Sept 2012 chemo

Kelleyb: my tumours were all over the left breast so cumulatively they added up to 6+cm. My oncologist recommend 12 taxol and herceptin (I'm her2+) and then 4 rounds of FEC and herceptin once every three weeks. Four weeks ago my MO said he felt "complete clinical response" or no tumour. The breast surgeon confirmed same thing. But I won't really know till after surgery when I get the pathology report back. One more round of chemo for me and surgery on March 21.

Amy - we are on the countdown!  I'm having an echo and a stress test this afternoon because I had a problem on my EKG.  Hopefully it's nothing.  My MRI showed significant improvement, one tumor evaporated but it looks like there is a lot of the original large tuor left, looks like it's behind the nipple and well off the chest wall.  Have reached out to my docs asking for short appt's to go over everything.  Never a dull moment!  I worry I have not had enough chemo - just 2 rounds TCH and 12 weeks Taxol/Herceptin.  They want to leave the AC for after surgery.  I haven't met many women doing it after surgery. 

Otherwise I am ready, mentally.  Getting the house organized, etc.  How are you feeling?

Yeah, mine is triple positive.  I am on a course that includes "mop up" chemo - doing the AC portion after surgery to catch any strays.  I've been on chemo since September.  Yikes. 

I'm getting a modified radical on the left with lymph node dissection.  I haven't heard of a dress rehearsal.  That's interesting.  I have a bunch more questions for my surgeon, hopefully she calls me back today.  Ready for it to be over.

Yep - I will have rads, I think after the rest of the chemo.  Such good times!

Getting my herceptin infusion. It was supposed to be over ar 11- didn't even get started until 12:-( I am tired and hungry and want to go home.

I saw this beautiful article in the NY times about poetry and cancer. The best part is all of the cancer survivors sharing their poetry in the comments section.



http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/finding-poetry-in-cancer/#postComment



I hope everyone is doing good today:-)

Happy to say less panic for rads #2 and more acceptance for things I cannot change. Hugs for all!

Kellyb it is surreal... I keep trying to prepare mentally but I dont think the full effect will hit me till after. Ive come to the.conclusion that its just gonna take time to process... However I asked my BS for a sleep aid the night before surgery and she called it in. Thank god!

cgesq and other Tamox gals-  There is a list of drugs on the BCO.org main website which lists other medications that should not be taken with the Tamox besides Benedryl.  Here is the link for that: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/serms/tamoxifen  Also, I've done a little research on foods that you probably should not eat if you are on Tamox-- grapefruit and pomegranates since they also affect the effectiveness of the Tamox.    I've had a few bouts with hives since starting Tamox and have not determined the origin of the hives.  However, I've been taking Zyrtec as an alternative to the Benedryl and that seems to work for me.  Hope everyone's side effects with the Tamox is minimal.

Thanks cherioo! I had a few whole body rushes today just thinking about it!

Melrose - thanks for the tamox info.  I will be starting as soon as rads are done.  Glad to know you are still looking over our shoulders!

Surgery gals - I know you have heard this from us all, but you will do fine and it will come and go so quickly.  You are mentally prepared and that is a big part of it!

Florbo - A weekend away sounds great!  I haven't really done anything since 7/27/12 (a day that will live in infamy).  My left lung is totally in the rad path.  My RO said after she adjusted the range to me - well your healthy(huh, have cancer), non smoker, and you have your right lung (my face was priceless)!

Patricia, I know! I remember and will never forget this journey with you and the other sisters. I am amazed by what all we have done. I have not gone back and read our thread from the start yet, too painful now but will when this is over. Can't wait to celebrate you being done with chemo!

Oh, and thanks Melrose for the Tamoxifen info. I think the stuff that is in Benadryl is also in a lot of over the counter sleep aids (Nytol etc) so many of those are also incompatible.

Florbo- I see you are in Dallas, and had DIEP done.  Did Dr. Duffy do it?  Are you happy with the results?

It's nice to see us all moving on from the chemo and doing whatever the next step is!

