Starting Chemo October 2012

First week of rads done, no SEs at all so far, definitely easier than I thought. All that driving is the tedious part, but I bet it gets to be routine pretty quick.



2 months PFC and getting better every day. Hair starting to grow a little, woo hoo! And everything starting to taste good again. Mixed blessing, that. LOL! Poor eyelashes, so unfair, they only just fell out over the past week or so, huh?? But already see new baby ones growing back. :-).



Anyone else started on Tamoxifen yet? I have my pills, but MO said it was ok to wait till after rads if I want. I'm torn between feeling worried about waiting so long, and worried about the SEs...

Poke:

How was your exchange surgery? What was your recovery like? Are you happy to be done with the tissue expanders?



I have two more Abraxane infusions to go, still getting nosebleeds (platelets always in the 200s so that's not the problem), having problems sleeping, and having restless legs.



My exchange surgery will be sometime in May.



I've been so tired lately, and the insomnia isn't helping. I've tried melatonin and Ativan...may need some Ambien. Benadryl exacerbates the restless legs issue. Do you recommend any of the newer drugs for restless legs? The nurse practitioner suggested drinking tonic water before I go to sleep....

Happy Easter to all xxx

Hi Ladies - great to see that we are all getting better day by day and certainly Easter was a better holiday than what we all experienced at Christmas. 

I have finished all 25 radiation sessions, 5 boosts to go and my skin is grateful that we are almost done. 

Halfcan - interesting re. Femara - are you post-menopausal or is this just something your MO prefers? I think the tamoxifan has the same SEs but I like 30124's response about not knowing.....but it would not work for me. 

Anyone have any post-chemo/rads testing - bloodwork / scans etc. This still bothers me.  I have a mammogram / ultrasound for breasts scheduled for the summer but that's all they are talking about so far.  I'm not quite satisifed, I want another "once over".  

So my good news - best till last.....I applied mascara to my bottom lashes, they are all back, albeit short but there is enough there to apply some makeup and start to look back to normal.  The top ones are still missing, and I am shaving my legs again! Gosh, the small things  

Thanks halfcan - lets hope for minimal SEs, I'm still having the hot flashes and night sweats post chemo and pre-menopause/tamoxifan.   There has been research on zoledronic acid as well for bone support, perhaps something to ask your Doctor about.  Thanks for the lotion tip, boy wish I had investments in the Glaxal brand I have gone through a lot of cream these last 5 weeks....sunny days ahead for sure, can't wait and they'll coincide with some warmer weather, finally  Hugz to all. 

35 smiling  Have a safe trip to Boston--they have the best hospitals.  I hope you get all your questions answered after your consultations and will feel confident that you are in good hands for a successful lumpectomy.  I continue to pray for you.

Hi ladies! EXCHANGE TODAY! I'm starving. I was supposed to be there at 11 now 12:15 because he's running behind and I haven't been able to eat or drink since last night. So excited! Bermuda the exchage is where they take the temporary inflatable expanders out and give you actual soft silicone (or saline) implants. Your lumpectomy is in a few days - GOOD LUCK!! 

Schoolmom: I am hoping for good results on your biopsy!! Any news?

Lisa: I had Abraxane instead of taxotere but I got progressively worse fatigue-wise with every treatment. I also was more and more anemic, but that's because I refused any boosters, so that was my own fault. It took several weeks for me to stop feeling so exhausted and short of breath. 

Jennie: I can't wait until I have as much hair as you do! Mine seems to be coming in evenly, but it's baby soft and take its sweet-ass time. 

Celine: How are you? 

Jennie93-fantastic hair, isn't it fascinating how it feels? Mine is still covered with a hat in public, I'm hoping a couple more weeks I can go "topless"!



Po-ke - fantastic for you getting your new implants, I hope you live hem and enjoy them and have minimal discomfort. And you shaved! Great! It is like baby hair isn't it?



I finished number 30 of 30 radiation treatments today Hubby came with me to take photos of me honking the horn, signifying the END!! Hooorrrrayyyy. Skin is crispy but still not as bad as going through chemo. Tamoxifan tomorrow. Tonight has been champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries I celebrate for all of us...love to you all xo

Hello all and congrats to everyone moving through radiation successfully, getting through additional surgeries and growing their hair back!



So yes the hair is coming back, and maybe the fatigue is even less, and possibly I see some lessening of the night sweats / hot flashes. My hair is darker and certainly more coarse except on my head, I look down and it like another woman?!



I still get the aches if I don't keep moving but may be I'm just getting old?



My friends sent me spring flowers yesterday and the tree across the way, my favorite is in full bloom with giant pink flowers. I ponder my plans for the future - want to have a one year celebration dancing with friends and suspending for the first time. I want to find my bliss so ideas dance about my head when I should be working.



I do not want to lose the lessons I have learned - to be positive and grateful- to smile more and crab less - to attack problems head on and to know I'm in charge of my destiny. To find joy in every little thing.



Both my april trips got cancelled and there is no dance class until may...need to watch out for getting sad... Push through to find the joy...in...every...little...thing.



Love you ladies-- for your strength and vulnerability; your humor and love; your determination and support.

alcb70 - love your attitude!  Good luck keeping that boob where it belongs!  Hugz to you. 

Hey Bermuda! I'm sorry that they didn't get graet margins, although I hear this happens sometimes so don't feel alone. Especially so since it sounds like they didn't quite know what they were getting into. How are negative nodes a good and bad thing? I don't know how it could be bad, that seems like great news to me!!! I hope that whatever you decide comes easily to you. I totally understand the feeling of wanting to have them just take it all ... that's why I went with a BMX. Even with all the pain from the reconstruction, I haven't regretted anything because we can only make the decisions we think are best for us and that's all we can do. xoxo

35-smiling: so sorry that you are feeling sad and confused. I hope for you when you reconnect with your surgeon they can answer all your questions. Try as much as possible not to jump to conclusions and get all the information you need before making any decisions. I'll have you in my thoughts, love to you xo

35__smiling   So many people are praying for you--people you do not even know.  My church has daily mass, followed by the rosary, followed by the divine mercy chaplet.  Today I sealed the deal with a candle for you, too.   I am stepping up the healing prayers for your intentions praying your team will make you and your husband comfortable with their findings, etc.  and the best will be done for you.  I was told that even with a mastectomy...cancer can return in the chest wall.  The American Cancer Society has funds available for travel and lodging for cancer pateints; have you checked into that?  All we can do is make the best decision with all the facts we have--you are a strong woman with a supportive husband -- you can do this.