February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

So glad it is behind you Summerwheat!!! Hoping recovery is quick. Of course your platelets went up.sirry it wasn't sooner. Glad you are back on track with chemo. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that you have no more delays!!!!!

Jules_NY see if you can contact/pm mdg. Her kids were young and has given advice to many a friend with kids. (I've connected her up with some women from Chicagoland). 

Jules..good luck with your littles.  My boys took all the news well but like you said as they understand it.  My conversation was different and the somewhat the same with each of them know that I think of it.  

Jbok..great cake and congratulations!  You have such an awesome support team.  I was lucky too, I work with a bunch of fellow nurses in case management and we have known each other many many years.  They did so many nice extra things for me.  It was such a help.  

h0pe...being done does seem odd but then you start feeling better and looking forward.  Just keep moving forward. I did a detox and that helped me a great deal but overall about 5-6 weeks from last chemo I really noted an improvement.

summerwheat...glad you are doing well post the biopsy and that the discomfort is not too bad.  I am sorry about the platelets. 

rosiesride...I too was really sore muscle wise all through chemo and for weeks after.  Bone pain too.  I get Herceptin now every 3 weeks and notice that I have a backache for about 4-5 days after the infusion. I was not able to train during chemo as Lago did but I am now, I am 9 weeks PFC. I too had really heavy legs and I swelled from my feet up into my thighs. I worked really hard for the last 5 weeks to get the water and extra weight I had gained off.  I used to run distance and then I did nothing for 6 months too.  I ran 3 times this week and biked two.  I am feeling terrific now and am down 25#. You will get there!

About the port scar thickness,  my guess is that there were hidden dissolvable stiches and they sometimes take some time to absorb.

Gatorgal...I have fine hairs on my face.  My hair is coming in too.  I notices yesterday that I have hair on my legs but it is sparse and fine.  I did not even notice it when I felt my legs!  I was out in the sun and looked down and was like," Oh geez, I need to shave!"

princessrn...yes! I did have dissolvable stitches so maybe that's it...thanks!  And I will continue to try and walk and do leg exercises in pool...did 20 minutes this morning but now whole body aches!  I had lots of energy afterwards...now at 1:00 I am done!!  Felt good though!  

Now it's a stormy rainy day here in surf city,  NC so a good day to lounge around!! Glad I got in the pool early!  Rosie

Thanks Rosie I'll do that. I got a good book from the social worker at the treatment center I go to it's called In Mommy's Garden. It deals mostly with chemo and being hospitalized. It equates the cancer cells to weeds in the garden and how the chemicals you use to kill them sometimes makes the petals on the pretty flowers fall out. It's really cute but doesn't talk much about surgery. Was going to make an appt with the SW again anyway.

princessrn   Great job losing the extra weight and getting out running.  

I was active pre-chemo and am trying to get fit again.  I went out and ran a mile and was very discouraged to discover how difficult it was.  I'm still anemic and get winded going up & down my staircase at home.  I'm also not used to the "burn" I'm feeling in my legs.  I don't remember running "burning" that much.  I signed up for some short races later this year with a goal to complete a 1/2 marathon next May 2015 in order to motivate myself to keep working.

Been off for several days as I had my wedding! Such a wonderful celebration AND I came away with a major beauty tip!

My white hair was still sparse on the top of my head, the girl who came to do my makeup brought an aerosol can of dry shampoo.  She sprayed it in my hair and it remained as a white powder and filled in my hair!!!   If you have white hair, this will work for you too!   This shows a before and after

JB you both look gorgeous!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!

JBokland - congrats!  you look beautiful!

Is it possible to develop asthma after chemo?  Heart palpitations seem to have subsided, going up and down steps a little better.  Others side effects remain and seem to be staying, but I noticed a sensation of tightness in my upper chest, and breathing causing me to feel like coughing.  Also accompanied with a little tightness in my throat.  Feels slightly like the tail end of bronchitis.  

Never had asthma, but found myself trying to breath normally this morning and not being able to breath well.  there are articles how chemo helped asthmatic people.  Just wondering.

This could be a heart issue. You must get this checked out. Every time you have trouble breathing you need to get it checked out. Call your onc. I'm sure there is someone on call.  Adriamycin can cause heart issues.

OK that sounds like fluid retention. Could be congestive heart failure and all you might need is a diuretic. I still say don't be afraid to call this weekend just to be sure.

jbokland...hahaha, love the visual!

tang

You've had a hell of a time with your hospitalizations.  No wonder you are anxious!! I'm glad you are seeing someone to help you through this. 

The one thing I do know is the anxiety that you feel for the future robs you of the joy you should feel for the present.   

We are with you all the way! 

 Left foot,right foot....

Tang it takes some time but some of us need a little more help getting through this than others. I'm glad you are seeking out a professional. 

I don't know if I've posted my Seat Belt and Shit Doesn't Happen speeches on this thread yet. I'm posting these for you:

seat belt speech:

You don't assume you will get into a car accident every time you get in your car. You do put on your seat belt and drive carefully. Same with breast cancer or anything in life. Eat right, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, and take your hormone therapy (if prescribed). No reason to think you are going to get mets until you actually have a symptom.

shit doesn't happens speech:

Some people win the lottery and become millionaires but do you really think that's going to happen to you? Shit happens. Sometimes good shit, sometimes bad shit, but most of the time shit doesn't happen. Don't assume shit is going to happen to you.