Starting chemo November 2012

Options
1…4142444647…75

Comments

  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited December 2012

    Yes Sotera, and it seems oddly comforting when i hear about a celebrity - immediately followed by anger that it's so widespread.



    Thanka doe the video Luvbugs- u r spntech savvy! Nice interview. Now i feel guilty about all the chocolatevin my family's stockings...and i already ate so healthy....But isn't soy bad for us Her + gals? Edamame too?

    If only i could get my girls to take 5 minutes - or really do it myself enoughbto make a difference.

    Oh well, home stretch for 2012... Here we go...

    Xo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited December 2012

    I want to watch it but can't find my damn kindle. Kids hid it somewhere lol. Oh well

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • powermom
    powermom Member Posts: 195
    edited December 2012

    Hello everybody!  Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  I've seen that some folks are using duct tape to pick up those little hairs that are falling out.  I thought of new trick last night - Glad Press 'n Seal!  I actually pressed it down on my head to pick up the loose ones, and it is pretty gentle and doesn't leave any residue.  It would probably work well to pick up already shed hair, too.  Now that my hair is buzzed and leaving, I just want it over with!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 187
    edited December 2012

    I go for my fourth and final AC tomorrow.  I am nervous and excited all at the same time.  Nervous because I know that fatigue that follows, excited because taxol is "supposed" to be easier.   Anyone else finish AC already,  did you get two or three weeks off before you started taxol?

    Did anyone else not loose all of their hair?  Essentially I am bald, but I still have about 1% of my stubble that just never released.  Hair thinned in other places too, but did not completely come out.  I had a fit of irrational the other day that it meant the chemo was not working, but in reality I know we are all diiferent.  My mo said I must have stubborn follicles.  

    Hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday.  I felt great, and the kids had a ball!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited December 2012

    Hi there. I finished my last A/C last Thursday. I felt fine fortunate but I am very nervous about taxol. I also have stubble. Does anyone know if it will start to grow back with taxol???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 432
    edited December 2012

    So tired! Wow the last few days took a bunch out of me...and my house is trashed...Christmas wasn't even here...We tried to move this summer...took the house off the market and moved all the stuff from storage back, then Emma had back surgery, then I got diagnosed with BC, DH has tried hard but stuff is slipping fast...trying to take advantage of DD being off school to help me around here...and regain my house..it is tough to sit...when there is clutter around me....also trying to drink a bunch...I feel SO thirsty...not sure why...
    On a good notr 33 days from now will be getting my final chemo! (not that I am counting...)

    hope you all had a great holiday....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eleni
    Eleni Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2012

    Michelle, how are you doing?

    You were right abut the 3rd day after chemo, it's the worst. Today I've spent most of the time in bed or in bath, crying. I'll get over it but for now I just want to cry.

    Sickofpink, 7 to 10 days after chemo is when your immune system is at the lowest. Go out and have fun, avoid handshakes and kisses with anyone who is sick. I avoid it with everyone.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited December 2012

    Neuropathy - I think I'm getting it!!! Any of you girls getting tingling/burning pains in your hands or legs?  I had 3rd chemo on the 18th and by Sunday I started getting these pains in both legs- tonite is really getting me and I've been stumbling around also.  Called Doc and was told it sounds like I might have it but there is no test to prove it.

    Today is my 9th day after TX and I am feeling crappy in general. My 4th and final round is January 8 - can't wait  - look how far we've come together here - it began as Starting in November and now we're talking about finishing... Who's going on for radiation besides me?

    SickofPink I hope you got to enjoy your company and had a nice meal OUT!  Now about that video I sent the link for - I never got to part 2, guess I should have seen it myself before I sent the link and yes - soy is bad for us, so is sugar don't know what she said but I get I will check it out tonite when everyone of you is asleep and I am here all by myself....

    Macyhen did you find that kindle - maybe you weren't suppose to see the video - you probably ate lots of junk food being with the kids - ah heck - enjoy every morsel...

    Eleni I've had a few crying spells myself this week - melt downs, pity party - call it what you want - sometimes we just need to cry!

    Keetmom, I'm glad your daughter is helping you but don't wear her or yourself out.

    Yeah Dakota - glad your finished the worst of it.

    Powermom, the glad press and seal sounds like a plan for the stubbles

    Politicomom  I still have some hair  like you - don't worry your chemo is working....

    Ok, now I'm going to get a hot shower and try to relieve some of these pains..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited December 2012

    Soy is not bad for you as food; only in supplements. We have nutrition classes at our cancer agency and an extremely well informed nutritionist who specializes in breast cancer. I know it has been said many times in different forums, but food is all OK, it is the supplements that are NOT. Soya in any form is fine twice a day; yes twice a day. There have been many studies now and all come to the same conclusion - no  supplements unless it is OK with your oncologist/oncology pharmacist.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited December 2012

    Marian you seem pretty healthy and it's funny you mentioned the supplements - I put in a call to the doc this morning about supplements and before I got a call back, I went to the health store spent $60 on Bcomplex, Calcium, Vitamin D but didn't get the C & Melatonin because the well informed salesperson told me to avoid them.   So, at 5pm I open the D, take one and then the docs office calls and said avoid supplements except for a good Multivitamin!!  At least I didn't open everything - tomorrow they go back.  I also heard but don't know, that when you get radiation there's another protocal...Does anyone know?

    Also is anyone besides Marian getting exercise?  I'm loosing my muscle but have no energy to do exercise.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 432
    edited December 2012

    No exersize here...way to cold to walk...

    My onc has me taking Vitamin D....funny how different they all are!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited December 2012

    5Luvbugs - I developed neuropathy after round two.  Heels of my feet feel numb if I touch them.  They got really tender for a few days and couldn't stand anything to touch them.  My nurse told me to take vitamin B6 and it's really helped.  Thinking about icing my feet tomorrow for round #3.

    Powermom - I still have some hair, too.  Was wondering if it would fall out later?

    Dakota - congrats on finishing the A/C!

    Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We had a white Christmas in Texas. Snow in Texa -- That my friends doesn't happen very often!!!

     Tomorrow is my round #3.  Dreading it after what the nurse said about 3 and 4 being the hardest ones. 

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited December 2012

    Oh no, I just replied to everyone and then lost it!

    Tx and Luvbugs - isn't neuropathy lack of feeling in extremities? My fingertips are numb but the bone and muscle pain in my legs feels like that old reaction to neulasta, can't stand up for long though, so less walking this time.

    Luvebugs, jealous of that light at end of tunnle, but you happy are so close!

    Eleni, sorry about the tears, as you can tell from my posts, I;ve been more anxious than usual - or ate least since before the chemo when I had more time to worry bout others

    Rads - yes after 3 more rounds of TCH, then 35 days of Rad, then Herceptin every 3 weeks til November - but got good tip form BC survivor - get an aloe plant and cut open a stalk and put fresh aloe on breast in dressing room before rRad to avoidm pain and burned skin.. pure gel form probaby good as well.

    Keetmom, my onc says to tke Vit D daily, but no other supplements - thanks for clearing up the soy issue, Mariane -

    Politico and Powermom - I stil have the stubble and thin eyelashes and wisps below, but cocktail of TCH so maybe different. Doesn't seem like loose hair to warrant tape or wrap though, a few strands look longer - Mostly bald though, and getting used to it.

    Eleni, I'm on day 6 now, did errands today, felt good to be normal, and have easy company here but active company on day 8 (not by choice) so maybe we'll order in...

    Keetmom - so hard to live in clutter when you need peace! We were ready to look to move before dx so put it off, then the electrical all went out on this old house day after round 1 so workmen were here fixing and landlord felt so bad he finally said he'd fix leaky roof right away ! I said no thansk, ratehr deal woth toxic house than dust and construction work, ugh. Do you have an OCD friend to come and help organize? Or splurge on a maid service for a day? Yikes.

    Hope everyone else is doing okay - if I scroll back to anther page, I'll lose this post again, so...

    So...xoxo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Megan2
    Megan2 Member Posts: 70
    edited February 2013

    Txjunebug, I am on day 3 after TC #3, and yes, too early for a verdict, but I feel great!! I know its the steriod high, but underneath is a happiness that in a week of side effects, it's just ONE MORE TO GO!! And that feels so exciting, like the end of this stage is in sight. I have lost my energy for the things that are supposed to make this easier (can't stand to drink the gross tasting water, so am slacking off and I know that is no good....). I was so happy that I didn't have the sensitivity reacton to the Taxotere and so was out of there in 3.5 hours instead of over 7. What a difference that makes. Back home tonight, so also am happy that the time away from home was minimal this time.

    The MO and I also discussed radiation which was exciting - to look forward to the 3rd and final phase of this part of the treatment. My Rad Onc appointment is Jan 14th, and I am booked to start Feb 18th for 6.5 weeks.... which is a long haul to be away from the family. I can look into a return to Canada for those 6.5 weeks, but am not sure that is any better as at least the kids can come to Singapore a little more cheaply than Canada, which would cost us an absolute fortune. But I have an option of a free condo in Victoria, which would be a very lovely way to pass the time (lots of friends there, parents two hours away). Hard choices...

    On the topic of radiation, are any of you Canadians out there doing the "five week" Canadian protocol instead of the standard 6.5 week protocol? If so, I would like to know more. My MO told me I could opt for it here, but I want to know exactly what the Canadian protocol is and what kinds of BC patients it applies to before cutting 1.5 weeks of radiation from my treatment, just in case they would make a difference in my recurrence chances or not. So far, only a handful of us have mentioned radiation, but I would guess a chunk of us are heading that way when we are done.

    For those on AC followed by T - good luck - I hope all of you find your "T" portion to be a breeze and get a good break.

    And for those fuzzy headed folks like our granny clarabel, I have the fuzz too. Look like I did when I was two and had orangutang hair. I trust these stubborn hair colleagues are the northern relatives of the very few remaining southern clan who refuse to give up the ghost, and that it has no relationship to my "rogue" cancer cells which are all now dead and gone. I have also noticed stubble growing in between treatements - yay!!

    Sickofpink- good luck with the dinner. Ordering in sounds wise - relaxing, comfortable, and no worries about catching something. Enjoy!!

    Macychen - glad you had such a good visit. By the way, was reading all the phamplets at the MO's office yesterday waiting for my patient and there was a good one on stageIV. This clinic was saying they manage it more like chronic disease, and have seen excellent improvements in treatment for this group. I thought of you as I read it - and my aunt is one of the patients at 10 years this xmas who falls into this group. I am sure with your boxing gloves, attitude, and family love and support, you are well on the road to beating this uninvited body guest out of your life. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • milkyway2
    milkyway2 Member Posts: 259
    edited December 2012

    Ladies try falvored water if you dont like the normal water it will work n keep on drinking 8 glass

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited December 2012

    Megan I am scheduled for 5.5 weeks of rads starting (soft date) Feb. 25 and I know the first day is mapping.

    I guess if you came to Victoria, then the Gov't would be able to get you on MSP without the standard 3 month wait since you work for the Feds? Just a thought. Glad to hear you are on the tail end of chemo! T for me and 3 more. Next blood work and MO appt. Dec. 31 and I have chemo Jan. 2. CT scan follow-up on Jan. 3 after I see PS in the morning. My case (which I requested) will be presented at the weekly breast cancer team meeting Jan. 18 when both MO and RO are around. I just wanted to get a few opinions on rads before or after surgery and/or reconstruction. I figure it is my BC so why not ask for as much as I can! Then I can decide and rest more easily with my decision.

    Megan, the weather in Singapore would be better than our Canadian winter even though less rain in Victoria! Smile

    5LuvBugs, funny you should mention the Melatonin. I bought some last week but held off taking it as have been riding a low grade fever and didn't want to take anything new. But now I realize that indeed it is likely contraindicated. I have been taking Vit D as I think I got the OK on that. Tomorrow I will call the pharmacy hotline and leave a message about Vit. D, Calcium and Melatonin. Back to Ativan for now!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • milkyway2
    milkyway2 Member Posts: 259
    edited December 2012

    I have a question ladies after how many months i can plan for reconstruction. How much time i need to recover from chemo n radio n go for another big bi lateral reconstruction surgery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pands
    pands Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2012

    i have 2 more ac treatments...4 tt treatments (to the end of april) and then a wait of 7-8 weeks to begin radiation (16 treatments total) which puts rad start at beginning of june..with the herceptin treatment alone for another 9 months every 3 weeks from end of april ...so finish time for me is....Jan 2014....seems like so far away....but because of HER2+ need to do this

    at least i was given sheet to read up on through the bc cancer agency (BRAJACTT) so i sort of have a guideline to follow...hahaha... gave copy of that to HR ladies at work and insurance company for LTD...which kicks in at end of january ...thank god i have understanding people at work and when i do go back its on my terms not theirs as to hours and such....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited December 2012

    My last chemo is Jan 8, Rad appt on Jan 23 and I guess thats' the mapping day also begin 1st week of Feb and  I also have 6.5 weeks which will bring me to mid March. Feel so bad you have to make a choice of where to have treatment;

     I see some of you are taking D and I have been taking Caltrate Calcium w/D 2x day which I've been on because of my bones and Dr said continue..but take nothing else but a Multi.

    OK, it's 4 am so I'm going to try to go back to sleep - Us Old People need our rest tooKiss!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • powermom
    powermom Member Posts: 195
    edited December 2012

    Pands, I'm far away from being done with chemo, too.  It will be at least through March, and that's if nothing happens to delay any treatments.  Then Herceptin through November of 2013.  Probably looking at TE exchange in April.  Very happy for those who will be done much earlier than that!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    My hair started coming out on Sunday. When I run my hands through it, there are always 10 or so hairs, but this morning is the first time I woke up with hair all over my pillow.

    My youngest son, Jesse wants to be here to take part in the buzzing, but right now we are pretty snowed in. The roads are clear, but the dear snow plow driver plowed a foot of snow right up to our driveway entrance.



    Anyway, the buzzing will commence either today or tomorrow. I'm ready for it. I have 2nd chemo tomorrow, so I'd rather get the hair out of the way today.



    I hope you are all doing well.



    Blessings

    Paula

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited December 2012

    I was exactly two weeks also. It was the worst part for me. It's been a month now. I don't love it but getting used to it. Hang in there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • powermom
    powermom Member Posts: 195
    edited December 2012

    Paula - Thinking of you as you get buzzed!  Remember the Glad Press 'n Seal to snag those loose little hairs.  What time do you go for your chemo tomorrow?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    I have to be at the Stephanie at 10:40. I get blood work, then see the onc, then to chemo. I thought I'd be in a large room with a bunch of recliners, but I get chemo in a private room in a hospital bed. I sit with the head all the way up, and my legs elevated. I take my iPad and book. There's a t.v. but I spend most of my time talking to my sister & the nurses.



    I'm making a list today for things I want to ak the onc about, otherwise I'll forget half of it.



    Blessings

    Paula

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited December 2012

    Good luck, Paula. The hair is scary but when u do feel ok at least the bald head reminds people to be nice!

    Q for onc..... Can i have ur cell phone # for emergencies?

    :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Sickofpink~That's a great idea, asking onc for her cell number. I'll add that to my list.



    I'm getting ready to go to my sons apt. So he & DH can have the honor of buzzing me.

    I'm taking my wig so my Jesse can see it, then it's hats & scarves until church on Sunday.



    I love you Girls.



    Be Blessed

    Paula

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited December 2012

    Paula - I hope your buzzed by the time you read this.. bet Jesse is giggling (but it's a nervous giggle)...Glad you have a private chemo area because you might want to fall asleep.  I always write notes of questions but usually forget it in my handbag... We all have private areas also and it's nice, there is also an area if people want to have others to talk to - most like to just relax... OK good luck...will we see your new hairdo(less)

    Sickofpink you must be really special to your doc because I can't imagine too many giving out their cell phone....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited December 2012

    Powermom, is this herceptin an IV or a pill? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • powermom
    powermom Member Posts: 195
    edited December 2012

    Luvbugs - It's an IV.  Herceptin is specifically for HER2+.  I'm not sure how often I will be going; I think it's every 3 weeks like now.  Then, Arimidex for 5 - 10 years!

    So lucky Wink to be triple positive and lobular!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BetNY22
    BetNY22 Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2012

    I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas- my memory is really off, anyone else? I had my #3 yesterday and I feel very nauseous after this one. I needed to come into my office and do end of the year stuff and while Im usually very good with Math and calculating I needed to call my mom to make sure I was doing it right. Very frustrating! I am leaving soon, I feel useless here- I had my assistant come in and I think I'll tell her she can leave too, there is really nothing going on.

    Its alittle over a week and I am over the hair buzzing. I haven't seen my barehead yet, I switch from scarf to wig. I have to say, I really love my wig, it was a small fortune but worth it, I get so many compliments with them not know it isn't my real hair and the people that know say wow, if I didn't know I would never think. That makes me happy!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories