Starting Chemo May 2015

Shanann the quilt is beautiful!

I'm definitely already making plans for when this is done. I might do a post-chemo and then a post-radiation adventure too. Why not celebrate each milestone, right? Post-chemo I'm not 100% sure. We'll see how I feel and what my surgery/radiation schedule are. Post-radiation aka post-cancer I think I'll be going to Aruba with my family in February since my step mother has a time share and I'm ready to put this all behind me. There's also a Michelin rated restaurant at one of the hotels by me so after this is all over my friends and I agreed to go all out and spend a pretty penny and enjoy a night out to celebrate. Wine pairing and all! I miss wine...and beer..and alcohol. I've tried a few times to have a few sips but my body just wasn't having it. Not worth it anyways right now.

Steflove- your plans to visit Aruba sound wonderful, and February is the best time to leave the states (in my area, anyway)!! I am very happy for you! I LOVE VINO! I haven't had a glass, until tonight, since I started Chemo. It just doesn't taste right. The first glass I tried after treatment one tasted like vinegar. The second glass I tried after treatment 3 tasted like green olive juice. Pairing? HAH! I miss it.

TJH- I got to visit New Orleans about 2 years ago, and I loved it. I enjoyed just strolling down the streets, and of course, the Cafe du monde (I didn't have to wait in line). You will enjoy it.

WE GOT THIS, LADIES! Most of us are finishing up, or halfway thru!! CHEERS!

I had them on my face and now have them on hands and feet. One my face I used Bobbi Brown oil until they peeled. Now I moisturizer it with Clinique night cream 3 times a day. On my hands and feet, the skin is on its 4 peel...I have no dry skin or calluses on my feet...I use CeraVe cream 3 times a day and Aveeda hand cream on my hands when I wash my hands. My oncologist said not to go barefoot and to wear socks with my shoes. I only took Benedryl when I reacted to the makeup from the LGFB workshop I went to, apparently my skin does not like Estée Lauder and Mary Kay make up products. Welcome to our group, we are a great bunch

Greetings all!

I am halfway through chemo (3 of 6 sessions).  The 3rd session has been the easiest so far, go figure!  Similar side effects as before but rather less in intensity.  So far they have all been manageable.  Not that I'm complaining, it just seems odd.  My doc said it would be about the same each time.  Sorry CindiZ about your itching blisters, that's one side effect I missed.  For poison ivy I have used nail polish remover applied with a cotton ball, or rubbing alcohol, but you might want to ask your doc.

Visit with the MO today. Labs looking good. H infusion and the fog with the 12.5 mg of Benadryl. He said I will start on Armidex after last infusion on Sept. 2nd. The every 3 week H starts 2 weeks after that. TCH #4 of 6 is next week.I forgot to ask when the next echo. Congrats to all of you finishing up this week. May your s/e be minimal and energy return quickly.

Still seeing the therapist weekly. He was asking about my decision not to recon. I feel I articulated it well to help him appreciate how personal and individual a decision.My main one is NO MORE SURGERIES. It started out about how I feel about dating since I am "so young" (53 ???) I am like let me just get through May and finished with infusions. Still dealing with Mom's dementia and NH placement. She had another decline and fall this week (no broken bones). She is dealing with MRSA wound infection and pneumonia. Contemplating hiring a sitter. Still a lot on my plate. Not nearly as overwhelmed as I was back at initial diagnosis for me.

Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement. I am feeling wayyy better and able to eat a bit more. Still small meals but at least I am eating. I start Taxol on Friday. Kind of nervous just because it's new and bummed because I'm finally starting to feel "normal". I'm feeling so good I went to the lake on Monday but I fell and tore my big toe nail off! I am putting some good RX anti-biotic ointment and praying it doesn't get infected. I just hope this isn't a preview of things to come. I've been using tea tree already. Fingers Crossed...

They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, we are super women!

Congrats to all those have way through their Jurnee to beat up cancer! Congrats to those who are in the beginning of treatment knowing is half the battle. Stay positive and fight. Special congrats to those finishing up tomorrow and this week. I am so happy I will ring that bell tomorrow I don't know what to do😀. Thank you God for forms lime this to help me get through. Today I will ring the bell to celebrate my last Chemo! I can't sleep took the steroid too late I guess. I will go down and come back up for the last time I pray. I pray for us all for strengh,guidance, and healing

Tifree40- you are so happy I can hear it in your writing! Congratulations to YOU!! Ring THAT BELL!! I got 4 more to go IF I handle the taxol; otherwise, I gotta go 12 weeks. But, I'm HALFWAY there.

Ring that bell ladies!!! I can't wait until September to say the same! Last week at Taxol #1 my treatment room was right by the bell and a woman got to ring it. I started crying my eyes out for her, for all of us, and for when I get a chance to join the bell ringing club.

Congrats to all that are done this week! Just 12 more weeks to go for me!!!

Happy for you mysunshine!

YAY!!! Congrats to all who have finished their chemo! I still have 3 more "hard chemos" to go, then onto 8 months of Herceptin. Can't wait to ring that bell with you ladies too!

You all have been so wonderful, helpful and supportive! Thank you to you all!

Stay strong ladies!

Hugs, labhusky, this too will pass. Take it one day at a time. Although my family doctor put me on a low dose antidepressant early on, which helped enormously especially when I was waiting on results and having panic attacks, I still find my mood gets quite low in the week following chemo. I have to remind myself that it will improve, but I know it's hard and you have a lot going on. If you feel you really are depressed, please talk to someone and get some help. Take care and keep venting here if you need too.

I can understand your feeling depressed labhusky, but it is really important to do something about that. I am already on Celexa, but I noticed I was being pulled down by the chemo and illness and pain. It was really bad last week, and I determined I couldn't let it be that way. So, I actually started talking to myself in the mirror, telling myself that the treatment will work and I will not be sick and I will accomplish certain things that day or week. It actually helped. The thing is we MUST keep as positive as possible and therefore we MUST counter any negative thoughts as soon as we are aware of them. I hope you feel better soon.

I do get very depressed this week after chemo. Especially if I am home alone. It is so hot here in Memphis right now (97-100 degrees) that getting in a hot car and driving is not an option. So I have worked from home two days this week and I really feel down. I have taken atavan as needed and that helps with the sadness and nausea. It seems that since I was diagnosed at the end of April my life has not been any fun and I love fun!!!I I hope to get back to a more normal life by 2016!