Starting chemo November 2012
Comments
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Michelle - I have the teary eyes and runny nose ( caused by Taxotere) and now swollen ankles ( caused by steroids).
Talked to onc about night sweats and he said to work out 3xs per week and get your heart rate up. I generally walk and don't get the heart rate up.
Had my followup with onc 3 weeks pfc. Had bloodwork drawn and he said everything looks fine. Consider yourself cancer free. Next appointment three months out. Yea!
Off to rads.
Will need to go vote for Ann's blog now. -
I also had sore eyes and they weren't so much runny, but they would crust over each night. Wasn't sure if it was the cold I had or the chemo. I bought some higher quality tear replacement gel for night and drops for day and it seems to have helped.
Congrats on the good news, Loafer! Best of luck with rads.
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YIPPEEE! At approximately 5 PM tonight I was unhooked after the final round of chemo. Bald, flat, nauseous, extremely HAPPY and knowing I've accomplished with much success this part of the journey.
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Eleni my chemo runny nose and lousy "cough/cold" started after my 2nd treatment in December and it is still lingering!!!
Sneaky yes I watched Anns soul pancake video - the whole thing and I cried....I will vote again...
Girls, just accept any compliment you get - people don't know what to say but their heart is in the right place. - think about things you have said to people. I just tell people I feel fine...Now if they said "You look like shit" that might be a different story
or true!!!!Well I'm coming out of my low point of my final chemo and all I want to do is go somewhere - anywhere== shopping, dinner anywhere but it's cold and snowed last night and the flu bug is still around so I'll just sit and wait... Did I mention that I get my first radiation on Feb 4 - doing the whole breast and it's a big one (for now anyway - guess it will shrink and I'll be lopsided
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Congrats Loafer! And Maryah! And I'll go vote for Ann...
Eleni, yes and cold-like sniffles are definitely a Taxotere SE...(and sticky like Sneaky). I 've had my tear ducts roto-rooterd twice now, but this time he tearing hasn't stopped - been over at the TCH thread asking about it. I had salty food yesterday and eyes very swollen, hoping it fades to avoid stint surgery.
Haven't started good week yet - maybe there won;t be a whole one this time, but went out to author lunch yesterday and got complimented on makeup -- I'd broken out so badly and later than usual this round, usually from steroids - that I knew it meant I looked like Halloween. I did claim the padded bench, however, since I'm still having trouble sitting.
So hungry from trying so much food to get some taste and eating carbs instead of salad and fresh fruits that I've gained all my weight back and just heard some gals start hormones (that put on pounds) during rads - I expected to wait until Herceptin done next fall. Anyone know?
Luvbugs, hope you get out to celebate soon. I heard you can get fat injected later if you want to make breasts even. Too much to even think about now..
Off to lay in bed, grab Kleenex for eyes and lay on stomach to finally do that editing....
xo
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Marayah, congrats!! I hope the nurses celebrated with you too - we all deserve the treatment 5luvbugs got on her last chemo day with the dancing and singing.
Sneaky - you must be feeling pretty good you are still pushing yourself through. The end is in sight with six around the corner, right? I laughed out loud at you lying on the floor - and am impressed that in spite of that, you are out jogging. Motivation for me... thanks. I take every excuse to lie down I can find, and have to stop it. I am lazy by nature, and have always had a strong heart and high metabolism desite my laziness, so this is going to be my biggest hurdle.
Loafer - amazing they said "cancer free". Congrats - that had to feel good... I can't wait to hear those words myself. If no one says them to me, I am yelling them to the world as I leave the hospital on my last radiation day:) How's the elephant feet now? Is the swelling going down? My hands have been swelling off and on too. But I confess I liked the steriods despite the swelling and insomnia. They made me happy and very energetic, two things the cold grey winter here were NOT doing.
5luvbugs - I hope you get your outing soon - wherever it is.
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Congrats on finishing, Marayah!
Sickofpink - Not sure about your timing query, but I do know what you're saying about the carbs. This was the first cycle that my good eating habits broke down a bit. Not surprisingly, I started to feel like crap (beyond the chemo stuff). Back on the fruits and veggies and feeling better now. You can do it.
Thanks, Megan. Unfortunately, I'm only halfway. I switch to Taxol for these next 4 rounds though, so I'm hoping that it's a little easier on me. This last round of AC really knocked me down. But with each day I'm getting a little stronger which is good because next weekend I'll be skiing, practising yoga, eating healthy, and bonding with other BC gals at my Red Mtn ReTreat. Thinking of it keeps me going so I need to thank my lucky stars that I won that spot!
I've since learned of another organization that does free retreats for breast cancer survivors. If skiing/boarding isn't your thing but fly fishing is then check out Casting For Recovery. It's mostly a US thing, but there's also a chapter in Canada for my fellow Canucks. I've put my name in the hat for that one too because I've never fly fished and thought it might be a good skill to learn. I learned about this from the Breast Cancer? But Doctor...I Hate Pink blog. Another good reason for me to keep voting.
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Congrats Maryah! Great to have completed this phase. Funny how there are less SEs with that final round!!
Sneaky - Enjoy that Red Mt retreat - sound fabulous - and well-deserving!! Are you a skier/boarder? Please share your spa experiences with us.
My tag name is Loafer, which is a person who frequents Sugar Loaf, a fabulous remote mountain in Maine. Brings me tranquility and peace.
Happy and healthy Sunday ladies! -
Sneaky I am already thinking about your for next weekend at the retreat at Red Mtn. We have tickets for Davis Cup tennis (Canada/Spain) for both singles and doubles next weekend am excited for that!
Last Taxol on Wed. but I am not excited just yet. It may be the last but it is still a cycle of chemo with cumulative S/E/. Neuropathy now but not bad. My MO did say "it will happen" but I think the Gabapentin has really helped and no S/E after 7 cycles from Neupogen.
Just back from the Tibetan Monastery in Richmond~~Medicine Buddha Puja and lunch and now off to yoga!
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Marian - Did you use the 'ice' gloves while doing Taxol? I was told by the nurses that they generally only use them when patients are having Taxotere but Gelmon said that I could use them too and she thought there was enough evidence supporting the use of them for Taxol to prevent neuropathy. I was going to ask for them, but not sure if I'll try to do something on my own to ice the toes or not. I'll be at the BCCA for MO appointment and bloodwork on Wednesday... maybe I'll stop in to say hi.
I've turned the corner today and am feeling pretty good so will head up to Mt Seymour for their ladies' free skiing tonight. Ironically enough, this is their fundraiser for breast cancer - all donations during the night get passed along to the BC Cancer Foundation. It's not great skiing, but it's better than sitting at home and it fits the budget (I usually donate $5-10, depending on how much I ski and how much I can afford). They even give away lots of prizes to the ladies who end their night in the restaurant/bar. Such a great event.
Get on those skis, Loafter! I'm always so surprised how much better I feel skiing than I do sitting at home. The chemo SEs just kind of melt away.
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Im DONE! Will be meeting with an OB about doing a oopherectomy when I do my implant exchange and will be getting a lupron shot in 3 weeks to shut down my overies until we can do the surgery! Feel like a large weight has been lifted! Now to get through the next few weeks and head towards feeling better...I am going to take the Livestrong class at the YMCA and try to get in better shape!
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Keetmom ~ Congrats! I was done on Friday. I joined the TeamSurvivor Northwest to get in shape. Having a DEXA next week to prepare for the one month follow-up and discussion of Tomoxifen vs. AIs. Doesn't it feel amazing to know we are moving forward?
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Congrats Keetmom!!!! Woot woot woot!!!!
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Sneaky, every chemo nurse I asked said same about icing for Taxotere not Taxol. Taxol takes hours and I personally can't imagine icing that long. Also Shenkier suggested epsom salts in my bath a heating pad which I do and have had minimal neuropathy. I am also on Gabapentin and seems that 30-50% of us it works for. Maybe ask Karen as it was Shenkier's idea. I was waitlisted for tomorrow and got a call this afternoon so it is on at noon tomorrow. It is my target date but I guess it is crazy busy in chemo rooms. It was a zoo at the lab this AM but I got lucky and got it done upstairs through my port. Neutriphils have been in normal range all through Taxol though I am still using Neupogen (5 per cycle) and again lucky with no S/E.
My daughter is coming with me and will do a short "chemo room" video which should make it more festive for the end. I will have to go back for port flushing after 4 weeks but Dr. Lennox plans to take it out during surgery which saves one more procedure. I see I am a bit repetitive but chemo brain card can be played!
keetmom and Maryah, congrats!
Sneaky hope skiing is great. I was going to Cypress tomorrow until the got the cancellation call.
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keetsmom, congrats!!!
Sneaky, I didn't use the ice gloves but took a cooler of ice and two bowls and used that for my hands, but I needed help replenishing the ice to keep it cold. It would work for your feet too, i just didn't bother. Because I had sensitivity reactions to taxotere, that infusion took 4 or 5 hours once and usually was at about 3 hours. I couldn't hack the ice during the 5 hours, it got too painful and I quit after about 3.5, but the 3 hours was no problem. I started the half hour before, and took my hands out about 15 minutes after it was done. I don't how long Taxol takes, but if it is 3 hours or less, the ice gloves should be doable. If it is more, it would be difficult at Marian says. It is worth a try though, as the worst that happens is you take the gloves off. I don't how the people doing cold caps do it - my hands would hurt like hell the first 15 minutes til they were numb. I can't imagine if that had been my head.
Marian, happy last time in the chemo to you tomorrow!!!
Sickofpink, how's the editing going?
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I'm helping my friend who broke her leg but it's too tiring. So I gave myself tomorrow off :-)
You ladies, doing all kind of things during chemo inspired me to do something too. I don't go to work this period, but I decided to follow two workshops and a lecture from a rather big name in my field on Thursday. All these are at the local university, just around the corner. I hope I can stay there for the whole day.
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Something else now, maybe related to my previous post.
I keep myself busy with all kind of things and I don't give myself time to sit down, think and cry. Is that normal? How are you doing?
I'll discuss it with my therapist on Friday but I'd like to hear your opinions too.
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well getting ready for my last AC treatment...had bloodwork yesterday and clinic called back saying i had low neutrophil count...1.5..need to do bloodwork again this am and then they will decide at my 10 am appt if i am cancelled or not..on a good note my mammogram from the 15th came back clear..yeah..now have to get echo appt since my next round is taxol/herceptin...not looking forward to the time and whatever se's come with that...
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pands will be hoping your neutrophils went up and we will be having chemo in BC at the same time!
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Congrats - Keetmom and Maryah!! Pands I hope your count will allow your last treatment.
So many of you have finished your chemo. I have to admit I'm a little jealous. I still have 2 more rounds to go.
Can't remember who mentioned Gabapentin. It really helps with the neuropathy for me. I don't have to take it every day only when it gets bad.
Wishing you all minimal side effects.
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I'm with you txjunebug! I have #5 this Friday so I'm not done yet.
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Txjunebug & Michelle - we are all still here cheering and supporting you to the finish line!
I start rads on Thursday. I was selected for clinical trial and go for three weeks. Will keep you updated on this next phase.
I did cold caps and couldn't fathom icing hands and feet too. Onc said the more treatments you have, the increased risk of neuropathy. Also gals with diabetics have increased risk. Fortunately for me, I did not get this SE.
Good luck ladies! -
So happy and excited for those of you who are finishing up!
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Tx and michelle ~ i have #5 on thursday.
Megan, finished the editing last night, thanks - 3 days of nonstop
Sitting on pillow, dabbing eyes and not much time to review. Made it better i hope. Legs and feet very swollen now, do odd. Anyone else?
Cant imagine a cold anything!
very brave.
Sweet dreams! -
My #5 is on the 8th. Very much looking forward to being done!
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My 4 th chemo is on thursday. Again ready for body aches and diohrea. Also i have apointment with phsychatrist anybody have an idea what to discuss with her i dont want to take anti depressent for anxiety
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Sickofpink - Can't believe you're still able to edit. Truly inspiring... I can't even remember a PIN that I've had for 15 years of my life. No swollen legs/feet over here, but I think that's something worth mentioning to your health care team
Loafer - Good luck with the rads.
milkyway - Perhaps just start off with telling her you'd like to stay off anti-depressents and see where she goes with that? I'm sure others will pipe in with their experiences. Hope the body aches and diarrhea are more manageable this time around.
I had my pre-chemo bloodwork done today and my hemoglobin is low enough to warrant a blood transfusion. This would explain why AC #4 was far more fatiguing than the previous ones. We're hoping that the extra few days off I have to attend my ski/yoga retreat this weekend is all I need for my red blood cells to recover in time for chemo. Knowing about my hemoglobin levels though I'll cut myself some slack and rest as much as my body wants (normally I try to push through the fatigue to get my exercise in because I usually feel better afterwards).
Seems there are a lot of ladies having chemo today and tomorrow. Best of luck, all!
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Sneaky~How did the fatigue affect you?
I'm 13 days out from AC #3. I came home from church on Sunday. My DH came straight into the house, but I sat in our van for at least 20 minutes trying to work up the energy to walk from the driveway to the door. It wears me out just to go to the kitchen for iced tea.
I didn't have this kind of fatigue with AC 1 & 2, but this one has kicked my butt.
My RBC was a bit low last tx, and I had another one since that, so I'm wondering if that's what it is.
Blessings
Paula -
Sneaky- i can't beluwve you're skiing, so we're even. And i had to reset passwords so much im finally putting them in my phone.
Milkly, don't worry. Mefs wont be pressed on you and if you do decide to get a rx you can just save it as a last resort. Dr can help you connect the dots of how u feel and why and understamd it is all reasonable which may allow u to get to a place where u can relax more or find ways to help u relaxorebwhen u need -
Oops hit done button when trying to fix typos (in bathtub with iphone ha) - meant to write: when u need it most.
Hh comes home from teaching in paris for 2 weeks (its freezing or I'd be jealous) tomorrow and boy fo i look different all bloated and swollen .,. Oh well!
Ill be thinking of you ladies at chemo tmro.
Xo
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