March 2013 Surgeries

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  • kslansky
    kslansky Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2013

    Not sure if there is a topic open for April chemo starters or not.

    I belonged to the December group and it was very helpful!



    For those of you who are moving on to chemo, take a deep breath...it is doable! I finished up 8 treatments (over 4months) of neoadjuvant chemo mid-March. My fears and concerns about SE' s were way worse than the reality.



    BTW...I've been lurking on this topic since early March. My surgery was this past week. Just want to let you ladies know how much I appreciate your words of wisdom!

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited April 2013

    Welcome (((kslansky)))...hope your recovery is going well and you get those drains out soon! I think we all hated the drains and they seemed to be a big source of discomfort and pain post op. Also, the burning pain in the armpit area, I'm almost 5 weeks postop and the burning is almost gone YAAY:) I also finished my chemo and my hair is coming back so I am starting to feel more "normal" - whatever that is...I agree with you, for me the fear of SE was worse then the actual SE and the meds my MO gave me took care of most of them. Take care...(((Healing Hugs))) Maureen

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  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2013

    Hi March 2013 Surgery Sisters, 

    Checking in and thanking all for their support during a difficult time. Maureen- I thank you so much for managing our board, when I was down, I got on the board, and it kicked started my healing (again and again).  I had my second surgery on March 7, I am healing and will have my first TE fill on 4/23. I would like this to happen because the folds in my "boob" feel so weird. I crossed over to April chemo board, anyone starting, come over and find us! I had my first cocktail on 4/1- I am realizing this is a fight and I need to my warrior hat on again. The Neulasta shot kicked my ass, the onc nurses believe #2 will be better since I will know what is coming. The chemo wasn't so bad, it is my digestive system that is feeling attacked and I need to be gentle about the fatigue. But, again, I will look to my BC sisters for support and remind myself I can do this, because, a lot of us are doing it together. 

    Much love, healing, gentle hugs and smiles. 

    Denise

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2013

    Greetings ladies. I had my BMX and expanders placed march 7 and have my exchange scheduled for may 22. I need some advice. I had my drains removed after 4 weeks and I still have pain due to fluid build up on my left side. Every time I go in for an expansion my dr drains 30-40 mls manually from the breast. Is anyone else dealing with this?

    I am worried my reconstruction is starting to fail.

    I know there is no infection bc I am allergic to most antibiotics and never have taken any. No fever or illness.....just fluid.

    Thx, you all inspire me!!!!

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  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited April 2013

    To anyone considering physical therapy for range of motion issues--

    I am so happy that I am getting physical therapy, twice/week. I developed cording and webbing after surgery, severely hindering my range of motion and causing lots of additional pain, and my PT has been a Godsend. She has the sweetest temperament (like Georgette on the 1970's Mary Tyler Moore show) but she massages, stretches, and works the problem areas hard. She recommends that I take 1/2 Percocet before treatment and it is very doable. She is also a lymphadema expert so I will be learning lymphatic massage from her since I had my axillary nodes removed. Don't hesitate to ask for PT if you need it. She has also given me a whole new set of exercises to do at home; exercises specific to my particular needs. I am finally feeling a bit better! Smile

    One thing I've learned since my diagnosis in August: our medical teams can make it all much more tolerable. To those of you facing chemo, speak up for what you need and it is very doable. I now thank those drugs for saving my life because I had a very aggressive, rare form of breast cancer and had a complete clinical response. I am 6 weeks out from my last Taxol and some nails are still turning blackish and I still have some neuropathy, but I have to think that this too shall pass. Next step radiation, Herceptin ongoing for a year and then, finally, reconstruction. My husband and I are planning a cruise between Herceptin and reconstruction. We will need that time to decompress.

    As patients we get knocked down but at the same time we often amaze ourselves by how we get up again and go on. There are days when we feel hopeless, helpless etc. Reaching out online and to friends and family is so important for our mental health!

    Thank you once again Maureen for holding us all together in our healing journey. What a great bunch of ladies! People who have not traveled this road have no idea of the strength of those of us who are walking it one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. 

    Love and gentle hugs to all,

    Linda

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  • kap
    kap Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2013

    Maureen, so glad to hear the burning sensation is going away. You are a week ahead of me. Good to know I may be feeling better soon. I see my PS Tues for my month checkup. Hoping I can stop wearing this surgical bra soon!

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  • tparksprof
    tparksprof Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2013

    HELLO LADIES

    I am now 2 weeks post op. My biggest problem at this time is how to keep my dressings taped to my chest. I had som significant "leaking" on the left which is a seratoma ridding itself of the ucky stuff. But it just drips, leaks, and kind of gushes constantly. I am changing my dressing, bra, t shirt etc at least 5 times a day. However, I may have solved the problem....am using sanitary napkins over the leaky part. Seems to have a greater absorbancy ability than an ABD pad. I still have an infection on the right which may need to have plastic surg. See that doc on Tues. I'm still asking that your all send your strongest thoughts and prayers heavenward that we will be able to leave for trip to Hawaii on the 20th.

    Hope you are all progressing and moving to the next step and facing it head on.  My prayers and love to you all.

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited April 2013

    Holaaaaaaaaa my ladies.... So happy everyone is moving forward and now it's April...... My surgery was the 21 of March I had BXM with SNB .... It came back clear I'm cancer free I still need radiation but no 5 year pills I'm negative so I will do herception for a year..,, I been able to move my arms up down sideways but I have this huge knot under my armpit and I also have 2 more drain to be remove .... I haven't wore any sports bra yet when are we support wear them I did ask for PT so they are support to call me tomorrow ......should I wear my sports bra ????.... Please ladies help me...,!!!

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  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Participants,I have a knot also under my arm. I have asked my surgeon and he said it was nothing. But that nothing is sore and when I do my walk I can fell it rubbing. I wondered if any one else has this to. Maybe it's from when they took out some of my lymph nodes?

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  • Leigh22
    Leigh22 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2013

    Hi everyone!  I haven't posted in a long time, since before the surgery.  I've been comforted by reading all your stories though... wanted to wait and post on here on my computer when I felt up to it. 

    My surgery was March 21, just like Patricia above.  Patricia --  about the sports bra, my ps told me to where a cheap hook up one from Walmart (I got the "fruit of the loom" one I think)...doesn't want us to spend too much money on them and they are cheap ($7.95) but he wants me to wear it most of the time for the compression to my chest and breast area.

    I'm still feeling burning and some pain and discomfort in my underarm on the left side where I had the SNB and the Axillary biopsy.  Geesh, thought I'd feel better by now.  At least they took out the last two drains last week... I had a STRONG dislike for them!!! 

    I'm trying to cope with the news that I might still have to have radiation.  :o(  Will find out this Thursday... I will handle whatever comes, and if they say I really need it, then I'll probably do it...  They say I'm in the "grey" area.  On my left side one Sentinal lymph node was positive with only a microscopic tiny amout of cancer in it, so they did an axillary LNB and it was all clear, so I'm 1 out of 8 nodes positive... the doctors were very happy about that.  I have 2 tumors in each breast so I'm a bit "rare" they tell me...  There's no cancer in my right nodes so I'm happy for that.  So I'm a stage 1 in my right breast and a stage 2a in my left breast...  also the pathology said my margins were clear.  They also said my chemo before the surgery was very successful but it didn't kill all the cancer, just shrunk the tumors a lot.  I thought all this time that I had two small tumors in my left breast but the pathology said it was actually one tumor, so it was probably around 4 cm... the chemo reduced it to 2.5 cm.

    I have a bad feeling I'll need the radiation.  I was just hoping that I was about done with all of this except for the reconstruction.  That's something else that got post-poned.  The ps only put in tissue-expanders because of the node positive because of the possibility of radiation and did not do the latissimus dorsi operation.  My bs said that if I get radiation, I'll have a high chance of getting lymphedia in my left arm...  the thought of that makes me scared.  My ps said radiation might make me not able to get implants.  Okay, enough about me!!!  It makes me realize that this is such a long road with ups and downs and I have to expect the unexpected and just make the right decisions and keep going!!!  Thank you all for helping me with all of your inspiring posts... I haven't been posting but I've been reading them in my recliner chair downstairs in the den that has become my home!... and thank you Maureen for being so passionate about all of the March sisters!!! 

    For those of you going forward onto chemo... it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Everyone is so different... my personal experience was I didn't get sick or throw up or anything.  I was actually at how many "good" days I had as opposed to bad... and the bad wasn't too bad at all.  It will pass and pass faster than you think.  I can't believe I started my chemo Oct. 2012, two months after diagnosis and finished Jan. 23rd...  Good luck to all of you!!!

    Leigh

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2013

    Tparksprof- I also used sanitary pads for extra absorption ! They work great!

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited April 2013

    March 2013 surgery sisters...Thank you for your kind words but I think I owe you the "thanks"...I got so much support and wisdom from all of you:) It's great to hear how everyone is doing and recoveries are continuing - YAAY!

    Denise/dede - glad you've got your warrior hat on and the "army" of chemo drugs are wiping out any lurking invaders!

    Bishops2003 - sounds like the fluid is finding it's way out so that's probably a good thing and will help prevent a painful seroma. I have a lot of "puffiness" above the implant in the side with the AND, I was always "small" so my husband thinks it gives me a "Mae West" look hahaha - see my PS tomorrow to see if it is a seroma or if it will reabsorb over time...

    Linda/lin43 - AMEN - what great advice you always have, thanks for your positive message:) I'm 3 months since my last Taxol and my nails are turning pink at the bases and the black ends are growing out:) My hair is growing back too - it's an inch long and just 5 different colors and right now LOL!

    Karrie/kap - good luck with your PS on Tuesday, hope it's all good news:)

    tparksprof - keeping my fingers crossed and lighting a candle that your trip to Hawaii happens as scheduled...ahhhh, sunshine, warm beach sand...there's the prescription we all need:)

    patriciahurtado - Congratulations on the good news!!! I couldn't wear a sports bra very well with the drain lines because it was uncomfortable even though the support felt so good when I could wear it.

    anne...most of my swelling is from where they took out the lymph nodes but it is gradually going down and they said if it is not painful they would rather let it take care of itself...if it is a seroma they can drain it and that helps take the pressure off...

    Leigh - welcome back, so good to hear from you, I wondered how you were doing...Congratulations on finishing chemo - and glad to hear it shrunk your tumors before surgery, YAAY!! Hope you get good news and don't need rads...

    (((Healing Hugs))) Maureen

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  • tparksprof
    tparksprof Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2013

    Hello all, it's me again. I'm having another melt down day. I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow about an area of necrosis on my chest. And I think he is the one who is going to make the decision to go or not to Hawaii. I'm really having a hard time with the thought of not going. I too have a seroma on the left side which is draining and has reduced almost 100% in size. I still have a little "knob" just in front of my right arm pit, but no one seems overly concerned about it.

    Does anyone here have experience traveling within six weeks of surgery? I've read some info re this, but would like to see what a "real person" has experienced. This is a great forum I'm so happy I found it, many of you have made a big difference in my attitude especially. It is comforting to know that I'm not out here alone.

    Gentle hugs to all...

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2013

    I had both my sides opened up last week to cut out my incisions and some failing skin. They deflated me and started over. The thing is I immediately feel better. The old school stitches are much cleaner then my previous half dead incision skin! I still have fluid build up but we are dealing with that.

    Tparksprof they may just deflat you to try and save the dying area or start fresh like me.

    Cheers ladies :)

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited April 2013

    tparksprof, no experience in the travel but I am having some necrosis which is part of my incision cut out tomorrow by my PS in a surgical clinic. To me it just seemed like the incision had separated and has been seeping a bit for about 10 days.  Last Tuesday when I went for a fill he said he would need to excise. He also said that normally he would not be doing fills as fast but because I am having rads soon (RO would have liked it even sooner) he had to fill quickly.

    Leigh, that is likley the same for you with your PS thinking maybe rads would be in your plan. Anyway the area proably covers about 2" of my incision. Am going to be glad to have that over with and hope it does heal fast as CT simulation in April 15 with rads the following week. But also I am a bit apprehensive because of the tightness with the fills and would hate to lose the expander now!

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  • tparksprof
    tparksprof Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2013

    What a lovely picture. I'm hoping that this necrosis can be taken care of as an outpatient and I'll be on my way to Hawaii. I've decided against reconstruction at this time. PS said he couldn't do it at this time for various reasons. Heart murmur being one. This necrotic area isn't seeping, it's just "there". I do have a lot of seepage on left from incision. Doc says it's normal from a seroma. Thanks for your response.

