For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....

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  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited October 2006
    My last chemo was the 15th of August. I'm actually starting to have enough hair to get an idea what color it will be. Most of it is much darker than my hair used to be. There are some interesting patches of white. At first I thought it would all be white. I've never really had dark hair before. This should be interesting. I still have a lot of the bumps. I use shampoo now. Regular soap is too thick. It also takes longer to dry. I look very stubbly, but it's a whole 1/4" long!! Woo hoo!!
    Jackie
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  • MollyK
    MollyK Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2006
    my last chemo was july 28th. (10 weeks post) my hair is extremely short but it is starting to cover my whole scalp. looks like i will be ditching the scarf within the next week. it is taking much longer to grow than i thought it would, but at least it's growing! my eyebrows are starting to grow back too, but my lashes are gone now. i'm still feeling muscle stiffness/soreness in my legs, but my energy is coming back. seems that radiation isn't affecting the energy level too much.

    molly
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  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2006

    Jeannette, Brigitte, Ferne, Jackie, Molly (and Marcia and Karen and everyone) - So good to hear from you guys. Hang in there with the hair - I'm at three months post on Friday and it's very, very short but looks like hair - a parking attendant asked me on Sunday why I cut it so short (!!!) Having a "Centenary Party" on Saturday - JP and I are collectively 100 on Oct 9 - so looking forward to the celebration. All of you will be there with me, in my heart and in my mojito toast! Leigh

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    Leigh - have a great celebration - I never thought about that, but my hubby and I are also 100 almost 101 together!!! I guess because my big 50 was a lousy one, never put 2 and 2 together or should I say 50 and 50!!! Have a fun day on saturday as well as a good day on the 9th. Friday is 3 months post chemo for me as well. My hair is about 1/2" to 3/4" - the whole head is covered. It is darker than before - very dark brown (almost black)and grey. Someone at work asked me yesterday if I was going to let my hair grow long again. Heck - I don't know!!! Its funny, right now I don't care about hair - my head is covered and the towel is wet when I get out of the shower. Still don't have enough to comb!! I'm sure as it gets longer and looks like it needs some sort of styling or cut (I can't even fathom that now), I might think differently. This had been a hard week emotionally for me. Not really sure why. There have been lots of commercials for the Denver Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on TV (its this sunday the 8th) and I tear up or cry when I see the commercials. I hope that one day I will be one of the the long term survivors (20 or 30 years). I have signed up for the race as "Sleep for the Cure" and so far have raised about $250 and hope to have more donations by the weekend. Unfortunately, I cannot do the race, but then again, I 'm not sure emotionally I am ready. But a friend managed to get me a survivors pink T-shirt - for some reason it was important for me to have one. Now will I wear it. Almost forgot - my hysterectomy is scheduled for the 19th and I just found out yesterday that the insurance company does not want to pay for it - they don't see the need for it. Thank goodness the gyn's office is fighting with the insurance company. Darling husband is worried about it getting approved. Will keep everyone posted. WEll it has been a long 8 months since this journey officially began and you ladies have been wonderful. Please lets continue to keep in touch. Feel good to everyone and cyber hugs from Denver.

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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited October 2006
    Leigh, enjoy your party!

    Karen, I hope all goes well with your hysterectomy.

    Ferne
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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited October 2006
    O/T

    I wonder where they get the word 'hysterical' from...
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    Hi girlfriends - well my emotions have been on the wildest rollercoaster today!!! Haven't felt in this much upheaval since my BC diagnosis on 2/3. I called the gyn office today to follow up regarding the insurance. They told me what they had done (faxed over 50 pages of records on monday) and that she would put a bug in the doctors ear to write a letter for the insurance company and suggested that I call the onc and have him do the same stating his protocol. Insurance company told gyn office that I have BC not uterine cancer and therefor no hysterectomy was indicated. Since June, I have been going on the idea that I was having a total abdominal hysterectomy because when I saw my gyn and told him onc wanted ovaries out, he said take everything as it is the same surgery. We asked if he was going to do it lapriscopically and he said no, abdominally as then he could get a feel all around and make sure nothing is hiding. It sounded good to me, even though it was major surgery. The day I saw the gyn in June he had to hurry the visit as he had a pregnancy patient on the way to the ER from his office. I never made another appt with the gyn as I didn't think I needed to and scheduled the surgery over the phone a month ago for 10/19 (2 weeks away). Well this afternoon my gyn (of almost 21 years) called to say that he will now do an ooph laprascopically with the "guru" of gyn minimally invasive surgeries - it is day surgery and the recovery is only one week. I am now scared out of my mind as he is the one who said do a total hysterectomy. When I asked him about it this afternoon on the phone, he said that he thought I was BRCA + when we last met. Since I don't have fibroid cysts or bleeding problems, insurance says hysterectomy is not medically necessary - that I have BC not uterine cancer. I called my ONC - he is wonderful. Talked to the onc nurse first and she said that in my file all the onc has ordered is the oooph, but after talking to me for a while the nurse said she would talk to onc and call me back (it was almost 4:30 and said she would make sure she talked to him before she left at 5). Well she called me back and said the onc would call me. He DID. Onc said medically all he cared about were having my ovaries taken out and that the uterus has nothing to do with breast cancer. He is fine with me having the ooph. He also said that I could fight the insurance company and I would not win - but that they would pay for the ooph since it is related to BC. Onc said that as long as I continued to get my pap smear and pelvic exams that I should be okay. I felt better after talking to him, but I am still nervous. Also, angry with gyn or is it myself I am angry with for not getting a second opinion or making another appt with him. I guess I should be glad that I am not having major surgery, but I am scared and confused. Well I think I am rambling. Thanks for listening.

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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2006
    Hi Everyone! Sorry that I havent posted in a while! I just got home from work! I have been busy with work, rads and they are both making me very fatigued!! I have been working 10-12 hrs a day. Sometimes 6 days a week. My last rad is later today! YEAH!! The only thing that I have left to do is herceptin every 3 weeks and tamoxifen which I should be starting soon! I go for my 4th herceptin on the 17th. I hope that everyone is getting along ok. I think about all of you often. I could not of made it through this journey without each and every one of you! Take care and post soon!
    Love and Hugs,
    Mindy
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  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited October 2006
    I'm passing the half way point in my rads. I'm holding up very well. I don't have any pink yet. Will it last? My hair is getting darker. This is weird. I think my eyebrows are coming in dark. I've had blonde eyebrows all my life. I won't look like me with eyebrows you can see. Should be interesting.
    Jackie
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  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2006
    Mindy, Congrats on finishing Rads. I was tired for three to four weeks after rads. I stopped my herceptin after 12 weeks, It was doing a number on my heart and made me feel like I had the flu for a week after administration. It also slows down hair growth. Best wishes as you continue your treatment.

    Jackie, I didn't get red until my last 2 weeks of rads. Just keep using whatever gel they give you.

    Karen in Denver. Unfortunately we can hear a lot of contradicting info from our doctors. I find it best to use my gut instinct on who you trust more. I am sorry you had to go through this indecisiveness about your surgery. I hope it goes well.

    Leigh, I hope your celebration went well. I hope you both live to celebrate your 200 years on the planet.

    TAC Ladies out there who have finished their rads and chemo....I am curious to know what follow up plans your docs have for you and who will be following you. I have a standing 3 month appointment with my oncologist for the next three years. I have tumor marker tests, cbcs and chem profiles drawn each time) I have a 3 month follow up appt with my rad onc every three months for a year. (rad oncologist ordered mammograms every 6 months. Full mammogram and ultrasound every January and mammogram and ultrasound on just lumpectomy breast every July.) Rad and Oncologist will share results of labs and x rays. I am just as nervous about tumor marker rising as I am about mammogram results. I was given great odds at survival but then there is always that percentage that doesn't. Oh well, Do any of you mind sharing what follow up plans you will be following?

    Everyone take care and best wishes.
    Marcia
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  • MollyK
    MollyK Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2006
    I met with my medical oncologist last friday for my 10 week follow up and my next scheduled appt. is not for 6 months. I will finish up my radiation next tuesday so i'm not sure of my follow up appts. there. I start tamoxifen next week. i'm curious as to anyone who is taking tamoxifen, what your side effects are??? the thought of taking this drug is making me nervous.

    molly
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    Marcia - I will be seeing my medical onc for 5 years (I am on Arimidex for 5 years) - the first 3 years every 3 months, then every 6 months for the last two years. I am not sure what tests he will do. I see him on the 24th and will find out more then. It will be my 3 month check up. Still trying to work out the oooph = changing gyns - calling the new one tomorrow to see if he can do it next thursday (my original surgery date)- will post more after surgery is scheduled as well as after I see onc. I had my 6 week check up with rad onc yesterday and she discharged me - yeah!!! Will post again soon.

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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    I start taking Tamoxifen tonight. As soon as I go upstairs and pop it in my big mouth, it will be my first one. I'll let you know how I feel on it. Other than that I'm doing fine, just not liking the cold weather here.

    Paula
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  • TerryJill
    TerryJill Member Posts: 19
    edited October 2006

    I am finally finished. It has been a long and tiring journey and I never thought this day would come. Thank you all.

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  • MollyK
    MollyK Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2006
    Paula,

    How are you feeling on the Tamoxifen???? Any side effects???

    Molly
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  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited October 2006
    TerryJill
    Congratulations!! When did you have your last treatment? Are you getting back on your feet yet? You did it!
    Jackie
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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    No side effects yet. I'm taking it before bed, then I must just sleep through them. lol I'll check in a lot as I get into it more, and see what happens.

    TerryJill Congratulations!! you did it party!!

    Paula
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  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited October 2006
    Congratulations TerryJill!! YOu made it!!!
    Questtion for everyone: in your TAC treatment, did the T stand for Taxol or Taxotere? I confess that I don't remember which one I got and am wondering if there is a general answer to this question ... thanks!
    Brigitte
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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited October 2006
    Hi Brigitte,

    My T was Taxotere.

    Ferne
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  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited October 2006

    Thanks Ferne! Can you other ladies please tell me what the T stood for in your TAC treatment? thanks .. Brigitte ... I know this sounds like a dumb question but I honestly don't know what the T was for in TAC and am wondering if it's the same for all of us: Taxotere or Taxol...

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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    T was for Taxotere for me

    Paula
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    T was Taxotere for me as well.

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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2006
    Hi all! Brigitte, T was for taxotere here also. I am going for #4 herceptin treatment tomorrow. I will see the onc before treatment so I will probobly get my script for my tamoxifen. Unless, she decides to change it to something else. How is everyone else that is taking tamoxifen doing? I was wondering about side effects! Any input, please let me know! I actually got the night off on what they call company excused! (If we have extra people, they go down a list with everyones name on it and you get a turn on getting a day off that is excused but without pay) I took a vacation day for tomorrow since I have treatment. So at least I have had a few nights home with my kids this week!
    Everyone take care and I will post again soon!
    Love and hugs,
    Mindy
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  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2006
    Congrats again to all who have finished TAC.Taxotere was my T also)
    Paula, I am glad you don't have any problems with you current meds.
    I am a week out since I stopped Hercerptin. I still notice when I over=do it that I have mild neuropathy in my feet. But I am glad to be off meds for awhile and let my poor old tired body heal. I also notice my radiated breast area gets sore if I don't do range of motion exercises every day.

    Breast cancer awareness month sure means something different for me this year. I am glad to be through the treatments but does anybody else that is finishing up feel that they have to look over their shoulder at the same time they are moving on with life?
    Hugs to all!
    MarciaA.
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  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2006
    Hello All - Congratulations to the recent finish line crossers! Good thoughts to the Herceptin folks - I started Tamoxifen on the 1st of October, and the only side effect (maybe) is a slight intensification of the hot flashes that started with chemo-induced menopause. Otherwise feeling great, skin is healing, hair is growing - putting it behind me mentally will take a little more doing. I don't really fret, but it's never far from my mind either. Hoping that as time passes it will occupy less and less 'free rent' space in my head (as my mom would say).
    The "T" in TAC is Taxotere; the "T" in AC+T is Taxol, in general.
    When does everyone have their next follow up? I saw surgeon and oncologist in FL on the 29th of September; will see the onc end of December and the surgeon end of Jan, with a mammogram and MRI scheduled for mid-Jan. Radiation oncologist at the 6 weeks post mark, in about 2 weeks or so.
    Come visit the "Circle the Wagons" thread when you need a boost or feel like giving one to a bc sister...Leigh
    PS I'm torn about the October thing - on the one hand, I think awareness is very important, research dollars are very important - on the other hand, some of the "commercial applications" (pink peppermint patties LOL) start to get to me a little...and I LIKE pink!
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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited October 2006
    Hello everyone,

    I saw my radiation oncologist today. I got a surprise!

    After my surgery pathology came back last week, surgeon tells me I had 6 positive nodes. Makes me wonder how many were positive before my neoadjuvent chemo. But anyway, my next step is radiation. 35 to 38 sessions is the plan. I have to have the throat, chest wall, breast, and arm pit radiated.

    The radiation oncologist said she is upset by my pathology report because it was so vague. I expressed to her that I too thought it was vague. So she is going to call the pathologist and get back to me about the nodes question. How many possibly positive before chemo? I cannot have anymore chemo. Because of the high dosage of TAC I received, chemo is not an option for me anymore unless the bc metasticizes to the organs. If bc recurs in the breast, I have to have it removed. 2 Doctors told me this. I wonder what happens if I get another type of cancer. Then what options do I have?

    But anyway, this now puts me at least at stage IIIA now, not the at least IIA early stage I always thought I was before surgery. It is a bit disconcerting. I feel like whoa, this is getting serious...

    So now, after I can raise my arm over my head, the radiation process will get started. This is the last step for me. I like the radiation oncologist; she's very nice and easy to talk to. She's also compassionate.

    Ferne
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  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2006
    Hi Ferne,
    I had 6 of 16 positive nodes, too, found with axillary node dissection, so pre-chemo. Finished 33 radiation treatments, similar fields except not the throat, on September 21st. Question - how many nodes were removed?
    You will probably find radiation easier to much easier than TAC - I got used to the daily routine very quickly, the skin problems came late in the treatment, and cleared up pretty fast. A word of unsolicited advice - don't go crazy about the creams. I came to feel that doing what made it feel better was fine, and it's like what they say about colds - they last a week or 7 days, no matter what you do! Some women swear by one cream or the other, but it wasn't clear to me that there were any consistent results. Use nothing = have problems or don't. Use something = have problems or don't. JMHO!!! Thinking good thoughts for you. And don't drive yourself crazy over the staging - numbers aren't very helpful when it comes down to it! Leigh
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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited October 2006
    Hi Leigh,

    Thank you for your advice about the creams. Rads is still looking like 3 to 4 weeks away. I have to see the surgeon in 2 weeks and the radiation onc after that first for the measuring and scans.

    26 nodes were removed with 6 positive, this was found post TAC, and I'm er-/pr- and her/neu-

    Ferne
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  • MollyK
    MollyK Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2006
    Well today I was scheduled for my very last radiation appt. and guess what...the machine broke. It was cancelled and now I have to wait until tomorrow. Not such a big deal in the whole scheme of things, but I was so excited for today to be my last day. So...hopefully, tomorrow will be number 33, the last. Then it's on to Tamoxifen. I'm getting that prescription filled tomorrow and it will probably stay on my shelf until the weekend when I have the courage to take it. I don't know why it makes me so nervous, but it does.

    I am so glad that so many of you guys post to this website. I may not post often, but read often, and your words are so helpful to me. They have made this last 8 months a little more bearable. Thanks.

    Molly
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    Ferne - So sorry to hear that you will have to have radiation. But compared to TAC, it is a piece of cake!! My onc told me more than 4 positive nodes and radiation - I started rads 3 weeks post TAC. Its now going on 7 weeks since I finished. I saw the rad onc last week for my 6 week follow up and she discharged me - what a nice feeling to be free of one doctor. The rad techs were wonderful people. I stopped by to see them after my doctor appt and they all gave me a big hug!! I wanted them to see my hair!. I see the medical onc on the 24th for my 3 month check up - I'm sure I will get nervous before the visit, but haven't had time to think about it as I am having my laperascopic ooph this thursday. So one step at a time!!! I too was diagnosed stage 3A. It unnerves me when I think about the stage, but I try not to think about it. I do have my ups and downs and do get scared at times. After thursday I will have had 4 treatments done and one to go (finish recon in the spring). I am on Arimidex for the next 5 years - so will be followed by my onc atleast that long. I haven't visited the "Circle the Wagons' thread yet. But I need to. I still check in daily and wonder if that will taper off down the road. I hear people take about their "x" year anniversay and I look forward to my one year!!! but at the same time I am nervous. Well, before I ramble for too long, I better go. Ferne - wishing you an easy time with rads. To Paula, Leigh, Molly, Marcia, Mindy and the rest of the TAC gang, keep feeling good and keep in touch.

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