For those starting chemo in June
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Well I have slept all day so I am up at 3 a.m. I think the bone and muscle pain is a little better.It took me forever to figure out I had to log on to post.My old feeble mind can't take change.Good luck with the acupuncture.I use my heat pad a lot but I have to move it around a lot.I need my old bones rubbed.I have the sinus drainage going on now.Well going to get more sleep. Too bad its not beauty sleep I would be beautiful by now.Hugs, Mary
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Good morning ladies,
I also was having trouble with the new configuration for these boards. They are fancy. Please, everyone remember to fly your flag today in rememberance of those who died 3 years ago on Sept. 11.
I went to my kids' back to school night on Thursday and ran into a friend I haven't seen for a while. She took one look at me and started to cry. Turns out she was just diagnosed with BC and will have surgery Monday. She doesn't know whether they will do a partial or modified mastectomy. She is just a basket case. Well, I am trying to think of ways to help her. Any of you wonderful ladies have suggestions on what helped you the most when you were first diagnosed? I have a few but she needs lots of help. And please say lots of prayers for her.
My third Tax is Tues. I am getting too excited for the end. I can see the light! Only 1 more after Tues. -
MaryKB,
How good of you to try to think of ways to help your friend. I'll be praying for her. For me, family was the thing that helped me the most when I was diagnosed. Literally, my sister flew down from Wisconsin about 12 hours after I was diagnosed and was there to help me through surgery and the drain and the waiting... Another handy thing was meals. LOTS of people offered to be bringing over food, but that was too public for me to deal with. I really only wanted close family and friends around at that point. I had a few friends at work who fixed up whole meals for my family that we picked up from them and heated up as needed. That was helpful. And I would say just point her to these boards. They've been of so much help.
Congrats on getting so close to the end. Hope Tuesday goes well. Then you'll be down to just one. (I have my last on Thursday) Will you go on to radiation? -
Mary, Some people in my office made up a basket full of things I could use, including food items that I could tolerate during chemo. I found it comforting to find out everything I could about BC and lessen the fear of the unknown. Most of all, I appreciated all the support I received from so many people. This board has been a fantastic source of support and knowledge. Prayers help tremendously.
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My nail beds are getting shorter! I know Taxol causes them to lift sometimes. The white part is getting bigger and the actual bed is smaller. I guess they are starting to lift up. I hope they don't turn black or fall off.
The pain is returning today. My onc gave me the strong stuff to combat it, but I don't like using that during the day. It's like do I stay up and hurt or zonk myself out.
Hope you all are doing well today. -
Janie,
My nails are being funky, too. They have white lines across them. Look, my onc says, just like tree rings. Sure enough, one for each Taxol treatment. Mine still seem strong, if ugly. He says the white part is good nail coming in at that the top part might split... I've been putting tea tree oil on them every night. Could be it wont' help me keep them, but I'll try about anything. Heard about it on these boards.
Hope you can get through the pain. I've noticed mine is lasting about 5 days, and my foot pain never goes away. Hopefully yours will pass by tomorrow. Two treatments left?
Mary1220, I'll get your bracelet off in the mail Monday. If anyone else would like one of the Live Strong bracelets, I've got a bunch and I'll be happy to mailyou one if you PM me your address. -
Well hi girls, My pain seems to be better. I took a couple tylenol. I feel really exausted. I drug my sick hurting butt up off the couch and went to walmart to get some food I maight be able to eat as the metal taste is about sickening.I gimped through and bought a few things and couldn't wait to get home.10 more days and I am done. You know I still have a few hairs on my head.My fingernails look o.k. but they haven't grown. They are long, well some, I have a few that broke but I have left them alone as they will grow back.They have ridges lengthwise but they look pretty good so far. I haven't used anything but lotion on them.Gosh the good old fall will be here soon.Its still warm but that will all change.I hate to see the cold weather come.I have to get all the winter clothes out soon.Well ladies see yas later.I hope I get my taste back in time to enjoy a few of my home grown tomatoes. Mary
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Mary, Glad the pain is letting up. Just two more!
I'm already "looking forward" to my last. I'm gonna pick up doughnuts to bring. And, hopefully, after this they'll give me Neulasta instead of Neupogen so I don't have to go in for 7 straight days.
Ordered a new wig today, as I've not done terribly well caring for the one I bought. Plus, the new one hopefully won't be so HOT. (I shouldn't complain. For Texas, it's been a GREAT summer) I have a few hairs left over from the old me, but nothing new has grown in yet. I figure I have another few months at least of wigging out.
