Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

Thanks Nanci!!! My suggestion for A/C is to stay super hydrated and make sure to use your also anti nausea (steroids) meds as needed I was skeptical at first because of the amount if drugs going into my system but by round 3 I preferred using the meds than to feel queasy and nauseous.. I was always hungry so make wise food choices I gave in to my hunger and cravings and gained 10lb

Good luck!

Dee-

I am definitely feeling all of those things about my last chemo. Although I hate going in to every chemo because I know what is coming, at least I know what is coming. And I like feeling like I am actively doing something to get rid of my cancer. My last one is February 1. Now I have to go back to making decisions. Unilatral vs bilateral mastectomy (my breast is too small to have a lumpectomy even be possible). I know that there is no difference in long term survival, but there are so many other factors to consider. What did you ladies decide and why?

i am sorry you have to have your port replaced, at such a financial cost to you, Lyn. That sucks.

Dee, I'm 6 weeks away from my last infusions, so not feeling anxious or emotional about it yet. Wish I was closer to the end.

I had my first A/C today. Plus an echo and oncology appt. I am anxious to see how I feel tomorrow. My daughter will give me the Neuladts shot.

The cruise was terrific. Perfect weather, relaxation to the max, gained six unwanted and unneeded pounds.

Hope all us well with every one if you.

Nanvie

deemendoza funny thing I did have a little quirky, anxiousness just before my last chemo...started 2 days before. Think it was the fact the unknown was on the other side of Fri. the 13th last Chemo day. Embrace whatever feelings you have and use it to your benefit.

VLHLyn on your port....ask if your Dr will do a peer to peer with you insurance. With Humana I have had 2 denials - 1st the original chemo recommended by my onco , which is a standard of care, was denied. It took his peer to peer conversation with insurance co. to prevent a 4 drug treatment, with a different survivor rate, longer infusion time as being my treatment. KUDOS Dr. H. And now they denied BRACA test since already diagnosed with breast cancer... well BRACA important key for which surgery mastectomy rt only or full, along with follow up .......Letters from both onco and surgeon in hand if needed and peer to peer request, will result in Humana taking over financial obligation that I had to take in order to move it along. I am flabbergasted at the added stress / obstacles insurer has put up that takes away from the energy for healing and returned vitality. Glad I don't always take no for an answer..... Seeing financial relief for you Lyn.

Yeah Nancie on the cruise enjoyment - at T minus 30 and counting for my cruise. Looking to push surgery off till return pending ok from onco ( already missed one with the start of chemo)

My Update - 12th day after last chemo and feel energy returning ( Hallelujah! with 4 walk thru appts on listing this week....essential for my financial vitality .... Breast surgeon appt. Tuesday reveals definite mastectomy , now awaiting the BRACA to determine if it will be RT only. ((((Seeing BRACA negative results))))) Plastic surgeon appt. next Tues. Unknowns providing the ups and downs. Leaning towards Rt only mastectomy, non nipple spearing. Lumpectomy not an option per surgeon . ( Likely would loose more than 1/2 anyway ) .........

Anyone opt or opting for double mastectomy vs single only ? Appreciate input ladies

Terry ( aka whistlestop

I had to miss my last chemo (last Monday) due to low platelet count which really upset me as I just want this over. Since then, I have lost all my eyelashes and my eyebrows are getting thin too.

Last night, my face started itching. By tonight, it is still itching and now is starting to turn pink all over like a mild sunburn. Benadryl doesn't help the itching but I am not scratching it due to pure force of will and a fear of scratching it raw and having scabs. As this has never happened to me before, I have to assume it is a side effect. The oncologist mentioned skin issues last week like she was warning me in advance. She wasn't specific enough for me to know that's what's causing this but I figure it's a safe assumption. I go back Monday and am hoping for a solution to both the itching and the pinkness (which I hope isn't red by morning). Has anyone else hadn't this and if so, have you found a solution?

I have had some pink spots on my legs but no itching and they didn't last long. Now, in a different area, I have a few dark red spots which also don't itch.

I have 8 more taxol/carbo treatments. I have missed a total of 4, 3 due to being really ill in Dec. from a still undetermined cause. Now I've missed due to the platelets. I really hope I don't have to miss any more!

I don't know about anyone else but I never had a clue about the quantity of side effects possible....and they keep coming.

Another delay, Connie? POOP!!! The rash is adding insult to injury. I'm so sorry.

WENDY WHINER ALERT! I had my troublesome port removed yesterday and a new one put in that goes to the jugular vein instead of the subclavian. I'm sore on both sides of my body and no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 5 days, but this was the easiest of my four surgeries. I just hope the procedure wasn't a waste of time in that I'm having constant neuropathy in my right / dominant hand. With the encapsulated shoulder and Lymphedema, my left arm and hand are already pretty damaged, but the thought of permanent neuropathy in my good hand is truly frightening. I want to finish my entire planned treatment at full dose of at all possible, but I teach beginning computer classes occasionally plus need to be able to hold small treats for dog training so I'm freaking out a bit. I'm also cranky because the blasted blood clots in my nose make it hard to breathe. Wah, wah, boo, hoo! ;-)

Lyn

KLNiss, I get the taxol/carbo both every week. I had low blood counts too but not quite low enough for a transfusion. By the following week they were better. She never mentioned a platelet transfusion. She expects them to be back up this week and from here on, they will adjust the carbo dosage as that is what they say is causing it.

The pinkness in my face is better today but my face feels something along the lines of sandpaper. The itching is better but this time at the first signs of it starting up, I took Benadryl. Somehow it only itches at night....starting around 5pm every day.

Lyn, so sorry you had to get another port. I am glad that it went well though

Surgery options- I was able to do surgery before chemo. I opted for Bilateral masectomy- I had abnormal areas on the right side too and would have had to do more biopsies. But what cemented the plan in my head was on my genetics test I didn't have the bRACA gene but had a "variance" on another gene that was linked to skin,breast,thyroid, and colon cancer. I planned on BMX from the beginning but after all the testing the doctor said that was the best way for me. Next week I get the transfer to implants and port removal and I am DONE! I can't wait but anxiety of upcoming surgery for the third time in five months is getting me. Also my 9 and 13 year old have been dealing with some viral respiratory thing for the past week that I'M trying to avoid. I just don't ever want to deal with cancer again!

Heather

chemo was cancelled AGAIN today due to low platelets. I would have had 9 by now out of 12 if I hadn't had complications. Instead I have had 4.

Plus I still have the red, burning itchy face. It's such a pleasure to be around me right now I'm sure

Good grief, Connie! I'm so sorry.

Today will be the first day with the new port. Wish me luck!

Lyn

oh no sorry Connie

Has anyone had pain near the tumor site after completing chemo and before surgery?

deemendoza regarding pain.....not really pain but some sensations with a bit more intensity, within the first week. Last week - 2nd week out had a funny, limited pain feeling under my arm just above the node ,

VLH--WooHoo well deserved, ease of access. Today at the cardiologist, to get clearance for surgery met a lady gong in , who has finished all her stuff, reconstruction, maintenance Herceptin, etc etc and she is getting her port out next week...she was so excited after 1.5 yrs of it.

Connie1230sending you energy and prayers, telling all my support team anything I do not use I will sprinkle on to others. So here's to your ease and success in getting back on regular infusion schedule.

Great News.....BRACA negative for me this last Monday....Boy what a relief. !!!!!!Had started the day with pre plasctic surgeon consultation videos...no the best thing to start a Monday. Some goofy crazy things day, so the BRACA (-) was a huge ray of sunshine. Like the Plastic surgeon from Tuesday.... March 9th Mastectomy Rt. with expander Rt. Will decide on the Left related to the last portion of reconstruction...apparently my post menopausal love handles will provide enough for 2 nice "C" cups. Yeah a reduction I had hoped for. Guess there's something to be thankful for related to the "handles"....who'd a thunk it ? Cardiologist today....Full Stress gammit etc in 10 days.For someone who did very few Dr. Appts before Sept 2016..... I feel I am making up for it now.

Here's a little something to enjoy ladies....it was in my email box today..... Free of worry....

http://greatday.com/cgi-bin/X10/video.pl?mc17020209HQc6x

Keep up the good work ladies.....We All Deserve Full Health and Vitality !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry ( aka whistlestop )

Lyn - So glad that after all the hassle your new port is working great.

Dee - I've had some tenderness and maybe mild pain around my former tumor site.

I'm not sure if it's from the perjeta (I tried internet researching symptoms), but I've been having a lot of issue with fluid retention. I feel like an over-filled water balloon. And I'm not sure if that's causing or contributing to my joint pain. And flexibility is shot. I feel stiff as a board and struggle to even get undressed at the end of the day, b/c of the limited range of motion. I'm going to ask my MO about taking a water pill.

Lyn, my face is better, thanks for asking. It is still pink in spots but it's faded enough that no one would notice except me. But whatever this was, it caused it to feel like sandpaper. It doesn't seem to matter how much cream I put on it, it's not improving.

KLNiss, thanks for that list. One of my sons came this week after a trade show in Orlando so I've been busy. If it isn't better by the first of the week, I will get more serious about your list.

However, if it isn't better, you will probably all hear me throwing a hissy fit from wherever you are

Lyn - I saw my MO and asked her about a water pill. She prescribed me one and it's starting to help. I only wished I'd asked about it sooner, or taken something from over-the-counter. Sometimes it's hard to realize how much you've been suffering with something until you start to get relief.

I've had a lifetime of being stoic about medical things and just waiting for time to do most of the healing. But this situation is starting to convince me that I don't have to tough out everything and that sometimes I should be quicker about asking for help with some stuff.