August 2013 Chemo Sisters
Comments
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Martha-Hoping all goes well for you! I know hearing it's the last one doesn't do much for you, you still have to do it and just one time is one time too many!!! I will pray that you can get a good nights sleep tonight.
Lisa- I never had a scan before chemo so the doc wants to do one after I guess. They actually moved my scan up to this coming Monday. My doc is out of town that is why they scheduled me so far out, but they are pretty confident nothing is going to show up so he said I could do it while he is gone. If something does show up they can then tell me to delay rads otherwise I will be able to start that on the 18th. I hope to get my port out next week too. Praying that I don't have pain like you did. :-)
Togetherness- I am sorry you are still feeling like crap! I am 3 weeks past chemo and I don't feel quite right, but yet much better than I have been. I am not sure how to answer people who ask how I am doing. I can tell they want me to say great, but I am not quite there. I am feeling very tired, still have that off taste in my mouth and wishing I was about 40 pounds lighter. I know I needed to lose weight before chemo, but for some reason after taking the steroids I am really feel it...my stomach is so blotted and I am just crankier. I hope you are feeling better soon! -
Hi, I have been having very bad side pain mid to lower left abdomen. The pain is sharp usually and sudden; many times after eating but certainly not always. It is confusing to me as it doesn't feel like muscle pain. I worry about what it could mean. Told doc some time ago. She said then it was radiation rebound pain - from my first go around last year. I doubt this. Today the nurse inquired and I said yes plain continues though is still inconsistent in timing/presence. An ultrasound will be scheduled for next week. Has anyone had these symptoms on AC or Taxol? She mentioned today something about gall bladder but eliminated that as its onteh other side. Also mentioned diverticulitis - I am not familair with this and am concerned about either cancer spreading or diverticulitis.
IDEAS? V -
Hi Tanya
Smells are horrible for me, too! I especially hate the smell of perfumed lotions, lip balm, etc. and find myself associating it with getting sick after my infusions. Foods that I normally love are now out of the question! -
Had #4 A/C yesterday. A little more nausea this time, but nothing unmanageable. A little shaky from the steroids but so far so good. Not looking forward to the next couple of days...the Sundays/Mondays/Tuesdays seem the worst. And praying for no fever next weekend. My WBC count yesterday was up to 5.5 so that's good, but my Hemoglobin was only up to 9.5 (that's a gram lower than last time and I bottomed down to 8.8). So I know the counts will drop again, I just hope it won't be so severe since they cut the dose by 20%. The nurse was VERY reassuring when she told me that my counts got so low last time that it was life-threatening.....I was quite aware of that! Planning to lay low next weekend even if there is no fever, don't want to take any chances. She told me that I am the first person she has seen to have so much trouble with the profound neutropenia and fevers. I must say I am getting tired of doctors and nurses telling me how "interesting" I am.....between the post-op hemorrhage, mixtures of diagnoses, months of seromas, and now repetitive neutropenic fevers. I think I would like to be "interesting" for my incredible wit or something
Anyways, hope everyone is well and have a great weekend!
Martha -
Martha - congrats on the last AC!!! Yay! Are you going to do weekly or dose dense taxol? -
Michelle, I will be doing weekly Taxol for 12 weeks, starting the day before Thanksgiving. After that I will do Fridays, so my last dose should be Valentine's Day 2014. Ironic, got my biopsy results for Mother's Day and my BMX for Father's Day. Happy Holidays! -
Had 5 of 6 tch yesterday! Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Very runny nose today and can't sleep well because of hot flashes. Neuropathy in the fingers and palms- this is typical for me. It seems to get better as time goes on. Hang in there ladies!
