January 2016 Chemo!

LovesToFly · June 2016

I am doing radiation on the right side, I don't have to do the breathing

I hair is getting quite long, but it is still sparse and you can see the scalp through it, drives me crazy.

I noticed today that I actually have a lot of eyebrow hair, but it is very light colored, and doesn't really have any shape! I think in a few weeks I will go and get them threaded, then at least I will have the right shape to follow.

My eyelashes are getting longer, but they are still very sparse. I've got maybe 10 to 15 per eye lid!

buttaflydiva · June 2016

I went in today for my 6 month mammogram to check on some spots that were on the opposite side of my tumor today (good news-they haven't changed)anyway while I was in the little waiting room with a couple other ladies in our gowns waiting on the radiologist to look at our mammograms, one was sent on her way and the other was told they needed to send her to ultrasound to have a closer look at something suspicious. First my heart went out to her because I remember that day it happened to me, but then I realised how thankful I am that I got through that and made it this far. We have all come a long way since our diagnosis.I am proud of all of us.

Cathytoo · June 2016

buttaflydiva .... My heart aches for that woman. Yes, we've come a long way, but we will never forget. Did you also have an ultra sound. I'm doing my six month mammogram this week and the radiologist insisted on an ultra sound also.

Valstim52 · June 2016

buttaflydiva I felt the same way when I was waiting.Your words are mine. Sad that I've had to go through it, and you want to hug them and say we can do this, but everyone has to get to that point.

but glad I'm to this point. I can really say after my last cancer bout it took a while but I really 'forgot' I had breast cancer. It hapens, just takes time. Some longer than others.

Cathytoo, For 10 years I've had mammo and ultra sound. And it didn't catch my cancer this time.

Jill, I'm with you on the facial hair. I have eyebrows, eyelashes and chin hair. I never realized how much facial hair I had before? or is this a chemo thing?

Jensgotthis, I'm doing that breathing technique. My RO said they do 30 seconds but the rads only take about 18. After a couple of practice breaths it was no problem.

Latisse: I have 2 friends that have been using Latisse due to loss of lashes during menopause and can I tell you they have beautiful lashes

buttaflydiva · June 2016

not doing an ultrasound at this point. They only did a diagnostic of these 2 spots for now. My dr wanted to wait until after I finished treatment to do this, but I told him I was told 6 months and I didn't want to wait any longer than that to see if anything changed. so not sure how it will go down when I go back for a regular mammogram of both sides

FLBuckeye93 · June 2016

Hi

I'm 46 and chemo has put me into menopause. The bloodwork shows that and my gyno doesn't seem to think I need lupron shots. She's given me a different viewpoint and believes I will stay in menopause due to my age.

I was wondering if anyone knows where to find information regarding why Lupron shots are needed if bloodwork shows menopausal symptoms.

I'm due to start Arimidex this week, too.

Thanks,

Holly

Keepongoing · June 2016

FLBuckeye93:

I am a little older than you, 51, however I had regular periods until chemo. My final chemo was may 26. My MO discussed lupron/ armidex and also tamoxifen. He said AI meds are the best but if you are not for sure post menopausal they don't work at all. He said chemo can make your levels low and then your ovaries wake back up and levels go up. So he gave me the option to take tamoxifen 3 months and see if periods return and evaluate levels then after chemo out of my system a while. He willll do lupron if not menopausal then. Your MO maybe just being sure you are menopausal since the armidex don't protect you of not menopausal and the lupron shuts down your ovaries. Or at least that's what I understand

LovesToFly · June 2016

that's weird? I asked my doctor if I could be tested to see how much oestrogen I have, she said they can't do it. I wonder why you guys are able to do this and I am not? I've been on tamoxifen for a month and a half it's going OK. AFNever came back after chemo, if it doesn't then I would really like to be tested to see if I'm in menopause before getting monthly shots. I have no desire to go to the hospital for a shot every month if I don't have to!

