For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....

Options
1…2930323435

Comments

  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited December 2006

    Hello All, Hope you've had a great holiday season - it was a real joy not to have the "abnormal mammogram" and first appointment with breast surgeon hanging over my head, as it was last Christmas. Just want to say that you all are one of the big silver linings to the 2006 cloud, and really wishing you all a happy and HEALTHY 2007. Thinking good thoughts for all of you who are still mid-TAC - I can tell you that in a pretty short time it will all seem kind of unreal. Hey - I used a hairdryer for the first time on Christmas Day!!! Love to all, Leigh

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited December 2006
    Dear TAC sisters,

    Finally, 2006 is coming to an end. As my 8 year old said to her dad (and my dh), this has been the worse year of her life and she hopes 2007 will be better. Thank you all for being here during this BC journey. Its hard to believe that is going on 6 months since many of us finished TAC chemo. It was hard, but doable, and we all survived it!!!. I am still having side effects from the chemo - mostly neuropahty in my hands, and sore knees and knuckles from Arimidex as well as con't sleep problems. Slowly (very slowly), my strength seems to be coming back. It is hard to be patient. My biggest issue seems to be adjusting to all the changes in my body. I guess, I need to quit saying, last year I could... or last year I didn't have this pain...
    But overall, I guess you can say that I am okay. Leigh, Marcia, Paula, Mindy and Brigette - glad to hear that you are all doing well. Wishing you all feel good days, good health and dances with NED in 2007. Keep in touch.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FrannyK
    FrannyK Member Posts: 58
    edited December 2006
    Hi my TAC friends, yes, here's to a better year. My last TAC chemo was scheduled for Jan 2 but I came downwith a really bad cold that turned into an upper respitory infection..my doc prescripted Leviquin plus an inhaler Atrovent...plus a lung x-ray (just to double check) He says we'll postpone chemo at least 48 hours..by then I'll have 6 days of this inhaler & antibio's in...should be better..but we'll see. I have to finish this!!!! Did ya'll get a bad cold during TAC? Any complications? I'm so ready to move on from this part...onto the radiation, lupron & aromasin...oh joy! Then there's the reconstruction with my bowling ball expander. I can't believe what we go thru with this disease. You gals are the only one's that understand. Anyway...here's to a better 2007.
    thanks for all your TAC notes. fran
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited January 2007
    I didn't have a cold that postponed it, I got the flu! I had to wait a whole extra week for my second chemo. It must really suck with it being your last one.. just get it over with already, right? You are almost there girl, you can do it!

    What weight is your bowling ball expander? LOL Maybe I can use it on Friday nights and get a few strikes. just kidding!

    Paula
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FrannyK
    FrannyK Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2007
    oh my gosh paula...i'm still laughing...uh..i think it's a 12 lb'r...is that a good one? actually my PS is probably gonna make it a 14 lb'r by the time he's done filling it. He thinks i need 600 cc's cuz it'll shrink in rads. ow!

    thanks for the chuckle
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited January 2007
    Hi everyone,
    The recent posts here have brought tears to my eyes this morning. I don't know how I could have survived 2006 without the love and support of all of you on this board. Last year was totally hellish but we have all made it through. Here's to a brighter 2007 and believe me I pray every morning to accept God's plan for me today!
    Love, Brigitte
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2007
    Hello,
    It's been a long time since I checked in here. I'm sure I'm forgotten. I finished my chemo in August and finished the rads the beginning of November. Now I'm just dealing with the AI and aging side effects.

    I'm sick of appointments with doctors. I pretended that I didn't know any doctors during the holidays. Now it's back to the grind. I know I shouldn't complain. It sure beats the whole experiance last year. The parking attendant has forgotten who I am. Woo hoo. Interesting when I can celebrate being forgotten.

    Jackie
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited January 2007
    Jackie, I'm taking the month of January off from seeing any doctors! Just need a break from it all. My schedule was just like yours; my chemo finished in late August, and my last rads appointment was in early November. My hair is slowly coming in. Mentally, I just need a break from the appointments as they remind me of my cancer and I want to move on with life .... YOu have not been forgotten!!!
    Hugs, Brigitte
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FrannyK
    FrannyK Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2007
    Dear TAC sisters! ok..i'm done..had the last TAC on Jan 4, hallelujah. Just letting the dang poison blow thru & do it's cancer damage now. Then onward!!! Did anyone have the superficial vein-hardening-thing-in-the hand from chemo? I've had 2 veins go south this way. My doc says keep applying moist heat and take advil & it will clear up. But one of them is staying hard:( Any experience with this?
    thanks
    fran
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited January 2007

    Fran - Congrats on finishing your TAC. It is something to smile about. I had a port, so did not deal directly with my veins. Since starting Arimidex, I have developed carpel tunnel syndrome in both hands. I saw the hand doc last week and go see the neurologist this thursday then back to the hand doc next week. Neurologist is doing an EMG test. PCP and hand doc says it not from the chemo or the Arimidex, but I think otherwise. I had no hand (or health problems for that matter) till I was diagnosed with BC.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited January 2007
    Just wanted to say HOORAY! Also had a port so can't advise about the vein thing, though my arm veins are more or less shot (inaccesible) at this point and they use my hand when I have to do the blood thing. So happy for you, Fran.
    Leigh
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2007
    Fran,
    Congratulations with finishing up!! That is such a good feeling (once the fog starts to lift )

    I've had some weirdness with my veins. I think one of them is plugged and swollen. The other one seems to be fine now. Bleh.

    Jackie
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2007
    I think of this little poem most mornings and figured you all might relate.

    Here I sit,
    Brokenhearted.
    Tried to poop,
    Instead I farted.

    Jackie
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited January 2007
    My veins were toast after my last TAC. The last treatment, I had to be poked 4 times before they could get a vein. I finished in August, and I still have a dark mark where the last chemo IV was.

    It does get better, though. I had a CT scan this past December, and the tech got a vein on the first try. She said the vein was hard, but not so hard that it would cause problems. My onc said the veins should soften up within 6 months.

    Ferne
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited January 2007
    Congrats Fran for finishing!
    Greetings to fellow TAC grads!
    I had my first full digital mammogram and ultrasound since my diagnosis in Jan 2006. (In July had operative(R) breast mammogram and US ) I was very nervous but was told everything looks ok. I had a cyst disappear that was there on the July film....must have been zapped by the chemo or radiation because they couldn't find it this time. I go to my Rad/Oncologist Monday 1/15 and my Hemo/oncologist on Tuesday 1/16 when I get my tumor marker drawn. I hope for more good news. I have had a few "Side Effects" that I attribute to my chemo/ radiation. Two weeks ago I developed Trigger thumb in my right hand. Can't say it is from lymphadema since I only had 5 negative nodes removed. I still have itching, pains in my breasts.... Don't know if it is nerves regenerating or breast changes.. I had back problems but my chiropractor is helping out a lot with that. I have wierd aches and pains in places I never had before and I have trouble sleeping. Other than that I have more energy and feel more like my old self. I finished Chemo in July and Radiation the end of August, Stopped herceptin in september. I have been afraid to plan far ahead. I think I will Jinx myself if I test fate or something.
    I think of you all often and read the boards regularly even if I don't post a message. I hope you all are doing well and am glad you can all move forward. Keep posting your progress, It is still very encouraging for me to see how others are doing.
    Hugs to you all
    MarciaA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • milklet
    milklet Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2007
    Hi Fran,
    I finished TAC in April 06. Don't really know about 'hardening' per se, but I do know whenever I go for bloodwork they CANNOT find a vein! 4-5 stabs at it usually and I'm 8 months out! ah well...
    take care, rachel
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2007
    Hi everyone! CONGRATS Fran on finishing TAC! I hope all is well. I haven't posted lately but I read the boards almost every day. I had to have a biopsy of my cervix, ovaries ,uterus. I should get the results by Wednesday of this week. DOES IT EVER GET BETTER! I have herceptin treatment again today! Cannot wait to get them over with! Sorry, just needed to let off a little steam!
    Take Care,
    Mindy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FrannyK
    FrannyK Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2007

    Karen, I was reading a post about Liz who had to have her expander deflated prior to rads. She was only at 300 cc. I know we're all different..and the rads onco bases his work on the pathology and surgery...but my PS wants me to get to 600 cc. I know you had expanders then rads. Did your rads onco have any concerns about how filled you were and efficacy of rads treatment?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited January 2007

