Starting Chemo in September 2017

Tough -I am half way on taxol now, still have six more to go. Body is getting fatigue more, hands and feet can feel the neuropathy more and more. We need to push it ..... 6 more weeks I can see the rainbow.

Yes I am. Are you doing radiation soon ?

Amy, you're moving along faster than me, let's keep in touch.

You were so scared to start chemo now you will see the end of the tunnel. How do you deal with your chemo process?

Thanks team!

PauletteK -- the fatigue does increase with each cycle -- even though I work out (which is stated to help with fatigue) ... I do feel a bit more tired each cycle. You are a real warrior pushing through - an inspiration!

I think my down mood this am, was a combo of TC dread and and an overwhelming workload @ work. I have to spend some time going through my list, delegating and 'giving' up - which is super hard for an over achiever like me. Just has to be done, my health is more important and I don't want to put my firm at risk. Perspective is a wonderful thing ...

OCDAmy - Yep, post chemo I have surgery to go -- I have two surgery dates - one in late Nov and one early Dec - two different surgical teams -- I am having a hard time deciding and I will talk to my MO tomorrow and decide. I have given myself by the end of this week to finalize -- as I need to line up help.

Toughcookie - I am going to try the ice chips in mouth during the dreaded Taxotere -- my mouth sores weren't has bad #3 as #2, I just read about it and thought it might be a good idea - same idea s cold capping?! Why not, need liquid anyway -

Really do appreciate the support and inspiration - not like me to not be the cheerleader - we all have to ask for help every once in awhile.

Went to the PS today for my final appointment with her before I start rads. Ever since my fall several weeks ago I have been having discomfort under my right tissue expander when I move a certain way. She thinks it is either a rib or I pulled or have a tear in the muscle. For now I am supposed to take muscle relaxers and ibuprofen and we will wait and see. I was supposed to get my final fill but she wants me to wait until next week because of the discomfort. I am back to wearing my old bras but one more fill I think we get me to feeling and looking more like myself. Although the expanders are not comfortable, I can live with them for awhile longer. Hoping my skin holds up well during rads. I have my last chemo on Friday, I am counting down the days and so looking forward to turning that page and moving on to the next in what seems to be a never-ending story. Best to all of you. Let us know how you are all doing!

OCDAmy - back to your old bras! woohoo that is a good feeling. I am going for slightly smaller, as i found after my 1st round of BC, i had implants put in 2 years after lump and while I asked for a C - - I think it ended up as a really full C and maybe even small D and I have/had a hard time buying tops. (they had to go bigger than I was to even things out, that might have been just a tad too much bigger...) I have a bit of smaller frame even though I am 5'8'' (taller) -- I had to buy big tops, no buttons, and 80% of had to be tailored or I looked like had a sack on -- I figure if I am going through all of this, I will adjust to a B something -- and make top buying easier.

I keep wondering how the PS will help with this, as I am not in the throws of expander land yet - I put that later on my list of questions.

mkn - period or not go with that visual -- it helps

Henrietta -- try to get some help with how to deal with that - we all need extra help.

I found out a few interesting tidbits today from MO as I went in for labs and pre-chemo appt. For my fellow TC warriors-- Taxotere has some interesting side effects besides the Big C &D & Mouth sores. Just thought I would share a few things - just in case it helps others on that regimin. Rash is common, mine started Day 10 of cycle #3 - also common - the on call told me Benedryl helps -- my MO told me today (after I showed her pix) -- that while Bene helps stave off itching, it doesn't heal - steroids heal it and stop the itching - good to know! I should have called the MO office earlier and would have less symptoms for a few days. Also I have had swollen ankles - again another Taxotere 'gfit' -- once again steroids help. Steroids aren't my favorite, however, if they would have helped with that darn rash itching earlier, sign me up - dr, also said, based on my ankles, they may get worse with cycle #4 to the point of pain to stand on -- sign me up for steroids once again. I have a steroid RX at the ready (can't recall the name- will verify if interested) - some kind of 'pack' -- just in case either symptom shows up - dreaded rash!!.

On this day before TC #4 my ankles are still swollen -- never really went away this cycle. I see them all the time, as I work out most days in capri length pants -- along w/ a personal goal of touching my toes before surgery. (ok that is funny) I notice them because of vanity - never occurred to me they might swell to the point pain (doh!) - I am not normally air headed - just way too much to keep track of. Maybe all of this will help others on TC/Taxotere

Ok, ladies let's do this.

Amy, happy to hear you are almost done with chemo!

Paulette, you will be there soon.

Travel and mkn, I'm with you - neoadjuvant chemo and sometimes I feel a little down thinking how much is ahead of me. My surgery is not until end of February or even March. 16 more weeks of chemo! But yesterday I took Travel's advice and scheduled my first meeting with a therapist. She was able to fit me in within a week, going to see her next Monday. I've never done therapy before, so I don't know what to look for in the therapist. She is trained in CBT, and I've read many things about it that strike a cord with me, so I'm hoping she will be a fit for me.

Henrietta, I hope you reach out to someone, consider therapy? I recently found out that my hospital's department of integrative medicine does all kinds of mind-body connection therapy. Unfortunately, they just moved off site, so logistically it doesn't make sense for me to work with them.

