Sept 2012 chemo

I had my 5th of 6 chemo treatments today; my last will be on December 26.  I have to drive about an hour to the center and I felt more uptight and apprehensive that the last 4 treatments.  I drank water, chewed gum and said the mantra, "Don't give up, Don't give in" in my head and then tried saying the Hail Mary over & over but nothing seemed to help.

Of course, when you have the treatment, nothing bad happens!  I guess it is the anticipation of the side effects that will start in the next few days.  And last for a least 7 to 12 days.  The nurse told me today that the body builds on the treatments so the side effects stay longer as time goes on.  However I am tired of no hair, the extra 15 pounds that I put on, this crazy wig and having days when I am so tired, I can't get anything done!  And I hate to say it but the nice friends that keep sending cookies are NOT helping!  Sometimes the cookies are the only thing that doesn't make me feel nauseous when I look at them!

Anywasy, I have an appointment with the radiologist tomorrow to discurss that next course of treatment.  To say the least, I am wondering what horrors this will bring.

This blog has been very helpful.  I appreciate everyone that vents, talks about the good and the bad and of course, helps with suggestions when there is pain & scary thoughts.

Really hope everyone makes it thru the next couple of weeks with good news and little side effects so we can all have a very Meryy Christmas!

"What do we say to our enemies?  NOT TODAY!"  

Terri,

We have the exact same schedule on the exact same regimen.  I get my 5th TCh tomorrow, and my last (God, it feels good to write that!!!!!) on Dec. 26th!!  YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope we both do well with minimal SEs.  

It is so encouraging to read about so many of us Sept. gals being through with chemo, or almost through.  We made it this far!!!!!  Whatever lies ahead should be a piece of cake!!!

On that note, Sandee, thanks for the reality check on metformin.  I guess we are all looking for the miracle pill that will ensure that we don't get this f#$%ing disease ever again.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any guarantee.  I'm still not sure what I will do about taking metformin on or off the clinical trial.  The clinical trial people are supposed to see me tomorrow during my infusion to discuss it more (which really means try and convice me to participate!)  I'll keep you all posted.

Timbeck2 we are with you in this journey all the way to the end . I could not imagine going through this without all of you guys.



I think we should stay on our Sept group permanently .

It is so great to read so many of you are getting close to the end of chemo.



I am 3 weeks out and feel wonderful. My hair on my head is starting to grow, my eyebrows have thinned, eyelashes are still hanging in, but the private area sure did thin out after the 3rd AC.

I had my RO consult and he is fantastic, I need 16 treatments, I was shocked expected 30 +...but so happy about that, we will start after the holidays, Jan 3 rd should be done by the 24 th. I have company for Christmas so it is great to wait until Jan. to start. I do the CT simulator Dec. 13.

I had a doc appt today, pre herceptin/tamoxifen, she was fantastic, she is a breast cancer survivor. She was so helpful and really understood all my questions and had experience with the drugs herself. I see her again in 3 months. I start both herceptin and Tamoxifen tomorrow.

I have been sewing up a storm, some doll bags for my granddaughters ...I had them over for a sleepover Friday and I just felt like the old me again, I showed my 5 yr. old GD my hair, and asked if she could see it growing and she said yes, and then she said, not so much gramma....thanks sweetie!..out of the mouth of babes.



I wanted to comment on the book the girls are putting together, I think the idea is fantastic, I cannot imagine putting my bare head out in public, but I will support you by buying a copy.



Anyway, I hope all those who are feeling under the weather feel well soon and those who feel good continue to feel good.

Jojo and Terri - congrats on being almost done.

kidsandlabs - I am having the same problem as you with the neuropathy. MO said he could spread out treatments, I just want to push through, had number 2 of 4 taxol yesterday, and can be done by Dec 31. praying I can make it through. He is skipping the neulasta shot this time since he believes that was the cause of the pain from my last chemo. Hopefully they are right and my white count stays high. I took one of the ativan that my MO gave me for nerves with chemo last night, and it was the first night in months that I did not wake up hourly with hot flashes. Hopefully not addictive, thinking of trying it again tonight.

Good luck to everyone getting treatment this week, and thanks for the encouragement from the ones that are finally on the other side of chemo, cannot wait to be there!

Jojo - congrats, that is so awesome!

Also, love hearing about all of the ladies getting close to being DONE....helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have two more and should be finished by Jan 2 or 4 I usually get my treatment o. Friday, but I am going ask if I can have my last one on Wed, just be done a bit sooner, who knows if that will work...then on to rads.....I miss my hair so much, sorta been obessing about it...not even my old long curly hair, I'd be totally happy rocking a cute pixie cut, just so sick of being bald, I have been searching the hair boards trying to get an idea of when my hair will start to grow post chemo...also can't wait to really start working on the 10 lbs I have put on during this experience! Kinda whiney this morning, sorry.



I hope everyone is feeling good and strong, it is really amazing how far we come. Thanks for being a place for understanding, support, and Inspiration. Keep moving forward!

Like the rest of you I am having hair envy, and will be happy to be sporting a short pixie.



I put on 14 lbs since DX and am starting Tamoxifen today and am so afraid it will make me gain more. I think right now I am starting to look like the Christmas cherubs. I do notice I am cutting back on food, and talking myself out of goodies to eat, I need to keep doing that through the holidays, won't be easy!



Everyone have a great day..

New report today out on Tamoxifen, if you take for 10 years you lower your risk of recurrence by 25%. All the ER+ gals should check it out.

Jojo where did you read this info? Wondering if my insurAnce would cover it for ten years or if the max is the standard 5...

Great encouraging news about the tamoxifen. Although what does this mean for those of us who were still hoping to have more children? Waiting five years already seemed long, ten probably makes it a no go!

All- there is a new topic in the boards called "San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2012". They are posting all the new BC info being released this week at the conference. The Tamoxifen info came out of the conference today and more links to other topics are listed. My MO is there, why I can't see her till the 14th.

Sorry you are here yananma but any percent to me would be worth it.....I just finished 4 rounds of AC...and the chemo is doable. It is so scary when they expect us to make these decisions. They are the ones with the education. You have come to the right place the ladies here will offer you support, and help you with SE. Good luck with your decision.

JoJo thanks for the info, I am starting Tamoxifen today.

yananma, you should also pose your question on the "Calling all TNS" group since there are lots of ladies there who may be able to offer you advice specifically in relation to triple negative breast cancer.  I agree with bearcub, any extra percentage would be worth it to me.

Hooray, Jojo!  Congratulations!

Mariposa, go for Disney ....you all deserve it so much!

AC leaves me feeling nostalgic for the good ol' days of Taxol.  I feel like I've been run over by a train.  Zero energy.  No, let's make that -20 energy.  Feels like if I lay here long enough I'll simply melt into the sofa cushions.