April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Hello AshleyB- I am new to this forum and came here to find out if anyone else was having joint pains/muscle aches after finishing CT. I had neoadjuvant chemo (Taxotere and Cytoxan from March 22 to July 5) and am scheduled for a UMX w/ LD flap on Sept 11. When I sit down for awhile and then try to get up and walk, I can only shulffle my feet in tiny little steps because my feet hurt (peripheral neurophathy) and my joints are stiff. I had pitting edema in my legs that lasted about a month and started 3 weeks after I finished chemo My primary doctor says this (the joint pains and muscle aches) often happens after chemo as your body adjusts to being off of CT. I did some reseach and discovered that the joint pain/muscle aches can last up to a year after chemo ends. Not good news, but at least there is an end in sight.

Hi all- I am finally done with the AC and 12 weekly Taxols with Herceptin. Now on to Herceptin only every three weeks. I had a lot of support from you all going through AC. I have scans scheduled in a couple of weeks. I am a little nervous and hope they are fine. My MO says no scans after that unless there is a need, which appears to be the norm. I will keep checking the forum as always.

Dance-a special thank you to you as you were right ahead of me. I have to say my mind is finally moving on to more normal things like sex;) so really appreciate your post from yesterday. Now I have to go and get the necessary gels.

Awesome hopeful - you are so very welcome! 

BTW all, 2nd time was WAY better.  Very minimal discomfort!   

dancetrancer- Went to Target today and got some items that will hopefully give that other part of my life some attention.  When I talked to my onco about that at last week's appointment, it was kind of funny to watch her squirm. LOL  She told me to call her if I needed a prescription med/cream.  Still just trying to feel better from the chemo.  Thanks for being so candid about this subject. 

Thanks kjiberty.

Pkate- I was moving a little slower than usual last week--- soreness in my upper thighs.  My onco said it is from the chemo and it should improve as time goes by.  Today, I felt much better--- no pain .  Hopefully, I will keep feeling better and recover from the chemo .  Good luck with the rads!!!!  You may want to join the Summer 2012 Rads Hang out.  A lot of the gals from here who are having rads are on that thread.

DanceT- Oh no what a bummer. I used to have this problem before. I found out that I got it when we used condoms with spermicide wasnt sure if it was that or if it has something to do with the specific polymer being used in the brand. Clearly at this point what I am saying is just based on experience havent done research on this issue, and not sure if it applies to your situation. I have started having a lot of cranbenrry juice since then.  I know given your delicate balance between the different microbes this isnt something you want on your plate. We just have to keep working through this to find the conditions that are optimum for us. It will all work out eventually dont worry.

What would you do?  My 30 year old daughter who was diagnosed in 2008 at the ripe old age of 26 with BC (also triple positive) just had her mammo and got the letter in the mail that instead of saying all is fine, it said your recent exam showed an area that we believe is probably benign, however we would like to see you again in 6 months.  6 months!  Would you wait?  This sends me into a total stress out...

On another note, I have my last TCH next week, yes!  Have been extremely fortunate with very very few SE's.  Onto radiation soon after 3 weeks in a row of herceptin.

Finally PFC!  Had last treatment this morning.  One final week of SE's to endure and I'm done!  YAHOO!  Seems like it was a long summer, but actually went pretty quickly.  Have a bone density scan scheduled for next week and then back to Dr. to probably start Arimedix on 9/27.  Hopefully will have few to no SE from that prescription.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  Definitely looking forward to my hair coming back, hopefully wig-free by the holidays.  What a ride it's been.  But I made it as many of you have.  I fought the fight and I'm going to continue to do so.  I intend to live well into my 80's (only 56 now).  I didn't work the past 40 years to retire and die.  Have only 23 more months till I can retire with a pension and I am looking forward to doing so and enjoying my life.  This cancer was just a bump in the road.  It may have slowed me down, but it will not stop me!  Onward!  Best to all.

Sherry:  CONGRATS!  Yours words are my exact sentiments!

Congrats to everyone who is now PFC! To those still going through it, I wish you mild SE's.



I'm now four weeks PFC.



Can my taste buds return to normal soon, please? Food tastes fine now when it's in my mouth, but I still get a bad/metallic taste between meals.



My hair stragglers that never fell out seem to be getting longer, but I'm still not seeing new growth in the bald areas. My husband claims its starting to come in a bit on the back of my head, but I won't believe it until I can SEE new growth on the top and front.

Diane:  A pre-PFC shout out to you!  I will be on my way to Chicago for the wedding and won't be on BCO for a while..... I am so excited for you!!!!  COngrats!

Hi Lisa:  My son's!  He's 28 and lives in Chicago.  I can't wait.  

Yahoo, bcbarbie10!!!!  You are almost there!!!!