Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

Options
1…5153555657

Comments

  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited December 2013

    Great to hear dlm425 !!! My doctor keeps telling me everyone doesn't have side effects from it!!! I celebrate Christmas and New Year in a different "light" this year. I also can not wait to say Good Bye to 2013 and HAPPY HEALTHY 2014 . I will take the lessons learned and move on ......

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KatiAK
    KatiAK Member Posts: 138
    edited December 2013

    DlM so glad it's going well!  What a year it's been! I'm with Annika hoping 2014 is much happier and healthier!  I'm still dealing with residual back pain but otherwise I feel well.  Hot flashes have become the norm. Have my port removed on the 9th.  Onward and upward!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited December 2013

    Merry x'mas!   It has been quite a while since I posted I this thread.  I am SO glad that everyone is doing well... Side effects are still there for most of us but it is temporary. 

    I have finished my 4 AC + 12 taxol treatment 2 weeks ago. Homeopathy is actually helping a lot.  I am on my 14/37 rads. Can't wait to finish! My hands and fingernails hurt as well and hair is only peach fuzz although a lot... I am wondering if I should cut it... And wait for real hair... Any suggestions?

    Still thinking about tamoxifen. Will continue with my research and hope to make the right decision. 

    Cyber hugs!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • maureenb
    maureenb Member Posts: 81
    edited January 2014

    I haven't posted on here in quite awhile.  It's so glad to see that you all seem to be doing well.  Moving on and looking forward to a better year in 2014.  I am taking Tamoxifen and the only side effect is HOT FLASHES!  I get them many times per day.  Just this wave of heat comes over me and I have to start taking clothes off, hats off, even shoes off until it passes.  Its annoying but not debilitating.  Wakes me up at night and that's kind of tough.  But I am SOOOO happy to be off chemo, feeling pretty good, and have my taste buds back! My hair is growing, but really slow, it seems.  I am so tired of wearing my wig.  It's been nice in the winter because I've just been wearing wool caps and I look normal because so many people have hats on when it's cold outside.  Mine just needs to get a little bit longer and then I will go hatless.  Definitely by this spring!  My nails are in pretty bad shape.  Not discolored, but just really weak.  Anyone else have this?  They break and snag on something and I have to cut them so short it's painful so they don't just rip off.  Any tips on nails or making hair grow faster?  

    I have surgery on the 13th to switch out my permanent implants for another type.  Hopefully this kind won't "ripple".  Anyone else have this problem?  My implants just have wavy lines all the way around them.  Very ugly indeed.  Hope this works to fix them.  Doc said I didn't have much skin or tissue there to work with and so it's basically the implant being covered up with skin and that's it-  so the ripples show through.  They are going to take some fat from my stomach and try to pad them a little.  I hope so much that it works.   I don't like to see myself naked with these wrinkly things.  

    Hope you all have a great week and please keep writing!  I want to hear what's going on with everyone as we pass through this next year.  

    xoxox 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited January 2014

    i stopped wearing my wig. Makes me feel naked but oh so nice......wear a hat a lot cuz of the cold!! Measured for rads starting in about 2weeks :( 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KatiAK
    KatiAK Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2014

    I had my port removed today. I had very mixed feelings about it but I truly hope I never need it again.  While I was in there I had my first endoscopy and colonoscopy.  Did it all at once to be done.  I still deal with thoracic back pain but it seems better most the time.  

    Maureenb I'm taking tamoxifen too and I totally know what you mean about the hot flashes! It feels almost like.you're gonna suffocate!  My white blood cell count was down a little too but who knows?  That's the only SE for me so far.  Yes, a huge relief from chemo!

    I think I'm right where you are with hair growth. It's there but sslllooowww.  My nails are discolored but growing out.

    Annika12 - you'll do fine with rads. Lotion up afterward and at bedtime and any other time you think of it.  It's easier than chemo but rest. Really let yourself rest.  I'm not good at that but it helps.  Let us know how you do.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited January 2014

    Hello ladies!!!!  Can't believe I started this board 9 months ago.   Wow!!!   Wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year.    You are all amazing, strong and inspiring women.  there is nothing we can't do!!!!!!!!!   Here is to 2014!!!!   I never likes 13 anyway!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited January 2014

    I took my middle son back to collage thus past weekend !! As we were driving we realized exactly 6 month ago to the date we were there for orientation and I had just got my first AC doze and was starting to loose my hair :( Now 6 month to the date I was talking him back cancer free , healthy with new hair growing (no wig) Wow how life can change.....I'm loving mine !!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited January 2014