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  • Gardengirl33
    Gardengirl33 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2013

    Ugh! I'm so mad at myself! I was to have my chemo port put in. Scheduled for 8:50 a.m. today! I woke up 6:30, thanks to the dogs, made my coffe and grabbed my breakfast Belvita bar, aarggghh! What are you doing? I ate it the realized NO FOOD! Wasn't meant to be today, unless maybe they can do this afternoon. Now waiting for the call to reschedule me, no coffee. Boohoo, it's sitting on the kitchen counter getting cold.

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited April 2013

    Ouch...sorry you have to have your incisions "tweaked" (((Bishops and Marian))) but it sounds like it will save the reconstruction...good luck tomorrow Marian...I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers:)

    tparksprof - good luck at the PS today...I did have to drive 10 hours to Maryland two weeks after my surgery last summer when my mom died and then fly back 1 month after surgery for her burial. I still had a drain when I had to make the drive so that was pretty uncomfortable. When I flew back the drain was out. I didn't get any lymphadema or have any problems with the flight - it was alot shorter than a flight to Hawaii though and I was staying with family so it was easier than traveling and staying at hotels...

    Sorry (((gardengirl))) that was my fear with each surgery - I left myself little notes on the bathroom mirror and the refrigerator - "NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK" because it is such a habit to get up and make coffee in a sleep deprived stupor every morning:) Hope they can squeeze you in later today - usually our anesthesia team will proceed if you are at least 6 hours past last food or drink...fingers crossed:)

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  • Gardengirl33
    Gardengirl33 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2013

    Looks like, surgery tomorrow instead.

    Susie said, paste notes everywhere!

    Mine will have to be on the back door where I let the dogs in and out.

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2013

    I forgot to say I will be driving my daughter to camp 6 hr away 4 days after scheduled exchange. My dr has already prescribed blood thinners to avoid clots. Just FYI.



    My excision was a piece of cake, right there in the office. He removed both incisions completely- I took a peak at the alloderm :)- then stitched me back up. No meds, no big deal. I hope your excision is just as smooth marianeliza :)



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  • mamasixtaz
    mamasixtaz Member Posts: 319
    edited April 2013

    Just an update, 3 Weeks out from sugery and all drains are out! Now taking only Tylenol and IBU! Still get tired easily but increasing activity ea day. Hope to start TE fills soon, but will wait for more healing with the LD flaps. Only bother is the swelling and muscle under my arms. Left is worse(cancer side) but time will heal and atrophy the muscle. Busy with family issues, not in any hurry to go back to work,although I miss my coworkers and visit when at Dr appts. So much recovery, ups and downs on the battles for the March sisters, wishing many HUGS to all!

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  • Thankful2day
    Thankful2day Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2013

    Hello sisters! Sounds like some of you are doing well and others are hitting the bumps in the recovery road! :( I too, will have to have my incision excised in the PS office on Friday due to a scab, that if we pulled off, could probably see the TE!! I'm going to be asking my PS to take out a little saline before excision because I think my skin is already tight and I surely don't want anything to "pop" after this!

    Woke up today feeling like I had a band around my chest that wrapped all the way to my back! :( Thank God for physical therapy!! I don't know what I would do without her!! I'm much too hard on myself about my pain. I'm the type that has gone to work all day bent over because of herniated discs in my back, but just push through the pain. I cant push through this pain and at times it makes me feel weak, or defeated! I just thought that by 3 weeks put the pain would be a little less, but my therapist said its because of working now! Vicious circle....want to rest, but cant afford to!!

    Good luck with pulling of drains and hope you all have a pain free day, or at least a day better than yesterday!!

    Love to all,

    Dawn

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited April 2013

    Waving from tha balcony as I await more appointments.



    Met with oncologist who recommends Chemo due to mulitiple tumors.

    Will also have radiation and 10 years tamoxifen.

    Breast surgeon says needs to go back and get better margins.



    I seriously started thinking over the weekend to do masectomy, of at least the "bad breast". Will be meeting plastic surgeon to discuss. Have been reading DIEP board, will also need to find the other boards so I can "pre-read" my alternatives before getting to the doctor. That way I will have my questions ready.



    Will need the chemo regardless of surgery choice.

    Will not need rads if I do masectomy (not in my case anyway).

    Will also need the tamoxifen regardless of surgery choice.



    Looks like the summer off with the kids is shot! I'm disappointed. This too shall pass though.



    Life is full of surprises. We just don't always like them!

    Pat

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  • kap
    kap Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2013

    Home from PS. He said I can ditch the surgical bra (finally! 4 weeks now) so tomorrow I go bra shopping. Yippee! Everything is healing nicely. Now if I can shake the tiredness, I can go back to work. Thinking of everyone.

    Karrie

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  • tparksprof
    tparksprof Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2013

    Well today was the decisive day. Hawaii is cancelled for now. I am so down I can't stand myself. I have to have another surgery so the ps can close some areas that have opened and others that have become necrotic. Will have open wounds on my chest and later a vac put in place to help complete healing that could take "months".  Thanks everyone for your prayers and thoughts, just keep me in mind as this journey continues.

    Maureen thanks for the flying information, but we were going to take a train to LA then on cruise to Hawaii and back.

    Sounds like it has been an up and down day for many of us. Maybe the moon is out of alignment or something. Keep our chins up!!!

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited April 2013

    Good luck tomorrow (((gardengirl))) YES, lots of post it notes especially at the back door when you put the dogs out:)

    Bishops - so glad things went well with the PS today - YAAY! Would be interesting to see the alloderm, hmmmm...

    mamasixtaz - sounds like things are going well...and, drains are out!!! Hope you can take it easy and not go back to work too soon, I went back at 3 weeks and it is quite exhausting and trying to keep it part time is tough...

    Dawn, hope it went well with the excision today? Be kind to yourself you are doing GREAT, the pain is a big deal...3 weeks post op I was having a lot of burning pain and soreness too, now at 5 weeks I still have twinges...I saw my PS today and he said alot of nerves were disrupted by the surgery and the pain will go away - it just takes time... 

    (((Pat))) so sorry...sounds like you've been blindsided with more info and more decisions when it is answers we all seek, not more questions...I had a similar decision, if I did mastectomy then I could avoid rads but no matter what I had to do chemo and take an aromatase inhibitor for the next 5 years. I did the lumpectomy followed by chemo and then did a bilateral mastectomy. Thanks to chemo there was no residual cancer in the tissue removed from either breast - Yippee! and now reconstruction is done so I am just deciding "nipple reconstruction vs tatoos" hmmmm....not sure on that yet:)

    Karrie, glad your visit to the PS went well and you are healing well!!! Hope you can take your time going back to work while you get your energy back...

    Healing (((Hugs))) everyone:)

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2013

    Hi, everyone.  Interested to know who else got TE filled during dose dense AC and taxol to follow?  Also interested to know how people handled ice for mouth and nails?  When and how did you use it?  Whole time you were there?  For AC and T?

    Thanks!  Thinking of everyone all the time.

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited April 2013

    LKSHER - didn't have my mastectomy until after chemo so didn't have TE's during AC...I had dose dense AC before surgery followed by Taxol, I did start to develop neuropathy in my fingers during chemo and my nails were turning black so I started carrying two frozen water bottles to chemo with me. I held them in my hands during the infusion to keep my hands as cold as possible. I also took Vit B complex 3 times a day. It seemed to work, the nails stopped turning black and I didn't lose them and the neuropathy got better:) I drank ice water during all the infusions - trying to keep my mouth from drying out and to flush the chemo thru my kidneys to make it easier on them. I did develop some mouth sores but my MO prescribed something she called "miracle mouthwash" that knocked out the sores after just a few doses...when do you start chemo? Several of our surgery sisters are on the March and April chemo boards and said they have found lots of help and support there as well...Good luck, let us know how you're doing...(((Hugs))) Maureen

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  • Leigh22
    Leigh22 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2013

    Hi LKSHER --I just thought I would add that like Maureen, I had chemo before surgery. I'm getting my TE's filled now. My chemo was taxotere, carboplatin, and herceptin, 6 rounds. I had trouble with dry mouth and some mouth sores/ulcers. Biotene mouth rinse from Walmart helped me so much. It would stop the pain almost immediately and the sores would be gone in a day or so. I bought Biotene gum, toothpaste, and a mouth spray. I also began getting neuropathy in the tips of my fingers and told my onc. So she lowered the dosage of carboplatin. I drank as much cold water as I could each day to help flush the toxins out. Good luck... You'll get through it before you know it. For me, it was not as bad as I though it would be. (((HUGS)))

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2013

    Thank you for helping me, everyone.

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