April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!
Comments
-
Hope everyone has an easy day and feels better.
My eyebrows are now growing in at about the rate at which they're falling out, so homeostasis has been achieved. I'm tired from radiation but next week is very light at work, so I'm going to devote myself to treatment, tea, slow exercise, and reading.
-
oh eyebrows how I miss them. I had such nice eyebrows before cancer. Always got compliments on them- I hope they grow back just as nice.
-
Addie, Sure hope that back feels better soon. I hope your DH is home all weekend so that you can get some rest!
Renee, I did jazz out my boot! I added a little bling to it.
Gingerchi, Hope your appointment goes well.
Andrea, Sorry for the delay, but I hope you enjoy the extra weeks of healing and that you feel better each day.
Dizz, Hope the results are all good news! Waiting is the worst!
Gingeel, Hope you can rest today. What days are your bad days after Taxol? Foe me, it's days 5 and 6.
Rockerwife, Thanks for checking back in! If you are on Facebook, PM me. Your hair is coming in nicely! That's horrible that they moved your room and didn't tell you!!!
Katy, You're too kind. I think being "experienced" with this once before gives me a jump on how to deal with the effects of it!
Postive spirit, I love how you've asked your friends to step in. They are probably thrilled you asked. We need to remember that people really do want to help, and as hard as it is to ask, most people will jump at the chance to help.
ksusan, Thanks for the eye candy. Happy to hear about your results.
Alibeths, Feeling any better yet?
Littleblue, Are the chemo effects slowly waning? Will you have rads next?
Not much exciting here. Need to get off my butt and vacuum. I have an orthopedic appointment Tuesday for my stupid toe. The bad thing about having it happen at work is that I have to do what they say, so I have to go to the ortho....because I don't already have enough appointments. So Tuesday will be ortho then labs then chemo. The day befoe I have my rads consult. I did e-mail my surgeon today to ask how I set up port removal. He's a crazy busy guy, so I want to get on his calendar!
-
I am hating chemo more every time I go. My SEs aren't so terrible, I just don't like the act of going. The room, the smells, the tastes. One more to go and I'm dreading it more than the first.
Kbee (and others) - I don't know how you handled it (and so eloquently) when you found out (1) you had a recurrence and (2) that you had to go through chemo again. And never one complaint. You are such a great example. No wonder your work team is so supportive!
-
Getting ready for last chemo next Friday!!! Super excited to be done with this part.
-
Hot Oncology nurses should be standard of care. It keeps patients spirits up!
Congrats Rpayton! And what a beautiful sign and fiber art piece!
Eyebrows- I never noticed how much sweat I produce until they fell out- now sweat just beads up where they used to be. I actually got pissed at the 15 long snaggly hairs that were left and shaved them off, so now I look like a jackass who shaved their eyebrows, not a cancer patient. Nope, not true. I still look like a cancer patient.
Kbeee- Ok, where's the picture of your dancing slipper??? Did you bedazzle it? Lady, you do what your Ortho says, ya'hear?
Loving the hair pics from those who have posted them! Keep'em coming!
Anyone know anything about adoption post-cancer?
Ok, so this is Day....8 PFC. Energy is up and down- early in the week I was my obnoxiously bouncy self, I think because I finally asked them to cut down my steroids. Yesterday was kind of a crash day- producing lots of mucous, scratchy throat, swollen eyes, mild nausea. Went out in the field, and got pretty carsick because my lunatic friend (Mr. I always go 10 over) was driving. Rallied after work and jogged 5 miles. Slept poorly last night due to hot flashes and cats (aka the critters I am raising up to make slippers out of LOL. Lil darlings
![:\](https://breastcancer.vanilladevelopment.com/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
) Woke up this morning with muscle pain in my lower back, neck, and left foot (where I broke it last October.) Still pretty congested, mildly groggy, mildly nauseous, sore fingernails, stiff armpits and little surgical pains. Soooo..pretty standard first week after chemo. Radiation will start for me in Mid-August. I need to call them at the end of the month and set up my first appointment, if they forget to call me. They are planning to cook all of my left side watershed, it sounds like. After 1 appointment, I love my radiology team. The RO runs the same ultramarathons that my brother does. So, practically family. They are down with patching me up so I can exercise as much as I can stand. I told them I would be that idiot who pushes it to the limit- just being honest. Which makes me happy, after reading that radiation study on here that says extra rads for early stage cancer produces a significant drop in reoccurrence. Which I'm all about. Even though it was for women who had a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy.
