April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Rpayton, that's terrible your work isn't supportive! I sure hope things get better for you soon! Thinking of you!

kcoralee, welcome! It's horrid you have to be here, but together we can get through this. We are here for you, anytime, anywhere. They give you all kinds of stuff for nausea, and some of it even works. You will get through, no matter what!

Ksusan, you crack me up! Students are a riot! I'm thinking of ways to terrify grad students this summer...any tips?

Littleblue, make them actually read their work for organization, rather than just run a spelling check and calling it good

just wondering how many of you fine ladies that underwent a mastectomy got to keep your nipples?

I was blessed and was able to. We were worried that I would lose them because each nipple had some necrotic skin on them but luckily that fell off to reveal healthy pink skin underneath. I feel extremely blessed to have been able to keep them because I am only 29 and this helps me to feel a little bit more like myself.

Also I was wondering how long after chemo it took your periods to stop? After my second dose of ac my period was extremely heavy. I was going through a pad every hour. Also I'm sure it was also from having the Mirena taken out and not actually having my period for about 3 years (pregnant and breastfeeding) but now I'm finding that I'm spotting in between. And from what I've read online that seems to be normal for someone going through chemo.

Hi - checking in. I'm having a rough day 3 and 4 (today). Sooo tired yesterday, I napped in between my work meetings. I have the fluish feeling today. I hope this turns a corner by tomorrow. My sister left me a message that I was in her dreams two night, the first one where I said I was really tired, and the second one I said "this is the chemo that everyone dreads". I burst out crying when I heard it, and I couldn't stop sobbing. I hate this.

I think I told you that my toenail was falling off? Well, the whole top of that toe - from the top nuckle and above - is all red/purple. Chuck says it looks infected to him, but it's not spreading or getting worse, but just sore and puffy. Of course I couldn't help worrying that I had somehow gotten flesh eating bacteria or some such. I'm not usually someone who let's their imagination get away with them, but this chemo has done strange things to my brain.

Lynne

Good morning Ladies, those heading to the spa, may your tx be quick and uneventful!

I got my port put in yesterday! As soon as the freezing came out- ouch! I have a funny feeling that my two new and expensive bras are going to be an issue- looks like it's going to be right under the strap- grrrr. It's too sore to try them on.

Had my fourth chemo as well so I have 8 more to go as it takes two cycles to count as one- I'm not sure why they don't just say 12 cycles. Feeling good but I've noticed some heart flutters and I'm pretty sure it's the decadron. I'll call my nurse navigator and see what she says. Also have annoying headache. I'm getting fed up with how the neuropathy is affecting my keyboarding! I can't believe how many typos I'm creating- lol ok enough bitching!

Rockerwife you look awesome!

Lynne I'm so sorry to hear about your toenail, I would definitely get it checked as infections are hard to manage while on chemo

Addie, I was 53 when Dx first time and going through years of peri, but still had periods every month (periods from hell- really heavy) so when I had my first chemo, the next day I celebrated unexpectedly the last period which required doubling up on every conceivable product! It's been 2 1/2 years and it hasn't come back!

Andrea, love the pink!

Kcoralee, welcome to our group- lots of support and love with understanding if you want a safe place to vent! We all get it!

Great idea Beachbum, thank you! I actually have a small heart shape pillow I used after mastectomy!

For those that were inquiring about the Chemo Beanies.

Yes, Stacy, the blister under, that's what it is like. It hasn't fallen off yet, doesn't seem to be close. Was yours inflamed?

My LMP was in February right before 1st surgery. I think I was going into pre-menopause, though, because I was skipping 2-3 months in between periods. When I would get it, it would be very heavy for first few days. I don't miss that. I was told that chemo would put me into menopause.

Rockerwife-thanks for the chemo beanie post-LOVE IT!! I will definitely be looking up the info. as the summer months in NJ are hot and humid and I don't think I'll be wearing my wig much.

Addie29-God bless you sweetie! I give you so much credit for pulling the strength together to care for your little ones. I'm also so happy that you have such a supportive and helpful husband. With little ones, even the good days are exhausting (even without feeling ill).

Well, all I'm SO  HAPPY to report that yesterday I completed my last of the "hard core" chemo treatments. Thank goodness because my body and mind are just about shot!! With each passing treatment, I became more and more fatigued, with longer time needed to recuperate. Now I just have to get through the next sucky 10 or so days and I can begin to regain my strength. I will continue on with the Herceptin treatments every three weeks for a year but compared to what my body has undergone in the last six months-it will be a walk in the park.

I cannot begin to thank all you lovely women for your posts, words of encouragement, songs, funny stories (which I don't think would be so "funny" unless you are going through treatment as well), pictures, bios and the opportunity to hear each other's journey (the good, the bad and the ugly). I tell everyone I know what a great source of support this site has been for me. Please know that I say a prayer for everyone of you. Your strength, your resiliency, your ability to care for your families &  work obligations, and most of all, your ability to continually give to each other-just absolutely amazing!!!! I will continue to be "checking in" to see how everyone is progressing on this journey. Remember, hold strong-YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Love to all,

Fran

This is my off chemo week, and just back from the doctor with a wbc of 1.3 - on antibiotics, confined to home, and to immediately call doctor if I develop a fever. Also to drink ensure twice a day to boost my calorie intake as I've lost 10 pounds in three weeks.   Has anyone fallen this low and still had the neulasta kick it back up in time for chemo?  The doctor seemed to think it will be back to where it needs to be in a week but this seems like a pretty big drop to me.

Not that I want to do chemo, but since I have to, I want to get it over with.

Yay, Fran!

I was in late perimenopause in January. I had been on the pill for period regulation before that. Stopped BCP on 1/23, no period since. I'm still considered pre-menopausal for tamoxifen purposes because my estradiol is still in the "menstruating" range.

I had BMX without reconstruction. In both breasts, the problem was under the nipple, so a nipple-sparing surgery wasn't an option.

oh I see I'm not sure if our low count days would be the same for our chemo regimen but the nurse told me lowest would be 10 days postthen up after that but everyone obviously is different I think you could still see your friends and do things as long as nobody is sick! While in the hospital my wb was 0.7 and ANC was 0.03 super low and the nurses weren't wearing masks like they should have been I washed my hands a lot and never got sick just had a low grade fever keep up on taking your temp for sure to prevent something serious happening

Congrats Fran!!!!! : ))))))

WHat chemo did you finsih?

a new line of empathy cards that are cancer related. http://emilymcdowell.com/collections/new/empathy-cards

Hey Lynne, if misery loves company-then count me in-you've got a friend! This last round of mine is hitting hard and fast!!! Can't sit up without feeling woozy and nausea. I feel horrible but I just couldn't make it to my daughter's chorus show this evening (but my son offered to go and FaceTime  it for me which was sweet). Emily (DD) really seemed to take it in all in stride as well-it's me who feels all messed up about it!!!

slv58-the "celebration dance" will have to wait for a week or so. This time around is hitting me really hard very quickly but as soon as I'm up and about- I shall dance and dance (I'm sure much to the embarrassment of my children...LOL !!!)

Alibeths-this 2nd time around they put me on Epirubicin (which is in the same "family" of adriamicin-the "red devil"), Cytoxan, 5-FU and Herceptin. Following the surgery, I guess my MO just wanted to kick the crap out of EVERY remaining cell in my body just in case one went rouge or something. I had done Herceptin/Perjeta and Taxotere from Dec-Feb prior to the surgery but that was very manageable in comparison to this stuff which just plain sucks! On a positive note...I'M ALL DONE!!! Wahoo! Now just back to the Herceptin (which I tolerate fine) every three weeks for a year (God willing, it will work better this time around!!).  How many more treatments do you have left?

Fran