April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Fierro - I have 2 TEs, so we're in the same boat if you have to have rads.  It will be a long time before this is behind us, but that day will come!!!!! 

My MO said yes to rads - even though I had clean (big) margins and no nodes involved. Makes me wonder. I guess since I am already in the "dance" I might as well finish the performance, so to speak.

My last day is July 10 - 7 days from today....ready to be done!  But I will be here and on FB with all you lovely ladies til we are ALL done!  My recon surgery date is July 27. 

I have TE's also....I have no real pain just discomfort on varying levels depending.  When the PS "expands" them they are extremely uncomfortable, especially to sleep.  And mine seem to be in my arm pits, literally.  He (PS) says this is so when the implants go in they "fall" like normal breasts.  I have asked a million times and he has assured me the implants themselves will be placed more central to my chest!  I trust him, I have seen pics of his work and he has been "dead on" with every piece of advice he has given me thus far.   It is just super uncomfortable and I look weird when I go to swim practice....but I dont have to wear a swim cap! (just a lot of sunscreen!)

Positive vibes and prayers to all in the BGC today and this week.  Minimal SE's to all of us!  See you on FB!

How do I join the facebook forum?

Lisa 2012, BGC completion 6/20/12

Thanks, Stacie ( though I had a dream my MO told me I needed more chemo..ugh)

RoulaG- Private message Sandik--- she'll get you fixed up!!!  

Here's Sandik's original instructions about the facebook---

vball and sade - I understand about that long year!  Oh well, better than not having Herceptin!!! 

fighting - well, for now, I asked my onc if I could do Herceptin only on a weekly basis (which is unusual...most everyone goes every 3 weeks after chemo..not sure if I'm gonna last an entire doing it weekly - it's a big PAIN).  So, I'm not a good one to compare to.  The only reason I have chosen to do it weekly is b/c I'm super paranoid about heart issues, and I have a feeling from talking to other gals who have experienced heart failure that doing the infusion weekly and over a longer time period might be less hard on the heart.  But there is absolutely no evidence this is the case.   The only "evidence" I have is that some gals have had side effects with the normal infusion time (fatigue, etc.) and when they switched to a longer infusion time the side effects became much better.  Still, I don't know how long I will last at this schedule - it takes a 1/2 day (b/c my center is SLOW), and taking a 1/2 day every week is TOUGH.  I might go to a bi-weekly basis if my echo looks good next week (getting my first post-chemo echo...nervous!)

 Oh and hey - you are rockin' the new pic!  And staph to thrush b/c of antibiotics...ya can't win on this freakin' cancer coaster ride! 

mcm - the protocol is to take claritin for 7 days starting the day of the shot.  That's b/c it is in your system working for so long.  (with neupogen, it is just daily for each shot) 

For those of you with stress incontinence (leaking when you sneeze, etc.), try Kegel exercises.  Perhaps the chemo damages the nerve that controls the bladder sphincter...just theory in my mind. 

P.S.  The reason I am so paranoid about heart issues with Herceptin is b/c my mother (age 67), father, AND sister all died of heart disease (sister at age 46!).  Yes, I live super healthy compared to them (and probably b/c of it!), but I still worry about my genetics for heart issues.  Plus I had radiation on the L side - heart sparing type - but I worry nonetheless.  I don't want to make anyone on Herceptin be as paranoid as me!!!  The risk for severe damage is quite low based upon the clinical trials.  Just remember the source when you read what I am doing - I'm a worrier/kind of OCD. 

marcia..sent the link for the scarf to my daughter so she could pick me out a color..she had found that site three days ago..and ordered me a surprize...LOL..

Sitting in the BGC today. Long day, busy at the center today. Having second Taxol. I had a lot of aches last time, dr gave me loratab to try,never taken it before..anyone using it? I never take pain pills so just curios.

DorisMarie - That is so sweet.  There are so many beautiful choices.  I gave their info to my NP and hopefully she will pass it on to others.  The company is amazing.

I also mentioned the cost of the Nuelasta shot and mentioned that I'm surprised the insurance companies pay for it.  She said they do, because without it, people end up in the hospital and that costs a whole lot more.

Marcia111 - I hear ya on the liver issue...I had a few indulgent days before todays treatment....time to cool it for a few days.



I'm in the steroid overload phase now....will be trying a new ambien tonight..it's a time release and supposed to help keep me asleep. Time will tell. Got the aleve for the pain to come over the next few days.



I hope everyone is albe to enjoy the 4th of July!



Sending positive energy to all you ladies!

Dancetrancer - good luck with the echocardiogram! 

Chapter4 - I'm curious to know how the time-release Ambien works.  I'm about ready for a refill of my (regular) Ambien; it works pretty well as a rule, but with the stupid hot flashes I seldom sleep all the way through the night.

Mary71 - just know that I'm here for you, too!  Hmmm... could use those big purple boots for another ***-kicking reason aside from cancer.  

Best wishes and hugs to everyone in the BGC this week.  I hope everyone can enjoy their Fourth.  Wish you could come by to share the cheesecake - I did manage to make it with no Lucy moments (or screwdrivers or pliers, lol!), although by the time it was finally done it was almost 1:30 a.m.!  I just have to get some sparkler candles for DS.  Can't believe he's 23.

Husker - I hear ya on the hot flashes!  Mine were like that the first couple weeks...they've tapered in intensity and frequency to maybe 10 or 12 a day?  I just hope it doesn't get any worse with Tamox.  I only want to go through this once! 

That is awesome nofear!