Starting Chemo in December 2013

^^This is why I got attitude at MDA I guess.  Grade 3 and node involvement meant chemo first to them.  But, my doctors didn't offer MRI or anything before surgery to see what nodes if any were involved.  They said they would know everything after the surgery in the pathology report.  Doesn't matter now lol!  It is what it is ladies and I think we will be fine either way.  But- my immediate reAction was get this off my body.  I did both and MDA onco and BS gave me attitude about that too!  My first days there were awful!  Lots of tears thinking I screwed myself before I even got started. I know better now.  Pisses me off they were like that.  Too intellectual and not social at all- nerds lol!  But those nerds will make me better.  I love my radiologist onco though!  At least one of them is smart with personality;). I have a local reconstruction dr so I won't have to go back for that!!  

So so so nervous about FAC y'all!  I'll be fine just gotta suck it up.  Wonder if I will get different meds for nausea since taxol meds aren't strong.  Just thoughts:). Keep me up lol!

Jodi, I'm not at MDA. My BS and MO are affiliated with a local hospital abut 25 miles away. My MO was one of the founders of a rather large cancer center here, but decided that he didn't want to be part of such a large center. He has 3 other oncologists practicing with him so it's a smaller practice. He's a really smart guy and has done a ton of research, been published in several journals, etc. but still a pretty down-to-earth guy. He probably thinks I'm crazy with my binder that I bring with me every time. At least I have my SEs summarized for each cycle, and I try to keep my questions at 10 per visit. He just smiles and looks at my husband as if to ask, "Is she like this at home, too?" Yes, I am. So he goes over all of my numbers, checks me and asks if I am having this SE, that SE, etc. and waits for my questions. At least he always remembers to pat me on the knee and smile at my husband again before he leaves!

I could travel 100 miles either way for a large university hospital, but I really like my BS, and he referred me to this MO. My PS works a lot with my BS so I hope I'm where I should be.

southernbling-my nails are tender to the touch and feel like they are pulling apart from nail but can't see it. MO told me to put tea tree oil on them. That is a strong smell. I keep glossy clear/tinted polish on fingernails and they are growing and look good. I read somewhere that polish helps. My big toenails are turning black, Mo said I would probably lose them. I painted them red and decided to not see it and be in denial

Jodi- You will feel better after your first FAC and know what to expect. I'm doing TAC and I was so nervous about adrymician but most of my se have come from taxotere. no se from cytoxen

Sorry about you girls suffering with neuropathy. Cancer sucks

I go for TAC #5 tomorrow. I so dread it but will be glad to check it off the calendar. My last chemo will be 3/31. This is my last month of chemo!!!! 4-6 weeks of rads after that

Jodi- I was given different meds for AC,  for me it was a totally different experience, I felt much worse but still had good days on the tail end of treatment, they really are completely different.  Lots of different meds for nausea, oh I feel for you going into this journey, and you know what you may be just fine, a lot of the gals on here tolerated it well, they reduced my dose after the first treatment because I was so sick. like didn't get out of bed for 11 days, I knew I wouldn't survive chemo if that's what is was going to be.  we all had different experiences..you should read back in the posts, most of us had ac first.  hang tuff girl you got this

When I get the muscle pain from neulasta, I take 3 advil every 6 hours around the clock and tramadol helps alot. Heating pad helps also and if all that doesn't work. Take something and try and sleep thru it

Finally figured out how to get a pic on here. Wearing a Rachel Welch wig in that one. I have 4 wigs now that I alternate.

just an update. I am receiving my 5th treatment of TC right now--1 more to go and then finished! When does one get a PET scan after treatment? A couple months? How do they assess the treatment success? Thanks!

Joan

Charusa - did you take Claritin before and after the neulasta? It really seems to help a lot of women reduce the bony pain that it gives.  The taxol pain is different doubt the Claritin helps that. 

Hope you find some relief. 

Barbara 

joan- My MO says since my nodes were clear and I saw yours are too. They do a mammo between chemo and radiation only

Nails and tea tree oil. My MO said the nails get damaged under the skin so put tea trea oil on your cuticles. It helps them as they grow out. It's a taxotere thing

Feeling fine after chemo today!

Congrats to all who are finishing/finished!! You made it!!! Time for whatever your next steps may be. 

My legs feel heavy on the Taxol too. Just walking up the stairs feels like I have done squats or lunges all day. They are shaky by stair #16. Guess that is why handrails were invented. The extra 10 pounds I have gained is not going to come off anytime soon. Every time I put on shoes, sometimes just standing up, brings on the stupid neuropathy. I just keep saying "when the chemo is done......"

Kim-I hope you get your last chemo this week. Check it off the list!

Kimmie-I get blood every time I blow my nose which I blow several times a day but haven't had any full on nose bleeds

Feeling good day after chemo. Thinking of going to a yoga class but worried it may make me sick at my stomach by getting that chemo flowing thru my blood.

Heavy legs were an issue for me after TX #3. They still bother me sometimes, but mostly when I walk for a while. I am one month PFC today. I had a dream last night that I had a full head of hair...and it was brown! Wishful thinking

I had some nose bleed issues, too, but also have allergies, so that didn't help. Never enough to be concerned about. I think the low platelets are the culprit.

Kim, good luck on your LAST chemo!

Holli, I hope all goes well with your Taxol TX.

RO appt on Friday.

Kimmie,  I have the same problem.  MO said I have Ulcerated areas from all the dripping. I try to keep it moist with a humidifier and petroleum Jelly.  Nothing works.  I'm going to buy stock in Kleenex!

RHGSR, Good luck on first Taxol.  You can do it!

Leealice, I work out regularly.  Spin, extreme pump (minus extreme these days), yoga and walks.  It never makes me feel worse but always makes me feel better.  It wakes me up for a few hours too!

Kim, Last chemo.  Woohoo!!!!! I have 38 days until my last!

Kimmie, I have a dry nose these days .  Mostly.  Not so drippy, but it has dried blood as well.  Jodi, good luck to you.  You to Hollie.  try not to overthink this new process.  It is a necessary evil that will pass before you know it.  Sending you both peace and hug.  You will both do great.  The unknown will soon be known and much less scary.  My mo office called today and said they wanted to change my last chemo appointment to Tuesday instead of Monday because my mo wouldn't be there.  I told them that I couldn't do Tuesday.  My sister was taking the day off to take me on Mon.  They switched me from seeing my mo to the nurse practitioner.  Monday is my "Yay day." not Tuesday.  I have it on my calendar.  That got me all frazzled.  Do they have any idea how much we look forward to putting this behind us? Now I will be starting 3 hours earlier so it will be over even sooner.   Good luck and be strong everyone.

Jodi and holli, thinking of you and good luck for tomorrow. The first one is always nerve breaking, but soon you will have all these behind you. You can do it! Mikesgirl, completely understand what you mean, great that you will be done earlier next week. Take care.

Kimmie, my nose is also dry and stuffed in the morning. There is dry mucus with some blood, but no more than that. 

Does anyone experience problem with eyesight? I wear glasses. My eyesight just got bad quickly in the last a couple of months. It gets worse when I am tired - chemo or aging?  I am not sure if I should get new glasses if this could get better after chemo. 

RHGSR & Jodi - Hugs to you both and I hope that you two have an easy time with any SE's.

Leealice - I hear yoga helps with SE's.  I ordered a BC yoga cd online, just came in the mail today.  I am hoping the stretching will help with my sore muscles.

Keepthefaith - Hope your RO appt. goes well.  Keep us posted.  

Mikesgirl - Good for you for making them keep your last chemo date.  Will you be doing rads?

J4DC - My eye sight has gotten worse on chemo.  I use reading glasses, but think that I probably could wear glasses all of the time now.  

jackieak - What number Taxol are you on?   I am sorry you're counts are down, so frustrating.  I hope you get good news tomorrow.  

Kim