Sept 2012 chemo

Hi ladies,



Wow, so many updates! Congrats to everyone who's finished chemo!!



Amy, I had ocular migraines during taxol, something I'd never had before. Since treatment i have had morning headaches. My onc sent me to a neurologist. You may want to mention the headaches to your onc.



I've been feeling kind of crappy lately...had rad number 13 yesterday, and I think the famous fatigue hit last night at dinner. I felt like someone took out my batteries! Also some killer joint pain, I guessfrom herceptin. Feel like I'm 100 years old. Blerg.



I didn't qualify for metformin, so I plan to ask my onc if she will rx it. If not, I will ask my gp...some people on the metformin thread said they had an easier time getting from their GPs, perhaps because they write so many more Rxs for it.



Okay, so I'm not the only one with crazy sweet tooth?? I've gained about 7-9 lbs since the start of this. It's weird because I feel like I eat so little at meals...but then I guess I gorge on cookies later. I STILL have this fucking drain in from my surgery in December, and I feel like it limits my exercise. I already popped the stitch once. I usually walk about 2 miles a day commuting,so that's something, but not enough. Starting PT next week for my shoulder, which hasn't been right since surgery. Ugh! Sorry, needed to vent.

Whenlife - I miss my nose hairs too!  I told DH we needed to invest in kleenex!  Tempted?  I have walked around with tissues shoved in my nose.  My DH and I have had a lot of laughs with it.  Problem is, what do you do at work?  I am facing the same issues.

Cindi - Glad you were able to go to Epcot and spend time with your family.  What a great place to go!

Toastiecat - I hope the drain can be removed soon!  Did they give you an estimated time for removal?  I can't believe you are walking 2 miles a day-that's great and so motivating to me.  Good luck with the PT; it should really help.

Cherioo, I have a hard time imagining mowing the lawn in January. I won't see the lawn until May. It must have been beautiful out enjoying the yard, I am jealous.



Cindi only 5 left, look how far you have come and then rads, and I will tell you rads are easy compared to what you have been through. You are almost done. Glad you had a great day with your family.



JoJo my story is the same as yours, lost 30 lbs the yr. before my Dx and was in the best shape, frame of mind doing everything right.....and blah blindsided with the Dx..I did keep up with most of my exercising through chemo but still gained...I will admit I am a emotional eater...



I have been slack assed as far as exercise since Christmas, just before I had been on track and lost 3 lbs and then I dropped the ball. Thanks to all of you getting back and on track and giving me some inspiration I did 13 km. (8 miles) on the stationary bike today and 50 side bends and 50 twists from the waist. My MO does not want me doing anymore than that on the bike since herceptin is hard on the heart....so I have to make this work for me. I do hope to take Emma(my dog) for a walk tomorrow.

Florbo I had a muga scan(for the heart) before adriamycin so I was fine to exercise while doing chemo.



Your little guys are such sweethearts! Hi guys and thank you for the prayers.

Whenlife: yes!! The nosehairs thing drives me nuts!! I hate having to walk around with tissues on hand. I have a box in every room in the house.

I, too, have gained weight during this chemo journey (12 lbs). It's been one week since my last FEC treatment and as usual it feels like I'm coming out if the fog so here's to hoping I'll get back on track with my treadmill exercises. I had a neulasta shot this round so hopefully no more hospital surprises this time.

I love hearing everyone's stories of what they've done when finishing chemo. It's weird and it's scary in a way because it's been so much a part of me these past six months. But finishing it is such a huge milestone and I appreciate being able to share that moment with all of you amazing women!!

Morning All,

Cheerio - OMG!  You mowed the lawn-did yard work?  I feel like a slug. Ugh.  I'm glad you enjoyed your day, but don't push yourself too hard though.  I find that when I am having a good day, I forget my body is still recovering and I push too hard.  Then, I find myself paying for it later.  I believe that is why I am so sick now.  Please be careful.

Florbo - How sweet of your boys to keep us in their prayers.  My hat's off to all the ladies on the board that have children.  You are an inspiration to me!  You're still taking care of your families while enduring all this.  It is just my DH and me.  Yes, we are all super strong ladies. : )

Florbo & Bearcub - I had an echocardiogram before (adriamycin) treatment began (all good).  I asked MO if I was going to have another one after I was done with that and she told me no.  Is this what you were also told?

Hope - You go girl!  Glad you enjoyed the wine.  Wasn't it great to just relax and have a good time?

Well, the sun finally came out and I just may go sit outside for a little while  and drink my tea (it's 73').  Some fresh air may do me some good.  Have a wonderful day ladies!!

Hugs : )))

Congrats to those who have finished chemo! Yay! I hope you are feeling ok...I know for me the last one was tough, but it does feel great to be done with the cycle and know that everyday you will be feeling better. 

To those ladies who are getting close to the finish line, hang in there. I hope that these last treatments are easy on you and the time goes quickly. 

I can't believe how far we have all come. I remember coming on this board with questions about my hair falling out and feeling so much support and encouragement and knowing I was not alone...geez it feel so long ago!

I'm 2.5 weeks PFC and feeling pretty good...more tired that usual. I have been to the gym a couple times, it's been bittersweet. I love the feeling of normalcy it brings and know that I am doing something good for my body is great, but it's also hard because I am so slow and get winded so easily, I feel I am so far from where I was before all of this...I know I need to be patience and try to accept this is where my body is now and believe it will get better. Plus I have a feeling my red blood count is low, so it will be interesting to see what the dr says when I go in next week for herceptin. I have mapping for rads on Tues, Herceptin on Wed, rads practice run on Fri and start rads on Mon...sometimes this is a freaking full time job! 

Toastie-Damn girl, a stubborn drain and you're walking 2 miles a day, impressive and I hope you get that thing out SOON! 

Cherioo and Faith-so jealous you have a lawn to mow and it's 73! Enjoy! It's crazy cold here, just starting to get a little cabin fever and winteritis...planning on heading to Florida for our spring break and really starting to look forward to it! 

Hope- Cheers three times! good for you! 

Doing a Costco run today and on the list is Kleenex...no nose hair and my runny nose is outta control...ugh! We'll probably run out in a week with the way things are going. 

Big hugs to everyone! 

Faith I do continue to have my heart monitored only because I am Her2+ and am on herceptin, the drug can be hard on the heart so we are monitored every 3 months.

I will say my heart function before and after adriamycin showed no change.

Wow Jojo- 6 weeks PFC!!!  That went by fast didn't it:-)  So cool you are growing lots of hair.  I can't wait!

Hope everyone is keeping toasty warm.  I am still in the chemo recovery stage- but feeling light years better than I did yesterday.

I'm 3 weeks PFC and have been seeing some sprouts since a few weeks after starting Taxotere.  I can see it best if the sun hits it at the right angle when I'm looking in the mirror.  There is definitely no "shadow" and I still look completely bald from a distance.  I can't wait to have a shadow.  And there are so many areas with no growth.  No growth of eyebrows or eyelashes yet.  Sad that I will not be able to wear makeup in surgery, as I've been keeping my eyebrows drawn in so I wouldn't lose the shape. Once I take off the makeup, not sure I'll be able to replicate the original shape!  BTW, is it true that you can't wear ANYTHING in surgery?  I hope they at least lay something over you??

Mariposa - were you able to keep the hair growth that started when you had your month off in December?

I had an echo done on Thursday because I have a resting heart rate of 120-130 bpm now! EEK!! Hoping the results come out fine.  Maybe its pre-surgery jitters.

Well, ladies, I have my surgery scheduled for this Monday, Jan 21st.  Anyone who believes in prayer, sending out good wishes and good vibes, etc, please keep me in your hearts and thoughts on Jan 21.  I am so nervous and am just getting over a cold (and hoping that doesn't affect the anesthesia!).  I NEED YOU GIRLS!!!!  Can't wait to come back on to these boards after the surgery to tell you all that it went smoothly and that I'm OK.

Hugs to you all!

Fight4two - I will be saying prayers for you!  You are in our hearts!  Everything will be okay!  Only positive thoughts!  When they are taking you into the operating room, just breathe.  Talk to your surgeon for a few minutes right before.  I did and it was very calming for me.  I also told the nurses how nervous I was and they were fantastic.  We'll be looking for your update.  God bless.

ps-Hospital gown and socks - that's all I was permitted to wear.  No makeup, no nothing.  It's okay.  Don't even give that a second thought.  Focus on your recovery.    ))

I just watched Oprah' s Lance Armstrong interview.....I hear and agree that he is a cheater, a bully and a scam artist. I can't help but wonder what exactly was his doping cocktail? Did that help keep his cancer at bay? Could something good for cancer research come out of this? Anyone else wondering that?

fight4two-Sending you lots of HUGS and positive calming & healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!!!  We are in your pocket and will be there with you tomorrow.  Keep taking those deep breaths to help calm yourself a little.  I'm sure you have your overnight bag packed and ready to go.  You will be fine tomorrow in the pre-op room.  As i recall, I got to wear those lovely compression socks and was hooked up to some inflating/deflating socks to help prevent blood clots.  Those were fun......  I also had a anti-nausea patch placed behind my right ear; it is the kind that one uses for seasickness.  Yes, it did work since I didn't have any post surgical nausea from the anesthesia.   My husband told me that the recovery nurses told him that I was smiling as I was being wheeled out of surgery into the recovery room.  Somehow, my hard wired brain knew I had made it to the other side.  Hope tomorrow you will also have a large smile on your face when you wake up from the surgery.  Again, many many prayers for you and yours. 

Fight4two.... Prayers and positive thoughts for you! Your gonna do great...focus on the good things that will.come out of this surgery. Hugs

fight4two - sending you love and strength and smooth procedure and enlightened surgeon and clean margins and no spreading.  Try to relax.  My bp in prep for surgery was 90/63.  Breathe. Smile. 

Be friendly to your anesthesiologist   I called mine the Sandman.  He's never been called that but had a belt buckle with that on it   He took real good care of me AND kept a good eye while I was out.

I wish I could be there with you - to hold your hand.  We'll all be with you in spirit.