January 2013 chemo group

JulesDenver-

I work with a wonderful young woman who is TNBC, she had a lumpectomy, hysterectomy because her CT scan of the pelvic region lite up (it was clear), nodes were clear, she did chemo, rad and is 5.5 years out and doing fantastic.

I absolutely believe it isn't just about the meds, it is also about our mental attitude and how we change our lifestyle if necessary. You have got to live like you are going to be here for the long haul. You can't change anything anyway; your doc is just coming back from a Conference where maybe some compelling informaltin was shared, they don't get to sit-in on everything! This could just be her style; my surgeon is always on the positive side yet I press her all the time for the "really, but I read" or "what about this fact..." and of course for me, they only took the first node, did not go deeper. She felt down two more and said they looked OK and felt OK and the dye did not light up - but I wish they took one more just so it said 1/2 and I could be completley CONFIDENT it stopped at one. I press my ONC MD too, he is older, kindly and sometimes I think tired but I approach him like an out of control puppy who will pee on the flor if he doesn't listen and I don't stop until I know I have gotten him to hear me!!I actually enjoy the banter because I get more when I push more!

I have had to give up some of this worrying $HIT because it will ruin my life and I can do that all on my own, without BC if I wanted to: money, success at work, weight, kids successes, the volumne of fat, sugar, and salt in our diets, North Korea, (oh yeah, there is a lot of other stuff to distract me), returning to college at night and being successful with it <-- it is really important to me!

It breaks my heart to see you worry so - there is always HOPE -

I am slowly rushing (is there such a thing) out the door for work - still on a high from the meds from yesterday's fourth session dosing; two more to go before moving on to the rad, then the dreaded Estro Blockers - but this disease will not define me - it has just broaden my perspective on the lives of people who have lived with chronic illness for years and what they go through. I fight all the time to "stay in the light" and that is something I can control!

hugs and a glorious day to everyone here - GRACE - my mantra and maybe even a tatoo!

Kathy

ok...its official...chemo brain..or a blonde moment...wait...can you HAVE a blonde moment without hair???  Its like if a tree falls in the forest, i guess.  Anywho, i just spent 15 minutes on the phone with my internet provider to figure out that the cat knocked off the internet button thingie on my computer with his paw when he jumped off my lap.  no internet button thingie, no connectivity.  DUH.  Nice.  who's a complete f-ing moron?  oh yeah...its ME!!!

(I'm blaming it on the chemo [she says shamefacedly...])  xoxox Shan

ywheels, I am also pos/pos/neg and was told that is good becaue the est/progest positive  respond well to the hormonal thearpy, tamoxifen or the AIs, to ensure no recurrance...i had a really low oncotype (13) which means chemo had a lesser impact but I did it because of the nodes I had to 'throw everything at it'.  I think the chemo impact is dependent on a lot of factors outside of just the neg/pos thing from what I understand.  While a tumor that's her2 neg is less aggressive, which is good,being her2 pos does mean that herceptin is available to treat for recurrance.  I guess TP would mean you get herceptin and hormone therapy???  Seems that it's a littel bit art with the science and that all the combos have something going for them...but certainly leaves us all a bit confused about what really works best

Hi Everyone,



I've been reading but haven't written in a few weeks. I finished my 4th AC last Friday following a very nasty stomach bug. I think I had a much tougher time this last go around because of the stomach virus. My question is about Taxol. For those going through it, what kind of SE have you had? Also, has icing fingers and toes helped with neuropathy?



I find such ease in the strength you all demonstrate through all of this! You inspire me!



Blessings to you all,



Emily

AuntieEm, congratulations on wrapping up AC.  I'm on taxotere but I don't ice my nails.  I do paint them navy blue (both fingers and toes) on the morning of treatment.  Taxotere and Taxol are both taxane-based so I'm assuming the UV light thing applies to Taxol as well. 

ywheels, congratulations to you as well on finishing AC!!  

Hi Bellas! It's March Maddness and I work in a sports bar. Holy busy! I had to remind my boss that I am under attack from all these drugs and low counts. He keeps trying to add hours to my schedule. He thought I was able to work 3 twelve hour shifts in a row this week. I said "hey, are you our of your mind? Remember, I am in the middle of chemo. I am tired ALL THE TIME. I know I don't 'look' sick but take it easy on me." I guess I am pretty good at packing on the makeup and my wig really does look like my hair. I'm going to have to start acting sick just so people will get it. I used to be a wonder woman and work anything he schedules me for. I would work 14 days on the weekends. So, I think he thinks I am back to my old self. I hate reminding him that I am still so tired and my stamina is no good. I know that I am not doing myself any favors by working myself to exhaustion. I cant get my body ready for the next TX that way.  So, I've said no to alot at work. All my co workers get it. One young one (she's24) said, "I'm so freaking tired and I am healthy, I cant imagine how tired you are". That almost make me cry. So, I continue to rest when I am home. I slept most of the day away yesterday. The housework and laundry will just have to do themselves this week...

There is a 6 hour then you get a half hour break rule here in NY. It's still a long day. He has been mindful of whats going on with me so I have to be thankful of that. I really do think he and others forget I am not 100% because I am back at work and for the most part pretty happy when I am there. And of course EVERYONE asks how I am doing and my answer is always 'oh I'm doing ok, ya know better than I expected.' So, in there eyes... All is good.

AuntieEm- I found the weekly taxol group too. I have been reading all the posts hoping to get an idea of how I am going to feel. All signs point to it being easier than AC. I am praying that is the case. I am so done feeling weird. Soteria205 is weekly taxol so I am following her closely as I will be weekly too. We seemed to have the same reaction to AC also.

ywheels22  - My eyebrows have clung on through dose dense Taxol #1.  Of course, mine are mostly blonde and barely visible, but I still have them. 

Smethot and AuntieEm  – Way to Go!  You beat the red devil!

 Nicole – As I await my BRCA test results,  I am seriously pondering the OOPH.  I am ER/PR+ and I don’t need the damn things anyhow.  I am mentally prepared to do that surgery, but I am not mentally prepared for the BMX—not because I care about the boobs, but because I don’t want to be out of commission (again!) recuperating from surgery nor do I want another drain experience.  One drain for axillary nodes was more than enough, thank you very much!  It will be interesting to watch your thought processes unfold as you consider this, so please do share.

Hope and Sorteria: Thanks for your info on the receptors. Makes total sense and I guess I have "what it takes" to beat this for good!

AC#4 has been harder. I am day 5 today (Sunday) and still very tired with aches. My thrush came back so that just adds to the discomfort. I am taking the pill for it along with the liquid and my stomach is just not right. I was basically curled in bed all of Friday and Saturday. Today I am somewhat up and about but just not feeling great.

I posted on the Feb chemo board about my dark day yesterday. Really questioning doing this chemo. It is making me sicker than I was and tearing my body apart. And what if if doesn't work? What if it comes back? All this for nothing....

Keeping my fingers crossed Taxol is easier as many of you have said. I have 4 dose dense then done. I am worried about the neuropathy but I will be taking the vitamin B6 and 12 and L-glutamine powder along with magnesium. I also am using tea tree oil on my fingers and toes. I am not weekly but am following the Taxol board hoping to get all information I can on what to expect. I think there are some on there who are also dose dense, only doing 4.

Skigirl: great on being able to work so much. But don't wear yourself out! I like your picture too!

Okay, so I caught a ridculous could.  My throat has been so sore that I can barely swallow, my nose is stopped up but still runs (weird), started coughing today and just feel miserable.  Going to call the MD tomorrow and see if they will call something in for me without me having to go into the office since we are expecting between 6-12 inches of snow tonight.  How nice!!  I'm so irritated.  I'm also very nervous about my treatment on Thursday.  I know some of you have had colds, did they postpone your treatment because of it?  I sprayed my nose last night with some nasal spray since I couldn't breathe and it burned my throat so bad it made my eyes water.  I'm somehow staying hydrated, but food is not my friend right now.  Thank goodness for protein shakes. 

Canceronway, do you get Neulasta shots? You are stuffy but your nose is still runnierb(or in my case) because there is more hair there, it used to catch a lot... Remember our skin and hair are lines of defense. They will test your WBC and see about your treatment. After my round five of chemo, I got my Neulasta shot and hopped a plane for Chicago on New Year's Eve this past year for my brother's funeral who lost his battle w brain cancer at 59! I was NOT going to miss and of COURSE w all precautions being a nurses, I still came home sick w cold. My WBC was normally crazy high a week after Neulasta but not this time but thankfully they only set me back three days from last round. I know how bad we want it done! Just rest rest and then rest some more, the ensure smoothies and juices were easier for me than shakes sometimes and honey lemon cough drops and tea. Prayers to all reading.

Ywheels22, 4 sessions of AC is seriously hardcore stuff and it's totally understandable that you are feeling so shabby and emotional. Hope you start to come out of the fog soon. And, you'll beat your friend's run time next year and can say "I did it after eduring breast cancer and chemo"  Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!!  Big hugs oooo

Good morning Ladies.  I have been trying to keep up with this board since I started chemo back in January.  I have learned so much and had many laughs !!  I am 37 yrs old, Triple Neg BC, BRCA 1 positive.  I am doing chemo (AC & T dose dense) before surgery.  Many factors played into the decision (which was actually the dr's not mine) but I am thankful it happened this way.  I have been able to see the progress of the chemo - from 3 cm to 1 cm as of last week !!  And the additional time for further tests make me comfortable with my decision on the surgery.  I will also be doing rads after surgery since there is node involvement.

Just wanted to share that I have started the Taxol every other week and wow what a difference from the AC !  Not that the AC had me down and out but I was definitely feeling crappy and low appetite for at least a week before I bounced back.  Taxol has not taken my appetite - although it may have added to it ! And I only had MILD fatigue for a few days.  I have my 2nd tx on Wed and hoping it stays the same.  Thinking of going back to work for a few weeks before surgery because I feel like I can't justify being off when I feel fine for the most part and I think I am getting a little bored and want to get a bit of my normal life back.  Just not sure if I should push it and then be too tired in the evenings to spend time with my kids (ages 10 & 7).  I have some time to decide but I'll be curious how the taxol starts treating some of you as the tx's go on.

And I just want to thank you all. Even though I haven't posted before this board has been a godsend.  It has been helpful to hear that a lot of what I have been going through emotionally and physically so have others, and to see how everyone here is dealing and the strength of all of you has been amazing !!