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Do you find that you smell of the meds? I have chemo breath and its noticeable. V -
hi there, I just joined this sight, and notice that you have the same treatment plan as I do. I was diagnosed with BC this past august and my team of docs decided to go with chemo before surgery. I have 2 tumors and one lymph node in my right breast, PR/ER positive and her negative. So like you 4 x AC and 12 taxol once a week then surgery. I have completed 3 treatments of AC blah! awful as you proably guessed by now my next one of AC is next week and the lat yahoo! So did you start taxol and whats it like, better I hope cant stand this sweet/salty ,etal taste in my mouth. Like to know how ur doing
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hi hvv yes i moticed that the first week after ac round i smelled of chemicals,everytime i went to the bathroom i would gag, my sense of smell excelerated to the point where i changed all the hand and laundry soaps in the house cause they were too sweet smelling, my family thought i was acting strange but dare motsay a word, every chemo round i would come home from hodpital and shower, chsnge clothes just to rid of anything to do with that treatment my last ac is nov 13 if y bloods are ok. Then onto to taxol -
TanyaF, I also had to stop chemo early due to neuropathy. I only made it through three round of AC. We were going to start Taxol six weeks after the last AC, but my doc said no go with neuropathy still going on. My radiation consult is Nov. 20, and I'm a little worried that the consult is eight weeks from my last chemo. Also, with the holiday, I could end up starting radiation after ten weeks.
In addition to that, my surgeon wanted me to get a mammogram and CT six months from surgery, in Jan, but she stressed to do it before radiation. The chemo doctor said going right to radiation is more important, and doing the mammogram three weeks after would be okay...but people on these boards said you have to wait months after radiation for a good mammogram. I feel like a kid in the middle of a custody battle!
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HVV, it sounds like the gastritis I developed after taking the Aleve they told me to take round the clock after my neulasta shot . (I too thought it might be my gallbladder.)
First of all, I quit taking Aleve. My doctor prescribed 40mg Prilosec 2x daily. He said take one an hour before meals. It definitely helped. He also said if I got desperate, take a swig of magic mouthwash. I did that once. That stuff is kind of nasty, but I was desperate.
I stuck with bland food, nothing acidic, and everything lukewarm or cold. It's six weeks from my last chemo, and I can pretty much eat anything now. I only occasionally get heartburn. It seems like my sense of taste is heightened, though.
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LisaSp,
Re: scans. Does micro metastasis count as needing scans? I'm six weeks out from last AC, stopped after third dose, and getting no Taxol due to neuropathy. Radiation consult is Nov 20. Surgeon specifically said get mammogram and CT before radiation. Chemo oncologist thinks starting radiation is more important but thinks scans can be done three weeks post radiation. I'm feeling conflicted.
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Mercedes60 & Aug. chemo sisters, This is my first post. Oh, how I wish I would of known of this website when I started. But I'm eager to read back on the posts. A/C completed, 2 more Taxols to go. Mercedes, Taxol for me has been so much easier than A/C. I can tolerate bone pain better than what A/C did to me. -
hi holeinone, me too just joined this sight like yesterday, so good to talk to people that are going thru this also, pamphlets they give sure dont tell u about all, the nastysymtoms u get. You seem to have the same type of bc as i do exceot im stage 2. I sure hope taxol is better than this ac round 3 was horrible,blurred vision, could. Barely function the first week after. Not looking forwardto round 4 this week And to boot weather is getting cold and nasty. Today im stocking up on soups, club soda etc for my weeks hibernation. Lol. Good talking to you where u from? -
It's been a while. I trust that all are well.
Today makes 1 month post chemo. I feel great.
This weekend I went to Mary's Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove, NJ. A friend + survivor went with me. We had the best time with Judy + Janice (the house mother). Its been a long time since I laughed + had as much fun. We sat up half the night talking. Everything in the B+B was donated, the place is beautiful!
They served breakfast + lunch which were very healthy + delicious! I made the Massaged Kale Salad for dinner tonight. While there I had a massage, did yoga + reiki and met with a nutritionist (who said we should be more alkaline). We had dinner at an upscale diner. Judy (getting her last rad next week) + I had on layers, that we kept peeling off through dinner. We loved the donated knitted + crocheted hats that we were given.
If you can get there, you should book a 1 or 2 night stay at Mary's Place by the Sea @ https://www.marysplacebythesea.org/.
The owners Maria + Michelle were wonderful, too!
Praying that EVERY-BODY BE in peace! -
Mercedes60, & Aug. chemo group...M60, good luck on Wed. Last A/C YIPEE ! I thought it was a legal form of torture. Taxol no picnic but much easier for me. I read about these ladies that breeze through the A/C and wonder how we can be so different. I have my 3rd Taxol on Thurs., only 1 more after that. Mine is dose dense, every 2 weeks. I asked my oncologist about those of you that have 12, she explained that we get a higher dose of chemo ( almost 3 x more ). I already had a lumpectomy in July... Weather is changing here also, I live in Idaho... -
hey holeinone. Lol legal form of torture. I like that one, but ur right, after my 3 chemo i was sure it was the end for me, weird side affects, today i go for bloods and meet with the onco as i do before every treatment i have a list of questions, i will also ask him about the side affects fir taxol. I do have ostroporsis sooooooo im hoping it wont be in excruciating pain for the 12 treatments. Apparently my tumors have reduced by 40 percent, i have 2 tumors of 2.5cm each with 1lymph node positive, can u believe i go everyyear for mamos andi was cleared in aug 2012 and voila! 9 months later surprise, my tumors are hormone dependent. So i will havesurgery once the treatsment are done hopefully to avoid mastectomy. Gotta run talk to u later -
hi im sue. (Cutiekool) i have not been on tne board for a while. Going thriugh my own stuff, What happened to julie nann..? Is anyone sufferring from the funky mouth? I have had it for 10 weeks now. Ugh"""" use rinces. But never goes away and when its at bab and i can eat, i dont know when to stop, i am on taxol just did a dose yesterday, and one more before thanksgiving. Then on to rads we are all really strong ladies and know that we have god on our side... God bless... -
Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I had my last infusion three weeks ago. Feeling pretty decent, but still weak. I have stairs in my house and my legs ache when I get to the top. I just have started exercising again (should have kept it up I know). I am so out of shape.
I am scheduled to start my 33 radiation treatments on the 18th. I was hoping to start this week so I could finish by the end of the year, but guess not.... I'm feeling pretty apprehensive about it, just because it's everyday I think. Hoping it goes relatively smooth.
HVV: Not to say we are experiencing the same thing, but about a month ago I also started having some left lower pain. I couldn't actually place it and it seemed to be a constant ache rather than sharp, but sometimes did occur suddenly. I could never tell what would exacerbate it. I tried paying attention to food, drink etc. It has lessened and almost disappeared. I saw my PCP and had a CT scan, which didn't show anything. Yesterday I saw my gyn and had an exam and I'm aching a bit more now after being examined, so I'm thinking it might be ovary related. Chemo drugs? Doc suggested a recheck in a couple months unless it flares up again and then an ultrasound will be ordered.
FMG: Your weekend getaway sounds wonderful!. What fun... Wonder if there are any in the Pacific Northwest...
Strength to everyone... -
Hi Sue, welcome back! Hope you are well....I understand about the funky mouth between the A/C and soon to start the Taxol. If you have not seen posts, naan did not make it. I don't know all the details but I believe she went into the hospital with fever and some respiratory symptoms. Sounds like she may have become septic and did not come out of it. That was a few weeks ago. I know that I have personally had issues with low blood counts, fevers, and hospitalizations so it is pretty scary. I am getting ready to start Taxol and I hear that funky mouth issues are a big part of it. Are you using anything to clean/rinse your mouth? Biotene is good, as is Peroxyl mouth wash rinse.
Just some pointers....
Martha -
Hi Sue: Good to see you again! As Martha said, unfortunately Julie/Naan passed away after being admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. As she was Stage IV with serious metastatic disease I suspect it was too much stress in her weakened state. I miss her.
Shalimar: Good to see you too. I've been in rads for a couple of weeks now and just had my 12th tx. Really easy compared to chemo, it is a bit tedious going every day but it becomes so routine. No side effects to speak of, which is a relief.
Martha: Good luck with taxol! I hear its easier than Adriamycin so I hope it goes smoothly. -
shalimar- good to see you back also. I was wondering how your last chemo went. Looks like we'll be on the same schedule for rads too. I start on the 18th only I have 25 treatments so IF all goes well I finish right before Christmas. Hoping it does as we have a Christmas trip to family in Florida planned. We already had to cancel another trip to a family reunion this past summer because of this darn cancer so hopefully it won't happy again.
Sue- do you think you have thrush? I got that from every treatment and needed meds to get rid of it. I am not sure it's even gone this last round as I still have a funky mouth thing going on too. However, I don't see any white left on my tongue so I don't know. -
Hi Ladies, again prayers for Nan's family just a reminder to take all of this serious and put ourselves at #1 for as long as it takes. I started my 1st Taxotere of 12 last Friday, not to bad day's 3-5 were the worst with fatigue and Extreame body aches but much easier than A/C. I did labs yesterday so hoping I can get #2 this week and I also had the blood draw for the BRACA gene so I will know for my girls if I carry the gene. Hope everyone has a great day -
Lisa, good to know rads is going pretty easy on you. Hope it continues to be that way.
Mankatostate, lets hope our rads go as smoothly as Lisa's. I hear you about the vacation plans. I just scheduled flights and motel to a family wedding in Feb. Makes me nervous for sure. Florida sounds like a good getaway in winter though.
Gavinsgma, Pulling for you with the Taxotere and wishes for lesser SE's and a negative BRCA... -
hi everyone, AC finished yesterday last of 4 treatments. Yahooooo! Well just preparing for the next coupleof days of hell, ifeelvery tired today and have a hard time going up the stairs to the second floor. I try to do some excercuse even if itswalking around the house as weather is crappy today. I never really recovered fully from #3 as far as fatigued. I start taxol dec 3, 12 treatments once a week and from i gathered sides are not as bad.
Anyone have any suggestions ona goodface cream, i use lancome now, but im open to try something new,my skin is so dry on forehead. And i dont know anout u guys but its also sensitive when i clean it.wow this chrmo sure does a number on us.i think every orifice on my body has dried up. Lol gotta laugh about it right -
Hello to all the new people! Hope you are doing well and the SE are not too bad. Most of mine are gone except that never ending neuropathy
Hot flashes as well.
It was nice not to have chemo on Wednesday. I saw the MO on Tuesday and all my counts are good. He said that I won't have to go back until January, after radiation. Then I will start Tamoxifen.
I'm anxious to start radiation. Like a lot of you, just want to get things over with! -
Hello, hope everyone is doing ok. I too haven't been on in awhile been feel pretty good. Tomorrow I have my 3 of 4 Taxol treatments then 1 more the day after Thanksgiving. I pleaded with my doc not to change the date. Met with the Rads MO today not sure how many treatments yet, excited to get started. Probably won't be done til end of Jan. Taxol for me hasn't been bad at all, slight tingling in toes and some minor bone pain 2 days after treatment. Taste buds are off for about 4 days. I worked out about 6 times since my last treatment...didn't lose any weight though.
Welcome to all the new comers, you will find a lot of strength, courage, support and love on these threads.
Hugs and Kisses to all. -
Thank you shalimar630, I appreciate the good thoughts😄
Mercedes60, congrats on finishing A/C, I know how hard on you that is, it is still very fresh in my memory . # 3&4 were very rough on me but just be patient and take really good care of yourself.
Tanya, congrats on finishing your chemo and moving onto rads, one step closer to having this all in your rearview mirror😄
Candi, You are just about there, yea almost done with chemo and moving on, good luck with your rads and keep pushing on.
May God continue to bless and watch over us on our journeys.
Shary -
aug. group, lots of milestones happening,
Martha & Mercedes, congrats to both for completing the "red devil",
Candi, you & I are on the same schedule. I had 3rd taxol today, last one same day as you.
Tanya, you nailed it anxious to start rads & get on with life. I fear it will be towards the end of Feb. to complete that.
Sorry to read that one of the ladies passed. Sad & very scary.
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