Starting chemo November 2012

Let us know how the tatooing goes Loafer. And also let me know if they are using IMRT or 3D something. I was told to go home, read about them on the internet, and let them know which technology I wanted. HA! Isn't that what the radiation oncologist is for? My Med Onc explained the two things to me, but said i could decide. Honestly, four months of almost no info and now its up to me?

Marian - I had breast conservation, so it can add a week of boosters that masectomy patients don't always get/need. You can get boosters with the short course or the long course, but either way, I have been told the evidence is strong that boosters are a real added benefit for lumpectomy patients as I was told most recurrrence happen within a short distance of the original site. If i go for the short protocol (18 days) with boosters, it really only cuts a tiny bit of time off. Still not sure, and now I have to pick a machine. Geez.

Loafer - cosmetic differences happen up to 10 years after radiation. We need a boob pics site to go with this to track our firming, shrinking, browning, nipple moving and whatever else it is that can go on. But great idea to photograph. I think I will make it a home project - my shrinking boob, 40-50.

Monstermom- how's that arm??? Is the bicep still sore?

Michele - how's the thrush and energy?

Txjunebug - your sister got the test in the end. Is your other sister going to get it now too? How are you and she taking the news?

Sick of pink - can you put the editor off a week or so? I find that some of the chemo brain does lift between weeks 2 and 3 - not all of it, but maybe enough to start tackling you edits in teeny tiny doses? It will be so amazing when that book of yours comes out - bravo!

Anyone else got some liver damage yet? I did my last round of TC yesterday, which was apparently the last one I could safely due given the damage it was doing to my liver. And holy weakness - I had to get the airport to take me to the plane via wheelchair. Couldn't walk. Me in the wheelchair and 400 anxious people all crammed around the door to the plane. I was  first on after a tiring 4 hour layover, so LOVED that bit of special treatment - and it got me to the front of the immigration line too. Luck was with me! I did make myself walk off the final flight, although at a hobble. Am hoping that once the next two weeks are over, the hobbling and crushing fatigue will lift. And its over. On to radiation cakewalks.

What an ordeal Megan! You are a strong woman. I actually have had no followup blood work or testing since my final treatment. I had a lumpectomy before the chemo so I don't even know the efficacy of my chemo treatment. I have a follow up next week with onc which is 3 weeks post last treatment. Will they still draw blood to check red/white blood cell counts?



Going this afternoon for simulation and was not offered any choices about tattooing. Will let you know what I get and how it goes.

I just received my tattoos. They drew on me with a marker, set up wires, and had me go back and forth through a cat scan. After the cat scan, I was tattooed in three places. Small dots that felt like a pin prick. Since I'm applying for the Rads trial, I also had bloodwork to test for blood counts and liver levels. I'll let you know Megan what those results are.



Good luck ladies finishing up chemo. May you have minimal SEs and get plenty of rest this weekend.



Hugs!

Hi junebug - sorry to hear of your neuropathy and blood counts. Hope you get a chance to work from home. It really helps with the fatigue to eliminate the commute. I had negative BRCA results or I would have been making your difficult decision about DMX. I am surprised to hear your onc state a 50% recurrence rate with stage 1 and 0 nodes. What is he basing this on?



Hugs

We all sound like we are in sorry shape these days with poor red blood counts, white blood counts, livers showing a beating, weak muscles, neuropathy, colds - and then foot and hand di. Geesh. I hope that for everyone, some of the load lightens as this week passes by. Txjunebug, you should DEFINITELY work from home. Going to work is going to make you even weaker than you already are.

I just slept for 48 hours and feel SO MUCH better.  I do have to force myself to move and get some exercise. The Dr said no matter how much it aggravates sore muscles, it will help. Anyone out there having luck exercising?? Tips for a whimpy, lazy gal me? 

Loafer - what do the tatoos look like? Are they small, or obvious? Am curious.

I must have missed the post about hand, foot, mouth disease.  If it is affecting your mouth and you have sores, be sure to ask for magic mouthwash.  I wasn't sure if I had HFM disease (my daughter had it) or chemo sores in the first round so my doc order the mouthwash and it took care of the problem right away.  I think it was HFM because my daughter used the mouthwash as well and it helped her too.  

Megan - Is there any time of the day that is better for the muscle ache?  If so, be sure to schedule the exercise in for then.  Exercise, even if it's just walking, is so important to do.  And yes, I know it's easier said than done.  I have such a hard time getting out there too.

Remember my post about dropping the last AC?  After reading a study that found no difference in recurrence for those with reduced dose AND similar pathology to my tumours, I decided to drop the AC.  I was confident with my choice.  Then as the day went on I started to think, "what if I'm one of those who do have a recurrence?"  I couldn't deal with the psychological impact of the decision despite the logical/scientific side of my brain (I work in a scientific field) telling me the decision was wise.  Yesterday, 2 hours prior to my chemo, I tracked down the MO while bawling my eyes out and explained how I couldn't cope with thinking I hadn't done everything possible to minimize a chance of a recurrence so she switched the order back to AC.  I feel like shit (nausea, migraines), but I'm at peace.  

