they never told me I have to go in every 6-8 weeks for that.  I wasn't numbed up either, didn't really hurt as bad as I thought it would.  Just a big pinch! 

    I had my cancerversary last month I believe.  Or maybe January not sure!  Hugs to all!  

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited March 2012

    Hi geocachelinda, sounds like you are going well.  I have hair now, also came back white.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012

    Let's hear it for hair! Mine reaches my shoulder (just barely) if I pull it down out of the curl. Yippee!

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited March 2012

    Hi ladies, had my first year check today - all clear

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited March 2012

    Hey women!  Well, the Herceptin infusions are a real drag, but I'm happy to be able to get them!  I go on Friday for my repeat echo to see if my ejection fraction is good enough for me to stay on it...fingers are crossed.  I hate that I'm scared about it....possibly needing to go off Herceptin.

    The Tamoxifen has been okay...some aches and pains, but doable.  

    My hair is just a tiny little faux hawk at the moment...sticking up and out at all angles on the top of my head.  At least it's still looking pretty dark.  

    Nice to hear the all clears on the scans, friends!

    Love to all!

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2012

    Hi all,

    It's been so good reading how well everyone is doing. It's all coming full circle next month, what a year it's been.

    I had my last Herceptin on the morning of March 13th, and had my port taken out that afternoon. I couldn't wait to get that out!

    I'll quietly say the Tamoxifen has been good to me, no major side effects...(hope I didn't just jinx myself!)

    I met with my plastic surgeon last week and we are moving forward with scheduling my reconstruction. I'm torn between getting it done asap and bringing this long ride to an end, and waiting until after the summer. I don't want to spend another summer recovering from ANYTHING!

    We will see. If they can get me in before the middle of May I'll go for it, if not I think I'll have to put it off until September.

    I'm feeling like myself for the most part...and that's good enough for me.

    Much love to you all...Happy Spring! We have come so far.

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  • DianeC
    DianeC Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2012

    Hello everyone,

    I've been through mammo, cone views, ultrasound, MRI of both breasts, fine needle biopsy, lumpectomy (2), sential node biopsy, and port placement.

     

    Well, I met with my MO yesterday and found out that I am Stage 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-, Grade 2.

     

    He said that I had choices and showed me my life expenctancy through a computer program. We talked about risk versus possible heart and organ damage and the percent that would be gained by going for the most agressive treatment.

     

    He also told us that if I had more node involvement he would recommend the more agressive treatment, but since I only had one node involved, and the cancer was so small, he is recommending the chemo withthe estrogen receptor blockers. He said I would lose my hair and probably feel awful, but the life expectancy is good. 

     

    My husband has a major surgery scheduled for April 9 and I have to be able to take care of him for a about two weeks before I can start chemo. The doctor understands and said we would start around the 20th of April. 

     

    I am responsible for my disabled son, his wife and five granddaughters who live with us. So I have to work through all of this. I am definitely stressed. I know my 'sisters' will help me through this. I will be there for you.

     

    Diane 

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  • DianeC
    DianeC Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2012

    Hello everyone,

    I've been through mammo, cone views, ultrasound, MRI of both breasts, fine needle biopsy, lumpectomy (2), sential node biopsy, and port placement.

    Well, I met with my MO yesterday and found out that I am Stage 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-, Grade 2.

    He said that I had choices and showed me my life expenctancy through a computer program. We talked about risk versus possible heart and organ damage and the percent that would be gained by going for the most agressive treatment.

    He also told us that if I had more node involvement he would recommend the more agressive treatment, but since I only had one node involved, and the cancer was so small, he is recommending the chemo withthe estrogen receptor blockers. He said I would lose my hair and probably feel awful, but the life expectancy is good. 

    My husband has a major surgery scheduled for April 9 and I have to be able to take care of him for a about two weeks before I can start chemo. The doctor understands and said we would start around the 20th of April. 

    I am responsible for my disabled son, his wife and five granddaughters who live with us. So I have to work through all of this. I am definitely stressed. I know my 'sisters' will help me through this. I will be there for you.

    Diane 

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2012

    Hi Diane. I am so sorry you are having to go through this, and cope with your husbands surgery as well. Please know that treatment is not the most fun in the world but is do-able.



    Can I suggest you post in the April 2012 chemo group? This is a great group of ladies but this group is quite quiet now as we started in April 2011 and most have finished treatment. I think maybe you meant to join the group about to start chemo in April 2012.



    Best wishes.

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited March 2012

    Hi Diane, all the support in the world to you.

    Kiwimum is right, look up the 2012 group.

    You are still welcome here anytime.  Take care darling 

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  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited March 2012

    Sending hugs to you, Diane.  Hang in there.  You've come to the right place for support, but I agree -- you might want to go to the April 2012 chemo thread.

    Glad everyone seems to be doing well. 