Went out and had a great day today. Felt normal. It's been a long time, months. Hope everyone got some relief over the weekend. -
PJB,
I'm on the weekly taxol so I have 10 more treatments. I finish up around November 17. The meds helped some this weekend. -
Hi girls, I too have ordered a new wig but its back ordered so hope I get it before I get my hair back.Its a short wig which I have only had short hair a few times in my life beause I don't think I look good but the collar length ones are too uncomfortable. I never wear the one I have and I doubt I wear this one because I am just so comfortable in my do-rag and ball caps. I figure I am wearing my rag and cap proudly because I have been to hell and back. Its sorta a badge representing my fight.I wear it proudly. My eyebrows and eyelashes look really bad so I can pull my cap down and you can't see my eyes all that well to notice my lashes and brows are mostly gone. I am better today so I am going to Springfield to get my oldest daughter a birthday pres. My husbands going up on his bike to get something so maybe we will meet and eat. Gosh its soooo great to feel not exausted. I guess my bad days are Fri. to Mon. now.8 more days and 1 more for PJB. we have come a long way. I don't know how I will celebrate but I am going to do something but I will wait a week so I can feel good when I do it.I would like to go to Arizona for a week-end but I don't know since I am gooing out Nov. the 5th. Maybe I will go in Oct. Well got to go enjoy a great day. Its so good to feel human again. Mary
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It's day 11 after taxotere treatment. I now have 3 cold sores. Food still doesn't taste, but guess that's ok, since I can only eat soft food right now. Dr. won't be happy I've lost weight this time. If those sores go away soon and I can taste... I will make up for it! I am hoping the next treatment goes easier as they did with A/C.
I have a wig, but haven't worn it yet. I got used to the baseball caps and hats when it was too hot for wearing the wig. Now if I started with the wig, the people that usually see me, would probably stare! Haven't figured out what I'll do when the cold weather is here.
My eyelashes are half gone. That's quite a look!
Good news, Only 3 to go!
Renee -
Janie, Glad the medicine helped. I think weekly folks like you and Mary have it much tougher than us dose densers. At least I get about a week between to be at least semi-normal.
Mary, I bet you'll look just great in the new wig if you ever get it. I showed a picture of the one I just ordered to my son and he decided it was really to weird looking. I told him that was the look I was going for, I want everyone at his school to notice me...:) This from a kid whose hair stands straight up on half of his head.
Renee, My mom and sister live up in Madison. I usually go up there every summer (this BC stuff put the kibosh on that this summer). Beautiful place. I know you'll need that wig or something this winter judging by the way the summer's been so cool...
Have a good day, all. -
Did you all read the rads simulation thread? Just when I thought the next step was going to be easy.
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Janie,
Yeah, it sounds pretty awful. All I know is I'm gonna be using that cream about a billion times a day to try to keep from burning. They can tattoo me all they want (I'm still blue from the SNB anyway), but the threads about the burning and the sores really have the wince factor.
Do you guys know yet when rads will start, for those of you going to rads? My simulation's 9/30, rads starting 10/4. -
Hi girls, Well I wasn't as perky as I thought. I got some underwear at Vic. Sec. for my daughters b-day. and picked up a couple little dresses for my grandaughter(she likes dresses)and I ran out of steam and came home. I am having a hard time eating. It feels like there is too much fluid in my stomach.When I swallow it feels like the food is splashing. Maybe I am going waco I don't know but I am down to 122. I was 128 last wk. I have been down to 123 with the A/C but I just can't eat much now. I am 5'71/2" so I am getting pretty boney here.I have read some of the threads but I am going into rads with a great attitude. I can't imagine anything as bad as the chemo. Well I'm not happy about fatigue again but as long as I can eat and taste it hey I am happy.So far I have talked to three people who have had it and said they were just a little tired so by golly I will be a little tired. In reality I will probably have every sympton there is and some they have never heard of. All I want to do is eat and taste my drinks. I never get any taste back with this Taxol. Well I didn't with the A/C either after the first 2.PJB, your son sounds cute. I get such a kick out of these little boys and their spike hair-doos. They are worse than girls about their hair and gel.And they can walk around all wk. end with bedhead and it doesn't bother them a bit.If they don't have to comb it it looks o.k. My wig is the messed up do. They call it the just out of bed look.Its not like I have ever had but I see others with it and it looks good(on them). I got mine from Paula something off the web it was $39.00 so thought if it was ecky I didn't really lose much.I forgot to call today and see where it is. well talk to you gals later. Mary
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Got the new wig today. It's gonna take some work to make it look right, but I think it'll be OK. It's about a shade darker than my hair, but that's what I get for being cheap and getting one on sale.
I'm going to be doing a Relay for Life cancer walk in a couple weeks. It'll be pretty cool. I mean, I guess I'm a survivor. I'm still here. Altho are you really a survivor if you're still in treatment? I dunno if it counts. At any rate, I'll be walking with my mother-in-law, who's about 12 years out from her BC. I'm undecided about whether to take my son. He still really doesn't know what's going on with all this, really, and it might freak him out a little and cause him to ask more questions. So maybe Granny and I will just go out, walk for awhile and then go get a drink!
You guys doing OK? Any of you in Ivan's path? If you are, be safe. -
Well 7 more days and i am outa there. My sub. onc said I will start rads 4 wks. after because my body has to recup. I said huh? Like the educated person I am? She said since I did't take a break at 4 or 6 I have to let my body build up unless I want to break today. I said nope but I am awful weak whats up there? guess its just too much on my bod but if I can prop myself up to stand on my feet we are charging on.I can tell this one is stronger because I usually wake up and feel o.k. but I woke up at 8:pm (usually up 5or6) I am soo woozy I feel drunk. I have never felt this way before but I will walk it or stagger it off.One more left.I always ask about my meds. when they hang them. Last wk. they gave me a double dose pre. meds and we caught it and it had to be sent back. It gets checked 3 times but guess what? They still make mistakes so always ask them to check. Its your life. They said I wouldn't have been able to tollerate it. That sounds interesting.Glad to hear you got your wig PJB, I inquired today and mine was to be in the 11th but they are still waiting.So am I. Mine is a little lighter than my real hair. I am med brown(auburn) with light highlights. My wig is buttered toast. Don't know what i will look like. I have very brown eyes so it may be a car wreck. I may never know if I don't get it.There was a Revlon one I liked but didn't want to spend another hundred bucks on something I won't wear.Heck, I keep forgetting to get a script for my fisrt one so I can get paid by ins. Its only been 3 months whats my hurry? Guess I better get it soon times up.Gotta work tomorrow and thurs. don't know about Fri. since I got sick(in pain and weak) on thurs. afternoon last wk.Well see ya all later. Nite Nite, Mary
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Hey PJB, tomorrow is your last one and I could just come all the way to Texas and hug you. You Go Girl. I am soo happy for you. I hope its an easy one and in a week or two you will be a human again.Have a GREAT DAY tomorrow. I am excited to death for you.Talk to ya later. I have to go in to work tonight at 9:00 p.m. so I will be home about 10:00 a.m.tomorrow for a couple hours. Gosh CONGRADS PJB. Lots of hugs going your way. Mary
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Thanks, Mary. I'm sooooo looking forward to getting this over with. After my treatment, I think I'll go buy myself something decadent - like not from Target! I know you're right behind me, Mary (6 days?). Just think, a few weeks and maybe you'll be able to taste something! Do you stay up nights trying to figure out what the perfect taste treat would be?
You guys have been so great all through this. You've made it possible to get through this without TOO much trepidation and given me a forum to whine without feeling wimpy. I can "talk" to you guys like no one else around me. And I so appreciate it. Of course, I'll still be here to gripe about side effects that'll be hitting over the next weeks and to speculate on how awful/not so awful radiation will be.
Hugs all around,
Paula -
3 down 9 to go! I was in and out quickly yesterday. I think everybody is concerned about the inpending storm. Schools are closed here again and we are under a tornado watch, but nothing much going on where I live. They closed the schools because of the flooding conditions in rural areas.
The joints are starting to act up again. It looks like Sat and Sun will be my worst days but no pain free days. In the beginning, Thursdays were, but not now. Whine whine whine. I'm just getting tired of all this. Work is a constant battle even when I feel good. There have been some real doozies there lately. Add BC and it gets really gets tough sometimes.
Like PJB, I'm so glad you guys are here because nobody else can really understand what we are going through.
Hugs to all,
Janie -
Janie, You are doing weekly Taxol I guess. I am on #7.I only have to do 8. They are upping my dose so I can do 8 instead of 12. My onc. thinks it will work as good so hey I am game.I use to have a few good days but not now. Wed. thats my only good day now. I am home from work early today cause my legs just feel like they are going to give out on me. The pain will set in good tomorrow and I will be on the couch until Tue. when I go for my last. I just get really weak and the pain gets pretty bad but tylenol does help. I haven't gotten numbness yet. Some hand itching and tingling in my finger tips but I shake them and it goes away and its just once in a while so I don't even consider that a complaint. You just air your aches and pains whenever you want, it feels better to get it out and know someone else knows just what and how you feel.You hang in there. Hugs,Mary
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PJB You are done!!!!!!!!!!CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! you are top dog today , Marys brain on chemo HUGS, Mary
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Thank Mary!
