Starting Chemo December 2015

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  • NewDay123
    NewDay123 Member Posts: 71
    edited March 2021

    Hi everyone, it's so good to see that some of you have finished, some are getting closer to being finished :) and just hanging out in this thread. I haven't been able to login for awhile and give an update, but it's good to see your posts.

    ... and hahahhahahaha... taking a long time to post this. I started this at 10:30 and now it's lunch time.

    I'm sorry, I can't find it, several pages back, several of you were saying hi to me and cheering me on. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I saw those posts awhile back, but didn't get a chance to reply.

    I'm got 3 more to go.

    The neupogen bone pain has been very bad the last 2 treatments, such that, tylenol and advil didn't seem to work. During the first several treatments it was more leg, but now more the ribs and shoulder/back. It's so bad that if I lightly touch my ribs, it hurts. It hurts when I lean back on a pillow. :( Do you guys have this problem? What did your MO do?

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  • Sammy3
    Sammy3 Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2016

    PezGirl I am doing radiation, but honestly I don't know when I start. My surgery is at the end of April. I don;t know how long you have to heal before you can start....and I have no clue how many I need.

    I am doing it because of doing lumpectomy vs mastectomy. Are you Her2+? I was told that risk of local recurrance is lower for her2+ (meaning if its going to come back - it may be somewhere else), so if you did mastectomy it may be worh asking the doctors if that applies to you. The radiation hits local right?

    I wish I had the answers - lately I've been down and thats not like me :(

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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited February 2016

    PezGal, I'll get rads because I had a lumpectomy. Ask your mo, surgeon and rad onc what they recommend and why. They should give you numbers of recurrence risk with rads vs without. When someone tries to tell me it's up to me, I ask them if they were me what would they choose. if the benefits outweigh the risks then you do it, if not you don't. I was told you start rads three weeks after chemo. But I already had my lumpectomy. I was also told I would get rads 5 days per week for 6 or 7 weeks. I'll be meeting my radiation oncologist next week for more info.

    So today I went in for treatment #6, my second taxol. I was having a reaction so we had to stop it. It was hard to explain what I was feeling, but it included dizziness, nausea, sorta slurring my words and otherwise just not right. My BP and heart rate were through the roof and my color was yellowish gray, so I was told.Of course my MO is on vacation this week. So basically, this didn't count. Booo! I have an appt with my MO when he is back on Monday to talk about alternatives. Just want to be done.

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    congrats Brithael!!! So happy for you. Sorry about your hospital stay though😞

    I just met with my BS. Looks like I will be scheduled for a lumpectomy beginning of May. I have a follow up appointment in April before that just in case I change my mind. I figure if I get lumpectomy and my margins don't come back clear I will take it to the next level. Not sure I'm making the right decision but I feel ok about it at this point. My husband has been very supportive of me but I'm afraid he doesn't agree with my decision on this. If it were up to him I would have a double mastectomy with no reconstruction. He doesn't understand my need to keep breasts. He lost his mother to leukemia when he was 14 so his view on all this is a bit tainted from past experiences. It doesn't help that he is a glass half empty kinda person😞 I am 43 and live at the beach, I feel like I want boobies. It's my personal choice. Just wish he understood😞 Either way, hope I'm not looking at a "I told ya so" in my future

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    PezGal - I really have no choice with the radiation thing. Triple negative and lymph node involvement here. I was told the chemo gets any cells traveling throughout the blood and the radiation mops up any stuck in the tissue. Not sure if that is true but it kinda made sense to me. Not looking forward to going there everyday for 30 rounds but my stats look a lot better if I go for it. Can't wait to be done with this whole thing!

    Brithael - sorry you have had such a rough time but glad you are done

    Round 4 of 6 for me tomorrow. Praying for an easy time!

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    Brithael, sorry it took another hospital stay, but happy for you that you are done. Now onto getting your body healed.

