December 2012 chemo group

SharonS - I am so sorry to hear you've had to go through all that in between TX 1 and TX 2!  

I had to have a tissue expander replaced on my right side but thankfully hadn't started chemo yet but it did end up delaying chemo.  I was on intravenous antibiotics as well but didn't have to be admitted but did have to have a home nurse come out every other day to replace IV lines. 

Just yesterday the plastic surgeon said that it appeared my right MX site had rejected the Alloderm.  Apparently there's a newish kind of Alloderm and he had never used this form of it until my initial surgery.  Ironically enough, this newer form is suppose to be more sterile.  

I hope you start feeling better soon!  Being on all those antibiotics can be so exhausting (for me it was intravenous for 10 days followed by a round of bad tasting oral Clindamycin).

((hugs))

Donster, if you only have 2 rounds of chemo left, I personally would say NO to the PICC. I don't find it bothersome for regular activities (like a lot of things we have to endure...you get used to it!), but it itches like crazy because your skin is sealed under a clear patch of "bandage" at all times. Realize that you have a tube coming outside your boda y that goes straight to your heart, so being super careful about infection is an understatement! You cannot get it wet. You should Saran Wrap and tape before every bath or shower, adds to skin irritation ( I got these plastic bag wraps that cinch up from online...but they don't work the best). Other things to know... It is not small. I have 2 small tubes but they have caps that are about 3/8 inch diameter and about 1-1/4 inch long, that requires that you wear a mesh sock at all times to hold it close to your body. You will need to wear at least 3/4 sleeve shirt to cover it up.



The PICC runs from your arm to just above your heart. So, there are very serious risks, including Deep Vein thrombosis, highly recommend you read up on that. My surgeon refused to do portocath, so I went with PICC because I had 16 infusions ahead of me....and I bruise really easy. At that time I was already black and blue on both arms just from all the testing.



If there is anything else you want to know, please ask!

Good luck,

Dawn

Day three after third chemo and have the lightheaded dizzy thing happening. Have two real estate clients to meet and dinner at MIL's. Fortunately I have a real estate partner with me should I need to retreat. Also managed to pull a muscle or something in my hip while running yesterday. Ugh. Glad to have no obligations tomorrow so I can rest!

Well said Nichole on the undercurrent of determined resiliency and positivity on this thread - i take so much comfort from each of you - and sharing our stories helps so much.

Nichole - I just had my third round of chemo and it definitely hits me harder each time but I also think I am know the routine a bit better each time so I some how muddle through.  My worse days are days 3-6 where I am in a total fog - i hate that feeling of being drugged up. 

Sharon - I am so sorry that you are going through this!  Lots of prayers for you!  I hate to see you suffer and will pray that you move foward quickly.  WE are all supporting you...hugs!

Steiner, you're halfway through!  Congratulations!  On the other hand, I am so sorry you're feeling so weak .  I guess you'll be finished in March (?). 

As always, you're an inspiration (i.e. planning out your plan of attack with Runner's World, Yoga Journal and Weight Watchers) - plus, I know you're working throughout this and have kids at home as well.  

Steiner - you are an inspiration to us all ! Great deal on the magazines too - where did you find that ?



Going to watch the 9er game and then out for a long walk with GF . It's a sunny nice day here - but this is my low point on the TC - day 4 ! Can't seem to drink enough fluids but water tastes awful so drinking lots of low sugar juice and gatorade . The NUNN electrolyte tablets u add to water are rally great - not sugary at all! I got mine at the bike shop I go too but they are probably available online . Makes water more tolerable . But are too many electrolyte drinks bad for u ?



Sharon - so sorry to hear about your complications with the te's - I will be praying for a quick recovery for u so u can get to the finish line with all of us quickly !!!



Sandy

Hi, all!  I am so new here.  I started my TAC chemo the end of November, so this feels like the right place for me.  I will be going in for #4 this coming Thursday.  So far, I feel so very lucky, almost to the point of feeling guilty.  I have had no nauseau at all.  I am experiencing memory issues along with exhaustion, but all in all, I am going very well.  I only hope that #4, 5 and 6 are the same.  I'm very happy to find this site.  After reading several boards, I see that this is where the experience is.  It's amazing how a lot of people you come in contact with really think the "get it", but I've learned as I'm sure you all have, no one "gets it" unless they've gone or are going through it.  Now, i just hope I can find my way back tot his thread!!!