Keepongoing · June 2016

LTF:
I haven't had them checked yet( estrogen level) he said he would in a few months . We are seeing if period comes back and other clinical things too, but he did say he could check them later to help with decions ?.? I know I'm having hot flashes every 2' hours at night so I'm hoping its menopause and not just a tamoxifen as I had hot flashes on Taxol too! My gyn said she thinks I probably was pushed into menopause given my age but I was so regular before my MO still counts me pre menopausal at this point.

FLBuckeye93 · June 2016

Thanks for your replies. I met with him today, and he said the hormone blood tests don't give a full picture of what's happening with ovarian function. And, he said that I haven't been in menopause long enough for him to trust that the Arimidex will be effective. I can't take Tamoxifen because of potential blood clots.

So, I got the Lupron shot today. Just an FYI, this isn't given in your arm or butt. It's given in your stomache and the needle is long. My nurse was awesome. She made sure to numb the area before giving it. I think she numbed it with a lidocaine shot. It wasn't too bad then, but I have a bruise and a bump from it.

I start the Arimidex tomorrow. I've had hot flashes, but they aren't horrible. I'm hoping that they stay manageable. My husband has already said I'm turning the house into an icebox. Lol

I'm also getting shots of Prolia since Arimidex causes bone loss and I already have Osteopaenia.

So much medicine.

Smurfette26 · June 2016

I had been without a period for about 2 years when I was diagnosed so post menopausal. When my breast nurse handed me my script for Arimidex she asked if I'd had blood tests to determine my hormone levels. I said no and asked if she thought I should have them tested before starting the AI. She said the tests should ideally be done prior to starting chemo as chemo can skew the results.

As I'd already had 4 chemo treatments she said not to bother as it probably wouldn't be terribly accurate.

I still wonder what those levels are and think I may ask my GP about having bloods done when I see her next.

kwilcockson · June 2016

i went to dr today due to swelling in my hands and feet...still side effect from the damn steroids. 😭 Has anyone gotten past the sweaty nights and lovely "puffiness"?? I'm kinda over it

FLBuckeye93 · June 2016

I was mistaken about my shot for those considering it. My doctor kept saying I was getting Lupron, but I actually got Zoladex. A nurse told me Lupron is given in the behind.

I may change my mind and get the surgery because this is now a hassle.

LoveMyVizsla · June 2016

Well, my doc is trying to change my med to abraxane instead of paclitaxel. Just in case it is causing my rash.

zinny · June 2016

I asked my MO why I need Lupron if the chemo has put me into menopause i.e. stopped my periods ( also 46) and her answer was that it is in no way guaranteed that this is true "complete" menopause, that it could take 6 months or more for periods to come back, and so it is safer to do it this way and ensure that there is no hormonal nonsense lurking about….

Bdmommy · June 2016

Hello everyone,

I rarely post, but have been following along with everyone and reading every post. Just reading everyone's words have been a great comfort to me! I completed my chemotherapy on June 2 and am now scheduled for a BMX on July 14th. I have a question for those of you that have have already gotten through that step. My surgeon informed me that my BMX and expander insertion will be done at a surgery center and I will be sent home the same day, I am totally freaking out! Did anyone else go home the same day as surgery

Smurfette26 · June 2016

I'm in Australia and the standard of care here is 3 nights in hospital for UMX. Not sure how many nights for bilateral.

A 3 night stay was good for me. I felt ready to go home. I would not like to have gone home the same day.

Same day seems to be the norm in the US though.

jensgotthis · June 2016

I had a UMX and was given the option of going home the same day or stay one night. I opted to stay and was glad I did. I probably could have gone home but it would have certainly been harder and less comfortable

Paxton29 · June 2016

I stayed one night for my BMX and TE insertion. They do give you long-lasting pain medicine. You can't exactly rest with the nurses waking you up every hour for vitals. I was in a nice new hospital with really good food, at least the little I ate.

