January 2012 chemo

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    Nice to hear about everyone!  I keep having flashbacks as Sept 10th is the day I found the lump...and so it began.  I was not diagnosed officially until October 17th.   I cannot fathom what all we have all been through, what we have learned, and what we have endured. 

    I wanted to report that Ladies Home Journal Magazine is printing one of my Blog articles in their October, 2012 issue!  Their health editor happened upon my blog and wanted one of my articles.  I am so happy about this.  It comes out on newsstands on September 11, 2012 so pick one up if you can!!

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  • Momof2inME
    Momof2inME Member Posts: 683
    edited September 2012

    That's AMAZING Denise!!!!! I have a subscription to LHJ so I will be on the look out for the October issue. I am thrilled for you!!!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited September 2012

    Well done Denise!



    I am jealous of all of you whose hair seems to be racing ahead in growth. Mine, since I started Tamoxifen last month, seems to have pretty much stopped growing and is still only "maybe" 1/2 inch long :-(



    This length is just not flattering on me. I know it and although I am "topless" at home and work my hubby still prefers me to wear my wig out socially. Darn hair is a pain now...



    Jenn

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited September 2012

    Denise it's real expensive for me to get LHJ here in Israel.  Could you email me the article?

    Peggy  kitchenella@yahoo.com 

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  • Momof2inME
    Momof2inME Member Posts: 683
    edited September 2012

    Peggy,

    If the article can't be emailed, let me know. I have a subscription to LHJ and can tear it out an mail it to you when I receive the October issue.

    Brooke

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  • NCbeachgal
    NCbeachgal Member Posts: 181
    edited September 2012

    Momof2in ME-I am counting as my anniversary, the day of my diagnosis, which was October 14.

    Angie

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    Thanks, Ladies for the support!!  Wink  

    Peggy - it may be on their website after next week.  I'll let you know when I find out!

    Brooke - wow 2 inch hair!  Mine is only about 1 inch to 1.25 inches.  It has thickened up, thank God!  I thought I was going to stay bald for sure!

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  • Maggs09
    Maggs09 Member Posts: 193
    edited September 2012

    I loved your blog, Denise! But I already told you this before. I recommended it to a couple of other friends as well.

    Jennt28 - is Tamoxifen slowing down hair regrowth? I had no idea! I'm not there yet, just past my 3rd chemo (5 more to go), but would like to know!

    Denise, are you also on Tamoxifen or AI? Do they have the same effect? I will most likely end up on AI, even being premenopausal, Tamoxifen is not a right drug for me due to my blood clots problems. Is there a big difference in SE between these meds?

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    Maggs09 - thanks for your words about my Blog!  Appreciate it.

    As for Tamoxifen and AI - I am being tested right now to see if I am officially in menopause.  I was right on the edge of menopause before treatment - I went 11 months without a period then 3 weeks before MX had full blown period.  Nerves, I say.  MO wants to be sure so sent my blood test to Mayo Clinic.  I will know in a couple of weeks then he will give me appropriate drug. 

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited September 2012

    I want to thank G-d for the terrible head cold I have this week.  I can hardly believe I got through 8 months of radiation and chemo with no common illnesses.  And I was not particularly careful.  I did disenfect my house before I started chemo and id carry purell around but I used public transportion all the time in a city with a population of 75 % undr 18 yrs. of age.  It is practically a miracle I didn't get sick.  

    Peggy 

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  • NCbeachgal
    NCbeachgal Member Posts: 181
    edited September 2012

    Feel better Peggy. I hate a summer cold. Get plenty of rest.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    Peggy, hope you are feeling better.  HATE those colds!

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  • Rosieo
    Rosieo Member Posts: 262
    edited September 2012

    If I can just jump in and say Hello!  I have followed all of you ladies on your long journey thru your treatments and I feel like I know all of you. 

    I just recently came back here to ask a question of all you wonderful ladies.  I would like to know what medications your doctors gave you to avoid nausea from the chemo. 

    I know from reading your messages that it seems like a lot of you were able to avoid the vomiting with your medication.

    The reason I ask this is that my friend just had her first chemo treatment and she was so terribly sick.  Perhaps if you are able to give me some suggestions she can ask her Dr to prescribe something more for her.  I do believe that some Dr's are more advanced than others.  Any suggestions will be so appreciated.

    Also when I read that some of you ladies were not here anymore but on Facebook, I was disappointed as I really feel like I know all of you.  

    God Bless all of you.

    Rosieo

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  • NCbeachgal
    NCbeachgal Member Posts: 181
    edited September 2012

    Rosieo-Ativan and Zofran were my nausea meds. The Ativan was my lifesaver! Good luck to your friend. She is lucky to have your support and concern!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited September 2012

    Emend and Zofran were my saviours. Emend should be standard according to the NCI guidelines - if she wasn't given it she should complain loudly!



    Lots of us are still here :-)



    Jenn

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited September 2012

    Rosieo - I also used Ativan and Zofran after tx, as needed.  Before and during tx I took Emend.  I was told to medicate as soon as any slight nausea surfaced.  The trick was to catch it before you really felt sick.  That seemed to work.  I believe that the zofran gave me a slight headache however.  With today's available medications there really is no reason for someone to go untreated.  I hope your friend gets what she needs to get through tx without nausea.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    Hi Rosieo - nice to meet you - I had Ativan and Emend at the hospital.  Then I took Compazine at home.  It worked for me as long as I took it before I felt sick.  My chemo nurse said take it at the first small wave of nausea, then keep taking it.  I never threw up and my nausea was not horrible!!

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited September 2012

    Rosieo, I took 10mg Anzemet the evening of chemo as per the MO's orders and was never nauseous.  She told me to take another pill if I ever started to feel sick, but I never needed to take one.

    Good luck to your friend.

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited September 2012

    Is anyone out there still getting strange results from blood work?  I went to my PCP and sugar & cholesterol were suddenly high.  Anyone else?

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited September 2012

    My GGT is still raised and my leukocytes are low :-/. I worry about leukaemia from the anthracycline so having my leukocytes just permanently sitting there below normal is worrying for me.



    Jenn

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited September 2012

    Joyce - are you taking Tamoxifen? It can cause raised cholesterol...



    Jenn

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  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited September 2012

    Joyce I had the opposite effect - my cholesterol is suddenly normal which it hasn't been in years.  One of my liver functions was still off so I am due to go and repeat everything this month.  My MO wasn't concerned.  Now I have been on an AI for 2 weeks so who knows how things will read.

     Gayle

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited September 2012

    I wonder how long it will be before our bodies recover from chemo.  I am not taking AI or Tamoxifen but my body is still holding tight to every pound it gained - and I feel like I'm falling apart physically.  I twisted my knee at the beginning of August and still am in pain.  I am sick and tired of being sick and tired....

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    Jenn - you are so informed, and with you working in the field that you do, wow, you know exactly what everything means.  That would be about 100 times more scarey. 

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited September 2012

    Jenn, thinking of you as you have your surgery today...

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited September 2012

    Message from Jenn's DH just to let you all know what's happening.

    Hi - Anthony posting on Jennifer's FB - she has come through 12+ hours of operation well, and is now in the ward. Telling me what to do and say... as usual! Good to have my Jennifer back ! 

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  • ang7894
    ang7894 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2012

    Thinking of you Jenn

    Hugs to all of you.

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited September 2012

    That'sgood news!

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited September 2012

    Update from Anthony and Jenn.

    Hi - Anthony again - after a tough night sorting out pain relief and no sleep, Jennifer is sitting up. Now know that Jennifer and morphene do not mix well! Both surgeons have been to check in - and are happy that all is going well. 

     Jenn here. Pain meds mean can't focus well but wanted to say Hi. New boobs/breats doing well so far. Keep fingers crossed/prayers blood supply establishing well. Pain has been challenging.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2012

    chrissy - thanks so much for updates on Jenn!!!!!

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