Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

Going for # 3 weekly taxol tomorrow and today I have slight tingling/funny feeling upper lip and face. Does anyone else have it??

Well KatiAK, I am sorry you are crying today but I admire that you made it to work. I don't know how you working chemo ladies do it!

I quit my job 2 weeks before I was diagnosed. I know I could not work through chemo. You are so strong. The thing is, my muscles hurt so much from Taxol but my brain is sharp and bored.

When will you know more about your lymph node issue? That must be so stressful. I am hoping the best.

Treat yourself to something nice today because you deserve it, ok?

I just ate a doughnut.

I hope your day gets better.

AryaS, I didn't have my port taking out.  But I had my breast expanders implanted in a hospital surgical suite.  However, when I had to have them removed due to infection, my plastic surgeon did it in her office.  I believe they have to do the implantation in the hospital due to more extensive surgery like making the pocket to place the item in.  To remove they basically reopen the incision and pull the item out and then reclose the incision.  My surgeon didn't even put me to sleep or use pain killer since my breast was still numb from the previous surgery due to the nerves being cut.  I'm sure your surgeon will numb you up at the least.  I didn't feel a thing but it was a little weird having her operate on me while I was fully awake.  She told me not to look and I would be okay.  She was right, I was fine.  I hope your removal goes fine, maybe they can put the port back in sometime in the future but in a different place.  I will be wishing you the best.

aaoaao - sending you positive thoughts and all the best for your results tomorrow.  Will be thinking of you.

I'm just sort of coasting along right now.  Last appointment tomorrow with the Dr at the infusion clinic tomorrow, then its blood work the following day and then the final chemo on Thursday. 

Hang in there everyone.  

Sending prayers your way as you get your results. I have a coworker who was just diagnosed Stage IV and I know it can be beat, just stay positive and keep on trucking. Easier said than done, I know. I'm stage 3a and haven't had any scans done yet. Will be pressing for one post Taxol for sure. I want to know this shizz is working!

Hi ladies aaoaao you have my positive energy coming your way tomorrow...Best of luck God Bless!!! I'm getting pimples they are big and hurt. Anyone have ache? I also woke up with a cold sore. The joys of chemo I want my life back...They said the allergy pills doesn't work with the taxol!!! The onc said that

Thank you AryaS.  I am taking an antibiotic for the lymph node and it does appear to be affective so a large part of me says it's just an infection or maybe a SE to Taxol but there's that little part that worries and I just can't keep that little part under control today.  And it seems that lately I get very stressed out before a tx.  And of course there's this chemo induced menopause that wreaks havoc on my emotions from time to time.  I plan to talk to the onc tomorrow and hopefully he'll set my mind at ease.

aaoaao - I will send up positive thoughts for you.  There's just nothing like waiting for the results of tests!  I so hope they look good.  It's amazing how many stories I've heard about people beating this disease at all stages!  Let us know how it goes.

I'm still taking claritin with the Neulasta and I've tolerated it well.  I got my vitamin B12 shot this morning in preparation for treatment tomorrow.

Ocean - when we're done with treatment, who do we go to with questions and concerns?  I don't really have a regular doctor.  Guess I better find one?

It early morning I have to go to work...Not feeling so great today. I have one more treatment to go. Thursday last poison than maybe onto rads what will they radiate if I had a bilateral mastectomy. I want a new onc how do I go about that. I was told I should love my onc well not even close. Good luck to all today

DD Taxol on board.  Piece of cake!    Talked to the onc.  He wasn't too happy with my swollen lymph node only because it was handled wrong.  He was happy that it appeared suddenly and painfully and he was happy that it responded to the antibiotic.  He said that indicates an infection in the body and no relation to the cancer.  HOWEVER - he was not happy with his receptionist for telling me I had to go to my regular doctor.  He said if the undetermined infection had not responded to the antibiotic over the weekend and instead gotten worse, I could have ended up in the ER and this is how we lose cancer patients sometimes.  YIKES!  SO . . . if something pops up "don't talk to my receptionist, get your ass down here".  Now I know.  And I'm hugely relieved it's not directly related to the cancer.  I can breathe again.

aaoaao - YAY!  I had you in my thoughts all night.  SO happy for you with your positive doctor visit and test results.  You and I are the same age - and I'm hoping for 30 more years!

Ocean - only 1 more!  I hope it goes well!  I only have one more too!  in 2 weeks.  my onc says the first two weeks of rads is a breeze but don't let it fool you because at that point the exhaustion will begin to accumulate and it will take until at least 2 weeks after rads to begin getting your strength back, and a few weeks after that to feel like your "old" self.  My husband was in the room for this explanation (YAY!).  How quickly they forget tho. 

Well I have to get one boy off to football and then I'm going to be lazy til this benedryl/ativan cocktail wears off.

dlm - you have to trust your onc!

Thanks for the positive thoughts everyone!

Had first taxol yesterday,and so far been ok...i feel like i can breathe...

aaoaao- I was in ER twice last week. I guess my EKG was good they think its anxiety . They increased my anxiety medicine but it didn't help. I called my onc and talked to nurse they took blood test wanted to know about glucose. She said its ok we can't do blood infusion so prescribed propranolol heart medicine . I think it's working. Val- sorry to hear about your grandmother . I know how you feel.

Tomorrow, (Thursday) is my final chemo, Taxol portion.  Mixed emotions.  It has been a rough couple of days for me.  It was almost cancelled.  The Dr. that sees me prior to each session had noted that along with some neuropathy I was emotional, tired, exhausted and seemed worn out from treatment. (okay so I was crying in his office)  That in turn had my actual Oncologist in Victoria saying "ok, well perhaps you should be done with it".  This REALLY got me upset.  I'm so freaking protective of my emotions, try my best not to show when I am weak and when I do.... under the microscope I go and get told I guess I can't handle any more.  Also had concerns re: side effects from Taxol but the bottom line is they were going to bale on my last session because I was crying.  Both Dr's admitted this to me, it was my display of emotions that was driving the decision to stop treatment early. 

Had a video conference today with the Onc (hubby came with) to get it all sorted out.  It would upset me MORE if I bale on the last session for no medical reason.  Everyone is different and not at all knocking anyone that has foregone a session for whatever reason however it was not the right call to make in my case and it really hit a hot button with me being told I was too emotionally fragile to continue. Who knows, now I'm second guessing it all over again.  Not liking this and not liking that I'm making a negative post just prior to my last treatment but....it is what it is and its my reality at the moment.  

Anyway, looking forward to my last chemo tomorrow.  Crossing fingers and toes that nueropathy will be kept at bay and if an issue short term and easy to handle.  Don't even care about the pain that I know is coming as I know it will be short term and I will get past it , just like always.  Just want this all done.  Can you believe I had the opportunity to not go tomorrow and I fought to be able to do it?  Crazy times these are and yes, you bet I'm on edge, exhausted and a bit tearful at times.

Much love and care to you all.

Dim,

It is my understanding that some PS say to wait at least 6months for skin to heal prior to reconstruction. Some say longer and some will do shorter. (Hmm, seems there is always a lot of opinions!)



Here is a link to the reconstruction I chose.

I believe theirs said 6months to a year. (But then I also might have a slight case of chemo brain so you might want to check for yourself)

http://www.breastcenter.com/



Pat

Ocean, I cried during my entire 3rd round of Taxol and my ONC nurse had me talk to the ONC Social Worker just to vent. I guess it helped.

It is so hard to drag yourself in for more of this but it is the last time.

The last time!

I bought cupcakes for the nurses and receptionists and wore my pink wig. It made it easier going in there and wow, were they glad to see me! My hubby and my mother (who went through this same thing last year) came too and stayed with me the whole time for support.

I wanted to ring a bell and they told me they had one but they couldn't find it so my hubby found a bell sound on his phone and I pushed the button.

I am now 9 days out and this last one has been much easier. I think it is a mental game.

I will think of both of you today as you get your final Taxol.

I don't think people understand how much strength and courage it takes just walking in that infusion room and sitting in the chair. I will be thinking of you all day.

Thanks for the support.  This Ocean Warrior had a good nights sleep and will be heading to my final chemo holding on to strength and courage from all of you and those that have walked this path before us. 

It's a beautiful day, enjoy it.  Oh....forgot to tell you - yesterday afternoon was the very first time I was out without any head covering.  Just to the grocery store with my man but it felt really good.  I felt proud and strong, going to hold on to that feeling today too.  xo