Starting Chemo January 2015
Comments
-
Beachbum1023, thanks for the cuticle oil advice.I actually had some on hand but forgot about it.It does help.
Way to go Cheryl!Congrats on completing AC chemo!What a great relief I'm sure that is!
Sweethope, your celebration train trip to New York sounds like it would be a lot of fun!It is definitely something to look forward to and doing once done.Hope you are feeling good after chemo # 3 and getting the zzzz's you need!!
Lara, I'm not on the same chemo cocktail as most of you are so I can't comment about AC or Taxol side effects but I know exactly what you mean about fixing one thing and then having to mend the side effects caused by that first fix. Like Beachbum, the main thing I do is drink loads of water!Glad your team is working with you on the issues you are experiencing.Good for you too for being 50% through the AC chemo.
Teri, I have a very demanding stressful job as well.I used to work between 50 to 60 hours a week (this was just before my dx) and I have promised myself that will not happen again once I get back to work.I agree with you 100% - me and my family first and work second!!Part of my problem was really always trying to help others at work.I won't be turning my back on that but I have got to put my needs out there more often.I need to enjoy life more simply also. Like Marjo posted "We are all going to die one day, why run towards it".
My short term plan/reward for completing chemo is to get a new puppy.My daughter has been after me for many years about getting a dog and I kept putting it off for one reason or another.I decided at the end of 2014, that I shouldn't put this off anymore.We put a deposit down for a labradoodle puppy on Dec 31.The puppy is due in early March and we should have it by the beginning of May. I will still have to deal with radiation then but will hopefully be on the mend from chemo by that time.It has really given me something exciting to look forward to.That is part of my healthy living plan too as I will have no excuses about going out for a walk!!LOL
Wishing everyone is on top of their SE's and getting the rest they need.
Wendy
-
Ladies, looking back at how far you have all come, there have been some life changing moments for all of us! You have all been through the scans, labs, chemo, rads, and surgery. And you still battle forward, and are doing well. But I also see so many things to bring us joy. I've read many threads, and I see the plans of new events. Some are planning to go on a cruise to far away lands, others are joining family members for birthday parties and shopping trips. We have Spring weddings, and other family members that have completed treatment! We have graduations and baby showers. Children are going to school, and enjoying all the snow days building snowmen and drinking cocoa. We have ladies listening to classical music, and others planning get together lunches in Florida. We have new puppies, and I have new fish and a bigger aquarium to fill. We have loving husbands, and children to snuggle, and kitties to sleep on our cold feet. And we have the best friends ever right here to share our down days and celebrate the great ones! Even though not all of our days are winners, we have a whole lot of life and love going on!
Stay warm, and have a great weekend! So what is your next big thing to celebrate? The end of chemo deserves a celebration!
-
Beachbum, you are our Head Cheerleader.
Wendy, on those sleepy Rad days you will have a puppy to snuggle up with. Great plan.
-
Wendy - I too am getting a new puppy this Wednesday! It's a small Havanese and her name is My Angel Josie! She was born on 11/7/14 (the same day my husband unexpectedly passed away). And 3 weeks after that I was diagnosed with the breast cancer. So needless to say after speaking with my surgeon I mentioned I would like to get a puppy and he said absolutely YES!! Gosh I was like a little kid. I'm with you that will also make me get out of the house and get walking again and getting my new normal back!! Good luck with your puppy....have a name picked out?
Mary
-
Mary, I am so sorry to hear you recently lost your husband. My deepest condolences. How wonderful though Josie was born that day also. I'm sure she will bring you much love and enjoyment! We have a bunch of names we picked out but won't decide until we see our new puppy.
Beachbum1023 - well said. Cheers!!
-
Bonsoir! Not sure how this keeps happening lately but I keep dropping off the email notifications chain so I only realise I am missing on the conversation when I suddenly worry about you guys and decide to take a moment to check on you lol.
We ended up having to evacuate the subway because of a broken water pipe... Blame it on the crazy temperature! We are going to dip really really low on Monday but my mother is certain that march will be balmy! Here in winter all we do is talk about the weather... And curse it a lot lol.
Going to see a modern tango show tonight. Really excited! Will think of you Jenn!
On a related note I think here at least people have lost their sense of politeness. Most days I am fine but some days I get really sweaty (typically going back to work after the infusion). To me it is clear I show signals of not doing well - first removing my scarf, then coat, then jacket... Yet no one ever offers to give me their seat. This week I saw a young woman coming in the subway carrying her young baby and... Same thing!!! I am thinking of writing a note to the daily local newspaper - I know it's me who wants to go to work but... Seriously???
Bon, off my soapbox now lol.
Have a nice rest of the weekend. Playing tennis with a new friend tomorrow. Hope I won't run out of steam :0(
Marjo
Ps. Lori, you will love riding the subway in NYC!
-
I want a dog. My son loves dogs and I decided I would get another dog at some point this year after our yard is fenced in. Given the cancer DX, I decided it needed to wait at least a year when hopefully I am done with treatment. It's just my 4 year old and me living in the house. I am a single mom by choice and had him via a donor. My boyfriend is here often but I feel taking on the the puppy now would be too much... especially since I have decided I want a Great Dane!
-
Wendy,
do you have some name ideas for your little labradoodle pup? Do you want a boy or a girl? I know the breeder will send pics so I hope you share them with us. Exciting!
Kristin
-
Wendy I just realized you answered this question already! Heehee need to read better
Mary,
I am so sorry about you losing your husband. I cannot imagine how hard this must be. Then you are going through this journey with all of us as well. Do you have some good support there in Kalamazoo? We will definitely be here for you in anyway we can. I am excited about your little Havanese! Please send pics.
Love,
Kristin
-
sugar cakes,
How are you feeling? When is your next treatment?
-
Marjo,
How was tennis?
Cheryl, Becky, and Jenn,
how are you all feeling?
Wanted to update you all that the respiratory thing has eased off a bit. I was able to go out yesterday do some shopping and visit with a few friends. Felt like heaven after ten days of being laid out and miserable. I plan to work tonight and tomorrow night. Hope I can make it. Then AC número tres on Wednesday. Other than a little coughing and fatigue I think I am ready.
Thinking of you all.
Kristin
-
We love you, Beachbum!
Beautiful words from beautiful you. As I said to you before, we are so fortunate to have you in our lives! Your advice, inspiration, hope and experience have strengthened us all.
hope you have a wonderful day!
Kristin
-
Beachbum, thank you for the encouraging post!! Sometimes it's hard to see our blessings when we are faced with so many daily struggles!!
To those of you getting puppies, that is wonderful! I wish I could get adog, but I just have to stick with my cat and my goldfish right now.
Cheryl. Congrats on finishing Chemo AC. What's next?
Kristin, is there snow in Missoula?? Brr cold here this morning!!
I am going to paint my fingernails dark, take my steroids and pack my bag for # 3 tomorrow of TCHP. Darn and I was feeling so good too.
Sugarcakes, when is your 2nd infusion? Maybe you just had it and I missed the post. How are you doing?
Marjo: I am sorry you had to stand up when you are so tired and uncomfortable. People need to wake up and notice other people!! My husband and I have a word for that. We look ay each other and say the word OTHERS. When people are being self absorbed anywhere, store, the road, etc.
I am noticing weird little tics, aches and pains etc. SE I presume??
Everyone stay warm! enjoy your Sunday
Blessings to all!
Patty
-
Cherylflg, I began my first of 4 rounds of Taxotere and cytoxan on January 20, 2015. My Breast Cancer was found on my routine 49 year old mammogram on November 10, 2014. I had an ultrasound guided biopsy the following day which confirmed my diagnosis of IDC. An MRI 3 days later found me to have 4 small tumors in the same quadrant of my right Breast. I opted for a lumpectomy of my right Breast with mastopexy of my left. My oncologist decided that 4 rounds of TC before radiation would be a good plan since I had micrometastasis to one of the 4 sentinel nodes and because I am only 40 years old. The first round of chemo went much better than expected. I had severe joint pain for a few days after my Neulasta shot, a few days of colitis, and began losing my hair at the 14 day Mark. This time around, I have had many more side effects and am now dealing with severe hives anoint pain and swelling. Anyone else have this happen 2 weeks out from an infusion?
-
Hi all,
Been a little bit since I have been in, but following post in emails--but like Marjo seem to be missing some here and there! I am doing ok, port placement is still healing but pain has eased off, nausea seems to have mostly passed, mainly just bouts of dizziness and light-headedness here and there. I am good news--yesterday I passed my bronze medal test in all 10 International style ballroom and latin dances!! It wasn't my strongest dancing thanks to side effects, but I got through all 10, even Viennese Waltz and passed
I was supposed to the test the week before treatment, but it wasn't able to happen due to logistical issues. I am glad to get it out of the way, before too many treatments passed! Now I can focus completely on my silver stuff, hoping to do that test when all this is finished On a funny note, when I did get home last night, tiredness and memory issues combined to lead me to lose my pyjamas between my bedroom and the bathroom, and when I did find them (in the living room of all places), I proceeded to put them on backwards--3rd time this week! I didn't realize I had lost my pyjamas until after my shower so I was running around in a towel looking for them hoping my roommate stayed in his room lol I love my little chemo adventures that make me smile Mary--Sorry to hear about your husband, but glad to hear you have puppy to keep you company!
Kristen--So glad to hear you are feeling better!
Wendy--you must be excited about the new puppy! All plans in place??
Brandi--I have the same thing with steroids--too much talking too fast (it's also a habit of people from the Maritimes to talk 100 km/h lol), I also talk too much when I am tired--guess just lack of control!
Beachbum--Thanks so much for being the cheerleader for us all--I hope your rads keep going well for you and the fatigue won't be too much. I have 6 weeks of rads in my future, likely starting 3 weeks after I have my last chemo treatment on July 4th. I can't remember if I posted or not (goodness my memory is the pits these days!), but the decision has been made to do the rads in my chest and armpit first, then do my double Mx with reconstruction--which would remove a lot of the tissue that might be damaged by the rads, and allow the surgery to be done in one shot. Finishes everything up for me before the new year
Sweethope--All the travel sounds exciting--great pic in the sleeper car! I would love to do an extended trip by train--like crossing Canada--I hear the trip through the Rockies is pretty amazing (although the praries can be a little boring lol)!
Marjo--How was the show?? Sorry to hear about the subway, and the weather out east in general--you are welcome to come to Vic and enjoy the cherry blossoms and double digit temps
Sugarcakes--My sister has a great dane, at one point had two, and prior to that raised two litters of them (she is a veterinarian). They are great dogs--huge couch potatoes and exactly like Marmaduke! If you are getting one, make sure the bloodlines are certified free of hip and joint issues--any reputable breeder would be able to provide that.
Cheryl--congrats on finishing AC!! Big milestone! Is your taxol going to be weekly or every two weeks? How much longer do you have! Doing a big happy dance for you!!
Patty--Good luck with your treatment tomorrow--I hope the SEs are light for you!
Mackster--welcome! Sorry you are here, but glad to meet you. I can't answer your questions as I am on a different cocktail, but I hope your SEs work themselves out.
Have a great Sunday everyone! So jealous of all the puppies, but love my kitties to death
Jenn
-
ok girls I have nail product rave reviews on two products I have found. I am a nail color junkie and a former manicure shellac addict. Now I know the entire shellac process is toxic, time consuming, expensive and not worth it -at least to me.
Here is a nontoxic, carcinogen free couple of lovely options I have found that actually work better than traditional choices.
Remover: Karma naturals nail polish remover avail on amazon
Polish: Butter of London Nail Laquer
Just a couple of items that have made really happy these days. Especially going into Taxol.
I also have completely detoxed my home. Switched to all stainless cook wear, all natural cleaners, all natural unscented detergents, facial and body products. Extreme I know, but it has simplified my life considerably and will save lots of money in long run. All vents for heaters, fans etc, cleaned meticulously, air out house with windows and doors opened at least 20 min daily despite cold. Most of these cleaning products can made at home for pennies. Ok getting off my soapbox! Haha
Love you all. Really do. We rock.
Kristin
-
jenn loved your post! Great synopsis of all our BC sisters shares of challenges accomplishments and fun updates this week! I hadn't thought about recon removing damaged skin from rads. Hmmmm. May rethink choice to stay flat. Congrats on your dancing advancements. Man, so proud! Could U plzzzzz post videos?
-
patty
U r so pretty! Is that your real hair? Truly beautiful.
Yes on the snow and also sunshine! my son and his dad are out snowboarding for the 10th weekend in arow or something! Loving the powder. Will join them after this journey I love to ski!
My husband and I have a saying for the buttheads that are clueless and we stole it from Seinfeld,
"People. They're the worst!"
Of course you all know I love people. I take care of them for a living and love them all even the crotchety ones. I work psych, for goodness sake! But people who should know better do anger me. Mean people suck. If I were there withMarjo I would unabashedly ask them to please give up their seat for my weak sweaty friend who is clearly uncomfortable. Duh. I live by "wag don't bark." It captures my love of doggies and my life philosophy. Ok sorry I am monopolizing the board! Will try to abstain til tomorrow.
Kristin
-
one more thing... No more plastic in my home. Glass only. Ciao!
-
Kristin and Patty...... thank you for your kind words! And I do love your saying "wag don't bark" I think I may start using that one, it's perfect for almost everything. It has been rough without my husband but I think God works in mysterious ways and probably knows it would have been almost impossible for me to put myself first as I took care of my husband for the last 8 years with his parkinsons (although that is not what took him).
