Chemo May 2013

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Gully, my ps said 4 weeks after chemo for the exchange surgery unless my body needs longer. I have an appointment somewhere around August 27. I hope we can do it soon after. I'm anxious to get that part done. I'm not having rads - no positive nodes.

    Wooly Willy -haha!!!

    I have read some women use rogaine to encourage hair growth. I can't wait to see my hair again. I imagine myself growing it really long!!!

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited July 2013

    Eukate: thanks for the info. I see my PS today, 4 weeks past last chemo would be sooo great! I am like you, not having rads because of BMX and no pos nodes, I just want to get another part of the journey behind me before school starts in the fall. (I am a teacher) I used all my sick days for first surg. and chemo, all the testing etc...you know. Have to be done by AUG 26. I hope the recovery time is shorter than BMX. Also hoping for no drains! But I hear from others than drains my be in the picture. Really hated those! 

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2013

    I see MO today for regular scheduled appt. My shins and hips are still sore from last taxol. Sure hope he can explain. Pain wise this has been worst tx yet. Restless leg syndrome too. Anybody else get this? Only 2 more to go but difficulty sleeping has made being positive more difficult.



    Kate I too dream of having long hair again. Never again will I complain about drying and straightening again! I cruise the aisles looking at hair colors in case I am all grey!



    Lisa

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2013

    I am scheduled for have exchange surgery 3 weeks post-chemo. That's what PS asked for. Then radiation starts 3 weeks after exchange (not sure why some places do exchange pre-radiation, and some post-radiation). Definitely looking forward to getting barbie coconut boob outta here. It doesn't bother me as far as pain goes, but it's so awkward having an unmovable appendage. I keep trying to tell myself it's just like having a bone there...or an elbow, or something. Ah well. 

    I know there are lots of boards re: exchange, but I feel like I know you ladies (I don't post much but I do try to catch up everyday) - what are everyone's thoughts re: saline vs. silicone. I have read up on it, and there are plusses and minuses to both. Hard for me to choose. 

    I hope everyone is having a decent week. Hot as hades here in NY. Grateful for A/C (no, not the chemo, air conditioning. ha!)

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Ljager, in going with silicone. My ps said they don't spill anymore and are the most natural. He said ill need adjustments in 10 years prob anyway. I only have one fakie. The other breast is going to get a serious lift and reconstruction to match the other one! My ps said the surgery would much easier than the mastectomy

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  • argynis
    argynis Member Posts: 123
    edited July 2013

    I had my 2nd Taxol chemo yesterday. It was quite uneventful. I took Zofean 1h before and got pepcid and decadron via IV. MO did not want to cut down the steroid dose of 20mg as he is still fearing an allergic reaction :(

    I am quite hyper today but otherwise ok. I am also thinking about reconstruction - I think I will get it done late fall. I am definitely opting for a DIEP or Siea flap recon as I don't want to have anything under my muscle (my TE was removed a week after mastectomy as I could not stand it and it was interfering with my muscle and thus with my active lifestyle). This way I will not have to deal with implant exchanges ever.



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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Argynnis...I am going with DIEP as well.

    My local specialist hasn't gotten back to me with coverage.

    I emailed NOLA and they were back to me, with my cost and what insurance is paying, within 3 days! Still haven't picked one over the other, but it's n the works.



    Lorrie....all these years, alli had to do was talk in my sleep?!



    Pat

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited July 2013

    Just got back from the PS, apparently my right was a little deflated..ugh, filled it back up bigtime..I am in so much pain again, I hate pain! Oh well they look good. SurprisedWanted my exchange done by Aug 26 to be back in school , of course so such luck, PS is on vacation for two weeks in Aug. Exchange is set for Aug 29th, got to try to get off work,,,ugh, no way are they going to give me the two weeks off at the beginning of the school year...guess I will be teaching in pain!

    Ljaegar: going for the high profile, round sililcone, apparently my sternum is really wide for a person who is 5 2. PS said they are more durible for my lifestylel. He said if saline deflates, it does so all at once! That turned me off.

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2013

    MO gave me tramedol for the pain. Hope it works cuz I need some sleep. Hard to keep good attitude with lack of sleep and pain.



    Taxol seems so much harder than the ac! Hot flashes seem worse too.

    Of course temps in the 90s doesn't help. Told my kids next time remind me to get cancer in the winter. Lol







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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Gully,

    There is a thread on here somewhere where the person "knows her stuff" in regards to sizing of implants.. I couldn't tell you where, if you are interested try in the search feature. I found it interesting how she knew what was "right" for each person, I considered it a free second opinion! (Not doing implant myself, but was looking at that thread when I was unsure)

    Sorry they can't get you in sooner. I hope it all works out for you.(was there another doctor could get you in when you wanted?)



    Lpc, , hope the tramadol works for you. Yes, wish there was a time we could "pick" to get cancer! Would have made my life much easier! Hard to watch my kids in the pool while the sweat rolls down my back. Hoping when I see the oncologist in .august she gives the all clear for the pool. In the meanwhile I try and take cold showers to cool down. Stay cool!



    Pat

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2013

    I went for my mid point check up yesterday, my blood cell count was great.....thanks to the neulasta.  After I went to the Dr I started getting itchy.  Not sure if it is from heat or what but I kind of have a rash now on my upper inner thighs, upper inner arm and under my one boob.  Why don't things like this happen before you see the Dr not after?  Made it through the night ok with it, but still not sleeping.  I haven't been able to get to sleep before 2 am since last Thursday. Makes it tough to get up and go to work, yes I have been taking pills to sleep.....trying some old sleeping pills tonight though. Then yesterday and today at work I have had customers yelling at me.  I can't really handle that stress with everything else going on.  I swear if someone yells at me tomorrow I might walk out.....well maybe not permanently but a break for sure.  Rarely do I have customers upset like that, but at least six in two days.  Enough I say!  Yesterday I thanked one of them for yelling at me and told him I hoped he had a nice evening then hung up on him.  He called about an hour later and apologized, but still!  

    Here is to a good nights sleep for us all and a good Wednesday to follow!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2013

    Teresa....

    I hope you sleep well tonight :)

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2013

    Thanks everyone for your choices re: implants. I inquired about the autologous reconstruction, but the doc said I don't have enough skin/tissue to donate. Implants were really my only option, and hubby seemed happy with the idea that the surgery would be less involved and easier to heal from. I guess my fear with the silicone would be the leaks, even though they say it isn't dangerous anymore. The "all or nothing" deflating of saline is definitely a turn off, though the body reabsorbs all of that without issue. The PS said if silicone leaks, it's a bit like an oil spill - while not dangerous per say, they can't actually sop all the leak out of your system.

    The idea that one needs to get MRIs every so often to check for silicone leaks doesn't bother me too much - as long as it's covered by insurance (which I think is a law?). I feel like maybe they'll be more vigilant on keeping a watch for me for any recurrance of cancer if I'm getting MRIs anyway for the implant side.

    Considering I have a real-life boob to match up, I'm thinking I'll go with silicone; hopefully they'll look enough alike. And then 10 years down the line, I suppose I may have to get readjusted. Oh, fun.

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Ljager, that's my reason for silicone too - still have one regular boob!!!

    So I went to chemo at 3:15 yesterday and I hated going that late. There were no nice volunteers to get you blankets and pillows or food and I was freezing and starving ( went straight from work). I was the last person there and there were two nurses waiting on me to be done so they could leave. I felt very unloved :(. It was good to work the morning but I need to go a little earlier next time!!!

    Waiting for the SE to kick in now. Fun!!! But just 2 more taxol to go. I can do this. (Plus a year of hercepten)

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2013

    I slept last night yay!  I was so upset after work yesterday that I took 1/2 clonazapam to relax me.  If I wasn't going to be out driving I would have taken a whole one.  Anyway then I took a sleeping pill when I went to bed.  I still woke up through the night but I actually got some sleep!  So far today no customers have yelled at me so it has been a more normal day at work which has been really nice.

    Ukkate-sorry to hear about your experience yesterday.  I hope you have few side effects this round.