    Pezgal, I was told I wouldn't do rads since I chose BMX instead of lumpectomy but everyone's case is different.

    Twirp, happy for you that you made your decision, do what is right for you in your gut and dont second guess yourself.

    Chinacat, sorry you had a bad reaction and your treatment didn't count. That's a bummer.

    Lou53, you will be in my thoughts tomorrow.

    Newday, I always seem to get upper body pain with the Neulasta shot. So much so the one time that I was having chest pains. I've never had the Neupogen shot but I am assuming they have similar effects. I get bad tenderness at the base of my skull too. Hope it's getting better for you.

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  • Lyra10
    Lyra10 Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2016

    Brithiael great to be done! No radiation for me, my choice to do mastectomy not lump + rads. Twirp I am all about sweets! So I've been learning and trying to bake with alternative options. If you're a Pinterest gal I'm Lyralynn. Redrock, where did you get that awesome wig? Have a great week ladies

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  • chinookmom
    chinookmom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2016

    NewDay123- Sorry to hear you've had such a hard time with the Neulasta. Have you also been taking Claritin before and the first couple days after the injection? I didn't do the first time and did have a lot of pain.. The 2nd & 3rd Neulasta shots I took Claritin and I had so much less pain. My MO didn't tell me about it, but one of my surviving chemo books did. J

    PezGal- I'll be getting radiation after lumpectomy. (unless new scans show a change). With my ER-,PR-, HER2+ diagnosis (right breast) and since I'm premenopausal it seems to be the standard treatment if you haven't had a mastectomy. My genetic testing was negative, but if it was positive I might consider the radiation. I understand that even with BMX that some breast tissue is left behind. I believe that if radiation is on your left side that there are some additional concerns with regard to your heart. I still have a lot to learn about radiation. I won't be starting radiation until sometime in May. Have the given you any numbers on how much the radiation will reduce your chances or recurrence?

    Chinacat- Sorry to hear about your reaction to Taxol. Sounds scary. I've heard that a dose that might take ½ hour could be given over a few hours with less reaction- not sure if that applies to the degree of a reaction. Please let us know what your MO says.

    Twirp26-Hi. I too am leaning strongly towards lumpectomy. With the same caveat if my margins aren't clear & also if my next scan shows anything new. Radiation would start in May for me, so more time to figure it out.. I of course would like to keep my breasts, but the greater concern for me is the how much more involved the surgery and reconstruction would be with some other medical conditions I have. If the situation changes and I have a mastectomy I'm pretty sure I would get reconstruction. I'm 45. I totally agree with it being your personal choice & support you in that!

    Lou53- I have my 4 of 6 tomorrow too! We are almost 2/3 Done!! Taking my Decadron & Ativan tonight. (mine is 4 hour different cocktail of drugs) Lets hope it's a smooth infusion that we can sleep though most of. : )

    Hope everyone is doing as well as possible!

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  • chinookmom
    chinookmom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2016

    Pezgal~ "Chinook" is also a salmon, but mine is a Chinoook Dog. They are sled dogs that originally came from New Hampshire. 12 1/2 years old. My baby at home & work with me (right between biopsy & diagnosis). She is a great cuddler and so much comfort to me during as i'm moving through treatment... Happy to see photos of anyone else's fur babies.. :)

    image

    image

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    This was my baby boy "Bear." He was going on 12 years old when I lost him the day after I was diagnosed with my breast cancer. It was a very brutal time for me. I was with him since the day he was born and the love of my life. I still have my 11 year old Chihuahua and I spend a lot of time with my grand dog. I also have a cat that came as a stray 8 years ago.

    image'


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  • Sammy3
    Sammy3 Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2016

    Has anyone heard of the SAVI option for Radiation? It's basically a catheter placed for internal radiation. I think you do that for 5-10 days as opposed to weeks. I'm going to ask about it I think.

