September 2013 Chemo Group

Pollimg the group to see who got a neulasta shot after last chemo and who didn't. I asked my MO yesterday, and she said they usually do not administer it. But in light of the fact that it is cold and flu season, I didn't have bad side effects from it, and I can self administer at home, she recommended that I do it. But I have to say the thought of skipping it is appealing to me. One less drug in the pipes. What did you all do?

better day I wanted to skip neulasta and my MO disagreed heavily I was going to go it alone and just disobey him but so glad I didnt..caught my husbands nasty cold virus 6 days post final chemo and neulasta probably saved me from getting admitted when I spiked a 102,fever. Ps just curious how big was your tumor to begin with? What made you go chemo first?

Thanks for the advice peacock girl. I suppose there really isn't a downside to the shot, so I may as well do it. As for tumor size, my tumor didn't show up on mammo but did on an ultrasound. The u/s originally measured it at 1.8 cm, but a post-biopsy MRI a short time later measured it at 3.5 cm. Not sure how much of that increase was attributable to the biopsy or tumor growth. Later clinical measurements had it even larger (4-5 cm) but those are obviously less accurate (still makes me laugh when they pull out the tape measure -- so high tech).  My tumor is grade 3, TN and was ki-67 70%, so we knew it was growing fast. My MO and SO both recommended chemo before surgery for a few reasons.  They wanted to start systemmically treating because of the aggressiveness of the cancer, they wanted to be able to monitor the effectiveness of the chemo, and they wanted to shrink the tumor to preserve the option of lumpectomy.  The clinical measurement I got yesterday was not the home run we wanted. They clearly were hoping not to be able to feel it this late in the game. Hopefully this last AC will help and next week's MRI will deliver good news. 

KJ-so sorry you are back in, I hope they get the infection controlled quickly.

Love the hair pics!  Can't wait for a GI Jane look!!

I did the Neulasta shot because I'm doing surgery 2 weeks post chemo.

LHL - my PS would prefer me to be filled prior to rads, but with my trip planned, they are working around that.  It's either have a 6 day break in rads or hurry and be done before I go.  I'm being a difficult patient And RO said 90 degrees is all I need, so you're there!  And they have a contraption to hold your arm up, you just have to get it there.

Mama-good news on the nodes!  I was hoping to avoid rads too, but my RO said based on my original tumor size, he would strongly recommend them regardless of post chemo node status.  He's a family friend and I know he's being very cautious, which is fine by me.  Why do you have the 8 week window to decide on BMX or no?

I scheduled a consult for next week with my GYN.  I'm still on the fence about tamoxifen and we also need to figure out if my IUD can stay.  My MO is saying why not on the tamoxifen, but if my ER status is 1%, I'm not sure.  Not that I want to increase any odds of recurrence, I'm just not sure there is any there?!

Neulasta - I had mine after my last chemo. I figured I did it 7 times and it worked so why not one more? LOL. Plus I was heading in to surgery a few weeks later and wanted to make sure my counts were good enough.

Mamastewart - It is a tough choice... there is not really a clear cut answer on a lot of things. You have to go with what you and your doctors feel is best for you.

Knightzoo - Yeah, I'm not sure 1% ER would be enough to convince me to do Tamox. If you do, I'd be surprised if you were able to leave in the IUD. Tamoxifen is known for causing problems with the uterus.... which is why I'm having to get a total hysterectomy instead of just my ovaries out.   

Better day - I'm sorry for your disappointing news. We thought I had a complete response to chemo based on my MRI and u/s before surgery, but there was still a 2.5 cm area that contained tumor cells. It wasn't a mass any longer.... Kind of like my tumor had disintegrated and left fragments behind. I could still feel a lump, so maybe yours is something like that. I'm sorry that more chemo might be on your horizon, but like you  said, you're better off with another weapon to use. 

Hockeymommy - Hope you get your drain out!

Stupid drains. We were all set to pull one of mine yesterday... It had been at 15 for 3 days. When we emptied it though, it was 20. Hubby said let's wait another day. Now today it's already at 20.  :-(   might as well just wait till I see PS on Thurs.  I'm guessing maybe the increase is because I started doing my range of motion exercises? Plus my mom went back home so I'm having to do a lot more around the house and for myself and the kids. Blah.  18 days of drains is enough!!!  

Has anyone had a weird lump show up after surgery?  I noticed after my shower today that on my right side near the front of my shoulder there is a lump.... at first I thought it was the end of the drain on that side, like maybe it shifted from where it was? But I don't feel the tube. Good Lord this stupid cancer is the gift that keeps on giving.  I'm not worried about it being cancer, especially since it's on my good side.... But who wants a lump to just show up out of nowhere?????  What the heck could it be?

LOVE everyones hair!!!  Cannot wait!  I still look like a little old man...or baby eagle (as my daughter says)...at least it's not falling out any more, I have same as I did from round 2, and my arm hair has stayed as well, the other areas toned down.  I still have long eyelashes and my eyebrows...maybe I'm just hairy??

Betterdays-  I would get the neulasta!  I was totally against it and didn't want it but it makes a world of difference, I didn't have it round 1 and my counts dropped to wbc 2 and lower and I felt like death.  Every round after I got it and haven't felt that weak and tired and near death...so It is worth it.  I had bone pain and muscle aches the first time even with Claritin, but these last two rounds none.   Only used Advil for the pains then and it was fine.  So I do think it helps and my counts have never been as low since.

Hoping they figure out a good plan for you and get that sucker out of there! 

I think it is interesting how many they use chemo first and then surgery and how many the other way....these are all so different. 

I have been wallowing the last two days as my MO said no scans for 2 years since diagnosis.  Just because I had a ct scan with questionable spots on my liver that we did not pursue at the beginning of this saga. So I sortof want to know what those are, but of course sortof don't incase they are cancerous...not likely of course, but the what ifs are killin me...I said I do want  a scan when he said that and he then said we will do whatever I want...I am just not sure what to do...CT is supposed to be pretty specific, MRI would be next but our friend, my PS said that nothing is definitive until biopsy.  Do I really want to biopsy the liver? 

I'm wondering how people know if metastasis without biopsy or is that the only way?  And I've heard of several people with spots on liver or lungs or elsewhere just as they get older...it's common supposedly....

What to do?

Gosh, so much going on!  I'll weigh in on Neulasta...I'm doing neupogen, and I was told that I will have to do my usual 2 shots after the last chemo.  I was peeved until I remembered...flu going around, and I work in a school.  I'll just stick myself those last 2 times.

Lisa SP, cute hair!  One of these days I'll get up a post of my fuzz.

congratulations on last chemo, clickchick!

BetterDay I did not take neupogen nor neulasta after my last taxol treatment. I am also TNBC and did neo adjuvant chemo we are almost on the same schedule I was dx on 9/5 and started ac first on 9/16 and then switched to Taxol last chemo was 12/23 and ultrasound showed no sign of the tumor now I am getting ready for the DIEP procedure on next week. I am praying that your last chemo get rid of whatever is looming

WOW!! Today is a pink letter day!! My pathology report from surgery came back this afternoon. There were lots of dead cancer cells, but ZERO live ones anywhere!! We KCA'd like Champions!! Thank you, everyone, for your love, prayers, and support!! This was the best possible report!!

Say it with me now... WE KICKED CANCER'S ARSK!! WE KICKED CANCER'S ARSK!! WE KICKED CANCER'S ARSK!!!

betterday,  get the Neulasta shot. You will regret it if your counts drop and you catch something or get an infection. With flu season raging, you need all the help you can get to stay healthy. 

Love the hair pics. Mine is coming in, but not enough for a good pic yet. 

Lots of catching up on the posts here. Glad everyone is hanging in there. We are all warriors!!  

KJ!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooooooo happy for you!!!!! That is amazing news!!!! HELL YEAH!!! 

I've had a great day too. I started a fundraiser to get my sister down here for my BMX as well as my exchange surgery. I figured what the heck? Might as well try to get both trips funded, couldn't hurt. I didn't have high hopes. We got the entire thing funded -and then some- in 13 hours. Never, ever in my life did I ever think that something like that would happen. I didn't anticipate getting the entire thing funded at all, let alone that quickly! I have no words to describe how it makes me feel - and you guys of all people should know how wordy I am LOL. I know I have said in the past that the majority of my support is via online, and a lot of the time it is a less than ideal situation, but this time it really paid off. Word spreads fast on the internet and my friends sure helped that along. I need to do a bit of re-figuring (I just shot an amount out there) but I think we should be able to fund her trips in their entirety! It is so amazing and I feel so very blessed!

Clickchick: well, since my sister's trip is paid for, I guess I am committed to the BMX now, huh? LOL. I am so glad that I am not the only one that is so back and forth. It is maddening! I actually printed off a list of the reasons that I want to do this and it is hanging on my fridge. I think it helps to have reminders. And positives, not negatives. Xanax is great and all, but I am relying on cookies. I have made three different batches in the last week and also had surgery during that time lol. I am never going to lose this chemo weight, but there are going to be a lot of happy homeless people on Tuesdays and maybe even Thursdays if I keep it up lol. I have to give them away or I will eat them all.  

Audra & LHL: good to know about the lumps. Why don't doctors tell you this stuff?! All my tissue around where my incisions are is hard and feels like a huge lump. I *think* this is normal so maybe that is something along the same lines? 

mamastewart,  That is great news!!!

Mercedes, you can do this! Make those plans!! Attitude is everything in this. Getting through chemo was the hardest mental game of my life. Surgery is a cake walk compared to chemo. 

Everyone, thank you for all your prayers of support and friendship! So grateful that I found this group of KICK-ARSK women who are dealing with so much and yet are such warriors balancing the war on cancer with family, work, and the ins and outs of everyday life.  We are like mighty redwoods who can withstand the harsh weather and fierce winds because we bend a little and because our roots are weaved together to support one another. 

clickchick - I laughed at your post.  I know it's not funny.... believe me - I had the same thoughts.  I knew my boobs were basically poisonous (BRCA+) and they had to go.... but I loved them being touched and I nursed both of my kids with them and just... ACK!  Honestly the thoughts were worse than reality.  Maybe the first time Hubby and I have sex after all of this nonsense I'll freak out, but right now it's all good.  I wasn't even upset the first time I saw myself, and I get upset over everything!!!

KJ - I already told you this, but THAT IS FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That is the path report that we all dream of.  Way to show cancer who is boss!!!!  Too bad it doesn't get you out of rads, though.  Hmph.  Are you sprung yet, or still in lockdown?

Audra - I had some mysterious tiny spots on my liver, too, when I had a CT scan.  I'm choosing to ignore them.  My SO said they were too small to even biopsy at that point, so they will just compare them with another scan somewhere down the line.  Honestly I would hide under my covers every day if I had to worry about everything abnormal on my body.  I'm 40 years old... those spots could be ANYTHING so I've decided they are NOT cancer!  

mamastewart - WOOHOO on the fundraiser!  That is fantastic!  I'm so glad your sister is going to come help you, AND that her trip(s) is paid for.  What a relief!  I agree - if you've made up your mind on the bmx, just do it.  You don't want it hanging over your head for another year or two and then have to go through yet more procedures!

My mysterious lump is still there.  I'm trying not to poke and prod it.  Obviously that won't tell me what I want to know.  LOL   See SO and PS tomorrow.  Would love to get these 2 drains out, but the one went from 15cc for 3 days to 20cc and then 30cc yesterday.  Ughhhhhhhhhhh.  I won't be surprised if I come home tomorrow night still with at least one drain.  Almost 3 weeks, are you kidding me?!??!  I hope they can at least do my first fill.  

My rads consult was moved up from Feb 6 to next week.  Yikes.  Hope that doesn't mean I'm starting sooner.  I want more time to get filled AND to work on my arm... I still can't lift it above my shoulder.  I'm going to give RO's info to my PS tomorrow and tell him HE needs to talk to him about giving me time.  LOL

We'll be traveling this afternoon, then appts tomorrow, then driving home, so have a good couple of days ladies.  Congrats on anyone finishing chemo!  We are warriors!!!!!!!!!!!

KJ- That is AWESOME!!!  SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

Mamastewart! What an awesome outpouring of love for you from your friends!  You are truly blessed!  AND to have a sister to come help!  That is something I would've loved through this!  Honestly the BMX is the easiest, the chemo was the worst, you will do fine and be amazed!!!

LHL- Thank you for saying you had spots too!  I get paralyzed with fear about every month regarding those spots...someone on another thread had them as well...makes me feel better...plus I have had 3 separate DR's say they are not a concern, but still I can get carried away in my mind...I really need to control myself!  The fear is NOT helpful.

Hoping your drains can come out soon!  On that note, I got mine out after 7 days, but then developed a seroma in one side...that had to be drained and then it came back...so maybe it's good to keep them in longer...

Betterday- Glad you got the shot- hope that keeps you feeling well

Mercedes- I agree with KJ, BMX is cakewalk compared to the chemo!  REALLY!