Starting Chemo March 2015

Trvler, it was the best cookie I have ever eaten!

Diane, I get the emu oil at a health food store. I would ask your MO before using it because I have TN BC and it may be different for you as to what you can use.

I was diagnosed with LS about 4 years ago but am post menopausal and with my husband having prostate problems don't deal with a lot of the problems younger women do. I definitely found that the Emu Oil over time made less flare ups. Hope you find it a help.

Thanks for the info on checking the MX scars. I am one that did the double MX (with immediate reconstruction) because I wanted less worry...I didn't want to do it again. Still think I made the right decision but I know I need to be on watch especially being TN.

Ok..feel bad for me guys....this diabetic can't have cookies...well, at least til my sugars go down a bit from those dang steroids! Took last one for this round at dinner... I am so sick of protein... Tomorrow...I will probably eat something delightfully bad :-)

Little Jack is so cute with his new tag! Our poster boy! I hope you're mind and body are feeling better Katy.

 I have my round 3 on tues and I'm not looking forward to all the possibilities but will like to be half way done.  Who all knows if they are going to have radiation after chemo? Mine said probably but I want to hear some statistics and solid research as to why before agreeing. My tumor was removed first and the sentinel node was neg. I'll do whatever it takes but I'm hoping it's a no.

Diane, I be getting rads as well. I'm doing neoadjuvant chemo and will be done June 26, although I may have to do one more chemo in July - not sure yet. Then I'll have 7 weeks off (should have been 5 but there were scheduling conflicts, so I chose 7 instead of a 4 week break) before my BMX. Then I'll start rads 8 weeks after that and should finish Thanksgiving week. I have positive lymph involvement at this point, so that's why rads are being included in my treatment plan. My surgeon said, though, that if I have a complete response from the chemo and that my surgery margins all are good, she would make a case for me not to have rads. The rads scare me as the chance for lymphedema greatly increases in my arm since I'll have a lymph node dissection as well.

SoccerMom, the taxol has been so much easier for me than the AC. I feel pretty much normal, just more fatigued at the end of the day. I now go to bed when my kids go to bed and it really helps to get a couple extra hours of sleep.

6 weeks of rads on the schedule for me too...

I woke up this morning feeling like I'm getting a cold. Sore throat which went away after the baking soda salt swish but I just kind of have that "feeling" all over. Normally I'd hit the Airborne but I've read that vitamin C is no good during chemo. Have you all heard that too? I'm on day 12 after round three so I worry wbcs are at their lowest, guess ill just plan to stay in, drink lots of water and hope for no fever. Has anybody been able to kick a cold during this mess? I'm just gonna think positive!

Thanks Amy, I've been sitting here kicking myself cause I slacked on the juicing last week, I went to protein smoothie in the morning and veggie juice in pm. Previously I was doing juice am and pm. Ill go grab some bags of kale and fruits and get to juicing . Hope it's just the SE of the day!! Good excuse to stay in sweats all day and watch movies!

Sloth- chiming in here too on the cold/flu like symptoms. I've had this with all 3 chemos now. I am on day 10 after chemo 3 and have it now. First swollen glands in the throat, sore, head pressure and headaches, but not migraine, general fatigue. The first time it started in day 4-5, lasted several days. With the next I two chemos, I noticed it came again, but a bit later, and stayed longer. I have always been quite susceptible to upper respiratory infections, and my counts were low last time, but not so much early on. I have called the onc about it and they are most concerned that I watch my temperature. And hydrate.

They are quite stern about NOT taking any OTC cold medicines that has anything in it that would suppress a fever. So read the labels for Motrin, Tylenol, et al. if you take OTC cold/sinus medicines. Also, once again, for those who have high white counts this is not nearly the problem. I am speaking more to those with know low wbcs among us.

As Indygal said above, I do try to listen to my body and I just rest when the fatigue and other SEs come at once. I just don't think your body can fight wars on all fronts. I am juicing too, continue with the Lysine and baking soda swill, but have stopped all other vitamins and supplements during chemo, mainly because they haven't done trials including them, and you would never know, no matter how good (supplement, vitamin, whatever, really) something is at protecting cells, could it also protect cancer cells?)

I hate to be doom and gloom. I did a lot of research before I made my final treatment decisions with my MO. At that point, I'm stopped with the googling, and put my faith in him. It's only a period of months, and I am going to not try to outwit the cancer, or be the smartest cancer patient out there. I am going to try to follow instructions and listen to my body. That itself is hard enough to do.

I have to say I am very touched by the bravery of all of you who have shared your plans for rads and surgery after your chemo. Neoadjudvant therapy has shown to be one of the most successful new ways to apply traditional therapies, and I'm so glad you are able to take advantage of it. It does makes the treatment calendar so much longer. I want to apologize if I ever say anything (I know I have) about being halfway done, etc. it is insensitive of me to fail to recognize that some of my sisters here have so much longer to go. I will be here for you after I finish. Just because they hook me up for the last time won't mean I'm done. I will follow you and haunt you to your new threads if this is no longer the best place for you to get support. But I hope it is, and let's none of us forget that's why we are going to Eileen's place on Lake Arrowhead next spring!