    Windlass -- I'm jealous.  Shoulder-length hair??  I'm with Profbee -- sticking up and out at all angles!  What little of it there is!  And it's too gray for my liking.  So I'm still wearing bandanas.  Oh well.

    Got a question for anybody or maybe I need to post on another forum.  My onco is recommending Zometa due to osteoporosis (T score of minus 3.2 in the spine).  He says it has been shown to decrease the chances of bone mets, which of course would be very desireable, although I'm pretty opposed to any more drugs.  The other drawback is that it will cost me $971/month(!) out of pocket until my $5200 deductible is met.  Just wondering if anybody has any info on Zometa.  Is it a lifetime thing or can I do it this year and then stop it?  Not keen on having to meet my deductible every year now that all my big expenses are over (mastectomy, chemo, radiation).  Thanks for any advice.  Love you guys.

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  • Buttons2
    Buttons2 Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2012

    Hi, getting my port April 3rd starting chemo Apr 6th. Adrianycin, Cytocan followed by Taxol.

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2012

    Suzy, my onc has discussed Zometa with me too. He said the same as yours, can decrease the chance of bone mets and helps with bone density.



    It's delivered via IV 6 monthly and will cost me $1000. I think it takes 2 hours and the most common SEs are flu like symptoms for a couple of days. I'm considering it.



    Shoulder length hair!! I'm jealous too!! Mine is short and hideously curly. It's actually quite unmanageable! I'm struggling to like it.

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  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Kiwimum.  Keep me posted on what you decide or if you find out any more about it.  I've done a little research online and it seems that some people get it every 3 months and some every 6 months.  I could handle the $971 every 6 months, but every month is a huge chunk of money.  I hear you on the hair.  I still keep mine covered most of the time because I, too, am struggling to like it.....but I don't like it.  Short, curly, gray, unmanageable.  But I keep telling myself it's only hair.  At least I'm feeling great, and that's what matters.

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  • DianeC
    DianeC Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2012

    KiwiMum, BernieEllen, scc218, thank you for your understanding and support. I have posted to the April Chemo group as you suggested, and feel that I have sisters there also.



    Best of luck with your journeys. I'll be checking in to see how you are doing. You will be in my prayers.



    Diane

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited March 2012

    DianeC, I will keep you in my prayers, too.

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  • DianeC
    DianeC Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2012

    Thank you, Elizabeth 1889. I will keep you in my prayers as well. This site has been therapeutic. I feel like I'm more informed.

    Diane

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited April 2012

    thinking of you Diane

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  • DianeC
    DianeC Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2012

    I found out that I will be taking Taxatere and Cytoxan. What are the SE and will I lose my hair or just have thinning?

     Diane

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited April 2012

    DianeC, I had four rounds of TC and I tolerated it well.  I found that I felt good through the day of chemo and for two days afterward. I felt like I had a mild case of the flu on days three and four post chemo.  I felt better by day five, but I was kind of washed out.  There was some nausea, but the meds controlled it well.  Mostly, I found that I did not have much of an appetite. Generally, week one after chemo can be a bit rough and weeks two and three are pretty good.

    I had thrush and some mouth sores.  Again, the MO controlled them well with a nystatin rinse, magic mouthwash, and difulcan pills.

    I lost all my hair on TC.  The hair started falling out 14 days after my first infusion.  I kept my eyebrows and eyelashes until I was about eight weeks PFC an then they fell out, too.  All the hair does grow back.

    Be sure to drink lots of water before, during, and after each infusion.  Cytoxan can cause a urinary infection if you do not flush it out of your system.

    Some women have problems losing their fingernails and toenails.  There are several forums for people taking TC.  You will find lots of information and support there as well as here.  Good luck with everything. Sending hugs to you. 

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  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2012

    Kiwimum -- My oncologist called me personally yesterday (I was very surprised; he's a very busy guy) to answer my questions about Zometa.  He wants me to do it twice this year -- probably 6 months apart.  The cost isn't quite as bad since it's only every 6 months.  I thought the $971 was going to be every month.  I was also concerned about ONJ (osteonecrosis of the jaw), but he said that's only a problem if you have surgery in the mouth; i.e., extractions or something like that.  I have gum problems, and I'm going to talk to my dentist about it on the 16th.  Right now I'm leaning towards doing the Zometa, both for the osteoporosis and the decreasing the chances of bone mets.

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited April 2012

    Hi everyone, had a bit of a shock today. Had to see GP because I have nerve damage from the rads and can't use right arm properly plus have to have x rays - looks like I have osteoarthritis in the hips. Will I was there he told me my records for my diagnosis had been amended from Stage I to StageIIb and the tumour was double the size I had thought.

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  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2012

    Oh BernieEllen, I'm so sorry.  Sending lots of hugs your way.  I hope your arm situation gets better, and I'm so sorry about the "amended records."  That just plain sux.  Hang in there.  I wish I had a joke to make you smile or laugh because you're so good at that.  I'm terrible with jokes.  Thinking of you.....

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