Starting Chemo February 2013

Hi everyone:

Went to see my GP and was told that I have an upper respiratory infection and was put on 2 antibiotics. Seemed a lil extreme to me, but I guess they dont want it to turn into anything worse.

Got all next week to get better. Chemo #5 (out of 6) is on April 30th.

stay positive eveyone. We will get thru this together!

That steroid crash is something else.  I cry at the drop of a hat for no apparant reason and I'm constantly apologizing for being so bitchy and irritable. I have to say the chemo brain is really upsetting.  I can never find the right word and often pronounce it wrong.  I lose track of what I'm talking about or what I wanted to do next on a regular basis. I make little lists all the time to remind myself of things I need to do.  I dont trust my mind too much and its scary I also find myself spacing out all the time. Does everyone experience this?

I find myself searching for words and to remember things that I know I can usually come up with easily. Drives me nuts. I haven't been as smooth running meetings these days and tend to finding myself getting scattered.



The thing that upsets me the most about the steroids is how they disrupt my sleep. I'm tired after chemo and physically want to sleep- but my mind is jacked up by the steroids.

The weird thing is they dont affect my sleep at all.  I've noticed the last two treatments I also have pain in my breast they did the lumpectomy in. There is such a long list of se's how would you know whats wrong? it all feels wrong. I'm so happy to have my last one next week.  I'll be happy to put this experience in the rearview!

Hello ladies. Been awhile since I've been on. Life's been crazy!!!



I've got my final AC scheduled for April 26th, then onto Taxol &Herceptin. 1/2 way point!!!! So excited. Should hopefully be finished before Hazel's first birthday, so I've got a lot to celebrate.



I think the biggest side effect that has bothered me, besides the hair loss , is the fatigue. Ugh!!! Some days it just kicks my butt. Is anyone getting Taxol weekly? And if so, how are you feeling?



A group of friends and I signed up for the Relay for Life. I'm walking for so many reasons. One of my best girlfriends has been recently diagnosed, we both lost a parent to pancreatic cancer 2 years ago. We're kicking some mega butt in the fundraising department!!! If anyone is interested at all in donating, please do. It's as much as you want or as little as you can, every dollar counts and the support is for a great cause. http://www.relaybc.ca/faf/donorReg/mobileDonorPledge.asp?ievent=1035186&lis=1&kntae1035186=44BAF3C3F3174F9DBD5417FB5465502E&supId=382128231&team=0&scWidth=320&extSiteType



I hope everyone is having a lovely spring evening

melody - I am with you -sick and tired of being sick and tired...my breast(lumectomy one) started hurting too with this last treatment..I feel like I complain all the time - who knows if something is serious or not.. I can't even walk from kitchen to livng room without being exhasted and short of breath..and yet, I know 3-4 weeks from now I'll feel fine but going through it is awful!..

Ywheels - I hope they find a better treatment than this.. its poision.. how much can a body take?

Melody I have complained the last two times that my chest/TE hurt after Chemo. They didn't the first few rounds. I feel like I have just gotten a fill. Its ODD. I too feel like all I do is complain. Im sure my family is sick of it. Ywehhls I got my thrush back this round too. I pretty much think I have had it every time. I just take the diflucan a few days and it clears it up. Been more constipated this round then the others too. Always something new! Ive been so stressed over how many fills I need to get yet. I will be SO HAPPY when I can say this is over with!!! 2 more Chemos to go. I just keep telling myself that. 5 more weeks until I walk through that door and say this is it this is the last one.

My eyebrows and lashes are disappearing quickly! I was hoping they would hold on till after chemo-no such luck. I definitely look sick, and I think I find this more depressing than loosing my hair. I went food shopping yesterday and ran into a lady I've known for quite a few years (just casually) and I could tell she had no idea who I was! That really hurt because I realized that now cancer has taken my self image and I don't even recognize the bloated, bald, hairless reflection in the mirror.

I know this will pass and I will be stronger for it-I just pray that I will be rid of this parasitic, comfort stealing, happiness drowning, piece of s#*+.

So, in my rare moment of fear, self pity, self doubt I gave myself a much needed spring pedicure! At least one thing makes me feel pretty

slv58 - you wrote - I don't even recognize the bloated, bald, hairless reflection in the mirror... oh my goodness - I feel like that also..

melody really summed it up though for all of us - she said, If I have to I can do anything"  I am woman!!

im a bit late in posting and even joining discussions.  I started Chemo on Jan 30, 2013, CMF.  I am 38 yo and underwent double mastectomy in December 2012.  Waited for my OncoType Test before starting chemo but they were unable to get a result from that test.  I just finished treatment 6 and they are getting harder to recover from. i guess thats to be expected.  I had hodgkins disease when I was 16 and some how managed to block out the side effects of chemo.  while i am on a less aggressive does of chem then most of you, the side effects are still no fun.

Lalady: I've heard taxol is old school and I wonder why my MO uses it. He says it's the protocol Sloan uses, which he follows, but if it's old, why would Sloan still use it or recommend it? I'll have to ask. I have to say, the Taxol has been much easier than AC. I bounced back pretty good from tx 2. You said it was risky. Is that something you experienced with tx?

Tangles: you will look amazing. Wait until the wedding is closer. You will lose whatever weight you gained and be amazed at how quick you'll bounce back. If you're hair isnt' back yet, I am sure you will rock a beautiful scarf or a wig. Either way, you will be gorgeous!!!!

Last trip to the bar today.  Now just to get well and "normal" Glad its done but still going to be awhile months they said.  I hadn't thought about that until today. It burst my bubble. I'm supposed to start rads in 3 weeks and tamoxifen in 4.  Thank you may I have another?

Congrat Melody! I still have 4 weeks until my last chemo. I am hoping that goes fast. Then four more weeks after that to get these horrible TE out!! Then it will be four more weeks until rads. Sounds like forever, but I was just thinking it has been 5 months since I got the breast cancer diagnosis and it seems like yesterday so hopefully this time goes fast for all of us!!!

Well predisone is working for the fever and sweats but still wrecked tired. They think I have sarcoidosis as CT scan showed typically abnormality in lungs for this but has to be confirmed by lung biopsy. Waiting for the appointment. Chemo is rescheduled again for the 3rd. It is also effecting my liver enezymes.. kind of scary because Im worried they are wrong and it might be mets.. but they keep saying its not mets.

Sorry its metastasis..ie breast cancer that has spread in this case. They said no they dont think so but still worried.