February 2012 Chemo

i feel good- some discomfort --muscles...i go next week tues to surgeon again....

i can get my arm up over my head np 

but-i am aware that i had surgery! i can feel it!

my skin is sooooooooooooooooo dry tho--i cannot believe it!!!!!!

I also use the coconut oil. I just put a teaspoon in my hand and it melts instantly. Especially after getting out of the shower. It's great for the bald head too.

Lumpy, 

 I am getting IV infusions, and my nurse specifically said that Taxol is not as hard on the veins as AC--they fret less about making sure they have a perfect IV placement. Having said that, I'm only getting 4 infusions every other week, not 12 weekly, which I think makes a difference. 

Where does one get the coconut oil?  

Waiting for last chemo and I'm good to go. DH asks onco if I should have one more FEC after this. She said I could but I didn't need it as I would have had five FEC and 1 Taxotere. I said if I don't need it I'm happy with what I will have and I'm not having another shitty chemo. He told her you are just agreeing with Alison. When I got out we had a few words and I went in one direction and told him to stay where he was.

He thinks it will do some good but I think it will make no difference to a recurrence if I have it or not. She also said Alison has been through a lot and has change very badly in appearance and this could get worse. Also she has surgery and rads to do, I can understand where she is coming from.

Hi, going for LX as I have had amazing results with chemo. I could strangle DH you just know if it comes back he will say "I told you so"

Onco said I bet you won't find any cancer left as it has worked so well. Having scan on 23 may so we will see.

Like to see him try it, also I told her I was still doing everything in the house and was very tired. She gave DH a sharp look and he went very quiet after that.

lumpnme - taxol has been tough on my skin, more so than AC unless this is a delayed SE.  My face is dry and my feet are peeling - like in sheets of skin.  So....coconut oil sounds like a good plan, i'll pick some up tonight.

 ali - it's possible your husbands not so tactful question of another treatment was more based on making sure they got it all and while you have suffered so greatly, to make sure it was all worth it.  It's great news that chemo has been so responsive.  that is definitely a benefit of having chemo before surgery.  I had a LX, but will have a BMX because of the BRAC2 - I'm not sure how i'm going to feel if they find anything else in either breast.  Nothing showed up in the MRIs/PET scans, but the reason I am going for the BMX is because i am likely to have a 2nd occurence at some point. If they do find something after chemo, even if it is removed, it is going to worry me.

With the BRAC2 gene mutation the statistics vary but indicate that I was 60-75% likely to get breast cancer in my lifetime.  Once I got it the first time and especially at age 41 the risk of a 2nd occurance is in the 40-60 range without a BMX.  Removing as much breast tissue as possible greatly reduces the risk. 

 For extra fun, my ovarian cancer risk is near 30% as well and they will be removed in October.  

Lympyne

Yes surgery was easier.  At least once it's over with you can just get on with healing so you know there is an end in sight.  I remember how freeing it was to get the drains out. I had two and they kind of grossed me out but I didn't have an iota of bruising. My neighbor had a LX and no drain and it looked like someone took a baseball bat to her, it was aweful.  She was shocked to see I had no bruising at all.  She was so curious to see my insiision because iof that.

You're going to be pleasantly surprised witth the coconut oil.  I can honestly say my skin has never been softer and I have pretty dry skin.  As well you don't have to worry about parabens or other additives which I like alot.

Well its time to get off the computer and get some housework done.  Goiing to get out with the girls tonight for a couple of hours too.  I want to spend the weekend cleaning up the garden beds and working on the grass etc.  I have a retired neighbor who puts me to shame and it kind of drives me nuts but at least it gets me moving my ass LOL!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ali, congratulations!!!!!!! Wahooo!

ali and moonflower;

yay!! we take the little joys!!!!!!!

Moon

Kudos to you honey!  You have hung in like a trooper!  Happy you enjoyed your beef kabob!!  Little things mean so much!!

Grats ALI!!!

Wonderful news Moon!!

Great News Ali!!!

THANK YOU Hildy!!! I was kind of freaked out by it. I'd heard of cording from this website but had no idea what it was or that it might happen to me. I read the info here on it and I'm sure that's what it is. I'll definitely talk to the onc about it on Monday. I'm relieved that it is nothing worse.