    Congratulations Fran on finishing your chemo treatments. Hooray! I haven't read the boards for a week or so ... my energy has come back and I'm in full steam ahead mode, working too much, etc. I put off all my doc appointments until February so January has been appointment free and it's been great -- my hair is growing much to slowly for me but at least it's growing, right? Mindy, let us know the results of your biopsy, girl! AT this point, if there is anything wrong "down there" with me, I am going to ask them to just take it out ... am so sick of doctors, needles, feeling like crap, etc ... Last summer I never believed there was a light at the end of the tunnell and I'm cherishing how I feel today. It's freezing here! Love to all of you, Brigitte

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DATO
    DATO Member Posts: 127
    edited January 2007
    Hi Fran and everyone,

    Fran, my home town is Long Beach (I now live in Sacramento) and I am also stage 3A ER/PR+ and Her2-. I did have some vein hardening after several of my treatments but it always went away before my next round. I did have some darkening too but that also went away. The nurses tried to use a different vein each time which probably helped too. They never had to poke me more than once.

    It feels so good to be finished with treatment (last TAC on Oct 23, last rad on Dec 21). The hair is growing in slowly (when did I get so grey?). It could pass for a VERY short haircut, but I'm still wearing a hat outside because it is so darn cold. Still lots of follow-up doctor appointments and I see the plastic surgeon on Jan 31st to discuss reconstruction.

    Here's wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year.

    Darlene
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited January 2007
    Greetings, fellow TAC Grads!
    Just an update. The last two weeks have been a little nervous for me. I had my first full mammogram and ultrasound since my diagnosis Jan 2006. It was NORMAL...never thought that word could sound so sweet. I had exams from my Rad/onc and my Hemo/onc and they said everything looked ok. My tumor marker results were normal also. (It is #3 for me and keeps going up 1 or 2 points each time But hey its NORMAL).....I am getting back to almost 100 % of energy since my last radiation at the end of August. I hope to be one of the 95% that lives past 5 years...I hope we all can make it since we suffered through the TAC treatments. Anyway just wanted to share my good news with all of you since only you know what it means....I have had to use a hair dryer since Thanksgiving. I too have more gray hair than I used to but at least I have a reason for it and it is HAIR.

    Hey I have a ? for you....Anybody notice how much Cancer is in the news now? Is it just because I am more aware of it or is more happening?

    All of you are in my thoughts and prayers...I don't post on the board as often as I used to but I do read your posts and am very pleased we all are getting through... I hope you all get good news from your follow ups. My next tumor marker is in April and 1/2 mammogram in July.
    Take Care Ladies...
    Marcia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited January 2007

    Fran - no the rad onc never commented on the expanders or any recon. I have only been expanded about 450 cc including the expander. At end of rads, rad onc thought I was looking pretty good. PS saw me before rads, midway through rads and then one month and 3 months post rads. He has not expressed any concerns. He did tell me though that I would be best with silicone implants due to rads and that I probably should not do any of the finishing touches, which is fine with me as I had planned to stop after stage 2 (exchange).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2007
    Hi TAC sisters! Guess you know we all have moved on with our lives when this thread is bumped from page 3. Good for all of us. I have a question. Most of us had TAC X6 (18 weeks) and then some had 7 weeks of rads...some had surgery before and some after treatment.
    When do you count your survival anniversary? I am inclined to count my second surgery date (re-excision with clear margins)But then I spent the next 37 weeks getting treatments. Would love to do a poll of the TAC ladies to see when do you plan on counting as your survival date?
    Thanks in advance for your opinion.
    Take Care
    MarciaA.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited February 2007
    Hi Marcia,

    I consider my survivor date as the day I finished my last rads boost. January 18th 2007.

    Ferne
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2007
    I counted my survivor date, today, February 1st. It was the day of my first surgery, and I figure that was my first step towards surviving.

