Starting Chemo February 2015

tell me about it! With ALL the appts I had leading up to surgery, literally in recovery room my BC says you may need chemo. I was pissed actually >:-0 like really!

I'm dealing with some other health issues too. I'm really greatful to be addressing them now bec I was in fear to do so but it's all very taxing. Meanwhile my BP is all over the place I have white coat and it goes down when I'm chilled out but agreed to do BP meds bec I'm in a stressful time in my life right now. It's a very light water pill bec I'm on prednidone- which also raises BP. Feeling like I'm in a failing cycle and spinning. Go see my PCP next Wednesdsy. I understand its tricky finding the right Rx and dose but if not true high BP and triggered by life, then not sure how to address

MaryJC, so sorry about all of the other issues, you must be exhausted right now. But the BP is very important to get on track. Mine is all over the place, but usually way low. After surgery I hit 70/34 and they kept me 4 1/2 days. I am now on heart meds from the chemo, but hopefully I can get it to come around with diet and exercise. Good luck, and take care.

Chloesmom I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I hope good memories of him will help bring you through this difficult time.

Chloesmom, so sorry you are dealing with the loss of your Dad, and health issues. Prayers to you and your family at this time.

Bikerbabe and Paddymom, good luck tomorrow! I'm right there with you.

Chloe's mom- so sorry for your loss.

Bikerbabe- happy belated birthday.

#2 chemo for me today, I'm not as anxious/worried as the first round,but still nervous enough about side effects that I didn't sleep much last night.

I saw my family doctor (gp) yesterday for my pre chemo checkup- very worrisome when you have to remind your primary caregiver that you're getting chemo, what round you're on. He was hurried because he was accidentally double booked for an "important" meeting and to see me at the same time. I asked him to sign and write two dates on a form that I need for my sick benefits but he didn't "have time" and told me I could pick it up another day even though I explained my benefits expired last week. That's my vent for today. In case anyone thought the Canadian health care system was wonderful, lol.

Good luck to those of you also getting chemo today!

chloes mom. Thinking of you and your family.

I think several of us got hit with a brick about chemo. I went In to surgery with stage 2a, no lymph node involvement and came out with 7 positive nodes and a tumor greater than 5cm, and stage 3à. So not real comfortable with all the tests they can do, mamo. Us. Biopsies. Etc.. They didn't prove out best in my situation. So chemo and rads for me.

As far as turning 50 its April 23. But I already went to Thailand with my son in Dec (so much fun) as part of my turning half a century and I'm not done milking this just yet was gonna get a sports car but things changed and i had to get a new work car so sports car on hold for now.

Chemo #3; coming on tuesday. Going out to a nice dinner with friends sat. I've been starving this last cycle

Chloesmom - Sorry about your Dad. Wishing you strength.

I lost the battle with insomnia tonight so I have some unexpected quiet time to post. This week I saw my BS again for a follow up. It's funny, but every time I see her I start to cry for at least a minute. I think I must have PTSD and seeing her is a trigger. Awesome doc. She has a cell phone number she give patients and encourages you to use it. She recommended I get a compression sleeve and gauntlet fitted "just in case" as a preventative for lymphadema. She also told me that she's not a huge believer in support groups (because everyone's BC situation is so different) but gave a glowing recommendation of the Look Good Feel Better program. I keep meaning to sign up since it was discussed on this board a couple weeks ago.

Yesterday I saw my MO and was a little blindsided by some crossed wires we had regarding my chemo schedule. I was thinking I was set to do 4 ACs over 8 weeks followed by 4 Taxols over 8 weeks and finish chemo by the first weekend in June. When we met originally the different treatment schedules for Taxol was something that we were going to "discuss down the road" and I could do it either way, but when I asked about it yesterday it had already been entered into the computer as Taxol every week for 12 weeks. The doc says I can change it, but to give it some thought first. The longer time frame seems to be easier on the body and equally effective. My disappointment stems, not only from the prolonging of this experience, but the need to plan some sort of family vacation. Getting out of town is going to be medically necessary by this summer! We will still have time, but I have to adjust the plans. I'll probably keep with the 12 weeks, but the misunderstanding really had me down yesterday. It also delays radiation and the reconstructive surgery I will have.

Chemo #3 is a week from today. Been off all meds except Claritan for 2 days now. Don't feel fabulous, but the worst for this cycle seems to be over.

It's 3:30 am. Maybe I'll try playing a meditation on my phone.

vr423 and to all the rest of us that had chemo yesterday, I hope you are well. I had some vein issues so next time I have to try something different. 1st Chemo was easier, no side effects until Saturday night. Not so lucky this time. Feeling better today. I'm going for my dreaded Nuelesta shot in an hour. I took two Claritin and will continue to do so for several days. Wishing all my new friends here, a great weekend. Cind

I've been told .even tho they take the fatty pack out as they call it, they can't guarantee they got all nodes with traces of cancer out. In my case they biopsied a Node they saw in the ultra sound that looked enlarged and it came back negative. In surgery they did the tracer and found 2 of 3 sentinol nodes positive so went in for the ones under the armpit. Now I'm told that's why i need radiation to get any remaining traces since I had positive nodes . as they told me they are going to treat this thing as aggressive as possible so I have the best outcome. It really sucks to have chemo and rads but the alternative seems way worse to me so I'm following their advice.

I had my 4th and final AC yesterday. Yeaa! Unfortunately I am very anemic and very tired so this is going to be a rough one. I too started with the pain in my feet and hands aprox. 2 week ago. MO doesn't believe it is neuropathy or hand food syndrome but an unusual side affect of AC that some people complain about. Hoping it goes away by taxol. But just to be safe I an taking a daily B complex vitamin.

Darumama...they were able to see a cluster of malignant lymph nodes (4.7cm) that was bigger than my tumor (2.5cm.) They also did a biopsy of one and it was malignant. No, I don't think they'll let me make the final decision and I wouldn't want to make that decision (especially after reading live decisiously's response.) My treatment is to finish chemo (taxol and a/c,) then surgery (lympectomy and nodes,) then radiation and 10 years tamoxifen. Of course, when we discussed surgery, we were thinking I was still stage 2 so I'm assuming we're still going for lumpectomy.

Live Deliciously...I had no idea about them not being able to get all the cancer out doing just the fatty pack. Are they going to radiate where your tumor was and your where your nodes were?

I figure that we three are IIIa and have positive nodes (you guys having 7 each) so I'm probably in that same category. I just don't know if having chemo first makes a difference but it sounds like it may be better insurance to get them all out, I guess. I'm overweight/obese and am so worried about lymphedema.

I watched a video of Kathy Bates (the actress) on The Doctors from last month, I think, and she had a double mastectomy and has lymphedema on both arms (wears compression sleeves and can only lift 5 pounds on her 'bad' arm which the one where they took all the nodes.) Kinda scary!

number 2 down as of Thursday, and still feeling good. Went with my girlfriend to a women's expo today...and went without my hat or scrave, even got a small henna tattoo on my head😊. Doesn't look to bad, my shaved head, but it's still to cold, hope spring gets here soon.

Hope everyone is feeling good, and able to enjoy the weekend

I have magic mouth wash now and it's helping so much with the mouth sores. Balls of my feet still hurt and wells as my big toes. Oh well, I'll be resting much of the week anyway.

I've had a side throat for a few days. Anybody get sick with a virus with Nuelasta shots? Hoping my counts are still fine to continue this week (they were super elevated on the 10th).

SugarCakes -- I hate that you are feeling so bad! Do try to get something in your body -- maybe some food will help with your energy level? I know, easy for me to say, I still eat ice cream and enjoy it. (maybe a bit too much.) I hope you feel better soon and can make it to, and through your next rounds.

And what's all this with the sore feet! I'm actually dreading that, and figured one of the few good points of AC was the lower chance of neuropathy (that would be a career killer for me I think). So far all I have is a bruise under one of my little toenails that I think is from my crappy tennis shoes and is not healing. But still feels just like a bruise. If I get mysterious tingling or shooting pains you will hear me panicking on here, and I hope all of you with painful feet and hands come through brilliantly.

Bikerbabe way to get out there and have fun! I like that you went out 'commando' too -- I still wear a scarf whenever I go out.

I have some stubble that grew in after I shaved it. Makes me wonder if I even should have cut it at all (I had hair everywhere though - food and all which was gross). I'm still loosing hair though. My lashes are thinning and it looks like I had a bad eyebrow wax as they are uneven.