Chemo May 2013
Comments
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Oh... I found this today & it's very good at explaining the difference between rads "burn" and a normal burn. It's written by an RO and very informative.... At least I thought so... The unfortunate part is the doc doesn't sugar coat the SEs of radiation... But we need to know anyway....
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/783321 -
Lorrie that is a very good article. So interesting to learn that it's really not a burn but instead is a lack of skin.
Pat good luck on your surgery tomorrow. I too will be thinking of you. Prayers. Very glad you have been enjoying yourself ( and your hubby).
Carla -
Thanks Lorrie,
I hope the radiation issue resolves. You must be fair skinned?
Maybe your breast wanted to be pink for "pinktober". .?
Valium is a wonderful thing...good thing I never had it when the kids were younger!
See you soon!
Pat -
Good luck today Pat! Sending good thoughts your way......
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Have had computer problems. Dh tired of whining so just bought me home a new tablet. Have missed you guys, withdrawal was settling in lol.
Patty. Hope surgery went well today. Can't wait to hear about the fabulous results.
Lorrie so far I have no pinkness but my armpit and upper arm are very tight after each session. Dr says keep massaging with lotion after each tx. All I use is lubriderm per her instructions. I just did number 5.
Good to be back
Lisa -
One of my toenails fell off today.... Chemo is still not done trying to get me & I'm 6 weeks from my last treatment..
I have a question... PFC.... Does that mean "post fu$&?ng chemo"? Lol -
Patty thinking of you tonight and hoping you are resting comfortably.
I was at the chemo lounge yesterday for my hercepten. I love seeing the nurses there - they're so friendly. I was showing off my new boobs!!! I actually kinda enjoy the 1 hour of rest I get there now. Having side effects after the hercepten though - makes my bones ache.
This week is hectic as usual. And a wedding this Saturday night. One more wedding weekend and then 2 weekends free. And my little guy turns 7 on Friday. Sniff sniff. -
Oh, Kate .... 7?..... Enjoy! I wish mine were little again!
One of my girls asked how my appointment with rads went yesterday.... When I told her about the pulling of my arm muscle & turning pink, she told me I needed to stop being negative. That everyone has medical problems and I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself..... Literally... I only said that my arm pit was getting tight.... This is the dd that I threw a baby shower for right after one of my chemo treatments (and miserable) with guests flying in from out of state to attend... I'm so disappointed, but.... I don't tell them everything..... Maybe I should so they would be less callous? I just don't want to burden them. Now I just feel like if they ask how I am, I'll just say " wonderful " and let them go on with their day.....
Thank goodness I have my hubby! In all our years together, I have never appreciated him as much as I do now..... When I really need him!
Done with 9/33 & doing okay other than a little discomfort... Fingers crossed!
Lorrie -
And thank goodness I have you guys to spill my problems to!
Thank you!
Lorrie -
Glad to hear we are all still chugging along, despite the hiccups along the way (and some relatives that aren't very understanding). Today I go for my radiation simulation and freckle tattoos. Hubby said maybe they can tattoo over them when I'm done so they are freckle colored instead of blue or whatever unnatural color they make them. Ha!
A coworker and I are doing a "training class" (more like a roundtable discussion) at work next week, called "Affected by Cancer". He has really been through the ringer and has dealt with a rare tumor type for about 17 years. Made me feel good that he trusts me, and my experience has given him the confidence to finally reach out to our community and open up about his experience. We're basically hoping to share a few things we've learned along our journeys, and hope that it helps others who are going through it, particularly as caretakers and friends. We have 35 people signed up to attend.
If there are any particular snippets of advice that any of you would like to mention, I will write them down in my collective notes and share them if questions come up regarding that particular topic. The advice can range from self-preparation at any time through this journey, things that were the most difficult for you and whatever helped in that moment, what you wish your partner/family/friends/coworkers did to help, what you wish they didn't do or say, etc. I am grateful for all input. Hopefully we can help shape others' minds in a beneficial way.
Thanks!
Laura
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PFC, I love it!
