Starting Chemo July 2013

Congrats to all who are finishing up chemo.. Today I finished rads. For those taking that step it was much easier than chemo. The last two weeks I got quite tired and red and sore and don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be done. I don't see how my skin could take another week. They gave me a certificate and everyone signed it which I thought was really sweet. I did have a little bit of a cry and I'm not sure why because I didn't cry at the end of chemo. Maybe because the techs made it all so pleasant overall and I've been seeing them every day. It's nice to have a crew that cares about you to start off every morning. I'm sure it's also relief that I'm officially done with treatment except for medication. Wow how weird is that.

Yay, TwoHobbies!!!! How many radiation tx's did you have? Is your skin tough? I'm trying to decide if I should do it or not.

Congrats to all that have finished chemo! I have my last chemo tomorrow - yippee! I'm so glad that portion will be done. I've had an allergic reaction at my last two T treatments so I won't be surprised if I have another again tomorrow. The last one was so much better just because I knew what was happening and what to expect. I'm taking treats and cards for the chemo nurses - they've been great. My twin sister is going with me tomorrow - she's been just an angel through this! I hope it doesn't take too long to get rads going - sure would like to be completely done by Christmas! Kick some cancer butt gals!

hi all, I am down with 4 more chemos to go. I have been crying daily now, its strange but the "wait" seems so far and unbearbale now. Some of my nails are going to fall too, I think. I can see them detaching and the white bubbles as some of you have mentioned The numbness and pain are terrible, I can hardly type and even touching things are painful.

day 4 is the worst day, bones aching, head pounding... I know about remain positive, smile and blar blar... but crying comforts me so I will do whatever I can or want, to just make living a bit more bearable. I will cry...so be it.

Congrats and big hugs to those whom have finished chemo! I wonder how I will feel when I have my last chemo. Chemo is such a terrible thing although it saves our life.

Thanks Angela, you take good care. healing starts now! hugs! I couldn't take much care of my one year old, my hubby or my mum are doing it. I am just too weak for those crawling and standing up. I tried as much as I could though.

Congratulations to all who have finished chemo and thanks for sharing your stories. I have definitely pulled strengh from you awesome ladies. I have 3 more Taxol treatments left...can't wait for this to be over.

Hugs and kisses to all.

Well I did it! I'm all done with chemo. I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday I was freaking out that 1) I have cancer and 2) HAD to do chemo and do it first. Still struggling with the 1.

I cried about my ending chemo all night, then again this morning, then again and the doctor's office....nuts I know. These aren't tear of joy but fear, anyhow, after talking to my MO and him helping put things in to perspective; I dried my tears headed down stairs for the chemo, and didn't cry at all. In fact my two boys showed up and my oldest who turns the most mundane things into a funny story had us laughing loudly for most of the day. The place is usually packed but today, there were hardly any patients and the staff wasn't full. So we didn't disturb anyone. By the time my chemo was done, only my nurse was left and one other patient. I just walked out without any fanfare or bell ringing..nothing but PEACE! Yay!

I read about the troubles you gals are going through and my heart goes out to you. The nails, that must be so painful, I can't imagine. The bone pain, muscle etc...I hope all of you ladies are rid of your se's very quickly.

I feel VERY blessed and so grateful that I didn't have a very difficult time with chemo. I had a few mild se's over the entire 8 treatments. I'm curious to see if my eyebrows fall completely out now. I read that they do, my MO says no, so we'll see. I do have very tiny hair stubble's growing. How weird that some hairs are falling out, while others are coming in.

Are y'all going to continue to post here now that you are done, or for those almost there, when you're done? I'm thinking about also joining the tns board, made one post, got scared and haven't been back yet, but thinking I might give it another try. First, I think I'm going to take these next 5 weeks and not think about cancer, just live a normal life. Once I get past the next 5 days or so, I'll start feeling better and this time, it'll be for good and that's exciting! I can't wait to clean my house...MY way. LOL....ahh the simple things in life. :-)

Just want to thank each of you for being here. I don't post much, but read every post, everyday and your stories and experiences have really, really helped through this first stage of my cancer journey. Thank you for taking the time to share.

Hugs to Cherri and anyone else who needs them.  Cherri its perfectly OK to cry and sometimes you  just need to.  I hope in between the bad days you have some better days.  If not, do not be afraid to ask for antidepressants.  A good many are taking them.  I lost part of a second nail today.  At least it doesn't hurt as much as I feared.  Try to be extra gentle with them, but alas I failed at keeping them attached.  This one broke putting on my jeans. 

Angela, I suspect you just need healing time as far as going back to nursing.  But there are always nursing jobs in the business world too.  Maybe you can try to find something outside the clinical world. 

2Bluestars, someone on another thread mentioned they put a private facebook group together after chemo was done.  That would be a good way for us firecrackers to remain friends but "move on" from the reminders and other threads that can put you in a bad mood.  I'm not exactly familiar with setting that up, but I'd be happy to figure it out if others are interested.  I would love to keep in touch with the group but I'm not sure if I do want to be on this board for a long time.  You can "accidentally" run into stuff that ruins your day!

And I second the "thanks" to everyone for hanging with me through this ordeal.  BC is a very lonely disease because even if you have family and friends, its you alone on that table, alone in the chemo pain, etc.  Its been great to have buddies who understand and lift each other up as we need it. 

Hi All,thanks twohobbies and bluestars,really good advice.Congrats to all finishing chemo,yah!Cherri,I wish I could jump through my computer and hug you.I can't imagine how you manage at all. I'm sure your probably feeling guilt on top of everything else you're dealing with.Thanks God for good husbands,and your Mom probably feels good that she can do something to help. My Mom said she would do anything(even trade places with me). I know with my daughter i'd want to do the same. Hang tight,it will be over and this will prove you can do ANYTHING.How proud your daughter will be of you when she is old enough to understand. My thoughts are with you,know that,Hugs Angela xo

Angela- please let me know how port removal goes. My surgeon said he could do it in the office. I cringe to think of how that must feel as accessing my port has always been painful. I am glad I had it, but hated the access. I thought the worst part of the chemo. Keep me posted. Thanks.

today I went for a dexa scan in preparation for my anastrazole. The scan was in the center where I had my biopsies and cancer notification. Wow I tried not to let that creep me out but it did. Sitting with my baldish head among three gowned women waiting on their mammograms. I started to think will they all be negative or will one be getting bad news. And then my mind started down that bad path I know I shouldn't go-wish I had been the one sitting here where this is just part of the routine and going back to work blissfully ignorant of the cancer thing. Sigh.

Hi Hannariggs,I'm having my port out on the 4th,it always should be removed under interventional radiology.Mine is in my upper arm,which is alittle easier than a chest port,but,their are major vessels involved so not only will it be removed with cat scan "eyes"but with a crash cart and nurses with code experience.I wouldn't worry about the pain(just a few numbing shots)but you want it done as safe as possible,in a hospital or same day surgery suite with crash cart under radiology.Hugs Angela

Who Hoooo Rambo and Soriya!!!!!! Thank God you did it!!!Hugs Angela XO

Rambo and Soriya CONGRATS. It is awesome to get those visits out of the way. Well done ladies.

LE sleeve/gauntlet

I had one fitted for flights to UK They look real sexy (not). Pretty straight forward really. I haven't worn or looked at mine since. It got a bit tight/sore at elbow after 20hrs on from rubbing Couldn't wait to get if off after first journey but didn't really notice it on return home - after my H reminded me from the other side of the world about 5 minutes after I had checked my bags in for return flight home with them PACKED. OOPPs. Had to get airline to retrieve bag from cargo area to put it on ,... They were very understanding about it

Well done again ladies and anyone else finishing up it is a great feeling xx

Rambo and Soriya, so happy for my firecracker friends! You made it! In a couple of weeks, chemo will be a thing of the past for you. Rambo, after I'm done with radiation in December I'll be starting on an AI also. My MO said either Arimidex or Femara. I'll be interested to see how it goes for you. Angela, good luck with your port removal. Sounds like you'll be in good hands!

Had my 2nd of 30 rads tx today. It is so different from chemo, it's kind of hard to get used to. Laying on a table all alone in a big room with a machine traveling around you. Going every day is weird too, but at least it's over quickly. Friday is my last day of work for awhile. I'm taking off until school starts again in January. I feel like I'm slowly regaining my energy but I know that it won't be long until this tx saps my strength. It has been a challenging 4 weeks being back in the classroom. The first two weeks were totally exhausting and then I got a really bad cold and sore throat. I love being back with the kids but the stress is just too much right now. Can't wait for 2014!

Angela- Thanks for the information. I will have to call and make an appointment with my surgeon once my onco okeys it. surgeon is across the street from a same day surgery center, so maybe he will do it there. Not sure. I just remember him saying it was no big deal and he can do it in his office. I guess I will find out. I would like to be on the road to recovery by Jan 1. Plan on a mini vacation to vegas to ring in the new year with the fireworks. Can't wait.

Decided to stay on the taxol for my remaining 4 weeks. 3 weeks after today, but who's counting. I figured the "recipe" called for 12 weekly taxols, and even though I did get 1 "free" week. Thought I would continue. Hope and pray the neuropothy doesnt continue. Just didnt want to go on steroids again and start all over with the taxotere when they both carry the same side effects. I guess I will see what happens,

Going for treatment today as a chia pet. I hope the patients have a sense of humor, but at our cancer center not so sure. Doesnt matter, if I don't laugh and have a good time there I dont think I could make it. Laughter is the best medicine. Praying for all of us still receiving treatment for minimal side effects and for the sisters finished.