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    imageimageadorable Fur babies!!!!! I love dogs!! Here are a few pics of mine. Also, I know this sounds strange but I think they can smell the cancer!! Especially my little one PJ. He is stuck to me like glue! He also keeps sniffing me like he never did before. Not sure what I would do without these two;)

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    Love the pet photos! I am quite an animal lover Twirp, some dogs do smell cancer. Pretty amazing!

    Sammy, my surgeon told me about that thing for radiation in the beginning. There are certain conditions that don't work for that but I can't remember what they are.

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  • Tesla
    Tesla Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2016

    imageimage

    My lab babe!! Without her, I won't be able to finish chemo and took daily 1-2 hours walk with her!!

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    chinookmom, good luck today! Hope your treatment goes smooth for you!!

    Tesla, Babe is adorable!!

    Sammy, I looked up SAVI, definitely worth looking into for sure!! I didn't see too much about it being able to radiate lymph nodes so that might be why I couldn't use it but how cool would that be??? Let me know what you find out. I haven't met with a radiation dr yet. I guess I need to start asking about that. I need radiation regardless of what kind of surgery I have. My tumor is on my left too which scares me because of my heart. I decided not to google too much on that. I don't want to scare myself more.

    Hoping everyone is doing well today!!

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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited February 2016

    imagehere's my Roxi. 💕 I have 2 cats but I'm too lazy to go to my computer to get a pic and they are currently nowhere to be found.

    My tumor was also on my left side. I was told they give radiation from the side angle which avoids the heart and also hits the lymph area. A 2 for 1, ha. I'll know more next week after I meet with radiation oncologist.

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    Roxi is precious!!! Give us an update after you meet your doctor!!! Also, where are you in NY? I grew up outside Rochester NY. My family still lives there, I flew the coop for warmer weather😉

    Are you feeling better after your reactions?? Hope so!! Sorry you have to do a do over on that one😞 Frustrating!!!!

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  • Sheri64
    Sheri64 Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    imagemy fur baby Lucky

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  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited February 2016

    These dogs are gorgeous! I officially need one now. I hope you all are doing well!

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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2016

    I'm feeling good. I felt better after a few hours. Maybe we just need to tweak the dosages of the combo. I think I had a separate reaction from the Benadryl, twitching convulsions, kinda like restless legs but my hips also. It was weird. Everybody standing over me and watching. I'm most pissed about not being closer to done. I'll keep you all posted after my radiation appt on the 23rd.

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    chinacat, it's a small world! I have some friends that live in Saratoga Springs!! Pretty there:) I don't blame you. Keep the state job and retire someplace warm:) I hope you will be able to get to your parents. Treatments can really screw up some plans huh? We were supposed to get to NY for Xmas and had to stay here instead😞 Good thing we didn't buy airline tickets.

    I go on the 29th for my next treatment using different drugs. I'm so nervous!! It's not knowing what to expect that is the nerve wracker. Good luck at the next go!

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    image

    Love seeing everyone's furr babies. This is my big baby Bruce who is laying in my recliner with me as I type. I am a huge dog lover and would have a house full if I could.

    My breast surgeon talked to me about the Savi thing had Ichosen the lumpectomy instead. Something about it kind of made me uneasy. But it would have been much easier to get it done in 1-2 weeks instead of 6

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  • Lyra10
    Lyra10 Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2016

    Don't disown me because I'm a cat person.imageimage

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  • chinookmom
    chinookmom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2016

    Hello all~ Love all of the gorgeous fur babies photos- Bear, Bruce, Lucky, Roxi,Tesla lab babe, PJ, Sampson! I'd love to meet them all. Thank you for sharing!! Feel free to send any feel good pet, children or children's artwork, your artwork photos.. Cats too! (although i totally understand not wanting to post photo of children).

