April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Options
1…154155157159160…170

Comments

  • winter_flower
    winter_flower Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2012

    Does anyone know what helps with insomnia? I sleep 5-6 hrs while on Ambien and my goal is 8 hrs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • babysammy
    babysammy Member Posts: 74
    edited July 2012

    Winter flower.  I have had mentrual pain, my MO not concerned, thinking the ovaries are shutting down.  I have had 5 of 6 tx and keep getting my period.  TMI alert, I seem to have more discharge to, not abnormal beside the frequency part.  Not sure what is causing this.  So interested to hear how your US turns out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2012

    Just wondering if anyone knows, I had a BMX since I have no breast tissue, so no Mammogram, will I get a CT scan every year? For those of u who got a lumpecemy are u just getting a Mammogram no CT scan? Stuff u think about as u progress down this road we are on.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited July 2012

    The recommendation from the tumor board is in-----NO RADS FOR ME!!!!!!  Wanted to share the good news with you since we have been together for quite a while and you have helped and supported me through my time in chemoland.  Next Tuesday --- August 7th---- assuming all goes right with my labs will be my last chemo!!!!  So between now and then, I will be eating plenty of red meat and eating what I can to get those red blood cell counts up so there won't be any delay. 

    HUGS and minimal side effects to all!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2012

    Congrats Mel!.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited August 2012

    melrose - I am so happy for you!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited August 2012
    Nofear - I've been wondering about future testing, too.  I had asked my MO if I would need any followup tests/scans while on chemo, and he said no, not even another MUGA scan.  At that point I wasn't ready to think much farther ahead.  I haven't yet met with an RO, so I don't know if I need any testing before starting rads.  I was going to ask about whether I'll have to have any mammos once I have recon (at this point I'm considering implants), but I read about that in BCO and got that question answered (they say, basically no).  I have some "residual tissue" where the bottom of my right breast used to be and I've had some dark thoughts that maybe I would end up having to have a mammogram on that - but I haven't asked yet either.  I see my MO again on Thursday so I'll add this to my list of questions and see what I'm told.  I'll let you know!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bcbarbie10
    bcbarbie10 Member Posts: 319
    edited August 2012

    Melrosemelrose, WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!



    Babysammy, is the discharge white like cottage cheese? Itchy? Might be candidiasis since we are immunocompromised here. Check with your gyn.



    Personally, i noted easy bruising leading to blisters down there. Just make me wear jeans or semi-fitted shorts for several hours, then i get blisters there.



    PositivityR, went to the BGC myself today but for my second weekly Herceptin. For now, this will still take forever.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for all the well wishes!!!!!  I really appreciate all of the kind words and support here.  I look back at when my journey started and where I am now--- so far in so little time--- so many changes because of one choice to investigate one unknown thing in my body--- so thankful for how my life has unfolded.  It is all good no matter what.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bcbarbie10
    bcbarbie10 Member Posts: 319
    edited August 2012

    Quick question: when do you remove the dressing on the port after each chemo?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DorisMarie
    DorisMarie Member Posts: 129
    edited August 2012

    I don't let them put any tape on mine..just place the cotton ball over it..held in place by my sports bra strap..very little if any bleeding..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited August 2012

    The infusion nurse puts a bandaid over the spot where the IV went into the port.  I take that off whenever I want.  I usually take it off the next morning when I take a shower.  Like DorisMarie said, very little, if any bleeding.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited August 2012

    Most do not get mammograms, etc. after MX.  They just do a visual exam.  My situation is different.  I had close margins in multiple places, so I still get mammograms and periodic MRI's on my reconstructed breasts.  Not pleasant, but I do what they recommend.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2012

    Thx dance

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited August 2012
    bcbarbie, I have a new reaction to bandaids that I've never had.  (Thanks again, chemo!)  Because of that they usually put on a cotton ball with a strip of tape, or if they use a bandaid, I take it off within 10 minutes.  It usually has a tiny speck of blood on it if any.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bcbarbie10
    bcbarbie10 Member Posts: 319
    edited August 2012

    Thank you, ladies!

    My nurse usually puts a sterile gauze then a waterproof dressing and tells me to keep it for 24 hours as it is a central line, to prevent infection. Now i wont be as scared when i have to take it off sooner.

    Who's with me on the 12-weekly BGC now? Last leg!!!! (then one more year of Herceptin for some of us, including me). At least, we're moving on.

