Sept 2012 chemo

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  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2013

    I wanted to share the most beautiful  thing that happened to me today.  I met with my interns for supervision (it is the only work I am doing right now.  I meet with a small group of former students and we talk about their therapy caseloads)  Anyway, one of the interns presented me with over a thousand folded origami cranes that she and a huge group of my former students have been making for me over the past couple of months.  They are so incredibly beautiful and I am moved beyond belief.   If you don't know the story of the thousand origami cranes- you can read it here.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_origami_cranes

    I have been emotional all day.  They are just so beautiful and took so much time.  It is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.  Okay.  Just wanted to share with my support group:-)

    Cocobean:  Great way to describe chemo!  And thanks for the inspiration to go to the gym.  I have found that in week two after chemo, I am usually exhausted.  That is where I am right now.  I could sleep at anytime- except of course bedtime. 

    I painted the wall in my living room one night when I couldn't sleep on the steroids:-)  Uggh.  Not ready for Tamoxifen to add to the mix (if that is what I am going to take, still haven't heard from the oncologist)

    Okay... the Disney museum was super fun, but now I am beyond exhausted.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday.



     



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  • cgesq
    cgesq Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa,

    What a lovely gesture, and what a beautiful work of art they created for you!!  You are very fortunate to have those people in your life.

    As for the tamoxifen, I started around 3 weeks ago, and haven't had any bad SEs other than the occasional hot flash at night.  I haven't noticed any decreased energy either.  

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  • SeattleMama
    SeattleMama Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2013

    YAY HOPE!!!!  annihilate Yell anything to do with the big c

    Mariposa: that is the most beautiful bunch of awesomeness......WOW

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  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited January 2013

    Patricia, I love your posts! Mariposa, that is so beautiful what they did for you. Definitely moved me. Kids, the fact you are going to the gym is awesome. Let them stare! I did 20 minutes of zumba at home and felt amazing mentally after. Granted I used to do 40 minutes + but I will get there!

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited January 2013

    Queenkong yes I was painting walls . We moved a month ago and the walls were white and I need color

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa that is so beautiful

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  • florbo
    florbo Member Posts: 178
    edited January 2013

    Hope--that is such great news about the tumor being gone and the negative nodes!  You have great sisters.

    Mariposa--those cranes brought tears to my eyes!  You have touched many people with your life.

    Butterfly--I had gone to the shooting range with my husband after over 6 months of not going.  I was sore the next day and was massaging myself in the pectoral area when I felt it.  I thought maybe it was a piece of my reconstructed breast that broke loose or a lipoma.  Nowadays, I tell all my friends to not only check your breasts, but even check beyond the borders so ou have an idea what ti feels like.  And then can tell if there are changes.

    Coco--you are making way more progress in exercising than me.  I'm hoping that I will have more energy this week.  I walked 30 minutes and had to take a 2 hour nap.  So thankful my mom is here to help out until Tuesday.

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  • butterfly14
    butterfly14 Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2013

    Thanks Florbo, I get nervous because I did the BMX and there really is no screening in that area after that according to both my breast surgeon and the MO.

    Mariposa - love the cranes, very beautiful!!

    Anyone with tissue expanders have any areas that are harder then other areas? On the cancer side there is an area on the tissue expander that seems really hard, I have an appointment with PS next Friday, just anything in that area makes me nervous anymore. Guess that is the same with all of us.

    Happy Monday!


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  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa that is so beautiful.



    I have been on tamoxifen since dec 5th. No SE.

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited January 2013

    Butterfly I have expanders and my right one is hard and it flattened out plus pushed up . I have to wait until rads is done to do anything

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  • butterfly14
    butterfly14 Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2013

    Thanks Cherioo, that make sme feel better. I have been so paranoid since being diagnosed.

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited January 2013

    Amy how is your head feeling? I know you were heaving headaches . Hope they are gone.



    Start rads tomorrow . I have final setting then they will start the rays . I hope everyone is having a great week

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  • Amy4978
    Amy4978 Member Posts: 473
    edited January 2013

    Cherioo.. Holy hell that last one I had lasted two days and even vicodin didnt touch it! That was a full nlown migraine, thought I was gonna throw up a few time... I go see my mo on wednesday so I plan filling her in to see what she thinks.



    Lets us know how rads goes! Good luck... :)

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa, you are so loved!



    Bearcub, great news about tamoxifen, hope no se's continue.



    I returned to full time work schedule today. Was hoping it felt like before cancer, but it didn't.



