Chemo May 2013

Hi all-

Haven't posted in awhile. Had my last chemo on aug 2nd. Despite Nuelasta, 10 days later, ended up with a fever and swollen breast. Went to cancer center, got labs and fluids through my port and sent home on oral antibiotics. Of course, while all of this was going on, BOTH my plastic surgeon and oncologist were on vacation. 3 days later, still with fever and an extra 500 cc of fluid in my breast, I had to see the covering plastic surgeon ( thank god she was really great!) and ended up in the hospital on IV antibiotics and surgery to irrigate the bacteria out of my breast and replace the tissue expander. Went home with a drain 2 days later. Have had issues off and on with fevers- all low grade and terrible body aches. So far- no fever for the last week.  I see my onc on friday for follow up and find out when I start tamoxifen.

This ordeal has now pushed my implant exchange surgery off by at least 6 weeks!! But at least I was able to keep the expander and not have it out totally.

I have been fatigued, depressed, muscle weakness and pain beyond belief. I thought by now ( 4 weeks PFC) I would start feeling a little like my old self, but no luck so far. This is so very frustrating!!  I am considering asking my MO on friday to send me for physical therapy since I am so deconditioned. Walking up one flight of stairs in my house is a major ordeal for me.

I am glad to see everyone finishing up their treatments and moving on to the next phase- one step closer to done for all!! I would take surgery over chemo anyday- even though the mastectomy was no walk in the park- I found it easier than chemo.

Patty- yeah for you walking Disney!! I can't even make it to the mailbox..LOL..

Thanks to all of you lovely ladies for being here, I have found this site to be so helpful- especially on days where I feel like I just cant do this anymore. You all inspire me!!!

Hello Girls,

I am in a major drug zone right now so this will be short. I will give more details later. Surgery went smoothly. In and out in 3 hours. Not much pain so far,  its much much easier than the BMX. Thanks for all the well wishes. I know it was stupid but I was a litttle aprehensive. My PS said everything looks good, will have to take his word, because I am all covered up again with one of those beautiful bras they give you. He did have to do a little pocket work on the left because the TE did slide to the left slightly at some point and he wanted to be perfect. We will see. 

Worst part so far, no shower for one week!

I agree that surgery is much easier than chemo!

Sending everyone well wishes for no more SE.

Gully

Congrats on getting thru surgery gully. Here's hoping you have an easy recovery and the new boons are perky and gorgeous!



Itis I took alpha lipoic acid for neurapathy. Recommended by onco nurse and mo agreed. It is used for diabetics who get neurapathy. Worth a try if your mo will agree. Good for you taking a day off.



Kobrian so sorry for your troubles. Hope all is on mend now. I have read so many stories of infections on these boards...its pretty scary stuff.



I am having a bad case of pms today even though no periods. Snapping at everyone. Family currently in hiding from bitchy mama!



Going to sleep now and put everyone out of my misery.



Lisa

Gully, good luck with your recovery, Lorrie, I hope your neuropathy gets better soon. Kate, I hope your insurance issues get worked out soon. Carla, ocngrats on finishing chemo. Kobrien, I'm sorry about your infection. I think a lot of us thought we would feel better than we do 4 weeks post chemo. I guess we just need more time to recover. I had my 4 week post chemo MO appointment yesterday and found out that I'm pretty anemic, hemoglobin of 8.5 and doc wants to give me another blood transfusion. Maybe that partially explains why I'm so tired, but just recovering from chemo I'm sure is a big part of it too. Not too excited aobut the blood transfusion, but what can you do. Thanks everyone for the words of support on the surgery. I hope that I find it easier than the chemo like many of you. Hoping for more energy and diminishing side effects for all experiencing them. Chemo seems to keep on giving for a long time. Have a good weekend everyone.



Deb

Read everyones posts. Really want to respond to each of you. Just don't have the memory or energy right now.



Thank you so much for the congrats of my last chemo. AND the concerns and well wishes for my husband. Good news. He is cancer free. So, so, so glad and happy about that.



God Bless all of you - Carla

Playing catch up and with an awful memory so I won't be specific to who wrote what but first....Carla...YEAH! So glad he is cancer free! Must be big smiles all around, coupled with your being done with Chemo...party at Carla's house! (When her final SE go away)



Neuropathy...just started for me, all these weeks PFC...two toes. Go figure. I will try and remember what you ladies said to buy, is it OTC? Vitamin section?



Well the eyebrows are coming in all over except where I lost the initial ones...and I forgot my tweezers...lol so I'm looking great! Thankfully pale blond, so using a "dark" pencil (there is no pale blond pencil!) so if you aren't that close you won't see the bushes! Have now lost half the eyelashes on one lid. What the heck! I sit here laughing though, because God let me think he spared me all that! Lol



Looks like I will be doing surgery in October....never did hear back from local doctors office.