    But by golly, this taxotere is one hell of an emtional rollercoaster ride 😭

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2012

    Anyone who is PFC experience an emotional crash? I was so happy to be done w chemo & now emotionally I am very shaky. Not sure if it is still the chemo or just the relazation of everything I have been thru & still have to go thru or combo of both. It was unexpected & hit me hard.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited August 2012

    nofear - it's quite common and I expected it...but that doesn't mean I was exempt.  I've been feeling pretty low myself this week.  For me it's b/c my sx aren't completely cleared, AND I have to have some additional tests done tomorrow b/c of finding a new tiny nodule.  I'm hanging in there, but it takes lots of TLC from others and talking myself through it.  Hang in there dear, we are all going through this together.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited August 2012

    No fear and DanceT- hugs to you both.

    DanceT- sending good vibes your way. Hope everything turns out fine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited August 2012

    dancetrancer- You know I'm here for you!!!!  I know tomorrow can't come soon enough but my thoughts and prayers are with you.  We will be here to support you and help hold you up!!!  HUGS!!!

    nofear-Not quite PFC but getting closer everyday.  I found out the other day that I won't have to have rads--- I'm happy about that but yet the tears and emotions have flowed since then.  Just hoping that everything that I have gone through with my treatment plan and what future parts of my treatment plans await me will be enough to keep that nasty from finding a home in my body.  We do the best we can do with what we know at the time.... that is all we can do.  HUGS to you and hope you will find a little peace and little calm as you move forward with your life.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2012

    Dancer-here for u & hope all turns out well. Keep us posted so we can support u.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited August 2012

    Thanks everyone!  I will report back tomorrow afternoon.  Hoping it's nothing, but you can bet I'll be taking a sleeping pill tonight, LOL! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited August 2012

    When I was at the chemo lounge for tx today I saw they have a class for dealing with post chemo. Or I should say, have had - the class was in June. It does underscore, though, the stress and depressed feelings are real. That class sounded like a good idea but I'll bet the support here is as good or better.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Indigo:  I would think they should offer this class monthly...  

    NoFear and Dance:  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.  I am taking a sleeping pill tonight.  I am sick of this two-hour sleep business.  Even with the lorazapam.  It's ambien tonight... 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited August 2012

    Restoril was my savior last night!  I slept from 11:30 - 7:30!

    My thoughts are with dance and the rest of you who are feeling down. I hope today is a better day for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited August 2012
    Marcia1111- How are you feeling today?  Wasn't your first Taxol yesterday?  Wishing and hoping for minimal side effects!!!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vjm
    vjm Member Posts: 79
    edited August 2012
    Thinking of you Dance on this day.... and all of you brave women who continue to feel shite with side effects, fear of the unknown, sleeplessness, and pain. Sending out healing and peaceful energy to you all as we continue on this journey.....lots of love! vjm
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited August 2012

    Nodule update = FAT NECROSIS! Wahoo!!!! However, my excitement was short-lived when the nurse practitioner found a different large lump in the R side that I had no clue was there (says it's about 1.5 cm). You can only feel it if my arm is raised up, and then it is quite evident. :-( I was really shocked. I need to get better at my self exams, obviously. She said it feels like an oil cyst, though, and told me to try not to worry (yeah, right, LOL). She tried to send me back over to radiology but they were booked up and would not budge even when she "groveled" as she said. Grrrr! So now they didn't book me until late August, but she is going to try and get me in sooner (will talk to someone else on Monday). RidUNKulous! Oh well, I do think it is highly likely to be a fatty cyst, it feels really squishy, and you can push it around vs. the one I was worried about was really hard and immobile. And to end on a good note - thrush is continuing to look better!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vjm
    vjm Member Posts: 79
    edited August 2012
    Mixed news hard to take on a Friday Dance - watch out for those fatty globules!!! I have a great tea for busting up fat and toxins if you want the recipe - I am prone to cysts myself. In Ayervedic terms my body type is Kapha and I really need to eat accordingly!!! (eliminate dairy, meat, refined sugars and flours  etc - and I do for the most part,... although with my hg down to 92 I was eating steak like noone's business! Now up to 117 - almost normal ... which is sort of my modus operandi anyways!!!Cool). Try to enjoy this weekend and put all negative musings aside for now until you know for sure!!! vjm xo
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited August 2012

    melrose - You are so sweet to remember and ask!  Yes, first Taxol was yesterday.  The worst part was that I got there at 9:15 and didn't get into the BGC until 10:30.  A friend of mine came with me since my DH couldn't and the time went really fast.  She warned me that I might get severe back pain and/or a severe hot flash during the infusion, but I didn't have either.  Today I still feel good.  After AC, I always had a funny feeling in my head for several days afterwards, but so far I feel fine!  I'm hoping it continues!

    How are you doing?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories