Starting Chemo October 2014

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  • nottoday
    nottoday Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2015

    Hi ilovecoasters,

    Following up on MJS1266's comment, I found this link that may also be of interest. Specifically mentions cancer. With 18 years of perfect performance evaluations, you could have some really helpful conversations with an EEO counselor: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability.cfm.

    I'm sorry you're having to experience this craziness, on top of everything else, and I wish you the best.

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  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 199
    edited March 2015

    I finished treatment today and had several friends surprise me when it was time to ring the bell. So glad to be done.

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited March 2015

    Well well done Ilove!!! CONGRATS! Do you have rads next?

    Mine is next Monday: cant wait

    Blessings,

    K

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  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 199
    edited March 2015

    My final consult before starting rads is this Wednesday. They wanted to give me time off, but I'd just rather get done. I was also fitted for mastectomy bras today so I can wear a prosthesis. My right tissue expander has to be drained. The bras are hideous and beyond expensive, but they serve a specific purpose.

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  • nottoday
    nottoday Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2015

    Congrats, ilovecoasters! How wonderful to have friends drop by.

    Tobycc, will be cheering you across the finish line next Monday!

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  • She-Angel
    She-Angel Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2015

    llovecoasters, there is no time to give in and throw in the towel, you have come too far and you still have some traveling to go. You have people who are looking at you. Refocus and repurpose what you need to do, write it down and get on it because there have been some good suggestions thrown out there. Not only will it get you moving on it, it will take your mind off the 10,000 other things going on with the cancer that can seem to consume your world.  If you can, pray on the matter the battles that we see are never truly ours and if you can't, know that there are others who will keep you lifted up in their prayers

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  • Leto
    Leto Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2015

    Hi ALL! Congrats to all who have finished the chemo section of the treatment plan!

    She-angel: I hope your upcoming surgery goes well. Good luck hun and HUGS.

    I have so much to report since chemo ended back in January. Unfortunately it's not all good news either.

    • Surgery: I had BMX and oopherectomy surgery on 2/26. 3 sentinal nodes were removed and examined and the initial reports where that they where clean. Which meant no ALND. However, further analysis showed all 3 were positive for cancer. So I had a SECOND surgery for the ALND on March 6th.
    • Radiation: Turns out 15 of 24 lymph nodes are positive - So now I am looking forward to Radiation treatment. My onco was waiting to see how the ALND results were before referring me to radiation. Just the bad luck! It has to get worse before it gets better.
    • Physical Therapy: My surgeon has already referred me to PT to prevent lymphadema in my right arm due to the ALND. Ohh joy!
    • Cast for Recovery: I didn't get in this round - but I might try for September.
    • Hair and Nails: My fingernails are still hanging on but I may lose some toenails. Hair is coming in but very hard to see - mostly white (maybe 50 shades of gray?) My brows might be coming back but still no new eyelashes. Without hair, brows, and eyelashes - I feel and look like YODA :)
    • Clinical Trial: I am meeting with MO next week to discuss a clinical trial. My treatment plan is Arimidex anti-hormone therapy, so I suspect the clinical trial will be to add Afinitor for a year. From what I could find on the web, 1 pill is over $200/each or approx. $8000/month. So if the trial covers the cost of this medicine, then I may opt to do ths. Has anyone else - post-menopause - been offered this trial?
    Good wishes and hugs for everyone.
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  • She-Angel
    She-Angel Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2015

    Leto, that is a lot to be caught up on an a lot for you to be dealing with. I am in awe of the positivity that comes through with your report. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and you continue to press forward, it will get better and because you know this it makes your battle easier than those who don't realize that. If it wasn't for the rain we could not truly appreciate the sunshine. Kisses, hugs and much love.

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited March 2015
    Leto,

    Bless you! I will keep you in my prayers and keep you as role model for positivity.
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  • Ilovecoasters
    Ilovecoasters Member Posts: 199
    edited March 2015

    I just got home from my radiation final consult. Now he wants both expanders completely drained. Nothing has gone as planned and I'mdevastated.

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited March 2015

    Leto: will lift you in prayer if you allow: Coasters, One HOUR at a time friend!

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited March 2015

    Ilovecoasters - I am so sorry that you are going through everything all at once right now.  Like Toby said, take it one hour at a time, heck, one minute at a time if that is what it takes.

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  • nottoday
    nottoday Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2015

    Leto: Sending hugs and good wishes your way. I have not been offered Afinitor. I start Aromasin today - nervous about it.

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  • Valentine99
    Valentine99 Member Posts: 75
    edited March 2015

    Ilovecoasters, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Leto, you've had a lot on your plate. I hope everything smooths out going forward.

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  • She-Angel
    She-Angel Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2015

    Remember when we are feeling less than what we could..."if he brings us to, he will bring us through" and that's all you need to know. I will keep up the prayers.

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  • Redporchlady
    Redporchlady Member Posts: 113
    edited March 2015

    Leto,

    Did you have a PET scan before you started chemo? I was told by my surgeon back in September before I started chemo that they would remove all mylymph nodes on the right side when they do my lumpectomy based off what they saw in the PET scan.

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  • Leto
    Leto Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2015

    Redporchlady: That's very interesting. I'm not sure why I did not have a PET scan - instead I had the CT scan and MRI. The lymph nodes were removed after 3 sentinel nodes were removed and tested positive.

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  • Becca9800
    Becca9800 Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2015

    Wow! Just got caught up on everything. A lot of good and bad going on. I'm so sorry for those of you experiencing the added stress. What kind of company terminates an employee actively being treated for cancer!?! Do they not get that finances are a must right now? Do they not understand that no job = no benefits?? Unethical for certain. Should be criminal!

    ilove, DO follow up on that complaint with the EEOC. Employers really do not enjoy being under the scrutiny of the feds, especially for allegations of violating the ADA. I'm so sorry, ilove, that this is on your plate. It will work out though, it always does. Be patient and keep praying.

    As to the hair, lash and nail issues. YUCH!! I've had enough of all to last me a lifetime. My hair is coming back, straight and grey. Exactly what fell out. I didn't get the red curly mop I was hoping for. Can't wait to lose the scarf collection! My nail tenderness is gone but I have no idea if they continue to lift away from the nail beds as I've kept them hidden with two coats of a pretty purple to hide the ugliness below. They feel strong though. Almost every eye lash is gone now. Most didn't fall away until these past 3 weeks (I'm 6 weeks + since my last tx). The muscle aches that started a couple of weeks after my last tx continue yet today. Better, but still causing discomfort. Doc said it's a neuropathy, Taxotere is infamous for damaging/killing the nerve cells. Must be where my brain went :) I got that chemo-brain real good! Now I understand when they say the effects of chemo are 'cumulative'. 

    I'm halfway thru my 33 rad treatments. My poor booby is swollen, tender and burned. Skin is intact, no blistering. BUT I'm NOT sick!!! AND did I say I'm halfway home? :) I finally went to the plastic surgeon last week for a biopsy of that lesion on my ear. Will get the results April 2. Not worried. Well, maybe a little.

    I love knowing that we've all been thru it and survived it. It's been quite an experience that I hope to never have to do again.

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited March 2015

    going to ring that bell tomorrow! Have just a few friends coming to meet me and DH then out to lunch. I am ready,I gotta say.

    For those in rads: worse SE's?

    I go 'wednesday to begin the prep work. Should start April 13th after weekend away

    Blessings,

    Kk

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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited March 2015

    Tobycc, I think that you'll find rads a piece of cake compared,to chemo. Yes, it's a drag going every day, and you will have some skin irritation, but it is nothin compared,to chemo

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  • nottoday
    nottoday Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2015

    Tobycc,

    Congrats on finishing tomorrow! It's been a long journey and you made it. Good luck w rads. I had last chemo 3 months ago, and feel quite recovered. Hope you, too, rebound quickly.

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  • Leto
    Leto Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2015

    Congrats Tobycc. I hope you rang that bell loud and proud!

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited March 2015

    I read the poem out loud to the group: brought treats for all, and many many said they really enjoy watching someone ring the bell.

    Then went to lunch. Now, on to rads in April, but ready to concentrate on losing those blasted 16 pounds I gained in the last 8 months of chemo

    thanks for all your love and support. We need to stay in touch

    Blessings,

    Kath

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  • nottoday
    nottoday Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2015

    Tobycc, I gained 10 lbs on chemo! Pampered myself w too much dark chocolate, I think. (It's a health food, right??).

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  • Becca9800
    Becca9800 Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2015

    I echo Sjacobs, radiation is a walk in the park compared to chemo. I have 22 treatments down, 9 to go. Breast is a bit swollen, definitely discolored and the skin under my arm is a bit tender. All around like a sunburn.

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