I have been here and there, keeping up on posts including in the fall rads post. Still undecided on what I am doing with rads and waiting until after my surgery on the 17th to make a decision.
Laura, that training class sounds like an awesome idea. I hope that everyone who signed up will show. Can't think of anything to suggest at this time. I've had a cold for almost three weeks. I start to get better then it gets worse again. I cough a lot and am just tired of it....I know all of you understand. I had my port flushed yesterday, it was nice to see the friends (workers) at the cancer center.
Pat, I hope surgery went well and you are resting comfortably.
I hope all is well with everyone!
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Checking in from the hospital.
Did I tell you my middle name is never easy"
Well my veins were rolling and it took forever to get the needle in.
I liked this surgery better...they made sure I was in lala land instead of having me walk into the OR and then strapping me down like my last surgery.
Surgery went smoothly according to my hubby. Was done Inabout 4 hours.
Only never easy struck about 8:00pm when my left breast decided to become HUGE and the drain was putting out a lot of fluid. So they had to call the surgery team back in. So I think humpy dumpy is put back together again.
I crawled out of bed before and am sitting in a hard chair...wondering how the heck I'm getting back into bed! Still have the catheter. I think it might come out today.
Laura your workshop sounds inspirational. Wishing you all the best with that.
Lorrie..at 9already! Good. Sorry your daughter doesn't have a clue. I pray she never has to walk in your shoes.
Teresa, I had a cold that wasn't quitting either...if your mo will let you use vitamin C, do that. Also try the Zicam cold tablets that melt in your mouth. I also took Claritan because I think I had a nasal drip that was irritating my throat and mimicking a cold.
Pat -
Pat, just a suggestion.....if they are going to keep you on IV fluids for a while I would keep the catheter in. Those IV fluids run through you like no other and you will be up going to the bathroom every half hour. In fact with my last surgery I had a catheter in for I asked them to leave the catheter in for a little while after they took out my IV. Just a thought, good luck with the recovery.
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Teresa...thank you...too late!
IV fluids are done, Catheter is. Out.
Now I have to hope I remember its not in! Lol -
Wow Pat, typing news already. I am impressed. Glad you are "up and running".
Teresa, I hope your cold disappears soon. After chemo you'd think our bodies deserve some freedom from irritations.
Just got tattood up at the radiation appt. they had to give me 12 (!) black freckles. Can't imagine what I'd look like with both sides needing radiation. All the women dealing with that earn extra bonus points. It has to be beyond miserable. But I suppose I just have to try and laugh, and maybe in a few weeks I can have hubby play a happy game of connect the dots. Ha! -
Pat, glad you're back with us! Take it easy!
Went to dinner with the in laws tonight right after my zapparooni... Exhaustion set in about 8 pm & had to excuse myself to go home... & got a dirty look from my hubby....we drove separate cars cuz I went straight from work to the hospital and then to dinner.... So I was glad to have a nice quiet drive home. I think it's about time to ditch the underwire bra! Starting to get a stingy feeling all over the boobie & the bra is really uncomfortable now. Time for some soft under tank tops...
10/33 done... Hanging in there. Glad to get a 2 day break after tomorrow, but I think the boobie keeps cooking over the weekend anyway.
Hope everyone has a great Friday!
Lorrie -
Hi Pat,
I'm thinking of you too. I came home yesterday from my dmx and tissue expander placement. Still on painkillers and it's a challenge getting up and down but I'm managing with a lot of help from the hubby.
I hope your recovery is smooth and quick.
Lorrie, I agree that PFC should stand for post fu$&@;ng chemo
Deb -
I have made my radiation decision. I have had this weighing heavy on my mind for a couple of months now. I feel that if I was meant to do it I wouldn't have so many doubts stabbing at me. When I found my lump in April I knew it was cancer. I've had a cyst before and didn't have the same feeling as I did with this lump. In my heart I know I don't need to do radiation and I think that is why I have had such a struggle with this. Everyone thinks I need to do all I can, but for me I feel that I don't need it. Chemo killed everything that was still hiding in my body. If I am wrong then I will deal with it then. For now I am done. So I made my appointment today so I can get started on Tamoxifen, not too excited about that. I finally have my hot flashed to a point where I can deal with them ok. Oh well one more step right? I am really excited for my surgery on the 17th and am counting down the days.
Deb and Pat glad to hear you're doing well from your surgeries.
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Deb, glad you are on the road to mending. Stay ahead of the pain. Don't forget stool softeners and Miralax to keep you flow going.
Teresa, glad you were able to come to a conclusion. I'm sure you put a lot of thought into the decision process and are comfortable with you choice
So, here I am in New Orleans and the Tropical .storm Karen will be hitting tomorrow...when I'm supposed to be released. Already flood warnings! Yippee! -
Oh no, Pat..... Try to stay dry.... Can you use your new boobies as floatation devices? LOL....
Teresa.... I'm sorry you struggled so much with the decision. It's not an easy one and only you or the person facing it can make the choice to do a treatment or not. We get informed and unfortunately, the choice is ours to make. I hope your family will respect your choice & I'm sure you made the right decision for you!!
Deb... I hope you are feeling better and better!!
LJaeger... I like the idea of connecting the dots.... years and years of fun time with the hubby!!
Off in a few to do #11.... Today I went bra free.... I told my boss' daughter that from here to the end, I'm a hipee freebird!! LOL It's much more comfy than the bra that seemed, all of the sudden, scratchy & irritating...
Hoping for a great weekend for all of you!!
Lorrie -
Thanks for the kind thoughts. Like I said before if they told me I needed to do radiation, there would have been no questions from me. That damn gray area, lol. Lorrie, I hope #11 went well today. From what I have read about radiation going without a bra is the only way to go, good for you to just go without it! I never wear anything on my head anymore, my hair is getting close to 1/2 long now. -
Teresa know what you mean about the gray area. Chosing and going through chemo was a gray area for me. It was left up to me. Who knows, maybe I didn't need to put myself through the horror of chemo. I am glad you have found peace with your decision.
LJaeger what a great thing you and your coworker are diung with the training class. Love your humor/aattitude. Connect the dots.
)
Pat congrats on your successful DIEP. Hoping for a quick recovery. Never a dull moment for you. hopefully Karen won't be too bad.
Deb congrats to you too on your sucessful surgery. hoping a quick recovery to you too.
Lorrie sure wish I could go bra free. I would look ridiculous. One side would be nice and perky and the other wide would be drooping. Enjoy your freedom. Burn that bra.
Kate Hapoy Birthday to your little guy. They grow up way too fast. Enjoy your wedding this weekend.
Lisa hope your luck continues on no pinkness,
A good weekend to all - Carla -
Patty - good to hear from you and I'm glad that you're doing as well as you possibly can be. I'm glad the catheter came out - that can't have been fun!!!
Deb - glad your surgery went well too....recover recover recover.
Teresa, glad you came to a decision. It's SOOO hard to decide what to do when it comes to our health.....
I can go bra-less now too if I want. My boobs look pretty awesome!! I'm wearing some shirts that I couldnt' wear in ages. Still got all the surgical tape on me - the doc said it would peel off and not to force it off.
I've been so super tired all week. I think it might be the herceptin
I have to work this morning and then DJ that wedding tonight...tomorrow will be a day of rest hopefully....
I am still not bold enough to go wig-free! My hair is so grey. Do you think I can color it now? It's about 1/2 " all over - I think I'd feel more confident if it wasn't so grey...
Okay - off to work sigh....
xx -
waving from New Orleans...tropical storm Karen must have heard Lorries suggestion about my flotation devices and realized it couldn't harm me! No storm here, it went away with its tail between its legs.
Lorrie, I love seeing your signature with your countdown...I feel like I missed a few (heavy drugs?) but up to number 11 already! Hanging free, that's the way to do it!
Kate, hope you get a little rest before your gig tonight. I think I recall having surgical tape on me FOREVER from my first surgery...somewhere on here I read to soak it good...I didn't wind up doing that, the doctor sprayed it and removed it about week 6. As for the hair coloring, google it (my favorite expression)...I think I recall reading where "chemo hair" doesn't take certain dyes as well? Also time frames for when that "chemo hair" should be done and your fresh new hair in...I believe it is 3-6 months? Don't quote me.
