Starting Chemo July 2013

Thank you ladies, feel so sick right now.  no appetite n so tired.  this is the first year that i didnt take my kids out to trick or treat, i feel so sad. But at least they had fun out there with their aunties and cousins.  Happy halloween ladies!!!

Thanks AngelaNature,  no my hair didnt grow back yet, I hope soon

Hello my BC sisters   I am catching up with you all and nearing the end of chemo too.  I just had my 5th infusion today and have 2 more left!!!  I am supposed to have my last chemo on December 12th (the same day as my youngest and oldest sons' Christmas program...wish me luck that I can attend).  My Christmas present will be to have a "Chemo Free Holiday".  As for my hair, it is short stubbles all over.  Not pretty at all.  Never thought I would see myself like this but here I am...sigh....Can't wait for my New Year 2014 resolution to grow hair!!  I still have my eyebrows and so I am grateful.  My lashes are skimpy and so I stopped wearing mascara weeks ago. 

Keep the faith, stay strong..Next year this time we will all be in a better place I am sure.  Although we all have bad days, try to remember all of the blessing that you still have around you.  Our lives are a blessing.  Stay focused on this course we have been given and set your sights high. 

Blessings to you all, get your needed rest (I am super tired these days) and enjoy your weekend.  Hugs--:)

PS: One of my best friends and her family are coming to visit me tomorrow.  They live in another city and so haven't seen me since my diagnoses.  I am a little nervous.  Wig....feeling tired....skimpy eyelashes....you know the emotions.  Wish me luck. 

Rambo those "mammo grahams" are a hoot!

Today I had a post chemo MRI. Of course it's Friday, so I won't hear the results till Monday. I feel pretty good about it since they couldn't find it with the ultra-sound, but still....

I can't believe the anxiety I felt just being in that place, the last time I was there, I knew the bc diagnosis was imminent. Why is it when you HAVE to absolutely still you have the over-whelming urge to scratch your nose or something? The more I thought about it or tried not to, the more it itched. That was the longest 45 min. ever!

Up next, my mo asked me to do blood work at the 10 day or so mark post chemo. So I'll do that Thursday when I see my primary for my flu shot.

My breast surgeon says I'll need to meet with a lymphadema (sp?) specialist prior to my surgery. They will measure my arm and fit me for a sleeve, show me some exercises to do prior to surgery and after. He said it's not a certainty that I will get it, but have 20 to 30% chance since I'll have lymph nodes removed. If you get it, do you have to wear a sleeve daily? Or is it as needed?

I have a few hair stubble's. You can't see them really, but feel them. Hubby says they are dark on the back of my head. I still have eyelashes and eyebrows. I think if I am going to lose them it'll be this week, that's been the pattern for me anyway. Keeping my fingers crossed they hold.

My sides effects are almost gone. It's exciting to know they won't be back. :-) I hope everyone's is too.

Have a great weekend!

I have hair but it's short. I'm about 2 1/2 months past last treatment. It's pretty filled in now and dark except for the gray. It's such a relief to see it. Eyebrows are also coming back and my eyelashes too. Warning the eyelashes continued to fall after chemo. I only have two or three left on each eye so I'll be glad when the sprouts grow longer.

I still also have some aching especially in the rainy weather but it's way better than during chemo.

Rambo I love those mammograms. What are the breasts? Such a cute idea but I guess I shouldn't take them to the office party.

I never have felt inclined to purchase the"pink" gear but today I was looking for a hoodie and underArmour has one that says " she's a fighter" on the sleeve. I had to have it.

It's funny how each situation affects us differently. JG many feel the same as you during rads but I had no distress at all. In fact I kind of enjoyed the rads experience. Mine they played music and had pictures of the sky and trees on the ceiling. Maybe that helped. But put me in the mammogram waiting area and I have an anxiety attack.

Hannariggs,  I totally kno how you feel.  5 days after my chemo still tired, no energy, no appitite.  Very motional fo me today.  I cried in my room  alone after i dropped my kids off at school.  Like you said, tired, out of breath, hate being bald . Family and friends said I dont look sick when I have wig on.  They said I look good, but whatever I dont feel good physically n mentally.    Hang in there and I hope we will get thru this somehow.  

Thanks Soriya and Jeri. The words of encouragement are so comforting. I have another Taxotere tomorrrow and I honestly don't know how I can make it another 3 weeks. My toes and hands are completely numb and now the numbness is going up my legs. I just dont know how I will be able to walk. I was in so much pain last night I just stayed up and walked most of the night. Is all of this normal? My dr did switch me from taxol to taxotere because he though the taxol was doing damage. Thus far I think its the taxotere that is worse. However, since they are sister drugs they probably are both bad. At least for me. I have never been a quitter but I dont know what else to do. Hopefully I will be able to suck it up another 2 weeks after tomorrow. I better look into getting a cane. Good grief! Hope everyone else is doing well. Seems like most everyone is done and getting on with their lives. I can't wait for that day. Love to all

Hannariggs, I had to get out of bed to walk several times because of the numbness and discomfort. That is much better now. I agree with Soriya about checking with your MO about a lower dosage. Mine was reduced to 75% after I had a difficult time during the first round and that helped. You really are in the home stretch - hang in there, Firecracker!

Hi girls, I feel the same way as you all  many times.  The fatigue has really set in over the last month or so.  I sometimes feel like a failure when I'm around my kids because I don't have enough energy to do "fun" things on the weekends.  I am luckily to have a very supportive extended family and so they have been helping out a lot with that. 

Like many of you, I cry too.  Not so much because I'm depressed but because I am sick of this whole mess.  I am sick of going to chemo, I am sick of having no hair, I am sick of anticipating surgery, I'm sick of not going out like I used to, I'm sick of not drinking wine, I am sick of being sick with this mess.  This is such a long and duanting process. 

I try to stay focused on the good things that have happened.  I am so grateful that time is passing!!!!  When I was first diagnosed, I swear time stook still.  The month of July, August and September felt like an eternity.  I couldn't wait for the weather to change, for my kids to start school etc.  I needed time to pass to show that I was progressing in getting rid of this disease. Now that we are into November, I truly feel so much better.  December will be here in no time along with my last chemo which is scheduled for December 12th!!  I cannot wait.  That is progress in the right direction. 

If I can get through chemo, I truly believe that I can get through the other stuff. Surgery, rads, reconstruction....no systemic side effects like chemo.  That is a really good thing.   

Girls...hang tight.  The chemo end of the rainbow is near.  Love to you all wherever you may be. 

Hugs to you, Hannariggs

I know how you feel. Even though my last chemo's behind me (1 week out tomorrow), I still feel like crap. I know people are assuming that it's all up and up now, but I know it will take some time for me to feel completely well, and that I'll never feel "normal" again. We ALL deserve a pity party every once in a while - because life just ain't fair!!!

I've got folks already asking about next semester and my load. I'm honestly scared that I won't have the energy to tackle it full time... BUT, I'll do the best I can, one day at a time.

TwoHobbies, the breasts are marzipan, stuck to the chocolate Graham's with icing. Nipples are pink gel icing

Hugs from my comfy chair, folded up in my softest blanket (a gift from my sweet daughter after dx), pain pill ingested, ready for a nap after teaching this morning. One more step!

Lynn

Rambo those boobs were so funny !!

Excellent hang in there only a few days to go and then you can start to really get strong again

Hannariggs sad to see you so down, but you will get there

To all of you do speak to your MOs if the neuropathy is that bad. You don't want it to be irreversible !!

I have been on the big T for the last 3 weeks and no SEs yet (except for weight loss - YAY !!! )

Hang in there all Firecrsckers 2014 is just around the corner

Yah! Mellie! you did it! the neuropathy deal is bad though i have to go see a neurologist because i've had terrible restless legs too.I always thought that must be in your head but it's real and sometimes keeps me up all night. I'm starting radiation on monday,one more step closer to being done. I'm alittle worried about burning being a really white redhead but it can't be helped much from what i'm reading.So my hair started going back at first patches of dark stubble all over my head,now i've got baby fine fuzzy white hair all over my scalp,like a sick chick(good description Jerigrace).My hair was thick and curly,with no greys so this white is terrible.Hopefully,it won't stay white,if it does i'm dying it for sure!Hang in there everyone,i'm thinking of you all,special hugs for Hannariggs.

Hi girls,

I havent been on here for awhile but try to read now and then to keep up. Its been 3 weeks since my last chemo. My energy is better, but by no means normal. Still feeel very stiff and achy like Ive been skiing all weekend. I have to stretch every morning to get moving. Still have a little neuropathy, but not too bad. Have tiny white patches of fuzz on my head. Sounds like others have started the same way so I hope it gets darker!

One week after the last tx my son fainted at school, hit his head and got a concussion. I've been busy taking him to appointments, working with the school and trying to keep him sane. Its tough on an 11 year old who is not supposed to do anything physical and cant watch tv or use any technology. He cant read, go to school or do homework without getting a headache. Its been an unwelcome distraction, but at least I'm focused on something other than cancer for awhile. Although my focus is almost as bad as his! Really need this chemo brain to go away and for his brain to heal so we can find a little 'normal' again.

Im thinking of all of you still in tx or who just finished. Hope those doing rads are tolerating that well. Be diligent using the creams they give you to keep the area moisturized! It helps.

Hannarigs, I'm worried about you and sending you hugs. This sounds like too much numbness. You're obviously not a quitter, but cutting back may be whats best for your body.

Twohobbies and others, I hope youre feeling more encouraged. You're right that this is not over for us and people just dont get that. But its a huge accomplishment that we got through this nasty step and we're still fighting. I think there will always be anxiety with every step, whether its the next med, follow up appointment, scan or whatever. I hope that will get better with time.

Thinking of all of you even though I dont have time to mention all.

Hi Sisters,

I know its been awhile but just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Looks like we are all plodding along. So far since day one and the finish line in sight. Still dealing with the Taxol/Taxotere blues. If the taxol doesn't cripple you the taxotere makes you sick. Thank God only two more treatments left. Onco told me I could quit anytime, but who gets this far and quits? Not that I really want to, but will suck it up. I don't want to look back and ever wonder "what if". Yes, I too am sporting the proverbial "sick chick" look. Never thought I would be so happy to see some type of hair growing no matter if it does look like bum fluff.

Prayers to you and your son Lark. Always something.

Angela-let me know how your radiation is going. Mine is being started during my last chemo treatment. As if I am not tired enough, but at least all done by xmas. Yeah!

Hobbies-good luck with neuropothy. I also have it in my fingers and toes. I have been shellacking them as much as I could during all my infusions. Seemed to have done a little bit as they have not fallen off or changed colors yet. 2 to go........ugh.........I feel like the little engine that could....."I think I can, I think I can". Have a great weekend.....love to all

Hi Soriya 123,

Yes Taxotere can cause swelling of the hands and/or feet.  It can also cause a host of other side effects.  Check out the link I have posted, it gives a good summary of all the potential side effects. 
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/taxotere-side-effects.html