Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

I think we all have a melt down at some point.  I had mine right before the first Taxol and my onc was kind enough to add the Ativan to my cocktail every time which makes it oh so much easier to face - and sleep through.  I was still a sobbing mess on Monday before my Tuesday treatment and Ocean - I haven't had the extreme side effects you've had.  It's amazing how hard it is to face all this and yet we want to do it to increase our chances of survival - how dare they try to take that away from us because we're emotional!  And yes, I believe it's the chemicals that make us SO emotional!  That and being forever the pillar of strength; for our neighbors, friends, family, employers, our children, our husbands.  Then, this week as I sit in the chair I ask the lady who started her treatment the same day as me how's she's handled her side effects and she gives me this questioning look and says "I haven't had any".  She did lose her hair but I couldn't relate to her beyond that.  Really?  NO se's?  Made me feel weak.

Congratulations Ocean and dlm on your final round - go in strong.  You got this!  I get my last one in 2 weeks and it's almost surreal.  It's become a nasty routine (I won't miss it).  On Thanksgiving we'll all give thanks that it's over and we're still here!  By Christmas we'll be looking forward to a new year!

I'm still coming off the steroids (I hate them!) so no pain yet, it should hit tonight and I'm a single mom for the weekend with 3 kids needing to be in 3 different places at once. 

Hope everything goes well for everybody!

I am glad you made it through ok, Ocean. Big hugs to you.

Congrats Ocean on your last chemo!! I am so excited for you.. Now wishing you no SE !! My last chemo is in 6 days... Count down is on !! Wishing everyone a great weekend

Dlm it's the LAST one! NO more! It's gonna get better better better! I hope you feel better soon. I'm sorry you're hurting so much.

Katiak thanks for always listening..I hear you loud and clear. Always have similar stories

Congrats Dim and Ocean for the last one! Ocean – I feel so much the same way you do. When I saw my onc in between rounds this last time I told him I only have one more in me (prob cause I only have one more lol). He was so compassionate telling me how strong I've been and how he has battered my body so much in the last few months that I started bawling. Can't take any more pains in my bones and joints and the neuropathy is worrisome. He says it's going to take a long time to recover to get to where I was when this started - Not that that was a great place. I guess we'll all have to be patient as we heal.

So great you went out without a head covering I wish I could do that! whether I'm in my wig, scarf or hat I'm so self-conscious that people are staring at me.

Little break before rad go have some fun, cook away...

Feel better Dim!

We've won this battle just have to heal our wounds.. my onc told me to start tamoxifen today just 3 days after infusion I said how would I know what side effects ill have from the tamoxifen!!! I just don't get how the doctors think sometimes... katiak I feel the same way every part of my body hurts especially my tissue expanders. I guess because they're implanted behind the muscles. My fingernails and toes hurt.. no relief yet but I hope soon. I have work tomorrow but not sure if ill make it...Enjoy your Sunday xox

Katiak how are you feeling? Ocean his do you feel? Ive had very strange pains my knees hurting, ankles, with shooting pains in my chest bumps(lol) breast and no taste... Couldnt make it to work:('''' I care for a boy with cerebral palsy) I need someone to care for me...This stinks... but last one

What can i take for these dern cramps in my hand....they stiffen up and it hurts so bad.....thanks  Kay...im on taxol now for 12 weeks ,1 day a week..i go tomorrow for round 2..

Ocean- I totally understand what you are going through. I cry all the time. I cry so much that I get panic attacks. I ended up in ER couple of times. My heart rate was so high they put my on high blood pressure medicine. Last time I got so emotional my onc wants me to talk to specialist. All we go through plus my mom has stage 4 breast cancer. Hope you feel better.

annika12 - I totally understand you having axiety the day before infusion.  I'm right there with you!  But I do it every two weeks and next week is my last.  I have NO hair growth tho so I'm a little jealous.

Laka - I'm sorry you and your mom are both going through this.  You haven't added your diagnosis to your signature.  Are you doing chemo?  rads?  I've heard of people living with stage 4 breast cancer for years - even beating it.

Maine - my onc told me that not only can your periods come back after chemo but it's not unheard of that perimenopause women can get pregnant.  No thanks.  I'm hoping mine's gone for good.

I have a cold. My lymph node is still swollen.  I'm still taking pain pills for leg pain.  But overall I'm doing good. 

Anybody else?

Good morning ladies ive been home in bed since Friday. Going to attempt to go to work today. Hope I can make it. I didn't know what neuropathy was until this time. My toes are numb and hurt. Both my hands go numb with pins and needles from time to time throughout the day. Ive had so much pain in my body this last time. The goodness its over. Cant wait to be normal and have some hair grow in soon. Enjoy your day ladies. Hope all is well...

Dlm425,  I had my consult last Tuesday, four days out from an infusion.  Appt didn't go well, I swooned (day four is a BAD one for me but I got enough of the appt in to find ou what the plan is.  I have my rad simulation appt on 10/15.  I'm doing 25---short course as I only had a micromet in one node.  I had unimx and I'm still undecided on whether to have reconstruction or have a prophy-mx on the right.  One way or the other, I'll likely have matched sides.

Hi Robyn - hope SEs are not too awful for you starting tomorrow. Your last chemo, hooray! Although I do get it that it is hard to celebrate with still more treatments ahead. Had my last chemo 3 weeks ago but did not complete my full regimen due to neuropathy. Someone wrote on another forum something about how come we don't walk away from this battle feeling like we won - thats my experience too.



Laka - I'm sorry you and your mom are both going through this at the same time. I never heard of a family going through cancer together. Do you both carry the gene? Hope you can help each other.



Ocean - How are you doing? Hope things are getting better for you.