Steiner, take heart! I am so jealous that you are making this work and sustaining "normal" life. I am off work and I have my stepmom staying with me to help keep my 7 yr old on his normal daily routine. So you should be so proud of yourself. I know it's hard as hell, but you are doing it and making it work.



You are doing great!



D

LeeA yes, sore patches!

Yes everyone work and school. I'm a teacher so can I say I do both!? I'm planning a week off after each one but my boss has been great and given me only morning classes till April, so if I can go I will.

But school is still out for summer this week so I can relax in peace.



AC number two today. They put it in my hand and it popped the vein and my hand got all fat full of saline that was leaking out of the vein. Aargh! I looked at the people with ports and felt a bit jealous, but not for long, the ports are awful too. She went in the side of my wrist and it was fine.



Nicole I see your path was similar to mine, did you get ki67 tested? I'm booked in for a second opinion with a more aggressive oncologist so I may soon be adding a T to my signature.



Kia kaha warrior wahines (stay strong warrior women)

Xx

LeeA - I know that sore head feeling. My hair started falling out when I was back in the hospital. We got home late Fri afternoon, but as soon as I got going Sat morning I had my DH cut and buzz my hair. That dead hair hanging makes your scalp hurt. Then every time I took a shower part of the buzz would fall out. DH would say, you are ruining my good haircut, do you want me to fix it? The few hairs left on my crown might have to go when he gets home tonight.



Kiwi kid - glad you are getting another one in the books! I wish you few SE. I loved my port in 2008 and got one again. So glad I had it for my week in the hospital. I don't think my veins in my one available arm would have made it. Love your sign off, yes we will fight as warriors and WIN!

kiwikid  I'm pretty sure I did not get ki67 tested, since I don't know what that is???  When I met with my oncologist to decide about treatment, we reviewed the pathology from my tumor and I decided I wanted chemo because 1) it was stage 2 and right on the border between grade 1 & grade 2, and (2) the tumor had established multiple satellite nodules, which is generally worrisome. My nodes were clear but the multiple nodules was not a good sign.  My oncologist was willing to do the oncotype testing but it is expensive and he thought it highly unlikely I would come out with a low score.   He thought it much more likely I would get a medium (indeterminate) or high score.  I am someone who tries to make decisions that minimize unnecessary costs and since my mind was made up about chemo based on the knowledge about my tumor, I chose not to do the oncotype testing.

FriendGwen  I hear you about the baby smooth legs!  I was joking with my husband last night that we have had many phases in our marriage, but this is the phase when he gets to be intimate with a seal.  No hair anywhere!  (Actually the eyebrows are thinned but hanging on, thank God!)

FriendGwen - last round the only thing I ate was buttered noodles and apples - throwing it out there in case it sounds good to you.  I do wonder if it will be the same thing for round 3 (1/2 mark...yippie) scheduled for next week.

Welcome Jasmin! Glad your SE's have been mild for you.

Gwen - I hate those days when everything tastes bad, especailly water. I think I just go from one thing to another trying to find something that doesn't taste gross.

Nicole - you are too funny with the seal comment!!!! I love my smooth legs too, by the way. I even took the razor out of the shower along with all the hair products.

Steiner - interesting about the 4 vs 6 TC treatments. I was not given the option, but since they would not schedule me for anything past tx4 which is next week, I think I might be on the 4tx cycle.  I guess I will find out next week. I would be thrilled if that is the last one!

The Look Good, Feel Better class was great. Came home with a bag of free makeup and the lady that does the class is also a stylist who has been doing wigs for 40 years. When I told her I was thinking about getting the bangs trimmed, she looked at it and described exactly what I wanted done before I even told her what I wanted it to look like. She told me to make an appt and she would trim them for free! So Saturday I get a bang trim. So excited that they will not be falling in my eyes all the time.