March 2012 chemo

Hi all March Chemo friends,

I finished taxotere and carboplatin on July 6. Still have Herceptin through February. Finished 25 rads and 6 boosts yesterday ( Friday). That went well until this past week. Having discomfort and pain from burns and maybe skin allergy. Feels like a combination of an itch, tickle, and pain. I'm using saline soaks, Gluconpro Pro 3000, and RadiaGel. Nothing's really makes me feel better. My rad onco also gave me some SpandGel applications. Those felt good for a short time, but hard to stay in place. The "tube top" is uncomfortable. Soon...

Hi all! Starting to enjoy things more and more PFC. Had terrible taste issues this time, and a fever Friday night for reasons unknown (it stayed below 100.5 so no trip to the ER, yay). Fine today! My hair is up to at least a half inch long all over my head. Not real thick but I had baby fine hair anyway. It is much more salt than pepper, so as soon as it's long enough, I'm going to dye it again. Only just a few hairs in my eyebrows have grown back and no lashes yet as far as I can tell. Have my first appointment with RO next Wednesday and also appointment re: Metformin study.

Indigo: yay re: taste. Isn't it miraculous to enjoy food again, even slightly?

Let me know what you think re: Metformin study. I am also invited to take part and haven't really felt like I wanted to do it. Mostly because it can cause intestinal upset I understand, and I've had my share of intestinal issues, frankly, since the start of chemo. But what if it turns out to be THE next big miraculous step forward in BC prevention.... Or what if I'd get the placebo and have no issues... As you can tell I am conflicted. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Hi ladies! It's been awhile since I was here. I am finished with chemo and rads and scheduled to start Tamox this week. It's definitely scanxiety time. I see my MO on Thursday and he will schedule PET then to check this ongoing rib issue. I thought I was doing ok with it, but as it gets closer, I find that I am a basket case. Hope everyone is doing well.

kltb: I think you will be surprised how easy the BMX seems after all the chemo, etc. My port placement was worse than the BMX. I was surprised at how very little discomfort I had. My surgeon gave me Lortabs but I didn't need them and only took a few, mostly to help me sleep, not for pain. They explained to me that my chest area would be numb because they sever all those muscles and nerves, and it was (and is still). This is one time the loss of feeling is a blessing. I can't imagine how painful it would have been otherwise. But, all in all, the BMX has been the easiest part of this (at least for me).

I think I am dreading the drains more than anything!  And just the process...the anesthesia - I hate that time in pre-op where they "let people come back and see you" before surgery and it's all "hey, good luck, hope ya don't die!"  LOL.

I am finishing up prep work - getting the house clean - I am getting the rental hospital bed simply because my insurance will pay for it 100% so I am going to try it.  I have TONS of pillows and I am going to also get a wedge for my bed.  Then I am borrowing a regular old recliner from my parents just to have somewhere in the living room to sit/sleep if I need it.  Just ordered some camis w/drains that my ins is paying for and about to also order some of the press on pockets for drains and a lanyard. 

Wow kltb, sounds like you are all set. Thinking of you. What's your date?

All done phase 1 of rads today, just the 5 boosts left. Tired and weepy and trying to hold it together through my work day.

Triplem: good for you, checking off onemore thing.

Can you explain how you had two positive nodes before surety but none in surgery? I'm a bit slow; do you mean the chemo did something to the nodes?

I had chemo after lumpectomy and SNB, so I don't understand the finer points of chemo before routine...

Hi ladies. Haven't checked in here in awhile. As some of you already know, my doctors say the rib issue is a bone met. But it is small and it is only one, so I fully plan to kick it's ass with Tamoxifen and whatever else they recommend. I plan to be around for a very long time.

Lana: you kick it!! Stupid cancer. You can totally do it.

Michelle - glad you are recovering from surgery. Good news on the nodes. I empathize with you on the drains.



Lana - love and hugs you can do this!



I am in the hospital on the other side of BMX. Not nearly as terrible as i imagined. Obviously uncomfortable but I have a demoral pump. Had to have zofran earlier due to extreme nausea. Getting up and down and going to the bathroom is my exercise. 5 times thus far.

Kltb- Glad you're on the other side. It really isn't so bad pain wise. Just very slow moving. Feel better soon girl. Just know I'm right here with ya.

Hi Kltb

Delighted you are out the other side!

Pleased you are getting some exercise! That will help prevent clots or so I was told. Hope the happy pump will work well.

You are through the worst - now is the time to enjoy the meals if you can!

Best wishes

Alice

KCB- wow! Congrats on finishing rads! How many weeks did you have? Seems like you just started.

Lana - I am so sad about your bone mets. Damn cancer. Its a good thing it was caught early - kick ass, woman! ((((hugs))))

KCB - Congrats on finishing rads! Are you looking for the light at the end of the tunnel?!

Michelle & Kltb - Glad your surgeries went well and you're on the mend. Take those pain meds and let people pamper you. Believe me, you'll heal much more quickly!

Love to all