Diane- Jack is very proud of his new tag. My good spirits have returned, but my body lags behind. As I mentioned, I'm also having the sore throat/glands thing and it's almost noon and I'm still in bed. Listening to my body. I may stay here all day.

Katy, I'm glad you're getting rest. I too may have been insensitive about being half done after Tuesday. Fortunately they excised the tumor prior to chemo so I shouldn't need more surgery for now anyhow. He told me to not worry about the rads until closer to the end of chemo but I'm going to get the referral on spa day so I can talk to the RO about what is recommended. I have to be careful to not be so cynical about their intent; thinking they may propose radiation because it's a big money maker not because it's necessary. I know the decisions are made some times but I'm not smart enough to know what's best with my own treatment. I'll just accept whatever comes.

I shouldn't have sold my juicer. Was really into it last year but the clean up was such a pain. If I had more time I wouldn't care.

IndyGal-Thanks for feedback since you're triple positive too. My whatever their called,  scores were all threes. I don't know what goes into making the decision and I'm staying away from Dr. Google since I scared the crap out of myself researching HER2 cancer. I am glad you're doing pretty well with this round. My MO said it was cumulative so it could be worse third and fourth rounds. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Katy-thanks for the reminder about our lake retreat together. We all need something to hold onto. Feel better soon!

I am into thinking about the present so when everyone has been talking about the halfway point, I was thinking in terms of chemo, even though I still have rads coming up. Being halfway through chemo is something to celebrate, regardless of what is coming next! Those who are done with AC and are moving onto the next stage of chemo, that is also something to celebrate, even if there are months left on the next chemo cocktail. Who was it on here that said we should be celebrating all the milestones?

Finally got myself a smart phone after years of a flip phone. Now, who can teach me how to use this thing?

funny that two of you just mentioned googling. I let myself fall down a scary rabbit hole this morning right here on this site, looking further into my ILC characteristics . I wish I could educate myself more without scaring myself into a panic attack. I wish my MO welcomed my questions instead of brushing me off, then I might feel like I had someone looking out for me, but that hasn't been the case so far. I think I need to watch an uplifting chick flick and stick to this thread, and just stay focused on the task at hand.

Funny you should mention that, Slothabout. I have done the same thing right here on the boards. After wandering onto the CT board and from there to the Hair board, I've scared myself silly. I also came across a board about "what I wish I didn't know" or something like that. It was awful! I am sticking only to here from now on!

Katy: I don't think you are being insensitive at all. CELEBRATE any point you want. It doesn't bother me.

I had to stop looking too far ahead. The most I can do now is look at a few of the Taxol SE's on the weekly Taxol board. I don't read much about surgery and I definitely don't read about rads yet, even though there is a good chance I will have them. I just need to get through the day. The weekends are harder for me for some reason. I feel like I should be doing more with the kids and they should be doing more. They are happy to read, watch some tv and just hang out. I feel guilty about that.

Also still my heart is jumping around and it is uncomfortable. I don't know if it's from the steroids or the AC but part of me doesn't want to know. I have taken less Ativan this time and I think that might be why I am noticing it more this time. I think the ativan slows my heart rate. But I also think it is constipating so I have tried to only take it if I have to.

WP: I am glad you can enjoy your coffee again. LIttle things like that really help.

I went to get a mani/pedi for the first time in a while today. My lady who I have been going to for a couple of years is a BC survivor. Her sister died about 2 years ago and her 30 something year old daughter just had a BMX about 2 months ago. They are from Ukraine and attribute it all to Chernobyl. I was kind of looking forward to it and dreading it at at the same time. I had to ask her to stop talking about cancer when she started talking about going through a second round of chemo, which I guess her sister did. She means well. But I have to stop it. I just can't talk about it anymore sometimes.

Katy: You may be right. I overtip her, too, because my heart breaks for her. It was so hard on her to lose her sister.

Kimberly- I have not had any reactions to Taxotere, but I wanted to say how very scary. I'm glad you are ok.

I wouldn't worry about any comments made from anyone other than your MO. Don't try to interpret your future. Give your body what it needs now, and good luck with your next MO meeting. They have lots of drugs, not everyone can take every drug. The other drugs can kick cancer's ass too. They will know what to do.

I know it is so hard, but do try hard not to worry.

Gentle hugs, Katy

kachincolor - they may switch you to Taxol, since it is half-strength of Taxotere, or Abraxane for your last infusion, which is essentially Taxol without the solvent.  Allergic reaction is actually pretty common - I also had rash problems, but yours sounds pretty severe.  Have you been getting steroids with each infusion?