Starting chemo November 2012

Portacath: I didn't mean to worry you. It is easier than putting it in. Of course it hurts, take deep breaths and it's going to be fine. I forgot that I can't sleep on my belly for the time being.

Thankful, to be honest, I forgot to ask. Yesterday I couldn't cook, I supervised my son while he was cooking. Today I feel better but I'm not going to lift any groceries. I guess listen to your body and don't overdo it. Of course, asking your doctor is always good.

In 10 days they'll take out the stitches (I needed stitches because I already had radiation and that makes it more difficult to use the other stitches).

Thanks, you guys, doc says ok to travel in May, but the fatique and timing between other things here in LA worries me. Plus I'd need wigs, gloes and fake eyeashes - at home I'm lazy with scarves and knit caps..

Maryah and Thankful - I'm right here with you at 6 weeks post. Very sore legs, swelling just going down afet hugeg weight gain form liquids, eyes still tearing a bit and the nails are disgusting, can't wait for them to come off, really,...and lost the eyelashes a few weeks back.

Radiation makes me nauseous, anyone else? I rarely exercise due to radiation schedule and work, but need to - especially now that I can taste everything --and everything tastes good!

Thankful - I use aloe immediately after and usually more aloe or Eucerin at night. Pink now, but nothing more. I did just unsnap my bra, though....am VERY tired, but tend to awaken in the middle of the night and work a few hours - so much going on with my book coming out next month not sure if it's health or work related, a good distraction.

 Still have Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks, would rather have the ugly port out...

When people ask if treatment is over I say in November, but what about all the years of hormone therapy coming up?

Hmmm.....take it easy!

Good morning girls..I think about all of you often and am glad to see that everyone is still hanging around, not as frequently as we where but we are still here for each other.  Well, I finished rads on Thursday so I can close the book on that chapter of my life. My port should be coming out the end of this month - can't wait... I started Anastrozole yesterday and hope I don't get all those side effects.  Has anyone here gotten a Prolia shot yet?  I was suppose to get one on Monday but now I need a tooth extracted and the onc says I have to wait for 6 months after the extraction because the bone needs to heal really well.

 Keetmom, I'm glad you got on vacation with your family, I bet it did you a world of good. Sickofpink, you will love New York ( I am only 2 hours away but never get there), hope your energized for you book signings...   Pands, I'm confused = if your having treatment until January why has your port been removed? Hope everyone is doing well including you girls Paula, Thankful, Junebug, Michelle, Eleni  and anyone else I can't scroll up to see on this page - have a good weekend...

Paula I think they leave it in "just in case"  I know I have to get blood tests before the port removal - Yes 3 weeks in between chemo and rads is pretty standard... I got delayed a full 14 days because of 4 days w/machine breakdowns and 10 days because of skin burns - please be sure to use your cortizone w/ aloe gel as soon as you are radiated - do it in dressing room before you get dressed and use it 4 times a day - I did and still got burnt and I don't have fair skin, they thought I wouldn't burn but you know - my boob and armpit aren't use to getting laid out in the sunshine

Oh did I mention that I have about a 1/8" of hair - I really, really look like my dad,,,,

I don't want to scare anyone, just to inform you so you're prepared and ask the right questions to your doctor.

One week after the portacath was taken out, I got an infection. High fever and my breast swelled. No pain but I knew it was bad news.

I stayed at the hospital for two nights and I'm now at home with antibiotics.

Hello everyone!  I've been busy since going back into the office full time but have been missing each of you! 

Sickofpink- NYC sounds wonderful!  Michelle - hope the fluids go away and you can breathe better.  Keetsmom - vacation sounds heavenly!  5Luvbugs - after May 14th mine won't be hanging at all. 

For those of us still with our ports - I was told that you have to have it flushed every 6 weeks.  My onc won't let me get it out until after the DMX which is next month.  

I'm about 6 weeks out from my last 6 of 6 TC rounds.  I have lots of peach fuzz on my head.  Desperate for my hair to come back.  Breast surgeon said it may come back gray but I told him gray hair is better than no hair!!!  Also have achy arms and legs but that's it.  Eyes stopped watering and energy is coming back. 

I'm so glad I signed back on.  I feel like I've been catching up with old friends! 

Hi Volley ~ I felt exactly the same was after my last chemo and then again after my last visit with my onc when she told me she would see me in 3 months. I felt as if my safety net was gone and my BC could come out of hiding.  It does get easier, but I don't have any answers. I do know there are books and support groups dealing with life after treatment, so look in to those.  Hugs...

Michelle~~I finished AC on Feb. 8, and Friday I got #6 of 12 weekly Taxol. I have zero lashes, top or bottom. I never had very thick ones. I always used liner to give the illusion, but now, I have zero, zilch, nada!



My hair is coming back in at a snails pace. I check everytime I go to the bathroom. Lol



Blessings

Paula

Michelle - I did get muscle aches the week after treatment but this is different.  Don't feel it unless I move a certain way.  Calf feels tight like I've been working out. 

Hair, Eyelashes & brows - lost both eyebrows but wig helps hid them.  Eyelashes on left eye - might have 5 on top and none on the bottom but still have about 10 on top of right eye and all but the corner on the bottom.  I can deal without the eyelashes but I'm paranoid my hair won't come back.  It seems to be coming in all over but much more in the back and side.  I look like I have male pattern baldness right now.  Been taking Biotin and a multi-vitamin to help it grow back but it's just not happening very fast.  Doesn't help that I have blonde hair so you can't really see it from a distance. 

I'm back to work and my boss is back to normal.  I was told that I need to figure out how my work is going to get done while I'm out for my bilateral mastectomy.  Really? It's called hire a temp if you don't have the time to do it.  My surgery is on the Tuesday that a lot of my month end reports are due.  Was also told that I had to complete my work for that week before I go out on leave.  I think it's time for a new job but who is going to hire me when I will need 12 weeks off to recoup from 2 different surgeries.  My coworker said this is my boss' way of saying she doesn't approve of me having surgery and will make it harder on me when I come back if the boss has to do my work.  I say let it pile up.  I'll do what I can.

Thanks I'll Google it.  My hair has become a preoccupation or so it seems. 

My friend's hair came back a lot thinner on the top.  I've always had a very thick head of hair and as you can tell I'm worried it won't come back.  Wondering if wearing the wig will prevent it from growing in some areas.

Junebug, I really think it's time you pack your bags and tell that mean nasty excuse for a woman your moving on to better places (even if it's the junk yard) she is a lousy person and you don't need her anywhere in your life.  Is she your supervisor or the owner/boss?   You deserve much better and if she was standing in front of me right now I'd punch her in the mouth, knock out those teeth and from then on she could gum it  - pow, right in the kisser!!!!  of course I say all this because it's not my job or my boss.  She hasn't been nice to you from the beginning, don't expect her to start now - actually sounds like she's jealous you might get some attention and she needs it all!!!!

Thanks Soteria and 5Luvbugs.  I just sat there and wondered why I put up with it all.  Hubby and I talked about it during dinner tonight and I'm hanging out to collect disability during the mastectomies and then the DIEP flap surgery.  After that I will be looking for something else. 

I keep wondering what they would have done if I had pulled off my wig and said "thanks for your concern.  As you can see I'm doing just fine.  Nothing's wrong with me.  You know having the most agressive form of breast cancer is nothing."