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Thanks Teresa. My job is also being on the phone all day and I had so many rude calls on Monday ( after a sleepless night) that I actually started crying at work!!! It's not easy. I took an Ativan before work today just to mellow me out a bit. Glad today was better for you

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2013

    Lol that is why I took my clonazapam after work last night.  I went home and laid on my bed and cried for a few.  Then I got up and went to see the movie Now You See Me.  Loved the movie!!!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2013

    Spoke too soon! Had a good day yesterday and today was like a fresh wave of pain & numb feet.... Treating the finger tips gently....

    I had my picc dressing change yesterday and it has come out 1.5 cm from last weeks change.... They are telling me I'm using my arm too much, but I'm not anymore! And it's completely taped & anchored down with this thingy.... She said that they sometimes can't help pulling a little bit to get the tape off during dressing changes... But 1.5 cm??? They need to be more careful! Not me! She said it could come out up to 6 cm before they get concerned and may have to remove it completely and replace it... I DON'T THINK SO!

    I have 5 more dressing changes before my very last treatment.... Then i dont care.... Darn thing better stay put! I don't need anything else to deal with!

    Hope everyone is feeling as well as possible!



    Lorrie

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  • angieinohio
    angieinohio Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2013

    I'm having the worst luck. I'm dealing with breast cellulitis in both breasts. It's scary. I'm on oral antibiotics this is my 2 round of treatment. I probably will be admitted tomorrow for iv antibiotics. I hate this. I'm supposed to have my 4th chemo on Monday. I'm ready to get this all over with!



    Hope everyone is hanging in there.

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  • Debwarrior
    Debwarrior Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2013

    Angie, really sorry to hear about your cellulitis. I hope it gets under control soon.



    I'm with you all in not feeling too attractive right now. Gaining weight during chemo seems like an insult. I had already started with an extra 10-15 pounds so didn't need another 4. Oh well. I guess that's small potatoes compared to all the other things. They are giving me a blood transfusion tomorrow in addition to my taxol. I feel a little nervous about that but they say it will make me feel stronger. After tomorrow, only two more treatments, and then a 2 month break before surgery. I'm really looking forward to those two months. I want to exercise and do acupuncture, and cook and go away for the weekend and eat big salads and be less cranky with my husband and kids and not have tingling fingers and toes and hopefully not spend too much of it stressing about my surgery...

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2013

    Debb.... I'm with you about the weight issue...

    I lost about 5 lbs when I started.. (my lump and hair probably did NOT weigh that much) bot now I'm 5 lbs over when I started.... I mean, at least I thought I'd lose a couple pounds doing "chemo"! Right?

    I blame it on the mouth issues! Seriously.... When my mouth is yucky and nothing tastes good.... Instead of stopping, I keep trying something else hoping it will taste good.... I eat constantly through my yucky mouth stage trying to find something to satisfy me......... I hope it gets better after chemo!

    And... While trying to satisfy a craving.... Broke a tooth! CoCo Pebbles will break a tooth? Are my teeth getting affected too? Ugh!

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2013

    Good morning everyone



    Bloodwork this morning then will help son pack for his drive to NY tomorrow. Will be so sad to see him leave. Such a pleasure to see how he has matured from the boy who hated high school to the man he is becoming! Tears tomorrow for sure but will just spend today enjoying the time with him.

    Funny thing is I still have 3 at home ranging from 18 to 24 but one gone still leaves an empty place.



    He is going to Ballston Spa NY. Never been anywhere in NY but NYC so will now have new place to visit...so that is the brightside. Looking toward to making that roadtrip.



    Lisa

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Weight gain sucks!!!! I'm 154lbs right now. I was 142 at the beginning. Last year I was 135 wen I was running. It seems like an I overwhelming amount of weight to lose :(. I hope I drop the taxol 10 - seems like some ladies drop that as soon as they stop taxol without trying. I miss my old cute outfits!!!!

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2013

    I'm with everyone on the weight gain - lost 10 after cancer diagnosis (without trying - just wasn't hungry, I guess!) and quickly put it all back on after surgery/chemo. I keep eating when things don't taste right as well - just try not to eat something if it doesn't taste good (as opposed to eating the whole thing, and THEN eating something else too). Downside has been a lot of ice cream consumption - ice cream sundaes still taste the same to me. Why couldn't I lose the sweet taste instead of the salty taste. I assume I would be eating a lot healthier then.  

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2013

    When I heard I was going to have to go through chemo one of my first reactions was that this would be one way to lose some weight.  Obviously I had misconceptions on that.  I assumed I would be sick and not able to eat much.  I was very dissappointed when they told me they would be upset at me if I did lose weight.  In fact at my check up on Monday they said well you weight looks good, NO it doesn't! 

    I mentioned that I had a rash....possibly heat rash that started after my Monday Dr's appointment.  It is the weirdest thing.  It moves from one place to another.  One day it was on my upper/inner thigh, then it was on my upper/inner arm, then upper abdomen, now lower abdomen.  What is up with that?  I guess at least when it gets to the new spot it is gone from the old one.

    Last night I started not feeling well too.  Fever 99.8 and a sore throat to go along with burning feeling in throat.....like when you have heartburn kind of.  Haven't called the Dr because my fever isn't too high yet and it is lower today than last night.  I do have a Dr's appointment in the morning, I haven't seen my oncologist for a while and he won't be there next week for my last chemo.  I have questions about a few things so if I'm still not well he can take care of me. 

    Oh yeah I got the BRCA testing back, negative on both.  So that is good news for my family and my other breast if I choose to keep it.

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Busy board!



    (Or does it seem that way as I missed a day!)



    Angie, I hope it resolves quickly.



    Debbie, enjoy the rest of your summer when you are done, and the kids, and all those things you want to do! I am doing the same surgery wise...so looking forward to getting my house in order and some "good" time.



    Lorrie...I think you win the award for "worst luck"...please STOP trying to win it,it is yours now! Wishing better things for you! And throw out the coco puffs!



    Lisa, never heard of Ballston Spa, NY...just googled, it is north of me. Have a safe trip!



    Teresa, sounds like heartburn? Feel better.



    Arrived in Rhode Island an hour ago and am sitting in McDonald's with my "healthy" southwest chicken salad taking advantage of the Airconditioning and wifi. Looking forward to a brief visit with the hubby and kids before they leave for NY tomorrow and then my sister and mom will join me and we will go to the beach house mom rented. Wish I was traveling to places more exotic, (think palm trees and SHADE,), this Snow White girl will be using a few containers of sunblock this next week, maybe the wholesale clubs sell it in 5 gallon buckets?



    So I picked up my mother yesterday, and my nice sister was with me. We walk into moms house and her "helper" was there. Mom sees me and says "what's that thing on your head!" (Love the tact!). So I didn't answer because I wasn't going to get into my business in from of the helper. So my mom says "you dye your hair a bad color?", "you get a bad haircut?" And guessed a few more things...I just chuckled and ignored.

    After the two hour drive to NY we meet my nieces and nephews and my mother says "get a load of her head thing, I can't figure out why she's wearing that, does she think she is a movie star?'

    when I got mom settled in for dinner I asked if she really didn't know what my buff (headcovering) was for, she didn't. So I simply said "cancer plus chemo =hair loss". So now she knows.



    Pat

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited July 2013

    Pat: love the tact! Can I borrow that one for my classes this fall? Hey Mrs. K what up with the hat etc...Ok class first problem of the year.       "cancer + chemo = hair loss" any questions? Moving on!

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited July 2013

    Teresa..great news about the BRCA test. Do you red spots itch? My hives moved around but really itched.



    I had my 4th treatment and talked to NO about my allergic reaction. Dermatologist' s guess is the advil/Aleve. MO agrees it is a possibility but cannot be 100% certain it is not the chemo. Even though it was third round. I am on steriods day before, day of and day after chemo but now I have another set of steroids to take if I have any swelling or hives over the next couple weeks. If I have another allergic reaction we will stop after this round. I have mix feelings of this. Today, day after chemo I feel well, except for lack of sleep. I go for neualsta shot today. I asked Dr if shot could of caused allergic reaction...yes. I asked him him as I was waking out the door and should of asked to skip the shot.

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2013

    Gully I think you should do that for you class, Pat I loved it!!!

    elkatho yes they itched, some areas more than others.  Now it is gone...so I had it for about three days with it moving.  It will be interesting to see what the Dr says in the am.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2013

    Sorry for complaining so much yesterday!...

    Hope everyone feels well today.



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