 Currently I am doing radiation.  I have 5 1/2 weeks of it.  I started last Thursday, so today will be my 5th tx.  I had heard it is SO much easier than chemo, and that you get tired but that doesn't happen until later in the treatment....I call bullshit!  The first day knocked me on my butt!  I was completely exhausted, and I can't really do much of anything- just too tired.  At least with chemo, I only had to show up one day- had a few really crappy days, then had a few weeks of being able to at least take care of my family.   With this I am just too tired, and it is every single day- at 11, so it kind of screws up my mornings and then in the afternoon I just sleep.  Heck, I am almost too tired to drive home!  Also, my chest is already very sensitive and pink.  I keep it lubed up but it still doesn't feel great.  Honestly, I would take 1 more round of chemo if I could get out of doing any more rads!

Amy - well, I put my bras away (except for the one I am wearing) today, one step closer to donation!  Not sure what I'll wear as a uni-boob.  I will be taking Ativan the evening before.  Seems unlikely I will sleep, though. 

Forever - alas, I did not have a fantastic response to chemo.  One mass disappeared but the main tumor shrunk just a bit.  I'm going to Philadelphia on Friday morning to see a specialist in IBC (inflammatory breast cancer) which is what I have.  It's fairly rare and there are some differences in how you treat it (for example, also neoadjuvent chemo).  The cancer gets into the skin and into the lymphatics, so they try to get as much of the cancer out via chemo as possible before surgery.  So...I faxed him my MRI and report yesterday and he called today to say he would like to see me to determine whether I should go ahead on Wednesday with surgery or do a stronger, different chemo.  ACK!  But he is the foremost expert on IBC and I trust him to do what will be in my long-term good. 

This is why I get frustrated with my oncologist - the squeeze test exam is meaningless.  We need imaging every few treatments to know whether the chemo is working.  I did 12 weeks of Taxol where if we had checked mid course we probably would have gone ahead to the AC or Taxotere.  Rant over. 

Florbo:  How nice you got to take a break and go away with your family!  Hope you were able to get some rest.

Patricia:  My mom and dad are coming for my surgery too:-)  I know they will be a big help, but I hope they don't get bored or expect too much from me.  I tend to be the caregiver in my family - so family kind of freaks out when the roles are reversed.

So interesting that everyone is having different responses from their doctors around imaging.  My surgeon had said that she wanted an ultrasound and MRI - but then she went on sabbatical for the months of December and January.  I have been trying to get an appointment, and everyone seems mystified as to why I need one.  Kind of annoying.  I have a nurse navigator through my insurance and I told her what happened... so he started calling my doctors too.  She can be pretty persistent- so they finally said they would get something scheduled.. but that was two days ago, and I still haven't heard anything.  Annoying.   I have only had my doctor say that it seems things look great- but that is only from touch.  I agree with you Kelly - there should be some kind of imaging in the middle of our treatment.

Jojo:  I totally agree with flobo- you do look like Kyra Sedgwick:-)

Damiana:  Sorry the rads are making you so exhausted!!!  Hoping it gets better with time. 

Hopex:  Thanks for saying the bmx isn't painful.  I am counting down the days and getting pretty scared about it all. - just like you Amy... I get those strange rushes thinking about it. I am sure it will even become more so as I get closer to the date.  I just need to be sure about my decision and breathe through those moments.  (Big breath)

Kelleyb:  So sorry to hear about everything you are going through.  Like I said, I agree with you around getting some kind of imaging during teatment.  I am glad you found a specialist to look over your MRI and give you some information around next steps.  I know more chemo would suck, but you are right in that making sure you are getting the best treatment to keep this from ever coming back is the goal.  Keep us posted. 

I went to my support group last night.  It was good.  There was an new woman there who was just diagnosed two weeks ago.  Luckily, they caught her cancer super early and she seemed to be dealing really well.   I can't believe how much has happened since I got that phone call saying I had cancer.  Or how much has happened since we joined this thread!   Thanks everyone for being here.  You got me through chemo- and I know you will help me get through surgery, rad, and tamoxifen:-)

Sending love and light! 

Mugga scan scheduled.for tomorrow! Counting down the days....7 to be exact....Yikes!



Nesting like I did when I was pregnant... Guess this is my way of dealing with it and it keeps me busy to pass time. Whatever works right?



Thank you to those of you who have passed along words of encouragement or your experience to help calm our nerves! Keep it coming cause its helping



I like the thought of rereading the thread once finished. What would be real cool is if we could print it!