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

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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited October 2015

    Positive, have a great time at the retreat!!!

    Littleblue, that spider would have given me a heart attack!

    Having a lovely time with my son in Ottawa...we're going to a huge Oktoberfest celebration tomorrow! We went to it last time we were here, two years ago. It was so much fun! Looking forward to wearing a silly green hat and drinking mass quantities of excellent beer. And eating German food!

    Once we get home I go to see a gynaecologist about having my ovaries removed. Not sure I will do it, but I want more information. I have had 3 cancers now, my MO thinks it's a reasonable thing to consider.

    Andrea


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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited October 2015

    DizzPark: Tuesday is my treatment day! Keep us updated what you're trying for neuropathy, would love to hear how its going!! How are you feeling??

    kbee, yes, lets all toast! I told the chemo nurses that I will do backflips down the hall on Tuesday. Ha!

    Positive, I hope you have a wonderful time at the retreat! You deserve it, focus on yourself!! Looking forward to hearing about it!!

    gko: wow! Love all that hair!! I wish mine was that color!

    Andrea: Glad you're enjoying the visit with your son....the fest sounds like a fun time! Hope all goes well with the gyno as you decide how to proceed.

    Arlene: thanks for posting your neuropathy tips as well!! I'm glad to hear you're better!

    I know you gals going thru rads will be happy to have the weekend off....sending cooling, healing thoughts your way!

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2015

    Gingerchi: 4 days and counting....I hope that Tuesday comes quickly and that each day of your recovery becomes easier and easier. I can't wait to toast your chemo finale!!!

    I have had several nights of sock hydrotherapy now. My feet feel much better than this time last week. I am not sure if it is the time or the treatment. My hands are still about the same as they were. Tonight, I am ging to skip the feet and try the hands instead. My mouth is about 80% healed. So eating is so much nicer no than it was a week ago as well. My platelets are really low again...I have a tiny hang nail that is bleeding and it won't clot. I have a pressure bandage on it. A couple more days and the platelets should go up. My most iritating S/E now is the constant eye watering. So annoying.

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited October 2015

    Glad your feet are better Dizz. My hands are giving me fits today. Did you find out what to eat to help platelet count rise?

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited October 2015

    Hey, Jen, sorry to hear about your nails. My toenails started to lift, but then started to grow, so now I just have half a nail on both big toes. Weird. I hope you have fun at the wedding.

    Heather, ugh, the eye watering - and nose dripping, I do not miss that! It's so great when that stops, but sometimes, when I get emotional, I still blame it on chemo side effects :-) I don't think I could do that hydrotherapy. I am so cold adverse. But, I am thinking of getting a PT referral - KB has made me realize that some of this hand and feet pain could be permanent if I don't do something.

    Andrea, the Octoberfest sounds great! We have a fall fest in our town - the weather is predicted to be crappy, but maybe we'll be able to take something.

    Lorraine, I hope you have a fantabulous, spirit-lifting, life-changing experience at the retreat. I'm bummed I couldn't do it. It turned out for the best - I ended up getting an appointment for a colonoscopy for today. I know! It doesn't sound so great, but if I couldn't have done it today, they were scheduling out to January, and I really wanted to check this one off the list (and take advantage of my paid up deductible.)

    Cherie, I am so happy for you that you have the last chemo in sight! I will be happy to have a toast to you - I think tequila shots for me :-)

    gko - awesome hair! Everyone has so much more than I - I am 10 weeks PFC on Tuesday, and I have the dog mange fuzz.

    As I mentioned above, I had my colonoscopy today. I'll get results in a week or so - she took one tiny polyp, but she said that everything looked great, and she said there was nothing to worry about. I was relieved. Before BC, I wouldn't have thought much about it, but now I know that anything can happen. As everyone says, the prep is the worst part of it. I went from the procedure straight to radiation.

    Lynne

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2015

    I never did get any concrete advice on getting the platelets to rise...one think I found was extra vitamin c...since I am pfc now, I have added more vit. c this time, but I haven't seen a difference. Apparently, it just takes time.

    Lynne - it sounds weird to say it, but I am so looking forward to a colonoscopy. MLH-1 inconclusive variant showed up on my genetic screening and it's related to colon cancers. My mother has had a number of pre-cancerous polyps removed over the years too, so I am really wanting to get a screening over and done with. Glad you were able to gets yours scheduled and over with so quickly. One less thing! RIGHT?