Another interesting study that Sas-Shatzi posted on the port removal thread is regarding a lower chance of reoccurrence in women who took NSAIDS post surgery. Maybe worth reading up if ya'all haven't had surgery yet? It was interesting to me because I was accidentally prescribed giant doses of ibuprofen post-surgery. It almost killed me but...hidden benefit?? Pretty to think so, and I'll take any ray of hope!
Port incision looks ok- have to keep it covered because the cats like to give me cat scans all night by running up on my chest and feeling for lumps. I air it out when I can and dab it with peroxide. It doesn't hurt at all except for a tiny twinge now and then, but it looks like some mad scientist went after my heart, but got the wrong side and sewed it up.
Kind of crashing because my friend (Mr. I always go 10 over) finally told me his sister died 4 years ago from breast cancer, and that's why he has been avoiding me through all this. First- Wham, sympathy for his family. So, So sad. Second- Wham, fear. Cold, hard, gut clenching fear for us all. Third, and unexpected- Wham. Survivor guilt. Its always a dang roller coaster in my head. Its also hard, because my friend's mom was diagnosed as stage 4 about the same time as I was diagnosed as stage 1. I want to support her in any way I can, but I don't want to be presumptuous. Fear and survivor guilt. Survivor guilt and Fear and social awkwardness. At this point, I'd be happy just for a blah, no ups and downs day in my brain. I'm scared of cancer, but I want cancer to be more scared of me.
Sorry for the long meandering post! Its nice to have a real keyboard rather than my tablet to type on! Wishing everyone the best this Friday- For real, I'm praying for us all, as long as you don't mind that I'm not totally a Christian. xoxooxox
-
Yesterday's worksite.. -
Ladies- one of my bestest friends is my driver and sits with me for chemo every week - which is so wonderfully nice of her! I was wondering if any of you had any ideas for a special thank you gift I could get her? I am terrible at this sort of thing!
-
April Ladies - What have you been told about alcohol and red meat PFC?? I get messages from docs anywhere from a glass of wine a night, to 1 -3 a week, to really only on special occasions a few times a year. I also hear conflicting information on alcohol intake regarding risk of recurrence versus risk of new primary if you've already been diagnosed with breast cancer. It seems the most recent studies focus on post menopausal woman and assume tamoxifan. I met with a integrative oncologist yesterday (different from my regular MO) who said alcohol is carcinegenic and should be avoided by breast cancer survivors except for limited social occassions for not only risk of new or recurrent breast cancers, but other cancers (since we are now at higher risk).
On the red meat front, generally I see 4 oz. one time a week and to aim for plant based diet. I'm fine with the red meat limits, although I'll have to resume my role as a short order cook as DH and DSons will want red meat more than one time a week!
Same question on fat intake. 20 grams/day max?
I know the safe answer is to avoid red meat, alcohol and fat, but I also am conflicted with do I really need to change my entire diet so drastically and avoid wine when we are also bombarded with the message that they really don't know why we all got BC! Was it the wine, the birth control pills, the fact that my mother took DES or just the fact that I'm a woman with dense breast tissue. I still think it was the Diet Cokes! (JK)
Happy to be PFC, but struggling with the new normal! Off to accupuncture for achey joints and hot flashes!
-
Princess, I am horrible with gifts, but maybe a certificate to a night out with her hubby (dinner, show) and you and her hubby watch her kids (if she has them) while you are out.
Littleblue, balancing the fear, the survivors guilt, and trying to find a new normal is a delicate balance. Cancer had taken so much, I try not to let it take my general happiness in living. There are always good and scary times though. I will post s picture of my lovely slipper thing.
Renee, you are so talented with the crochet hook!!!!
Sue, when I started researching after my recurrence, I found evidence that the way my tumor recurred meant it was very aggressive and the one small study I could find indicated that those that did chemo did very well. Those that did not, had much much worse outcomes. I was so scared they would not do chemo because MO I saw at the time thought it was unnecessary, thankfully local MO did think it was necessary and Oncotype confirmed how aggressive it was. As a result, I was so grateful to be able to get chemo. I think of it as my ally and cancer as my enemy. That mindset helps. It also helps knowing that hair returns, energy returns, etc. I know it is mostly just temporary.
-
Good boot-bling!
My MO says alcohol is fine, but I'll ask my naturopath next time talk with her.
-
Kbeee love the boot bling!
A great discussion to have about what we are all being told post treatment for food/drink. The dietician on my team checks in with me every chemo session. Next week, my last, she is going to give me further info and I have some good questions for her too. I have also been told a plant based diet. Which I have always done. I'm not a meat eater. I do eat fish and dairy. I also am not an alcohol drinker, other than a rare special occasion. Just don't care for the taste or effects, makes me sleepy. So can't believe meat or alcohol was a factor for my cancer. I do get concerned with plastics as I have read the heat in the plastic has something to do with estrogen production in the body. And I don't need that. I gave away my Keurig away as that scared me and I used it a couple times a day for coffee or green tea.I believe everything in moderation. I like lots of variety and I love food. I'm Italian, full blooded, pasta and bread will be in my diet at some point weekly. LOL Honestly I don't know how much is really known about prevention of reoccurance with diet. Seems like a crapshoot anymoreso much conflicting info. May be better to be concerned with weight and exercise for strength? Idk sorry for the ramble.
-
Positive spirit -- and anyone going through cancer treatment -- I'll say that I started seeing my old psychotherapist again this past October, for some new, knotty issues, and it was great that she was on board when I was diagnosed in March. Although I have been very lucky in not having horrible SEs and in not being brought too low by the fact of having cancer, it's nice that when I do feel low, she validates that CANCER SUCKS!
Fortunately, I was able to see her this afternoon after hearing from the dermatologist that I DO have skin cancer! It's squamous cell carcinoma, which is very common, very treatable, etc., etc. I'm scheduled to have it out at the end of August. It's on my outer forearm, so no cosmetic concerns. So, right now I'm feeling pretty blasé about it, but I was kind of weepy for a few hours, and was good to weep with her.
Dizz, still hoping like heck of course that you get the all clear.
Little blue, I adopted my kids pre cancer, so can't provide specific help, but happy to share what I know about the adoption process generally and suggest how you could get some quick answers to your questions. PM me if you want.
Sending healing energy to everyone.
-
Little Blue, Thanks for the information on the NSAID study. I found a few studies and have printed them out to take to the SO. Definitely sounds like it's a promising idea at this point and doesn't sound like a lot for risk for the potential benefit. I really appreciate your passing it along!!!
-
DONE WITH CHEMO!! Just finished my last Taxol on Thursday. I was so looking forward to the big production I've been hearing - the nurses would sing a song - patients rang a gong - cookies or something else yummy were brought around. My chemo didn't get done til 6 pm Thursday night - one nurse there left - and no big production. I rang the gong for me and my husband! He brought me flowers. Oh well, I'm still done! After that, at 6:30 I had my post-chemo MRI and I'm just waiting for result of that which should be in Monday or Tuesday. ( Friday is a Utah Holiday and everything is closed) From all of the exams I had from the BS and MO - they can't feel a thing where my walnut size tumor was - so I'm optimistic that the MRI will be positive news.
I also didn't have to get a neulasta after this last treatment so...maybe no bone pain this time??? it would be nice! I also met with BS and scheduled my double MX with initial recon for August 28th - so I'm looking forward to over a month off from treatment. I'm going to try to visit some family members and have a little fun.
Congrats to everyone else that is finishing up this phase and I hope the SE's get better. xoxo
-
Congrats, Georgie!!
-
Georgie, congrats on finishing! I'm sorry that it was a bit of a letdown, but happy your DH stepped up to make it special for you! Our hospital stopped doing anything- use to ring a bell but that's gone now. I'll just be happy when I'm done. Enjoy your time off with your family.
-
Georgie congrats! Enjoy getting back to life and having fun!
Bluedog sorry to hear about the skin cancer. Hang in there.
Littleblue love the photos you post. Beautiful!
-
bluedog geeze sorry about the skin cancer ordeal as ifbreast cancer isn't enough?!
-
Congrats Georgie! My hospital doesn't do anything special for final chemo...no bell or gong. I did up a sign and had my picture taken with it, and got hugs from the nurses...that was all. It was enough to be finished though!!
Andrea
-
Theprincess you could put together q gift basket with all sorts of goodies in it- that's what I would do anyway. I've been thinking of some thank you gifts to give to my mom and best friend who provide child care for me during chemo- I'm thinking for my mom once chemo is done I will treat her to dinner and do a nice mothers daughter day and for my friend I want to get her The Friendship WillowTree Figureine. I'm so excited to be halfway done with chemo. I've been looking for cake ideas to bring in on my last day to thank my nurses.
Congrats Georgie!!!! As for special rings for last chemo I actually had the option to ring the bell at the end of AC and I told them j wanted to wait until I was completely done with chemo. I just love my nurses so much- they are so loving and compassionate. At the end of every infusion they give me a hug and tell me how well I'm doing. They actually take the time to get to know their patients. Even my oncologist is so personable. I feel so blessed to have such an awesome team caring for me.
-
Congrats Georgie!!! Happy you are done and Done! I don't think they have a bell at my hospital either.....never heard anyone ring one.
Awe, Bluedog, sheesh! Skin cancer. Like you don't have enough on your plate. I should get my skin checked.
Kbee, cute bootie. My bad day is usually day 4-5..., so today would have been my worst day, however, I've felt pretty good most of the day. Yes my teeth hurt, and I had a horrible cramp in my calf muscle, but, I actually felt pretty decent. Last week, I felt much worse. Figured it would be the same every week.
Addie, hope you get the rest you need tonight and this weekend.
Little blue, I hear ya about your guilt and fears. But, don't allow yourself to feel guilty to be alive.
Renee, love your sign.
-
Sue- i am sorry you're feeling down and dreading it. You're close to the finish line. Lean on your March and April sisters and we will get you through it.
Little- I loved your post and had a bit of a tear for your friend and for you. You were probably mad that he'd disappeared....at least it's out in the open now.
Scarlett- I get so confused and feel so unsafe sometimes about the future. It is difficult to justify altering your lifestyle completely when we know they are guessing, and we all know vegans, non red meat eating, non smoking, non drinking, non sugar eating women that get cancer. Quality of life needs to figure in somehow, but I don't want to die over a chocolate covered almond!
Speaking of feeling unsafe, I just gathered up all the free product I was given at LGFB. I Looked everything up on the skin deep website and threw away between half and three quarters. Known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. Estrogen imitators and morphers. I don't know which way to turn. I've had many skin cancers and a brother that died of melanoma. I looked up the sun screen I've been using, a Neutrogena product, and it's one of the worst on the market, as judged by that website.
A big black trash bag full of ??? WTFs out to the can.
And congrats Georgie..... Here's a little celebration for you. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🎈🎈🎈👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎈🔔🔔🔔🔔🎈🎈🔔🔔🔔🔔🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
-
How are you doing, Katie? Feeling more energy? I think about you?
-
hi Lynn!
Yes a bit better. Slow progress. Trying to start a bit of fitness and finding walking is anaerobic! Not supposed to be. Baby steps.
Are YOU feeling better? I sure hope so. I think about you too.
-
Georgie! Big giant congrats on making the finish line! I dedicate we are the Champions by queen to you!
-
Congratulations Georgie. Great news about the neulasta! Sorry your final infusion didn't get it's appropriate attention. Glad that they were able to get you that mri that late in the day, but too bad about the holiday delay. I hope they get back to you bright and early on Monday. Enjoy the treatment break and your time with your family!
-
Congrats, Georgie! My place didn't do anything special--the nurse said something like, "Take care, now" and that was it.
-
congrats on being done!!!!!!!
I think Recurrance is a science they haven't figured out. I was unlikely for a Recurrance. Nose negative, small tumor. I eat great, excersise. It's bad luck if you ask me.
-
got's lots of catching up to do here!
happy birthday to everyone who is celebrating this past week!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team