Starting Chemo July 2013

Angela, I also work with someone who had breast cancer about 2 years before me.  But I guess 1 in 8 of us gets it in our lifetime, so then it doesn't seem as odd. 

MLD massage is manual lymph drainage. It helps when those have lymphedema or swelling in my case but not lymphedema. It also helps with the lymphatic system to help flush and rid your body of toxins. I would not rush out to get MLD massage but talk to your doc about it if it's something for you. They are staying away from when left side where I had the nodes removed and basically channeling the excess fluid to the groin area, where I have lymph nodes that 'work'. You can google for more information, but I would start at the lymphedema society website first for more up to date information.

Sweetheart, re: your question about your kids I'd say as I've heard my doctors and nurses say:  the first chance to irradicate breast cancer is the best chance.  Do everything up front.

V

KTLe
 - did you mean DH?  =Darling Husband

sweetheart- I agree the TEs do throw a spanner in the works - i understand your reticence now a bit more..... my only comment  check out that 1-2% figure very thoroughly - 2hobbies and HVV speak volumes of sense.

My MO initially told me radiation was a big ??? in my treatment plan until the pathology work was back post Mx and therefore he wasnt prepared to consider recon till we knew exactly what my plan for treatment was going to be precisely for the reasons you now outline....  now for me its no radiation -so  i now have options but initially i was so uninformed i would have done whatever he had told me to... i only had 24hrs from first appt to operation and had signed the admission forms within an hour of his recommendations- although i guess we knew in hearts what had to be so why delay.... i probably would have had TE put in if it was suggested ..... but now I feel very differently probably cos it means more operations and i am more informed and i feel comfortable at present - IDK - at the end of the day as with any of our decisions .....it is your body and your decision - and not an easy one .....  i do feel for you - not easy

so this weekends dramas??,..... why is it always at a weekend??... i have managed to develop cellulitis on my MX site- great... about 10cm x 8cm..phoned onc and she put me on oral ABs and said if it gets worse overnight ring BS and consider i/v ABs - overnight it grew to about 10cm x 9.5cm.. rang him and he changed me from fluclox to clindamycin... i have no fever, no pain, but a big warm red area... anyone out there had similar?  initially i FREAKED out and self diagnosed Inflammatory BC... my onc and also a local GP (friend) both repeatedly have assured me it is infective and def. cellulitis -- hope that they are both correct - i am due #3 in 6 days hope it clears up a bit!!!!!!!

why oh why cant life be simple?  sorry for the rant .......

Thnx 2hobs



I have been drawing on it and just checked and 9hrs later it's bigger again. Still no fever though so I Am going to go to bed and hope it settles overnight

Temp is 36.3degrees. (96.8 in US language)

night all

Hi Everyone!

I've been busy all week trying to understand this new online school with my daughter.  On Friday, she worked from 8:15 to 7 and today she had to do a math class.  It's been exhausting, and then I had chemo #2 on Thursday.  Feel my crappiest today.

I have been reading through all the posts, so here goes:

HVV - I got acne, too.  Mo gave me topical antibiotic, but when my ps gave me an oral one it finally started to clear up.  My b.s told me lymphodema is rare and thought I didn't need any pt.  However, I went anyway and am glad I did.  The massages are wonderful and they've given me all kinds of good advice.  My range of motion is back to normal even though I still have some cording.  Will return after my next fill.  Regarding recon., I didn't have enough back fat or belly fat to do both breasts and my skin is very thin.  I can see the TE's through my skin and feel them pop in and out when I press on them, but after massages and stretches they're feeling a lot better now and I feel I can wait for recon when chemo's done. 

Mellie289 - my ps gave me ab's for the redness on my breast, but she doesn't think it was infection, she was just erring on the side of caution.  She thinks a stitch underneath the skin broke but it's no big deal.

Rambo - Illuminations in Alpharetta offers free wigs for chemo patients (the kind that are smooth on the inside and kind to bald heads).  The lady who took care of me (Julie, I think), was super helpful and, although the wigs are used, the one I got is really good quality.  I wore it to chemo and the lady next to me looked at me in disbelief when I said it was a wig.  The nurse who overheard me later came up and told me it was the best wig he'd ever seen!  Soooo glad to hear the good news about your daughter!  I know that has to be such a wonderful relief!

GraceB1- the revolving room sounds quite scary.  I do hope that doesn't occur again and that you are feeling much better by now.