Sneaky - it's hand and foot syndrome.  NP called it hand and foot disease.  Basically the chemo is leaking out of the small capilaries of my feet and hands.  There is an article about it on this website.  I can tell you my feet look burned and it's painful.  Also peeling the week after the redness subsides some.  I can't take the hot baths in my jetted tub.  Sad about that as it was the only thing that gives me relief from the muscle aches.

Anyone getting Neulasta and still experiencing drops in WBC counts?  After mine dropped in half after #3, I'm wondering/worried how this round will do.

Megan - I have been working at home most days but when I do drag myself to the office it wears me out just to get there.  My boss seems to think if I'm in the office then I'm back to 100%. 

Loafer ~ Lucky you - Florida.  I get to go to Omaha, then SLC.  Last winter, I spent the whole winter in FL on business.

Sneaky ~ That's how I made all of my choices with this damned thing since I've been diagnosed:  "If I had a recurrence, did I do everything in the beginning I could to minimize the chances of recurrence?"  It may not be the way for some people to make choices, but it is mine.  Like you, I am at peace.  I mentally, intellectually, and emotionally feel very comfortable and confident with everything, even when I'm feeling physically like shit.

I get home Thursday and have my last round of chemo on Friday.  I cannot wait...

Girls, I just spent 15 minutes posting to all of you and damn, I hit the wrong button and everything disappeared.....  Hope you all had a good weekend, I am still laying low because I am a total germaphobic!!!  One more week and I'm out of here...Do seem to have more bone pain in my chest - guess it's from the Neulasta.  Also nose keeps running and I cough when I lay down and then of course there is the few days of running to the bathroom and barely making it!!  So I guess everything is normal!

Have a good night and a good week and all you working girls and mom's take it as easy as you can... Love you girls

Tricia

Tricia, you are asking the wrong person!  LOL  We never give our dog people food, but since chemo, she thinks I'm the best.  I'll crave something, make or order it, take a bite or two, and give it to Mariah because it tastes like soap or cardboard or just plain YUCK!  And the cycle just repeats.  Now when this is over, I'm going to have to break her of the bad habit I got her in to.

Tricia~I find things that are stronger tasting works best for me. Salty, spicy, cheesy.

I can taste McDonalds fish sandwich pretty well and it has 30 gms of protein. When I had treatment #2 I had Taco Bell's grilled Beefy Nacho Burrito 3 days in a row. Also had the Mango Strawberry Fruitista. It was so fruity, flavorful, and refreshing.

I found that my chocolate was almost tasteless.

One evening, I had a sausage, egg, & cheese, sandwich on toast. It was tasty. At home I usually have coffee in the morning, then drink flavored water, decaf iced tea, or diet coke. None of them taste good now, so I drink Gatorade. It doesn't Tate great, but at least I'm getting the electrolytes.



I hope you find something that satisfies you.



Blessings

Paula

Michelle ~ No, she had the name Mariah when we adopted her.  Her full name is Mariah Rose.

Yes! I am sick of focusing on being sick too. Having decided to get over myself, I am hoping this will provide the much needed energy to get off the couch and start walking. But my focus is now turning to food just like everyone else. I guess two months of crappy taste does this to people. I dream of the taste of foods, melted cheese, sushi, hot mustard on spicey sausages, fresh tangy fruit. And it all sorta tastes like burnt tongue trying to find a flavor. it will be rediscovering a whole world come spring when the taste buds rejuvenate.

Sickofpink - never even occurred to me that booze was out given the bad liver numbers. My doctor didn't seem worried about an eventual bounce back, but it would actually have been useful to know if there are good foods or other things to avoid aside from alcohol to cut the organ some slack right now.

Sneaky and Michele - I don't envy the two of you forcing yourselves to march onwards when you are feeling so much like you want to stop. I fully admit that I would be a basket case if I had to make that choice. I will be hoping that your last two rounds are easier, with the end in sight and the knowledge that you had the strength to keep yourself truckin. We will need cyber maracas to celebrate with those of you who are approaching the finish line after such a rough run.

On WBCs, mine were worst after round 1 and they were fine after the others. I hope that yours do better this round sneaky - it is an added stress that no one needs.

WBC. Twice now I had to go for blood the Friday before the chemo, only for them to tell me that Monday I had to go again. So I told them, I'm not doing that again. Now they've planned me for later on the day on Monday (Febr 4) so in the morning I can do the blood test.

I don't want to be sick anymore, I want to continue with my life. I had to accept many things the last years, I wish things would come my way for once.

(Today it's not called Blue Monday for nothing )