    I'm even making myself a cake lol

    Paula
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2007
    I'm with Ferne - September 21, 2006, the day of my last radiation treatment.
    Glad to see us back on page 1 - hope everyone is well!
    I wouldn't have said that I was experiencing low energy post-treatment, but I have noticed in the last two or three weeks that I am increasingly back to a normal routine, feeling well and energetic into the evening, getting out of bed more easily in the morning...Had clear mammogram and MRI in January, so that was a very happy thing - NO doctors in February - a first since November 2005 - Leigh
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DATO
    DATO Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2007
    I thought I read somewhere that you start counting from your date of diagnosis. For me that would be May 12, 2006. That is significant to me because in Sacramento the Komen Race for the Cure was the next day (the Saturday before Mother's Day). My doctor's office is across the street from one of our major shopping malls that was heavily promoting the race. So while I was waiting for the results of my mammogram and biopsy, everywhere I turned there were pink ribbons. I was crying as I watched part of the race on TV the next day; I thought my life was over. It wasn't until they interviewed a woman who was a 30 year survivor that I thought that maybe I had a chance of beating this disease. This year I plan to run in the Komen Race proudly wearing my pink hat and T-shirt that identifies me as a survivor.

    Darlene
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited February 2007

    Hi TAC girls - just checking in to see how everyone is doing? Well, I have made it one year since my diagnosis - that is what I am using as my anniversary - 2/3/06. But I also remember 2/9 when I got the results of second biopsy (more bad news as the nurse said who called with the results) and my mastectomy was 3/1/06. For me if I wait till done treatments to celebrate an anniversary that adds about 8 months - so I guess I have lots of anniversaries. But the main ones are diagnosis and mastectomy. This month has been hard for me emotionally. I think it is time to check out antidepressants again. I have an appt with a sleep doctor tomorrow as I am still struggling with insomnia. I guess I am just tired of all the aches and pains. Knees hurt from the Arimidex. Hands are stiff, especially knuckles and the darn carpel tunnel. I had the surgery on the right hand a couple weeks ago and it is better, but still some tingling in the index finger. LEft hand is now bothering me more, so need to decide what to do with it. I go back to the hand doc the beginning of March and she will decide then if I need hand therapy on right hand. Recon is 3/23 so need to get through that before do the left hand. Anyone else still having side effects from the chemo? Wonder what is side effect of chemo (stil) and what is from Arimidex. Hope everyone is well. Hard to believe that it is 11 months since many of us started chemo. Wishing everyone feel good days. Karen in denver

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FrannyK
    FrannyK Member Posts: 58
    edited February 2007
    Hi Karen, good to see your post. Congrats on your first year. I've got a way to go for mine. Just now starting radiation..got postponed due to pulmonary emboli I got from a blood clot. What a drag. My doc is referring me to a hemotologist at the USC Norris cancer center..we'll see what he has to say. I take coumadin and have Lovenox injections. I was thinking I'd have the DIEP surgery but now I don't know because of the blood clot tendency. You and I are sort of the same in the treatment we got. I know you're having implant exchange for the expander in March right? My last chemo was Jan 4..but now my eyebrows are falling out..but my hair on my head is growing:) I start Aromasin after the radiation. I heard the joint pain is considerable. Do you take anything to prevent bone loss? Did you have a bone density test after your treatment? I have lots of hot flashes and trouble sleeping at night now also. I'll be interested to hear what your sleep doctor says.

    take care:)
    fran
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited February 2007

    Franny - my eyebrows and eyelashes also fell out after my head hair started to grow back. Yes I had a bone density test when I started the Arimidex - it came back borderline ostopenic. Will have it repeated annually. I take 15oomg Calcium with D daily. PCP was going to recommend Fosomax, but at the time I was having such bad acid reflux and heartburn (was taking 80mg Nexium), she said to just stick with the calcium. I also take glucosamine with msm. My joints hurt worse at night than any other time of the day. I am going to try biofeedback - sleep doc does 2 sessions one week apart. He really didn't tell me anything I did not already know - that I may be depressed (yeah) - to think about trying another anti-depressant. I tried Effexor and hated it - he said maybe the dose was too high as I am small, but I was only on 75mg (I don't think anti-depressants are his area), to consider counseling and to also consider massage therapy and/or accupuncture. He also rec a set bedtime each night and strategies if I don't fall asleep within 30 min - such as to get up out of bed and go to another room for 1/2 hour or till tired and try going to bed (repeat as necessary). YOu're correct, my exchange surgery is 3/34 - I have my pre-op visit onthe 6th. Hand still recovering from carpel tunnel surgery 3 weeks ago. It is more sore than I thought it would be. I go back next week to see if hand doc rec hand therapy. Keep me posted on the hematologist and keep in touch. Karen in denver

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories