Taxotere/Cytoxan starting February 2012.

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  • AEM47
    AEM47 Member Posts: 297
    edited April 2012

    I refuse to add another doctor into my long list....lol  I got it on line at

    www.latisse.md/

    They ship VERY fast and I had it within a couple days.  I just ordered another 2 month supply. 

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited April 2012
  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited April 2012

    AEM47 when you filled out the form did you tell them you were going through chemo or just skip that?

  • AEM47
    AEM47 Member Posts: 297
    edited April 2012

    skipped that one....after all, I "normally" don't do chemo. I figure out of 365 days this year...I had 4 days of chemo - hardly seems worth noting...lol

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited April 2012
  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited April 2012

    I never thought about it that way...just 4 days of chemo!!

  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2012

    Silvia  I started rads on Monday.  Pretty uneventful.  I opted out of tattoos.  I have three sharpie X's covered by a clear bandaid type piece.  There is one between my breasts and two on the side near my underarm.

  • silviazara
    silviazara Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2012

    Rads are almost always uneventful from the beginnig. Let's hope it will stay like this through all 6 weeks and also months after. When I asked the rad onco if I could plan the vacation right after the rads end, she said I won't feel like any vacation for at least 2 weeks. Burnt skin and tiredness. Also, no sun for at least 3 months. She told me to even wear light scarf around the neck since the radiation goes all the way up to collar bone.

  • ColdenMom
    ColdenMom Member Posts: 114
    edited April 2012

    Thinking of everyone who is continuing onto their next TC, just finishing and those beginning radiation! Healing thoughts are with each of you!



    Tomorrow marks my final chemo!!! Today, I went for my last fill as well. My exchange surgery is scheduled for August 8th, it seems so far away!



    Good night all!



    Kelly

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited April 2012

    ColdenMom

    Yay to ringing that bell!!  August will be here before you know it!

  • lmlola59
    lmlola59 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2012

    Gayle56 and silviaraza did they give you or tell you what to use on your skin during Rads? Also did they tell you no swimming at all or only if you have blisters or skin is very irritated? On the Rad posts there is a lot of controversy on both.If it starts to get hot, my pool is calling my name  and my skin does not show any adverse effects again not sure if I can listen to the RO.Sealed Between the hot flashes and thermometer going up may need some releif.I do not have air conditioning,never really liked it but I think I am changing my mind on that.

    AEM47 Ditto on I would have used it anyways so why ask and feel bad about it.Very interesting how you can now get the real Latisse without a prescription .I never looked into this as when I started using the generic 2 years ago you had to have a prescription for the real deal.Good to know.The generic I use comes from over seas from 2 different places but most recently I used ALLdaychemist.It is a 3 month supply 1 bottle 3ml for $10 and $25 shipping .So I always order 2 bottles 6 month supply for $45 if you are still using it daily.Will last lon.But note if you truly needed it as I did I ( never had long lush lashes) will have to use it for ever in a maintenance mode (I was down to 3 day a week) or they will go back to the way they were.Not sure how that relates to those n this situation.Maybe things will eventually go back to normal and you will not need it for long.

    Have a greta day all 

  • lmlola59
    lmlola59 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2012
    Coldenmom Fantatsic best to you today. Another one makes it Yahoo.
  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    Coldenmom  congrats on your final treatment.  Hard, but good to get it done.

    Dipad  hows the taxol going? 

    Jen - isnt today treatment day for you?  Hope it goes well

    Judy - are you on the mend yet?

    Moonflwr - good luck today

    Who else has treatment this week?  I hope everyone does well.  I'm a week out from my final chemo, and feeling better. I'm increasing my exercise, and working my full schedule. 

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited April 2012

    Good Morning

    Started feeling more normal yesterday afternoon and actually got out to pick up a few groceries. Also made an appointment to see a new client Friday which I'm quite pumped about.  Looking forward to getting back to business and a return to energy!

    I have my scheduled meeting with the RO at 9:30 this morning firstcall.  Quite interested in what she has to say and I'll post the outcome of that when I retrurn.

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

    morning - Me too - finally feeling better......I ate yesterday and it was wonderful.  however the tongue is still funky and is wigging me out a little still.  Any tips at all for repairing the tongue would be so appreciated.  

    called and made a RO appointment for when I get back from Florida after May 8th.  Have no idea what to expect.