Carla, when you describe bra less all I could picture was saddling up the "Droopy" boob in a single cup bra..not that they make such a thing that I know of!
Getting kicked out of the hospital today. I am still walking like a little old lady looking for lost change. I think it is quite comical. Met a woman from the NOLA DIEP board here...she was still hunched 7days out from surgery but way more upright than I am, so I know there is hope! Now if I can only get myself to an area where people drop their money I can be rich!
Deb, hope you are holding it together! Especially when coughing!
Pat -
Deb and Pat my doctor told me not to sneeze after my BMX! WHAAAAAAAAAAT LOL.....cant believe I had forgotten how much that hurt. Speedy healing to you both!!!!
Ukate: Colored my hair when it was 1/4 inch! Worked fine. Go for it! -
I got a wild hair to do WHAT I WANT to do today....
I went to the casino! By myself! Spent a few bucks, had a great lunch & had a lot of fun! Of course, I couldn't be completely selfish... Bought my hubby STYX concert tix.
Boobie is really pink, but doesn't hurt on the outside like it looks like it should. Inside, however, it's sore like after surgery.... I catch myself holding it haha. And someone on the rads thread mentioned I may be feeling symptoms of lymphodema. Ad now im feeling a tingling sensation down my arm to my wrist. like a pinched nerve? its hard to describe. I'll continue to go to rads till my weekly chat with RO & will ask her about it. If it is symptoms of lymphodema, I'm going to consider having her stop with zapping my under arm nodes and just finish up with the boosts to the tumor site. The way I see it....
I've done almost all I can to fight this cancer & if I get it back in 10 years, then that's 10 years without suffering with lymphodema. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would prefer starting over with chemo for a few months if I get BC again.... I've visited the lymphodema threads and seen videos of it. It's not pretty!
We'll see what she says.
In support if your recent surgeries, ill do all the sneezing for you! Just let me know! Haha
Lorrie -
Lorrie, I just need a few good coughs every hour or so...haven't had to sneeze yet. I am shaking just thinking of it!
Heading off to sleepy land. Where the "no sleep monster" and the "get up and pee" monster await me.
Pat -
sleepy good, pat & the rest of you lovely ladies too!
Hope all enjoy the rest of the weekend pain free with lots of smiles and rest!
Lorrie -
Lorrie,
I developed lymphodema after having only 3 nodes removed. Doc said it was unusual but does happen. It started a couple of months after my lumpectomy as sore skin above my elbow and slight pain down my arm when I stretched it out. I didn't noticed any swelling for a while - and honestly it didn't even occur to me that I might have lymphodema. A month later I noticed a "lumpy" area above my elbow and some slight swelling of my hand. Had the doc check it and was told I had stage 0 to stage 1 lymphodema. which most likely would not get worse. I was sent to physical therapy where they showed me how to do self manual drainage massage. It's fast, easy to do and very effective. Unfortunately, my surgery was on the right breast and I am right handed and on the computer all day.....so that arm gets aggravated - I'll have slight swelling some days but it goes down by evening, especially if I massage it. I will have to wear a compression sleeve when I exercise or fly but it's only for backup to give me extra protection. I honestly don't feel like it will be a hinderance in my life at all. Small price to pay. Not all lymphodema is horrible - only the worst cases.
I also asked my RO if radiation would make the lymphodema worse and she said no...not at all. So hopefully. if you do have some lymphodema....you can finish radiation with a clear mind!
Annie -
Thank you, Annie!
You just eased my mind. I guess I was reading through extreme cases & my fear took over. Now that I think about it, it's not as if there is a lot on the boards saying.... "I'm fine with my lymphodema" or "I'm doing fantastic with my chemo" haha
Got out in the sunshine & fresh air with the hubby today.... More firewood ! Woo hoo hahaha - kidding aside, I feel better just after a little labor & fresh air!
I hope everyone is in good shape today!
Lorrie
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