    Lou53- I'm sooo sorry to hear about Bear passing- especially so close to your diagnosis. One of my greatest fears was "Leelu" 13 in June, not making til i get through all my treatment. She is in good health and her breed can live 12-15yrs. My boyfriends 9yr cat passed in early January unpectantly, which was really hard for him. I just haven't been able to spend the same type of quality time with Leelu, although my live in boyfriend loves her very much and cuddles with her quite a bit. But she is a mamma's girl. Sleeping on my bed right now...Hope you're doing ok after your chemo today. I did a Reiki class but have had upset tummy.

    Sammy3-I haven't heard about Savi yet, but will google it over the next couple of days.

    chinacat- yes that is exactly what happened to me with the Benadryl.. hip pain. Kept twisting and turning in my recliner as i couldn't get comfortable. So i took claritan today and had 1mg shot of Ativan in my IV, but no lovely Benadry nap today. I did get to sit next to a few very nice people today that i normally wouldn't have had the chance to talk to.. :)

    Almost the weekend! :)

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  • chinookmom
    chinookmom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2016

    Lyra10~ I'm probably more of a dog person, but I love cats too! This is our baby "Indiana" who passed in January. Still miss her very much.

    image

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  • Sammy3
    Sammy3 Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2016

    I am a total animal lover here too. I don't have any dogs right now, but have 3 indoor cats and one outdoor stray who basically lives in my garage (during cold weather). I love him so much, but can't let him in to this craziness.....plus he's been outside for years. I was told he was an abandoned housecat :(

    I kindof live in the woods so there are all kinds of wildlife from deer to fox to coyote to the regular house animals. I love them all!! I will look for a picture of my crazy pets.

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  • Sammy3
    Sammy3 Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2016

    Morning bath-time that quickly escalates to morning boxing :)

    image

    image

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited February 2016
    image

    My two babies - Sydney, the puppy, and Scout

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  • PezGal
    PezGal Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2016

    My story is kinda like Lou53. This is Manny, the dog love of my life (<3). A super sweet, smart, loyal, Australian Shepherd. She and I moved all over the country for 16 years, she was often a friend and good company when I had no one else. She died last September. A week after my cancer diagnosis, a week before my 40th birthday. To say September was a shitty month is a severe understatement. Still makes me cry.

    image

    But, we still have this guy: Aerys. Although, I consider him more my husbands dog. He has issues but he's a real sweetie and has whole heartedly stepped up to his new position as "comfort dog". When I cry he comes and sits by me and lays his head on my lap.

    image

    And we have a couple cats. Mine, Estra, is 12 yrs old and feral. No pic cause she's elusive. I've never really touched her (for 12 yrs!) . I kinda of assume its like living with a teenager: I feed her, pick up her crap, and have few meaningful conversations with her. We also have a 4 yr old, Poe, that's working on being a good cat (constant need to cuddle) but will flip a switch and bite and run off. I think its PTSD from living with a 3 yr old human.

    image


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  • PezGal
    PezGal Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2016

    My taxol #3 yesterday was cancelled. Stupid nutraphils were too low. I just don't think my body can do it, recover so quickly. So now I'm officially 2 weeks behind my schedule. Not a horrific thing, but in this whole ordeal where I control nothing, the schedule is the one thing I thought I could control. Now that's all shot to hell. I'm going to talk to my dr about nupegen (sp?). That's the one used with weekly taxol, right? Despite not having the taxol I'm getting the SE's though and what remaining hair on my head I have is falling out and if I tug at my brows or eyelashes hair will come out (I know, stop tugging then). A cruel joke to start growing some back to just lose it again. My parents are here this weekend and Monday I have to travel to the Oregon coast for a 3 day work retreat. I just hope I keep what remaining hairs I have till then. PLEASE.

    I would love nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed till tomorrow morning, but I can't. I have to put on "yeah, I'm fine, nothing bothers me." entertainer face for my parents... and then work folks. Blaaah. This last cancellation really bothered me. Does anyone have any "magic bullets" to increase white blood cells? I figure not, otherwise so many of us wouldn't be in this position. The interents solution: eat healthy and drink water. Duh.

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