Starting chemo August 2014

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited November 2014

    Eileen, what great news!!! I'm so happy and relieved for you! :)

    The house cleaning is through a group called Cleaning for a Reason - they provide 2 hours of cleaning a month for 4 months if there's a participating cleaning service in your area. Check it out!

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  • Catie57
    Catie57 Member Posts: 263
    edited November 2014

    imageMy sister made me a cake for Friday

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  • eileenpg
    eileenpg Member Posts: 467
    edited November 2014

    LOVE THE CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • pangtidor
    pangtidor Member Posts: 127
    edited November 2014

    Got my free scarf and sweet card in the mail today. Thank you so much for the link justamy....

    Shirley

    image

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  • SandyLovesLucy
    SandyLovesLucy Member Posts: 204
    edited November 2014

    Eileenpg, SO happy about your clear scan!  That's great!  Enjoy some anxiety free time. :)

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  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,426
    edited November 2014

    Eileenpg, Yay! So happy and estatic that your Pet scan was clearn. I scanxiety is a bear so I am so glad you can relax, take a deep breath and just let it go and enjoy some anxiety free time. I know what you mean at times when i experience something "new" my thoughts at times go there and I have this routine that I do to bring them back into order and adjust my sails.

    Bippy, I need to transplant myself to your house for an awesome dinner or just awesome food!

    Mullerin: So sorry for your loss.

    Cassie, I love getting my house cleaned. I should look into seeing if I can qualify for some free cleaning. I will have to look up Cleaning for a Reason as we pay for ours at the moment, a gift from my hubby! Or should I say a gift to himself. LoL!

    Catie58, so glad you are feeling better today. But even happier that you are preparing for your last chemo! I love the cake picture! How appropriate for the occassion.

    Smile

    There was a little party at the infusion center today as a lady that I have shared the room with many times over these last few months (has it only be 3 months -- seems sooo much longer) had her last infusion today. She is in for ovarian cancer . She baked a truck load of cookies and I indulge myself with 2-- 1 ginger snap, and 1 double chocolate with lots of nuts. Enjoy and party on your last day.

    Thank you for the belated birthday wishes. Had wonderful stay at home celebration with my family. My husband and daughter cooked an awesome dinner: my favorite pasta dish -- basil and garlic olive sauce, king crab and an awesome salad. We washed movies and just talked and had a great time with my husband, 2 daughters, son and my grandkids. I was spoiled rotten and loved it -- family is wonderful.

    Done with infusion #4 of 12, no issues with infusion; however they had a time finding a vein -- they warmed the arm, slapped it many times -- took about an our to locate a "decent' vein but once located only 1 stick. I need to drink, drink, drink starting two days before infusion. My silver lining this time around I can eat and almost taste food! Yippy! Now I want to watch it and exercise so that I don't gain weight back but get muscle mass.

    Hugs and wishing everyone minimal SEs this week.

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  • JeniferE
    JeniferE Member Posts: 130
    edited November 2014

    congratulations, NurseShark. Levi is blessed...

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited November 2014

    Back to the stupid doctor tomorrow to get fluids,antibiotics and maybe be hospitalized... Depending on my white count. Been throwing up, big d, bone pain and have a fever hovering around 100-101...so tired of being sick. I feel like I'm wearing thin on people too because I haven't felt well in awhile and have to keep canceling plans. Hope I get well enough to go to my mom and grandmas for thanksgiving. 2 more chemos...Dec 5 and Dec 26...can't wait till it's over!

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  • Catie57
    Catie57 Member Posts: 263
    edited November 2014

    Justamy - So sorry you are having a tough time with Taxotere. I dread Friday just knowing the SEs will follow. I am hoping by keeping on steroids a few extra days helps get me thru the tougher days. Keeping you in my thoughts.

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    eileen, so very happy about your scan. I too am terrified of them, but what can ya do? Glad you are doing a tad better.

    Amy, how awful. i think of you alot and how hard it has been on you. Please do not worry about canceled plans! Everyone understands you cannot help it. I am sorry that you are suffering. Hugs :). And get well friend.

    Catie58, loved the cake! We are on for tomorrow.

    Today is my last free day before my LAST CHEMO, so the cooking madness continues. I really love to cook, and have improved alot from watching all the cooking shows. It is anxiety relieving for me. Got the best news yesterday, the medical bills I sent to the Sylvia Plotnick Foundation all got paid!!! They paid 1,500, so as of today, all my bills are paid!!!!! I cried. When I get back to work I am donating funds to this organization. No CEOs, all volunteer, incredible.

