Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

It sounds like a lot of us are finishing up AC this week . . . I'm in the same boat, last ac is wednesday.  I am not looking forward to it as last round was not good.  But as I was reading your comments about drining it made me get up and have another glass of water . ..  hopefully that will make next round better.  Fingers crossesd.

Pamela - interesting how your doctor only approved b6 . . . my doc is pretty conservative so it will be interesting to see what she says.

Taxol and Taxotere are different drugs, but they are like cousins.  I believe that taxol is the older cousin and taxotere is the newer similar cousin.   They each have se, and there are pros and cons to either.

oh man, I was going to say something else but my hubby started talking to me and I forgot.  grrrhh. 

Doris Mae: Yes, it is only a car. But it's is also ONE MORE THING to worry about. I find myself feeling sensitive about stressors right now. I had been driving the same car for 10 years. I have not always been good to it as far as maintenance goes. Well, the engine threw a rod and seized when driving home from work on my anniversary. Romantic anniversary plans thwarted. This came the same week that I had to put my cat down, and my hair started falling out in earnest. And although it was "just a car"...I felt overwhelmed. Really life? What next? I didn't lose it either, but the anxiety of it bothered me for days. Good job bucking up and enjoying your dinner/shopping anyway! I am so glad your family was not hurt!

Radioactive girl: You can do this. Two down, two to go! Keep up the good work!

Pam: Only b6? I have to admit I started Special K's cocktail before I even spoke with my onc. Yesterday was #6 of taxol. I told him I am taking "amino acids and B6" to reduce or prevent neuropathy. He just nodded his head like he's heard it before and didn't even ask which ones. Of course, they were already in my chart at that point. He didn't seem to care at all. Did your doc give a reason for it?

As far as my appt. with my onc goes, it went great! He said I have MORE SHRINKAGE! The tumor that I found inititally is barely palpable. Unless you were looking for it, you would never find it. And the others seem smaller as well, but more difficult to say since they are sort of 5 tumors all clustered together. I told him about the shooting pains in my breast radiating from the tumors, and he said he has heard that before. That sometimes women will feel that in the chemo chair as well. He said he has always believed that to be a good sign. That cancer is dying. Overall he said I am doing great, and was impressed that I have not missed any work. Don't get me wrong, I am tired, and I would love to sleep and sleep and sleep. But I am not giving in to this that easily. Especially knowing that AC is an entirely different ballgame. I am trying to live as much as I can in these 12 weeks of taxol and really enjoy my summer!

Much love to you other ladies!!! Going to try to catch more zzz's before the kiddos wake up. 

Doris-Sorry to hear about your car. Glad everyone is ok.

More later, heading out the door early to see the dr.

Have a great day!

radioactivegirl: Yay!!! Smaller is great news! It's working!!! I too find I have less patience, particularly when my kids are bickering or being obstinate. I have had to leave the room more than once to avoid losing my sh*$ entirely. I did hollar at them in the parking lot the other day for being disobedient. Ugh. I was that crazy mom there for a minute.

Well ladies going on taxol: I was in the BGC yesterday. Today I have done 4 loads of laundry, sat outside while the kids swam, cleaned the kitchen, sewed a new hat, and am about to make a couple of dishes for a potluck picnic. My hope is that you all experience a reprieve and more energy soon!

XOXOXO- hoping you are feeling well today!

ElleBee 

Saw the MO today, she said she finds that the people that work all throughout the chemo, pay for it in the end.  Just thought I'd pass that on.  So, I'm taking a couple of days off my next chemo week.  She said rest is important while on AC.  Your doctors could think differently.

She also said she doesn't do scans, because they don't do any good.  But, it would help me know if I even wanted to go through all of this chemo.  She said I'm doing the right thing and don't ditch chemo. 

Steelersluver, thanks for the taxol/taxetere info.

Good luck to anyone in the BGC tomorrow!  

ElleBee - YAY for shrinkage!

I sweat a lot period . . . I have been sweating a lot for years and I dont know why.  I remember a few years ago that I looked up what could cause it . .. and of course I had none of the things that causes it.  But the last item on the list was cancer . . . so now I wonder how long I had this??  Was that my first warning sign that I didnt catch??

Oh, and I'm not working right now and think it is helpful, but I do miss it sometimes.

BGC for me tomorrow :-(  Waaa, I dont want to go *kicks and screams*   

I am having a tired, cranky day today! I am really struggling to keep up a modified work schedule, so I'd encourage anyone who is able to take the time off to do it.  While the distraction of going to work is nice sometimes, the rest has to help too.  I carry our health benefits, so if I go on Leave W/O Pay, I not only have to deal with the missing income, but also find a way to pay the insurance premiums....stinks!  At least I have insurance though, there are certainly people in much worse situations, and my employer has been good when it is possible.

I'm in the BGC getting my last a/c. So glad this day is here. Half way done. I'll move on to 4 rounds of taxol every other week. Everyone have a great day!

Pamelahope, "I find when I push myself, and fight the side effects, I get upset by my limitations."  That's it EXACTLY. 

Steelersluver, I hope that you can get more rest even though you're working.  My time is saved vacation days.  I had no idea I'd be using them for this, but I'm not complaining.  I know I'm lucky that I have them to take.

havingfaith,  Yay!!!  Your last AC.  Hope yours is easy.  Seems the 4th is better than then 3rd for some.

Pamelahope, I'm LOL at how excited that I got that someone could actually run!  You're bouncing back fast!

Mom24boysz, glad you're feeling better.

Ok, I hate to beat a dead horse......stop groaning everybody....but, am I the only one that hasn't gotten any scans?  I promise I won't bring the subject up again.  Just wondering.  

Keep moving- I haven't had any scans since chemo began and don't think I will be getting any. I meet with the breast dr on Monday, so I will be able to ask him then. I guess I'm not too worried about it. I am having only 6 chemo treatments and I guess my thinking is that it is working because I really am not stressing about it. Are you worried that your chemo isn't working and that's why you want the scans? I can understand why you would want the reassurance. In our world where everything has been turned upside down we just want some assurance that things are going as planned. Hang in there!

Kimmie, I also had surgery then chemo and next radiation.  I had the choice of a lumpectomy or masectomy, my surgeon encouraged me to go for the lumpectomy as my "lump" only showed to be about 1.1 cm on all imaging (size of pencil eraser).  However my type of cancer does not show up well on imaging and it turned out to be 5 cm..... shocker, then had to go back for second surgery to clear the margins.  Surgeon said if she had any idea it was this large she would have encouraged me to have a mastectomy.  Also, before anyone panics about showing up on imaging the type of cancer I have is almost always in women over 60 years. 

I also did not have any scans, radiologist and oncologist both said, surgery got it, chemo and radiation are clearing up any thing that slipped through.  I had 4 of 14 lymph nodes positive.  Honestly,  I am so sick right now with my #3, I am not sure I could handle any more bad news.  Every time the phone rang it was worse!!   Very blue the last few days, as some of you mentioned.  Think it has just begun to wear on us.  i go for #4 next Tues. and then Taxol.  I've heard mixed reports on whether taxol is worse or easier!!

I know we will all get through this....... Stephanie