Starting Chemo October 2012

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Poke - AI is an aromase inhibitor - -works better than Tamoxifen, but can only be given post-menopausal.  I am doing the hysterectomy b/c of the stage 4/liver lesions which were a 90 on the ER+ scale.  While Lupron could suppress me, there can still be days in the month that it doesn't work as well.  For me, not having the organs at all is the only thing that will make me feel slightly safe. (If I could lipo every ounce of fat out of my body to avoid it making estrogen, I'd probably try that as well, lol.....but that of course is not an option)  My MO believes it is the best way as well, but she did let me decide whether to do Lupron first or go straight to hysterectomy.   Thankfully, my MO said she'd okay the surgery within 2-3 weeks of last chemo, and I just want to get it done.  I meet with my new gyn next Thursday, and I'm really hoping that she will be okay with doing it as quickly as possible as well.    Do you know yet when you'll do yours?

    Hope you have a good Thanksgiving!

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited November 2012

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I know I have wondered who's dog I've run over in a past life to have deserved this punishment.....but at the same time, I am so incredibly grateful for each and every day with my family. I hope everyone is feeling well, that side effects are non-existent, and you have a wonderful day with family and friends. I think we all have looked death in the face (and continue to), so we have a unique perspective on gratitude.  I hope you all enjoy!! :)

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  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited November 2012

    Happy Thanksgiving to all....  hope everyone feels good (as good as possible!) for turkey day!  Good timing for me with #3 chemo next week.  Everything tastes funny but feeling good otherwise, except my poor peeling hands.  Sounds like the taxotere is to blame for that, & will definitely mention it when I go next week.  I wonder, if sucking on ice is good for preventing sore mouth, maybe icing hands as much as possible would help with that?

    Yes....  we all do indeed have a unique perspective on gratitude.  What a perfect way to put it.   :-) 

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2012

    Yes an absolutely perfect way to put it......'a unique perspective on gratitude'..............

    Jennie - hope those hands feel better soon, as for the sore mouth, I put grapes in the freezer and suck on them when they are frozen - really is soothing - Caphosol (mouthwash) I got from nurse helps clear it - but the grapes make it easier.....have had 3/4 days of sore mouth after every treatment.......next and final FEC next week woohoo - halfway there - then start the Taxotere........back into the unknown again............

    Minimal SEs wished to all - hugs x

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  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited November 2012

    To Jennie and those with sore fingers - yes, try icing during the infusion. Get a bag of frozen peas (don't eat them afterwards) and put them and your fingers in a sock. Do it for 15 minutes before, during and 15 minutes after the taxotere infusion. You can do the same for your toes. You can also suck/chew ice during the same time to decrease the chance of mouth sores.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all! In spite of everything, I have so much for which I'm grateful.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2012

    Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating today.  I am from the states but live in Canada and sure wish I could go home to see family for the holiday.  :-(   Unfortunately this BC isn't medically covered once the border is crossed so can't risk it.   That means Christmas is out too.   I guess it's going to be a different kind of holiday season this year...but then, what else is the same with BC anyway?  

    Jennie - good advice from 301724.  I have heard the same thing and plan to ice mouth and fingers on Taxotere.  

    Toots -  Try sucking on ice chips and making your gums really cold during FEC.  Only during the small bag of chemo....not the red or the big bag.   Don't know the name of which one.   I had trouble the first time and then for #2 and #3 the nurse had me do ice chips for the 5-10 minute infusion only.  It worked.   I'm scheduled for Dec 5 as my first Taxotere.  I'm nervous about it but excited to not have nausea as a major SE.   I am at day 9 of #3 and like each time before I am wasted.  From about day 7 to 11 I hardly function and feel totally weak.  Maybe due to the Nuepogen shots I then start to improve quickly and feel pretty good for the last week and a half.   Has it been totally different for you?

    My hope for today is that all you wonderful ladies are feeling good and the SE's are taking a back seat.  Hugs.

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited November 2012

    Happy Thanksgiving to us all!  I have round 2 next Monday so enjoying the break.  Hope all are well and safe.

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  • Marlene18
    Marlene18 Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2012

    I'm not onto my taxol yet but I'm surprised to hear that icing isn't standard protocol for taxotere, which I hear is harder. My sister did taxotere in Ottawa over 4 years ago and she was provided these oven-mitt type of ice gloves for her hands so she didn't have to bring frozen peas herself or anything.

    I'm getting psyched for AC round 3 on Monday. I have found that while physically my SEs are pretty minimal, I've been feeling pretty spaced out well into week 2 and only easing up in week 3. I've been pretty useless at work but at least everyone is super understanding and willing to pick up the slack for me. Only 1 more round left after this one, thank goodness, then I can take a "break" and birth a baby... Laughing Kinda jealous of those of you seeing the end of your treatment approaching while taxol for me won't start until February at the earliest. Oh well, I'm going to enjoy getting to know my new tiny roommate in the interim at least!

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2012

    Halfcan - thank you so much for the advice with the ice chips during the FEC. Yes it has been the same for me - only the last week and a half I am totally functional, then back into the next one

    My first Taxotere due 21st December........

    Off to see my grandchildren tomorrow - so looking forward to it - first time since I was at this stage last time......... don't really want them to see me sick or not myself - my youngest is so emotional - if grandma not herself she would just burst into tears all over the place - she did that the first time she saw me without either a wig or a hat on! When she was at nursery in the mornings grandma used to look after her in the afternoons when mum was at work so we have always been really close...........

    .......Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays.......this thing really messes up the celebrations doesn't it - at least they will all be back next year and we should be able to make up for it then............

    Hopes for minimal SEs and lots of hugs for all x


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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    nbnotes: Thanks for all the info. I had no idea your liver lesions would exhibit the same characteristics as your original mass. It makes sense, it just didn't occur to me. I wish you so much luck with this surgery - I am not brace enough yet to make the decision as to when ... menopause in my early 30's is so horrifying. I hope, for both of us, it won't be as bad as it sounds. xoxo

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited November 2012

    Marlene, when is the due date of your tiny roommate to be? And what better thing to do than get to know her!

    SmileMarian

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  • Marlene18
    Marlene18 Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2012

    Marian, she is scheduled to introduce herself to the world on January 19th, exactly 8 weeks from today. I hope she sticks to the plan!

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited November 2012

    Yay Marlene! I am excited for you! 

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2012

    Marlene - hope we get to see some photos of your new roommate when she arrives?

    Prayers and best wishes for you and the little one x

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  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited November 2012

    Marlene - your little one has such a special and strong mama! Prayers and best wishes for both of you!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Poke - Thanks!  I talk well about being able to do the surgery, but another surgery within 6 months of the BMX does freak me out a bit.  Of course, the estrogen from not doing it freaks me out more!   I am so thankful that it was breast cancer in the liver and not another type because it does at least respond to the same treatment, which is  definitely a good thing.

    Marlene -  You are getting such a wonderful new years gift!  Hope she keeps to the plan!

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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    Hope everyone is doing well tonight ... enjoy the weekend. 

    xoxo

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  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited November 2012

    thank you Poke

    love the new pic!

    so beautiful...

    im trying hard to find the beauty in me...sigh

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited November 2012

    Marlene there are plans afoot for us west coast women to meet for lunch Dec. 8 at the Olive Garden in Langley. i only found the thread last week but here it is!

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/55/topic/793854?page=1#top

    Hope you can make it. There is talk of some carpooling too and if we can get some idea of who lives where we can see how that would work.

    :) Marian

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  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    Celine, I know it's hard, but you can do it!!

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited November 2012

    POKE..............Beautiful picture.  Hope you are doing well.  I go for # 2 in the morning.  Then I will be half way through!  Everyone take care.

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  • melissa119
    melissa119 Member Posts: 172
    edited November 2012

    Hi ladies!  Passing along some holiday cheer to help you get thru treatments and SE's! Check out my pic!

    Melissa

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2012

    ...just behind you schoolmom my third and final FEC due on Thursday then on to the T.............

    Hugs to all x

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited November 2012

    All went well today.  Now waiting for the SEs to kick in.  Go in for my neulast shot in the morning.  Thursday is usually when I start feeling bad.  Check in later.  :)Kiss

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  • Caitgrace
    Caitgrace Member Posts: 48
    edited November 2012

    Gorgeous photo Poke!



    Envious as my head still has pimples and my fuzz is all patchy but I dare not tape it and cause more irritation.



    Today blood work, tomorrow we leave to STL if all is good. I know I can do this but it does make us weary. Sat. my BFF arrives - I've always taken care of her emotionally and I feel now this is a burden she shares - makes me sad.



    Have tons to do knowing soon I will have to just grin and bear the wave. Hoping all of you have good rest, a grateful heart, a warm head, and a laugh today!

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  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited November 2012

    Tomorow is my last A/C

    im very glad to have reached this point.. though not looking forward to the next two weeks... last treatment was rough.

    Started reading about taxol...everyone seems to think it "better" then A/C... but isnt that like saying cianyde is better then arsenic?

    hope i dont loose my nails, like my hair..

    sometimes i wish i could just sleep the whole time away...wake up sometime next summer...

    But... i must say one thing..

    i am a changed woman and this path is showing me part of myself i never knew existed...

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  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited November 2012

    Best of luck CelineFlower and Caitgrace. And Caitgrace - maybe this is a chance for your friend to repay you! You've been a wonderful friend to her; what goes around, comes around!

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited November 2012

    I saw the MO yesterday and good to go today for #4 A/C. Neutrophils were such that I go back to 5 injections every other day. So it was, 7, then 5, then 6 and this next cycle 5 again. I asked about hemoglobin today. Even though I am still keeping up with my walking etc. I wondered if my feeling that I have had to back off a bit on uphills etc. was heart or oxygenation, thinking more about the latter. Sure enough my Hg has been sliding and MO says chemo is the cause. Diet is good and chemo is culprit she says though I will really work at iron rich foods. It was 92 today and if it goes below 80, then blood transfusion. This triggered lots of emotion (though really transfusion if necessary is fine with me) as my father in 1994 had lung cancer and both first and second chemos had to have blood transfusions. Second one, minutes after, he went into respiratory arrest and died 4 days later. So yeah lots of thoughts today even though our situations and health are very different. 8 weeks for him from diagnosis to death.

    So will take it easy today, yoga this AM, then 4 PM A/C #4 and then onto Taxol. MO gave me a precsription for Gabpentin for the myopathy that Taxol may cause. I saw someone posted on the Nov. chemo thread that Taxol does not do in WBC but I am pretty sure I carry on with Neupogen throughout.

    Looks like Taxol #2 will be Christmas Eve. Ah well!

    We had 3 sunny days in a row and no rain today either it seems.

    SmileMarian

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2012

    ..............loving your comment Celine 'started reading about taxol...everyone seems to think it "better" then A/C... but isnt that like saying cianyde is better than arsenic?'............ feeling much the same about it all last FEC Thursday..........bloods tomorrow..............

    My oncology nurse said she didn't know the logic behind it but some of her ladies had painted their nails black and they hadn't lost any, thought anything was worth a try and went to see manicurist Friday and had them all painted black with a gel varnish so I can see how long it lasts, they reckon about 3 weeks, if so that will take me from one session to next...........

    ....hoping it works don't want to lose my nails either, like my hair............

    Caitgrace - enjoy your time with your friend it is Karma - what comes around goes around..............

    ......my first Taxetare 4 days before Christmas so not looking forward to the holiday but I will enjoy it twice as much next year and make up for it.

    Hugs to all x

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  • Caitgrace
    Caitgrace Member Posts: 48
    edited November 2012

    Went to get blood draw from the port - she couldn't get good flow; de-accessed; accessed again still couldn't get good flow. She had already made me freaked out when she asked me "what size needle do they use?" Good Christ?!! So them she asked me "well what do you want to do?" "We can try again, I can get someone else to try again, or we can try your arm" I expressed my concern about damage to the port etc, she said "oh it's fine it's not going to hurt the port, I'm sure it's just positional" At that point the tears came...



    Got the draw from my arm but now not sure if I'll have problem with the port with chemo in two days. So not impressed with our local hospital sometimes.

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