I think most people do stay at least one night but if it is at a surgery center do they even have patient rooms?

kellychameleon · June 2016

I stayed two nights in the hospital after BMX and expanders. My doctor had said up front definitely 2 and maybe even 3 nights. I can't imagine coming home same day. Of course I got really sick from the anesthesia and was throwing up the whole next day. I really needed to be there with an IV and nurses taking care of me. Staying in the hospital isn't the greatest, but I feel like I needed that extra time there. Do you have someone that's able to take care of you at home?

Bdmommy · June 2016

Thanks everyone for the replies! My husband took five days off from work to be home and my Mom is coming to stay for two weeks, so I will have people taking care of me. It just really shocked me! I think I will call my insurance company and see what time they recommend before going home. The surgery center is right beside the hospital so if I do need to stay, they will transfer me there

Cathytoo · June 2016

Don't remember if I posted this before or not...

I had my first 6 month follow up mammogram yesterday. Doctor said "Oh, I see something!" The report reads "Complex cystic 1 1/2" lesion, probably benign and as a result of surgery." Of course, I'm a little worried. I expected to hear that all was fine. Anyone else get a report like this?

LoveMyVizsla · June 2016

My follow up mammo isn't until 7/11, even though my surgery was 12/10. Hoping it is benign, Cathy.

MissBee123 · July 2016

kwilcockson, I'm quite puffy from steroids, too, but I'm now a month out from Taxol and it's finally starting to get a little better. I gained 20lbs during treatment and my cancer nutritionist said it takes about 9 months to return to pre-chemo weight. So I'm exercising and watching my food but trying not to stress as it's only been 4 weeks. And I'm still on Herceptin which can cause swollen ankles. I've lots about 5 lbs so far so it's starting I think!

Cathy I'll be thinking of you! Please keep us updated.

Good luck on your surgery Bdmommy. Will be thinking of you.

I'm doing pretty well overall. I started working full time again which has been exhausting. Part of it may be my job, though (self-contained pre-k special ed). I come home every day and have to nap! Big change going back to work but I'm so glad that I can. I love the kids, even though one of the little boogers bit me hard enough to leave a giant bruise on my arm!

Most things are healing well. OT has been a lifesaver post surgery and really helped with cording, neck, and pectoral pain. After my final treatment, though, Taxol seems to have kicked in full force. All my eyebrows and eyelashes fell out again! And they had been growing so nicely. My two middle toes also started going numb and just this past week my right arm is starting to burn and tingle all the way down. Hoping maybe I just pinched a nerve but I guess time will tell.

Hope everyone has a terrific 4th! Wish we could all get together and celebrate.

Cathytoo · July 2016

MissBee...so good to hear from you. We're all coming to the finish line. I feel the same way as you...wish we could get together and celebrate.

I just completed week one of four weeks of rads. So far so good. I'm well prepared with my creams and cabbage. I breezed through chemo and hope the same will be true with radiation. But, I know there might be some skin issues.

Regarding my mammogram...the RO took a look at the CD and said everything was fine. Both she and my primary doctor said things don't look normal after surgery, but there was nothing suspicious to worry about.

I'm at the stage where every pain brings up the thought of a recurrence. I guess this worry comes with the BC territory...plus I'm TN which is more of a worry.

Anyway...the Fourth of July is tomorrow and we all should set off some fireworks to celebrate how far we've come‼️

My prayer and hope is that we all stay well, healthy and happy. I still think we should arrange to all meet in person somewhere fun. Maui anyone

LoveMyVizsla · July 2016

Cabbage?

Sheri64 · July 2016

Had my port out today. Happy to be done with active treatments.

LoveMyVizsla · July 2016

Good for you Sheri! I have mine scheduled to be removed on 7/25. Can't wait.

Valstim52 · July 2016

I had my port flushed today. I'm keeping it for a year or more. It does not bother me, and due to my stage, am keeping it just in case.

kwilcockson · July 2016

missbee123....I have started to de-puff also, (thank you baby Jesus) about 6 weeks out. I have my double mastectomy on Thursday. I'm kinda freaked out, but I'm ready to get it over with. I have to dye injection tomorrow and I'm a little nervous about that too. Ugh. Cancer is such a jerk.

January 2016 Chemo!

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