    For those doing or done with rads, did you work full time? Wondering how my energy level will hold out for all those weeks. I have my rad consult tomorrow.





    Hope everyone is feeling well this week!

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa, the cranes must have been just what you needed as you have been through so much.

    Taxol #4 tomorrow. Was on a waitlist even though tomorrow is my target date as chemo room so busy but got the word a few hours ago for a go at noon. 

    Even though it is the last chemo tomorrow I am not unduly excited so far as I know the S/E go on for weeks. Not quite like it is over! But maybe tomorrow it will hit me. My daughter is coming with me to to make a video so that will be fun. I just need her to finish before I turn into a zombie from the IV Dex and Benadryl.

    5 weeks only until surgery. Am excited and a bit scared too. I THINK I am making the right decision re reconstruction rather than just living with no breast. What makes it easier is the knowledge that it is the only chance for me for reconstruction. If it does not work out at least I gave it a try. 

    Jojo, I can't quite imagine going back to work and hope that if you need time off for rads that can happen.

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  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa, How lovely about the cranes! What a very special gift.

    Glad to hear that not everyone has sleepless nights on Tamoxifen. Hopefully I will adjust eventually.

    Jojo, I didn't work during rads. I felt so much better than with chemo and didn't really suffer much fatigue but my energy levels were low the whole time. I'm still not back to pre cancer energy.

    Great to read that many of us have started exersizing! I did 30 minutes on the eliptical today and I'm upping the resistance. I notice I feel so much more balanced if I get some exersize.

    Marianelizabeth, Last chemo! Tomorrow you will be done! Yay!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa...What a very special gift that is! That is an incredible piece of art!



    Marineliza: congratulations on your last chemo. It's a good feeling to be done with that.







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  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2013

    Marianelizabeth:  Congratulations on your last round tomorrow!  I hope it is an easy round.   I know what you mean about not feeling celebratory  considering the yucky side effects that come after the infusion, but after tomorrow you can start healing without having to worry about chemo knocking you back down again.  I think it is awesome your daughter is going to film you:-)  Didn't she do the awesome video of the hair buzzing too?  And I am also a bit freaked about my upcoming surgery.  Mine is three weeks away.  Yikes.  I have been in a heavy denial space, but I think I better start planning.  I haven't talked with my PS since before chemo!  I have no idea what is happening.  I have a pre-op appointment on Valentines day... surgery set for the 20th.  Uggh.

    Jojo:  I can imagine that working would feel so much different... for lots of reasons.  I can't imagine having the energy that I had before diagnosis.  I am sure each day will get better.  I will be anxious to hear from you how radiation impacts things.  Considering you just had surgery earlier this month, I have to say you sound like you are doing extremely well!

    Okay.  Hope everyone is able to get some sleep tonight:-)

     



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  • Foreverchanged72612
    Foreverchanged72612 Member Posts: 223
    edited January 2013

    Warning:  rant ahead!!

    I just got a call from the bs's office that my surgery has now been pushed back yet another week. It was originally scheduled for Mar 4, then Mar 14 and now Mar 21!!!! I am so beyond frustrated. My last chemo is Feb. 4. If there is any residual cancer there, I have to wait over a month with it sitting inside me. Now my radiation start date will be pushed back. And my mom (who came to stay with me since Christmas!!) will have to change her flight home. She was going to fly Mar 23. Grrrrrrrrr. This is so frustrating and starting to get my anxiety going...hell, when I moved from weekly taxol treatments to once every 3 week FEC treatments I had a near anxiety attack. Obviously I have realized that chemo has become my security blanket but I really think it's unfair to keep pushing my surgery date back. And last but not least, the new surgery date is my son's 5th birthday. :(

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2013

    Forever - sorry about the surgery dates.  That is awful!  My surgery is 2/13, making it a month off from chemo - which has made me very nervous about the cancer growing.  I hope everything works out well for you (and your mom).

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  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2013

    Oh Forever.  I am so sorry.  I already felt terrible reading about all of the changes but then when I read it was your son's birthday, I just got super sad.  I am glad your mom is able to change her flight so she can be with you.  I know how anxious this must make you.  I am having to wait five weeks between final chemo and surgery and it has taken a small miracle (and possibly a bit of denial) to move me out of a state of complete anxiety.  Sending a big gentle hug your way.

     



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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited January 2013

    forever it seems that we all have anxiety between chemo and surgery dates. I was really anxious about it and was reassured by our cancer agency breast cancer team meeting who discussed my plan Jan. 18. They unanimously agreed that having my surgery before radiation was fine and my PS says that 6 weeks is within the "guidelines." I am waiting 5 weeks and I can totally understand that extra week weighing on you plus it being your son's birthday. I hope you can plan something really special that maybe can be done only on another day?

    Mariposa, yes it was my daugter who did the buzz so it will be fun to have the last Taxol and the chemo floor on video too. As for surgery I really like my BS and my PS is one of the top surgeons in Vancouver if not the best. He did two fellowships in the US and I like his personality too. I think I am the point where I just trust them and get post op instructions I know from the hospital and them. I worked at UBC decades ago so it will be familiar too. Time to see if there is a Feb. or March surgery thread. I have been on the Jan. mostly just reading. 

    Certainly seems that many of us are done or close to done with chemo and moving closer to surgery. The long journey continues!

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  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2013

    Forever; So sorry to hear about the surgery dates! And it being your sons birthday on top of everything! I had surgery first and chemo after and the wait between surgery and the first appointment with the MO and start of chemo was awful! Everyone was on vacation and it took forever. My BS tried to help by mentioning (to scheduling) how anxious I was and they put me on some sort of waiting list for cancellations. In the end I was moved up about 10 days. Maybe you can talk to your MO and see if he/she can help? Can't hurt to ask.



    I got great news today! The X-ray of my sore leg was clean! I have tried so hard not to worry about it but when I heard I just collapsed in a sobbing heap.



    DH off on a business trip for 10 days and it's the first time I'm on my own with the kids since diagnosis. Makes me feel a bit nervous.



    Hugs to you all!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited January 2013

    Just got my final pathology report this morning. Nodes are negative and they found no residue of the tumor in my breast. I just started sobbing on the phone. So for those of you still waiting, just remember you will be where I am very soon.



    Neta.. So glad your X-ray is clean. I bet you were so relieved.



    Forever...I'm so sorry your surgery was pushed back. Did they tell you why? I think Neta gave some good advice on seeing if you can get on a waiting list.



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  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2013

    Hopex:  What awesome news!  I hope you can find a nice way to celebrate.  I hope I am where you are soon!

    Neta:  So glad the x-ray turned out clean! 

    Love everyone getting good news:-) 

     



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  • fight4two
    fight4two Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2013

    Congrats, hope!!!! That's such amazing news! So happy for you - really makes what we are going through worthwhile when you get news like that. Bet you can't stop smiling!!!

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited January 2013

    Forever, hugs you will get thru this!



    Hope, that is so wonderful, wish I could hug you!



    Rads gals, HELP! I went for my consult today and ended up doing my simulation too. I am having 33 treatments starting this Monday. I just felt the same feeling when I was told about my chemo schedule. It's happening quick and feels overwhelming. Anyone else do 33 treatments?

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2013

    Mariposa - that is an amazing gift.  Thanks for sharing!

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  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited January 2013

    Jojo I went today thinking I was starting , they did more scans due to my expanders moving and I go back tomorrow and start Friday . My chest and where my boob was looks like a map. Mine is 28 days

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  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited January 2013

    Hope so happy that your path report had great results.



    Neta I started crying when you said you collapsed, thank god for the great news.



    Forever can you get onto a cancellation list, so if someone cancels you can take the spot. I can feel your anxiety and felt the same way when waiting for surgery. Of course it is on your sons birthday, frigging bc just keeps interfering with our schedules, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a change in dates...sooner.



    Marian holy cow, you are almost done chemo, so happy for you.



    Mariposa your surgery will go great, your ready for this.



    JoJo I had 16 treatments of rads, it goes by fast, I had so much anxiety going into rads, I cannot even stand being in front of the microwave when it is on...I hope that you breeze through it. If you pink up do the saline compresses, do it 2 or 3 times a day.



    Recipe for saline compress



    Heat 1 litre of water to boiling, remove from heat

    Add 1 1/2 to 2 tsp of table salt, stir until dissolved

    Pour solution into a clean 1 litre container

    Cover and leave at room temperature to cool

    Make a fresh solution each morning.



    Wash your hands,

    Place gauze or clean facecloth in a clean bowl

    Pour room temperature saline solution over cloth

    Lay cloth over treatment area 10-15 minutes, re-moisten if needed

    Discard cloth to laundry

    Gently dry skin

    Repeat 2-3 times a day



    Hope this helps!







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