January 2016 Chemo!

jensgotthis...Your graph is absolutely BEAUTIFUL

Wow, Jen, your graph is amazing!!

Well get this...my dermatologist thinks my current rash isn't lupus, but an allergic reaction to neupogen! She took two biopsies and put one stitch in each to help keep them from getting infected. Results Wednesday or Thursday. No idea what the plan will be if it is the neupogen. My husband thinks they will put me on steroids for the next five weeks. *sigh*. I can't win.

Love the graph, Jen!

Songbird, my RO called off the bolus today--I've had 24 treatments and over the last few days my skin got super red. They had been doing the bolus every other day. Still 12 more to go.

I wouldn't say chemo was easier than rads--they have their own set of issues for sure. My hair is back, so yay, and I haven't had fatigue yet. But if my skin keeps crisping up I'm going to be pretty miserable.

So great to see the figures falling on your graph Jen

Do you have an exercise regime from a Physical Therapist to assist with your range of movement Valstim52?

Had my sim for rads, tatoos, pictures etc. First rad is next week. I was able to get my arm up and actually had more mobility than I thought.

Cathytoo, only my left side and arm It was very uncomfortable. But they did it.

Yay for everyone who is finishing chemo! I'm glad that so many are staying here for rads. Super whoops for hair growth, especially for the eyebrow and eyelashes!!!!! Mine have started coming back already too...idk why. I feel like they're just tricking me so they can fall out again, lol.

The MO's PA called me today and said that they forgot to schedule an appt with me today. She had said to make sure to come in extra early to get blood work done. I told her, no worries, I do that shiz the day before. She said that they may be able to forgo the visit then, she'd just check my numbers. And then my neutrophils were too low for chemo. I think this is the 3rd time I've had to skip. I *really* want to be done with this, and they just won't let me.

I'm also seriously considering skipping rads. How much more crap do they want to do to me? I could be done with this, have boobs, and starting life again. I don't feel like a doctor is going to give me a real, honest answer. Maybe this reaction is normal. Usually I'm not a "quitter" of things, more like a power through it.

Well, I thought I was done with chemo on 4/19, but my MO wants me to do 4 infusions of Carboplatin and 6 months of Xeloda. I didn't get a PCR after my surgery, have a strong family history of breast cancer (even though testing negative for BRCA or any other gene), and am triple negative, so she is recommending this as the best course of action. I was not anticipating this, but if it will lower the risk of reoccurrence, then I'm on board. I'm just still trying to wrap my head around everything. At least hair loss is not a side effect with either drug. I hate to say it, but that was my first question and concern!

I didn't post much here while I was going through AC&T, but I lurked a lot, which really helped me. Now that I've been home recovering from surgery, I've had some time to actually participate in the boards!

Cathytoo, rant away. I don't understand that either. Sounds so painful. I would ask RO why 2 arms? Does it have to do with your lungs and heart?

I do understand reservations about radiation. I have some too. I will be close to my lifetime dosage which brings its own issues. Now things are done with fine beams and measuring. I did not have that years ago.

I only put one arm up, mine was on my right side, I had a lumpectomy and I'm getting my full right breast radiated, as well as my collarbone and under arm. My left arm is down on my side, my right arm is up next to me in a little support that's there for that purpose. It's not terribly uncomfortable.

Because I had a lumpectomy, radiation was pretty much a given for me. If I'd had a mastectomy, I would probably want to question a lot more how much it would change the risk of recurrence

18/25 rads done. I'm getting pretty pink and itchy! Sharing a pic (eyebrows are starting to come back, but very sparse and without shape, I'm still drawing them in

Cathy my hair started growing back during taxotore.

Are you noticing hair growth anywhere else? I have heard for some people here on the head is the last to come, (for me it came earlier, I just recently had to start shaving my legs and bikini line again)

Jill, you're looking good! My hair never completely fell out and it is getting longer, but I wish it would fill in more. Yes, I have hair envy. I just ordered 3 more Buffs to wear until it does grow back more.

I was just wondering today how those darn chin hairs are growing in so strong and fast yet my hair looks like Sinead O'Connor...

I have gained weight too. Ugh, I feel so unattractive right now. My hair is coming back, but it's grey and sticking out weird all over the place. I feel like I look 10 years older than I am. I have expanders that haven't been filled at all yet, so I look flat, still have drains from surgery (going on 3 weeks now) that look all bulky, and am carrying about 15 extra pounds than normal. I decided last week that I was going to try really hard to start losing weight and have been really watching what I eat. I've lost 3 lbs, so hopefully I will keep up the motivation.

In good news, my lashes seem to be back, and my eyebrows are filling in a bit.

agreed kwilcockson. Holy fuzzy face!! i had no idea i had that much facial hair until i spent some time with none…my lashes and brows coming in is going a long way to making me feel more like myself. However, the granny stance post DIEP is hardly elegant:) This too shall pass….