Sept 2012 chemo

Jojo, no significant side effects from the rads so far.  My boob is looking very slightly "tanned" and I'm a bit tired, but that's probably chemo residue and the result of getting back to normal life--work, kids, all the usual stuff.  And my arm on that side feels a bit stiff, especially in the mornings. Compared with chemo, it's a breeze.  The only thing I would say is that mentally, it's been a bit taxing for me.  Going in to the oncology unit of the main hospital every day, I'm faced with cancer every day (not that I didn't think about it every day before, but it was in my own home and on my own terms).  I see alot of people in the radiology unit who really don't look good at all (I've never really wanted to look or feel "ill") and emotionally I find that draining.  I agree with Neta--the after treatment phase brings on different challenges, especially in the head space.

I started Tamoxifen on Monday.  I was originally diagnosed triple negative until I found out I was slightly PR+.  So, like Melrose said, having thought that hormone treatments would not be available to me, I love the fact that I can take Tamoxifen and that it might help prevent a recurrence, whatever side effects it brings.  It's psychologically important for me.  I've not been taking it long enough yet to see how it will affect me.  I've been having the hot flashes since chemo too.

Wishing everyone a great Thursday!

A little pandora while me and the treadmill get acquainted....



Do any of you ladies know a good website or store to buy post surgical camisoles?

Up to 23% of tamo users will have weight loss. See this: http://breast-cancer.emedtv.com/tamoxifen/tamoxifen-side-effects.html

I experience nausea and discomfort if I take a whole dose (20mg). I switched from taking at night to AM, 1/2 at breakfast and 1/2 at lunch. My MO ok's this. Tamo dampens my appetite and I have had to track my eating through the last few weeks of radiation to make sure I ate the protein I'm supposed to be getting, not lose weight, and for nutrition in general. Kind of a pain but having been overweight most of my life, I have some appreciation that I am not struggling with weight gain though I imagine that could change after radiation is done too.  Other than that, I can't tell if I'm having side effects left over from chemo and radiation (last one today!!!!!) or new from tamo. I still have hot flashes but I'm somewhat accustomed to them since I've been having them since chemo started last June. I get the idea it's still a little early to tell what SEs I will have ultimately.

On another note, thanks for the reminder on Benadryl too, melrose. I have been trying to wean myself off of it at night. I best get serious. I can do Alegra and that doesn't seem to show up in the list.

Kellyb - I'm PFC since 12/18 and I'm still having hot flashes (had them all through treatment).  MO said chemo put me into menopause and it could go one of two ways ... I stay there, never look back and get used to the hot flashes, or at any point in time, my period could return and I can look forward to going through menopause again in the future.  My infusion center did not have a bell either.  I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich.  When I was done, my nurse gave me a big hug and my DH and me left.  It was kind of a weird feelling.

Hugs : )))

Thanks to all you ladies posting about tamoxifen!  That is my number one question for next MO visit: when do I start? My surgery has been booked for Mar 14 and then rads for April. 

Faithfocus.... We didnt have a bell either and I also gave my nurse a big hug and told her I couldnt of done it without her! I second you on it feeling just weird leaving.. In a strange way Im gonna miss that place, well not the place but the people I became close with....

I just wanted to remind everyone having a mastectomy with TEs....the band on the sports bra presses on the drain tubes. It made huge sores on my skin...VERY painful. I ended up cutting a tiny hole in the bra and threading the tube through. The tube comes off the drain bulb so you can do this quick fix in 5 mins. I wish I'd have done this right away.

Good luck to all!

I'm done! I'm done!  I finished 6 rounds of FEC yesterday!  I haven't been on the forum much because I've been sick and the whole family had been sick the past couple of months.  

It's such an exhilirating feeling knowing it is over.  I just want to get through all this nausea and the Neulasta pain.  The peripheral neuropathy is managable in my fingers.  I've had more stomach issues lately going between constipation and diarrhea.  However, my body seemed to tolerate the chemo better than I had in 2009.

Surgery to remove the tumors is suppose to be in 5-8 weeks, then radiation.  It's a weird feeling now that chemo is over.  I knew what to expect after a chemo session.  Now I feel like I don't know what's going to happen.  Praying that anything else will be easier than chemo.

Thanks for all your support.  Reading everyone's posts have been an tremendous encouragement.

Ahh, finally officially staged, IIB (even though that is what we thought prior to surgery). Appointment with BS went well. He said I still had a lot of fluid in tissues, just need hot compresses. Got my arm exercise book and clearance for half days work next week and full time after. Rads are a go within a month too. MO appt tomorrow, lots of questions for her.



So happy with my choice to do neoadjuvant chemo. The relief to read my tumor and nodes had significant response to chemo made it worth it! I choose this route since my mom did surgery, then 3 rounds of chemo with progression each time, and died a year after diagnosis. I had to know!

Florbo - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Jojo - I am glad you are pleased with the choice you made.  It must have been difficult for you to see what your mom went through.

Mariposa - You WILL feel better soon!  Focus on the fact that you are done!  Now, you have time on your side; you don't have to go back for more treatment.  Give yourself a break and let your body begin to recover. 

Hugs   : )))

Florbo, congratulations on finishing chemo!

Mariposa, just keep thinking that very, very soon you will feel better than you have felt in months and you can start healing both body and mind. Hang in there!

Jojo, happy to hear stage was as expected and that rads are lined up but so sorry about your mother. I lost my mom to cancer as well. She died 3 months after diagnosis at 59. My own diagnosis brought back a lot of pain and fear but I keep telling myself that my story is different from hers and that I will be ok. Hope tomorrows meeting with your MO is good.

Jojo glad you finally know. When I was told. When I was told I was ready for chemo and rads to complete this and be done. Look at all of us Girls, we are now done with chemo, some of us the first surgery , starting radiation or completed rads. I feel so blessed to have you guys.



I was looking at my white hair today and I can't believe the color . So looking forward to my eyelashes and brows coming back . Feel like a alien .



Amy get with the cancer society I know they had the tube tops available when I had surgery. I did not know at the time of my surgery they were available

Morning everyone!

Mariposa, I hope you feel better soon.  I found with the last one that I mentally and physically let go a bit more than with the others, kind of like breathing a deep sigh and letting it all out.  No matter how bad you feel, take comfort in the fact that this part is done and over and each day you'll start to feel better and stronger.

Congrats, florbo! 

Neta, you and me both on the gym front!  I'm generally an active person and I walk alot, but I've never been one for "organised" exercise.  I put it down to time, but that's probably just an excuse.  Now it's time to make time.  Need to invest in some aerobics DVDs/Wii fit type things too so that I can do exercise at home when it's just not practical to go to a gym.

I lost my dad to cancer (of the oesophagus) 10 years ago this year.  He was 59. I've thought about him alot since my diagnosis. 

You got that JO JO!  Hope things are moving well foor you now.  To me that's the worst part of surgery-constipation!  It was the worst part of AC for me too.  Glad that's behind me!  Really hoping the radiation won't destroy my skin too badly and mess up my foobs.  Not really wanting any more surgery in the near future if I can help it!  Love not having to wear a bra.  Never have had to my whole life because I'm small anyway.  There are advantages to it!

Had to report my GOOD NEWS!  My one and only (sibling)brother has a little boy 3 and just found out they are having a GIRL in JUNE!  My only girl was ECSTATIC to have a girl cousin finally!  They will be 8 years apart but she is just over the moon about it and so am I!  Can't wait to feel like myself and do some serious retail damage on her behalf!  :)

I'm on my steroid high which is good because I am hosting my son't 11th birthday party andn playing minute to win it games.  Hope I can keep the energy up for tonight!  Love you all!  Just two treatments left-THANKS GOD!

I had a very nice surprise today.... I went into my bank to cash DH paycheck and someone in my community deposited 500.00 into my bank account! I want to thank them in a big way but the teller said they want to remain anonymous...... I love random acts of kindness... Brought tears to my eyes!