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2015

    Oh...Lynne. How long did your eyes water?

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited October 2015

    Lynne- Very glad you got that colonoscopy out of the way. I understand not wanting to wait. Sounds like an all clear, doing the happy dance for you. 💃💃💃

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  • bluedog
    bluedog Member Posts: 212
    edited October 2015
    Dizz, it's counterintuitive, but eye drops might help your watery eyes. I've been plagued with watery eyes off and on since chemo, and drops have really helped -- the natural tears kind. Apparently watery eyes can actually be a symptom of dry eyes.
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  • gkodad
    gkodad Member Posts: 188
    edited October 2015

    Try artificial tears and maybe see your eye doctor. Watery eyes can be a dry eye symptom and dry eyes are just one of the many chemo side effects doctors forget to mention, made worse by loss of protection once provided by those missing eyelashes. My opthomalogist went off for a while about the relationship between chemotherapy (especially Taxol) and dry eye, glaucoma and inflamed eyelids. He was distressed that oncologists seldom suggest an opthomalogic follow up and if problems go on long enough it can scar your corneas. I went because my eyes hurt so bad and I felt like my vision was fuzzy. Cells shedding and blocking my ducts were causing dry eye and inflamed eyelids...he said my eyeballs were basically chapped.

    My oncologist raised his eyebrows in polite disbelief when I told him about the eye problems.

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  • gkodad
    gkodad Member Posts: 188
    edited October 2015

    I have a luncheon tomorrow where I'm supposed to speak about the importance of regular breast cancer screening, as it's October again. I'm planning to go with my natural head of 3/4 inch hair, along with no foobs because I can't bear the thought of anything pressing against my currently deep fried chest. I figure it won't matter what I actually say.


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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited October 2015

    Lynne congrats on the clean colon! Hooray!

    Andrea have a wonderful weekend!

    Gkodad Good luck tomorrow! You will be awesome, brave and look great!

    Gingerchi hope the hand pain gets better.

    Kbeee hoping you are resting and healing! The rads daily suck but you are almost done!

    Happy Fall Weekend All!


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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited October 2015

    Heather, I would say it lasted at least a month PFC because I was irritated that they were still watering, I thought I would have been done with it. I know that the watering is from dry eyes, but it wouldn't be every day, it definitely cycled through with the chemo. I had an eye exam at 3 weeks PFC, and the doctor gave me a sample of gel drops. My eyesight had deteriorated. I had lasik several years ago, but now I am near sighted again. At that point, I was experiencing much more blurriness, which is also attributable to dryness. I'm waiting to be done with rads before I go back to the lasik place to see if I can have it redone - I had paid for a lifetime redo if my eyes degraded again, but I'm not totally convinced that I couldn't see because my eyes were so dry. I haven't used the gel hardly at all, but my eyes have gotten much better in the six weeks since then.


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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited October 2015

    I also had very dry eyes during chemo, and a follow-up eye test revealed cataracts in both eyes. Thought to be chemo related. My eyesight is severely diminished at the moment, and both eyes need surgery. Fortunately, I am told these are "the easiest surgeries I will ever have". I hope so. Right now the very idea of another surgery, especially someone messing with my eyes, is too much to bear. But I just got a letter from my insurance company letting me know my annual out of pocket cost is DOUBLING next year. So I guess I better get it done.

    I do recommend a post- chemo Opthamologist check.

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited October 2015

    jackbirdie, so sorry to hear about the eye issues. But at least positive thinking it is corrective. The fun just never stops does it?! I'm thinking after chemo I need to see every specialist there is to check me out geeessshhh. On the other hand...live today fully and what will be will be runs thru my mind too.

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited October 2015

    Katy, I believe that the cataract surgery is very much like lasik, which I can say is very easy - I know, very relative, and everyone is different, and some people have a hard time with anyone near/touching their eyes, which would make this a nightmare, I'm sure. For one thing, it's very quick. I think I was on the table for maybe 5 minutes. The first eye is a little worse than the second, my theory is that the numbing stuff that they put in your eyes has more time to set in before the second eye, so you really feel nothing. I would definitely get it scheduled for this year - I mean, you are going to have to pay out of pocket costs next year no matter what, but the more you can have covered this year is good, right?

    Lynne

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited October 2015

    True, Lynne- I had LASIK twice so Ihave some idea. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited October 2015

    Smells like fall in my house. Just made homemade applesauce. Mmmmmm ...

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited October 2015

    these kids and their germs. My children have decided to share their cold with me. I have a horrible cough, pounding head and low grade fever. I honestly don't remember the last time I ran a fever. Managed to avoid all sicknesses when I was going through chemo but now I get sick post chemo. Go figure. Should I call my mo Monday if I'm stil feverish?

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2015

    Thank Lynne. I have used the same daytime drops and night gel eye drops that I used after Lasik off and on since July. No improvement. My tears flush out the drops faster than they can do any good. My tearing, unfortunately is everyday. I guess I will need to get an appt scheduled. I will probably have to wait until a few weeks after bmx since I will be dealing with my ear this next week and probably couldn't get an appt that quickly anyway. I got the lifetime warranty on my lasik too, but have been wondering if it still applies because of the chemo. I hope it does...I think I will have to get a revision as well.

    Update on the sock hyrdrotherapy on the hands. WAY more horrible than on my feet. The throbbing feeling of the blood vessels was painful and I didn't notice any improvement with the pain this morning. My feet, however, are feeling much better.

    We are off to Illinois again tomorrow. Final MRI and then first post-chemo check up with MO and last time I see him for 3-4 months. We also have final meeting with SO before surgery and Consult with PS for reconstruction. Ear surgery is this Thursday and then a week later, it's back to Illinois for pre-ops and surgery. That little dim candle light I was seeing at the end of the tunnel is starting to get brighter everyday.


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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2015

    If you are still feeling sick on Monday I would check in with someone for sure. I know the flu has already started circulating here in Arizona. With our immune systems shot to hell, I am sure it's going to be sheer luck if we avoid getting anything and everything that gets passed around.

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

    Dizz park lots of appointments! I hope all goes well. Keep us posted.

    Addie, I hope you feel better.

    Surviving on ibuprofen 24-7. Skin is peeling. It is blistering in some areas, and starting to seep in some areas. I have a very high pain tolerance and it is definitely being tested. I am miserable. Sorry to be such a Debbie downer; I know a few others are at the same place I am. On a brighter note, With my arm held way out, I ran race for the cure this morning in a respectable time.

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited October 2015

    I did get my flu shot but my mom who's a nurse just informed me that there's a possibility that they didn't get the flu strain right this year- she was going to double check and get back to me. That would be just me luck that I was have it. Ans it sounds like you've got a lot going on. Good luck with your ear surgery.

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

    Kbee-if you can't share here, where can you? I look like you I bet. Like a calf after branding. Now I know why they scream,poor things.

    About immune systems post chemo- what is the status? Are we set back to the level of toddlers? Since our immune systems are basically new? Or did any old cells that survived chemo and neulasta teach the new cells what to look for? Or maybe I'm completely wrong on how immune systems work? Anybody? Also, has anyone used monistat since treatment? Diflucan makes me feel like I have a 3 beer buzz, but I think k I feel a yeast infection coming on...

    2 more rads, one day off, then Oncologist 3 month check up. I am so thankful kful for modern medicine, and so over all of this!

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

    White cells are an important part of our immune system, so your counts should provide some information about your functioning. As far as I know we retain our antibodies to previous pathogens or vaccines.

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

    Yes! My immune system was a monster befor chemo. Glad I didn't lose all that immunity!

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited October 2015

    okay let's talk periods post chemo? How soon afterwards can they start if they do? I'm 4 weeks post chemo and for the past couple days I have felt almost like I'm going to get my period. Bloaty, achey lower back and increased discharge (sorry if it's tmi) my period stopped completely after a month of chemo.

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

    Addie, was wondering the same thing! Also, if it doesn't start again, what kind of medical care will we need as post menopausal younger women?

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited October 2015

    seriously. I go to meet with the surgeon on the 8th about the hysterectomy. I'm going to tell her I want it done sooner than later

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited October 2015

    Addie- are you feeling any better? Hope so.

    I had a flu shot. Hope they got the right virus! I'm not feeling all that immune-strong

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