Soriya123- Like RealityCheck, I won't be getting recon. until after chemo and am even holding off on fills.  The TE's have really settled down and, like RC, I can pretty much lay in any position I want to now.  I was getting some real discomfort at first, too.

SweetheartinTX- that's a tough decision to make about radiation.  It did sound excessive at first, but reading other posts maybe it is for the best, I don't know.  Whatever you feel most comfortable with will be the way to go.

Gotta go and eat and rest.  Hugs to all!

Hannarigs,

I had read about chemo farts and thought I would finally have the ability to "blow away" my hubby and boys....alas it never happened for me.



Here is a link to some pretty funny things regarding cancer (well, my warped sense of humor, I found most to be funny) . I learned a lot about side effects by reading here!

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=67&id=755825&page=1



Pat

Thanks for the link.  There is some funny stuff there, and sometimes we have to laugh, and get even. LOL. Have a blessed weekend all.......

I'm feeling worse longer than after the first infusion....dizzy, extreme fatigue, not quite nauseous but a lump in my throat, feet feel and look a bit fat, wake up with fat eyes even though peeing like a racehorse all night long (I thought fat eyes meant dehydration).  Don't know if I can handle Monday.

Momx2, I am sorry your mom cannot be here to take your call, but I am sure she can hear you.

My dad passed a year ago. I often wonder what he would say, he was so funny. I look like him with my short hair and now all white! As the blonde seems to have fallen out, but the white stayed!



I am sending my prayers to you.

Pat

sorry about your dad also

Thank you all for your advice on the radiation issue. And the jokes! That was funny.



Hope all your ladies are staying positive and know that we can and will get through this!



Love from the Gulf Coast of Texas

Hi All,mom2,the third infusion was the worst for me but you can do it,it does get better around day 6,just keep drinking fluids.Then the bone pain from nuelasta will subside and appetite starts returning bit by bit.Jerigrace,i'm with you the whole week after chemo i'm couch or bed bound,tv and my little doggie just snuggle and watch tv.Hopefuly your fine but watch temp carefully over 100 call md.Hang in there troupers,i feel so blessed to have my parents still here cheering me on. Hugs to all,Angela

Villia - know how you feel!!!  I've had lumpiness/fullness in the back of my throat for 3 days now!!!  Frustrating, and I don't feel like eating ANYTHING!!!  Forced down some chicken, soup, and cottage cheese today somehow - even my favorite candies taste like CRAP!  Also the "fat" feeling - I've had that each time, but it usually goes away after the first week.

Momx2 - I grieve for your loss  My mom and I aren't always on the best of terms - though we love each other dearly, but I can't imagine going through this without her.  I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer 14 years ago and it still seems like yesterday.  There ARE actually times I think - just for a moment - I need to share that with Daddy.  Of course I DO!  There's a special bond between us, even as he's moved on to a better place.  In fact, two weeks after he passed I was driving home from work, having had a rotten day, and looked up into the sky where the sun's rays were streaming through the clouds right at me.  I instantly felt his presence with me - not physically but I KNEW he was there, all around me - and he said, "Lynn, it's real.  It's all real."  That's all he needed to say  The memory of that encounter brings me peace to this day, and whenever I see sunrays coming through the clouds I feel closer to him  I know that doesn't necessarily help with the loss of your mom, but I wanted you to know I understand the loss and am praying it will get easier for you.

Regarding farts???  Wish I COULD fart;-) I feel so blocked up right now it's crazy - tried to walk some and I hope that will help.

Angela - my little doggie's my snuggle buddy too!  He hardly leaves my side on the worst days.  Animals are so intuitive

Wanted to share a link: http://www.veneciasfoundation.org/ to a site started by a fellow Pink Warrior.  My best friend brought me her book yesterday, signed and passed though her sister-in-law who lives in Venecia's hometown.  What an inspirational read!!!  She's an amazing trooper!  AND, she's got these really cool t-shirts - I'm ordering one  "CRAP" on BC!

Hi All, 

    Getting geared up for round 4 on wednesday.   Enjoying the semi normal days but getting caught up for the week to follow.  Always so much to do.  Round 3 was by far the hardest for fatigue.  Still having throat issues, but that accompanies each infusion.  Looking forward to getting rid of the "red devil" for good, but not looking forward to the aftermath.  Took me almost 10 days to recover from 3 let alone 4, but at least we will be on the downhill side.  Bring on Mr. Taxol.  I suppose better than the tax man.......have a great week.  Praying minimal side effects for all................