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

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    well today is a new day. I feel better both physically and emotionally. Went to bed at 9 and slept from 9 -4:45 uninterrupted so I know I needed the sleep because I never sleep for that long consecutively. Today is going to be a good day. I will make sure of it. Hope anyone that's going in for treatment today does well and se are minimal.

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  • Fran2014
    Fran2014 Member Posts: 140
    edited June 2015


    Ksusan- WAHOO!!!!! So happy for you!!! Onward and upward from here!!!!! Wishing you lots of love, laughter & smiles!!

    Fran

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2015


    ksusan, Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you!  Let the healing begin!

    Addie, Those steroids make you come crashing down and the emotions are unfortunately part of that.  It's almost like post-pregnancy emotions when you can cry for no reason...only here we have 1,000 reasons to cry. We are here.  Vent anytime.  It is easy to get overwhelmed.  I can tell you that out of our Oct 13 group, all of our recurrences thus far have been people that were "regular" breast cancer...non of the triple negatives.  My mom had triple negative in 1992 and she's still here too.  ((((HUGS))))  I am so glad that today is a better day already!

    Allicat, That is pretty much my idea as far as chemo.  As much as I hate it, one of the docs that saw me completely underestimated the  aggressiveness of my cancer and my gut feeling was I needed chemo.  Thank goodness my current MO was on the same page and wanted it...and then ordered the oncotype just for added info and it was very aggressive.  I had to fight to get chemo in a way, and I try to remind myself of that every day I get frustrated.

    Littleblue, If you have a cold and your counts are ok, they will typically do chemo.  If you have a fever or your counts are low, they will typically withhold it.  I hope you feel better!!!

    Sunshine, welcome!  How is your hemoglobin?  When that gets low, it can be hard on your muscles...not to mention all fo the other drugs they pump us with that can affect things.  I hope #4 goes ok for you.  Be sure to mention it to your MO.

    sheshe, I hope all went well with the infusion.  Are you seriously having surgery one week after your infusion???!!!  What surgery?  Are you done with chemo, or do you have to do more after surgery?

    slv, I hope the headache went away!

    Gingerchi, Glad you are turning the corner after AC#4...the best part of it is there's no turning back.  AC is in your rearview mirror for good!  Weekly Taxol is not bad so far.  The every week thing is a drag in a way, but it also is just kind of routine and I feel like I can check them off faster.  Not sure if I'll still feel that way in 6 weeks, but for now, it's not bad.  One so-so day and one blaah day, but the rest are fine...and they are predictable. Just expect to not get much sleep the night of infusion because of the huge dose of steroids.  I am already making my to-do list for next week!

     

     

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited June 2015

    Addie, how r u feeling today? I remember when I met with one MO she said chemo was particularly effective on TN. In my case, it might add a little benefit. So stay strong. I have a feeling you'll be at your grand kids weddings.

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  • BAT
    BAT Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2015

    My 43 year old wife was recently diagnosed with stage 2b, grade 3, one positive node, triple negative IDC breast cancer.  She has two tumors in her right breast with the larger one measuring 2.6 cm and the smaller satellite tumor measuring in at 1cm (total area = 4.5cm).  Currently, she’ doing dose-dense neoadjuvant chemo regiment of A/C---->T for four months (started 16 April – second treatment 30 Apr, etc....)  Taxol will begin 11 Jun with last treatment ending on the 23 Jul.  Her BS, Dr. William Dooley at OU Medical, gave her a breast exam on the 12th of May and found that tumor area has shrunk from 4.5 to 3.8.

    First question…Is stage 2b considered early stage or advanced?  Also, how long after chemo ends can my wife expect to have her mastectomy?

    Many Thanks,
    BAT

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2015

    Wecome, BAT. Stage 2b is considered early.

    Littleblue, I don't see my post from last night suggesting you read Jackbirdie'sMarch thread posts about illness and delay, or not.

    Thanks, everyone. I'm on a slow treadmill, and I'm cyber-here all through tx!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2015

    BAT, Welcome!  Stage 2B is still technically considered early stage, but it's on the later stage of early, if that makes sense.  So glad to hear that her tumor appears to be shrinking!  A good friend of mine finished AC then T.  She finished chemo at the end of April and then had her bilateral mastectomy 3 and a half weeks later.  They did check to see that her blood levels came up to acceptable levels.  I hope your wife is doing well.  She's lucky to have such a supportive husband.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited June 2015

    Welcome BAT, I finished AC/T on 11/25 and had a single right mastectomy on 12/15. Very doable for me. I am TNBC as well. I see the MO after Labor Day to have new scans done. I hope this helps. I hope treatments are going well for you both. Cheryl

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    sueh58 today I feel better. Been doing some things around the house. Still feeling some neulasta pain but nothing I can't handle. I'm also wondering if I'm getting premenopausal. I'm due for my period soon but I know that chemo can stop it. I feel very very emotional, like I could cry at the drop of a hat. But I'm going to try to keep myself and my mind busy today so I can enjoy the weekend and my family. Thank you for asking.

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited June 2015

    IM in the chemo chair today!!! 😓COLDimage

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2015

    Yay, Alibeths! May it go well.

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  • BAT
    BAT Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2015

    Thanks all for the quick responses.  Additionally, I need to add that my lovely wife is not a true triple negative but is being treated that way.  She's weakly positive on the PR side.

    Again...many thanks and Bless all of you!!!! 

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2015

    Best of luck to your wife, you, and family.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited June 2015

    ksusan, I read thru part of her posts but was feeling to nasty to reply. The poor dear really has been thru the ringer hasn't she. I spent this morning cruled up in my yard barfing my guts out and crying from nerves....great way to start taxol. Hoping the pre meds will kick in soon...

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  • ankledolphin
    ankledolphin Member Posts: 99
    edited June 2015

    slv58 – met with my MO before my #4 treatment yesterday and mentioned headaches are more frequent, and we think its because I have cut down a lot coffee in the mornings since its on the doesn't taste good anymore list! Nurse at chemo said to drink more water!

    sunshine100… after treatments I mentioned I feel like an old lady (no offences to anyone on here!!!) but my knees are really achy….and I have mentioned the sharp pains in my arms to numbness, and it;s all side effects I was told…

    littleblueflowers – depending on your blood test you maybe able to get treatment… me and my husband were not thrilled yesterday at the two across from us during treatment since both of them were coughing really badly….to the point where the lady almost threw up….plus they were watching movies really loud, and I made a comment to the nurse about how loud its been in here today and she agreed…it was bad…but what can really be done about it…so we let it go

    Addie29 – I got my period right after treatment 1 and haven't seen it since…only 39, and the hot flashes that I am getting are driving me nuts, especially at night…asked the MO about it and he said I have a 20-30% chance of my ovaries returning back to normal function….they asked me before I started all of these if I wanted to harvest any eggs and we passed on it…we were hoping for baby #2, but me and my husband decided we didn't want to go that route and we are very blessed with our soon to be 5 year old… I did get the feeling by his look was, I'm not the one that can help with the hot flashes…but I am the one getting rid of that tumor! I do really like my MO as a doctor…he is very concerned on how I am feeling, how is this affecting me, how well am I tolerating things…then we deal with what is the best course of action, since they did lower the dose on two of my drugs already…

    I did get the option to take the neulasta or not this time since my blood work was fine without it after #3…so I am not taking it tomorrow..

    I have yet to take any of my Zofran only during the chemo do they give it to me….have taken a few Ativan to help take edge off some…but never took any between round 3 and 4…but have noticed an increase in nausea, but hate adding more drugs into my system if I really don't need….a few Tylenol here and there for headache/pain…

    i also asked my MO before treatment yesterday if its normal to to feel drunk at times and slurring speech since that seems to happen to me at times during treatment...well, he said, the benedryl causes some of that (and it hit me almost immedially in a foggy feeling, since I had to stop typing) and one of my chemo drugs is in an alcohol solution...so for a person who stop drinking years ago since it just doesn't agree with me anymore....it hits big time....MO thought it was funny!

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    littleblueflowers I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. I hope you can get some relief. i asked my mo oncologist about my hysterectomy and he said it won't be month until after treatment is over. God I hope they don't make me wait until around the holidays. I do not want to be laid up for Christmas.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited June 2015

    Addie29, I am so sorry this drags on so long for all of us. We don't really have seasons now, just chemo, radiation, surgery, and recovery with a few festive parties tossed in! Blech!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2015

    ankledolphin, you should not have to put up with people hacking and coughing at chemo.  Ask to move to a different location or ask for a mask.  It is not worth your health.  At out location, they have chairs and some private rooms.  People who are sicker usually go to rooms (though anyone can have one if requested if they are open).  I have always taken a chair, leaving the rooms for those who need them.  The nurses should be putting a mask on people who are sick!  Keeping super cold ice water on hand can help the hot flashes go away faster.  Trying to always stay a little cool can help too.

    littleblue, healing vibes coming your way.  Hoping you feel better really soon.

    Alibeths, looking good!  Wishing you well with minimal side effects.

     


     

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2015

    Poor baby, littleblue.

    I hope you feel better soon. This has been a rough treatment for you!

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  • sheshe3
    sheshe3 Member Posts: 70
    edited June 2015

    Kbeee, yes. My surgery is eight days following my chemo. I'm really Hopi g I'll be up for it. My last chemo se's lasted close to a full week, so we'll see what happens... I plan to really baby myself and do everything I can to be well for that day. I already had to postpone the date once because PA told me to schedule after three tx and the when my MO realized it he made me reschedule for after the fourth tx... I am just Hopi g to progress through l of this and see light at the end of the tunnel. They will do some blood tests and an ekg when I go in for surgery and I suppose they could turn me away at that point if they determined I'm not healthy enough for surgery. I'm having a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy done. The pathology will determine if I need more chemo and if I need rads. If nothing else, I will still have to complete my year of herceptin. Just have to wait and see how it all plays out...

    BAT, Welcome to our community. I hope your wife is doing well. Props to to you for your awesome.e support of her!

    Alibeths, looking good! Btw,are the cold caps doing a good job for you? I do see a lot of lovely blonde locks beneath your cap! GLow your infusion and low se's wished for you!

    Littleblue, I can't tell by the posts. Did you make for your tx today? Either way, I hope you're feeling better and stronger to fight the beast! ((hugs)) to you!

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited June 2015

    she she , did you do 6! I just finished 3 and I wanna be DONE. The cold caps are working. Know I wood!!!! Thinning but I don't know if anyone would know!!!! It's painful but hoping it worth it!!!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2015

    Home from last TC plus next-day Neulasta. On to the next set of phone calls for the next treatments--follow-up, coordinated blood draws, port removal, lymphedema/PT, naturopath, radiation. My partner just cleared up an insurance bilLlng glitch on the plan's part, not ours.

    Lower SES so far in this round. Blood sugar was 114--fantastic. No immediate digestive looseness. Sunday tends to be worst, so that will be a good indicator of the next 3 weeks.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited June 2015

    Thanks for the support Ladies! Feeling much better after a straight up panic attack this morning. Taxol 1 was totally eventful, and not feeling to bad now all things considered. It did give me GALLOPING diarrhea though...

    hope everyone is feeling good and looking forward to a side effect free weekend for eceryone!

    oh yeah, at my center they can give you ice mitts and ice booties during taxol...you just slip your hands and feet in and good to go! Pretty slick!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2015

    Littleblue, my MO allowed me to use imodium for Taxotere, which helped with my few bouts of diarrhea. Also: bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast. No permission required.

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    yikes I am so not looking forward to taxol.

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited June 2015

    Jen - totally eventful? Or uneventful?

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  • sheshe3
    sheshe3 Member Posts: 70
    edited June 2015

    Alibeths, I've just completed #4. Depending on my pathology from my surgery next week, I may have to do two more. Cool haha!!! Pun intended! That your cool caps are working!😉

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited June 2015

    Haha haha Lynne, I ment uneventful. That's a big typo lol.

    After my barfing crying drama of the morning, my blood work was fine so they just plugged me into saline and ativan while I waited to see the MO. It was a different one than my regular MO who is the head of the department. He said tylenol was fine for pain on taxol.

    Then I got my premeds..only one bag of Decadron like usual, plus ativan, benedryl, pepcid, saline, and emmend. Gave me a tiny challenge dose, and I didn't react, so they ran the full bag of tree sap, gave me an extra saline, and off I went. And they gave me ice mittens and booties for the whole time. Suggested B vitamins and glucosamine and chon Droid in for neuropathy so I'll have to get some.

    Feeling a little woozy at home, but ate some soup fine and drank some kefir and some limeade. Feeling a little joint and long bone pain, but I had that on AC. I am getting neulasta tomorrow. Gonna lay low today and hope for the best tomorrow! Aside from the diahrea, this does seem easier. Dear tree man, please be kind to us all!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2015


    Littleblue, If you are getting Neulasta, you must be doing 4 dose dense of Taxol, rather than 12 weekly.  You'll be done a whole month sooner which will be nice!  I hope the diarrhea is from the stomach bug which caused the vomiting and not the Taxol...so it's just a one time thing.  Hope it ends soon and that you feel better.

    Addie, Other than a little pain on day 4 and more fatigue, I would not know I got anything.  Don't stress about Taxol. Hopefully you'll have an easy time on it too.  None of that "yuk" feeling from AC.

    Off for walk #2 for the day.  Had kid events this morning and it is HOT here, so I am doing 2 shorter walks today.

    I hope everyone has a relaxing, healing weekend free of side effects.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited June 2015

    Kbeee I am doing dose dense, if my body can handle it. So far so good!

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