Starting chemo November 2012

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  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2013

    Bummer, I was there last Wednesday.  I'm back to Thursday for the next seven weeks :(  We will cross paths eventually.  Even if it is at Sam's Club!

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    Meeting with the breast surgeon to discuss my mastectomy options.  Don't feel like messing with the genetic odds of getting another one of these!!  Let's hope for good news.

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  • maryah930
    maryah930 Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2013

    Good luck Junebug! 

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    I want crab!

    Choc chip - bit didn't taste as good as they used to.

    The watery eyes are most unexpected.



    Is it possible to get your period during chemo? I know I started menopause when I quit bc when dx - but have been slightly bleeding since Valentines day and even chafing from sex after 6 weeks cant explain it, right? Im 53 hoped i was done...



    Funny bit seems like just enuf chemo to lose fingernails., feet too swollen to wear shoes.,.



    How are rads?



    One more!!!

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  • Megan2
    Megan2 Member Posts: 70
    edited February 2013

    I haven't posted in a while - it sounds like those of you in chemo are still really struggling, while happily, those who are now in recovery are doing well. 5luvbugs, I can't beleive you have hair! I am very jealous. I make my 10 year old check periodically and nada...

    I took a 4 week break post chemo before rads to not think about cancer for a while, which was actually quite lovely. Now I am back in it -my chest looks like my 3 year old was let loose on me with magic markers. But radiation seems boringly easy compared to chemo. Lets hope it stays this way - its a long haul. I had time between appointments today and forced myself to go for a long walk. It is hard to push past the sore muscles and fatigue. Sneaky, I don't know how you kept up your joggin. Amazing.

    Sickofpink, i had my period initially and it seems to have vanished and now i am stuck with frequent hot flashes. i think I would rather have my period. A good friend got hers over and over during chemo, and it remains during the tamoxifen. It seems everyone is different. Chafing sex doesn't sound fun... I hope it is your period.

    Junebug, good luck with the appointment.


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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Sickofpink tried reading your post but it didn't make too much sense- I think you had chemo brain fog Cry. Oh and if you have chafing after 6 weeks since sex, I can't help but wonder if your eyes were watering so bad that maybe you weren't with hubby but with the "fuller brush man"!!!  Surprised Ouch - that could explain the bleeding too... Oh girl just joking, you know I love you ...  Now about those finger nails - did you lose any?  A few of mine are black at the cuticle.   Rads are going fine, had #12 today, 21 to go.  You want Crab?  We ate them all - yummy.  I still have some crab gravy and can cook up some fine linguini - come on over to the east coast...

    Junebug, sending good wishes your way, let us know what the doc says...

    Megan, glad to see you back where you belong - I'm waiting for the weather to warm up so I can take a walk.. We have a cemetary around the block which is a good place to go for a nice long uphill/downhill walk but I don't have that energy yet..  Did some floor exercises yesterday and a few with weights - need to get my body tightened up and my bones stronger in prep for that awful med I have to take for 5 years- Arimidex.  Your right about rads - it's a drag..

    The few long hairs on my head are my old leftover ones but I see and feel about 1/4" of new (gray) hair coming in - last chemo was Jan 15; 1st Rads Feb 4 - I should be finished by Easter....

    OK everyone have a good night, I am meeting one of my old friends for Chinese dinner tonight.  Yum//..

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    Breast surgeon referred me to a plastic surgeon.  Have appt with him on the 7th.  Talked about DIEP and Tram flaps, regular mastectomy with expanders.  She said this plastic surgeon was fantastic but he doesn't come down to our local hospital where she works.  I'll have to travel an hour to the big city for my surgery.  They will give me 4 weeks after chemo then it's under the knife again. 

    Any advice from you ladies on which method is best?  The thought of moving muscles from one part of the body to another is not very appealing to me at the moment. 

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    Thanks Megan.

    And 5luvbugs!! I'm practically a newlywed - and drank plenty of wine (bad girl)to make it pleasant, nearly melted my blond-ish wig by the fire. But do tend to chafe a bit after so long..but not for a week. It is the difference between the drug you take or the tamifloxin for five years. I have to have herceptin til November, too. But why is it so important to prep with weights etc for the drug? Is it really bad? Glad your rads are going well. My old acid SE's are back, with all the new ones, back to all day meds. But no nails lost yet, lots of black and a weird yellowish tinge where they must be lifting and all are sore..so time will tell.

    Tx, hope your appointment went smoothly. Almost tough to have options.

    Trying not to have high expectations due to SE's and continung infusions, but tomorrow is my last full triple chemo! I dobt I'll have dancing nurses, but woohoo!

    Yesterday a friend commented on how quickly it has gone..for her, maybe, ha - I had to change the subject!

    Sweet dreams, I'll be up from steroids, sigh.

    xo

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    5luvbugs, I just got your joke about the Fuller Birsh man! Only took an hour.

    Maybe that's the same as a chemo second.;p

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Sickofpink, it's not even 6 am and you already gave me another good laugh Smile..By the way, you and most of the girls here are probably too young to remember the "fuller brush man"  There was a brand of brushes that a salesman use to go door to door selling (that was in the '50's).    Now on the serious side, exactly what is this Herceptin and how is it administered....

    As far as my drug it will be Arimidex, I cannot take Tamoxifin because I had blood clots and pulmonary embolism when I was young (27) and it would be too risky for me but the drug I am going to take will cause bone lose so then I need to take reclast to counteract that and both drugs have lots of side effects - does this ever get easy???? 

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  • Eleni
    Eleni Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2013

    Sickofpink, good luck with the last chemo. For me it's on Monday.

    I understand how you feel about the stupid comments. For me it's definitely not quick enough. It's 8 months ago that my life changed again. I'm sick of being sick.

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  • Eleni
    Eleni Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2013

    Is anybody else so tired? I can do all kind of things and then suddenly it hits me. I *have* to lay down cause I just can't make it.

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Eleni so tired... it just hits you like a ton of bricks - my  famous last words during chemo " I'm done".

    Guess what? I'm finding radiation to be similar - nearly 3 weeks into it and "Im tired" of course I don't sleep at night either ...

    by the way, my "old hair" that did not fall out is standing straight up - not too cute

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  • Eleni
    Eleni Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2013

    I also sleep very bad. It's not always due to the cortisone. How long does that tiredness last? To be honest I don't remember from the previous time. Just one day I wasn't that-I-have-to-lay-down- tired.

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  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited February 2013

    Went for my 8th out of 12 weekly Taxol infusions yesterday. Mo wants to change to another chemo because although I still have all my hair, my toenails are completely black and finger ails are blue, I also am getting neurothopy in my hands and feet. 5luvbugs I got the fuller brush man joke right away lol. I remember them well lol.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    5LuvBugs~I got the Fuller Brush man joke too. I remember him coming to the door. Do you remember the Stanley parties? I'm thinking they sold cleaning & household products.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Sickofpink by the time you read this you will be finished your last chemo-  Hooray, here I am with the maracca's singing and dancing....Now go relax and eat that apple and fresh fruit and veggies you've been craving and drink all the wine you want and don't get to close to the fireplace with that wig - pant's on fire!!!!Cool

    Horray for Eleni and all the rest of you girls finishing up soon...Don't be as brazen as our good friend sickofpink, God only knows what she'll do next Surprised

    Macy, Soteria and whoever else remember the fuller brush man - I am so glad that you can relate to me...Also, If I search my aunts basement, I could probably find some of those old Stanley cleaning products along with a few Fuller Brushes!!  Memories....Kiss

    Junebug good luck with the surgeon and I know you will make the right decision - praying for you.Innocent

    Has anyone heard from Michelle, she wasn't feeling good for awhile?Embarassed 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    5LuvBugs~I've been concerned about how Michelle's doing too. She checked in a few days ago, but I haven't seen anything since.



    I hope she's just too busy having fun to check in.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • michellej1980
    michellej1980 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2013

    Hey ladies! Thanks for the PM, Tricia. It's so lovely to have people I don't even know caring about me. I love you guys!

    I've been out and about the last week or so, getting my car fixed, shopping, buying random foods I think I'll fancy after chemo, eating out and enjoying it before I get funky taste buds again. Been out with my friend for dinner this evening and I think I drove her crazy with my rambling on and talking non-stop cos the steroids make  me hyper and chatty! It's just gone 3am and I have my FINAL chemo at 12 noon. Woohoo! Kind of an anti-climax really and I don't want to have to go back to work but I guess I just have to get my head around getting back to real life.

    Dreading this 6th and final round though. I think my body is at the point where it really couldn't take any more. The last one, the fatigue was awful. I've been really out of breath and was worried but the onc said it is almost definitely fluid retention. I forgot to ask if she could give me anything for it but I will ask the chemo nurses tomorrow. Fatigue and more breathlessness don't go well together. 

    I'm being referred back to a breast surgeon as I have some lumps on both my DIEP breasts but one in particular right where my tumour was. The recon nurse said it's common to have fat necrosis, my onc said it feels like it but she has referred me to put my mind at ease. If the surgeon thinks it's worth it, they will ultrasound it. Think I would like to be sure.

    having a DEXA scan soon to check bone density before I start Arimidex, especially as I've been post-menopause for several years already. I'm a 32 year old old lady! Depending on the results they may give me meds for my bones.

    suppose I better try and sleep now, although still not that tired! Take care girls. X

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    Yes fingers crossed for Eleni. Thanks Michelle!

    Luvbugs i do remember Fuller brush man cuz from Ohio but didn't envision the brush anatomy that made joke work until later.. I did cut that melted part of wig off - and onc said call gyno cuz numbers put me in Menopause, yay. If i ever have sex again there will be lube involved - once i was at airport and this guy who looked like Russell Brand held up the line with a tantrum when they took his 3 big containers of lube from his carry-on..but i digress...



    Herceptin is a new-ish targeted antibody for Her2+ estrogen positive bc - 90% cure rate, given with chemo through port and continuing every 3 weeks for a year even during rads and start of hormone therapy.



    Shaky today and when onc congratulated me at finishing chemo i told him i was concerned about long road again and having hardest month of cumulative effects ahead. He admitted that's "exactly right."

    But rad dr called personally to set up consultation appt..such good care...

    AND when i finally got home there were flowers - Not from my mom but from the Nordstrom customer service rep who helped when i failed at an online order of a bday present for DD in the middle of the night. No last name or way to thank her.., what a mitzvah.



    As i lay in bed now Im Feeling grateful for all my blessings, you gals among them.

    Xo

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    Eleni and Michelle - Congrats on the last chemo!! Looks like some of us are wrapping up the chemo phase.  Mine last one is next week on the 28th.

    Sickofpink - I think you're right an hour is a chemo second!!  Thanks to you and 5Luvbugs for the laugh!

    For whoever mentioned the chemo fatigue wall, I'm the same way.  Can do fine for hours then WHAM!!  I'm tired, grumpy and ready to lay down.  Hard for some people to understand that!!

    Since I will be having the double mastectomy I won't need radiation!!  Whoohoo!!!! 

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  • michellej1980
    michellej1980 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2013

    You know what? After 6 chemos I've realised that its the dex that ruins my taste buds. I took a sandwich to chemo with me but ate it before I started the infusion and the badness was there already. It's so hard to describe, it's not really a taste as such, more of a sensation? It's horrid. Anyone experience the same and know what I mean? 

    I think the chemo does and will add a bit of furriness to the tongue too, and then the dreaded thrush will get me in a few days. SO glad I don't have to suffer this SE again.

    have got a diuretic for my water retention. I'm quite wheezy now too so hopefully it will help.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    Michelle, you can avoid thrush by taking acidophilus everyday and eating yogurt. Chemo kills off our good bacteria and those things put it back.



    Its much like the way we get a vaginal yeast infection from taking anti-biotics. Acidophilus will help us avoid that.



    I agree about the Dex. I've noticed when I eat at treatment my food already is unenjoyable. ( is that a word?) I've also noticed that certain foods I've eaten during this time are starting to really turn me off just thinking about them.



    Good to hear from you.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • michellej1980
    michellej1980 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2013

    I don't think anything will save me from thrush. I took high dose anti-fungal tablet for two weeks last cycle and still got it, and used the oral suspension too. It was only mild though and didn't really further affect my taste buds but it was just frustrating that it was so stubborn. The dex is causing me the greatest issue. I really HATE steroids.

    yeah, there are some things I don't fancy as much since eating them when my taste is funny. Perhaps I should just eat chocolate so I'll never want it again! Wishful thinking! 

    Are you able to describe the effect the dex has on your mouth? I tried googling in the hope someone could put it into words but most mention metallic or sour tastes and it's definitely not that for me. I can't really 'taste' the problem unless there's something in my mouth. So I'll think I fancy something because my mouth is fine but as soon as I try it - bleurgh.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    Michelle, that's a great discription. I can feel really hungry and something sounds good and I get it and its just bleck.



    I've never had the metallic taste they talk about either. It seemed like with AC the tastebuds took longer & longer to return. I hope I have some good days when I start the 12 weekly taxol next week. I don't want to go 12 weeks without tasting anything.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • Eleni
    Eleni Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2013

    Over an hour I get my last chemo. I'm crying the whole morning. Not from joy. I guess it's due to the luck of sleep (just 2 hours last night), the furstration of the last 4 months and the general: is this really the last time?

    For chemo #5 I got half the dose. This time it's going to be again half. They can't give the whole 100%, not even more dose. That means I totally have 5chemos instead of 6. What does that say about my chances?

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  • Megan2
    Megan2 Member Posts: 70
    edited February 2013

    Michele, Eleni - you made it!!! And what is twice as amazing is that you two are doing this for the second time.

    Eleni, I can understand your fears, especially given you have been through this before and still here you are again, so the fears are that much more present. I hope that what is important is to have the cancer destroying chemo drugs circulating throughout your body six times. I hope your oncologist can give you assurance that the half dose is perfectly fine so you can move on from this last round and enjoy a well deserved rest and celebration of getting through this.

    sickofpink, it is incredible the kindness of some people.

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  • PrincessPincushion
    PrincessPincushion Member Posts: 74
    edited February 2013

    I AM DONE!!! I had my last TC on the 19th!!!! The lovely nurses at the cancer center gave me a certificate called the "Purple Heart Award", signed by each nurse who works there. I cried so hard when the nurse gave that to me. But I (literally) danced my way to the elevator on my way home. Laughing

    Next up: radiation. BRING IT ON!

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Congrats Amethyst, Michelle, Eleni and Sickofpink - your all finished...Yay - now celebrate and close the book on that chapter - time to move on.....

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  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited February 2013

    Congrats to all who are finishing chemo!!! Has anyone on Taxol had any problems with diarrhea? I had my 8th infusion last week and have been having severe stomach cramps and diarrhea.

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