April 2017 Chemo

Options
1…1718202223…27

Comments

  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    port worked! Waiting for treatment to start. MO said to try 2 Aleve for the bone pain and Ayr Gel for dry nose.

    The good news is ........ MO doesn't feel any of the tumor any longer... woot woot !!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyaberryman
    tonyaberryman Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2017

    No more Taxol for me. I'm in ICU because I passed out and had very, very low blood pressure Sunday night. I'm refusing Taxol treatment, my MO needs to find another treatment. My BF has been researching Taxol and all of this points to Taxol . If my BF didn't insist on me going to supper with him and his daughter Sunday night, they probably would of found me dead Monday morning. My blood pressure was 58/??. They had to call paramedics and transport me by ambulance. Scared me to death

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StaceyB
    StaceyB Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2017

    Itwells50 - It is interesting, you are having the same treatment as us...I would call - they told me to watch for swelling, arm hot to the touch, pain etc. I have none of those. They told me I could use warm compresses and ibuprofen, and if it got worse or I had any of the above symptoms I would need to go in.

    Tonyberryman - Very scary and so glad you were not alone. Keep us posted on the alternatives your MO presents!

    Dogersgirl - Great news! So happy for you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lrwells50
    lrwells50 Member Posts: 254
    edited June 2017

    StaceyB, I sent the NP a picture, and she said to let her know if I had any of the symptoms you mentioned

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 208
    edited June 2017

    dodgersgirl- so happy your port worked. Can't feel the tumor anymore...that is awesome!!! Yeah!

    I also have a really dry nose. I am beginning to think I have a sinus infection.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    Annbee- MO told me that each of the pre-meds has a drying affect on its own. I am getting 4 pre-meds. MO not at all surprised about my sinus issue. I was told to use Ayr Gel inside my nostrils. The gel stays in place better than saline spray so I am going to try that tonight. My mouth is dry and nose is dry but stuffy at the same time

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BJI
    BJI Member Posts: 154
    edited June 2017

    Finished taxol #4 today, one-third done. Pretty uneventful, no issues. Husband and I met some friends for supper. Minor heartburn even with the pepcid, lots more hair dropping. Thinking this weekend might be time to cut really short or shave it. No port issues today, nurse got blood return right away. Was a liitle anxious about that. Wondering if its placement of needle in the port? She seemed very experienced. Feeling very grateful that so far my journey has been manageable.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Momojcbc
    Momojcbc Member Posts: 94
    edited June 2017

    HI Ladies-

    Just checking in! I have Taxol 2 down only two more to go! (I hope). Starting to think about surgery and what is next. Hope you are all well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    momojcbc- do you have a surgery date yet?

    Glad to hear you are doing well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Momojcbc
    Momojcbc Member Posts: 94
    edited June 2017

    Not yet. I have a scan after chemo and then they will decide what surgery. So another month before I know. My last chemo is 7/17 which happens to be my 13 year anniversary. Do you have a surgery date?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    momojcbc- no surgery date yet. Assuming sometime mid Sept. I should finish chemo in the middle of August. Then there should be a 3-4 week break for healing from chemo before surgery according to my BS.

    I will have mammo and other scans after chemo, too. Really hoping surgery will be less invasive after chemo than it would have been had it been immediately after DX. MO said she can't feel my tumor any longer. I know that doesn't mean it is all gone but it is at least smaller and I still have 8 Taxol treatments to go.

    What a roller coaster these last 3 months have been. Thank you for starting this forum as it really helps to not feel alone thru this.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2017

    Dodgersgirl,

    I am so happy to hear about the shrinkge and probable less invasive surgery.


    Momojcbc,

    Keep hanging in there.


    Me. Having stage 3A and 1A yes bilatreral diarrhea w positive lymph nodes 4/17 have been fighting like rest of my sisters. BMX and 8 DD chemos. #8 is this coming monday. RO told us today that both sides were cut so good left side rad is not necessary. Only right side 30 sessions which includes 5 boosts. Relieved about no left side.


    Off to PT

    Mimi


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    Mimi- wow, you are so close to the end of your chemo and then a few weeks at rads and you will be working to return to your new normal life....

    You have been thru a lot and continue to slap back at BC. Keep strong. Keep fighting. Keep singing your songs. Glad you are here sharing with us

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pambc010417
    Pambc010417 Member Posts: 102
    edited June 2017

    StaceyB

    Yes, we are on the same track. My last chemo is June 29 and I can't wait to be done. We both had some of the same issues. My arms, legs, and chest are broken out in red sores. So glad it has not attacked my Face! Has yours gone away? Mine is getting worse with each treatment. They don't itch but they look bad, red, inflamed, and several of them. My MO said the Taxotere basically is getting rid of precancerous sun spots. It makes sense because it's the top of my arms, legs, and chest, not the underneath sides. I use to be in the sun a lot in my younger days. I hope they heal. I put aquaphor on them.

    I too have trouble sleeping with the steroids during treatment week. I take Ativan and a melatonin those 4 nights. It really helps.

    Just think, we will be done soon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2017

    All I can think of right now is last Chemo on Monday. Family practioner was more realistic enough to prescribe pain killers.

    Left a nessage to the nurse that my port gotta go for radiation purposes and per RO.


    I told my hubby that I want to go back to work. He brought out the urgency of hystrectomy as well as getting all treatments done. He is right. Mama survived emergency total hyst w minimal SE and I am 15 yrs younger than she was. I got to stay alive to be able to worry about money. And even w long term disability of few months there is some to good possibility of getting old job back. If not my severance pay is more than 6 months of salary. If not Social Security Disability is always an option.

    Dear Lord, please let me make the right decision for myself.

    Mimi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    Tonyaberryman- just checking to see how you are doing?

