Starting Chemo in April 2014

Why so many Taxols?  How are you holding up?  Neuropathy?

Swiss Miss, No, I wasn't the least bit sore after the "deportation" and hope you are not either! 

Just found out from my MO's office that Taxol had one last parting gift for me.  My eyelids were somewhat swollen, went to ophthalmologist and discovered I had infections in both eyes.  That was cleared in one week w/steroid eye drops.  But then my eyes, especially one of them, are non-stop watering all the time.  Clogged tear ducts, which my MO's office can happen post Taxol.  My last chemo was July 24.  Hopefully it will go away on its own.  Anyone else have this issue, and if so, how long did it take to go away?

Thanks!

Everforward - the herceptin can cause the drippy nose - I get that after each herceptin and sometimes it lasts a long time and sometimes it is only a few days.  The advice I got was that alot of the SE's were cumulative and lasted longer with each treatment.  

Timbuktu - Do you think your tearing eyes are also clogged tear ducts?  When was your last chemo?

I don't think my tear ducts are clogged.  My last infusion was July 21.  It's not constant, just as my nose doesn't run constantly, but more than normal.  

Hello Ladies! 

Congrats to all who have finished up/are finishing up, and best wishes and hugs and prayers to those going on to further treatment. Such a long journey we've traveled already, and still it feels like we have miles to go, doesn't it? Whew.

Ddkath - I think I mentioned this previously, although my memory is NOT what it was, but I have had terrible swelling in my legs and feet. Also in my arms and hands and STOMACH, and a wee bit on my face. Seventeen pounds worth, in fact. My MO tells me this is NORMAL water retention, and it will all disappear in time. Over the past couple of weeks, I have lost 6lbs, so I'm inclined to believe him. I drink lots of water, and I try to take a walk every day, even just for 10 minutes. The activity seems to help a lot. 

Linda - HOORAY for a clear scan! So, so SO happy for you!

MommyQ - Congrats on reaching the Finish Line! So, SO scary about the delayed reaction. I will say that I did have my light-headed moments in that first week following the final infusion as well. Some fluids, some sugar, and a nap seemed to set things right, but still, more than a little bit terrifying, right? So glad you're on the mend. 

Sunshine - I second what everyone else has said about the mastectomy. Compared to chemo, that's the easy part. I kept having to remind myself NOT to do things. My MIL was staying with us to help out at that time, and she actually LOCKED ME INTO THE RECLINER so I would rest a little. The Tyrant!  I couldn't operate the release mechanism, so I was completely stuck and had no choice but to take a nap. Too funny.

Still dealing with some serious muscle pain. My legs ache ALL THE TIME, and my arms aren't far behind. And stairs, AAACK, stairs about kill me. Again, staying active seems to help a little, but WOW, I wish I had known how much I would HURT after chemo. Yesterday I almost got stuck in my shirt because my arms were too sore to cooperate. Oy! Actually, as frustrating as that last part was, it was also pretty hilarious.

Some annoying  news: my surgeon seems to have forgotten about me. I had to contact his office to remind him that I'm due for a screening, and SOMEHOW, no one bothered to send in my referral to the plastic surgeon, so I now have a year-long wait from TODAY before I even get a consult. Grrrr. My knitted boob is lovely, but I was kind of hoping to get some information about something more permanent. Ah well, thinking of getting fitted for a silicone friend for the time being. 

Enjoy your day Ladies!

How wonderful that all the balloons are gone!  And that youhave the kind of husband who would make that for you.  I'm always amazed when you guy complain about fatigue shopping, carrying in bundles, walking, working.  I do NOTHING!  Yesterday i went shopping for a bit with my husband but I waited on the bench

while he went to buy things.  Just walking from the car was exhausting, I have to lean on him.  Today I went to the library on my own and felt so accomplished!  I think you guys don't realize just how much you do.  

My last infusion was July 21 and I definitely feel the motivation and energy returning but sooo slowly!  

We have to be patient with ourselves!

But what a great photo, of those busted balloons, I feel it's for all of us.

What is hitting me now is fear.  I think as long as I was under treatment I felt I was doing what I had to do.

Now I'm not so sure and it's scary to be waiting and seeing what happens next.

Timbuktu, the balloons are for all of us! :-) They represent the strength, struggle and perseverance we all had through this Hell. 

And don't be too impressed with my grocery store visit. I don't do much either. I work from home so I can literally go days without leaving the house. Lol. I've just recently felt little improvement s that have allowed me to swim a little longer and walk around my house with huffing and puffing. My last treatment was 7/29 and I agree it's coming back slooooo....but it's coming back. Good for you getting to the library!! 

Jaimieh, love your pic!

Swissmiss: Glad to hear your "deportation" went well. I hate shots but I guess getting a couple of shots in an office is better than doing the full hospital surgery (no eating, IV, early start, etc).  I was wondering how they close up the hole in your vein after they pull out the tube, but I guess it closes on its own because they don't do anything but just pull it out! I watched a video on YouTube last night and was amazed how simple the port removal procedure is.