    General question regarding Rads.....why the huge difference between the Canadians and everyone else.  In US, 33 rads seem the norm but there is a Canadian protocol where it is only 16.  What is the difference and why would the US want to do the same exact thing for twice as long.  I will be asking my RO about it as I would prefer the shorter period if possible for work and because of my concern about skin breakdown.

    Firstcall - I know you said that you son is an RO - any tips he can give us, lotion, care, etc???  I am so concerned about skin breaks.....I am very fair skinned and large breasted and I am worried this is going to get ugly.  I can take the skin issues, it is that it will hurt that worrys me.  

    Last but not least - heard about this clinical trial about taking Tumeric to prevent skin dermatatis during raadiation...any thoughts???

     See I told you - one phase at atime but when the new phase is here, I am an inqusitive little monkey!!! LOL

  • A_FIGHTER
    A_FIGHTER Member Posts: 109
    edited April 2012

    Morning Ladies,

    Coldenmom: Wishing you the best today! 

    For all of you doing Radiation - Thoughts and prayers to you and the next part of your journey 

    All is pretty well here...very minor SE's from last round.

    I'm taking Mom home today. Today she is 5 weeks out from her by-pass. Her cardiologist said as long as she was comfortable moving about and doing things for herself she can return home. She still can't drive until next Thurs.  

    Hugs,

    Bonnie 

  • AEM47
    AEM47 Member Posts: 297
    edited April 2012

    http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01042938 

    seems the outcome is a sectret....

    I've been taking this since diagnosis because of it's anti-tumor properties..I hope it does actually help with radiation

  • lmlola59
    lmlola59 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2012
    AEM47  Do you have any specifics on dosage or brands for this? Just wondering as I might bring it up with my RO when I see him.
  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited April 2012

    Mthrdee,

    I have wondered about that difference myself. I live in BC, Canada, and will be starting rads within the next month or so. The rad onc explained that under normal circumstances I would have been given 16 intense radiations, but because I have a tissue expander, they are going to give me 28 less intense radiations to try and minimize the damage to the breast tissue and expander. The BC Cancer Agency is world-renowned for breast cancer research, and I hope and trust that they will do a good job.  

  • NikkEliz
    NikkEliz Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2012

    I got the tattoos for my radiation, there are 4 one above the breast one between, one below and one on the side under my arm. They are TINY. Like a speck of dust. Smaller than if touch the tip of a marker to your skin. Sometimes it takes me a min to find them if I'm looking for them!

    I am in Ontario, Canada and am having 21 RADS, they didn't relly give me an explaination as to why that number. I start May1. I was told no swimming pools or hot tubs mainly because it is shared by people and the germ exposure on the skin. Even if you can't visually see damage to the area, it might still be there and  could cause skin issues/infections. Also, no baths of extreme temperatures either hot or cold.

    and Congrats to everyone finishing up! yay!  

  • AEM47
    AEM47 Member Posts: 297
    edited April 2012
  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2012

    Imlola - the print out they gave me suggested to use Aquaphor, natural deodarant like Toms on that side and unscented soap on that side.  The RO prescribed a cream called Xclair which my insurance wont cover and was expensive.  I am going to call them on that and see why they will not cover it.  I didn't ask about swimming as I will be done right before Memorial Day Weekend.  I will ask to see what they say and will report back. 

  • lmlola59
    lmlola59 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2012

    AEM47 Thanks for the info great reading ,I am definitely going t look into this.

    Gayle56 Aquaphor seems to be strongly suggested on the Rad sites here also.I started using Crystal deodorant since diagnosed this is also natural so I think that would also be OK.Sucks insurance won't cover what your RO wants you to use,unbelievable.I have my own pool so I hope as it isn't a public pool I may be able to go in.I am hoping to start 3 weeks after Chemo have not yet met with RO and discussed.That would be 3rd week of May and finish end of June,though I know it takes at least  2 to 4 weeks after Rads for your skin to recover. Not sure this will go my way but I am going to try as I also want to try to get back to work July and need this to be done so I am going to try to present this to them as why this is so important.Thanks for the info and keep us posted on how you are doing through this next step.

