Chemo May 2013

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Lisa, Happy Birthday! I hope your chemo went okay. The quilt sounds wonderful!



    Lorrie,

    Yesterday was my birthday...I kept thinking...I didn't say a word here,how the heck did you know! Lol



    MzDiva, sorry your mom is still itchy. It could be the chemo....a few women on the boards have talked about itchiness and think it is chemo related. The doctors deny it, but I think there are a few too many here with that problem for it to be a coincidence!



    Carla, sorry to hear about the delay in your treatment. Mim sure you would prefer to be one step closer to being done, but...enjoy the feeling good! (Still working on the hubby training!)



    Kate, congrats on the middle school graduation. A 1st grader too! God Bless you! Must be all the more special to still have that innocence in the house.



    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    So, i finally got a return call from my Onc (left a message on Monday).



    The med assist apologized that no one answered any of his messages while he was gone & that My Onc suggests that I seek an OTC reflux med of my choice... Before he'll write me a rx....WHAT THE F$&K?

    That was 4 days ago! Do you really think I'm an idiot?



    I explained to him (as steam was coming out of my ears) that I had tried pepcid along with maalox and tums, etc over the weekend before calling in for HELP & before I received advice from others about a different brand. I never mentioned the brand, or that I'm double dosing it for it's effectiveness, because the dumbass didn't bother asking.



    I'll be having words with my dr at my next visit for sure! "try an OTC remedy" ... Ass!



    Ugh!





    Lisa, sorry for trying to give Pat your Bday wishes this morning...... I hope you were able to make it as good as possible with your friends!



    Lorrie



    I have never called my Onc for anything before this.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Omg... Pat, well happy birthday then.... I errr.... Haha... Must be telepathy or something for me to type your name this morning... Haha I hope you had a good one as well!

    Lorrie

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Had a moment tonight that caught me....

    Someone texted me and asked if they could help out for the shower on Saturday.... I immediately replied... "no... All of the girls will be here to help me."......



    Then it hit me.... This will be the first time EVER! That all three of my lovely girls 26, 24 & 21.... Will be here to help me with an event..... I am lucky! And need to stop pouting and count my blessings! And accept the help!....



    I can't promise that I won't be a bossy beeeeotch..... Lol just kidding... (not really)



    I hope everyone is having a good night



    Lorrie

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2013

    Lisa I am so happy that you had two friends that were able to go with you and how thoughtful of the quilt you received!



    I feel good but can't sleep. Possibly se from the antibiotics they gave me for the fever? That is the only new thing added. I slept less than three hours last night and maybe five the night before. I have actually felt pretty good today, not exhausted like you would think. I am tired now and hope sleep comes soon. One more day of work this week......

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Teresa, I can't sleep as well. Just took half of atavan, cuz I need to be up early....



    Day 7 after #3 and I feel like I'm pulling up from 6 feet under..... Met with a clien today who wanted to discuss my work and asked finally... How are you doing? I said I was treading through tar & he says...... "I was just telling my wife, that when you're on all 8 cylinders, there's no stopping you & you've been slow..... "



    I didn't cry! I just said...... "well, you picked a fine time to get busy"



    I've known him for more than a decade and he told me to not sugar coat things..... That if I'm in a bad week, let him know instead of stressing out about getting him a product.... That he's more concerned about me! & don't worry..... The work will be here for me when I want it.....



    I'm finding understanding everywhere I was trying to be strong..... I guess I'm not as good as I thought at covering things & it feels okay now.... Weird!

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    I'm still up.  Having some random burning pains from the radiation.  Can't get comfortable.  Just took a 2nd ativan and hopefully sleep will come soon.  I hope you two get some sleep soon also.

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  • breastcancercyn50
    breastcancercyn50 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2013

    How did you fair Chemo so far?

    I am still torn on taking it. I am a stage IIIA but very hormone postive and I am receiving mixed messages whether Chemo

    will be of benefit. Some very conservative oncologists highly recommend it and some opinions are that chemo won't provide enough of a benefit

    to endure the side effects....this is a tough decision!

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited June 2013

    Thanks for the bday wishes. Day went much better than expected. It was a long day 8 til 230 but nurses were wonderful even ordered a piece of cake with candle on lunch tray!



    Patty do we really share a birthday? If so happy birthday to you!



    I have sore fingertips today in spite of b6 and b12. It actually started before taxol just never associated with neurapathy. Go for neulasta today so will ask what else I can do about it.



    Tomorrow hubby will return with ds and my navy boy. I have seen him since before mx.....so excited. We will have family party here July 4th. Guess I will need to get some cleaning done! Daughters just don't do it as well as me.



    Cyn50 as you can see I am also 3A. I didn't want chemo but felt I had to throw everything possible at the beast that I could. I have had more good days than bad after chemo and have worked full time through it all. I have 3 more treatments to go and then radiation. I am actually more worried about the radiation as it will be on left side near heart. Will be having long discussion with to about that.



    Hope all have a good day



    Lisa

    .

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited June 2013

    Lisa. Happy birthday. How lovely to have your son back for the 4th. You must be so proud

    Lorie, good luck with the shower and it is awesome that you'll have your girls around



    I didn't make it all day thru work yesterday :(. My skin hurts :(. The weekly taxol seems more gentle than the TCH but there won't be that one week of "feeling okay" anymore either :(. Ughh. I just wanna be done. Now I'm losing my brows and lashes, and I've gained weight I just feel like an ugly freak.

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  • JennaJMU
    JennaJMU Member Posts: 97
    edited June 2013

    I start weekly Taxol today. Anyone know how it is? I'm thankful to be through A/C but scared to get knocked down by chemo EVERY Friday until the middle of September. Fun summer, I tell ya!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Lorrie,

    Yeah! All the girls together. Sit back and enjoy the ride. I'm sure they want to do everything they can for you.



    Sounds like a lot of family get togethers coming up. Take lots of pictures! What a great time of year! Almost better than Christmas or Chanukah or other religious gathering!



    Cyn50 ....sorry you had to join the battle on breast cancer.

    Take a sheet of paper and write the pros and cons of chemo on it. It might help to see it all in black and white. Obviously everyone here chose Chemo! But I'm sure we all chose it for various reasons. You WILL figure out what works best for you.



    To those women working their way through this...God Bless you! I am sure it isn't easy, but you are doing it! Personally I think your work helps you to fight too this as you MUST be even stronger to get that energy to get up and go! Even if it is on "slow speed" some days.



    Pat





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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited June 2013

    Jenna, I'm on weekly taxol now too. It's been easier than TCH but has its own SE

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  • debbiema
    debbiema Member Posts: 34
    edited June 2013

    I had a delayed reaction to the Neulasta shot with hives!  Doc had to call in a steroid prescription.  He said he sometimes sees this on the 2nd round of chemo.  Interestingly enough I won't be getting a Neulasta shot for this round as apparently it gets worse with each round.  So I'll go on an antiobiotic for preventive measures.  Good luck with your mom!!

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2013

    I chose chemo because it gave me better odds of not getting cancer again.  My onc told me that after figuiring in all the factors, my age (49), type of cancer and etc that I had a 50% chance of getting life threatening cancer in the next 10 years.  If I chose to do treatments he could bring that to a 15% chance.  I am a stage 2b/3a.  To me it was a no brainer at that point.  Now If I was in my 70's would I be doing this, probably not....idk.  However I do have one bad week, but then I have two weeks that are good.  To me it is worth it.  My daughter is 25 and has been married for a year, maybe next year she will have a baby.  I think I woud like to be here to be a part of that.

    I did get some sleep last night, YAY!  Took my last pill for thrush today but still have about 5 days on the antibiotics for the fever. 

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  • shimmy
    shimmy Member Posts: 15
    edited June 2013

    Pat, sad thing is that I have been icing. At least its helping my nails, which are thin and weak at their best. some lifting of the toe nails but, fingernails holding out so far. Also, Happy Belated Birthday too!

    Oh, to add to the hair stuff, I do still have my arm and leg hair, although only a few are really growing, at least on my legs. I've shaved all of twice this last month, and only in a couple of spots. Mostly, it's just stubble that I can feel when I run my hands over it, but can't really see it. Under the arms seems to be gone completely as well, smooth as a babies behind there. Eyebrows remain the same, I think. Eyelashes are looking a bit thinner in a couple of places.

    Lisa: Congrats on your milestone, and Happy Birthday to you too!

    Cyn: So sorry that you've joined us. It is a very hard decision to make. Were you able to get oncotype testing done? I really didn't want to go this route, but my oncotype came back very high, which indicates that chemo is called for, so that was that. It was the first time I felt I had a clear cut decision during the whole process. I wish you luck in making your own choice.

    Hope everyone is holding up and doing well this weekend!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Well, the bad news is that myblovely girls all came up with reasons they couldn't come over to help tonight... :( leaving me with preparing an ass load of food by myself...

