Starting chemo September 2014

LARock, Call your MO. Mine changed my anti-nausea meds, which made a huge difference. When I could eat and drink, I felt so much better. Hopefully you can get some relief.

I wish you didn't have to go through that Jean but then again, I wish none of us had to be facing any of this. Cancer sucks but I know you'll kick its butt

LARock, congrats on finishing chemo! The last one was a doozy for me--I was a blob on the couch for quite a while! I agree with Poppy, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I am so glad to put it behind me! Watch out for germs now more than ever...your immunity is down, and it won't take much to get sick. My lovely little nieces and nephews were so happy to share their crud with me over the holidays, and I am still trying to kick my cough!

Jean, sorry to hear that you are facing another surgery. Will keep you in my prayers, for a speedy recovery.

Toby, sorry to hear you are still battling the nausea. I hope you are almost done with chemo. I'm not doing rads, but everybody I've talked to has said it is much easier to tolerate than chemo.

Saw the OBGYN on Friday. Had a pelvic exam, and spent the weekend dealing with some discomfort and bleeding. Did a pap smear, and also felt what he believes is a cyst on one of my ovaries so I am headed for an ultrasound tomorrow. The fun never ends. I will see him again on the 29th and we will most likely schedule the hysterectomy for sometime in early Feb. I just want to get on with it, and get rid of a couple more body parts I have no use for, before they have the chance to betray me. Trying not to freak out about that cyst--surely the chemo that damn near killed me would have killed anything else that was lurking in my body! Right? That's what I am telling myself so I can sleep at night.

Have an appointment with my GP on Weds. It appears that I got a spider bite (?) on my foot. Now I have this incredibly itchy, patchy, red, raw spot on my foot that will not heal. I have been using the diabetic foot cream that worked wonders on my other dry skin from chemo, and it isn't doing a thing. My FIL took a look today, and said he believes I may have cellulitis. As a diabetic, he has had a lot of experience with it, and ended up hospitalized with it once. I am going to get it checked out, just to be safe. I'm also going to ask for something to help me sleep. My MO cut me off from the Ativan, and I have been struggling with insomnia ever since. I am really starting to feel like my body is the enemy!

Little E and I made a new year's resolution to eat healthier. We ate so much junk over the holidays! We have been living on salad, veggies and dip, and fruit. It is amazing how much better we feel when we are munching on broccoli and clementines, instead of Christmas cookies and candy canes! LOL! I have been trying to get a bit more exercise as well, but it is difficult with the Cleveland weather. I really wish I could afford to join the rec center so I could walk on the treadmill, instead of outside with a -10 wind chill!

Nothing like starting the day with a vaginal ultrasound! LOL! I can't wait to get rid of the girly bits! I am planning on a laparoscopic hysterectomy, losing the uterus, ovaries and cervix. I'm considering having my appendix yanked while they are at it. Time to declutter all the unnecessary body parts.

My foot was so much worse when I woke up this morning. I could hardly put any weight on it. So after my ultrasound, I headed down the hallway. Right now I am hanging out in the ER waiting for xrays on my foot. The doctor seems to think I stepped on a Christmas tree needle, and got an infection due to my lack of immunity. Oh chemo, the gift that keeps on giving! Thankfully, I caught it early, so once they verify nothing is actually still stuck in my foot, I will get an antibiotic and a follow up with a podiatrist. I am destined to meet every doctor that works at this hospital, I think. The staff keeps apologizing for poking me. I told them that after going through chemo, they will have to do a heck of a bit to get me upset!

The moral of the story...pay attention to your body, and if something is off, get it looked at right away. The doctor said had I gone another day or two, I would have been looking at a hospital admission and IV antibiotics to clear this up. I felt silly for coming in rather than wait until tomorrow to see my GP, but he assured me I did the right thing. So be vigilant and insist on the care you deserve!

Badhairday, you're too funny! Keep up the great attitude.

Robin, I was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, not Cedars. Mine was outpatient surgery as I only needed a lumpectomy with SLND so I can't speak to how long your hospital stay will be.

I too have been having hot flashes since my 5th chemo. They seem to be better the last couple of nights. My MO says that the Lexapro he put me on will help. I'm only on 5 mg but if the flashes continue, he wants to up me to 10 mg.

I think my body is angry at me. Apparently 6 treatments were one too many. Adding fever blisters to my long list of SEs this time around.

Sending positive thoughts to all of you.......

BHD -- I am glad that you haven't lost your sense of humor!!!  When are you having your "decluttering" event?  Hang in there.  I promise you will feel better some day.

Toby -- I have been through many scenarios like that, night after night after night, and I am only 54. I got lucky and went through menopause starting at 49, so I know what you are going through and some nights I still have hot flashes.  Hang in there, you have lots to look forward to, i.e. the weight gain, the gravity problem (even my foobs sag) and of course the wonderful running to the bathroom when you sneeze.   LOL!!!! 

Hey Rose nice to hear from you. I finish chemo next week and will be glad to kiss that piece goodbye! ALND surgery February 12 then rads. I also am getting the herceptin / perjeta regimen every 3 weeks but from what I've read it isn't anywhere near as bad as chemo. Love, Jean

thanks everyone! Last question .... Buying a bra? Do you buy a few new bra's after the surgery? How will I know my size?

thanks!

Toby, ROTFL! You may be rocking your new look, but your "style consultant" is very, very expensive.... in every sense of the word. Awesome that no one can tell that your new hair is removable. I still feel odd when I wear my wigs.

Robin, I would advise that you buy stretchy bras without underwire to wear after surgery. I bought several styles in different sizes so I wouldn't have to go bra shopping post-surgery. I figured I could return the ones I didn't use. My favorites are by Bali and come in sizes small, medium, large, etc as opposed to 36C. I also found some zip front styles at KMart of all places. They were easy to put on after surgery. You will most likely be given a binder or something similar by your surgeon; I was. Also, many insurance companies cover your new bras. You might want to check into it.

LARock, Beautiful picture! Hope you get stronger every day! My favorite thing about my bald head is how quickly I can get ready in the morning!

Robin, best wishes to you for your surgery tomorrow! I had a BMX in August with TEs, and the hospital provided two bras for me with front velcro closure, which was great because I didn't consider that I wouldn't be able to pull a sports bra over my head. I wore it until my drains came out, and haven't worn a bra since. I live in tanks and camis now. (The only bonus of these rock-hard TEs is going braless!

Rose, congrats on finishing chemo! Isn't it the best feeling? I nearly skipped out of the cancer center after my last tx!

LARock, you look amazing! And so does the scenery! Little E and I (and he who shall not be named) attempted a hike today, but it was too slushy and icy, so we hung out at the nature center instead.It was actually a pleasant afternoon. The cabin fever is starting to catch up with us,

I've spent the last several days wearing a sexy surgical shoe, thanks to the roto-rooter job the ER docs had to do on my foot. I had a broken piece of Christmas tree needle in there that got infected. Good times! It seems to be healing well, thanks to 2 antibiotics, and the fact that Little E and I spent Friday and Saturday at home in our pajamas! I finally put a boot on today, because I refused to wear that goofy shoe to mass. Have to see the podiatrist on Wednesday.

Started Tamoxifen this week. I have had it since before Christmas, but my onc told me I could wait until after the holidays to start. It took me a couple of weeks to work up the nerve to start. So far, so good, as far as SEs go. My MO swears that the Tamoxifen is my most powerful weapon against recurrence, so I am forcing myself to give it a good shot.

I see my MO and do labs on the 28th, then GYN on 29th. Hoping to schedule the hysterectomy for early February. While I am looking forward to it, I am a little bit terrified about being home alone afterwards. Unfortunately, the only friend with the freedom to stay with me is male, so no thanks! Guess I will stockpile what I think I will need, and put my big girl boots on and get it done. It can't be worse than a C-section, right?

Robin73014 your insurance should cover your bras have to go to medical supply store oncologist should be able to refer you to a place

Jean, Congratulations! I understand not feeling like celebrating; chemo takes a lot out of you! Maybe feeling accomplished would be more appropriate!

congratulations Jean! Accomplished is definitely the better word, when we have so much more ahead of us!

You are in my prayers, my friend.  Think positive thoughts, things will be fine.