ColdinCanada: Thanks! I'm hopeful for no more scares as I recover from this last chemo infusion! Sorry to hear about your surgeon forgetting to file papers to refer you to the PS. That IS annoying. You'd think they'd do that sort of stuff practically on autopilot. Is the one year wait due to healthcare rules? Or is there a way to shorten that wait time?

Ddkath70: Yeah, that makes sense to keep the port in for the IV they'll run during the CT scan.  My RO said that he wouldn't be using contrast dye for my CT. I wonder why your RO is using it and mine isn't.  I think I'll just keep mine in just in case he changes his mind...at least until after rads are well underway. I'm impressed you've been working through chemo. I couldn't do it so I've been on short term disability. I got back on Sept 3 on a reduced 25 hour/week work schedule. I hope I can manage! Congrats on being completely done with chemo! That balloon wall was a cool idea. I bet it feels great to have all the balloons popped!

Timbuktu: I agree it's so hard not being able to do things that we used to do without even a thought, but hang in there. Energy will come back! I went to Target yesterday to buy my daughter face cleanser. I was so tired just standing in the aisle, trying to read the labels, I had to squat on the ground, and I even struggled with that! I couldn't wait to get home so I could sit on the couch again! It's funny. Before BC, I almost NEVER sat down on the couch. I'm the type to always be doing something. Now I'm there everyday in the same spot. There's a dent the shape and size of my butt in that spot!  As far as being worried about recurrance, I think IF it does come back, we will be able to catch it very early and treat it, simply because we are so much more aware of watching for anything weird AND we're going to be at doctors' offices a lot from now on for follow ups, so they'll be another check point for early detection.

Jamieh: You grew another hand! I thought that wasn't supposed to happen until radiation, LOL!  Good photos.  I like your cap, too. Hey, I'd ask your RO if he can do markers instead of a tattoo, if you don't like the idea of a tattoo. My RO actually prefers markers.

Well, time to get off my butt and go take a shower before I take my daughter to get her braces off. Have a good day everyone!

My wonderful  hospital social worker just called and talked to me for a solid hour.  She told me how to contact the dr more easily, how get in touch with the hospital, etc.  I highly recommend contacting the social worker if you have any questions or problems!

Beyond this she told me that when treatment is over there is a different process that kicks in.  People are often surprised by the fear.  It's all part of it and has to be worked through.  

The right words at the right time can really help, as we all know on this site.

I see hair!!! And stubble! Not as excited for the leg stubble, but hair is hair! :-) 

Cold, thanks for the tip on the vitamin d, mine is really low and my MO gave me a prescription but I can never remember to take them. I will make sure I do now. I hope it helps the muscle fatigue, I went swimming again today and I'm in pain already. Every muscle aches. I tried to do some stretches but that's a joke, I might as well be made out of wood. I'm the most inflexible person on the planet. Lol. 

yay for stubble on your head. . 

Rads simulation today and no tattoos for me. They decided to do stickers because I was so against more tattoos. I have two on my body and plan on keeping the number at only two (they are circular in shape and match on each side. Lol). So I officially start on Sept 9. 

So I am feeling pretty wimpy today but the fact that I have 5 days until the last taxol is pushing me thru. I just want it to be over and start healing from chemo. Some hair would help thing feel better also. It doesn't help that today my taste buds are off and that seems to make me cranky. 

Jaimieh, I know how you feel regarding taste buds. I got thrush with every treatment and it destroyed my taste buds. Everything tasted like salty swampwater. Gross. Hang in there, your in the home stretch. Things seem to come back very slowly, my last treatment was 7/29 and I'm just now feeling bits of energy, and seeing a little bit of hair. It's amazing how little things like that can give you a lift. I've cried more in the last 3 weeks than I did over the entire course of my treatment. By this point we are just done!  

You mean that there is life after chemo?  Sounds great Ever!  Just take it easy.  My dr said that for the next 3 months I have to rest and heal.  Of course they also say excercize is always good.  Go figure!

I spent 3 hours today with an onco nurse with 30 years experience.  Amazing.  My hospital has a program to help you transition out of treatment.  Too much information for me to remember off hand but I do remember her saying that losing just 5 or 10 pounds will lower rate of recurrence.  Also, of course, walking a half hour a day.  Turns out I have osteoporosis now so it's double the reason to walk.  She asked if I take calcium and I said I stopped about a year ago when that study came out saying that calcium pills don't work.  She said that was for most people, people with osteo must take it.  Hard to keep track!

Enjoy that cabin...we all deserve something great after what we've been through!

ColdinCanada: That's one busy PS you have! Must be a good one. I can understand you wanting to achieve some balance. Haha!

Interesting you mentioned Vitamin D helps reduce muscle aches. My muscles felt constantly sore, as if I had just run a marathon, starting around the middle of my chemo treatment (#3, I think, like you). It had subsided towards the end. This was about the same time the weather got nice and I started driving around in my convertible with the top open, for 15-30 minutes at a time, every couple of days. I wonder if that good ole Vitamin D-generating sunshine did the trick?

Hey, I ALMOST sat on the floor at Target but I really didn't want to, so I suffered in my squatting position until I couldn't take it anymore and had to get up and go!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who made a butt groove on my couch!