February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

so awesome jbokland!  Great celebration!!  Rosie

Jbokland. That is awesome!!!' Getting my infusion now and the nure had to ask if I was ok because it made me cry

Aww Jules--hope she recognized happy tears!

I cried so much through the ordeal, my friends video taped me as I rang the bell.  I couldn't read the plaque because I was so overwhelmed!

Thank you everyone for your support!!!  I am here for you too!

Rads starts early July....right after my wedding!

Deportation was easy for me. They did put me under twilight (which pretty much knocks me out). I was told afterwards to eat lightly… We left the hospital and hit the Italian place right around the corner for lunch. I had a huge piece of spinach lasagna. Ate every bite including the bread. I was starved. So much for eating lightly.

jbok... Excellent!  So great to ring the bell and to give that gift to others. Brava!

Hi girls. It's great to see so many of us coming closer to the end.  I had my final [#6] chemo treatment today.  I'm so happy.  Now I'm waiting on the SA to start and I wonder if there will be any new ones.

I lost my eyelashes and most of my eyebrows in the last couple of weeks.  I've also had increased pain and discoloration in the nail beds of my fingernails.  I haven't seen any lifting yet.  I'm experiencing mild neuropathy in my hands and feet as well as darkening of the skin.  The center's nutritionalist recommended I supplement with medical grade glutamine to combat the neuropathy.  I've noticed that the neuropathy only lasts for a week in my fingerprints and is only intermittent in my feet. 

It's been very difficult to get any type of cardio done since I'm very anemic.  The doctor told me I won't need a transfusion "yet".  She said I would be experiencing even more shortness of breath and fatigue with this last treatment.

I've been doing a 30 day full body [arms/core/legs&booty] challenge only using my bodyweight to help build back some of my muscle tone. It's at my own pace and I can did it at home.  I find that it is raising my morale as I am making my body stronger.

I have to keep my port in for the rest of the year as I will still be receiving Herceptin every three weeks until I finish out the year.  

*I'm most looking forward to having some of my hair grow back so I can look more like my old self.  I've appreciated the ride and learned many things but I'm ready for it to be over..... for now.*

I have 6 fingernails lifting. No odor or drainage. No pain. Toes ok so far though last pedi I looked closely and had no discoloration. My hands were terrible. Dark purple to middle ring and pinkie and those are the lifted nails. 

I want my port out ASAP! Trying to go the week of 6/23. It bothers me when I try to sleep on my left side...which is my chosen side for sleeping...plus I see it. As others have said, it's a reminder of the whole ordeal and I want it gone! My surgeon will do it outpatient just as when he "installed" it. LOL. Someone actually asked me what my rush to remove the port was. Really?

I've noticed as the last of the lashes have dropped, I cannot wear eyeliner. It seems to slide onto my contact lenses!  Ugh!!  Must I attempt false lashes??

Has this been talked about before...body odor? I've noticed since it is hotter than heck already, that my sweat just seems to smell so much worse. Of course it could be that I'm sweating more than normal, but in general does chemo cause changes to body odor?

tangandchris I know there were other women that complained about smelly sweat. I think it has to do more with your lymph node removal. Fluid might be sticking around in there a bit longer than it used to with few nodes. I don't seem to have the problem but I do believe I did read that on one of the threads.

Rosiesride As far as sun I can't tell you. I don't sit out in the sun. Also not sure if hormone therapy meds will also have sun issues. Best to wear a sun screen. The sun will age you a lot fast than chemo ever will.

Jujubee where I get treated they won't put the port in the same place if you need it again because the risk of blood clots is higher. There are other places including your arm, neck, side, etc.

As far as nails oozing and stinking. I had the lifting really really bad so mine did that. Not every bodies does. I mean my dermatologist said to me that the lifting isn't super common and I got a really bad case of it. You may be OK. Remember I had every finger and toenail lift.

No one ever told me you can't get the port in the same place twice, but it could be because I didn't ask. Maybe I shouldn't be in such a rush to get it out...but I feel like it is a constant reminder! The medical bills are enough of a reminder! LOL!

 Ladies, my clinic doesnt have a bell to ring, but today turned out to be my  last chemo.  after talking with the doctor she decided that it wouldnt be necessary to continue to allow the delayed side effects from the taxols to compound.  So, we did 11.  Out of this whole experience I have only had 3 bad weeks.  Last week included.  the bloat in my belly has been increasing.  I can't wear any of my clothes, and have resorted to maternity pants - they feel good! - and I bought some more draw string/elastic pants.  I have some numbness in my feet and on Thursday, the delayed side effects kick in and I will take benedryl to keep it at a minimum.  

I have an appointment with the surgeon early July to discuss the pending bmx and possible hysterectomy. (BRCA1 positive).  Now, the fight REALLY begins! Love to you all!

Yay 3doglady! My numbness started  (on taxotere) after m y 2nd treatment in my heel. I still have a little permanent numbness but it's not that bad at all. In the winter it can be a little more annoying depending on the weather but still not a huge deal. But I hadmy taxotere every 4 weeks with carboplatin. This can cause more damage. You may not have any permanent damage. It can take  5 weeks to start noticing a change but up to 2 years for neuropathy to go away.

I also had the belly bloat (and legs too) but it does go away. I did need to go on a small amount of diuretic.