Calling all TNs

Add me to the list with eye issues.  I have been wearing glasses since age 40.  During and after chemo my vision seemed to be getting worse.   I had developed cataracts in both eyes. MO said that Chemo did not cause the cataracts but possibly caused them to advance faster than they would have without it.  So at the age of 53 I had eye surgery.  I still wear bifocals for astigmatism  and to read fine print.  But I can drive again at night and not be afraid.

Happy 50th Sugar!!! Wishing you many, many more happy years!!!!

Yes Sugar Happy Happy Birthday and I agree with GUYGIRL. Congrats on the 5 0 and the big 5

happy birthday Sugar ! Always happy for birthdays now and 50 that's a special one!

I'm joining the 'bung eyes club' too...and the 'arthritis brigade' also. 

Seems chemo has caused nothing but problems for our eyes.  Apparently my tear duct is now inverted and pressed up against the eye ball. This makes the natural tears that lubricate the eyes run down my left cheek which looks like I am crying only on one side. It's either than or I have to keep wiping it with a tissue and then it gets sore.  The water also runs down my nose and causes it to block, which then goes down my throat and makes me cough.   The only thing they can do is to put a probe down it to unblock it but there is no guarantee it will last for long so there is no  point really even if I wanted it done.  (It's just the thought of the probe in my eye) yuk.  I don't think my eyesight has deteriorated but I wear bifocals anyway but you can hardly see they are bifocals, the line is so very faint.

Just something else we have to put up with ladies but I guess it's a small price to pay.   

Hi....39, years old at dx.

TN, IBC, BRCA pos. 12 rounds taxol, 4 rounds AC- just did number 2 yesterday. How I hate AC. Surgery this summer, rads then recon later.

Cancer sucks. Life is great.

Jos, Hi, so sorry you are going through this. I too am IBC, TN, we get the "booby" prize I guess! Just know you are not alone. And you can  win this fight, you can do it. stay positive. Meadow

Jos, hang in there. AC is rough, but you'll get through it. Taxol was not as bad for me. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can do this!

meadow, your "meadow" sounds beautiful and peaceful. Glad you have that place.

thank you Lisa, Boston.

Maggie, just had some testing today so I know the feeling!

Meadow, sounds lovely just like your name.  Nature is my sanctuary also.

I paraphrased for my signature. Here is the poem in its entirety:

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things 
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

Hello Ladies,

I have recently posted elsewhere on this website which is new to me - still trying to find my way around:-).  I was diagnosed with TN in January 2014 at the atypical age of 66, and have just had my second of 13 weekly Taxol treatments (details in signature).  Didn't really get sick with AC - just slowed me down a bit, but about a week after finishing the AC got some pesky SE - mouth too sore to eat (Miracle Mouth Wash and time eventually fixed that), some troublesome skin issues (steroid mousse cream from my derm helped a lot with that), and most pesky of all - lost one big toe nail and other one not lookin' so good, but hanging in there.  I am determined to do any and everything I can to prevent more nail loss or prevent or lessen neuropathy from the Taxol.  On the advice of my onc's office, I am using ElastoGel cyrotherapy (frozen slippers and gloves) while the Taxol is being administered.  Also using tea tree oil on nails.  Are there any other tips out there??  Did anyone else use cyrotherapy in any form (eg, frozen peas, or ice chips), and if so was it successful in preventing nail loss and neuropathy? 

Thanks so much!

Adagio - Thank you for this feedback!!  I think I will give acupuncture a try - you are not the first person I've heard say this.  I've never tried it before and the idea of more needles is not too appealing but I'm also paranoid about the neuropathy.  Thank you again!!

mom mom, I also did icing during taxol(dose dense) and have no neuropathy in my hands and minimal neuropathy in 1 toe on L foot (weird I know, just one toe, maybe didn't keep that toe cold enough when icing). Nails stayed great and are even real hard now. Also took L glutamine during taxol and vit B6 and biotin. Don't know if it helped but it couldn't hurt.