Starting Chemo July 2012

PAEaglesFan - what a great analogy of weed killer.  I will keep that in mind when it's my turn to start radiation. I've wondered WHY must I go through that also, but figured with the aggressive nature of triple negative BC I wouldn't argue.

Getting tired of swollen feet and ankles, chemo eyes (it's really hard to see the computer screen and correct my typos), fingernail beds hurting (how long before the nails are gone?_, and general all-over hurting and tiredness. Whining again. Only 1 more chemo to go.    Nat 

Nat, you're almost there!  

Missunshine, yuck, so sorry for the infections rashes and pain.  It's good they plan to reduce your dose.  Hey my hair is sort of coming back too-- really just downy fuzz but it's encouraging.  I have one hair in front that's probably a whole inch long.  Yay!

Well today is Taxol #3.  I decided to get my blood draw today rather than the day prior, hoping this will result in higher counts.  Last time they were below the limit and I had to get special permission for the infusion.  So I'll be driving up for blood draw, coming home, then having the DH drive me to the infusion.  Decided I'd rather just make two trips rather than making us both sit there for an hour and a half while waiting on the labs.  I barely even dread the needle sticks anymore.  I'm just bored with the whole routine!  Gonna take a book today so I don't have to rely on the rather dismal magazine selection.

PAeagles - I agree, good analogy.

I have a bit of stubble on my head too. Plus, knock on wood, I haven't lost all of my brows or lashes from Taxol. One more round to go one week from Monday.

Been waiting to write this sentence for a long time.....after 6 TC treatments, I am 3 days PFC (and in my sentence the "f" doesn't stand for "final"!!!). Hang in there ladies - we will get through this! I start rads on Nov 12. Meeting with the radiation onc on Tues and plan to ask about the difference between chemo and rad (love the weed killing analogy!).

Ann -I laughed out loud when I read your sentence about analyzing your fuzz. I have been doing the same thing. I spend a lot of time looking from all angles and lots of time rubbing my head. Feels good to have heair there even if it is fine, light little duckling hair. It was somehow just a relief to see it growing back - reminded me that all will be back to normal at some time in the future.  Can't wait until we are all there!

Congratulations itsalltemporary. You're on the road to chemo-recuperation and it's all downhill

Nice to see a bunch are coming close to the end of chemo.  it must feel wonderful!!

I have 3 more rounds of TH to go and the first one seems to be kicking my butt!

I spent friday and saturday in the hospital with a low fever.  Many tests later, it seems I just have a respiratory virus.  I feel like death but am slowly gaining strength back.

At least my daughter didnt have to miss her dance class.  I'm so greatful for my family, especially my sister.  I don't know what I'd do without them!  As I'm writing this my sister called to say her son has headlice and my daughter just spent a couple nights there.  Here we go again.......

CONGRATULATIONS  Itsalltemporary and Roadwarrior28!!  Us weekly Taxol people will be there shortly.  I think TellBallmom and I finished the same day 11-21-12  and Whaevah is on our schedule too!  It's an accomplishment for sure!  

Feel better mssunshine71.

Congratulations in advance roadwarrior28!

Well I feel like I'll be one of the last ones across the finish line.  My last Taxol is Dec 20, just in time for Christmas.  I'm feeling really well these days though.  The only SE's are sleeping a lot and intermittent bone pain, plus I have to eat loads of fiber to keep constipation at bay.  I'm so happy to be able to eat normally again, except I still don't want to drink plain water.  Infusion #4 this week and my first visit with the onc since starting.

stride: So sorry about the spread of your cancer!   {{{{hugs}}}} from me to you.  

Congratulations itsalltemporary and roadwarrior!

stride - I too am sending you a big HUG right now.

Just confirmed my last round of Taxol - 10/29 Definitely getting excited about the last round. Still awaiting more info on the radiation front - no one has been able to produce any stats or studies for me to read. I have a follow-up with radiation onc on 11/2 so I will have to make a decision by then.

Stride - so sorry to hear about the spread. Good thoughts, strength and hugs to you!

Congratulations Maddie57, itsalltemporary, RoadWarrior28, on getting out of ChemoVille! I’m looking forward to joining you at the off ramp on 11/12.  Yesterday was 9 down, 3 more to go. Brings a whole new meaning to Thanksgiving, doesn’t it?  And what a great birthday present for RoadWarrior, too.