    Walked through the door after a 10 hour day and immediately started cupcakes, chopping, cooking...... I knew we should have had it catered with my treatments and all, but I'm the one who insisted on doing it.... I needed to prove to everyone I can plan and put on a great event! Silly, I know... It just feels like it's all I have left of who I am right now....



    The good news is my sister showed up and was a huge help! She just left & I couldn't thank her enough! I'll have to get her a thank you gift..... I'll be able to get a good nights sleep and, hopefully, feel well enough tomorrow to put on a good face....



    I hope everyone has a great weekend



    Happy thoughts... Lorrie

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited June 2013

    Lorrie-Glad you sre counting your blessings. :) Enjoy,

    GoWithTheFlow-So sorry for the rad burns. Ugg :( Do you have any special cream for that?

    Breatcancercyn50-I was given a 13% Chance of the cancer to return as long as I do radiation and tamoxifen. My onc said if it was a little lower, she would have suggested not to do chemo. If it was higher, she would have suggested chemo. At 13% she left it completely up to me. She said with chemo, it COULD bring it down another 6 or 7%. After thinking about the pros and cons and discussing it with my husband and 3 girls, I reluctantly decided to go through the hell of chemo. So far after one chemo treatment and one somewhat rare set back I came close to saying forget it. BUT as I am gathering strength, I am back to the same conclusion. Fight it with all I've got. If it metastasizes at a later date, it will become a more difficult battle. And a battle it is. It is truly an individual decision. And if you decide to do chemo, I suggest you learn all you can about the s.e.'s (side effects) and prepare for them ahead of time as much as you can. And to join up on one or more of these discussion groups. It is truly a wonderful place to voice your feelings, get support and information. I suggest when reading up on chemo or any other treatment, do it sparingly. Not a marathon. It could become overwhelming. If you decide to do chemo, in my opinion, the waiting for the first treatment can be worse than the treatment. My best to you.



    Carla

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited June 2013

    Awh Lorrie-Give me your girls phone numbers. I want to call them and say Go help mamma. Maybe tomorrow they will help. Yay sis!! I wish you a sound nights sleep and an abundant amount of energy for tomorrow.



    Carla

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Lorrie, glad your sister jumped in to help. Sounds like you sure as heck have planned a great party! And I am sure it will turn out well too! You did it! I hope you have a wonderful party!



    Shimmy, sorry to hear about your nails.

    I swear I am the opposite of most people hear regarding hair (thinned a lot,but still there) nails, mine are strong and growing! Skin, never looked better and no dryness, and darn weight gain!

    I sure as heck hope this chemo is doing what it should be to any stray cancer cells because it sure isn't doing crap to the rest of my stuff! (Not. Complaining!)



    Carla, glad to see you...hope you are still healing well!



    Pat





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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Cyn50..... The decision for me was....

    Stats showed a few points higher if I added chemo to rads and hormone treatment (when I'm done with chemo & rads).... When diagnosed, I had a grandson due on my May birthday & another granddaughter due in August.... We have full, busy lives & I wanted to throw everything I could at ensuring this won't come back to get me again!

    I second guess the chemo bit everyday as it only adds a few points my way.... But... What if those are the ones that matter?

    I'm doing it for my girls and hubby as well... Theybwere completely lost and said... "well, you have to do everything you can!"

    I've told them that I'll do whatever I can this time.....

    If for whatever reason God decides to give me cancer again, I will think longer and

    harder over the chemo bit..... I almost feel like i may be damaging my well being for no reason at times... But we will never know!.......But I'm in for now..... And hope to see everyone here on a survivor board somewhere in the future!



    GWTF..... How are rads treating you?



    Carla.... Thanx for wanting to call my girls.... haha.... Caught a FB post of my oldest (the one supposedly throwing this shower) at a concert tonight. Ugh! They are young & need to have fun... Secretly, my feelings were hurt. I was looking forward to spending time with her.... Having a glass of wine and talk about her life... She lives in Portland and is a very busy PR exec. She's 26 and her PR firm contracts her out to Nike....I'm so proud of her & was hoping to spend some time with her, just us... Oh well, another time I guess... This will still be a great celebration for my middle girl and her hubby's new addition...it's just too bad there isn't a doorman to not let a few of the guests in.... Haha

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited June 2013

    Good morning all



    Taxol was on Thursday and am feeling I might not have the lost weekends I had after ac. I am awake and moving...hope it lasts. Navy son comes home today. My fingertips and nailbeds are quite sore. Hoping the b6 and b12 and l glutamine work. My nails grew like crazy on ac but am trimming them way back in hopes of alleviating some pressure on the nail beds. No lifting seen tho.



