April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

You definitely are not alone!  I have the dry issues (thanks chemopause), finally got some Replens.  I'm trying to get it in my system for a few weeks before we try.  It says to use it every 3 days or more if you feel you need it more frequently.  I started out at 3, but quickly discovered that's not enough.  Working on every other day now to see if that will be enough to keep the sahara desert from coming back.

Libido is there, just worried about the lubrication.  I'm almost 11 weeks PFC, but almost 1 year post BMX, so have gotten past the surgery/not comfortable with body aspect...well...I still wear a shirt, so guess I can't say I'm 100% comfortable with it!  However, I am much better than I used to be.

LyndaMarie - huge congrats on being PFC!!!!!!!!!! 

I'm 6 weeks PFC today! Hair is growing every day....I kept my eyelashes and eyebrows throughout until about two weeks ago. I couldn't believe it. Good news is...both are now showing new growth. And I've shaved my legs twice! Ahhhh the little things.

Hi Lynda!!!!  Glad to hear you're doing alright!  And yes - dry eyes were terrible during my AC treatments. Started to resolve a couple of weeks after the last one. 

When I got my eyes checked a couple of weeks ago, the Dr. had a long talk with me about how chemo affects your eyes. He said after the chemo infusion, your eye muscle that can usually go a long time before getting tired, just gives up. That's why we feel so foggy & can't concentrate on anything. He also showed me models of the lens in our eyes & what chemo does to it. That's why we feel like we can't see well one day & then better the next. It was really interesting! I'm glad he took the time to explain it so well even if I am done with chemo. He also told me I had no lasting effects from it!

Hi ladies!

I was actively posting during my chemo treatments (started April 3 - Last day July 10 AC/T every 2 weeks) but kinda took a break from the message board for awhile as we were in the middle of a move.

I thought I would pop in here cause I wanted to see how others are fairing after completing treatment. Wondering if what is going on with me is normal as well. It's been 50+ days now since my last treatment and I am still feeling so sluggish and sore. Actually, I am almost more sore and achy now than DURING chemo. My knees hurt so badly... joints hurt, I have dull chest pains and am overall not really bouncing back as soon as I thought I would. I am trying not to worry (obviously my mind fears the worst) but am curious to see how others are doing after finishing? My MO seemed a bit surprised but was not worried when I told her all of this.

So yes... just curious about how everyone else is feeling. Hoping my aches and pains are normal. Hoping everyone is doing alright!

Much love to all. xoxo 

Ashleyb. I finished the same chemo treatment as you on July 17.....I was in pretty good shape going in...I was training for a half marathon when diagnosed.....I walk now instead of run....about 3 miles 5 times a week.....i have a lot of aches and soreness. Mostly during the night....my legs ache so much it keeps me awake....my lower back will randomly get sore during the day.

Im trying to figure it out....is it because of the walking? It seems I should be able to do that without a problem.



The worst part is I feel I've aged so much....after sitting for more than 20 minutes I go to get up and I walk like I'm 88 instead of 48 It takes a bit to not feel stiff when walking.



I too wonder If this is normal. I too thought I would have bounced back better.

My emotions are the hardest to manage. I feel so overwhelmed & daily treatments are demanding. I just keep thinking one day at a time & try not to think farther than then the day.

Dance....thanks....the intamacy issue is a huge part do recovery for me....just want everything back to how it was.

Thanks, Dance.

Lyndamarie, i, too, get those sores every now and then. They're just like adult diaper rash. I try to wear loose clothing and cotton underwear. Sometimes i try to wear skirts and girly dresses, avoid wearing jeans and shorts. When they blister, i put an antibiotic cream, mupirocin/bactoban. Try to keep the area clean and dry.



Dance, so thoughtful of you to post that. Still wondering about how it would be for me from now on. Sad.

Thanks for the feedback all. 

kjiberty: good for you for getting to the gym! Hope it makes you feel better and is helping with your strength. I am a bit afraid to push myself that way... feels so pathetic to be my age and too scared to lift a few pounds.

chapter4: Great work with the walking!! That's awesome. I feel the same when it comes to getting up after sitting. It takes me a while to get going. My hips hurt like crazy, back aches, knees are the worst. I am trying to not worry about it but it's hard not to.

Dancetrance: thanks for your candidness. We tried having sex a few weeks ago... but it was unsuccessful  It was the first time in over 6 months and I couldnt do it. Hurt way too much. DH was super understanding though of course but it is still super discouraging. 

Nofear: I too am having a rough go with emotions lately as well. I cry at the silliest things. Good you are not having too many aches though. 

I wonder too if lack of estrogen makes the pain come out more. I just can't believe how achy and slow I am...it is way worse now than during chemo. I notice my pains right when I wake up in the morning. Evening sitting down on the toilet hurts my legs!! lol... so not cool! I get out for a walk every day...nothing too fast or long. Trying to stay somewhat active but nothing seems to be helping. I think because I feel this way I fear the worst too... I worry there is more wrong with me. 

Also, anyone have dull on and off chest pains at all after chemo?? I had them during but they are still persisting now. 2 months post treatment I thought things would be getting better by now.  

Dancetancer, appreciate your candor. What is Replens? OTC or prescription? We have managed to do it a few times but just used Astroglide, which we used to use pre-BC . ( being 56 and 6 years ppst menopause) my libido is low, still also getting used to implants (surgery 26 days ago.) as someone above said, it is a bit sad.



Eyes: I had my annual eye checkup about a month PFC. Seeing OK ( some dry eyes) but increased eye pressure into borderline glaucoma range-20-which it wasn't before!! Getting rechecked in a few weeks. Could it be from chemo? Or getting older!

Hi Cottontail: I was getting them during chemo as well... my just feels like pressure almost... I mentioned it before but they werent too concerned and said it was because of the chemo and all of the drugs I was on. I think tomorrow I will go see my GP and request an EKG just to have peace of mind too. I notice my chest feels tight and like there's pressure when I am stressed, when I walk and if I get up too quickly. Proably a good idea to get it double checked. Thanks for sharing your experience.