Chemo in May 2014

That's interesting, lespring, about your reactions to Neulasta. I've had terrible sleep problems, too, but thought it was the Decadron. Though I don't get pain or fever from the Neulasta, I'm wondering if the insomnia is from that. I'm glad to know that I might be able to skip the Neulasta on the last round, but, for me, that won't be until October. 

This morning is my 3rd round of AC. I'm trying not to get too caught up in the long haul ahead--a 4th round of AC, then 12 weeks of weekly Taxol, then 6 weeks of radiation, then Tamoxifen indefinitely. I've been lurking on the Taxol discussion board, but I don't think reading the posts helps to keep me calm. Like here, some women are having a hard time with Taxol. 

I'm trying to remind myself to be present in the now, the here and now, but it's hard. 

I wish us all minimal SEs, sleep, and lots of joyful moments in the here and now.

Lakegirl1 thanks. Yeah, I am going to opt out of the Neulasta the last round. I don't see a need for it since I don't have to get my body ready for another round. I am beyond miserable with the bone pain today, and non-functional as a parent. Thankfully my adult son is here to help with the kids.

I pray I never develop breast cancer again. Honestly, these four measly rounds are too much. I'd rather just have a mastectomy and never deal with it again. 

Hello everyone,

So far lost most my hair. Cannot remember when i shaved it off i think it was just after the third dose. Go in four my last a/c dose tomorrow then from there on will be taxol. Powering through even though my body feels like 'please dont put more poison in me'. Just try to focus on the things i live for.

I found i got bone pain from the neupogen injections and found that clariton/antihistamines helped. May be something to mention to your doctor

Find i am fortunate that my side affects are relatively manageable just need to watch my moods. Very use to being independent and get very frustrated on the days i cant function well. Hopefully things get easier with the taxol

My thoughts are with everyone. Take care

Lisa

Question: If you carried the BRCA genes and had a mastectomy preventatively is the end result better than a mastectomy done to remove cancerous tissue? 

I  just finished round 4 of AC on Tuesday. I'm fortunate to have had minimal SE. Now on to taxol & Herceptin for 12 weeks. Hoping that goes as well.

Hi, Lisa: You and I have almost similar diagnoses. Only I'm PR+ and HER2-. Can I ask if you've had surgery? In any case, I have one more round of AC, then I'm on Taxol. I've been reading the posts on the Taxol discussion board and, like here, it seems that everyone has different side effect experiences. Sometimes I don't like to read because it makes me anxious! But, like you, I have had minimal side effects on AC and my onc nurse said Taxol will be even easier. I do worry about neuropathy though; I've had carpal tunnel syndrome for nearly 10 years but very well managed now--I don't want it to come back!

Hi, yes sorry. I should be more clear (and in my defense, I was a bit high on pain meds last night which makes me more depressed. UGH!!!!) Anyway, yeah if you have the surgery done preventatively is the cosmetic outcome any better than if done to remove a bunch of cancerous tissue? 

I know I can't have the flap procedure because I had a tummy tuck 5 years ago and have nothing left on my abdomen. Maybe from my back but given I've had a tummy tuck that would just make me look really weird, like a barrel chest or something. 

I had a simple mastectomy with no reconstruction. I'm assuming a simple MX is what is performed when it's prophylactic.

Debiann, the tummy tuck recovery wasn't that bad at all! The most difficult part to deal with is the swelling and constipation from pain meds. But they keep you well drugged.  Also, it is usually an outpatient procedure so you do need someone to take care of you for the first first days at home. Its really very similar to to what I've read about mastectomy surgeries. I have a private blog with my before/after pics, as well as details about recovery etc.

Lakegirl1, yeah my plan is to make a decision about this before I start radiation. If I have the gene, then absolutely I'll be doing surgery. If I don't I need to make up my mind because I should be starting rads the end of August and I would prefer to not be working with radiated skin if I decide to do surgery. 

I'll pm you the link to the tummy tuck blog. The link in my signature is my family blog. The tummy talk is secure and private because there are are post op pics, etc.

Hello All.  Had #3 CT last Monday.  I am so blessed again.  No real SE.  I am very tired.  I do not sleep much the night before through day 3.  Then I am just exhausted.  Slept 12 hours last night into the afternoon today.  I completely understand how those of you with bad SE want to quite.  I have almost none and did't want to go on Monday. 

I am doing well with Nuelasta.  Take Claritin/Tylenol regimen and now adding Ensure(protein drinks).  Have a little back pain, but nothing like I had the first round.

Blessings to all for better days ahead!

Joy

I haven't been on since just before my 3rd round and that was about 10 days ago. I can't stand the queasiness and the taste in  my mouth. I can't figure out what to eat and water is getting to be the last thing I want to drink anymore. Whatever I eat when I get home from treatment, grosses me out to think about for a long time. I don't have any bone pain since I take Claritin. My last one is Friday and I'm finding that I feel queasy just thinking about it!

The weekend is the worst and when I wake up Monday I usually feel a lot better, just tired.

My doctors say that most people tolerate the Taxol much better then the A/C. I'm counting on it! I still have to take the nuelasta shot with Taxol. I figure I will be completed with the whole chemo thing by the first week of October and rads by mid Nov. Seems like a lifetime 

Ugh, the bad mouth taste, my most dreaded se. I find that the mints made for dry mouth give me temporary relief from the awful taste. I'll be doing round 4 on Wednesday and my taste buds never went back to normal after round 3. I'm pretty cranky and down for 10 days after each infusion. I think its normal, your body is trying to figure out why you keep subjecting it to this assault.

debiann (and everyone else) I'm sorry you ladies are feeling like crap, but can I just say I am glad to read I'm not the only one who struggles for 10 days???? I have one treatment left on the 17th and I already get teary just thinking about it. This has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do so far in my life. The anticipation of being done is overwhelming. 

Related to taste: Diary Queen Banana cream Pie blizzards taste amazing to me right now. Pretty much nothing else does.

Thankfully we were able to enjoy the 4th with the kids. The celebrating we normally do all on one day we were able split up into two, getting the kids to the carnival one day, fireworks the next. My stomach gave me about 3 hours grace each night so I didn't have to make any emergency runs to a porta potty. 

Tonight I feel like I have a bladder infection starting. I haven't had one in years so all day I've been having twinges that I kept thinking, "This is vaguely familiar but I don't remember what it is." Tonight I have it figured out. We're going out of town on Weds so will have to get this sorted out tomorrow. Of course, on the day I have the least amount of time.

 Congrats to those getting only 4 tx who have finished or are nearing the end. I'm getting 6tx, so only halfway there

Just took my steroids, tomorrow is round 4. Dreading it. Spending the day indulging in some favorite treats since I won't be eating much for the next week. Walnut sticky bun for breakfast, yum!