    Sorry for those snowed in or iced in.....is everyone ready for thanksgiving?

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  • eileenpg
    eileenpg Member Posts: 467
    edited November 2014

    Bippy=What is Sylvia Plotnick foundation. I googled it and nothing came up

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  • windgirl
    windgirl Member Posts: 340
    edited November 2014

    Hi ladies

    As we all are approaching to an end (fingers crossed) with our chemos, I wanted to suggest being mindful of any Stage IV ladies that may be in the infusion room before celebrating. These ladies are terminally ill and will need chemo for the rest of their lives. While I am sure they would not want anyone in their shoes, I am aware from reading their posts that their heart breaks a bit when a bell rings or someone celebrates their last chemo in the infusion room. Perhaps we can take the celebration outside of the infusion room, or ask the nurse if there are any stage IV ladies around before we party. Just a suggestion.

    I am so very happy we are almost done with this part of our treatment, i think we are all pushing through as hard as we can and deserve something super nice after this. I think I will be going to the spa for the first time in my life :)



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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    eileen, too early in the am! Forgive me, it was Sonia Plotnick...

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited November 2014

    I'm in the chair now, getting #5. I think I have a good two and a half hours to go still, but it's good to be getting this one done.

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited November 2014

    Cassie: its always good to get another one out of the way! Congrats on #5!

    Today turned out better than expected. Yay! I went in to get checked out and my wbc had gone up to 2.4 which is far from the 10 it should be but still good news. My neutrophils are not up but are at least the same as last time so no hospital for me. My electrolytes were good too. I just got some 5 day nausea medicine, fluids and a bit of steroids. I even get to go out of town this weekend! My hubby is a deer hunter and my mom has 200 acres, so we are going there (middle of nowhere MO- but where I grew up). Its the first time that I've been out of town since chemi started in August....so excited! Everyone have a great day free from or managing any SE's. Hugs Amy

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    cassie, woohoo! Only ONE LEFT!

    Amy, there ya go. Enjoy!

    Just made a huge pan of mac and cheese. Baking chicken breasts now.... Anyone watching Top Chef? Saving last one for tomorrow after chemo. Did my LAST lab today! No more weekly blood draws!!! Only ONE Nielasta left! Woohoo

    Saw all my favorite nurses today, they are all great and I am so lucky there. We plan to bring them some donuts tomorrow to thank them. They have no gong, but do something.....all my tx are in a private room, lucky again! No chemo room, they only draw blood in the common room.

    Well, I may write tomorrow after or during, in a state of ecstasy from it being over. I cannot believe it is upon me. I just hope that I have minimal SE. The Emend rx is like 460 bucks! i cannot do that, so I am askin the nurses and pharmacist tomorrow for help. Anyone do a patch for nausea? The zofran ad prochlorywhatever do not work well for me. I am wachin old movies on TCM amd tryin to relax....

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited November 2014


    First weekly taxol tomorrow. Fingers crossed, all goes well. I am using the frozen mittens and booties for neuropathy, as well as cold capping. I'm afraid I won't be able to drink water or go to the bathroom for the treatment, but it's only 1.5 hrs, my center doesn't slow down the infusion, even if you are having a reaction! That's what the onco nurse told me.

    I met with my MO yesterday. It looks like we'll only get four or five treatments done before my c-section (second set of twins) and then my MO said I should schedule my lumpectomy after my section. That would give me maybe as much as nine weeks off in the middle of taxol. My MO says no problem, but it worries me. The babies are kicking like crazy, and I'm learning to use my crock pot...making some chicken and rice yumminess right now. Got back to my apt. after acupuncture and my elevator was broken. So I got to walk up six flights of stairs. We called the management company and got it fixed before chemo tomorrow. There was one AC treatment I had where I had to walk up after chemo at 11:00 at night (cold capping takes 4.5 hrs after infusion finished) it was awful!

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  • Wizard50
    Wizard50 Member Posts: 113
    edited November 2014

    I completed my sixth and final infusion today and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am. I still will be getting Herceptin every three weeks until August 2015 but I hear that's a breeze. I'm hoping the SE from this last infusion will be kinder to me than the last one.

    I had a good talk with my MO today. I'm still on the fence on whether or not I should do radiation therapy. I always hear how I'm in a gray area based on age and already post-menapausal so this makes the decision that much harder to make. I'm going to get a second opinion before making my final decision. My exchange surgery is scheduled to January 5, 2015 and if I decide to do radiation it wouldn't even start until February 2015 so I still have some time to decide. I'm still suffering from shortness of breath and my hemoglobin was normal so I'm definitely not anemic. MO said if I develop a persistent cough he'll order a CT Scan.

    Bippy - Yay on your final chemo tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you and praying you have only minimal SE.

    Gatomal - I've spent the last couple of days searching for crock pot recipes. It's finally cooled off here in southern CA and soups are sounding delicious. I found a recipe for chicken and dumplings which looks so good so I may try that this weekend. Your chicken and rice is sounding so yummy right now LOL Good luck on your first Taxol infusion tomorrow.

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  • Hope50
    Hope50 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2014

    Bippy, so happy for you tomorrow. I believe I will be seeing you in the winter rads? I hope this last one is easier. For me it was the hardest and still dealing with SE but tolerable. Things were just more magnified.

    Those coming off their last one, did you have mixed emotions? My emotions were all over the place. MO said its common for people to get real down. For one they want and expect to feel great because it's done but our bodies are still healing. And also, when your done everyone around you thinks life will go back to the way it was. It will never be the way it was. We just went through the battles of our lives. Our bodies need time to heal and our minds time to process what the last 6+months have been like.

    Thinking about each of you. I want to stay in touch! I've been blessed by you all.

    Sweet dreams!

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  • Catie57
    Catie57 Member Posts: 263
    edited November 2014

    Wizard - CONGRATS on final infusion. Also thanks for heads up on being sensitive to others. My sister and daughter are planning something I know. I personally never want to be center of attention, but won't be in position to argue with them about it. Will at least ask nurse who is in attendance.

    Bipsy - Will be thinking of you tmrw/today as we get our final infusions. it's 4:30 am, just can't sleep. As happy as I am that this is last, not looking forward to days afterwards. #5 kicked my ass.

    Gatamol - good luck with Taxol. Wishing you minimal SEs.

    Justamy - Glad no hospital stay for you. Happy you are getting away, enjoy!

    Cassie - # 5 down, congrats.

    Wishing everyone minimal SEs thru these next treatments.

    Went to dinner with DH, DD, and boyfriend to steakhouse last night.. Defrosting eggplant parm for tonight. Eating while I still can. Standby chicken soup for other days.

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    gatomal, best luck today! Maybe if you fake a seizure they will slow it down? You should just to have fun with them

    Wizard, congrats!

    Hope, yup, I am doin rads I think in January. I am already on the board there too. Good insight on the emotional thing, I had heard of it and expect it too....it is already starting!

    Catie, wooohooo!

    So....last one. I am expecting awful SE but hoping for minimal. Already packed with edible food, going to relax after tx and drink gallons of water to flush out. Got new games loaded on ipad along with books. I am ready! Let's do this!

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited November 2014

    Bippy! Too funny. Spit out my coffee.

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited November 2014

    justamy, I'm glad you got some good news! Enjoy your time away. :)

    Bippy, congrats to you!!! I've heard of a Sancuso patch for nausea, but it's pricey.

    Gatomal, good luck today!

    Wizard, congrats on finishing!!!

    Hope50, I think you're spot on about the emotional piece of all of this.

    Catie57, good luck and congrats to you too!!!

    I find myself crying tears of happiness this morning with everyone's good news. We've been battling SO hard for months now, and look at all of us crossing the finish line! I know most of us aren't "done" completely, but to finish chemo is HUGE. I can't wait to be posting about my final chemo infusion in 24 days...

    {{hugs}} for all of you. I hope the SEs are minimal for allof us as we move through today and the weekend.

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    the donuts were a huge hit this morning. One went missin out of the dozen....haha, don't know nuthin about that! Delicious.

    They are workin on some kinda other anti nausea stuff.....hope I get it under control this tx. Playin fruit ninja and wooords, DH is workin today, I made him go away for a few hours.

    Cassie, right there with ya! Number 5 was one of the easiest for me, no idea why. Afraid this last one will really suck but then, it is all suck, just different levels, right? All my nurses LOVE my BS surgeon, and the are in the know, so that makes me feel good.

