Starting Chemo February 2013
Comments
-
ok, well cholesterol is down but LDL is still high. Going to try diet and exercise first. Blood test did not show rheumatoid arthritis so she is going to send me to a rheumologist but warned me it will probably be about 5 months before I get apt! I'm hoping to talk to my mo when I see her in June, she seems to have clout when it comes to specialists! In the meantime, I guess Tylenol will have to do, although I really dislike taking anything. My poor liver, hasn't it been through enough? Lol
Melody my shoulder is also very sore and is the radiated side. I really think radiation did damage something. Good luck with your apt. Tuesday!
Nancy, I tried using polysporin anti itch gel for my itchy boob and it seems to help but I just don't want to have to keep putting stuff on it! I'm hoping time will solve the itch!
-
My shoulder is tight too and still has lots of inflammation in it. I wonder if it will ever go away? It's been over 6 months since I finished radiation.
Slv: eat almonds and lots of fish like salmon and tuna that are rich in omega 3, they're supposed to help lower cholesterol. I'm giving it a try.
I had an ultrasound yesterday and found lots of fibroids. There were 7 total. The largest was in the uterine cavity and took up almost the entire uterus. My OBGYN recommended a full hysterectomy and ovary removal because of my bc history and the numerous fibroids also because tamoxifen can cause uterine cancer and would have to think about that if I stayed on it and didn't do the hysterectomy. It certainly doesn't help having a big ole tumor in my uterus that "looks" like a fibroid. They would take it all and will biopsy the fibroids, ovaries, Fallopian tubes and other tissue that is removed. I'm only 42 and feel kind of sad that all my lady parts will be removed. I go on Monday to see the surgeon and schedule the surgery. They want to do it ASAP so that I can stop taking the progesterone. Every time I try to stop taking it, the bleeding returns. I really didn't want to have my life disrupted again so soon! Anyone else have a full hysterectomy and if so, what was your recovery time like?
-
LW - sorry you have to go though another surgery.. but you'll probably feel better once its done and your life may feel more balanced. A friend of mine just had this done and it took about 3 weeks til her energy started to return.. so I hope you have time to rest and recover.
-
LW, I'm sure you'll feel better afterwards. Better than what your going through now. I had a fibroid that was causing my heavy bleeding but it was not suggested to be taken out-probably because I'm in menopause now, thanks chemo!, as apparently should shrink with lack of hormones-at least no more nightmare periods! I do understand your sadness, but there is no sense having an attachment to "lady parts" that are giving you so much trouble and worrying about fibroids if you kept them. I haven't been through this so please forgive me if that didn't sound compassionate, it was meant with love. I may be facing something similar as I'm thinking of getting my ovaries out. Keep us posted-hugs
-
Hello ladies! I started chemo Feb 2013, followed by mastectomy and the then rads. I just had reconstruction 4/7. I can relate to shoulder pain and arm pain and tightness....however I find that physical therapy has helped a lot. I'm in the post-reconstruction shock phase of "are my boobs ever going to look somewhat normal" and a bit shocked at the current apearance of the incisions. Wasn't prepared for the way they currently look....actually get a little lightheaded and queasy at the sighta. BUT overall feeling ok. Amazing what one can go through in just over a year's time!
-
LW I think it is smart to get all the lady parts removed. I have already told my OBGYN I want this done in the future. With that said I think one of the reasons I am not bouncing back from this surgery is because my body has been through so much the past year. Chemo, radiation, reconstruction, and now more reconstruction. I think it is so hard on a person. Just be prepared it may take you longer then the average "joe" to bounce back. I think going into it with this may help you not be all bummed out like I am thinking I would be back to my "life" in 4 weeks. Hopefully you will be but don't set the bar too high for yourself.
zennurse I think the biggest mistake PS make is not telling their patents "you have had cancer, you are NOT getting a boob job" For me I just expected to look like my friends who had boob jobs, but with a scar across the front. OH NO I looked NOTHING like them. Even after my second reconstruction I still am very disappointed in the end result. I need to accept I will never look normal again and move on with my life. Its hard to accept, but then I have to remind myself I HAVE a life and its only boobs!!! In clothes I look fine, but after a shower I still sometimes tear up. My husband wants to book a beach vacation and I keep avoiding it. With my 50 inches of scars and the weight I have packed on this past year of treatments I have no desire for a beach vacation.
-
Slv- no offense taken, we're all big girls here. I've heard from several people now that the surgery was the best decision they ever made and wished they'd done it sooner.
The recovery time does have me concerned, and it's just the end of another era.
