Starting Chemo in December 2013

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  • kjfromca
    kjfromca Member Posts: 283
    edited April 2014

    Hi ladies,

    Mikesgirl - I used the aloe this afternoon.  My skin feels fine.  I will try aquaphor tonight' after I slather with the aloe.  It must work, or they wouldn't recommend that we use it.  Don't forget to put the aloe and aquaphor on your back too.

    DJJ - I had a lot of leg pain from the taxol.  I am 4 weeks out tomorrow and it comes and goes,  today it's gone....  I want you to know that I am really sorry that you have to go back on chemo for the 4 low douses.....  You have to do this (Unless your MO changes her mind) so that you will have peace of mind when you are finished with treatment.  You will know that you have done everything possible to fight this bitch.  You will prevail!

    Kim

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited April 2014

    Congrats on port removal Leealice.

    I have #7 rads under my belt. I see my RO once/wk. They took images today before TX. RO said everything looks good. He said the rest of my breast tissue will start healing while I am doing my boosts. The boosts are actually less radiation to a smaller area. So far, so good!

    DJJ, yes, I think a lot of us had achey legs for a while after chemo. Sry you have to go back again. Between my 3rd an 4th, I went to visit my Mom for a week and it was very difficult to do the last one. I did convince my MO to reduce my taxotere by 20% for my last TX, though. I finally told myself that I should be thankful that I have the option to have the treatment that is offered me and that helped me get over it...still no fun, I know!

    missy, I think the pains are normal. Hot showers helped me with aches and pains in my neck and back.

    Hang in there, ladies!

     

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2014

    I feel like I will never finish:(. Next one is April 23rd- if I can get to that one I'll be so excited about one left I think I can pjs through.  I know I need every bit of medicine they can give me.  Being 3c, I want it all, but soooooo over this.  I  am ready for the next step.  Wel, still have a little over a month to go for chemo and even more until rads 

    I can't said untily hair comes back.  My bald head gets sweaty on my pillow.  I also look sick when I look in the mirror.  Eyebrows are almost all gone.  I look better when I color them in.  Immediate difference.  Lashes are still there on top for now.  And, I haven't lost my arm hair  and still have a little stubble I shave each week on my legs.  Fun!  Wish that hair would go lol!

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited April 2014

    Hey Ladies

    I had all my mapping and markings done yesterday for rads....

    So I was offered  a chance to take part in a clinical study, right now my treatment plan would be to have the 5 weeks of treatment then 5 boosts. so 6 weeks in total, the study is to do the boosts and the radiation at the same time for a total of 3 weeks, which is all great and wonderful the shitty side is, you go into a pool and are randomly drawn for this trial, so its not a guaranteed thing, AARGGHH why tell someone they could potentially be done in three weeks if they cant guarantee it !! so here I sit trying to make this decision on whether or not to say yes.... and then find out its still going to be the 6 weeks.  FRIG

    We are allowed to use deodorant here, funny how things are different from place to place.  They do say however unscented creams and lotions etc.

    I am almost 4 weeks out from my last chemo and still pretty sleepy and my legs just don't want to work sometimes... they aren't sore, but just weak, like going up flights of stairs etc or even coming down them sometimes my knee will give out a bit, I am pretty sure I have lost all muscle mass that I once had as I didn't do eff all while having treatments, my own fault.Devil

    DJJ  it does totally suck the situation you are in, no ifs and or buts about it.  But you can do it !!! you are strong.

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited April 2014

    just interested in those doing or getting ready to start RT are you being positioned on your back or stomach? Our center started a few months ago doing the breast RT prone, lying on your stomach with breast hanging down.  RO feels the lungs and heart get less exposure in this position. I am happy since mine is on the left where heart is more at risk of exposure to the radiation. 

    Off to taxol #9 at noon. Sounds closer to the end saying  17/20 th week of chemo. Best to those still having chemo this week. 

    Barbara

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    okay ladies - headed to DD Taxol #3. Praying for no reactions. Wish me luck!!

    Missy- around days. 3-6 after infusion I have severe Bon and joint pain with the Taxol. 

    Rocking the bald today for chemo. Even put on a little makeup. 

    Took my girls to their 2nd counselor session. They made dolls and were given some medical supplies so they could pretend to give chemo to their dolls. Then that got to pretend on me. These sessions are so awesome. They are free and called Wonders and Worries.  I think they are based through American Cancer Society. 

    image

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    in your pocket today Barbara and all who are in the chair today. 

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  • kjfromca
    kjfromca Member Posts: 283
    edited April 2014

    Thinking of you ladies heading off to chemo today.  One more out of the way ....

    Barbara I am on my back during rads.  I had a mx and am getting my chest wall, clavical radiated.  I don't think this would be possible to get lying on my stomach.  Good option if possible.

    Kimie - 3 weeks would be nice to get through rads.  What are they saying about potential SEs?   I am assuming they are expecting the outcome for the 3 weeks with boosts to be the same as the 6 week.  This is starting to sound like chemo, douse dense vs. weekly.  Good luck 

    Kim

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited April 2014

    good luck with your chemo today ladies.

    love the photo, Holli! What a great way to help your kids through this process. Praying that you get through today with no reactions.

    My rads are on my back; tumor was close to my chest wall.

    going to #8 in a bit. My girl was showing a little blushy pink this morning, but feeling fine.

    ((HUGS))


     

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited April 2014

    Hollie, 

    you are rocking the bald look.  I am getting the white fuzzies now all over, north and south! LOL

    Packing a picnic lunch for my friend and I to eat at the CTC.  chicken or ham salad sandwiches, broccoli salad and pasta salad. was going to bring two slices of a pineapple cake I baked yesterday. But I think we have enough without it.  

    Best to you all,  Barbara

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  • Lisaj514
    Lisaj514 Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2014

    holli- looking beautiful today! Sounds like a great program for the girls. good luck today! {{{hugs}}}.

    My #3 went well, yours will too!

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited April 2014

    off to the chair as well, #9... I'm getting allot of pain in neck, shoulders, back and today my knees throb.  Over the counter stuff doesn't help much may need to start taking the real drugs soon.

    I did find a massage therapist who specializes in cancer patients so I am anxious to see her Saturday, I so miss my massages, and now it sounds wonderful to help relieve these pains.  My thumb joints are hurting as well...I work allot on my computer but I assume this is the taxol at work as well.

    Looking ahead, keep thinking of my travel plans to get me through this....

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    in your pocket Jackie. Wishing you the best!!

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    Last post I promise ... About to dose off. 

    Getting chemo right now. Took Xanax and then had IV Benadryl. Now I need a cocktail :0). Anyone Wanna run me a margarita up here. :0) ha ha!! Just kidding. 

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited April 2014

    I've lost my taste for my beloved margarita long ago...I just hope it returns someday! Miss those things....get er done!  Thinking of you all!

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  • missy6758703
    missy6758703 Member Posts: 218
    edited April 2014

    image

    I asked for a Bloody Mary on monday with my 10th round.....couldn't get anybody to bring me one!! :)  I told them it was nutritious if they added enough veggies!! 

    Holli.....gorgeous!

    Good luck to everybody today! My pain is a little less today, but still hurting in my shoulders and neck....hard to sit here and work all day.

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  • oranje_mama
    oranje_mama Member Posts: 260
    edited April 2014

    Missy, love the cartoon!

    To everyone in the chair today, hoping it goes well.  One more down!

    This is my first Thursday NOT in the chair since Dec. 19th.  I switched over to a 3-week dose of Herceptin with my last chemo last week.  I don't know what to do with myself this week!  Not a single appointment. Ha.

    I'm still feeling very crappy from last chemo (this is Day 8 for me).  For some reason, nausea is really bad this time.  Took compazine yesterday, thinking I may take one now too.  Taste buds still gone.  Fingers hurt - some of my fingernails look a little iffy, I hope they make it.  It hurts to type.  I am so weak.  Swam 1250m yesterday, felt like a huge accomplishment.  Walked a mile today, winded going up a tiny little incline.  I still ache all over- not just legs.  If I put my hands on my hips, my wrists and forearms hurt.  WTF?!!  Prickly, peeling feet from the hand & foot syndrome.  Endless taxotears.  Sometimes I'm too lazy to dab them with the tissue and just let them run down my face, leaving tear tracks. By 8:30pm when I put my girls in bed, I'm done too.  But then I toss and turn half the night.

    I haven't seen my parents since Dx in November.  I will be seeing them next week - I can tell they are under the misconception that I will bounce back right away - keep trying to manage their expectations.  

    The thing with chemo is that you just can't really it know how much it sucks until you go through it.  No one wants to think about how awful this is.  And at this point, I'm keeping it mostly to myself.  Everytime I speak with someone at work they ask me how I'm feeling - I always say "fine" "alright" "hanging in there" and change the topic. 

    Thank God for this board where we can rant away!  Thanks for the listen, ladies :).  

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    orange - I get that impression from a lot of people. I had on girl nice enough to ask me if the fatigue goes away as soon as I have my last chemo. I'm glad she asked because I was able to post on my blog some info about it. That is my biggest fear is that everyone will expect me to be automatically back to normal after the last one.  If you'd like I can post what I wrote here? Let me know. I'm a nurse so there are some medical reasons I was able to put in there as well. 

    Great cartoon missy!!

    30 more minutes and I only have one more left !! Woo-Hoo!!

    Still not excited for the pain that's gonna hit in a few days though. 

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited April 2014

    image

    RHGSR- praying!!!  You got this!

    Oranje- you took the words literally out of my mouth!!  "hanging in there"- my comeback choice.  What would they do of you just said.... Well... I'm not sleeping, I can't taste a lot of my favorite stuff, I haven't had a drink since November  and they tell me only on special occasion now:(  lost my hair here there and everywhere. My legs feel like a ran a marathon, but my body looks like I haven't work out in years.  Oh- you gotta go!  Ok! I'm "hanging in there" didn't mean to frighten you or make you worry!  Lol!!!!

    Rad Chicks-  good luck!  Tell me everything!  It is like a Christmas morning that won't come for me;). 

    I started a blog.

    Http://cheerforjodi.blogspot.com. 

    It just started though.  I'm going to try to but my best FB post on there this week.  Hugs and love ladies!!  

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    I can't believe it!! I've made it through 7 chemos since Decenber!! One more to go!!  So excited I can't contain myself !!

    On my way to have a burger then home to crash !!

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    orange- where did you get that cartoon? I'm dying to share it. 

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    orange- this may have already posted but I'm a little out of out it...where did you get that cartoon? I wNt to share it it. 

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited April 2014

    Kim - Re the side effects of the medical trial, its more of the skin that they want to monitor, and see if they can start to reduce the amount of time women have to be on rads especially with travel etc.

    Holli - you look beautiful

    I too am on  my back for rads, arms over my head.

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  • Lisaj514
    Lisaj514 Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2014

    missy, oranje, holli, Jodi- yup with everything you all said!!! Feel the same way with putting up a good front, protecting the parents (will see my mom this weekend for the first time since nov), "hanging in there" my favorite phrase but nothing can actually explain what this is all about unless you are in this damn club! But thank you for all putting into words what I can't sometimes. You are all awesome!

    You made it holli! Everything went well I assume...burger here you come! 

    One more for me too!!!. My mo said 1 month before starting rads and next visit (4/21) we'd talk about getting port out. I want it out within that month waiting for radiation to start. Hope that doable.

    Talking about our cape cod trip in June (will have to,leave early due to radiation but I can still go) and I need to hear the healing sound of the ocean, feel the sun and sand....now!

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  • Mikesgirl17
    Mikesgirl17 Member Posts: 260
    edited April 2014

    Hi girls.  I'm on my back while doing rads. My recurrence was in the skin beside my implant so that was the only way to do it.  5 out of 25 today.  Skin is a little pink.  Praying for minimal skin damage.  

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    more pictures. I have enough energy from the steroids  to go to American cancer society and get my free wig. 

    image

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    here is a shirt I love. Not sure if anyone has posted this one before or not but thought if share. Don't know the lady wearing it. Man ... I'm on a posting frenzy today. Sorry 

    image

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  • oranje_mama
    oranje_mama Member Posts: 260
    edited April 2014

    great wig, Holli! Shirt is great too.

    I didn't post the cartoon, that was Missy! 

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    thanks Oranje

    Ugh- sorry for the name mix up. Chemo brain :0(

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited April 2014

    out with hubby celebrating wig and one more chemo to go. Probably shouldn't drink a glass of wine the same day I have chemo....?????

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