Starting chemo September 2014
Comments
-
thanks @Tobycc! That is great information! I now feel bad for complaining...you are working through this, I went out on disability. My job is pretty stressful and commission based. Best of luck with the rest of your chemo!
-
Robin, I had all those problems with TC. Not fun to deal with. I took Aleve for the bone aches and finally gave in and called the doctor for Hydrocodone. I take Gabapentin for the neuropathy. Now that I am in radiation treatments I am always tired and have no more insomnia. At my age, hot flashed are the norm.
Toby, how lucky can you get!!!!! The only one that cleans my house is my husband and he "man cleans". Oh, for a normal life again!!! HissyPissy??? How cute.
I have never had any strange pets, but my son and his wife have a South American Guinea Pig. I call him "rodent"!!!!
-
robin, I could never do commission based! Glad you got disability
-
Tonight E and I went to our family group night. The theme was gratitude, and we talked a lot about thinngs we are thankful for, and not grateful for. We have kids in the group from 4-17, and it is fascinating to me to look at cancer from the perspective of the children. It was a great lesson in counting my blessings. We made a frame with a photo of the two of us holding a banner that says "Today I am thankful for" and each day we can use a dry erase marker to fill in the blank. Today we are thankful for cupcakes! LOL!
I am an avid baker, but haven't made anything since my diagnosis. Today I baked and decorated 24 cupcakes for E to bring to family group and for us to celebrate his birthday tomorrow. I can't believe how much it wore me out. I'm almost grateful that school insists on prepackaged snacks. I happily handed over the cash for little bags of cookies.
Dropped E off with his dad for the nighr, and came home to check on the birthday surprise. The dragon is in the house! She is really friendly and when I talk to her, she cocks her head to the side, like she's really listening. I can't wait for E to see her tomorrow and I am anxious to see what he decides to name her. Hopefully not hissypissy! LOL!
I have such wonderful friends. Not only did they set up the aquarium, but I came home to a nice, clean apartment. My friend even wrapped E's other little gifts. Her girls cleaned the bathroom, dusted, vacuumed and took out the trash. It was such a sweet surprise.
One week post tx, and I can't believe how bone tired I am. The fatigue this time is overwhelming.
-
Hi ladies, haven't checked in awhile. Just finished reading all your post.
Mom has her last chemo scheduled in late December. and then surgery in late December. Have mri and petscan scheduled.
seems like reaching a halfway point then radiation after that.
Wondering any more ladies getting their surgery in January?
-
Meet Ahsoka, the bearded dragon. Isn't she pretty?
-
she is a beauty!!!
-
Yes, she is pretty. You are a GREAT mom!!!! -
Ahsoka looks lovely!
-
I have been doing ok on the Taxol. Some burning sensation on my hands and tongue is all. Number 4 on Monday. Was up throwing up all night but I think it was,something I ate, not from the chemo. Feeling better now, just tired. Love, Jean
-
WOW, what a night!!! Before I got dressed and had on my wig, I went to help the caterer's carry food in the door and the first words out of both of their mouths were -- OMG, What happened to you?? That was terrifying enough for me to run to my office and not want to come out, I couldn't imagine what the rest of the night was to hold. My boss was not happy with them at all. After I pulled myself together, I told a few of my favorite clients my story and basically kept moving up and down the hall so I didn't have to stop for very long at the ones I didn't care to talk to. It went surprising well and even a couple of people told me that they loved how I colored my hair. It has always been a very prominent silver (my husband called it a beacon of light) with a hint of black and my wig is much darker. I just smiled, said thanks and kept walking. The highlight of my night was when my little guy and his wife walked around the corner and gave me a big bear hug and told me he was there to check on me. Whew, I survived that night, I'm glad it is over. It is your turn Toby, I will be thinking of you!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!! We are survivors.
-
Jean, hope you get well fast!
Nomatteewhat, it sounds like you rocked your event, like a bad ass! Good going! You're a warrior!
I am becoming strangely attached to our new pet. Who knew? LOL! Still not excited about the crickets though!
It is 11 days post chemo, and I am still so fatigued. I find myself wondering if I will ever not feel tired again. My last AC is scheduled for Weds, and I will be so glad when it's over!
-
Jean, Hope you feel better quickly. I've also eaten something that didn't agree with me and paid the price!
Nomatterwhat, Sorry your night got off to a rough start. What a horrible thing to say to anyone.... under any circumstance! Glad you recovered from the rudeness of the caterer and were able to ROCK the night! I use my wigs to change my look up a bit.
Badhairday, I was extremely fatigued after this last infusion, too. My next one is on Tuesday. Hope we both do well next week. BTW, I never got used to the crickets.
Hope everyone (including my non-American friends) has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for all of your support!
Poppy
-
I was in the Sept 13 group and finished chemo on Nov 22, 2013. I took a picture every Friday for the last year to document my hair growth. I compiled those and will post my document here so those of you who are near finishing will have an idea of what to expect. Some Sept 13 gals had hair that grew much faster than mine, and a few had hair that grew slower. Mine was middle of the road. Mine also got crazy curly, and you will see many attempts to pin it back, straighten it, gel it, and all sorts of other things! I did not comb it special for the pictures...they are all taken however I looked that day. My hair is finally pretty manageable, and though it is not nearly as long as it was, I do look in the mirror and feel like I look like me again. I think of all of you every day and hope that you are day by day plodding through. It does get better...much, much better.
-
Kbee, you look beautiful! Thank you so much for the inspiration. :-)
-
Kbee, Thanks so much for posting. I usually chaperone my middle son's high school marching band.... but BC interfered this season. So, I signed up to participate in a big trip to Paris next winter (a privilege we are paying for) to make up for it! Now I know I will most likely have hair!
Poppy
-
Kbee, you have no idea how much I needed to see that! I spent half the day in tears, after realizing this morning while trying to make myself look not so haggard, that at least half of my lashes are gone. I know in the larger scheme of things, this is just a small thing, but ya know...cancer just sucks! Thanks for reminding us that there is light (and hair!) at the end of the tunnel.
Poppy, thinking of you and sending healing prayers your way for tomorrow. Go kick that cancer right in the ass, one last time! I will finish it off on Wednesday!
Thanksgiving break this week. Had a conference with Little E's teacher today, and despite the cancer, divorce and move, he is doing great. So thankful for that! Had a power outage this afternoon, so we read books, played board games, and worked on a jigsaw puzzle. It was almost disappointing to have the lights come back on!
Little E is going with me for labs and MO appointment tomorrow. He wants to meet my onco and tell her thank you for making my cancer go away. I cried in a good way when he told me that! It makes facing the last tx on Weds a little less dreadful.
-
Badhairday, We have this! Kicking cancer's sneaky ass..... and managing the kid(s) and pet(s)! Your Little E stories brighten my day! He's a wonderful kid.... and will become a great man, husband and father one day.... thanks to your guidance. I make up for the missing eyelashes by using more eyeliner (pencil). From a socially acceptable distance, it looks just fine.
My oldest son (the one who is being so difficult) invited me to the movies today. I went with him, because I need to make those connections when I have the change. We had a great time and he wanted to talk about my treatment (a rare occurance).
One of the only times I cry about BS is the day before chemotherapy.... which is today! Gotta get that out of my system so I can be a badass, cancer kicking ninja tomorrow!
-
poppy and bad hair, go ring that bell!!!!!! So proud of you all!!!
Poppy, what a great, great day
Kay bee, thanks for showing your beauty to us!
Blessings
-
Poppy, my youngest daughter, who is 18, and way smarter than me (at least she thinks so), is home from college for fall break. We have spent the last year or so clashing like crazy. I made a point of just setting it to the side this week, and just spending some time with her. Like you said, you have to grab the chance when it presents itself. Somebody told me years ago that God makes babies adorable, so that you won't leave them on a doorstep when they refuse to sleep, and makes teenagers a pain in the ass so you won't be heartbroken when they leave the nest! LOL! I think there's some truth to that!
Embrace your inner ninja, Poppy! I may borrow one of Little E's turtle weapons to bring with me on Weds!
Toby, you will hear that bell all the way in Florida!
-
Poppy and BHD, YOU ROCK LADIES!!!!! Nothing better than ringing that bell. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and Wednesday. You ladies are such an inspiration with your wonderful stories about your kids and how you are managing whatever life is throwing at you. Can't wait to see you on the rads board.
BHD, your Little E is a great kid. He isn't going to be little for very long. Enjoy him!!! I remember when my son was my "little guy" and no matter how old or tall he gets I tell him that he will always be my "little guy". Now he is 26 and towers over me at 6'5" (and I am 6').
Poppy, It sounds like your son is turning a corner. Maybe he has finally realized that you are a badass, cancer kicking ninja who is going to Paris with him next year and life will become normal again.
Kbee, AWESOME!!! Thanks for the pictures. It looks like there will be normalcy back in my life sometime soon.
Toby, how much longer before you are done? Are you joining us on the rads board?
-
Had my 4th Taxol yesterday with no major problems. Love my port as it is so much easier than digging for a vein. Feeling good today so far. Also herceptin / perjeta were added as this is week 4 and they will continue every 3 weeks for a year. Only 8 more Taxol to go! I just love my chemo doc. She is cute, caring, funny and brilliant. What a combination. I am so blessed. Love, Jean
PS Hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.
-
Jean, glad to hear things are going so smoothly for you. Hoping for a SE free Thanksgiving for us all!
