Sept 2012 chemo

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited December 2012

    Timbeck ... Vent that's what we need to get back up and continue this fight... You are ahead of me ... I start taxol ... Next week!!!

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  • Timbek2
    Timbek2 Member Posts: 204
    edited December 2012

    The taxol is better. Not saying there's no se's but at least I feel more human. The ac knocked me down hard. With weekly taxol I don't feel as drugged or weak. Also don't have the g I issues as much. Able to eat better. Felt kinda icky last night so chugged some galviscon. Seemed to help. One day at a time. And thank God for online ordering. Hope my packages arrive by Christmas. Xoxoxo

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  • butterfly14
    butterfly14 Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    timbek, I hope your little one feels better soon! I had a slight fever last week and teh start of some congestion. MO gave me an antibiotic, which seemed to help.

    Number 2 taxol tomorrow, so not looking forward to the bone pain again, but at least that will be the half way point for the taxol.

    Hoping no SE's for for anyone and a great week.

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

    Hi ladies, 

    I know I haven't been on the boards in almost a month. Between grad school full-time and treatment, I've been busy. The commute back and forth to CT each week is getting annoying but what ya gonna do. I feel bad posting as my SEs have been non-existent since I started the Taxol (finished Round 2 this past Friday). I am beyond happy to be done with the AC as the fourth round hit me hard and I was so fatigued. I can only hope that my lack of SEs (besides some mild fatigue) lasts throughout the course of my treatment (I know it will probably get worse but one can hope!). The semester is almost over for me, which I am really excited about. I have a lot of work to get done which is stressful but it is what it is. 

    I have been dealing with a lot of pain in my armpit region where my SNB was performed in the past few weeks.  My oncologist felt nothing suspicious but sent me for an ultrasound to double check anyways. Everything turned out to be find and my breast surgeon believes the pain is from my scar tissue contracting around my implants. So I'm basically in constant pain but dealing with it. 

    I hope everyone is well! 

    Justine <3

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited December 2012

    Justegan --

    Soooo good to hear from u!!!!

    Glad everything is manageable !!

    Good luck with finals !!!

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  • butterfly14
    butterfly14 Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    justegan, I am so happy that you are doing well. Once you are finished with the semester, enjoy your much needed break.

    Do you have the tissue expanders still or the actual breast implants? Hope the pain subsides for you soon.

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  • Katski
    Katski Member Posts: 55
    edited December 2012

    I have a question about delayed Chemo.  I started in September.  skipped the 2nd one due blood clot under port and have completed #3.  Now, I will miss the date for #4 due to having surgery and having expanders out due to some kind of infection.  I am home and on two super-duper antibiotics(bacterial but they can't define it).  Does anyone know how this will affect my last chemo treatments and if there are any cancer cells running about?  My MO gave me an indifferent answer and kind of said it wouldn't matter when I continued.  I thought it was important to do these cycles every three weeks.  Now, I am confused.(btw, my white cell count was way off of normal).

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  • butterfly14
    butterfly14 Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    akrazykat, My MO initially told me that they like to start about a month after surgery and that the reason was to get any stray cancer cells that are out there before they can grow. I am not sure what happens when you start and stop chemo like they have you doing, maybe call the American Cancer Society, they have nurses that answers questions that you may need clarification on. I have talked to them and they were nice and helpful.

    Best of luck.

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited December 2012

    Yesterday I had my Neaulesta shot and last night it hit me the pain throughout. Laying in bed today doing nothing . Two more , can't wait to be done

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2012

    Justine, welcome back! Glad to hear your doing so well.



    Cherioo, sad to hear your in pain. It leaves me wondering over and over again - why must we suffer so? But I take comfort in Becki's quote from Jeremiah. :-)

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  • cgesq
    cgesq Member Posts: 319
    edited December 2012

    Just came from the MO"s office, where I was asked to participate in a clinical trial examining whether metformin, a diabetes drug, has anti cancer properties.  The trial will require me to take metformin twice a day for 5 years.  Oh, and its a blind comparison trial, so I might be getting a placebo!  I'm not sure what I'm going to say.  It seems like a huge commitment.  Besides, after the BMX and all this chemo and herceptin, shouldn't I be cancer free already???

    As anyone else been approached for this study?  

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited December 2012

    Jojo I know this pain will end but sucks that I still have to still get the neaulesta shot . I do so well then boom I get the shot and it knocks me out .

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  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2012

    cgesq: My doctor has also asked me to be in the study.  Some of the others on the board have been offered the actual drug (I think?).  I really want the drug- but I don't want to be in the placebo group if I am doing all the work anyway!   The one thing that is very tempting for me at this point is the weight loss associated with Metformin-I know it is silly and vain, but I am really taking this weight gain thing pretty hard.  And I like that it could curb my sugar cravings - which have an awesome power that I can not resist.  From all of the research online, it looks extremely promising.   I know I will be cancer free after this - but I am concerned about that Her2 status. 

    cherioo:  Have you tried the claritin?  I know it doesn't work for everyone- but it has worked for me.  I still get some pain, but it is bearable.  Hope you are on the mend super fast.

    my nurse navigator from the insurance company just spent the last hour on the phone with me discussing advance directives.  Not a fun discussion.  I kept zoning out.  Anyone else have people bombard you will info regarding this?  I get the pamphlet from everyone - it sucks.

    Justegan:  nice to see you again!  Glad you are doing well!



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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2012

    Cgesq I was asked to participate too. I am like Mariposa, would hate to do all that for a placebo. I have to let my MO know on the 14th, so as of now undecided.

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  • sherbab
    sherbab Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2012

    Hi All,  I have a silly question and did a search but the last thing I saw was from 2008 and didn't really tell me anything.  Are there any MOs out there telling you a real Christmas tree is out of the question?  I would be very sad not to be able to have one but coming this far I am doing everything I can not to get sick so if a tree is out it is out.  I will ask my MO on Wednesday but wanted to ask the group what they had been told.  THANKS!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited December 2012

    Cherioo: I hear you with the leg pain. I think mine is from taxol which I had on Thursday.

    The pain started on Saturday and its unbearable today even with pain pills. Hot baths help me some. Two more left for me as well. Ugh!



    Mariposa: I've only been asked once about the medical directive since diagnosis. However, every time I would go to the doctor the past few years, they would ask me if I had one. Maybe it's just a standard question that is asked of everyone regardless of their situation.



    Major brain fog today. My fingers are so numb that I couldn't pick up paper clps on my desk today. With that and my leg pain, I probably should have stayed home. But I didn't want to give in if anybody gets that. It's not going to get me down!

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited December 2012

    Mariposa I should have taken claritan but did not . I think it is the Taxol . When I was on the AC I did not have the body aches like this , but I can do this . Only two left . Has anyone met with their rad MO ? I am meeting with mine on Thursday to discuss my radiation treatment. I am looking forward getting that done too so that I can start getting my injections again in my expanders so I can get my new boobs . I noticed today my eye

    lashes and brows are almost all gone but I have fuzz growing on my head

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2012

    Cherioo I am meeting with my RO on Friday. I also can count my eyebrows and lashes.

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  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited December 2012

    Cheerio, My RO is great! She explained how it would all work and why she wanted to treat half my armpit as well as my breast. I see her every Friday during rads. The technicians also really put you at ease. I now have 4 regular radiation treatments and 4 boost treatment left. Will have to be "mapped" and CT scanned again for the boost as it turns out. Happy to answer any radiation questions you have if I can. Also, as soon as the hair started growing on my head my eyebrows and lashes fell out :( I only have light fuzz 6 weeks after chemo. But my hair is naturally fine and fairly light. Can't wait for hair! I still have sore legs and joints but otherwise feel so much better now, even with the radiation burn.

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2012

    Hi Neta, were you offered any other rad treatments other than the traditional? Are the tattoo markings temporary?

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  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited December 2012

    Jojo: I asked for (and got) a consultation with a brachytherapy (internal rad) specialist for the boost at the end but it wasnt indicated for me and I'm happy with that. The tatoos are permanent but tiny. Like little dark blue dots from a pen. Are you done with your chemo now?

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2012

    Last one this Friday!

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  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited December 2012

    Jojo: So happy to hear that you only have one treatment left! End of chemo! Yay! I asked my MO about he Metformin trial but havent heard anything. I also heard of some ladies getting it "off label" from their family Dr. There is a thread on here somewhere about it. Did you decide on what surgery to go for yet?

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited December 2012

    Neta69 I am so glad you are feeling good . I am nervous but ready for the next step.



    Jojo you must be so excited you will be done this Friday with chemo . I will let you know how it goes with me Thursday after I meet my rad Dr.

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited December 2012

    Not yet Neta, as of my last visit to my MO she thought my tumor still to large for lumpectomy, but only my MRI on the 26th will tell for sure. I will meet with my BS that same day to book the surgery. I will have my mind made up by then for sure.



    Cherioo, yes very excited. Kinda feels like a graduation in a strange way. Please let me know how ur RO appt goes.

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  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2012

    Jojo:  congrats on being almost finished with chemo!!!!  I still have one next week and then one the first week in January.  I have been kind of in denial about the next steps- but as they are getting closer, I am noticing that I am getting more nervous in anticipation.  Are you feeling that way too???  Everyone says the next steps are nothing compared to chemo, so I am hoping that is true. 

    We decorated last night for the holidays- which has been nice for cheering me up.  I am realizing how much I do like being at home and having more family time.  I wonder how I can change my life after treatment to keep some of this.

    Neta69:  I am totally interested in the idea of getting metformin without being in the study... I wonder how you do that????

    I am going to my support group tonight. Looking forward to getting out of the house.  Most of the women in my support group are already done with treatment- but it is still helpful.

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  • SandeeAR
    SandeeAR Member Posts: 29
    edited December 2012

    Cgesq,  I know nothing of the study on metformin.  Just my personal experience.  I am typeII diabetic and have been on Metformin for 20 years.   I still got Breast Cancer.

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  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited December 2012

    Mariposa: I read a thread about some ladies getting it from their oncologists or family dr after discussing the study results with them. Can't remember what section of the site. You should be monitored while on Metformin I think so should try and find a dr willing to prescribe it.

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  • twinsplus1
    twinsplus1 Member Posts: 43
    edited December 2012

    Congrats on your upcoming LAST CHEMO, Jojo!!!

    Hugs and prayers to all!

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  • Amy4978
    Amy4978 Member Posts: 473
    edited December 2012

    Whooohooo JoJo! That's gotta feel great....

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