Just got back. There was one other young mother there who was also finishing last of 5 AC/12 Taxol. I'm proud of all of us. (And I'm also stuffed, I gorged on cookies and sandwich while there - I think I'll go have a nap before my son comes home)
I'm really hot flashy today, but nothing can ruin this day for me. Hugs all around. Wish I could throw us all a party when we all finish up! -
Congrats PJB! One more milestone. Mary, Wow! Double dosing your meds! I think they didn't do my Decadron yesterday, but I didn't say anything. It causes me lots of trouble. Maybe I don't need it. Sure enough I did not turn red today. I don't know if it was an oversight or intentional. They usually push it. Nothing was pushed. She told me when she did the Benedryl. I'm not sure about the Tagament either. The Taxol was done.
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Hi girls, Well I am home today. I am doing a few things around my house but have to keep resting and taking tylenol.My husband has decided now of all times we need new cabinets. Gee, thats one of the least things on my mind. I mentioned it months ago and now we are doing it. Its nice of him he has saved his own money to do it for me but I just don't care right now. Man I can't wait to get rid of this pain. My husband just asked where I want to eat when I can taste again. I said we will start with Lobster and crab and I named about 6 of our favorite restaurants. Well guess whats been shipped finally???? My wig. I doubt I will wear it until my eyebrows and lashes start to grow back as it just looks bad with the make-up but I wear my cap and do-rag and pull the bill down so you can't see my eyes. well see you girls later, Mary
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Thanks Janie for the congratulations. Feels good. How many more for you?
Mary, can't they give you something better for the pain than Tylenol? I'm sorry you're going through all that. You're really having a rough patch. One more?
But I bet those cabinets will look great when you get them in. Not that you'll probably feel like dealing with it for awhile, really. And think of that lobster! So much to look forward to.
My husband told me yesterday my new wig looked sort of like a marsupial sleeping on my head. Then he told me it looked like something William Shatner might wear. Thanks, honey. Everyone else tells me it looks good. They might all be lying, but frankly, I don't care. It's 97 degrees today, and that puppy came off the minute I walked out of the car. -
PJB, marsupial, LOL,LOL thats a good one.Mine hasn't arrived yet but hopefully soon. God only knows what it will look like. I need something for when my lashes and brows come in if I need to go someplace nice. I have darvocet and tylenol#3 but hate taking that stuff cause I get so groggy. It will be better by Mon.It seems to affect my legs and lower back the most.Oh well One more left. My kitchen will look nice I just hate having to pick out styles and colors and woods gosh. I am brain dead so God knows if it will all match. well I'll be back later.Hugs, Mary
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Hey girls! Your wig stories are hilarious. I have 4 and rarely wear them. I have two the same color, one curly, one straight. They are light brown with gold highlights. I have a medium brown and an auburn. The last two are cheapos from Paula Y. I wear one every once in a while if I have something to do out of the ordinary. I usually wear a hat. I have a bunch of different colors. Don't know what I'm going to do with them when this is all over.
My brows and lashes are about gone and being that they were black, it is very noticeable. I was thinking of ordering some brows from Headcovers. Has anybody else done that?
PJB, I am weekly and have 9 to go (12 altogether in my clinical trial). Today was not that bad painwise. Tomorrow is when it will probably hit. Saturday and Sunday are my worst days. Monday is nothing to write home about. This past Tuesday wasn't great either.
Enjoy your cabinets Mary! -
I had my last Taxol on Sept 9th. My onc is having a bone scan and ct scans done before I meet with a radiation onc. Are any of your onc's doing this? I am so ready to move on to radiation!!!! Thank you for listening and sharing...
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Journey, Woo hoo! A big congratulations to you on finishing up chemo! Are you feeling any better yet?
I have a CT scan before radiation, but it's just a checkup from some lung thing (scarring, they think) they saw on a scan 3 months ago. I know some oncs like to do lots of scans and others just don't for some reason. Mine apparently won't do them unless I have symptoms, but I'd almost rather get them done just to be sure there's nothing lurking in there.
When do you think you'll start radiation?
Janie, Ill be with you on the pain tomorrow. I'm getting up early and going to hit a garage sale or two and the farmer's market before it hits. Then my son and I are going to rent some moviees (can't wait, Scooby Doo 2) and lie around all afternoon. Hope your day goes OK.
I skimped on my Decadron this time, too. I was supposed to take it this morning, but I threw caution to the wind. I just can't sleep on that stuff. So far, so good.
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