    Keeping you in my prayers

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    rebamacfan123- I was just thinking about you and your last chemo on Monday. How exciting that must be.

    Do you have a celebratory plan for Monday

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2017

    Ty.

    No specific plan. All I know I would sleep better partly bc I will be generous w pain killers. I would be relieved to go onto rads and hystrectomy after.

    I was worried about money. I realized I got to stay alive to be able to nag my hubby for money. Hence Total Hystrectomy is after rads. Darned it I never thought I was this sickly and high maintenance.

    Happy Friday.

    Mimi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    rebamacfan123- I have a hysterectomy awaiting me, too after rads after PET scan showed uptick in uterus and biopsy showed atypical hyperplasia that was very close to turning to cancer. Couldn't do hysterectomy at the time as I had started AC so had emergency D&C to clean out lining as best as possible for the moment. That biopsy did not find cancer either so hysterectomy pushed until BC stuff behind me

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • utjoy
    utjoy Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2017

    I've had internet troubles so haven't been able to get on here after my 2nd Taxol on Wed.

    It seems to be slow going some days, then I think back and we're moving along!

    Big yahoo to those who are beginning to see the rainbow!!! I have 2 more DD Taxol...MO couldn't feel any lumps, lymph node feels normal, too! So relieved after all that I went through last time with the shingles. So far I feel better this time around, aside from drama in my life! I had a Sales Tax Audit on Monday & Tues before I headed out...I finally ran those 2 off! lol...my bedroom remodel is still not done (I moved us out before my dx and you can guess the mess...ha). DH's back finally getting a little better...he's looking at surgery, though. We simply want to go to the lake...our 'peaceful' place. Maybe next week.

    Tonyberryman: I hope you're doing better...you've been in my thoughts and prayers.

    momojcbc: Getting there!!!!

    DodgersGirl: Yes to the shrinkage!!!!

    Everyone...God Bless! Hang in there, it's a tough road but it IS a road!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    utjoy- so good yo hear from you! Wow, remodel, hubby's back, the road we are on, busy world, eh!

    Congrats on the tumor shrinkage. Makes all the chemo adventures worth it.

    2 more DD Taxol.... you are almost done! Good luck with both

    Do you know when you will have surgery?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyaberryman
    tonyaberryman Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2017

    Hello all, feeling much better, finally out of the hospital . My next appointment with MO and chemo is next Friday 6/30, hoping she's going to understand why I'm refusing Taxol. Just ready to get back on the chemo train and get all this over with. My BF is taking great care of me as usual, we are talking about getting married after all this is over....... love him to pieces ❤️. Thanks for all the prayers couldn't do this without y'all .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StaceyB
    StaceyB Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2017

    PamBC - I hadn't heard that about the precancerous spots, that is interesting. I had a basal cell about 10 years ago, and definitely have some sun damage. My MO seemed to think it could have also been from the steroids. I think mine were the worst after the first 2 chemos. This last one wasn't as bad. My newest side effect is that my eyes feel like they are sticking together and a little itchy - not infected or anything - I think I may be losing eyelashes and it is causing it? I am so relieved that Wednesday is my last one. Congrats to you too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pambc010417
    Pambc010417 Member Posts: 102
    edited June 2017

    StaceyB

    Interesting that you mention the eyes because my left eye has become a little cloudy. I sometimes wear contacts and I have not been able to do that because they are just blurry In my eyes. This just happened since my third treatment. I see my MO on Monday so I'm going to ask her about the eyes.

    If you read about Taxotere it is also used to treat melanoma. That's why I think my MO thought my red spots were basal cell carcinoma.

    Good luck to you this week too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • utjoy
    utjoy Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2017

    Congrats Tonya!!!! ON the upcoming nuptials and of course getting out of the hospital. Wow. What an excruciating road...

    Dodger...I have no idea about surgery yet...I'm very hopeful that I can have a few weeks 'off' to enjoy some of the summer first?! I can't think of anything more 'invasive' than chemo...what it does to the outside makes you wonder what's going on inside, huh? I am still very grateful for it, though, as I'm sure we all are!

    Mimi...I'm with you on the suddenly 'sickly and high maintenance' rant! It's hard to be the needy one.

    I have not had a recurrence of shingles so far this trip! It erupts so fast that I have no warning, though. Very scary and discouraging. The Taxol Flu doesn't hold a candle to it...I, too, have eye issues, mostly watery and I get (kinda) ocular migraines...my peripheral vision starts whitening out...if I cover my eyes for a bit it goes away. My MO also said the 'rash' on my arms and legs was from prior sun damage and the chemo...she didn't say per-cancerous but, that makes sense. I also notice that I've had a couple seed warts on my thumb that are coming off after many years?! I wonder if it's due to the valtrex (viral meds) or the chemo? lol.

    Happy Sunday everyone and God Bless!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    utjoy-- been thinking about a long weekend with hubby in the break between ending chemo and surgery. Nothing too far away but somewhere to relax and enjoy a piece of summer. Maybe it sounds selfish but since DX, seems the world is scheduled around cancer things....... would like to just feel the breezes, enjoy the summer sounds, and maybe watch waves and sunsets?

    Assume there will be tests prior to surgery so need to ask MO about timing..... just want a 3-4 day escape before surgery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    Tonyaberryman- will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

    Also--- way cool talking about getting married when this is all over!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    rebamacfan123- good luck today with your final chemo treatment and congrats on completing another part of this journey!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2017

    ty. Wish I could make days come faster for you to have your last chemo sooner.

    Mimi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited June 2017

    rebamacfan123- thanks. I will be in chemo thru mid August. Am planning a long weekend get away between chemo and surgery so that's been fun and is something to look forward to

    When do you start rads?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories