Starting chemo September 2014

LARock, this is very encouraging. I have my last taxol next week, and I was wondering how long it would take to feel better. I was hoping the fog would start to lift within a couple of weeks. Great to know that you're already feeling so much better, I know it must be a huge relief and a lift to your spirits. I just want food to taste good again.

Yes, chemo brain is real. Fortunately for me, my boss is pregnant, and she gets it because of the "pregnancy amnesia". We joke that between us we have one functioning brain. At least for both of us these are temporary conditions, we hope.

Sybil, I'm so glad you are nearing the end. The finish line is in sight!

Jean, I hope the taxol and infection move out of your system ASAP.

Has anyone else had problems with swollen feet and ankles? I've noticed some modest swelling over the last week or so but yesterday my feet and ankles looked like puffer fish. It was remarkable. I sent a note to my MO as I was going to bed and he replied immediately that he wanted me to get an ultrasound today to rule out a blood clot. The ultrasound tech I saw this afternoon said that my MO wouldn't get the report until Mon but that she didn't see anything concerning. While that's a relief, I'm still at a loss as to what could be causing this.

LARock, I agree with you, this shit sucks! Just heard about the daughter in law of a friend who now has mets in her hip bone and liver. We definitely need a cure.

It occurred to me today, 7.5 weeks post final chemo, as I was eating my dinner, that I was really enjoying my food. As in, it had flavor, and it smelled good, and it tasted terrific! Welcome back, taste buds! Oh, how I have missed you! No more metallic taste, or dirty sweat sock taste. No more mouth sores, or acid reflux. No headaches, or horrible shedding skin. I believe I am on an uphill swing from this! I have about 1/8" of hair on my head, my eyelashes are coming back, and I may actually have to have an eyebrow wax this week! My appetite is coming back, and my energy seems to be returning, albeit, slower than I would like. I'm still having some trouble sleeping, and a bit of hand and foot pain, and the chemo brain makes me feel like a ditz, but I am feeling hopeful that those things will improve as well. Two months ago, I felt worse than I ever have in my life, and I thought I would never feel normal again. Just want to give those of you that are still in the trenches some hope. It gets better!

Chemo was definitely the hardest thing I have ever been through, and there were so many times that I thought I would give up, or that I would never get through it. Almost 2 months later, and I feel almost like my old self again. I am surprised to say this, but I am so glad I did it, and so proud of myself for getting through it, all by myself! There is such a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment in knowing that I fought this nasty disease as hard as I could. It is starting to feel like a win! While I am so sorry to be fighting this war with all of you, I am so thankful for the support and spirit that we have shared with one another, and I am grateful to be among such an amazing group of warriors! You ladies have made me laugh and cry and propped me up when I was stumbling. I have hurt for you, and rejoiced for you, and prayed for you. We have shared something that most people can't understand. You ladies will forever hold a special place in my heart!

Bad hair, I have added you to my daily prayer list. I hope you feel them

LA, you are phenomenal: your pic incredible! I had swelling too from the taxol family, and again on my current chemo. I take lasix also, but I attribute my swelling going down from acupuncture and the herbs I am taking from my darling little MD acupuncturist.

I am so glad we are all staying in touch. We began this together, fought it together, some of us still in the "chair, and will hopefully continue to fight for eachtoher.

Rose: will PM you

hugs and love

K

Sending prayers for blessings for all of you. Woke up with a blind spot as I was reading. It seems to have gone away but I am going to try to get in to the eye doctor this week. Just one more thing to be concerned about. Love, Jean

• Going to get the eye checked later today. Finished with taxol last week. Just had the herceptin / perjeta vaccines on Monday. I may be grasping at straws, but my cuticle seems a tiny bit better. I see the Sloan Kettering dermatologist tomorrow. So things seem to be moving forward for me as well. ALND surgery is scheduled for February 12. That's 2 weeks from tomorrow. Onward and hopefully upward. Love, Jean

Sybil, I hope your doctor can help. Love, Jean

Of course, it's shingles. Damn. Doc said it's not uncommon for those of us of a certain age with a diminished immune system. The good news is that it's within 48 hours of onset and the antiviral drugs have much more success when administered quickly, so I'm optimistic that I will respond. Unfortunately, my immediate supervisor at work is pregnant, and while shingles isn't considered generally contagious I was told to steer clear of her, there may be a small risk for pregnant women. I called and told her to check with her OB. I feel so bad if I've exposed her to something that may hurt the baby, I'm hoping this is just an overabundance of caution.

My biggest immediate problem is how to get someone to come over here and put calamine lotion on my back. So far my main issue is itching, and it's driving me nuts.

