October 2013 Chemotherapy

Had my final taxol today so I guess I'm finished with chemo.  I am having a terrible time with itching.  I'm taking benadryl and it's helping a bit but still itching..  I wonder if it's the taxol.  I didn't start having this problem until a week ago and it has gotten progressively worse.  Just sick of the SE's from this chemo.  I'm in the minority but AC was a breeze compared to this.  My feet and sometimes my fingers tingle.  I am praying that this neuropathy goes away like they said it would.  I just finished my last chemo a little over 14 hours ago and already I'm nervous about the next step.  Can't do radiation so it's on to Arimidex and shots to shut down my ovaries.  

I had a chest CT scan prior to chemo in October and they saw a couple of nodules in my lung that was probably nothing but the radiologist suggested a follow up scan.  I had that Today.  I'm a little upset about this and I now realize that in the future any scan or test is going to make me think it's cancer.  I used to feel this way about mammograms, a sense of dread with my mind going places it shouldn't.  This is going to be happening for the rest of my life; the fear and anxiety that they didn't "get it all" or that chemo I'm taking now "to clean up any cells that might have been missed", didn't work like it should have or the hormone therapy doesn't work (I recurred on tamoxifen).  I'm sorry to ramble like this but you guys are the only ones that "get" this.  Everyone I talk to is congratulating me for "being finished", and I truly hope I am.  But I don't feel happy like I thought I would.  Maybe in 4 weeks or so the SE's will start to go away and I'll have more energy, I'll be happier.  But moving on and trying to get back to a "normal" life is going to be a challenge mentally.

Hope everyone is doing okay and hanging in there.

I'm sitting in the chair doing Taxol #9, asked about my nail on my thumb because the area by the cuticle is white and the nurse said to soak my nails in vinegar. I will try it and report the results. She said  the vinegar will help. She said that it is usually a fungus that is caused by the Taxol and that the vinegar helps. It's on the mayo clinics website. Google natural treatment for cuticle fungus. So glad #9 is in the books today, only 3 more to go. Everyone have a nice weekend!! Also the nurse said the benadryl causes the restless leg feeling during chemo.

Headeast Hope your surgery went well, and that is pretty crazy that you had to deal with  all the poor communication leading up to it

Pam thanks for the book recommendations, will look at them

2timer I have a good friend who did Taxol also and she had the itching from it--I hope it eases up for you.  She ended up needing a prescription from the MO for it, so don't hesitate to call yours if the itching is too much.  

I was supposed to get Taxol #3 today but I had a lot of neuropathy this past round and it still hasn't resolved fully so my MO wanted to postpone a week to give it more time.  She said if it isn't gone by next week we'll have to do a different chemo drug for my last 2 treatments that doesn't have as much risk for neuropathy.  I was disappointed to have to postpone chemo after having to postpone it once before but I understand that MO doesn't want me to end up with permanent neuropathy.  

headeast- sorry I didn't see post earlier.  I was allowed to drive after post op appt which was 4 days after surgery.  I took off for one week but prob could have used 2 weeks.  I had implant on one side and that was easy side.  Lift side is still sore after 2 weeks.   

The thing that is killing me right now is hot flashes from tamoxifen.  I can't sleep at night. Someone told me to change taking it from morning to night which I did yesterday so hoping that it helps.

Since I am back to work and done surgery it has been pretty tough getting back to "normal".  My emotions have been all over the place and look back on where I was 7 months ago.  It feels like a lifetime.  I swear the tamoxifen is making me super emotional.  On top of that I am in chemopause which is causing me to be crazy too!!

yeah I  freezing all day and sweating all night!!! I read that freezing can be from tamoxifen too which I didn't know.  I might have call MO regarding hot flashes.  She said if they were bad to call her and she can prescribe something.  Ugh!!!

Thank you all for the warm wishes.

I had my surgery yesterday. Checked in at 5.30am to start surgery at 8. They prepared me, interviewed me, etc. the conventional 7 people in the OR plus me. Left the hospital at 4pm.

The PS saw me and marked me, asked me if I wanted to go bigger than my TE and I said yes and for him to pick whatever implant was better.

My TE were at 325cc and he could not add more. My implants are Natrelle 20, 550cc and the muscle pain is terrible. I am taking OxiCodone every 4 hours and doesn't really help. The cuts don't hurt, just the muscle.

I am wrapped in a large bandage and I am supposed to stay that way until I see him on Tuesday. Only sponge baths without making bandage wet. Instruction says no lifting and if with OxiCodone, then no driving and not making important decisions.

I guess my PS didn't think I would have pain and be able to drive to work, but getting larger implants have made me have a LOT of pain. It is even hard to type.

Good luck for the ones getting surgery this coming week. I am positive this pain is worth it.

Lgk, I take Tamox at night and hot flashes are doable. Yes to being emotional from the Tamox. I am in chemopause too.

I am on the squishy side now! Yay!

Vivian, so good to hear from you! Still on Herceptin? How are you feeling?

VintageGal, I am so glad I can help. That is why I explained all my surgery day with detail. Pain is less severe now, I am feeling better faster than what I thought and it's been only 24 hours!

hi ladies. I am a month post chemo and have developed lymphedema in my right arm and hand. I am currently running a temp of 101.4 and I am not sure what to do. Also my left TE feels very painful. I am also in PT for my back. Tomorrow I see the BS and the  LE specialist. Should I just wait until then?

I agree, call today.  101.4 indicates possible infection somewhere.

Headeast

My herceptin is weekly thru 10/2014. I just finished my 5th TCH one more to go. I haven't been writing much these past few weeks TCh #4 and 5 were a bit rough on me and I felt like crap. I do come and read every few days but just no energy. It takes everything I have to take care of kids and work a few days a week. I cant wait  ....til I finish the last one. I want to start to feel normal and start being able to things with some energy.  Even though 6 weeks after last TCH comes one of the pills for the hormones.  My recon is not til the end of May and I want to be in much better shape by then.

How are you and  your squishys feeling?

Vivian

I confess...I did not call yesterday. My DH has supported me so
much through BC I felt at least I had to give him the superbowl! I saw
my BS today who immediately sent me to my PS. He gave me antibiotics,
the area is red, swollen and warm. If it does not go down in 24 hours he
will hospitalize me and put me on IV antibiotics. Possibility of TE
coming out and having nothing there for three months.ACK!!!!

Ladies
between my lymphedema, BC, complications with the TE, My dad dying of
stomach cancer in October, My uncle dying of lung cancer on Thursday, my
cup runneth over!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Special K!!!! This journey is something!

Thanks vintage. Have you seen a LE specialist? If not please do ASAP., the earlier the treatment , the easier it is to control.

SC, I hope it all goes well amd you get to keep the TE.

Vintage, I requested a prescription from my OS for a lymphedema specialist. I went to see her once a week and she helped me with the massages on my arm and chest. She did also exercises for the arms and extensions to the arms. When I started with her I didn't have full motion and couldn't move my arms ups. My arm was swollen but not something visible. The LE also prescribed a sleeve and glove. She measured my arm and prescribed a particular compression for my arm.