Starting Chemo May 2018

How is everyone feeling? Hope you're having a good week!

Friday I had chemo 5 out of 6 and it was a doosie. I'm pulling out of the usual early side effects, but my body still aches...feels like I'm bruised everywhere. Anyone experience this type of pain? My blood counts were a lot lower with this cycle so I want to attribute the pain to that, but not sure.

On a happier note, I will have my last chemo Aug 24...I've never been so excited for something to be over. 2 weeks later, I have a BM planned...not so excited about that. Each step is progress, though!

I just had my first Herceptin-only infusion--happy to have that behind me, especially knowing I don't have to go back for THREE WHOLE WEEKS. I will start rads in the interim, but at least they won't be pumping anything into me.

wlo002, I finished 5 of 6 two weeks ago, and like you, my blood counts were a lot lower this time around. They said I'm anemic but it's expected so not to worry. My numbers had been good up until now.. I haven't had any body pain though, just muscle fatigue & charlie horses (they said that's caused by low magnesium & potassium & I have to supplement with mag. & potass. pills after they gave me some in an IV). If it's like charlie horse pain, it could be magnesium or potassium, which can be critical, but if it is like body aches from the flu, I don't think that would be it. Since we are far along in the chemo and the effects can be cumulative, it might be a good idea to call your treatment center and ask about it, in case it's a sign of something getting too low. I didn't call for my charlie horses and got lectured about being lucky I happened to have an infusion scheduled at the same time my levels got too low. They made me promise I'd call about any new side effects or symptoms from here on out.

Thanks, Hybrids. I am enjoying a WHOLE WEEK with no medical appointments. ;-)

I have spotty hair growth too, it's strange. Parts of my head are completely bald and parts have actual hair, enough to stand straight up Also, my right leg has some hair, to the point that I may need to shave soon, but weirdly my left leg is smooth. Leave it to me to be an odd ball.

I have had 2/4 DD TAXOL treatments with 2 left to go, and my hair is growing spoaradically. I have a good amount on top of my head but not much on the sides, and I noticed a couple leg and armpit hairs.... I did not expect this until after taxol was done!?! However my brows and lashes are just about non existent

cccmc2, try acupuncture. It really helps. I heard massage helps as well, but didn’t try it myself yet. My acupuncturist promised foot massage next time, I’ll let you know.

thank you Ladies!

Let day of TCHP! So happy to get it over with. The difference in the “fat face" from the steroids during the first five days and how I look a few days before it stars all over again. Maybe I just imagine it since I feel so much better starting a day or two after finishing the steroids (at least I don't feel the effects of the steroids anymore). The below pic was taken just a few days ago, before I started the steroids again. To be fair, Part of the issue with the swollen eyes is lack of sleep from the steroids but it’s also partly from with Graves Disease. It’s not near as bad as it could be with the Graves Opthamology though. They told me chemo could make it a lot worse but it was improving before chemo with meds and is still improving now, just at a slower rate so I’ve been really lucky with how my thyroid and Fraves antibodies are reacting through chemo. I know there are others who have a really hard time with it.

It looks like surgery will likely be the second week of Oct, since I have a Casting for Recovery retreat on the 5th of Oct., assuming my surgeon is okay with that. I need to checkup a pre-op meeting with her to go through all the details. I'll still be getting Herceptin every three weeks and after surgery, the results of my lymph nodes, etc will determine if I will need to go back on Perjeta. But no more steroids, Neulesta, Taxotere or Carboplatin after today, So happy!!!

Good luck and positive vibes to every one with their ongoing treatments and recoveries! We’re making it, one day at a time.

Tomorrow would have been my last TCHP, but my labs yesterday didn't go so well. My platelets are at 65,000 so chemo is a no-no. We're trying again next Wednesday. If they are still too low, I'll get my HP but hold off of my last chemo until after my BMX that is scheduled for Sept 13. My MO thinks its worth getting it late to still get it in.

Congrats Hybrids! That's a milestone!

So sorry to hear that, wlo002. I was so anxious to get to my last chemo day--I would have been super bummed if it had been postponed (they told me that it had happened to a woman that week--she had friends and family and a big party and then was told she wasn't going to get treatment--ugh). Anyway--hang in there. That final chemo will come!!

My last TCHP is scheduled for Tuesday but my doctor told me it is unlikely to happen. My counts are really low.

Woohoo! Had my last chemo today and got to ring the bell!

I went in thinking my labs would still be too low because I have petechiae on my legs and bleeding gums but the platelets had jumped to 166,000. It was a great surprise...and I got to return the favor by answering questions for a newbie who was just starting her chemo.

Had my last Chemo yesterday!! I am on lots of other things, Herceptin, Projeta, Xgevia, Zoladex, but no chemo!!

congrats on last chemos ladies!!

I have one more DD taxol left next week. I can’t believe I’m almost done.... for the most part I handled both DD AC and Taxol as well as can be expected, however there is something about the 3rd treatments of each that they were much harder than all the others...I have needed much more recovery time after The 3rd rounds. It has me nervous as I am due to go back to work full time 6 days after my last treatment...does anyone know if it’s possible for me to get a normal dose of taxol opposed to the dose dense for my last treatment? Would this have less side effects and would it make that much of a difference as far as treatment goes? I was going to ask my MO about it.

THanks