    Lorrie happy baby shower day! Hope you got some rest and can sit back and enjoy the day.



    Here is hoping we all have se free weekend.



    Lisa









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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    itis, I'm doing okay.  Sore in a few spots.  I find myself pulling my shoulder belt away from me when in the car.  I need to get my little teddy bear someone gave me and put it in my car.  It attaches to the seat belt and the stuffed bear lays against your chest to keep the belt from cutting you.

    Finally getting out for a mani/pedi today.  Haven't had one done since before my surgery (thank goodness for the shellac manicures).  Hoping we don't find anything gross under the polish from chemo.  I have 3 nails that have lifted somewhat, one that I was battling a smell coming from them (but I cleared that up with shooting it with syringes filled with peroxide and scraping the nail itself with a toothpick).  Seems to be fine now other than still a bit loose.

    Still pink this morning, so glad for 2 days off.  Next week is just 4 days so that will be good too.

    How is your skin healing?  I finish rads on a thursday, and plan to drive 7 hours to my friends house on Saturday.    Now with some of you talking about smells, etc. I'm worried.  Just have to keep lathering myself with lotions and pray for the best.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Lisa ... Yay! Enjoy your reunion with your son.... I'm tearing up just thinking about how excited you must be and how proud!



    GWTF... Enjoy your "spa" time! :)



    Pat, Carla... Everyone.... Thanks for the well wishes ... Were gonna make today the best day ever for my daughter & her husbands upcoming arrival.... :)

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2013

    Lorrie-Been thinking of you and the special day. Do tell.

    GoWithTheFlow-How did your mani/pedi go? Are you all beautiful now?:)

    Lisa-How exciting to see your son. :)

    Teresa-How are you feeling?

    Pat-it's great that your skin and nails are doing so well during chemo



    Hoping for a good week for all of us.



    Carla

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2013

    It feels like my entire feet are tingly now instead of just middle of the foot to the toes after last treatment...

    Thank goodness the pain is subsiding....

    Yesterday, we had surprise visitors that flew in..... Just for my baby girl's shower..... It was a great party... It was so great to see everyone smiling & laughing........ Even with the few I wanted to avoid...... It was fun.

    I have to give redemption to my girl that ditched me Friday.....

    While I was entertaining the group at our party that always stays late... She bagged and put all the food away, did dishes, and .... Then stayed up with mom to talk for hours over wine.......

    Best night EVER in a long time, even if we were BOTH tired & sore.... I'll cherish it forever!



    Lisa, I hope the reunion with your NAVY boy was amazing!



    GWTF... You're ahead uf most of us in treatment, and I love you for stayin here.... How many rads are you at? And what's been the worse thing... (besides that dreadful first appointment ....) I pop into summer rads group once in a bit to see what I'm looking at.... But then feel like I need to focus more on making it through chemo first....







    Happy thoughts...

    Lorrie



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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    Lorrie, I think, so far, the worst thing was the set up.  But I have cording and was only 3 weeks out from surgery, so maybe not so uncomfortable for others?  I have another 1.5 hour appointment on Wednesday for the mid-way point.  They are going to move things a bit to keep any one area from getting to much.  But I was warned this time.

    And you pulled of having a baby shower!  You ARE super woman!!!!  Glad you got some time with your daughter!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Yeah Lorrie...love those special moments with the kids, and I am sure as they get older it means even more. Glad the party was a success and kudos to the kids for cleaning...that's something I used to try and leave for the next day, then I hated the next day! Now I really appreciate when others step in to help, even if I like it "my way" and it's not!



    Stay strong ladies, one day at a time.

    Pat

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2013

    I am doing well.  I have no issues with my finger and toe nails so far.  Halfway through hoping I won't be accected there.  My next chemo is this Friday and then we are heading straight from there to a family reunion in CO about a 5 hour car ride away.  We will be there until Sunday.  I am hoping my blood count comes up enough that once again I don't have to have neulasta because then arrangements will have to be made to have the shot there.  Then  for insurance that would most likely be out of area and not covered.  So I hope for the blood counts to continue to rebound.

    I am not looking forward to radiation and can't even think about it during chemo.  Maybe that is why my onc said he would sent me later, so I haven't even met with a radiologist yet.

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  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited July 2013

    Find out about your insurance coverage first to cover that one Neulastra shot.  It ranges from between $7000 and $9700.  Even though I didn't have to pay for it, I was pretty shocked to find out the cost.

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