Chemo May 2013

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  • angieinohio
    angieinohio Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2013

    Hello ladies.

    Just did #4 Tac. Have 2 more and then I'm done! I've been miserable and a crying mess too. My bones hurt so much, I just lay around. I wonder if I will ever be back to normal. My blood counts are so low even with nuelesta.

    Hang in there the finish line is in sight!

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  • Debwarrior
    Debwarrior Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2013

    Teresa, Lisa, Kate and any others finished or finishing this week, congratulations! I'm in that group too and can't wait myself to be done with this phase of it.  It's hard getting to the end when you feel the weakest and it is kind of depressing, but I'm so looking forward to being done, that it is keeping me going. But reading everyone's posts has really helped me because it's just how I feel: tired of feeling not myself, tired of not being able to do that much, and just tired of feeling sick.  The taxol numbness is staying with me longer than usual. I hope it goes away.  LJaeger, my liver levels were very high at one point and they came back down.  The blood transfusion week before last did help my energy and I think helped me get to the finish line.  Planning a long weekend trip after this is done, but no real summer vacation.  Next step will be daunting too--for me, it's surgery.  I wish everyone luck on finishing chemo and on the next leg of their healing journey.  I'm looking forward to the healing phase for a couple of months before surgery.  Best of luck everyone.  Thanks for all the moral support.  It's a brave group of women here.

    Deb

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2013

    Okay... I feel as if my epic pity party/miserableness is behind me. Still blah and tired and moving at a snails pace, but made it into work today (spent sat, sun & mon in bed) and then to my picc dressing change where the nurse agreed with me about complaints about my Onc... :( she had him as well for a blood disorder.

    Turns out my picc discomfort all week was because the last nurse kinked my line under the bio-pad... Feels much better now & she also told me that it gets harder toward the end.... Cant always expect that "good week". I think I trust the nurses more than the docs when it comes to the reality of how we actually feel and what to expect.... Especially sinse they are the ones dealing with the patients on a more regular basis.

    Doc wants me to start rads 3 weeks from my last treatment on aug 22....

    I say NO! I'm not feeling better yet to begin my next treatment after 3 weeks. I'm gonna tell them at least 5-6 weeks. My treatment! My choice! And I want & deserve a week of feeling good before moving on to the next phase in my treatments.

    He says rads will be a piece of cake for me compared to chemo.... That my biggest complaint will be going to the hospital everyday.... I hope he's right!



    Hugs to everyone! I don't know what I would do without this forum.... I think that this forum has been vital in my treatment as well!!!! Thanks to all you ladies!



    Lorrie

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2013

    So grateful for all the encouragement. Seems so silly to be so down when only one more to go but so hard to be "up" when pain takes me down.



    My MO says 4 week break before rads. Cannot wait for 4 normal weeks or as normal as possible.



    Hope everyone has a great day



    Lisa

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    I"M DONE I"M DONE I"M DONE!!!

    I feel a TEENY lifting in my mood today.  I can't believe that we are all in the same place of just being utterly fed up, depressed, tired etc.  It was comforting to read that.  

    I had a fever yesterday when I went in for the chemo.  That would probably explain how crappy I've been feeling all week.  I never really bounced back from last Tuesday's chemo - usually by Monday I feel better but I didn't this time.  I am hoping for a better week.  I really don't seem to get the bone/joint pain from Taxol - I did on the first treatment but since then, it's just nausea, constipation and severe tiredness.  Plus an overall feeling of crappiness.  My skin/flesh hurts usually 2 days post chemo too....

    I go back to the chemo lounge on August 20th to start my tri-weekly herceptin infusions.  And back to the PS on August 26th. I'm going to call and see if I can get a date for my exchange surgery.  I'm anxious to get that done - this TE is starting to be really uncomfortable.

    I "came out" on facebook yesterday.  I hadn't really posted on there about my cancer but I did post that it was my last chemo treatment and I got lots of lovely messages from people who didn't know and over 80 "likes" which made me feel really loved....

    I'm SO grateful for having this forum these last 3 months.  Let's stay together ladies as we go through the next phases of this journey - and I know many of us still aren't done yet with chemo too...

    xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2013

    Yay Kate!



    I too hope we keep posting here. It feels like home.



    Lisa

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    Finally had a decent day today :) worked a 10 HR day and tidied up the house when I got home.... Now I'm getting ready to take a couple of blue pills that are an ugly reminder of what tomorrow and the next few weeks will bring.



    Hearing about those of you finishing chemo makes me feel like a wimp.... I'm gonna buck up & take my medicine like a grown up..... Well, a grown up that will probably throw another temper tantrum in a couple weeks! LOL



    Happy thoughts!

    Lorrie

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Lorrie, wow a 10 hour day and then more work! Awesome energy!



    Still have spurts of "good" energy and then feel like I need a nap at other times.

    Was telling the hubby how I was washing moms windows along with her car (aren't I a sucker!) and he asked if I am done with the exhaustion and are my energy levels now normal....lol. Maybe I ought to just lay on the couch all the time?



    I was reading a post on another board where the doctor put recovery like this

    "16 weeks of chemo plus 6 weeks of rads = 22 weeks of recovery". I think that really sums it up! I will have to tell the hubby that so he doesn't expect me to whip out the power washer, deck stain etc....



    Next week I have 3 appointments....nutritionist (free from my cancer center), lymphedema consult...would like to be pro-active to avoid that!, and oncologist. I guess the oncologist will be going over tamoxifen.



    Still awaiting news on my surgery for the fall. I think the surgeon needs to know her receptionist is lousy, she isn't getting the info to me that I need to determine if I will give this surgeon my business! If I can't do this local I will be going to New Orleans. Sigh....



    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    Ugh... Hot flashes....

    A few years ago I would say "I can't wait for menopause! I'm not having any more kids & sick of having periods!"

    Careful what u wish for, hahaha...



    Pat,

    I think I'll tell my hubby about the recovery time too! And I'll also tell him that it's suggested that we recover in a tropical climate! Hee hee

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    I'm packing my bags Lorrie, let me know when we are all leaving! :)

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Or did "we" mean you and your hubby? Lol

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    BTW...

    Sorry if I've missed it, but anyone else being thrown into menopause with the chemo? My doc says it's normal??... And if I wasn't going on to a hormone therapy, my periods would come back.... 3 mo... 6 mo... a year... I hope forcing it is easier and faster than it happening naturally... (One can hope! Lol)

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    Pat..."We..." .... No hubby's allowed on this one! :)

    Although, I suppose MY hubby may deserve a little.....little vaca for dealing with some of my behavior....

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Early menopause here.

    Doc had said to expect it after first round....didn't hit me til third round.

    Pat

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Lorrie,

    I'm thinking BIG vacation for the girls.....and send the men folk to a little vacation camp that teaches household chores! (At least for mine! )

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    Hahaha.... I can agree with that for my hubby too! When I read your post, I actually laughed out loud & my hubby asked what I was laughing at....



    I told him... "oh something funny on Facebook..."



    Thanks for the smiles tonight... :) going in tomorrow to let them try to kill me again... & needed the laugh..



    On another note, my daughter still hasn't popped out my next granddaughter & due like.... Yesterday! I told her that if she goes into labor while I'm in chemo tomorrow, I'll just wheel my IV with me to her birthing room to coach .... No one would dare stop me!

    You may see me on the news.... Crazy patient chased down by nurses.... Lol

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited August 2013

    We all definitely need a vacation after all we have been through! Hmmm so who would I go with? I will need to figure that one out.



    I went to my PS today. He says he will start my reconstruction this month, as soon as my Onc gives the ok. Fortunately I see home for blood work on Tuesday. Hopefully all will be good. My PS has an opening for TE placement on 8/15. So we will see. He also suggests I do radiation just to be sure but wants to get going on reconstruction so wait for rads until Oct then after the five weeks of rads finish reconstruction before the end of the year. Hey if we can fit it all in by the end of the year I am ok with taking all precautions that this nasty cancer is GONE!



    I just took a pain pill, first one with chemo. My body aches are killing me I could barely walk to the bedroom. And the night sweats are horrible, not fun! I hope everyone gets some rest tonight.



    Teresa

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited August 2013

    Ready to pack my bags! Vacation must be just what the doctor ordered...right? Can we make it a cool place as hot flashes and menopause here too.



    The one bright side of all this has been my husband had to step up and put his chronic pain to the backburner. Think it actually helped him as I haven't catered to him. He finally had to "put on his big boy panties " and it has been good for him I think lol. If nothing else new found appreciation for all I have done to make his life easier.



    Had quite the humbling experience yesterday. Volunteered at boys/girls club through work. 10 yr old boy saw my bald head and told me he had chemo at 3 and was cancer free 7 years and I could do this. Just what I needed after the down week I was having. Inspiration from a 10 yr old. Will forever remember that little boy.



    Have a good day



    Lisa



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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited August 2013

    Lisa, I am sure that little boy was quite the inspiration. Makes me think hey if he can do it then damnit so can I. I will pull up my big girl panties and get through this too. I think that is great that your husband is being helpful for you even with his own pains. It will for sure show him how much you help him out.



    Yes it must be a cool vacation, I think I may have time in November or December. If not for sure I am out of here in January.

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2013

    I'm not sure if I'm in menopause or it's just the Taxol effects.  I have the WORST hot flashes all evening/night long and my last period was back at the beginning of June.  But I've read on here that it can still come back again after a few months so who knows....

    I am taking a sickie day today.  I don't even feel that bad right now but yesterday I felt so nauseaus all day long and came home from work early so I thought if I start feeling bad today, I might just take some type of sleeping pill and sleep the day away....

    I also forgot to mention that I have gained 16lbs since starting chemo!!  WTF??????????  I dispise my body right now and I dream of exercising and swimming and dieting!  I don't even recognise myself in the mirror anymore.  My co-workers try to reassure me that at least I don't look like one of those really skinny sickly cancer patients but I can't help thinking that I would've enjoyed being skinny even if it meant I looked sickly.....

    I'm in on your vacation plans :)

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited August 2013

    I'm getting the nightly Taxol hot flashes too, and my period has basically stopped on chemo (I'm 31yrs old). Hoping the hot flashes and the weight gain goes away once chemo is done (though I don't miss the period!).

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  • argynis
    argynis Member Posts: 123
    edited August 2013

    My last period was at the beginning of June - it has stopped now. I do also have hot flashes mostly during the night. I am not sure if it is the Taxol or chemopause...
    One more Taxol reatment and I am done!!! No radiation for me due to my genetic mutation. The RO said the risk that radiation causes more cancers in the illuminated area is too big. This leaves me with 20percent reoccurrence rate :(.

    More "good" news: My lymphnode samples were re-checked by anoter clinic and I had 3 and not only 2 positive nodes.

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited August 2013

    Hello Everyone! Lots of posts since I have been on! I want to come on the vacation too! Could you imagine if we all walked into a resort with all of our balds heads....the other patrons would probably run! too funny.

    I am 46 and have not had my period since my first round of chemo.....does that mean chemopause or menopause?

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited August 2013

    Oh one more thing.....how do they know if you are in menopause or not permanently?

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    Gully...

    My doc told me it's chemopause right now cuz I'm 45 and still regular before chemo & if I didn't do tamoxifen, my periods would eventually return... 3 mo, 6 mo, a year... He wasn't sure when. I believe the tamoxifen will eventually put me thru menopause. Er+ and he doesn't want my ovaries working so the Tamoxifen will do it's job....



    I'm not sure how they would know for sure??



    That would be funny if we all walked in bald.... They would think it's the "Women's League of the Hari Crishnas" (not sure if I spelled that correctly) LOL



    Well, gotta go pack my lunch for my cocktail party. I hope everyone has a fantastic day, no pains or SEs!



    Lorrie

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Lorrie,

    All the best with this round of cocktails!

    Women's league of Hare Krishnas. Good one!

    Imagine the amount of sunblock we would all need, just for our heads!

    I still vote on a nice island with a nice beach, but the room needs to be able to be set to sub zero to deal with the hot flashes!

    Gully, the others would run away at the resort if we all carried on how it "must be something in the water" while rubbing our bald heads.....I imagine management would want to pay us off to shut up and we would all have a FREE vacation! LOL



    Lisa, how inspirational from a 10 year old,i probably would have cried..damn chemo makes me emotional!



    gully, I have seen it referred to as "chemo pause" , but like Lorrie said, if continuing with tamoxifen, more than likely your period won't be back. ER+ needs estrogen suppression.

    I also believe there is a blood test that can measure your estrogen levels...not that I have been offered that! So perhaps that tells the doctor if you are in menopause.



    Ukkate, I had purposely put on 10 lbs before chemo started as insurance against weight loss (my reconstruction DIEP will involve my belly fat and i wanted to be sure to keep it!....little did I know I would also gain weight during chemo! I am up almost the entire 25 lbs I dropped on weight watchers prior to being diagnosed. I am MISERABLE as hubby finally decided to lose weight (doing Medifast/take shape for life) and he is down 50lbs since I started chemo. Good for him , but I hate him for it at the moment as I feel I am in limbo awaiting surgery and what I should be doing...eat and gain, maintain, lose....ugh!



    Pat









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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited August 2013

    Somewhere in my 50's I took a simple blood test and was told that I was post menopause. Not sure if the same blood test can be applied during or soon after chemo or with tamoxifen.



    Lisa- touching story about the 10 year old. Also I hear you on the husband thing. My hubby also has had chronic pain and I catered to him,(even before the pain). Now I only cater when his UTI's come on strong and he gets fevers. Not too often. And as you said, I wasn't doing him any favors by catering him. Nor myself. Ha ha. Not that he helps me much now, but at least he mostly takes care of himself on a daily which is a huge load off me. What a release.



    Again congrats to all who have completed chemo.



    A good day to all - Carla







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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited August 2013

    So today I have a fever of 100.7 so I am on antibiotics for that plus thrush started so I am also on pills for that. Nice to have something to go with the bone pain. Each day will get better right?

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited August 2013

    My hubby came across this song and had me listen to it... It pretty sums up how I feel sometimes during treatment... I thought I'd share if any of you want to listen...

    Never heard of the group till now... Lol



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55so4pgYokY&feature=youtube_gdata_player



    Lorrie

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  • JennaJMU
    JennaJMU Member Posts: 97
    edited August 2013

    Hi girls, checking in to say that I'm in chemopause too and the other night I had 847 hot flashes. Does anyone know why they are so frequent at night? I only have a few during the day.



    I'm also up 10 pounds since I started chemo, 13 since diagnosis. It's all showing in my face and belly. I can't wait to be done with treatment to start exercising, dieting, taking vitamins, growing hair, having some energy...

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