Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

Hello!

dyvgrl: I totally understand you. I have managed to keep going probably because the side effects aren't that bad. I say " that " because i still get them but my life keeps going. I still go to work, although i do less and certain weeks there are days i don't go, and can do most things at home and take care of my 3 year old.  

I follow as well the thread anyone 100%  alternative here in the bc discussion boards and has helped me a lot.  you should read it.

My question is the same. How do they know i have cancer after surgery? It is complementary i know... But again my life quality is more important. I want to live for my son but if i am grumpy, frustrated all the time, what is the point??? Sounds selfish but believe i am not.

i have decided for chemo and rads  but tamoxifen still don't know even if i am er\hr +.

i use homeopathy, my nutrition is changing with the help of a nutritionist (she studied natural medicine she and herbs) and trying to be more "Zen" with the help of yoga and my psico. Planning on acupuncture since it balances hormones. and have found gyrotonic, which I love!

in addition I , please I appreciate not to be judgemental, smoke marihuana the day of my session + 2 more days.

I am 36 and this is too hard on my relationship with my husband. Not only emotionally but physical since vaginal dryness is an issue. don't want to get stuck on my thoughts but can't help asking why now...with a family just starting ... But well, I am sure I we are growing as persons and when these finishes we will be better persons.

In conclusion we are going through a very difficult time, and we are our own advocates. We have to believe that what we will do will cure us. Chemo or alternative medicine, exercise, nutrition, etc. It depends on us. Not on the onc nor our husband. In my case he doesn't "follow" how I think. I understand him coz he is scared.  So you are my best support.

i am now on my 1st of 12 taxol sessions...

take care and have a great week!

Ugh - everything I just typed - lost

dlm - I'm no expert but I've been doing a little research on what complimentary medicine I'll be taking once treatment is complete.  Here's some of what I know;

Cannibus oil (NOT hemp seed oil) is what's recommended to kill cancer stem cells but I can't imagine that it's easy to find because in most states it's illegal.

Curcumin contains the spice tumeric which is used in a lot of Asian foods (giving it the yellow color) and is know to kill cancer stem cells as well but it has to be taken with a certain type of pepper for maximum absorption.

I'll definitely be taking Vitamin D.  I didn't take any prior to dx but I live in Alaska ... duh.

I never dealt with any swelling because I was not on steroids for Taxol.  I only took what they had in my cocktail on infusion day - onc said because I had no allergic reaction, I didn't need it.  I didn't eat a lot (I'm the opposite on steriods) and I didn't gain weight.

I have NO hair.  Anywhere (and that just wigs my teenager out! ).  I don't even show any hope of ever having any.  I had a little peach fuzz all through treatment but I had my son shave it off so I could start fresh now that chemo is over.  I'm 7 days out - nothing.  I figure Halloween?  At least a 5 o'clock shadow on my head - please?  Hoping!

I go talk to the radiology onc tomorrow and I have to schedule a (lump side) mammogram this week.  It never ends . . .

Have a good evening!

DLM. Cannibus oil has an ingrediant that hemp oil does not, besides THC. I read a lot about it on a thread here. Complimentary meds maybe? And I don't remember which pepper has to be with the tumeric suppliments. I have to find my notes, then I'll share. Google tumeric for cancer.



No judgement here! I smoked pot recreationally when I was young. They say the trend now is that older people are going back to it. I may become one of them.

Has anyone been fitted.for a compression sleeve.. I'm having so much.pain I'm wondering if this is the start of lymphedmema ''''

#6 yooohooo half done I use a hemp oil to massage my sore hands and it makes them feel so good, its an all natural oil to smooth hair lol don't need it up there yet!!!! The bad thing with chemo first is I still have surgery coming up, meeting my bs tomorrow and then rads really wish I could get out of that!!

Have a great end of the week

I go to the radiation onco and I'm nervous...I feel nauseated thinking of going to Sloan tomorrow laying in bed and wanting to throw up!!! I want to get back to some normalcy

so mad.......got the dear John letter from my insurance company of 23 years. Since the law change and Obama care I will no longer have my insurance after dec 31 2013.

Half way through boosts, 4 more to go. Then finish my rads. My hips, knees, hands and feet are very sore. Feel like I should be in the rest home. Getting a bone scan Tuesday to make sure no cancer in the bones. I think it is the radiation. Have heard other women had trouble with their joints and doctors say it is not radiation...................................... I didn't have this trouble before and neither did the other women.......................... Glad most of you are through with chemo. What an awful thing to go through. I say I will never do it again!!!!!!

I'm so sorry for everyone's troubles. You can not plan life Life plans for you!!!!!! Cancer sucks and the fucking treatment is worse. I went from a beautiful middle aged woman to a bald headed no eyelashes and no eyebrows!!! Someone thought I was my father!!!! Does anyone just feel like screaming and crying at the top of your lungs!!!!! I do..

dlm425- I do have days I want to scream but more and more I feel like myself again.

Does anyone have or know of someone with low 3% er positive considered negative but I was suggested hormone treatment today

Dlm, I feel that way everyday. I just keep positive as best I can. Chin up, girl, we're here with you!

Annika, I wouldn't subject my body to that when your cancer cells aren't going to respond. Do lots of research before going there... Sounds like an onc just wants to cash in to me...

Dlm I hear ya girl, I ran into someone at work that didn't know about my diagnoses, it was difficult! I want eyebrows and eyelashes back so bad!!!! I went and did the "look good, feel better" workshop today and it was fabulous and liberating to take my scarf off in a room full of woman!!!!

Sunday will be 1 month since last chemo and my eyebrows keep coming out when will this stop! My hair was so beautiful down to my waist and now I'm just looking for some brown hair as all the fuzz coming in on my head is completely white and when I touch the brown hairs they fall right out!!! How long does this take to come back, I thought that I would have something I could call hair. It's white fuzz

Dlm, you take tamoxifen now? You have already finished your chemo treatment?

I ask coz I am a bit confused. All of you have started chemo on June and already finished? I started June 21st and had 4 AC (1 every 3 weeks) and now I am doing my 12 Taxol (1 each week). Thus, I should finish by mid December. So I was wondering why a lot of you have finished... I thought most BC treatments were the same or very similar...

There are so many issues posted...

1. Regarding eyebrows and eyelashes, I still have them but I dont think they are growing... I have lost part of them or are thin but still have them... I dont know how long though... Nisavilla, what is a No.2 pencil?

2. My hair was also very beautiful... I did not have it that long but everyone liked it. I did not "pamper" my hair and now I believe I should have. I am not a "hairdresser person"...did not go as much as other women... When I get my hair back I will visit the hairdresser more often...

I am planning to shave my hair by the end of chemo... Most hairdressers say that will make your hair stronger... Any suggestions?

3. Someone told me in one of the post that KY jelly helps for vaginal dryness... I think it is more than getting some lubricant nsider, but it is the skin itself... In addition, my frustration, my anger, does not help at all... Any suggestions?

4. With taxol, does your stomack hurts... In my case is continuous...Does anyone has that symptom? What have you done to solve it?

I also feel very frustrated and feel like crying from the top of my lungs (which I have done a couple of times)... I am 36, married and we have a 3 yr old son... This sucks and I do feel it has destroyed my life... I work with my psico on that... with meditation as well in order no to get "stuck" on those thoughts and being able to carry on with my life. with positive thoughts... I am glad I am working, it helps...

cyber hugs

Cumuli - in the States, a number 2 pencil is the long and yellow pencils that little kids use when starting school, and later. I use it every day to "enhance" my eyebrows and it works very well.

About chemo regimens - some of us got all the drugs in a short amount of time, and others got the same amount of chemo but spread out, depending on custom and training of oncologists. For vaginal skin dryness, KY helps. As for negative mood, physical exercise is routinely prescribed in certain places for mild-moderate depression.

Angstapp - you might want to ask your doctor about what that lady said. I think she misinformed you and scared you unnecessarily.