    We are like that lady on the Big Lots Christmas commercials...we are nailin it! Stay strong my peeps

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  • Kellogg2006
    Kellogg2006 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2014

    Good luck to everyone having infusions today. I'm getting ready to head out to taxol #3. But I'm still not feeling great so I don't know if they will treat me. The nurse said the other day to come in and see the doctor and he'll decide the best course of action. On one hand I am hoping they do it because that means only one more. On the other hand if there is a chance I am going to get sicker, I don't want it. My mother in law and 3 of her friends are coming weds from Ireland and I don't want to be anymore down and out than I have to.

    Happy Friday everyone!

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    kellog, i hear ya. Hope you can get it done!

    I am finishing my last taxotere infusion right now!!! Then it is bounce time, back home to warm bed, nice pjs, snuggly kittaehs, DH, excellent meal while I can still eat, and crap tv. I got no plans except for doc appts next week in case my health sucks. Last freakin Nueplasta is Sunday. Amen!

    Let is begin a night before chemo poem, i will start--

    twas the night before chemo and all thru the house

    Not a creature was happy, not even my spouse,

    The anti nausea drugs were hung on the mantel with care

    And hopes that that Chit might my body spare

    Hahahahaha


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  • Catie57
    Catie57 Member Posts: 263
    edited November 2014

    Bipsy - Love your poem. CONGRATS on last chemo. We did it! Still hasn't sunk in really for me yet. I won't feel finished until I get thru the rest of week. If you know what I mean. But in reality we don't have to do this anymore.

    Meeting with RO on Dec 5th. Get a short break in between. Mtg w mo in 3 weeks to talk hormone meds.

    They gave me a liter of fluids after chemo today since I got dehydrated last time. Going to be on extra days of steroids too. Get my neulasta shot tomorrow. Usually tmrw night I start going down hill. Took my miralax as soon as I got home. Really seems to help with stomach issues I was told the wrist bands people wear for sea sickness may be good for nausea. I think I still have them some where. Can't hurt to try.

    My sisters BC cake was a huge hit. All the nurses, pts and Dr. Took pics of it with their cells, and one guy made it his screen saver on phone. Ha! Needless to say with all the fuss didn't start treatment until 40 mins after we got there. Tasted just as good as it looked. Amazing!

    Wishing everyone minimal SEs.

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  • eileenpg
    eileenpg Member Posts: 467
    edited November 2014

    Wizard,Bippy and Catie57: Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    My last chemo Dec1. I am on count down. Pray I have taste buds for Thanskgiving. They are still really funky. Still can't eat much. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Everyone good luck

    Gatomal= I think of you often. I only wish the best for you and your babies. Six filhts of steps could put you in labor. You are a tough chick.

    Justamy=So glad you are not visitng the hopsital again. That is for sick people. We are not sick. We are getting better.

    Hope50=See you on rad boards. i start Dec10.

    If I forget anyone I am sorry. Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend. I work on the weekends and believe or not really look forward to it. I work with 3 other people who are the best to me.

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  • Kellogg2006
    Kellogg2006 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2014

    thanks Bippy! I LOVE your poem! I suck at that stuff so I am not even going to try! Ha ha.

    So MO said we can go for it so we did taxol #3. One more to go! I have slight Numbness in my toes so he said if it gets any worse after this one he might cancel my last taxol which is scheduled for Dec 5th. Not sure how I feel about that yet but we will see. Even when I'm done I have plastic surgeon follow up, gyno appointment, RO meeting, liver specialist so still busy and go back to MO at the end of January to discuss hormone meds.

    A friend of my family came to see me yesterday she's a professional baker and make some cookies in the shape of a pink ribbon for me and all the nurses. I brought them in today, they were a big hit. They gave some to some other breast cancer patients and they appreciates them. Made me feel good to do something nice for them!

    Have a good night all! Sweet dreams

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited November 2014

    So finished taxol number one. It took a lot to coordinate with the cold caps and the cold mittens and booties. Didn't like my nurse much. She tried twice to start an IV, then another nurse tried twice in the other arm? But made the forth one work. I couldn't go to the bathroom during that hour+ and took my booties and mittens off 15 min Before allotted time was over to just go. These babies were stomping on my bladder. I feel a bit weird on the taxol, my leg muscles feel very tight, like I worked out hard. Taking l glutamine, b6 and folate for the next four days. Nails painted black. We'll see how it goes. Elevator in my building is fixed now, so after another four hours of cold capping we can leave the hospital and go home to use it. Have a good weekend everybody,

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