October 2013 Chemotherapy

Hey ladies.  I had bad neuropathy in feet & face & fingertips.  I am almost 5 mos pfc. Mine got better at about 4 mos.  A couple of weeks ago I lost 2 toenails.  None of mine went black.  I was taking a bath & noticed my nail bed was white, nail came off, new nail was under it so nothing gross to deal with.  But it was a surprise. 2nd one same thing. Fingertip feeling is much better & facial neuropathy is gone.  It just takes a LONG time.  Recovery they say is 2-4 years. Any lingering se's at the 1 yr from last rad will be more than likely permanent. So we all have a long way to go. I have been having chemo like symptoms the last few days.  Queasy stomach, watery eyes, losing eyelashes, bowels just not feeling well. fatigue. I've just been pushing through it. Hoping tomorrow will be better.

Boy, it's a good thing we have this forum or I would be at the doctor for every little thing. It is good to read here that things are "normal". Although my side effects were not as bad as many on here it is 5 months and the pain in my legs and feet makes it hard to walk some days. The digestive issues and fatigue are still there too. My hair is not growing as fast (still less than an inch) but I don't mind that as much as the neuropathy and fatigue. This is strong stuff boy since I only had one dose and still feel the SE. eesh. Good to hear it goes away eventually.

Glad everyone pulled through. You are a strong bunch of women.

So just when my memories of the Big Girl Chair were starting to fade, I have to go back to the MO tomorrow for an infusion of Zometa for bone density (Tamoxifen can cause bone loss and I already have osteopenia).  This will be a twice a year infusion as long as I am on Tamoxifen.  When I agreed to this plan, I completely underestimated my level of anxiety going back to the infusion chair -- I am sitting here contemplating whether to root around in the shoebox down in the cupboard to see if I have any Ativan left.  

Wrenn & two -- I have been having digestive issues too -- mine run more to the big C, and then I seem to have some fissures that crop up.  I have been thinking it was the Tamoxifen, but now that I read your posts I think I will ask the MO if I am still dealing with post chemo SE stuff.

I had some mild neuropathy in my middle toes for about two months pfc, but it suddenly just went away.  My MO had said nearly all of his patients are over the neuropathy by 6 months pfc.  

Recently some friends took some snapshots of me, and I was shocked to see how BC has aged me -- seems like I got 10 years older in 6 months.  Don't know why it is so much less obvious in the mirror than it was in the photos.  Maybe when my hair is back to normal length I will look more like myself.

Aw Kim, My heart sunk for you hearing what you are dealing with now with the fear of going back. I hope you find the ativan.  That taxotere is evil. My neuropathy is pretty bad and both internist and GP agree it is post chemo. Chemo (one dose) was in Nov. and this pain began around Feb. I still have periodic watery eyes and nose and fatigue. The fatigue might be related to thyroid because I just tested high TSH. Physician said it could be chemo related. I feel somewhat better than just after having infusion but certainly not back to normal at nearly 5 months out. I can't imagine what you people who endured full treatment are going through. eesh. 

Hopefully it will turn out ok Kim. Take care.

I wanted to second uds17's post above! xoxo

I haven't been on here much either and when I have, it's been to visit the Spring rads thread. But, I'm so glad to read that you ladies are doing well. Thank you for the support along the way.

I never thought I'd be able to say this but this week is 6 weeks PFC for me! I'm in the middle of rads right now which is going okay. I'm feeling much better these days, lingering fatigue which seems to be made worse by the rads. 

Here's to sunny, spring days ahead!

lgk, hi! I think what helped me bringing my energy back is the vitamin B12 I am taking and maybe stop taking the anti depressant the MO gave me for fatigue that made me so sleepy it was hard to move. Oh! The diet Citrus  green Tea is helping with energy as well. 

About the weight: i lost the first 10 lbs too and got stuck. I am now doing a no  carbs, no meats, no sugars, no alcohol diet. Very little milk, just in my coffee. I am reading the book 'Eat to Live' that a friend read and he lost 10 lbs in a week! He has diabetes and needed to do something with his weight. He is doing something more extreme: no oils and no dairy. I am using oils in my salads. I will let you know what happens but I see My face looks less puffy now!

uds ... congratulatiolns!  That's wonderful.  You've made a difference for many women.  Thank you.

Pam, kcat, syrmom, wrenn - thank you! ! 

I hope you're all feeling good! 

xoxo 

hope everyone is doing ok!  I did the race for the cure few weekends ago and walked in honor of all you ladies!  

lgkj Great pics!!!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Yes! We are all around that time! I started chemo one year ago Sept 24, last Wed. My last Herceptin is Oct 14. Yay!!!!

The date that bothered me this July, a year ago finding the lump & knowing it was cancer. I went & got a fuck cancer tattoo for that cancerversary.

And I had the surgery date this Aug, one year since lumpectomy when I wrongly thought all I would need was that quick surgery & rads. But then was told there was lymph node involvement as well as no clean margins so that meant chemo, mastectomy & rads and found out about HER2. I had a few glitches at first. 

But we got through it!!!

Hi Ya Gals,

Yes yes Oct 7th  one year ago was my start with chemo as well.  When is our true one year anni? 

Love you gals  

Pink is in )

PS. I am walking for us ladies/gents in two weeks Strides for Life and tomorrow doing volunteer work for Reach to Recovery for the AC Society.

Furfriend2