Wow sybil, I was also diagnosed with shingles this morning! My surgery next Thursday will probably be delayed. Oh well, God's timing is best. I also had the vaccine and started the antiviral early so hoping for a mild case as well. Love, Jean

Sybil, congrats on finishing chemo! Way to go!

Sybil and Jean, I am so sorry to hear that you both have shingles. I am wishing both of you the speediest recovery

Unfortunately, I have had a few curve balls thrown my way. During my pre-op testing for my hysterectomy, it was determined that I have stage 1 cervical cancer. Thankfully, my doctor assures me that removing my cervix will be the only treatment necessary to kick it to the curb. I am scheduled for a robotic assisted hysterectomy on Feb 27. I am also having the tubes and ovaries removed, as well as my appendix. I'm a bit nervous about the recovery period, but Little E has promised that he will be my nurse! He can't cook, and he refuses to clean toilets, but he works for M&Ms and Minecraft time, so I think I will keep him! LOL!

Also wanted to let you all know that I started taking Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin and Nails about a month ago, and I highly recommend it! My hair is coming in quite thick, my skin is looking really good, and my nails look amazing, except for one that had lifted from the nail bed. I am really babying that one so that I won't lose it. I am so hoping that by the time the weather warms up, my hair will be long enough to go "topless" without looking like a cancer patient.

Hope all of you are feeling as well as possible and taking good care of yourselves. You are all in my daily thoughts and prayers!

Jean, I'm having about the same experience with the shingles. The rash is dramatically reduced and what's left is crusted over. The itching has been managed pretty well with hydrocortisone and the pain has been minimal. From the horror stories I've heard about this ailment, it sounds like we dodged a bullet. My doc prescribed a prophylactic dose of the antiviral drug for the next 2 months, and you can bet I'll be taking that faithfully.

Badhairday, I had cervical cancer 11 years ago. I never asked the stage, but I know it was beyond stage1. I had radiation beforehand, then a radical hysterectomy and no follow up treatment was indicated. The recovery was a little rough, but I'm still here. Like I've told several folks, if you've got to have cancer, cervical is one of the best ones to have.

Shingles! As if you don't have enough to deal with! Hope both get relief soon.

Badhairday, Always good to see you! Sorry you have to deal with cervical cancer, too. It sounds like you have a great plan in place. Love Little E!

It's funny.... when I was first diagnosed with bc, my first thought wasn't "why me" or anything normal people would think of. It was "I haven't taught my children how to clean a bathroom"! Since then, I've tried to teach them, but they are completely resistant to learning this skill.

Bad hair, I too was diagnosed with the exact same thing: right BEFORE the BC diagnosis: I had a laproscopic hysterectomy in July before I started chemo in Sept

Feel free to PM me: It was not horrible: and I am on the same chemo now that they use for the uterine, but like you, my surgeon said taking it all was the way to go, and he would probably have not recommended chemo for it

Hugs to all, Ive missed you

Kath

I'll be send positive thoughts your way on Thursday Jean. I'm sure you'll come through it like the champ you are!

Most of my posting is in the Winter Rads group. I've had 8 of 35 treatments and all is going well so far.

Love to all

Hello all!

Sybil and Jean, so glad to hear that the shingles are improving. My sister had them, and she said they were horrific!

Jean, sending some healing prayers your way for Thursday!

LARock and Sybil, thanks for the reassurance. I'm thinking that after a bmx and chemo, it will take a lot more that a hysterectomy to break me down.

My surgery is scheduled for the afternoon of the 27th, and I should be sent home the next day at lunchtime. Little E has a cub scouts award thing that evening, and my doc said I could go if somebody drove me, and I felt up to it. I think he knew I would go whether he said I could or not! LOL!

I am trying to prepare as best I can, so that I will be able to spend 2 weeks just being a bum and resting up properly. Did a very thorough cleaning, and washed all the comforters, rugs, etc. Stocked up on groceries and household goods. Have a small pharmacy in my linen closet! Bought one of those reacher things so I won't have to bend or stretch for a while. A friend installed a grab bar for the shower and I have a shower chair. Ice packs, heating pad, etc. My apartment looks like a 90 year old woman lives here! LOL! But it will allow me to take care of myself, with the assistance of my 7 year old nurse! We have a pile of books, movies and games to entertain us. Chemo taught us that I am capable of doing a lot of things while laying on the couch! Little E is practicing running the vacuum, making beds, etc. He wants a few apps for his tablet, so he is going to earn some money helping mommy. I'm going to just ignore the spots he misses! LOL!

Even though it seems a lot of us have moved on to another stage of treatment now, I think of, and pray for, each of you every day, my chemo sisters! Hope you are all healing well, and getting stronger every day! Love to all of you!