Starting Chemo February 2013

Slv58: if you're the least bit claustrophobic, I suggest a sedative of some sort, Xanax or klonopin would work nicely and keep your eyes closed. Even if you think about peeking don't! I've had an MRI and cat scan both were in the same machine. I nearly lost it on the MRI because it took over 30 minutes. The CAT scan takes a little less time but still go prepared.



I had to go for IV antibiotics today. Guess where they administer? The needle went directly in the infected port. It hurt like a SOB. I gasped and cried, it hurt so bad. Supposedly it's better to treat at "ground zero". I of course had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics so had to stop, had an IV of Benadryl then restarted. I was at my MOs office 4 1/2 hours today. Going forward with chemo tomorrow but have another round of antibiotics before. I'll be taking IV antibiotics through Sunday. They're sending a home health nurse over the weekend. My neighbors will probably think I'm dying now and on hospice care when they see the car drive up. Hopefully we can make the port work for tomorrow's treatment and then the last one.



I think between the bronchitis, infected port having a needle jammed in it for the next 5 days and chemo/neulasta shot on top of it, this weekend will pretty much suck! Only 6 more weeks though and this part will finally be over!!

LW so sorry to hear about what your going through. I've been feeling like I've had a cough coming on for days but nothing yet just a "wrong" feeling in my lungs. The CT I had was also shaped like a donut and I just kept my eyes open and looked around at what I could see.  I felt a little anxious but nothing too bad. I took a xanax for my MRI and that knocked me out for the entire day so I didn't take anything for the CT. I hope you feel better soon.

My thighs are still killing me and its 3 weeks since my last treatment but I did get some good news today I only have to do 4 weeks of rads.

Nancy how are you feeling your about 4 weeks out right?

Nancy, it's reassuring to hear how you are bouncing back! Sometimes I feel like ill never feel like I did. Do you still have neuropathy? Last night I actually got some sleep, thigh pain was manageable. I know it's only going to get better from here on in, but sometimes I worry about lasting SE. Good luck on your rads today!

TMM60 grey or not hair growing is exciting. You can always color it!! I cant wait for that!! One week from today I get my last treatment. Then the count down to get these TE out is on. Rads after that. Will be so happy to check 2013 off my list!! Not looking forward to  the SE of #6 as #5 fatigue seems to be really hanging on. I think it will help to be able to say last time, maybe that will make me feel better when I am laying in bed sick!

Had my last chemo today - now it's on to rads, probably starting in early to mid-June. I didn't have any neuropathy until Round 3 of Taxol (had bone pain every round), but my MO warned me it could be worse on Round 4. Glad to hear that the neuropathy seems to be lessening for those of you about a month out.

DizzyMom congrats on your last Chemo today. Bittersweet for me as today was suppose to be my last also, but thanks to the hospital stay it wont be until Thursday. That's Ok I can hang on 6 more days! Im just bummed because my son asked me last night, "mom are you going to be sick for me birthday" I said yes, but for the LAST time, so sorry. It SUCKS. I will try and have to make it up to him:-(

Tangles, today is my son's 18th bday, we celebrated it last night. Thanks for the sweet thoughts. I'm so grateful for getting here without any delays. Have had wicked cold all week. My husband asked if I was going to tell the doc. No way! If there is something in my labs, they would have found it and turned me away. But I am coughing and sniffling so much. I really don't think my immunities could have held on much longer.



For those of you who have had so man bumps along the way to the finish line, I am so sorry. I wish you no more obstacles to getting through this!



Next week will be my Hell week then onto rads in two more weeks.

Yup, I am exercising way less that I was between the earlier rounds. Part is the energy and part is being busy with this move. And my weight is all over the place. I can lose or gain 8-10 pounds in a week with no change to what I'm eating or my activity level. I have been up as much as 15 pounds. Just really hoping after the fatigue wears off somewhat, I can return to regular exercising at whatever level and just keep building that up. We can't worry so much about the weight. We should get back to where we were when our life normalizes. But being women, it's hard not to get down about it.

I think the rads will actually start 3 weeks after last chemo. 2 weeks after Hell week :-)

They doubled my steroids today so I don't feel wiped out. But am very fearful I'll get no sleep tonight. So watch out for some 4 a.m. posts from me.

DIzzy congrats on your last chemo!!! I wish you well next week!!

Kkmom I am one day behind you with last Chemo Thursday. I am NOT looking forward to the recovery as I have to get a fill the morning after Chemo and now that I am overfilled it really HURTS. I will have pain from the fill and the nausea and sickness from the Chemo at the same time. The only thing that will keep me going is that I can say over and over no more, last time!!! Then the count down to get these TE out will be on! I talked to a gal yesterday who had radiation and she said she had no problems whatsoever with it. I pray ever day Rads will be easy on me as I have suffered enough!!!

I've heard the eye thing is from the Taxo-tear too. I've had my last one and will be on Herceptin only for a year so I guess I'll find out if that's true. I can't wear makeup, it just runs all over my face and I have dark red marks in corners of my eyes because these tears are burning my skin. Ready for my close up!

Hang in there LW!!

I sure hope the tears are from the taxotere and not the Herceptin.Dont want to deal with that for a year. I agree the makeup thing is impossible with that! Its bad enough to have no hair, but no make up to and I really look terrible!!!!!! I will be asking my MO Thursday!

LW - I feel so bad for you.. hopefully the antibiotics will do what they are suppose to do and you can get on with finsihing these treatments painfree..

Gina - although my last chemo was 4 weeks ago, it is now that my eyebrows have decided to disappear.. I had hoped no one would notice but last night my husband said, how come its all red where your eyebrows SHOULD BE? this to shall pass.. and our legs will be painfree and our energy will return and we'll be able to walk without running out of breath.. Is that day coming soon

LW hope you feel better soon my heart goes out to you.  My eyebrows have been pretty thin for about a month but I was surprised to hear my MO tell me last visit that I shouldn't lose them or my lashes.  I dont think I believe him. 

My truck blew a head gasket yesterday less than an hour after I paid to get new tabs and emissions so its down the tube and everyone wants me to get a truck - how the hell am I going to do that with all the payments I'm making to Dr's?  Mom came through with a truck I can use for a while thank god, I need it to make a living.

YIPPIE McKatherine!!! Im happy for you! I cant wait, two more days for me!!!!

Congratulations McKatherine and Tangles!