October 2013 Chemotherapy

Spiritbless,

Thank you for your favorite verses as I am going to jot down a few in my "Cancer Journal". Hang tough ladies.

I had my 3rd tx this week. Skin is terribly dry and I am so cold this evening shaking chills. Hugs to you all((((Hug)))))

Furfriend

Oncotype Dx uses a 21 gene profile, Mammaprint uses 70. Both tests have limitations with regard to hormonal receptor eligibility and age appropriateness, and it is actually kind of difficult to compare them head to head - kind of an apples and oranges thing. Here is an interesting link:

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120710/MammaPrint-more-cost-effective-and-clinically-useful-test-than-Oncotype-DX.aspx

There is a Mammoprint vs Oncotype section of this link:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779016

SpecialK, I printed the Links you suggested and will present to my MO. Thank you so much!

lg -- I take an Ativan about 45 minutes before treatment each time -- so far it has controlled by anxiety very well.

Furfriend, be sure to take your temperature when you have chills and shaking. On Friday, after my Neulasta shot! I had the same thing, as my fever was rising to 102.8. Call your MO if it gets up over 100.5, as there are a lot of reasons fever can occur and they want to get on it, whatever the cause.

Spirit -- thanks for the verses. I prints them and put them up on the bathroom mirror.

Schoolcounselor -- sorry to hear you are knocked out. Me too, this time. Seems like the fever from the Neulasta shot really kicked my butt. Or maybe I just was still a little weak from tx 1 and each time I will start out a little more in the hole. I hope you are taking care of yourself and you bounce back soon.

Special K -- thanks for the link about comparing Oncotype and Mammaprint. My BS and MO were adamant about Mammaprint! but it will be useful to read more about it. MO also sent my sample for a "BCI" test which (as I understand it) is still building its database, but is designed to show the effectiveness of extended hormone therapy. My results showed there would be little to gain from Tamoxifen beyond 5 years. Factoring all the tests together, MO says with my treatment regimen, my chance of recurrence within 10 years will be less than 5 percent -- and that doesn't take into account the benefit from rads. While that is reassuring, I have been on the wrong side of the odds a couple of times in this BC journey, so I try not to pay much attention.

I went back to work today after chemo #2 (which was Thursday). I HAVE to work since I am a contract employee and so I need to finish out my semester. But I was really dragging today. My office is in an historic building with no elevator and I have to climb stairs to my office several times a day. I find I can only go up a short flight then need to stand for a few minutes on the landing to regroup before I tackle another short flight. Had to allow extra time to get to my classes today. Luckily I planned it so the students are doing presentations so I don't have to stand through class, just sit in the back and grade them. In between my two classes I ate a little lunch, then closed my office door and laid on the floor with my feet up for a little while. I came straight home after my second class today and took a 2 hour nap. I am lucky that I have the kind of job that I can just leave when class is over, so I was actually only at the University for 7 hours. Now, after dinner, the low grade fever is back, so I will take Motrin and turn in early.

Good luck to the Sisters going for TX tomorrow ! Will be thinking of you! (HUGS)

70 Charger- I love the cartoons!

Thinking about everyone today!

Yeah I called MO got the Ativan script and felt better after few hrs. So far so good today. Pam, it started with adriamycin for me too. Last time I was fine though. Huh oh well. I will prob take before I go next time.

Feel ok otherwise today! I am supposed to go to Justin Timberlake concert on Sunday night but might have to scratch that

debdylan - link

http://www.wigwarehouse.com/Wig-Tapes-and-Adhesives-s/45.htm

Awww thanks you guys! Just trying to be helpful and encouraging, I am happy to do so! People extended their hand to me when I was in your shoes, so just paying it forward!

Hello ladies! Hope everyone is doing okay this week. I had infusion #2 a week ago. Still feel pretty good; a few more side effects this time around but overall, I can't complain!

Has anyone experienced dizziness?

I went back for my one week check up and mentioned that I have felt dizzy. Kind of like the feeling you have when you first step off a merry-go-round. No nausea and the dizziness comes and goes. I've had dizzy spells for a long time; usually when I've been sick or really stressed. Because of this, my MO wants to do a head CT just to be sure. I'm seriously freaked out because of the test itself and the associated cost. I already have enough medical bills to pay.

A nurse told me that it could be dehydration that is causing the dizziness. I'm going to amp up my fluid intake but seriously, I'm stressed out. This whole thing is bad enough but a head CT? Nooo!

Hi jenn,

I went to one of those it was okay, I got a lot of great make up and some tips on how to draw in eyebrows when they are gone.

I got a free wig today from ebeauty.com. It is gorgeous and I have been wearing wigs for years. You ladies should look onto it. It made my day today which has been a rough one with SE. Stomach cramps, my MO said take Motrin and Benadryl and if I don't feel better in a half hour, off to the ER. I have 15 minutes left....,,, sigh

CT of the head is about the only scan that doesn't freak me out. Only your head and neck go into the machine so if you are claustrophobic it isn't bad at all. I had one with contrast and it was quick and easy. Unless you are freaked out about results but hopefully that is just a side effect. If you are worried about the cost i wonder if they can hold off on the scan to see if it improves? It is one thing after another with this stuff isn't it? Hopefully we will get through in one piece.

macy, something that is just plain weird with my chemo treatment is that my vision is not as good as before, and it is hard to read, like I need reading glasses or sometimed I feel like. I cannot drive because I cannot focus my eyes on the cars passing by. It is not dizziness or maybe it is? I don't know.

Get tour test done and most probably is not anything to worry about. Good luck!

Good Morning Ladies

Off to treatment 2 this morning.  Wishing all those who join me in treatment day have a peaceful treatment with manageable side effects!

My hair started falling out yesterday; seems I've waited too long for the shave but wanted to hold on to it as long as possible.  I didn't think it would affect me too much; remembering back to when I lost my breasts.....losing my hair seemed insignificant in comparison.  But I'm mourning it's loss nonetheless.  I have an appointment to have it shaved tomorrow afternoon but I'll have to be using my hats until then given how much is falling out. 

Nothing's easy w/all this damn disease.......

Ladies, I feel better today. Thanks for the reassurance. I guess it was just not what I was expecting from the MO. I figured it was my BP or something. So, I was kind of shocked was all.

Yesterday was one of the most difficult days I've had so thank you for the support.

Uds-- I eat frequently in the week following treatment, but I am not really hungry, especially once my taste buds go bye bye for 10 days or so. I was told to eat small amounts frequently in order to feel as well as possible. So your body is craving the right approach. This is no time to diet -- so if it helps, snack away!