I also went to a yoga class for cancer patients/survivors today. The instructor was wonderful! Met with two ladies who had BC, one of them had it at 41 (close to my age). She talked to me for a while, it was nice. I'm still on a fence about whether I want to join a local support group or not. But I definitely decided to work on my mental "stuff".

mkn, I also have some pains/discomfort in my affected breast. I liked the visual you've suggested. I actually read quite a bit on visualization lately, and trying my best to apply what I've read. I have a very vivid imagination, so may as well use it for the best.

Today is my day 5 post Taxol #4 and I feel good. My major complaint is irritated skin on my knuckles, specifically my right hand. I need to quit washing dishes, or use gloves. I also think I overdid it with hand sanitizer: I put a bottle in my car to use after I go shopping. I think the alcohol in it was just too much for my skin.

Paulette, oh no, I'm not done with chemo! I just started! Was diagnosed end of August and started neoadjuvant chemo end of September.

I'm doing 12 Taxols followed by 4 AC, and only headed into Taxol #5 this week. So, I'm going to finish Taxol early December, then do AC through February, and then will have surgery.

I also sleep a lot! I used to run on 7 hours of sleep a day and be OK. These days I'm out by 10:30 and if I don't have to be anywhere in the morning, I don't get up until 8. I do work, although I'm on reduced schedule (24 hours a week), and I mostly work from home. Went to the office yesterday, and it was hard - I so needed a nap at 1:00 pm! Today I was kind to myself: did my yoga thing, then picked up another Buff (a scarf that can be worn in so many different ways!) at REI, came home, worked a little, napped, took a walk and now trying to catch up on some more work. I like having the ability to work during this - keeps my mind off the scary cancer stuff, plus I get to stay relevant (I hope!)

Also, my tiredness is more pronounced on days #3 - 5 after my Taxol. Today was day 6, and I feel fine, just a little lightheaded at times. Oh, this has been ongoing - when I'm tired, I get lightheaded, and really need to lay down.

Travel Girl, now I know why my MO checks my ankles every time I am there. So far no rashes or swelling. I hope that holds true for this last infusion. I am a C cup and that was where I had hoped to stay. It is funny people keep asking me if I am going to go bigger. I don't care about bigger, but firmer will be nice! I had a nipple and skin sparing prophylactic mastectomy that is looking really good right now! I was scared I would lose the nipple because it looked a little necrotic on the tip after surgery but it has held up. Now I need to decide if I should just get the other one tattooed or have one constructed to match. I can't wait until I don't have to make any more major decisions.

I have been icing my fingers and toes 15 min before, during and 15 min after taxotere. So far, no neuropathy or nail issues. The chemo nurses are very helpful with this but I seem to be the only person icing.

I am wondering if I should get the port out as soon as I am done? I have read some women say they keep it just in case...I don't want to think about just in case! I heard the procedure to take it out is simple compared to putting it in.

Mojojennijo, congrats on almost finishing the AC! I’m sorry your doc says he doesn’t feel a difference. I’ll be with you in hoping the ultrasound can show some positive changes the doc couldn’t pick up in a physical exam.

weekly taxol is next for me so maybe if the ac didn’t do what my onc was expecting that will work! I just don’t want anymore strong chemo after this.

Toughcookie -- it was 8.3 this time

I looked at my ranges from the last 12 years or so -- my max 11.8 -- my average is 10.2 or so (dips in the 9's, etc). I am sure that why is why my MO was ok with me going forward -- it was the chemo center seeing the number in isolation. I have that Thaalasma minor, so always low in general.

I didn't get an infusion -- 8.3 is the lowest it has been for me since i was with my oncologist - 12 years. So I will load up on iron rich food and try to get it back in the 10 range. At least I feel better that as to my workouts have been so difficult.

And you will get through the last 3 Toughcookie -- you can do this. one day at a time. I still have surgery to go - so you are on the other side of that - I will just be beginning that path in a month -- we can do this.

sorry for those of you dealing with low hemoglobin. Lots of people at my center get blood transfusions. I have luckily kept good numbers so far so am avoiding all that for now (knock wood).

I’m also working. I’m a professor so my schedule is flexible and my yearly teaching load is unevenly spread over the semesters so it is my light semester. I had to miss a few classes early when I was still getting my diagnosis sorted and I missed one class due to SEs after my first chemo, but I changed my chemo day so SEs come on the weekend now.

Hoping for a nice day of little cancer based excitement for all.

mkn, sorry you are feeling down. It is hard to not be able to sleep on your preferred side. I remember feeling a lot like you when I first got my port and couldn’t sleep on my left side. I did eventually find a way to do it using a lot of pillows, but it was like not only do I have cancer but I can’t even sleep like I want! I also think, that while it is good to strive for a positive attitude overall, having cancer really sucks and is a terrible thing and it is ok to take some time to feel sad or angry and acknowledge that. I usually set myself a time limit. Like I’ll say to myself “this is my morning to have self pity. In the afternoon I’ll be positive and cheerful again.” I hope you get confirmation that the chemo is working soon.

I also came back to post that I get rash on my face as well. Like you said, milkweed, why the face? Mine seems to be from the taxol and Benadryl definitely shrinks it, although does not get rid of it completely. My onco says steroids are the next step if the Benadryl doesn’t do enough.

Hello everyone,

I have been a voyeur in this group, however I need a little encouragement. I have completed 2 rounds of chemo. I have felt pretty bad through the last 2 rounds. I have a horrible rash all over my head. I don't know how I am going to get myself motivated to go to my next round on Tuesday? HELP!