TCHP Ladies Late 2014 / Early 2015

Stephmoen, my lashes and brows didn't really thin noticeably until the last cycle or two, and then they fell out more after I was done. My nails didn't start giving me any troubles until after round 5. I'm not an expert of course, but I don't think you should feel the chemo isn't working.

Csed, my GI tract was mildly upset for a little while after finishing chemo, but now things seem to be basically fine. I have two more Herceptin-only infusions to go at this point.

SugarCakes, good luck at your appointment today! I had hot flashes and night sweats during chemo, thanks to chemopause. The night sweats stopped and the hot flashes seem to be decreasing. I have no idea what that means, but I'm glad to not be waking up so often due to hot flashes at night.

Eyelashes and Eyebrows hung in there until the end of chemo and then fell out, but immediately started growing back in. They are still very short and thin--about 2 - 3 months after chemo.

Head hair mostly fell out 2 weeks into chemo and kept falling out until there was pretty much nothing (a few survivors!), at the end. Still less than an inch of fuzz now. I think it's going to be a LONG while until it grows to be any decent length.

Nails... Got all pale during chemo, but used nourishing coats on them and they did OK until after chemo when some of my nails started separating at the tips-- particularly the little fingernails... They went totally white from the tip to about half-way down-- pretty much lifting up. They are still in that condition now (nearly 3 months after chemo). Got some separation at the tips of some of the other nails, too, but cutting them down helps them look less weird. I was worried they would keep it up and start peeling off entirely, but so far that hasn't happened. The nails can still be sensitive, but not constantly. TOE nails aren't having that problem, but do get sensitive--and I've had hints of in-grown nails on the big toes... That comes and goes, too.

Eyes-- I never had the teary eyes, but had dry eyes. That only happened through the first half of chemo, then gradually got better.

Hot flashes -- I'm post menopausal, so I already went through all that! Haven't had any in a good year or more, thankfully.

Neuropathy -- had some weakening of nerves in my legs from chemo. No pain, just weakness. It's gradually going away.

Energy -- much, much better. I was super-weak by the end of chemo, but feel much more normal now.

GI tract -- Mine was totally screwed up by chemo! Diarrhea so severe nothing stopped it and I had to be hospitalized the first two cycles and then had home IV drips 24 hrs/2weeks for the last 4 cycles! I STILL have diarrhea now, but not to the point of needing IV drips, thank goodness. I've had Herceptin only since May and it will go for a year. Not sure if that is contributing to the diarrhea. I THINK it's slowly getting better though, so maybe it's just the chemo that I'm still recovering from...?

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I should walk more... but the neuropathy messed up my legs a bit-- I tripped during chemo and injured my ankle and still have a bit of numbness on the top of my foot. I need to at least do some stationery cycling, though!

Whatgreat news Sugarcakes! I am so happy for you!

SugarCakes, great news on the nodes & margins. You had a great response & I'm very happy for you & relieved that they finally called with your results!

SugarCakes--I had my drains in for 10 days. Felt SO much better once those things were gone! Congrats on your path report!

Yes, Sugar, I think there's a timeline for when rads are still effective after surgery. (At least that's why they said they're blowing me up like a balloon so quickly!).

It IS interesting that you're getting your exchange done first. Mine won't do the swap until 3-6 months after radiation ends. Isn't it weird how the protocols vary so much between docs?

I haven't met with the RO since before chemo, but I can only imagine I'll be meeting with her once these yucky drains are out. Her original assessment for was for 33 rounds, but a lot has happened since then. Maybe I'll get a lower number now. A girl can hope!

I've heard mixed things about pain during drain removal. I''m wondering if I should pop an ibuprofen before my next visit in case they decide to take them out. Ugh. After 10 days of this, let's just say I could never be a dairy farmer.

In preparation for BMX next week, had echo, EKG, and MRI of brain today. MO just called and told me brain scan was negative for cancer, but shows signs of old mini-strokes. WTF! Now she wants to refer me to neurologist! Anyone else have this as a sideline to diagnosis? Really! Hope this does not sideline my herceptin treatment. Rant complete.

mye, you are right about taking things as they come and looking it them positively. Knowing what's going on in my body should help make informed decisions easier. This is just another bend in the road.

way to go Indygal! I am so happy for you!!!

Great news, IndyGal!

SO happy for you, IndyGal!!

I did my last TCHP on June 14th. My hips are killing me! I have had that problem the whole time. I will now move on to Hercepton for a year and get my oohorectomy and recon. I am happy to see all these positive results with this chemo

Jumbledbamboo -- could the hip pain be bone-pain from neulasta shots? Hope it gets better for you. I think it takes a while for the effects of chemo to go away. I stopped chemo in April and I'm still having some SEs hanging on (diarrhea, which I had very badly during chemo--as in having to be hospitalized, badly! My nails are still trying to get back to normal. My stomach is also still trying to settle down... I had nerve-numbness that is very slowly getting better, etc.).

Sugarcakes -- I started radiation just over a month after surgery, but I only had an LX.