Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

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  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2014

    Thinking of you Katie!!  You got this!!

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited May 2014


    Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day & our little page has been so quiet because we have all been enjoying nice weather!

    Katie, I hope you are doing well after your surgery, I have been thinking of you.

    5 more sessions of Taxol to go! I have number 8 tomorrow, then only 4 left.  I had a little hiccup with heart function, so had a hold put on my Herceptin for a week. After more tests, they are less concerned & I will start back up on Herceptin this week. 

    Side effect question...I know about the neuropathy in the hands and feet (have that one), but I have never heard anyone mention numbness or tingling in your lips. I swear I have sort of numb lips! Not a big issue, just feels weird.

     

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  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2014

    I hope everyone recovering or getting ready for surgery is doing OK.

    Smartass - very good to hear that you are back on track.

    I had chemo today, so only 4 more Abraxane's, then I am done!!!!

    My head is getting pretty fuzzy.  Waiting for the real hair to show up.  My eyebrows are growing back, but they are so light (my old ones were dark brown), you can't see them.  I tried eyebrow pencil without much luck.  I was thinking to try to paint them with a bit of mascara.  Has anyone tried that?

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  • Diamond_lil
    Diamond_lil Member Posts: 76
    edited May 2014

    Birdlover, I use a blend of eyebrow pencil and powder. I think it gives a pretty good result.

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2014

    Smurf,  my checks got very numb on the taxol, now almost 4 weeks PFC and checks are better, feet still have a lot of numbness.

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2014

    I have 2 Taxols left and my hair is growing like crazy! It's still more fuzz than hair, but it's better than seeing scalp all the time. The eyebrows have thinned considerably but I cannot make them look anywhere near natural by filling them in. I've given up on them for now lol Eyelashes are still shedding too, but I have noticed some new ones coming in. Two more weeks! TWO MORE!!

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited May 2014

    I wish my hair would grow like crazy it doesn't seem to be doing anything new. I am off to last Dr. visit before being sent to surgeon today.

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  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2014

    One more taxol treatment here!!!

    Smart--no numb lips here, but my tongue goes through lots of changes for a week after treatment from numbness to tingling to burning.

    I have a wound that has not showed any signs of healing after two weeks, and 3 different types of antibiotics--guess the chemo is not letting the body heal it's self.  

    Also on to radiation for me got my tattoos, molds, etc. done on Monday, we are going to the beach for a few days then I start daily radiation for 6 weeks on June 16.  Somehow that is not the way I envision my summer, but oh well.

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  • stephaniegee
    stephaniegee Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    Hey everyone,

    I am getting closer to finishing only 3 more taxols. Was wondering, does anybody have any plans for after chemo? I have a little break before I start rads, part of me wants to get away but another part of me is so exhausted I can't be bothered. Anybody planning any getaways? Any advice on easy and relaxing destinations?

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2014

    We are planning a little camping trip up to Tahoe (about 30 mins from us) a few weeks after I'm done, but no big plans yet. I'll likely be having my bmx the last week in July and then we have a big family trip to San Diego in December. I'm hoping I'll be all healed up and have some hair by then so I can feel "normal" on vacation!

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  • CarpeVinum
    CarpeVinum Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2014


    Hubby and I are taking our kids 15 & 9 to Hawaii for 10 days. This will be our first REAL vacation in years. We met in Hawaii, so it will be fun to show the kids where we used to live. Also, I haven't been back in 20 years and hubby says it has changed so much I'm in for a shock. I finished up my AC chemo in March so I am feeling pretty good, still some tiredness and lots and LOTS of joint pain but I'm planning on enjoying every minute :)

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited June 2014

    I looked at the calendar today and I was happy to count...if there are no more delays...24 days until the end of my chemotherapy! 24 days!!!! Can you tell I am excited? I can do 4 treatments in 24 days. 

    I am happy to hear of the post chemo trips and fun. You all deserve it! We are not doing a trip, but are planning a small gathering between my last chemotherapy session and my surgery 3 weeks later. I am looking forward to hanging out with friends & family and having some fun. I am also looking forward to having a glass of wine! I really enjoy a glass of wine, and with feeling gross during AC, and then my liver not liking it, I have not had a glass of wine since New Years Eve. I will enjoy those first few sips immensely.

    I meet with the plastic surgeon tomorrow to talk about reconstruction. I am a little nervous about the surgeries, but ready to get through the next steps of this journey. I suppose I should be looking for a July surgery thread.

    May you all be side effect free.

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited June 2014

    Hi just had my 10 taxol - 2 to go!!.  So far I'm just getting more tired.  Hopefully I will get through the 2 with minimal side effects.  Then I believe I have 3 weeks off then 28 days of rads.  

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2014

    Found out yesterday I will be having rads after all. sigh. there is a summer rads thread if any one is interested.

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2014

    Awww, bummer, Tek...I'm sorry to hear that.

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  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited June 2014

    Tek--that is a bummer.  I too will be joining you on the Summer Rads thread, even a mastectomy with no recon spared me the radiation fate--oh well after all we have been through we can do this too!!!!

    I finished Taxol today and I have 3 questions for you ladies that are done or close to done--

    1.  How long after chemo did you start tamoxifen or other targeted therapy?  

    2.  How long after chemo did you go back to MO for follow up?

    3.  How long did your MO tell you would keep your port?

    My MO is normally so positive and up beat--power of positive thinking he says, but I asked today about getting the port out and he said I want to leave it in in case the cancer comes back.  It took my breath away.  I was speechless so I forgot to ask about the other stuff.  They made a follow up for 1 month.

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  • stephaniegee
    stephaniegee Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    I think it's normal for them to leave the port in. My nurse said it's usually about 6 months, and you have to get it flushed once a month. It doesn't mean anything it's just standard protocol. Don't worry about it. 

    I am starting tamoxifen once I start rads. My dr said this topic is being debated amongst medical circles, whether or not to combine tamoxifen and rads, but according to latest studies this is best. 

    I am not sure how often I will be seeing my MO. But I met a friend tha is 8 months post chemo and she's being going every 3 months. 

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2014

    I'm having my port out when I have my BMX in July. I have heard of some people keeping them in "just in case", but my doctor said "then we put it back in" when I asked about that lol.

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2014

    I'm FREE! Last Taxol under the belt. I am so happy to be done, yet a little sad at the same time. I've really gotten to know the chemo nurses, etc...and have almost (almost!) enjoyed chemo Mondays. I also have that presumably normal anxiety that comes with not being in treatment and feeling like I am just wandering around unprotected from cancer. How's everyone else dealing with this?

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited June 2014

    Just finished my 11th Taxol - 1 more to go.  So far so good.  Then on to radiation.

    beeleb - I don't know how I will feel when I have completed all treatment.  I guess with radiation then left prophylactic scheduled for October then a hysterectomy about 3 months after I don't have time to think about yet. Sometimes when I think of all what I need to do it kinda get depressed.

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2014

    I felt like that at first, but I have so much of taxol left hanging out with me I can't really miss it.  I do miss the nurses and the sunshine ladies though.

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2014

    Tek, I will miss my nurses too. I spent the last 5 months seeing them once a week or more and they were so good to me. Desimone, I hear ya on the never-ending things coming up ((hugs)). I've got surgery (BMX) next in July. Hoping that will be the last stop.

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited June 2014

    I have wondered how I will feel that last treatment. I have 3 more to go. I am counting weeks, days, and almost hours. I can't get too excited though because my white cells might hold me up for one more week delay before this is all over.

    I will have Herceptin for several more months, so I will still see my nurses until March. BMX in July, then radiation, then reconstruction...I get depressed to when I think about all that has to be done over the next year. Sometimes I still cannot believe this is my life.

    On a happy note...I ordered a t-shirt from dazzle.com that says Chemo Grad. I am going to wear that after I finish & at our little party. I think this was hard enough to earn a graduation!

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  • Marren
    Marren Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2014

    belleb!! Congrats on finishing chemo! That's very exciting! And also to everyone else wrapping up their chemo treatments. 

    I'm about 5 wks out from my last chemo. 

    I was suppose to have my surgery June 12th but they postponed due to a cold. That was hard to switch gears, I've been pretty nervous about it, but I also just want to get it over with. So now it's July 1st.

    It's starting to make me nervous waiting so long. What if it starts coming back? 

    Smartass- are you def getting rads after bmx? If so, what did the docs say about that? I mean why, were some nodes positive? I don't know for sure about rads for me, but they didn't think so. But they probably won't know til after surgery.

    How many of you after bmx are still having rads?

    Samu- I will continue my targeted therapy every three wks til January. So I will have my port until then. I can't wait to get it out. 

    I see my MO still about every three weeks.

    They did have me skip my herceptin this time week because of something on my echocardiogram.

    Hope all is well with you ladies. Take care

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2014

    my surgery is not till July the 11th. there doesn't seem to be a surgery thread for July either. I was supposed to be June too. I am trying not to borrow trouble.

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  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Marren--as of right now my port is here to stay.

    On the radiation--I started this week, and yes it is radiation after a mastectomy without reconstruction.  My RO said that the guidelines are to recommend rads after mast for any tumor greater than 5 cm or extend to skin or chest wall or more than three positive nodes  I am so scared that the radiation will affect my ability to have reconstruction, but I am afraid not to do the rads, kwim?

    Almost 3 weeks out from Taxol and feeling a little more "normal" every day, hope everyone else is the same!

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2014

    My port is coming out when I have my BMX and I'm told that unless they find anything to the contrary, I won't have to have radiation after the mastectomies. I'm not doing reconstruction, though. My hips have been really achy this week and I don't know if it's just 20 weeks of chemo catching up with me or?? Of course now that I'm not in chemo anymore I'm sure I'll be paranoid about every ache and pain!

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  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited June 2014

    I have 2 more chemo's to go!  Done on July 2!  My port comes out July 10!  I have had trouble with it getting infected, so my MO wants it out as soon as possible, music to my ears :)

    I am so tired, looking forward to feeling more normal.  Not looking forward to going on Tamoxifen.

    Marren - I had BMX.  Will not be getting rads.  That is per my breast surgeon and radiology onc.  Had two tumors in right breast, 1.3 and 1.4 cm.  Nodes were clean.

    Good luck to all the surgeries coming up.  You can do it!  You will feel so relieved afterward.

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited June 2014

    If all goes well, I have my last chemo treatment this Thursday...3 days! My blood work rebounded a bit before last week's chemo, so I hope I am smooth sailing this week.

    Congratulations to those of you who are done, and those who are just getting one more week under their belt. For those of you who have finished...any real hair growth yet? I still have the baby chick hair, and while not realy hair, it does seem to be growing. My eyebrows & lashes are now completely gone. I said goodbye to the last lash on Saturday.

    Marren - I have my radiation consult July 3rd. My Med Onc had radiation as part of my original treatment plan, but I changed my surgery plan from another lumpectomy/tissue grab (I did not get clear margins the first time around) to BMX. I had one node with cancer the first go round.  With the change in surgical plan, I am now in a "gray" area for radiation, but my Med Onc thinks I will still have it.  Life would be a lot easier if I did not need radiation, but I guess I will do whatever they tell me I have to do.

    My surgery for the BMX is hopefully July 16th. My surgeon went on her own medical leave, so my appointments got pushed back to July 8th for my last consult & then if I can still get on her surgery calendar, July 16th. If not July 23rd I think. I will be off work for 4 weeks to recover. Depending on the rads consult, I may or may not have tissue expanders placed.

    I am struggling with anger/bitterness this past couple of weeks.  Prior I have  been able to maintain a pretty upbeat attitude, but have been down the rabbit hole recently & am not sure why. Nothing has changed except me & my reaction to things. I feel like it is all balled up in my chest & will lash out at the wrong person/wrong time. Over the weekend we had company over, and they were talking about a Music Festival they are all going too (even my husband - he has to go as he works the event) and I cannot go because of this stupid cancer/treatments. I am happy for them all, but the bitter part of me wanted to scream "shut up! & talk about fun somewhere else!" Later they all went up to a street dance in our town, and I felt bitter about that too, but I did really need to lay down. Thankfully, I am at least able to keep some of it on the inside so these kind folks who visit me do not think I am ungrateful. 

    Good luck ladies!

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  • Brwneyedgirl
    Brwneyedgirl Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2014

    SmartassSmurf - I am 5 weeks PFC.  I have a fuzz of white hair on my head. Not very thick.  I was shiny head bald, so I know it will take some time to grow in.  My hair used to grow incredibly fast, but I hear the Herceptin slows hair growth. 
    Have a good day everyone.

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