Ugh! Complications for me today. Went in for labs and a bandage change for my picc line today, as well as onco appt. The home health nurse that did my bandage last week was a flake, who showed up late, and did a rush job. I knew it wasn't right, but I needed to fly to get E off the bus. My picc is slightly infected. Gah! I told the nurse that if this set back my final chemo, I was going to lay on the floor and throw a tantrum like a two year old! I wasn't even remotely kidding! I want to be done! So I was sent to radiology, where they checked it, smothered it in antibiotic cream and bandaged again. So chemo is on for tomorrow. I will get Neulasta, IV fluids and anti-nausea on Friday, and then the picc will be removed. I was hoping to keep it for my hysterectomy, but I can deal with an IV if I have to. I just need to be done with this chemo!!!!!!
Waiting for a call from the RO's office, to find out what is ahead as far as rads. I'm almost more nervous about that than chemo. Guess it's time to start reading the rads threads
I really want to take a nap, but I promised E we would make some pumpkin roll today. It's his absolute favorite thing in the world, so here goes...
Poppy, hope your day is going well and you are going all ninja warrior! Remember, every time a bell rings, cancer gets a kick in the butt!
-
Lots of snow predicted for tonight and tomorrow, 6-10in. Hope we in the northeast all get to families safely for Thanksgiving and have minimal SE'S. Love, Jean
-
Jean, Sounds like you are making the best for this situation we have found ourselves in. Here I am, so happy to be done, and you have a ways to go still. Love your spirit. Cancer doesn't stand a chance.
Badhairday, Uhgggg! I hope that cream clears the infection up enough to use your port. I know how you feel (because my port was infected on the first infusion day), but you definitely don't want to use an infected port. Better safe, than sorry. I'm rooting for the slight infection to be gone, and your chemo day to happen as scheduled.
For me, I AM DONE! Labs were all good, chemo went smoothly. Got another bloody nose in the MOs office, heartburn is really bad... even with Prilosec. But, those are minor things. The hot flashes are horrendous.... I have them frequently and they wake me up several times a night. Next on to rads.... then 10 years of Tamoxifen. My MO had a straight forward take with my DH about how Tamoxifen would effect his sweet wife. Tee Hee! Let's hope it isn't that bad.
-
BHD, hang in there, tomorrow is coming!!!! You can do this. It is your turn to kick cancer in the butt tomorrow. Ring that bell, girlfriend!!!! I will be listening. Rads, are really not that bad. I go over at the same time everyday, lay on the table, get zapped, get dressed and back to work, all in an hour.
Jean, Having a great doctor makes such a difference in treatment. You are doing great, you can do this. And, btw, you can keep the snow up there with you all winter!!!
Poppy, I am headed to my MO tomorrow to talk about Tamoxifen. Am I in for a surprise??
-
I think someone was fibbing, it's been said by many that taxotere/herceptin/perjeta is easier to handle and deal with than the A/C, I'm two weeks post treatment and I've had all these side effects in this order, terrible pain on days 3-6, then the diarrhea started, runny nose and watery eyes haven't stopped since the A/C, dry mouth with funky metal chemical taste, then a skin rash on my back, arms, shoulders and now moving to my thighs which itches, a nuisence bloody nose just about every morning, this morning I woke up with a very puffy face, which improved after showering, the only stuff that tastes good is sweet stuff, anything salty tastes like what I imagine road salt would taste like, I'm hoping the next treatment goes better, and that most of these side effects are from the taxotere because I have a year of herceptin to do and I'm not sure if I can deal with it. Sorry for the rant, but had to get that of my chest. And to top it off I bumped my mediport moving a box that was husbands because I got tired of it being in the way. Irritated!!
Congratulations to all of you finishing chemo!!
-
I'm so glad to hear some of you are finishing chemo .. and maybe a little jealous. That's awesome! Surely there will be an end to this. I have at least 10 more weeks of taxol and maybe then Herceptin for a year after that. But really, I'm happy for you all. Another great reason to be thankful. -
rose, how many taxotere? You may remember I had two with Cytoxen...then I had a reaction. Rash on thighs, but worst was what they call hand foot syndrome. It's like a burn
MO said not more, but then started taxol. It's in the same family. Sitting here after 3 with same rash on legs, hands starting.
The pain on taxotere was like yours...had to do pain pills. Now it's my whole leg, both of them feel like they weigh 500 pounds
Not sure what MO will do Friday. I know I will have to skip this week....have HUGE fundraiser next week and have to keep it together
poppy....SO proud of you!!!!!! Have loved cheering you on from the sidelines...BDH good luck!
Blessings
-
Rose, Have you called your MO about your SEs? After round 3, my eyes were so teary I couldn't see to read or even watch tv. I had bloody noses the last week... even today when in my MOs office.
Good to see you Toby! Sorry about your SEs. I hope you fundraiser goes well!
Nomatterwhat, My DH has been warned by more than one doctor about the changes Tamoxifen causes. In my case, it will throw me into menopause.... HARD! Irritability, mood swings, personality changes, not feeling "right"... weight gain, period problems and so on. The pharmacist at my treatment center said "You've been together a long time. You will get through this." When I looked up, I saw he was directing his comments to my DH... not me for a change! :-) But Tamoxifen works.
That said, I understand and respect the decisions others have had to make to go off of Tamoxifen.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team