    NikkiEliz was this 4 spot for 1 tumor? I like you don't think I care one way or the other about the tats.For me I already have 1 good size and 2 small scars fro the tumor and Lympnode removal so this will not be the worst thing.Though the surgeon did a very good job and the scars already seem to be looking better,I think they will always be there.

    Bonnie so glad you are doing well and mom gets to go home,bet she is happy to be back in her own place. Seems a lot of people find the last round kicks their but,maybe i will get lucky and not be any worse than I have been thus far.I can't complain but I do know each one I am a bit more tired but always bounce back pretty good on week 3 and accomplish lots of things and this always makes me feel better.

    Have a great day all 

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited April 2012

    Good Morning Ladies

    RE swimming and RADS.  I was wondering if there's a difference between swimming in a clorninated pool vs a salt water pool?  My friend converted to salt a couple of years ago and she suffers from excema (spelling?) It totally clears up in the summer.  Just curious.

  • NikkEliz
    NikkEliz Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2012

    One week tomorrow will be 4 weeks PFC for me. Today I ran/walked my first 5k to support the hospital I have all my treatments at. It felt amazing. Today is a fantastic day. :)

  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited April 2012
    where do you get Latisse? Is it perscription?

    Ive had 3 treatments and 1 to go. Got bald spots around day 16 after 1st treatment.. and hair was just shedding like crazy... I just noticed my outer eyelashes are gone... the upper/outer on each eye. can still wear mascara and doesn't look like I lost any. brows are holding on..so far! Be great to hold on to what's left through the last treatment.

  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited April 2012

    also... those of you through with last treatment... how did it go for you? My 3rd was the worst one... and I still haven't fully recovered from it... so I'm a bit more worried going into #4 than I was for the last few. Im 2.5 weeks out from last treatment and my mouth hasn't fully returned to normal... my body aches after minimal activity.. stomach still not back to 100% either. I felt better then this.. at this point the other rounds. I know its a cumulative thing. God.. I cant wait for this to be over with.

  • lmlola59
    lmlola59 Member Posts: 146
    edited May 2012

    Hi all,

    Just finished last treatment so I am joining this club. They did ring the imaginary bell and gave me a small cake .How cute. Don't have to go back for 4 weeks but they called my Gyno for an paps and want to do a biopsy as I have been spotting during the whole thing and want to make sure all is well before we start the Tomoxafin in 4 weeks.I honestly thought we would wait for the Tamoxafin till after rads but I guess not. Also scheduled for an appointment with my RO next week to try tp get that show on the road.Hoping the SE,s are no worse then they have so far been,time will tell.

    Shera yes on the all cumulative.Taste buds took longer,fatigue never quite went away completely as TX1 and TX2,I get up from sitting to long and have that 80 year old lady feeling for a few minutes,but it does pass.I also had more stomach issues (gas) that I didn't have for the first 2.In fact we were going to a friends house last Sat for an Italian dinner and it tasted great. I had to buy some Gas Ex as I was so afraid the gas would hit but I got lucky and it seemd to finally subside these last 3 days before last TX.I am sure it will be back but at least this time I know it is the end.

    Hope everyone is doing well 

  • silviazara
    silviazara Member Posts: 111
    edited May 2012

    Shera - my 3rd was also the worst one. 4th was the best one, the easiest one. I strongly believe the mental state has a lot to do with this. For me just to know it was the last shit to go though helped tremendously and the SEs were as minimal as could be.

    Imlola - hooray for your last treatment!

    I am doing rads and I feel very tired every day. I don't know if it's from rads already but maybe. I also feel little nauseous. I was told not to use pool since there is chlorine and plus I have the stickers all over. They also gave me stickers to mark the spot where they put special jello looking pad to aim radiation better. I was given some aloe lotion for radiotherapy patients. I have also different lotions to use like shea butter.

  • lmlola59
    lmlola59 Member Posts: 146
    edited May 2012

    siliazara I am holding on to that possative note as the last being the easiest.Agree that the mental state may be the key and I am going to rock this TX.

    So rads do cause bad fatique?I was hoping that was just a myth.Could be because you are only recently out of chemo amnd it is still in your system.How many treatments have you completeted?How is your skin so far? 

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