Tangles and zennurse: I'm so sorry y'all are having such a rough time with your reconstruction. I can't imagine how hard that would have been to go through and to still be going through. I was fortunate that I didn't have that added stress and anguish on tip of everything else and your posts help put things in perspective. I truly gained a different perspective after going through treatment but sometimes, I start to loose it a little. I don't want to loose it and want to remember to be more grateful for what I have. No matter how hard I've had it, there's always someone else who's fighting a more difficult battle. Hang in there girls, I hope it gets much easier for you!
-
Fake boobs. Emphasis on the fake. I don't mind the scars at all but I wish they looked a little more natural. The "flat top" boob look is taking a little getting used to. And since they're under the muscle I can make 'em dance by flexing my armpits. Yeah, baby... I'm bringing sexy back! I'd feel a lot better about them if I could find a frickin' bra that fit.
My ovaries were removed in December and that was a really easy surgery. I think taking out the uterus with fibroids will make it harder but according to my friend that had it done, it wasn't too bad. Be prepared to dive head first into menopause though. I've had symptoms I never knew existed. Who ever heard of a cold flash?
-
I was thinking about you ladies today. How grateful I was that you were all here for me and I got on BC.org for the first time in months and was surprised to see nobody has posted in a year. I think its time for a reunion. How is everyone doing?
-
Gosh How much time do you have LOL....... Well this Chemo & Rads certainly did a number on me. I wonder if I will ever be the same. I had a big lat flap reconstruction last year which was a huge fail! I have had cronic back pain and foot pain. Limited mobility on my right arm to the point I cant lift it up. I have been diagnoised with chemo induced small nerve nuropathy in my feet, going to try botox for my arm and also back isssues. I have had lots of test. Ultrasound on my liver kidney and gaulbladder. Bone scan and several MRIs as Doc worry it is the cancer but THANK THE LORD every test comes back cancer free. I miss being able to go for walks and bike rides with my hubby and kids. SO much I can no longer do. Doc blames the radiation for some, some she blames the side effets of all the chemo, some she blames the lat flap surgery. Trying to get an apt with a 3rd Plastic surgeon to see if he has any ideas. Boy who would have thought this long out I would still be in so much pain. I try and be grateful to god I am alive and can get out of bed every day. Thank goodness for that. Just wish I would have bounced back like so many others did after cander. Guess my body didn't like all that poisen. Hoep all the rest of you are well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
Hi Melody and Tangles, do nice to hear from you! Tangles I totally understand the way you feel after chemo. I've had nothing but pain in every major joint but I'm trying to deal with it. Nobody told me my body would feel like 100 years old!
Wish I had good news, but I've had a local recurrence and just had a mastectomy with diep reconstruction. I'm probably starting chemo again in a week but will find out the details on the 22nd. Apparently I have an extremely rare type of breast cancer called metaplastic (not metastatic) and there isn't much information on how to treat. Recurrence this soon is not good, but I'm trying to stay positive.
Hope you two fine ladies stay healthy and happy!
Hugs, Shari
-
slv58 - I am metaplastic as well. There aren't too many of us around. A local recurrence is still treatable in most cases. Hang in there. What is your subtype? I'm chondroid/matrix and doing okay so far. I have neuropathy and chronic pain but I take low dose amitryptiline and it works for me. I'm not all that crazy about the reconstructed foobies but they are what they are.
-
Hi Ladies!
Good to hear from you all.. Melody -nice of you to start this post again!
Sorry to hear Tangles that you are still having such a difficult time... we never know how our bodies will react to all of these treatments and procedures .. and Shari - sorry to hear of recurrence.. I can't imagine the thought of going through chemo again - all the best to you!
I am doing ok except for feeling so old and achy every time I get up .. I feel like all the treatments and the Arimidex have aged me so much...my incision never totally healed and still leaks now and again-always looks red like an angry scar...but we all keep going and doing what we have to do.
-
Slv so sorry you are riding this train again!!!! ( some days I feel like I really have not ever gotten off though) SO I cant remember everyone's story but you must not have had the mastectomy the first go round?? I have to admit in the beginning the reconstruction was all about appearance to me. I wanted to look normal again. Well for me there will never be a "normal" again with all that radiation damage. Now I just want to be pain free. I would like to be able to wear a bra without pain. I get tired of wearing loose shirts and trying to cover up the mess I have for reconstruction. wearing a bra for symmetry looks much better, but holy cow does it hurt on all that nerve damage. When I am feeling sorry for myself that I cant go shopping all day with my daughter because of my back pain & foot pain and cant go for a walk after dinner with my husband I have to pick myself out of my pity party and remind myself of all the blessing I do have in this world and pray to god everyday this cancer wont ever come back. slv I will add you to my prayer list for sure!!! Please keep us updated!!!slv how did you find it? Self exam or blood work, just curious?
-
Hi Tangles, I'm sorry about all the pain you've been left with post treatment. I think a lot of us were left with aches and pains that we weren't prepared for. I actually am seeing a rheumatologist because I couldn't take the pain I felt every time I tried to get up from sitting. Sleeping was difficult because everything aches from the waist down. I've been getting prednisone shots which really helps- except for my right hip. However there doesn't appear to be mets so I am thankful because I was sure it had spread to my bones. In January I thought I felt a lump under my LX scar but I wasn't sure because radiation left my breast very lumpy. I waited the two weeks and had it checked out-unfortunately it's a local recurrence and I had a mastectomy and immediate diep on March 10. Everything seems to be healing well but my scar from LX is still a bit red-previously radiated skin.
Pathology has come back as metaplastic which is extremely rare and thus treatment and chemo options are not well studied. Trying to stay positive but it's hard. Thank you for your prayers, I will pray that you find comfort from your pains and remain healthy!
Hugs, Shari
-
Shari I will also keep you close in my prayers I'm sorry to hear about the recurrence. I hear you ladies on the aches and pains. I have had a lot of pain in my feet since last summer but haven't had it checked out it hasn't been debilitating just non stop sore. Its really annoying, something stops aching and a new place starts! I had to get a cortisone injection last year for frozen shoulder which is finally getting better and treatment for tennis elbow. Its been two years since I finished chemo next week. Where has the time gone? -
Melody, so good to hear from you and thank you, I need all the prayers I can get. It amazes me how many of us are left with aches and pains. It was never mentioned to me in a way that I remember when signing consent forms prior to chemo. Maybe it was and I figured it was trivial compared to ridding myself of cancer. I get the chemo consult on Tuesday so I'll try and listen, but honestly I'd give my right arm to get past this one. I guess it really boils down to weighing SE and life.
I start cisplatin and Gemcitabine on wed. I get my picc line first thing in the morning and chemo in afternoon. Here I go again!
I hope everyone has the beautiful day we are having today. In to be a high of 18*(64) and sunny, so I'm going to take my dog (faithful snuggy pup!) for a walk!
Shari
-
Good to see you guys here.. sorry to hear about the struggles.. some i can relate to,, i feel my body has aged big time also.
Whats new with me.. well why have one cancer when you can have two.. i was diagnosed with a carcinoid neuroendocrine tumor in my stomach and had 80 percent of stomach removed with all of hte greater omentum on Mar 27, good news all nodes were negative, they did it laproscopic so recovery went really well, eating and digesting is a whole new experience though...they are watching my left lung as something is growing.. they intially thought rads induced fibrosis as i had chest wall radiated but being careful, go for another scan in July. Now somethings up iwth my uterus.. probably from tamoxifen but queue the long list of more tests biopsy etc etc.. leaning toward telling gyny to just take it also.. hell whats another body part lol.
That said ladies we are all still hear in all our glory...
-
Rdrunner I am SO SORRY to hear that. DAM!!I had a full PET scan a few weeks ago because I have had so much PAIN!! Thank the good lord it was clear. I so would do anything to have my old body back. I am 48 yrs old living in an 78 yr old body! It SUCKS! I am grateful though I am cancer free. My preayers are with you!
-
Well techincally at this point i am cancer free.. i think my new strategy will be to NOT go to any doctor visits... if i dont go they cant find anything... seriously though I feel my mood is good, my life is starting to move forward despite everything.. supposed to be starting new job that i really wanted the end of June.
-
RDrunner, I'm sorry to hear you've been through so much. Cancer sucks and I'm tired of it! You have a great attitude, congrats on the new job! Sending positive thoughts and hugs
Tangles, happy to hear about clear PET scan! I can relate to the pains left from chemo, but since I've started my second round of chemo, the steroids have relieved me of all aches! I hope when I finish I'm not laden with more. But if it gets me NED, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
I just had my port put in yesterday and it's a bit sore but sure beats the picc line- I want to go swimming this summer.
Nice to hear from both of you, keep smiling!
-
Rdrunner - sorry to hear all you are going through but I love your attitude and all the best with the new job!
slv58 - I still wish you all the best..and send prayers.
tangles - glad you had the scan and are cancer free --
hang in there ladies
-
Slv: I'm so sorry to hear about your recurrence and to hear that there aren't a lot of answers. That has to be scary. I hope chemo is bearable for you.
Rdrunner: So sorry to hear about your ordeal as well. That sounds like a pretty serious surgery.
I'll keep the both of you in my prayers.
I have to say I haven't been in here in a while. I think it's been an entire month since I was on here last. I'm finally to the point that I can go an entire day, sometimes longer without thinking of breast cancer. It still scares me to death, thinking of having to hear it again that you have cancer. You both are very brave.
So glad to have seen this thread pop up. I wanted to share that I have lived this year like never before. This was the first full summer with hair and no surgery or recovery (last year I had a hysterectomy and before that I was in between chemo and radiation). Since March, we've been on a cruise to the carribean then back to Mexico without the kids to celebrate my 20 year wedding anniversary for an entire, incredible week, and then to Sanibel Island which is also beautiful. Oh and I bought my dream car which is a jeep sahara so I can blow around with my hair blowing in the wind. Mid life crisis? Maybe, or, maybe I'm just so happy to be able to enjoy life and not take it for granted!
Reality though is I'm still pretty achy, back, shoulder, legs more so than I was prior to chemo and the hot flashes are a real bitch! Phew, I feel as if I'm going to burst into flames and there really isn't anything I can do about them. Anyone else having horrible hot flashes? That's all I have to complain about though so I feel pretty fortunate!
-
Today I read an article on the "good" side of cancer. I thought GOOD??? Who the hell would say that right?? Well the article was about the friendships you make and develop and how a stranger helps you then you are helping a stranger. I LOVED it and plan to take it to my next support meeting to share. I have been getting very involved in the meetings trying to help other women that are just starting their journey! I cant wait till I can one day put an END to my journey. I would love to be getting the nipple tattoos and be back to my old self. ( well close anyway) I have found out over the last several months the reason I have had SO MUCH pain with that LD flap surgery was the PS cut my Long Thoracic nerve!! My LD flap was not a success and implants need to be replaced. I am hoping a Doctor at the Mayo Clinic can transplant a nerve from another part of my body to give life back to the damaged nerve. My 3 yr b-day is coming up soon. I bought a PINK chinise lantern to release into the sky that night!! Well just thought I would chime in to say hello! Happy fall ya all!
-
just had another surgery today.. my original incision from my first lumpectomy never totally healed - so today the surgeon reopened and reclosed it .. hopefully this will be the repair I have needed.
tangles - even though you need a nerve repair you sound like you are doing so wonderfully with getting involved with the meetings and helping others... I know how encouraging the boards have been -especially when we were all going through surgeries and treatments..
LW - glad to hear you are enjoying and living life with gusto ..
-
Here's the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres. What a peaceful place! This trip was almost 2 years post treatment. Best trip ever!
-
Hi Everyone, I haven't been on here in a long time but felt like I needed to get on here and say HI! I hear you about the "gift" of cancer, I am living life to the hilt. Traveling, spending money and having a great time with those I care about. I have weird aches and pains too but my biggest complaint is Tamoxifen. I hate the stuff, I'm pretty sure its why I feel like I have dementia/add sometimes. I have the worst time remembering stuff and finding the right word when speaking, and forget any wit. Glad to hear everyone is hanging in there. Dressing up as a swashbuckler (first time dressing up in years) and heading out to a party. Happy Halloween!
-
as my 3 yr diagnosis is near I cant believe how time flies. My attitude is pretty good. Im very involved in some breast Cancer awareness programs trying to help others. My largest disappointment is I still feel physically like Crap! Im so frustrated I hurt everyday. My chest feels like it is going to explode daily, my feet feel like I have walked the Vegas strip for 9 hours when all I did is go shopping for an hour, my back hurts. I cant bend over with ease to pick things up and get tired so easy. I feel like this chemo destroyed my body. 3 yrs ago I was 46 and felt 36 now I am 49 and feel 79. Im guessing this is as good as its going to get. SO GRATFUL to have my life and thank the lord daily for that, but it sure is the pits having so much pain. Any others having physical issues??
-
tangles - I am much older than you (65) but before bc I was a young 62 .. now I feel so old - and feel like I look so old too.. all the treatment has taken a lot out of me.. I am tired .. when I start walking I wobble.. my knees might hurt one day, my feet the other day - my big toenails are still a mess from chemo.. and my memory is worse than it should be...
like you, I am glad to be alive and thankful to God for being a survivor... and really try not to focus on all these complaints ..
-
I keep hearing that the memory stuff is also caused by menopause so I'd like to blame the Tamoxifen but not sure what it is. Maybe both? I too feel like all the treatment aged me. I felt a lot younger than I do now before bc. I hate the weight gain, I went from 134lbs to 149 and I cant seem to get it to budge, my feet hurt all the time. I'm thinking I'm going to have to go boot camp and starvation to get the scale to move. All that being said I am grateful for so much
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