Mssunshine, sending you love and light.

Stride, I was upset to hear about that spread. Please keep us posted on your treatment plans.  In the meantime, sending you love and light as well.

SusanHG123, your daughter sounds amazing. Thank you for raising such a thoughtful human being. We need more of them in the world to counter the self-absorbed @##hole like Miss Fatty Node. IMHO, you were very kind to allow her to live. ;-)

On the issue of “Pinktober,” before my diagnosis I found the pink ribbon tsunami very unsettling. I still occasionally bought things or made donations because I thought how could I not since the # 1 risk factor for breast cancer is none other than being a woman. And since my diagnosis, nothing has changed. I’m more skeptical of it as ever. Now I do not question anyone’s good intentions.  Reasons for participating in all things like walks and runs are personal and complex. I just wish folks would (1) demand to know where the money really goes and maybe even just give directly to organizations that actually serve women like us, and (2) VOTE for programs and policies that will help women living with breast cancer, especially I this pivotal year. I recently learned, for example, that General Mills funded anti-health care reform candidates through its political action committee. General Mills owns YoPlait which had the scandalous lick-the-lid campaign that not only gave a mere 10 cents to breast cancer but also had a carcinogenic ingredient in the yogurt! I know prevention is important, but I feel like the overwhelmingly majority of breast cancer efforts have nothing to do with assisting women who have already been diagnosed. The focus is on protecting the breasts of the 7 out of 8 who will never develop breast cancer rather than saving the lives of we That Eighth Woman. 

Emilybrooke, so glad to hear that you’ve started counseling. I wish it was something that everyone going through this had access to. I feel that it’s been a godsend to me. And to be honest, I only talk about cancer probably only ten per cent of the time lol!  Cancer has just brought other things to light for me, and as I address them, I actually find myself better able to cope with and feel more optimistic about this experience and its consequences.

LIfeonitsside, could you post or inbox a link to your blog please?

As for fuzz, yes, it’s coming in even as I’m still on taxol.  Even though I’ve actually enjoyed being bald, especially during the summer, bring it on I say!  I have maybe ten eyebrow hairs, and my eyelashes have become sparse so that’d be a great place to start. I feel that the eyebrows gives away that something’s afoot so that and full function of my tastebuds is what I want for Christmas.  I never fully lost my sense of taste or suffered the metallic taste, but the blandness has made it difficult to eat healthily as I search in vain for something to satisfy my palate. I lost almost 40 pounds before the mastectomy and twenty of ‘em have creeped back when my taste buds quit me and the steroids kicked in!

Virginiaiab, thanks for the song recommendation and congrats on the benign result! ON orders of my best friend who gave me an iTunes card, I’m supposed to download an inspirational song the night before my weekly taxol infusion. My playlist is called ChemoThrive. Another song I think you’ll all love is “Not Going to Give Into It” by Olivia Newton-John. She wrote this song after a chemo session. Many of the songs that particular album were written during her breast cancer journey.

Glancing through and happy for those who've finished their chemo! I've had my last chemo, but continue with herceptin for nine months. I think I'll feel like chemo is over after this upcoming herceptin alone really doesn't wear me out.. or perhaps when my hair starts growing back! I'll be especially excited if I can get to doing herceptin without the insane amount of steroids and 2 antihistimines that I had to have to stop the allergic reactions.  Tamoxifen begins soon as well. 

Pretty weak legged... and get winded easily.. but dang it, I have my nails, at least 12 eyelashes, and eyebrows that look so perfect you'd think I'd had them tweezed professionally.  I'm going to keep them so well groomed, because I've discovered taking that weight off above my eyes, makes my eyes look a lot 'younger'.  So. there's a good outcome. 

Stride, also sending hugs and healing thoughts your way.... and wishes for kick butt treatments to get that all looked after. (kicking cancer's butt.. not yours!)

I came across a discussion on this site tonight that was pretty uplifting. Although I don't fit the diagnosis, I came across it because a friend does. Nice to read stories of people with 'tougher' diagnosis (they are all tough, I know) and doing well after many  years. http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=67&id=773239&page=9

"July women still doing chemo"... wishing you whatever you need to make it easier.