Sept 2012 chemo

jojo2373-  The gals I know who have had a "deportation" after the rads have been completed.  Some haven't had their ports removed even though they have finished with the rads because their oncos want them to keep them a little longer.  Just try to think of the flushing process as a part of post treatment maintenance.  I still have mine because of the Herceptin infusions that I have until April but don't know when I can have the port removed.  I just have to be patient and wait for my onco to let me know when it can be removed after I finish the Herceptin.

i guess I've gotten used to that port being there and going up to the infusion center to get my Herceptin every 3 weeks.  Going up there every 6 weeks after my Herceptin infusions are done doesn't seem to bother me either.  I don't think that where my port is causes me not to be able to do physical activities.  Not sure what you should do but I'm sure you will come to the decision that is right for you. 

Hi All,

This is the first time I am posting.  I would like to wish each and every one of us a healthy, happy 2013.

A friend of mine shared this site with me – I was not sure of joining (I am a very quiet, private person) – so she suggested that I read along, as I would learn so much.  In fact, I shared this website with a work colleague, when I learned of her diagnosis.  I told her how helpful it has been to me.  She too is a quiet person, so I don’t know if she will post.  She started her treatment in December.

I have been along the ride with each of you since September.  I was diagnosed June 26 - bilateral MX on July 19 and I started treatment September 13 (four rounds of AC and then another 4 rounds of Taxol).  I finished my last treatment December 18.  Now I am moving onto phase II – reconstruction.  I have a call out to my PS to schedule an appointment for the end of the month to continue the “fills” and to discuss what is ahead for me.

Even though I have not joined the posts these past few months, I can say that I have learned a lot.  You have all helped me in such a very special way, something that I am so truly grateful for.  I have prayed for each of you and your families laughed and cried with you, etc.  You are all remarkable women.  I want to thank you for allowing me to share this part of your life; it has been my honor.  I wish I had introduced myself and posted sooner.

I’d like to share something that I am doing now that may be helpful to some.  One of the side effects I am experiencing from the Taxol is neuropathy.  My oncology nurse told me about something called “Juven.”  It is made by the company (Abbott) that makes ‘Ensure’ (the nutrition drink).  She said many of her patients have used this powder and had good luck with it.  I had to purchase it online, since my local grocery stores didn’t have a huge selection.  My neuropathy has not gotten worse since I’ve started taking it – it’s been I guess you can say – status quo.  It is a little costly, but I feel it has been worth it.

Again, I wish all of us a wonderful new year.  I look forward to following our progress and learning of our successes. 

Hugs...xoxo

Jojo, I had my port removed 2 weeks after my final chemo. Mine was almost in the middle of my chest, just to the left of my sternum, and about 2" above my cleavage. It showed in any V-neck or Scoop T so I wanted it out plus I was always smacking it there. My RO thought it would be in the way of rads possibly too so out it came.

For those that need flushing isit with saline?? I don't like to think about going back for that. Everything has to be so complicated. Diesnt it? Ugh

Cocobean - congratulations on the last chemo!! Looking forward to hair as well...

My ladies congratzzzz !!!! I'm so happy for all of you!!!!!... Let that hair grow!!!!!!!!!



I'm so tired of eating sooooo healthy and don't know what to cook any more ... Anyone has any tasty kale recipe???

Hi all,

Bearcub & Mariposa - Thank you for the welcome!  I too feel blessed for this site.

Mariposa - I have also visited your blog.  I love your artwork!  I can barely draw a happy face or stick-figure! I agree, your talisman is just perfect.  Fearless, that is you!  2012 changed me into a warrior as well.  You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.  We are all strong, incredible women! 

Jojo & Timbek2 - Yes, the port flush is saline.  The nurse preps the area with something else (don't know what) and when I have had it done, it smells terrible and creates an awful taste in my mouth.  I will not have my port removed until I have my next surgery (reconstruction).  Therefore, I was told it needed to be flushed every 6 weeks.  Not looking forward to that.  Even with the lidocaine cream, accessing my port has been very painful.  Aside from this, my doctor told me the port could be removed within 2 weeks of last chemo if there wasn't a need for it anymore.

Cocobean - Congrats on your huge accomplishment today!  What a great way to start off the new year!

Patricia - Regarding kale recipies ... someone I met shared this smoothie recipe.  Carrots, Beets, Celery, Kale and Cucumber.  She was so excited about it, she forgot to tell me how much and I forgot to ask.  Been a bit forgetful at times.  I have not tried it myself, but she swears by it (that it tastes good).  I will see if I can reach her and find out the specific measurements.  In the meantime, you may want to test a few measurements on your own.

Butterfly - Congrats on finishing!  You did it!  I was okay on my last day (not too emotional).  When I returned for blood work and a port flush, I could not stop crying when I walked into the infusion room.  The beeping of the machines was my trigger.  My nurse was so sweet.  She put her arms around me and held me tight until I calmed a bit. 

Cherrio - Sorry to learn you are delayed.  But, the end is in site.  Rest, rest, rest  - between now and then.  No more setbacks!!

Jojo - I am 2 weeks PFC and still experiencing side effects.  Extreme fatigue (I get soooo tired over nothing!), neuropathy, night sweats, shooting pains, and mouth issues are some of my biggest complaints.  My doctor told me it may be 6 months + before I begin to really notice any difference.  In addition, my next surgery will be within these next 6 months, so I will have everything that goes along with that, to deal with as well.  So, it may be a little difficult for me to really tell 'when' I notice any difference.  I guess the most obvious side effect that I will be able to truly measure is hair growth.  I have some slight peach fuzz growing now.  Still waiting on my eyelashes to return.  All the best to you on your upcoming surgery.

Hugs : )))

Cocobean- YAHOO ON HAVING THE LAST CHEMO TODAY!!!!!!  Doing the happy dance for you!!!!  Ring that bell really loud so we can all hear it wherever we are at!!!!   CONGRATS!!!!!!!

Thanks Mariposa and Faith-Focus . I am going to take it easy this week and not overdue myself .

Amy, your hair growth is impressive, are you taking any supplements or using any special hair care products?

Hey Queenkong:  Do you think the actress really did it?   I got distracted wondering if she was wearing a fake bald cap.  I am glad they finally did it, but thought that it was a bit awkward.  She has so much community, it seemed strange she would just do it in her bathroom after a night of drinking.  (Also thought she drinks a lot for going  through chemo).  I also thought for most of us- we are motified about the idea of just going it bald in the very beginning.  I think some of us get up the courage to do that - but others of us never do (that would include me).  I also think that someone who appeared to be kind of an appearance focused girly-girl might be one of the ones that would have more trouble just going out bald.  Anyway - those were some of my complaints.  :-)  I am glad they finally did it.  She has been going through chemo since her daughter went away from school!  She should have lost it before Halloween!

Happy New Year!!!!  2013 is going to be better once we get on with all this! Woot!

I've caught up with you all today, reading all the posts of hair growing back, the dreaded neuropathy, finishing chemos and all the rest. You are wonderful for sharing your experiences. I am grateful to have found this group. You all have been an inspiration and a comfort for me. 

I don't know what the future holds for me. I have an appointment with the Medical Oncologist tomorrow and some decisions will be made. I had to stop the chemo after 5 rounds because I was hospitalized with pneumonia, then it was decided to do surgery before continuing with my treatment. I don't remember if I posted or not about my pathology results. Chemo brain is real. The pathology results were the best I could hope for with only dead cancer cells found it my the tissue taken from my breast and the nodes that were pulled. More chemo? or just move on to the rads? I've been reading and researching trying to figure out what to do without having a clue of what will be advised. It's hard to find any examples like mine of interrupted neoadjuvant chemo with surgery. 

I don't know how you all do so much after surgery. I've been having a hell of a time. I do things one day and am exhausted the next. Maybe I am a whimp? Recovery is supposed more difficult after chemo as the healing process is slower. Good god, it's hard to imagine getting a boob job for cosmetic reasons after suffering thru this. 

Abraxane vs Taxol - It was advised that I make this switch because of the reaction I had to steroids. Abraxane is basically the same drug as Taxol but in a different carrier. The Abraxane is more expensive and you need approval from insurance with a medical reason to get the drug that will cause less SE. This is such bullshit. Why are insurance companies making medical decisions based on cost and not what is best for the patient? Doctors and patients need to make these decisions not insurance companies who are only interested in profits. ARG! such a rant I could have here. I'll reign it in for now. 

I've got a little bit of hair coming back, the tinest bit of baby ostrich hair. I hope it keeps growing but I'm afraid to get to attached if I am going to have more chemo. I guess I'll find out soon enough. 

Congrats Cocobean and Welcome Faith! Amy - that hair is looking good!



Queen, my surgeon also mentioned that recovery from surgery after chemo takes longer. I wasn't told that till last week when I asked how long the recovery would be.



Has anyone one else now had their surgery after chemo?



Thanks for your input on port removal. I also read along with saline they use heparin for the flush to keep clogs from occurring.

Congratulations to those of you who have finished chemo! That is the worst part DONE!

Welcome Faith, glad you decided to join the discussion.

Patricia, I make a kale salad that is really nice. Cut the kale reallly thin, add slivered almonds, dried cranberries and some panko for crunch. If I want it more filling I cut a sweet potato in small 1/2" cubes and grill or fry and add that as well. Sprinkle goat cheese on top. I make a Miso dressing 2 tblsp miso paste, 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 tsp garlic, 1 tsp ginger.

I am now a few weeks out from finishing rads and have started Tamoxifen. No se's yet. My skin is almost completly healed after rads and I have something that looks more like hair than dryer lint on my head. I'm obsessed with my hair growing!

Other than that it feels strange not going to appontments all the time. I totally see why many survivors say the transition from patient to survivor is a difficult time. I must admit I feel a bit lost right now. I think I need to make my recovery and healing (physical and mental) my priority project in 2013. Not sure exactly how to approach this yet but I think it could involve exercise, diet, therapy, massage, acupuncture and a support group. Anyone have any tips or reading suggestions for "survivorship", healing and recovery? I would love to hear your thoughts.