I am so excited (first time since 11-7-2014) about picking up my little Josie on Wednesday. Gonna go out tomorrow to the pet store and find some tiny chew toys and stuff. Finally something to look forward to.
Mary
-
Kristin
Thank you for the nice complement. Boo hoo it brought tears to my eyes. Yes that "was" my hair. Long gone now. I have a wig that is synthetic I wore to do yard work. It is horrible and itches like crazy. I have a real human hair wig that I got from Lollyslocks.com. It is soft and doesn't hurt or itch. Lolly was a wonderful woman that wanted women with BC to have a chance to feel good with a real comfortable wig. When I can financially I am giving back to this wonderful foundation. Check out Lollyslocks if you can. Love to all !
Patty
-
Hi, all. I'm just coming out of SE's from DD AC #3. It's hard to tell what was due to chemo and what was due to Neulasta. I was hit harder than first two, but still consider myself lucky that nausea never led to vomit. Mostly, I felt like someone beat me up...no bone pain, but really sore muscles and skin. Slept less, so I experienced more discomfort than when I slept through previous SE's.
Wish I could respond to each of you all's posts, but brain is being lazy. I do need to say: Kristin, I started the no-plastic, de-tox the house regime last year. I brought out all my own and inherited sterling silverware and use it daily now. (It was normally only used on special occasions.). But since germs can not live on silver, I felt why should only royalty and the super rich be protected.
And Jenn, you amaze me. Congratulations!
About the puppies; I love my poms but can't take the smell right now. They want to be by my side most of the time. My Sylvia always licks my leg when she needs to go out, but I read somewhere to NOT let your dog lick you while on Chemo. That's a dilemma.
-
Sweethope, I'm so sorry to hear about the SE's you are having, you are such a trooper!! 3 down one more to go...you can do this!!
Mary
-
I haven't had anything positive to post lately but I do today. I saw my surgeon who did a quick ultrasound and my tumor has gone from 2.9 cm to 1.5 cm after 3 rounds of A/C chemo. Woo hoo! One more round of that and Taxol X 12 so maybe we can shrink it to nothing!
-
Brandi, so happy that darn tumor shrinking!!!! Chemo is working. That's why I am glad we are doing neoadjuvant! Yippee !!
I did round # 3 today.Feeling okay because of steroids and premeds. Shit storm hits tomorrow night. Sorry for the bad but appropriate word. Tomorrow when I go I only have to get 1/2 Neulasta dose and they are giving me a bag of fluids. This will help with dehydration day 3 and 4. Lab work low normal.
Patty
-
Brandi, happy dance shake it! Great news. Congrats #3 in the bag!
Patty, Nope that is the right word! Congrats #3 in the bag.
Game On Ladies, you got this!!! Those cancer killing butt kicking boots are stompin' it!
-
Brandi, Yay! The chemo is doing its job! So happy to hear your news
kristin -
Brandi, what excellent, exciting news about your tumor shrinking!
But, what did you mean about no other positive news lately? Are you having a rough time? You know we are here for you; good and bad times.
-
Good Morning Everyone, I've been reading the Feb & March Chemo dialogs and I wanted to address them
here...hoping they are still keeping track of us.You all were probably happy, healthy and zipping through your days worrying about the usual problems of work, parenthood, dinner, etcetera when BAM! You have cancer. It is consuming your world and isolating you from everyone that doesn't have it.
You have had to make serious, life changing decisions within a month's time...probably the longest month of your life. Many of you have already had your surgeries and port placement and now know that you tolerated those quite well. But now you not only agreed to look sick but feel sick to keep that Cancer away. Wow! You are brave! You really have a zest for life and want to get back to it. And you will.
But, right this minute, you need to breathe deep, exhale and draw on that inner strength that got you to this place. Be selfish! Listen to your body. Nap! You really will feel better after a good sleep. When you get too down, read the "Warm and Fuzzy..." jokes; laughter through tears is good medicine.
Forgive the friends that are shying away because they don't know how to relate. Forget the rude comment, or worse, rude silence from a loved one. Embrace that emotion when it hits you whether fear, rage, sadness, self pity...and accept that it is acceptable, even appropriate now. Then help yourself out of that funk because you know it's not healthy and it's not you.
Reading over this, I realize that I'm not giving you any novel advise, just common sense which I'm sure you have. But I felt a motherly need to comfort you, and a sisterly knowledge to agree with all you are feeling.
One last word...you are admired. Both here and by those that are personally witnessing your strength.
Becky
-
Sweet hope
I am on the February board but I read this one as well. Thank uou so much for that post. You explained exactly how I have been feeling about friends etc.
Nice to know we all go through the same things xoxo
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