October 2011 Chemo group

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited October 2012

    Stopping in to say hello

    And ditto on the wild and curly hair....out of control !

    Going in for my final fill on Tuesday - loving the recon results.

    And will do the swap out in Dec.

    Hard to believe a year ago we were all going thru chemo.

    Hope everyone is doing well.

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2012

    Tappy, I know you must be happy about your exchange coming up. I wonder how Fran's went?



    Had 6 month check with my MO, everything looking good - NED. I can breathe for another 4 months!



    Wishing everyone happy days!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    Mine went well. They look good. No appetite, horrible constipation, thankuou fleets enema. I am week post op. My fever got up to 102.2. They drew shitload of blood, chest xray, ct scan of abdomin/ chest. They thought i had pneumonia, then realized that was from rads.. My ps is going to let me go today. I had been running low grade temps all week at hosp. Really tiredvand sleepy

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2012

    Oh Fran, I'm sorry you feel so crappy. Hope you've turned the corner on that.

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited October 2012

    So sorry you're having probs with the recon. I can't even imagine going through surgery again! Over a year past surgery and I'm in PT to break up the scar tissue adhesions and treat truncal lymphedema and costochondritis. Plus STILL dealing with fatigue. Really looking forward to the day I feel 100% again! Heck, I'll settle for 88%.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    I am feeling better. I really think it was touch of pnuemonia. Thats what they originally said in er, then some doc came back and said it wasnt. On levaquin. Using my insintive spirometer. Released me back to hotel. My docsays all my insicions look great. Using insentive spirometer. Drinking lots of fluid

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited October 2012

    I got pneumonia right after chemo ended. Not fun! Took two rounds of antibiotics...it was the levaquin that knocked it out of me. The chest x-rays were cloudy even after the symptoms abated, which they concluded was scarring/inflammation from the radition.

    Fluids and rest do the trick. I was sleeping about 12 hours a night back then.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    So verytired. Make myself walk and do insentive spirometer. Fluids too

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  • Moonflower83
    Moonflower83 Member Posts: 92
    edited October 2012

    I´m also tired. I think thats because of chemo, but it scares me a lot. I was also tired over years before diagnosis :-( I try to exercise, go out, eat well. But sometimes I just want to watch Tv and eat chips....

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited October 2012

    I really did not expect to be so tired 10 months after the end of treatment. I also discovered this year that I have pernicious anemia, which also causes fatigue and mental fog similar to chemo brain. The B12 shots have helped. But I am still far from 100%. I do exercise daily, but sometimes that just seems to make it worse instead of better. The oncologists seem to think the fatigue should be behind me by now, but the counselor in the breast cancer program says this is not unusual at all. I feel like I have aged 10 years in the last two.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    Did they run test for the anemia? Myenergy was back up until i had my diep. Those B12 shots should perk you right up

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited October 2012

    Hi, all my favorite ladies. It's so good to catch up. And to hear that some of you are still struggling with various things (not good, really, but realizing I'm not the only one.) It's so true that we aren't "done" with cancer even though treatment is done.

    My hair is also crazy curly, and after a lifetime of straight hair, I can't stop playing with it. The fatigue still lingers, and I feel like I will never get caught up on household chores after a year of neglect. But I give myself permission to relax and play as often as I want to, a result of new priorities after cancer.

    My first mammo came back clear, and I was so relieved, I didn't know I was worried until it was over. I guess the tests will always be stressful time for me, at least for several years. And with any unusual pain or funny feeling, cancer is the first thing that comes to mind. I've been really emotional lately, crying whenever a cancer story comes on tv or I read about it.

    My thoughts are with all of you, every day!         Barb

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2012

    Hey Barb, good to hear from you!

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  • NancyJill
    NancyJill Member Posts: 218
    edited November 2012

    Hi, everyone, I had my port removed 3 weeks ago and am feeling really good. My mammo was clear last summer and I feel confident the one I need in December will be, as well. Besides when taking Tamoxifen, I forget I had cancer a lot of the time! Hope you all stay well.

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited December 2012

    Just a quick check in.    I am going in for my final recon surgery Dec 17th.   My recon went really well so far with very little pain or discomfort.   So far I am loving the results.

    I finally figured out how to work with my super curley hair :)

    Hope every one is doing well and has a wonderful holiday.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited December 2012

    i got lots of curly hair too.



    My nails are peeling and weak. My eyelashes arent so good either. Anyone else have these issues?



    Looking forward to better xmas

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited December 2012

    Yes, my hair came back curly, although the newer hair seems to be straighter. I'm going back to a short haircut soon, so bye-bye chemo curls!

    My nails have white streaks in them, and horizontal ridges. I've never been big on nail polish...love how it looks, but find it too much trouble...but now I use it a lot because I hate looking at my nails.

    Eyelashes are OK, although my eyes still water a lot, especially when I'm outdoors. I'm constantly cleaning off the inside of my glasses, because when I blink it splashes tears all over them. I read recently that taxotere is excreted in tears, and can cause scarring in the tear ducts! Patients who get weekly chemo can sometimes get tearing so bad that they need eye surgery. Fortunately mine are not bad enough for that!

    Off to the med onc tomorrow for my one-year follow-up...confident, but still nervous.

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited December 2012

    Tappy, congrats on finishing your surgery. I know you'll be happy to get that finished up.



    Cfdr, good luck with your appt. They are so nerve wracking.



    Fran, I got curly hair on one side only but it's now pretty much back to normal except for some thin spots in front. That may be aggravated by the letrozole, who knows. I went through several cycles of losing lashes and brows but that's now leveled out. Lashes and brows are very thin though. My nails have never been good so that hasn't changed. Oddly enough I had great nails during chemo, maybe because of all the supplements I was taking. My biggest problem seems to be sleeping now. Love your new avatar!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited December 2012

    Sleeping is mine too. Am on melatonin now. Stopped the ambien. Went back to work today. I had the diep 8 weeks ago.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited December 2012

    I went downstairs last night before bed and my 20 yr old dd had brought a friend over. It was that kid who stole over 30 of my xanax last christmas. I didnt realize they were gone for a few days. It tooka while to sort out who had done it. My girls or Tyler. He finally confessed to my dd. I called his parents-awkward. He actedfunny after christmas they said. He later told my dd he tried to killhimself.

    I quickly went upstairs- didnt have my robe on. I am sure he is downstairs this morning. Heis mydd s gay friend and he would frequently sleep over. He became like a son to us.



    Its beena year now. That hurt sobad last year. I had just finished AC about to go on taxol. am not ready for this drama. Guess I should forgive him. Thing is I really liked hanging out with him.

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  • Moonflower83
    Moonflower83 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2013

    Hi everyone!

    I just want to ask how everbody is doing. I had my follow-up appointment a week ago and everything is fine. My hair is still curly and I love it and most of the time I feel pretty normal, but my moods change a lot and then I start crying and can´t say why :-( I know, it´s the Tamoxifen and Trenantone and also the whole cancer thing, but I really don´t like this moments. Still I´m thankful for every day. I know, that I wouldn´t be here anymore without the treatments i got. In August 2011 there was this little voice in my head that told my I have to go to the doctor to check out this lump in my breast, because if i didn´t, I would never turn 30...

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2013

    Hi,

    I'm stillhere. had some depression few weeks ago. meltdown. almost got back on antidepressants. but am increasing my gym time. finished recon last month.

    Its so damn hard trying to find joy sometimes. trying to find what makes me happy again.

    My dd finally talked me into getting chickens last month. I love them!!! there are 14 of them. omg she got too many. I have talked her into getting rid of the roosters when they emerge from group and giving a friend a few to reduce flock to less than 10. No not on farm. lol live in suberbs.

    anyone want to go to the thing in vegas. tata reunion. I think its in sept. I'm planning on going. I want to dance and party and have a good time.