I know she was trying things with codes for insurance trying to get more money. DIEP is an out of network procedure...she has had this in her lap forever to address, so I believe I will go to New Orleans and get it done. I really don't want to do it that way as it will be a HUGE family disruption and inconvenience. Not to mention the worries about being so far away from the doctors in the event of "issues". One step at a time, one day at a time.



Deb, hopefully some fresh blood will put some pep in your step. Was it kobrien also mentioned being too tired to go up the stairs? Maybe that needs to be looked at. Whoever it was, get some blood work done and find out, maybe some vitamin b12, or vitamin D, or blood transfusion. I hope something works!



Went to Universal the past two days. Way better than Disneyworld (sorry Mikey!).

Weather has been mostly cooperative, not as hot and humid as in years past. Didn't pack the umbrellas for the park yesterday, so it rained in the afternoon, no biggie, didnt last long.

I get motion sick, so took the OTC motion sick pills and did rides and did well, however they must have worn off, did a 3D thing and it sent me over the edge, slightly, so we went back and did it again, because I can be stupid! Lol. And it out me over completely. I could barely walk. Well in my little pill bottle in my Fannie pack I have 2 pills of Zofran, so I took one out, took a small bite off it , drank some water, had some lunch, topped it off with some alcohol and I was good to go! ZOFRAN rocks! Lol. In the past I would have just sat there stunned the rest of the day . I still didn't do "the worst looking roller coaster" there. I had to draw the line somewhere!



I have a friend coming to meet me today and hoping she is spending the night. Her mom passed away from some unusual condition a few years back.....she has now been diagnosed with the early stages of that condition. I'm looking forward to a chatty, food filled, alcohol filled visit with her. We met when we went through the police academy together. We lived near each other so became commuting pals, and friends for life. She has taught me to laugh at myself and not wear a watch (though I still check the time elsewhere). It's probably a good thing we don't live near each other, -she moved to Florida when she retired-one of us would be in jail!



Keep the hope ladies.

Pat

Greetings,

I've been catching up with the last few pages of posts and it's so good to hear so many people are finishing chemo. Congratulations!! I had my 3rd Taxol 10 days ago and I'm still feeling very tired.  I also feel out of breath walking stairs and we have 4 floors.  I try to keep myself on the 1st and 2nd floor but the laundry room is in the basement.  

I'll be moving on to radiation the beginning of October and have my planning session scheduled for Sept 12th.  I hope those of us who will be having radiation will continue to post and share the experiences.  I've been on medical leave during chemo but I'll be going back to work part-time with radiation.  I worry because I'm so tired but looking forward to being with people and having getting back to my old routine.

Yesterday, I went to the local Farmers Market and picked up two cartons of tomatoes and today I made a big batch of roasted tomatoes which I freeze for the winter and a batch of sauce.  I still can't taste but my DH has been helping with adjusting the seasoning.  Can't wait for the winter when I can taste some fresh jersey tomatoes.

Wishing everyone few side effects and a fun labor day.

-Robin

Patty the alpha lipoic is 600 Mg once a day and b6 is 100 Mg a day.



Lorrie and robin I will be starting rads on 9/23/13 and most certainly plan on posting here throughout and probably forever. This has been awesome group to "hang out " with and has provided much comfort. Thanks to all of you.



Kate love your idea so here goes



I was married on June 25 1989.

I have 4 children - 2 girls 24 and 21 and 2 boys - 20 and 19.

I live in Carroll county Md about 25 miles outside of Baltimore. At 18 I dropped out of college and moved to Hawaii for 4 years then on to California for 1 year.

moved home and became an insurance agent working for future dh 's father and rest is history. Quit working when children were small and then worked pt in retail for some extra $$. Fell in love with retail and mow work for kohl's in mgt.



Happy labor day to all





Lisa

Patty-

I am originally from queens too!! Ozone park to be exact. My cousin is also retired NYPD- he was a Sargent- worked in queens. James Wise is his name.

I remember the contest about getting married on the top of the Empire State Building..

I live in Enfield CT now- but my sisters live on Long Island- so I go back as often as I can to get my NY food fixes-- pizza, bagels, knishes.. All the good stuff I cannot get up here..

Kerri

Patty



10 going on bitchteen so funny! My girls had plenty of those years followed by the bitch years and now its pretty ok. Personally I think I was a better mother of boys than girls and luckily dh balanced that out. Hope that cold goes away quickly!



Kate good for you getting thru step class.



Lisa