Starting Chemo February 2013

hi all,



I need to whine a little....



I'm normally pretty emotional, nervous and a worry wart.... but discovered that when really bad stuff happens (like getting cancer) I go into cave mode (i.e. keep your head down and one step at a time)..... so it's only been since I've completed chemo on April 2nd that I've really started to wake up emotionally (i.e. getting highs and lows).... So I started last week really high because it was the first week since January where I had NO treatments (I'd finished rads the Friday before)..... I actually started thinking about being done and getting my life back...... and most importantly not thinking about the big c anymore.......



And then boom...... reality check..... I had a regular check on Friday with my MO and she's all about what's next..... i.e. scheduling me for my next herceptins, telling me it's time for my next heart test and it's time for my first post surgery mammo........ just image a overly filled ballon zipping around the room as it loses air..... I mean how stupid could I be this is never over...... and of course I was stupid enough to make it even worse by asking why no one ever talked to me about the BRAC test back when I was first dx.... her response was oopphss we didn't do that test...... and suddenly she wants me to get it... when I ask her why I would want to get the test now she says "because you might want to get a double mastectomy"....... WTF!!!!!!!! I JUST FINISHED WITH THE RADS I HAD TO GET BECAUSE OF THE LUMPECTOMY...... I left the office in a very down mood...



Okay whining is over...... and I do know that there IS light ahead in this tunnel.. And thanks for listening (assuming anyone actually waded through this rant)...

Today is my final chemo...#6. The last one. We'll be doing this one the old school way in the arm since I am now portless. Though the area is still swollen and feels like 1/2 of a baseball is lodged undr the skin and is still painful. Suppossedly this can be normal? And that it may take up to 6-8 weeks for all the swelling to go away. My MO explained that if they can't find good vens in my left arm they will use my right arm even though I had lymph nodes removed. Supposedly the risk for lymphedemia is low and it is outweighed by the need to complete chemo. I just hope the left one is doable.



I have had 2 1/2 hrs sleep due to steroids even though I took two klonipin before going to bed. I guess we know which RX is stronger! At this point I can't wait to take more steroids so that I can make it through the day....I want to enjoy it!



Sasha10: congrats on your upcoming final chemo. Yay for you! I know it can't get here soon enough.



Andymc: I think the hair thing is going to be a source of torment or us all for quite some time. I noticed my poodle fuzz started growing in the last couple of weeks but wonder if it was in vain and will be falling out after today. I want my freakin hair back too and know I'm going to be really impatient about it.



Jayjay: rant away! This is the best place to do it, the perfect outlet. I've had my moments on here most of us have, you have every right to be angry the BRAC test is an important tool in trying to determine the INITIAL treatment plan and I'm sorry you didn't have the benefit of that due to their negligence. I hope it comes back negative for you.

Hi Ladies, well tomorrow is my surgery. I am nervous but also glad to have this C out of me! For some reason this last week I have been feeling a slight discomfort in the area of tumour. Has anyone had this? I'm so nervous it's growing back now that I am a month PFC.

This has been quite a journey and I have always appreciated the support my fellow feb chemo friends have given me. Going into surgery with a positive attitude, just scared!

LW & SLV so happy for you and sending positive vibes your way

Chemo is now done. I cant even believe I've finally made it.

Tangles- Im told they want a flatter surface for radiation, not a point or a larger mound I guess. I will re ask this when I see the ps and I will for sure run it by the onco radiologist when I have my consult on the 17th to see what their response is too.

On another note....My skin is real thin from the mastectomy and the te's are poking me to the point that I can start to see a red mark on the outside of my skin where a te seam must be rubbing. It worries me. My bs said that my ps may have to put a patch inside of some sort when he does the swap out to make the skin thicker to hold the implant better. That is pretty far away, still not sure how they can wait. I wonder if he starts filling me if that will help. I havent had very many fills due to the stitches being put in twice.

does anybody know if they reuse the first incisions to do the swap out or do they now make a new incision underneath. Just wondering

Congrats LW and enjoy your beach week.  I head to the beach a week after next an am stocked up like you.  I did buy 2 buffs from Planet Buff which I have been wearing with the halo - feels pretty comfortable although our weather has been cool lately.   After I return, I am also on to rads which has got to be better than chemo!

Gina my PS said he uses the same scar to place the implants!

Congrats gals on being DONE! Even though I have to go for Her2 treatments for a year plus Rads still knowing the Chemo part is over is such a huge relief. I am 2 wks PFC and am feeling a little better, but if I do too much it is still hitting me. Im sure I will start feeling pretty good right before I go into surgery in a few weeks!

UGH hoping the worst is behind all of us!!

Hi everyone, I am home and resting very comfortably. I'm a bit upset because no one came to talk to me or my family after surgery. Also, not knowing how long an average person takes to wake up, it seems my surgery took a lot longer,I went in at 1:15 and didn't wake up till 4:00. No one has said anything and when I asked how many lymph nodes they took out,it was not marked on my chart! Of course surgeon was not available- I assume she was 1.5 hours late for next surgery. I have a bandage over the 10:00 area of right breast, but no incision in armpit, so I'm not even sure they did a snb! Now I have to wait till mon. And try and get some answers. I'm not I pressed, and am worried.

Thanks LW,not knowing is the hardest, I wish I was thinking more clearly when I left last night! I honestly just wanted to get home and was thinking if there was anything bad, they would have told me,but now I'm wondering g if they even did the snb!

Slv58- I'd be upset about that too! So sorry that you have that worry when you should be resting and relaxing after surgery.

SLV58 thats awful noone spoke to you or your family! I'll be praying you have a peaceful healing weekend

I'm going to start taking biotin to promote hair growth. Anybody try this? I'll try anything..... I just want my hair back & want to stop wearing a wig. Sick of caps too!

I will have to ask the onco rad dr if its ok to take during/with my rads. I start in July.

My legs hurt so much after that final chemo. The last 2 have been really rough on the bones/muscles.

I took biotin all through chemo and still am. My RO is aware and has not told me not to. I've heard it doesn't do any good for the hair during chemo, but I actually was taking it then to try to protect my nails (which did not happen, my nails are destroyed!). My MO was fine with me taking it during chemo so long as I didn't take it day of and for 48 hours after TX. I'm 3 weeks PFC and I don't really notice any hair growth yet, but I would be pretty surprised if I did at this point.

Melody- do you think your cough is related to chemo or rads? I developed a dry cough after my 4th chemo. Both nurse and mo said its not a chemo side effect but might be from reflux or allergies. I don't think so because I have been on prilosec and claritan since my 2nd treatment.

Lakegirl I think its from chemo because my lungs bothered me during treatment but who knows.  I'm going to talk to my MO about it when I see him Thursday.