    I wore my hair in 2 tiny pigtails yest. Love having hair.Smile

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited May 2013

    Hey all! Been thinking about you guys, glad you're checking in! I went through the depression thing too, very uncharacteristic of me. I finally moved out of it once I started feeling good again. I still have dark days and of course, cancer is always on my mind. Family of course, doesn't understand.



    Fran, I raised chickens for a while and loved them too. The eggs were great and so was the meat, the butchering not so much.



    Hope to hear from others!

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  • sherrybaby
    sherrybaby Member Posts: 80
    edited May 2013

    I also have had some bouts of depression, but the main thing has been ongoing pain issues. No one can figure out why I have all these joint/bone pain. I was put on Arimidex once I finished chemo, but my QOL was so bad I came off of it after talking to my MO. He said that since my percentage for ER was so low the new literature considers me functionally negative. My new rheumatologist thinks that the Arimidex triggered some type of inflammatory response in my body that has continued even though I am off the drug so she is treating me as she would an auto-immune disease. 

    In better news I finally started my reconstruction. I had a latissimus dorsi flap 3 weeks ago and so far so good. My PS hasn't done any fills yet because he got so close during surgery. I will have exchange surgery and a lift on the other side in 2-4 weeks from now. I am hoping that no revision surgery is needed. 

    So glad to hear from you ladies 

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited May 2013

    Still NED, which is the important thing. Have had a very difficult time with fatigue...even a year post-treatment I was significantly impaired. All oncologists could suggest was upping my dose of Lexapro (antidepressant), which I started right before chemo. I did the opposite...I'm tapering off now. Starting feeling more energy almost right away. But I'm still far from what I'd consider "normal", and don't know that I'll ever get back to my pre-cancer state of energy again. I also suffered from a lot of chemo brain...found it difficult to focus and motivate, and doing any kind of mental work (like my job) exhausted me. That seems to be getting better with time, too.

    Also still suffering from truncal lympedema and costochondritis, which cause random muscle spasms in my side, just under where I had surgery. I can't wear bras anymore, even the $297 Belisse compression bra...I stick with compression camisoles. Also have had sexual difficulties, which mostly resolved with a lot of effort, patience, physical therapy and coconut oil. I've been in three rounds of physical therapy, one of each of those issues.

    I've become active in a couple of local cancer-related non-profits. It feels good to be able to contribute in a positive way.

    Good to hear from y'all!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2013

    My energy levels arent back up yet either. sex, whats that? I am only 46. i have no desire.



    finished recon.



    just have this annoying sinus bone spur. feels like knives when I bend over. going back to ENT today. begging him to put me on sx schedule to remove it. had freaked myself out last month thought it was brain cancer. CT was clear.

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited May 2013

    Cfdr, it's amazing how the estrogen sucking drugs destroy your sex life. I'm sorry you all have had such a tough time of it. I have the obligatory joint pain and increased neuropathy in my feet since chemo, but alleve seems to help with the worst of it. I'm really upset with the seriously thinning hair that I'm experiencing with the letrozole. My very thick hair never really came back after chemo and now it's even thinner. I've kept my hair very short.



    In spite of all this crap, I guess the important thing is we're still here!

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited May 2013

    Nice to hear from you ladies!

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  • Moonflower83
    Moonflower83 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2013

    I also still have chemobrain and forget a lot of things. It´s hard, now I´m graduating from university and have to learn a lot, because I forgot most of the things I have learnd through the years. Don´t know if it´s because of the chemo drugs or the cancer shock. I feel like I have to learn everything from the beginning (if you understand, my english got very bad...)

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited May 2013

    I'm back having sex again, but it wasn't easy. Physical therapist, vaginal dilators, scream cream, benzocaine, relaxation exercises, and about every kind of lube and moisturizer you can imagine. It's been worth it, though, because we are back having sex again. My husband is happy. For me, honestly, the sex is a chore. I enjoy the intimacy but the pleasure is just not there anymore. If I can get through it without it being painful, I count it as a win.

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