Calling all TNs

Annie - what wonderful news about your granddaughter!!! You WILL hold that little bub!!! Will this make you an official great grandmother or do your other grandchildren have children? I'm so sorry you're having to deal with the crappy side effects of steroids. I hate them too. Hopefully you're able to get some liquids down soon though. I'm not sure if you have Ensure drinks down there, but if your appetite isn't the greatest, those can be a great supplement once you can tolerate them. I'm glad you're home resting...even if you're having duvet wars with your old fellar. We're all here for you when you get your results. And we'll all be here for you when you put your treatment plan into motion and kick cancer back to the curb. Sending all my love. xo

Happy Birthday to you both, Val and Cathy!

OMG how could I forget to say Happy Birthday to Val and Cathy. So sorry ladies but I hope you both had an awesome day.

Thanks Mike that made me giggle. But aren't you about to become a granddad.

Ally thank you so much. First call this morning was from the oncologist who wants to see me urgently on Monday afternoon. It's small cell lung cancer and the thought of going through chemo again fills me with dread. So tomorrow it's the respiratory specialist, Monday morning I have to see my GP, then a visit to the support office to get assistance with travel funds and then onco in the afternoon. Quite a full itinerary that I have zilch energy for. I will be a great Nana to my granddaughters babe, its the only thing keeping me going plus one other little babe (((???))) I am waiting for.

Cathy you can ask me any questions that you want. I don't know if its related to TNBC but I will ask tomorrow and let you know. I've got a feeling it's not but I could be wrong. Yes I wonder too about the saying we only get what we can handle because I am barely handling this, not even going day by day but minute by minute at the moment. Your words are always wise and supportive and your caring and constant prayer are a great blessing to me. I thank you and each of the ladies on here for all of the love and hugs which I so badly need at the moment. xxxxx

Hi Cathytoo,

I am just wondering what happened to your breast/shoulder pains? Did you try turmeric?

My hubby's chronic back pain was relieved and my arthritic knees got better with it.

We tried it for two weeks, we took about 1/2 inch peeled & grated raw turmeric, 1/4 tsp freshly crushed peppercorns and a tsp of raw wild honey or stevia to lessen the bitter taste. The turmeric must be raw, to get most of the curcumin from it.

We also use turmeric, ginger, garlic and coconut milk in most of our veggie stew and soups now.

I have already tried the Turmeric Smoothie recipes i gave you, and they tasted fantastic!

Maybe you can also buy the Curcumin capsules with the highest stable curcumin percentage content available.

I consulted both my Breast Surgeon and MO if it is ok to use turmeric, they both approved it, just use it in moderation.

Curcumin Benefits

Just my suggestion, I hope this helps.

Gina

This is to share a link with you all that is a thumbnail description of the research that my MO is conducting and that I'm participating in. I hope that's OK. It is somewhat hopeful that more research seems to be happening in the TN area.

https://www.bcrfcure.org/researchers/hanna-irie

Cocker I have been busy at the Doberman rescue so haven't had time to be on the board until tonight. I am so glad you posted and love hearing your stories about your old feller! It's just good to hear from you, period! You're on my mind every day and are first on my prayer list! I agree with Another that you are so well spoken, compassionate and you truly amaze us constantly! We're always here for you, as you know! Love you sooo much!!! I know you'll update when you can after your appointments so until then, try to just hang in there!! Well...ALWAYS try and hang in there, but you know what I mean... XOXOXO!!

Hugs and prayers for all you awesome ladies and men!! XOXOXO!!

I haven't started Taxol yet. I'm wondering for those that have already done Taxol or are doing Taxol now, what were / are you side effects? What have you been doing / taking for your side effects? Let's discuss.

Hi to all here!

amw5, - I also found taxol easier than AC. I didnt have bone pain, and was ok with side effects. I was advised to eat foods rich in magnesium to help prevent neuropathy. I hope you, too, find taxol to be better than AC! Good luck!

I did the weekly taxol. I found it harder than AC, but maybe because my AC was every three weeks, instead of every two like most people. I ended up being allergic to taxol too, so I am not the norm. I had 3-4 neupogen shots a week on taxol, slight neuropathy, nails partially lifted, constipation (the opposite after I became allergic). I'd have to look at my list to see what else. Yes, I kept a list, in case I ever go through this again.

Thinking of you, Cocker

I didn't have an infusion reaction. After about 5 weeks, I broke out in hives. I don't tolerate Benadryl very well, so my dermatologist put me on four days of prednisone. That knocked it down, but my lupus rash flared up immediately after that. Every week that I had taxol, the rash would get angry for 2-3 days, then calm down a bit until the next week. They even switched me to Abraxane for the last three doses in case I was allergic to the castor oil the paclitaxel is iced in, didn't matter. I completed the full twelve doses and was never so happy as when I was finished.

The list of side effects from taxol is twice as long as from AC. I had constioation until the hives hit me, then diarrhea after each dose, super dry skin and mucous membranes, bloody nose, slight neuropathy, nail lifting, folliculitis, dry cough, nightly fevers, rash on my fingers. Near the end I had fatigue, weakened and stiff muscles, especially legs and feet. The fatigue cleared about 2-3 weeks after completion.

Wishing you the best, Lyn, and minimal side effects.

amw5, I had 12 weekly taxol treatments with carboplatin added every 3rd week. Then I had AC after taxol.

I think it is important to stay ahead of the nausea and take anti-nausea meds before you start feeling sick. I also made sure to take stool softeners regularly to keep constipation somewhat under control. For the neuropathy, I took a B-complex vitamin and also used Glutamine (15 grams mixed with apple juice twice a day). My taste was really affected and sweet things tasted horrible. I ate a lot of roast beef from arbys. Drink LOTS of water!! And, of course all of my hair fell out about 3 weeks after starting taxol, but I am happy to say it is growing back now (started growing back about 8 - 10 weeks after last chemo).

Also, since chemo affects your nails, I kept my nails trimmed short and kept them painted with the darkest nail polish I could find. My nose got dry too sometimes, so I used the Ayr nasal saline gel to keep it moist.

There is a thread for the weekly taxol folks on here, you should check that out for lots of good info!

Good luck with your chemo!

Lyn, some of the side effects went away quickly, like the cough and dry nose. Others take a little longer. It all seems like a surreal dream now.

Annie - I know getting the official diagnosis is hard, but like I said, stay strong and fight for that little great grandbaby on the way! xoxoxo

And speaking of babies...I am over the moon to share that after 6 years of trying to conceive with failed IVF's, losses, and a breast cancer battle in between...I am finally going to be a mom and watch my husband be the amazing father I know he'll be!!! We're beyond grateful to our friend for carrying our baby and helping our dreams of having a family come true!!!

Our little miracle is due May 26, 2017!!!

cocker, let us know what's up. Sounds like this is not BC but lung cancer. We are all going through this with you. Im not a mushy chick but you are our matriarch. Yay to babies!! xo