    AWESOME ANNIKA12!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dlm425
    dlm425 Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2014

    today my eyebrows have started falling out again WTF Why are they falling out again after four months  since chemo was completed Anyone have neck and shoulder pain

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited January 2014

    Dlm, like you I had chemo after surgery. 4 AC and then 12 taxol weekly... finished Dec 16.  2 weeks ago I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows.  Side effects of taxol.  Sucks.  I am just tired of all this process... and should start tamoxifen soon but not know yet if I will.  I am 36 and treatment has totally affected - in a negative way - my marriage and work.    I have hair already, although I think that, coz of taxol, it is not growing that much now... I shaved Dec 23 and still almost no hair on my legs.  Eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to come back...Eyebrows in a greyish color...I am blond and had really light eyebrows before... Eyelashes still very short but seems to be growing... found MDLash, a medicated product, that I have started to use for my eyelashes in order to grow faster... I just want sooo badly to get my life back... We just need patience, yes more, and a smile... it is hard but I know we will go through this.  I know 2014 will be a good year to reorganize my life, my marriage...everything... and know 2014 will be a great year for all of you!!! Cyber hugs!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dlm425
    dlm425 Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2014

    Wow do I hear you ditto curculi Here's what gets me a little down because mostly I'm a Happy person!! I'm sick and tired of all the F---ing Side Effects even after my eyebrows and eyelashes fell out grew back and now they are falling out again and my right arm is numb and that's suppose to be the good arm I just don't get it

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited February 2014

    I totally understand you... Mostly I am this smiling person with lots of energy and that loved to exercise.  Now I have to make an effort... although my day usually goes smoothly... Usually I need to put some effort.   I know I will never be the same person although everyone thinks so...coz I look the same... But I am tired of the SE... greyish eyebrows, my toe nails are very thick , my hair is growing but I think taxol has stopped the growth coz my legs are not growing...    and my arm is still partly numb under my armpit...I just turned 37, have one child and a husband... so this sucks...

    I have a question: why mastectomy?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited February 2014

    hi ladies , just checking in !!! Getting more radiant every day 8/33 today ugh I'm so done with rads!! I suppose its the easiest but being in the end I'm done, sick of being a patient. But oh well, we do what we gotta do!! I have tamoxifen to pick up but haven't..... I'm hormone neg. So its a precaution ....... I'm 3% +  Hope everyone is getting on with life doing great !!! Snowing like crazy here, AGAIN !!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited February 2014

    I know exactly how you feel! I finished last week my 37 rads! Temperance, self restraint are two words a friend told me to look in the dictionary, she said that was what I needed.  It felt like eternity! But finally done, another chapter closed. 

    I have finally stopped using my wig! I also feel free and on my way to "normal". 

    Haven't start tamoxifen yet... Want to do se fertility check up before. Ans waiting for the SE of chemo to leave my body! I think my nails are getting better! My energy is coming back.. I think most of us are getting stronger... Take care!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited February 2014

    Congrats on going "free" Im getting so used to it it sometimes surprises me when people look chocked seeing me in such short hair !! Specially those who don't know what I have done for the last 7 months....  Oh and to being DONE !!! Can't wait !! I allready feel pretty normal again, back to running and playing soccer :D  NOT looking forward to tamoxifen but did talk to a young lady in the rads waiting room who has NO se's at all, not even sweats so maybe we will be "lucky" too !!! When rads are done and we can see the ground here again in MI Im gonna put some muscles on and get strong !!!!

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited February 2014

    hello! My last chemo was December 16, so 2 months ago... Hair is growing quite fast, everywhere, and I feel my body regaining its "normality". However I thought my finger nails were getting better but they look soooo HORRIBLE.  Not only yellowish colour but the nail is like dead... Has someone else have horrible nails?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited February 2014

    my nails were horrible too but now looks almost normal again. My last chemo was the week before Thanksgiving. My one toenail still looks yuck but I also dropped something on it so not sure what it is from. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited February 2014

    Hi Folks, I haven't posted here before, but recently found out some info that has pissed me off in re: the drugs given to me during treatment for BC. I was almost killed with my one and only chemo. Taxotere was the culprit. I "failed" all three AI's b/c of s.e.'s. All of this could have been avoided had my MO paid attention to the Cytochrome450 genetic testing. Of the six genes tested, I have abnormalities in three. All are major players in the drugs I was given. Had I been tested, it would have been known. The drug choice and /or dosage modifications could have been made

    Rather than rewrite the details here The link below will take you to a thread that has the posts that I have written in the last few days.

    I'm not trying to sell Genelex. Other laboratories are doing genetic testing. But Genelex is the only company right now that provides the application of the genetic results to the drugs we are taking. Other companies, I'm sure are trying to build the same business model. It's the future of drug administration.

    Why? Patients will no longer except being experimented upon with drugs that can harm them. If the docs won't do this because it's the right thing to do it. Then we have to PUSH them into doing the right thing.

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topic/7...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KatiAK
    KatiAK Member Posts: 138
    edited February 2014

    Cuculi, my nails have been horrible as wee. My last chemo was the last of Sept and I still have one nail that's ugly.  I have hair! It's about an inch long. I still have some back pain and fatigue but life is getting back to normal.  I still have days tho, where I fear the big C.  A recurrence, another kind.  I hate those days!  I am taking Tamoxefin and suffer from hot flashes, ugh.  Some days it's not so bad and other days it's constant.

    I'm so looking forward to spring!  I want to do all the things this summer that I couldn't do last year.  Gardening, camping, hiking ....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited March 2014

    thanks for answering about the nails! I have put nail polish coz I just dont want to see them!!! :( some of them have gotten thick but hope they are growing and will be back to normal soon!

    I think someone said that used sally hansen hard as nails? I will look for that product ... maybe it helps to grow faster!!!

    My last chemo was December 16 and my hair has been growing before that... I think it kind of stopped growing in Jan and now growing again.  Jan 31st I stopped using my wig... it is summer where I live so January was enough so February with very short hair but growing... I now feel more like a short hairstyle... not really my style but have to admit that I look quite good, hahaha ;)

    Sas, thanks for the info about Genelex.  I think that the importance of this forums is the information!  Something that we are not given in a complete way.  We are the patients, and like a clients, it should be us who decides what to do and not to follow a treatmente by "default".

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited March 2014

    Does anyone thinks that they have more hair growing on the cheeks???? Or is it my idea?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kmurphy
    kmurphy Member Posts: 55
    edited March 2014

    I think I have more hair growing on my face.  I notice it on the sides along my jaw line near my ears.  I also think wearing facial powder makes it show a little more.  My last chemo was Oct 3.  My hair is still very short.  My nails are getting much better, but my toe nails are still awful.  I still have aching in my legs at night and neuropathy.  But I am working full time and getting through it all.  I'm sure with time it will just keep getting better.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KatiAK
    KatiAK Member Posts: 138
    edited March 2014

    I lost all my eyelashes again!  Ugh!  I'm 5 months off chemo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited March 2014

    kmurphy, that is where I have more hsur as well!

    Hope we all get our bodies back!

    Regarding eyelashes... Loosing them again? Why is that? I an 3 months post chemo..... Lost most in January...

    Good night!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited March 2014

    hi all !!! I lost my eye lashes again on the right only ....but I also have some blocked oil glands on that eye lid!! I also have eczema on the right hand :/  Finished rads and started tamoxifen !!! Hair growing and nails looking normal again !!! Finding my way back to life in the non cancer world.......

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited March 2014

    What is happening with eyelashes! I am 3 months out chemo... I bought a product MDLash... hope that helps... I still got them but hope not to loose them again!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KatiAK
    KatiAK Member Posts: 138
    edited March 2014

    I lost my eyelashes a second time too.  They're coming back now.  I finished chemo the end of November.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cuculi
    Cuculi Member Posts: 148
    edited March 2014

    I still dont understand the eyelashes effect... 

    Regarding quantity and hair color... My hair keeps growing... I have cut it once already 2 months ago... I need another haircut already.... 

    I have a question regarding hair in other areas of the body: I feel more hair in the areas of cheekbones...I am glad those are blond .  I also feel more hair in my butt and anus area and the hair is darker! Anyone?

    My fingernails are finally getting better 😉

    Got my port removed 2 weeks agos... I also have mixed feelings!

    Good night!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited March 2014

    I also had peach fuzz and pretty thick along the sides of my face from ear to chin. It appeared when my hair started growing back (final chemo Aug 13). Not attractive! I'm happy to say that it has finally disappeared in the last month or so....so hang on, yours will probably fade away as well.

    Annie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories