Starting Chemo in April 2014

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited May 2014

    Golfinggirl - you did have a rough day and I send you gentle hugs!

    Mikishelly - thanks for your inspirational post - I need that today - having a tough one here - just feeling so tired - Day 3 afternoon ughs.

    Footballnut - my bathroom is dirty - what time you arriving?

    Latisecannon - welcome

    Speaking of baldness - went to get the mail today with nothing on my head and my neighbor was outside and said - wow you got a nice head for an old girl LOL   She is about 90 herself and has no idea I have BC  - but she did make me smile.

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  • mikishelley
    mikishelley Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2014

    LatisseCannon - Welcome! This is a great group of ladies to lean on and listen to. 

    So ladies as I am nearing the end of my chemo I am now looking into my exchange surgery. It is coming up fast. I have had some issues with my tissue expanders, and I am now becoming a worry wart about the final exchange and some sort of "lap" work that has to be done. A few lil prayers would make me feel a whole lot better. 

    I am beginning the ritual bone pain after my Neulasta right now too. I took my own advice and went outside and enjoyed some sunshine, but it left me wanting more. I realize I miss my "life". Just wish I could remember exactly what my life was before. Oh well the hubby and I are going to find a funny movie to watch with our grandson. Have a good night ladies!

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited May 2014

    Mikishelley-woo hoo - almost done with chemo!! I envy being able to say that - all I can say right now is 1/3 done - sounds better than 4 more lol

    Just in case you don't know that it exists - here is an "exchange" thread 

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

    maybe you can find some comfort or help there with your concerns.

    I wonder if anything will ever really feel normal again?  I think we will all be finding a new normal - maybe a better normal?  I hope so for all of us

    I have felt not so great the last 24 hours - felt ok in the am yesterday but by the afternoon I had been visited by the dementors from Harry Potter and they are still with me - sucked all the joy and life out of me. I am running a slight temp - only 99 right now but I usually run low so a 99 is more like a 100 to me - keeping an eye on it. I will say on a positive note that my neuropathy does not seem to be as bad this time as the first time - hopefully that 15% reduction on my carbo will hold it at bay. Chemo just sucks ya'll!! Sending you all gentle hugs!

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  • MameMe
    MameMe Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2014

    Get lotsa rest, Linda. Chemo certainly does suck! Hope you feel better soon. 

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014


    Linda, I think the third afternoon is definitely the worst.  I was holding my own pretty darn well until yesterday afternoon too.  Ugh.  And next infusion, the third afternoon falls on a grand retirement luncheon for my boss which I must attend Scared.  Oh well.  I am just darn happy to know I am half way done now, with 3 more to go.  Hallelujah!

    Today I'm hoping to muster up the strength to participate in a NON GMO protest in front of my local mall.  I really believe all the pesticides in our foods have contributed to our cancers and want to do my part to hopefully educate some others about that.

    Hope everyone has a lovely Sat. and if we have SEs we need to pamper ourselves and stay proud, strong and inspired.

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited May 2014

    Good for you LongIsland!! I agree - I think the GMO's and all the crap that's in our cosmetics. I recently found this app "Think Dirty" that ranks the toxicity of what's in the cosmetics and personal care products. It is a database put together by a breast cancer research organization. I tried to shop at Target with the app and actually gave up, because almost everything is a "10" as in most harmful. Will try again sometime, but I think it's at least good to know. I am trying to educate my teenage daughters about it too, because although I don't have the BRCA gene, I think they are a higher risk now that I've had this, so hopefully they can do some preventative.

    Linda: Hope you're feeling better today!!

    Take care all!!!

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  • merg
    merg Member Posts: 61
    edited May 2014

    Hey Ya'll, Happy Memorial Day weekend. I just got up. Rough night.

    image

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited May 2014

    It is very upsetting, how adulterated our foods and cosmetics are.  My dil is a dr and very up on these things.  She bought soap from Whole Foods, thinking it would be safer.  Turned out that the soap had bacteria growing in it.  So rather than washing herself and her children with chemicals she was washing them with bacteria!  Hard to make your way in the world today!

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  • mikishelley
    mikishelley Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2014

    Linda 505 - I am right there with you. Every muscle in my body aches, my blood pressure is so low I have to have help getting back and forth to the bathroom and the bone pain kept me up most of the night. Sore throat and mild fever 99.9. Gotta keep an eye on that. Looks like a long day. I have spoke with some on various forums about the reconstruction, but you gals are "my group". I guess I'm most comfortable with you all.

    LongIsland - Good for you! I am so happy you are able to go! You must be one of the strongest ladies on here. I'm a little jealous, but I am very happy for you and grateful someone will STAND UP!

    Everyone else - I hope the day goes well! Tuesday group I know we are all feeling crappy so I'm mustering up my joyous sunshiny thoughts for all of us! 

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  • mikishelley
    mikishelley Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2014

    Golfingirl - Just read your post and I am sending you warm healing vibes. Don't ever forget our motto "die f#&@*^$# die" You too will make it through. This is another obstacle you will climb over! Warrior women like you will always succeed. 

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited May 2014

    merg - you are looking good for having a rough night.  I slept until noon today, so you were up before me!

    Soooo tired, with a slight temp, but sounds like I'm not the only one in this boat.  Hoping everyone feels better soon.

    Longisland - good for you, standing  for the causes you believe in, even when you're not feeling the best.

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  • mikishelley
    mikishelley Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2014

    My yahoo horoscope for today - interesting

    • You're fighting against something or someone -- and you may not understand exactly why you're so upset. Just go with it, because sometimes you need to see battles through to their logical conclusion.
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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited May 2014

    There is something I can only call the "life force" that is returning to me today.  The chemo sucks it right out but somehow, a miracle happens, and the body fights back.  I cleaned my kitchen!  I read a book!  I was interested in a tv show.  It's the life force returning!

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited May 2014

    great horoscope, mickishelley.  Glad your life force is returning, Timbuktu.  That's a great description.

    Realized I hadn't actually posted a baldie photo.  Cause, I'm still not bald.  I have fuzz on top that I can pull out, but so far doesn't come out on its own.  Very attractive!  I know I am not a beautiful baldie :) and that's ok - it's better than I thought it would be.  The brown spots are sun damaged areas that the chemo is actually shrinking.  The mutant right eyebrow is leftover from a previous skin graft.  

    image

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  • mikishelley
    mikishelley Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2014

    Sharon - I have the same hair problem those lil buggers just won't come out. I would love to have the fully bald look! LOL

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  • lilyrose53
    lilyrose53 Member Posts: 216
    edited May 2014

    Longisland - Good for you!  I am anti GMO and and anti Monsanto.  Sick of all the pesticide crap and genetic engineering of our food.  

    My dad always had a huge garden and grew organic before it was popular.  He had some of the most creative ways to keep pests at bay.  Learned it from his mother.  I had no idea how much I would miss eating straight from the garden!  Anyway I try to buy organic whenever possible.

    Merg - you look pretty darn good for someone who had a rough night!  Hope things get better soon!

    SharonDe - I haven't posted a baldy pic of myself yet.  Two reasons...one, I don't know how to (I'm technology challenged)...and my head is covered in baby fine fuzz!  I look ridiculous.  Trust me it's not an attractive look at my age.  Lol

    Here's hoping you all have a great weekend!  Hugs,  lilyrose

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    Well girls, thanks for the kudos, but unfortunately I didn't make it to the protest.  I was feeling like I might make it this morning, but then things took a downward turn and I just had to nap to escape the SEs.  A good friend did go, and I did my best to encourage my local facebook friends to go, or at least drive by and honk in support.  I am glad many of you mentioned your organic and non gmo lifestyles.  It's funny I had started the switch over about a year before my diagnosis and am now of course even more strict with what I buy and eat.  This chemo kind of makes it hard, but on good weeks I do well and intend to fully switch over as soon as the chemo is done.

    I am now convinced that days 3 and 4 are the worst.  And I am planning on feeling better tomorrow! I can sort of feel the gross chemo fog lifting this evening so hopefully I won't be disappointed tomorrow. 

    Sharon you are absolutely adorable.  And way to go on the chemo shrinking your sun damage.  Finally something good comes out of our misery, huh?

    I'm off to have a big bowl of unhealthy ice cream.  Chemo week anything goes.  Love you girls, hang in there!

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited May 2014

    You'll definitely feel better tomorrow.  And coincidentally I had a big old hot dog and french fries with ice cream for dessert before reading about the benefits of a low fat, plant based diet for cancer patients.  I'm glad I indulged but tomorrow will be a better day!

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  • clarrn
    clarrn Member Posts: 557
    edited May 2014

    Also finding today the hardest one yet.  Cranky for sure and my little one has been running a fever for 2 days.   All she wants is mom so I have donned a mask and am praying to escape the sickness.   I can feel my trunkal lymphedema kicking up again and it makes me discouraged.   Maybe ice cream is in order ;)  Onto a better day tomorrow ladies!

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  • Chicagoan200
    Chicagoan200 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2014

    Chin up! It is not that bad. Sleepy on the chemo day, but the rest of the week OK. You might not lose your hair after all. I am still in the first half. Good food and listening the body helps. 

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    Good morning! Just read this article and thought you all might like it as well. http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/don%E2%80%99t-believe-hype-%E2%80%93-10-persistent-cancer-myths-debunked.  As much as I embrace all the natural and organic opportunities to increase my health and wellness, it is sometimes daunting to hear all the negativities associated with conventional treatments, and this article just made me feel better.  The best advice I got was from a friend who said, "You've really just got to embrace both schools" which is what I'm trying to do.

    I have been up since 4am since my little friend Jack is afraid of fireworks and had to sleep with us last night.  He was ready to get up early today and I was on board with that.  Hoping for a great day of gardening and whatnot - really just normalcy, lol. 

    image

     

     

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited May 2014

    I've concluded that in a 3 week cycle, I have about 10 bad days and 11 good days, give or take. Not too bad. But on those bad days, it's hard to feel like it will ever get better. For those of you in the bad day cycle, it's okay to feel crappy and cranky and not leave the couch. Then when the good days come, take advantage! Yesterday was a beautiful day and I did some "normal" errands and got a massage. Today I'm going for a gentle hike with a friend. And just a few days ago I was wondering if I would ever feel healthy again.

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  • merg
    merg Member Posts: 61
    edited May 2014

    I agree with ya'll. I woke up feeling a little better. 4 days post 2nd treatment. My scalp still is sore.Anyone else? My satin pillowcase isn't great because my other pillow keeps sliding off of it. Have an easy day ya'll.

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  • merg
    merg Member Posts: 61
    edited May 2014

    Quick ? What do ya'll put on your scalp? Mine is very sensitive. Ok, it hurts.

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited May 2014

    Hey Merg,  I am putting Coconut oil on my scalp - seems to make mine feel better.  I feel better today - ran a low grade fever on and off all day yesterday and that seems to have lifted so i think I am on my way back up again - hopefully.  Day 4 seems to be my worst day - at least for two cycles.  If I can just feel 50% for the next couple days that will be better.  

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  • Mompv
    Mompv Member Posts: 110
    edited May 2014

    I just want to say thank you to all you wonderful ladies for being so open about what you are experiencing. I had joined this thread in April when I thought chemo was first. I ended up triple neg and elected      to have the lumpectomy and SNB first to get it out if me!!! I have my MO appt on Thursday, so I will be starting in June. I will keep checking in here to get a heads up on what's coming! 

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    Hi Mompy.  That's what I did.  I think it's a great plan.  Did you get your surgery and lab reports back? I came back with one node infected (the 1st node) but the following 3 clear.  I feel good knowing it's "out of me" and look at the chemo and rads to follow as serious housecleaning to make sure none of the little f$*&#ers escaped.  Have a great day!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited May 2014

    my hair still hurts what little I have left. I have been lint rolling it. Yes I look ridiculous but it's helping get it out instead of the stabbing feeling. 

    So Tuesday I am back in the chair.  YUCK. I can almost taste the adromycin :( already. I am hoping that number three doesn't knock me down too much. I think the hardest part is once I feel better I feel like I am waiting forever for the next treatment.  Hoping for a drama free week with the neulasta shot making it to my house on time.  Than 13 days last last AC. !  

    Clarrn I hope you and you little one feels better soon. 

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  • Mompv
    Mompv Member Posts: 110
    edited May 2014

    SN clear!!! Clean margins!! The rest of the report I haven't really looked at too close. They are hard to understand! I will have to remember the coconut oil and lint roller!!! Lol

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    Good for you Mompy! Happy to hear!

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