Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

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  • Robbin65
    Robbin65 Member Posts: 251
    edited May 2007
    I posted a poll in another forum, but can't figure it out in here?

    Anyone know how to post a poll in this site?
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007

    Yay Mary...great news on your squeaky clean nodes and your margins! Congrats.

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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2007
    Mary,
    I am thrilled about your path report; it looks great to me. Clear nodes is good news, and clear margins too. And no more chemo! They took both my drains out at once, even though one was still draining quite a bit, and I still have a seroma. So do try to be patient. I will have to have it drained at some point, when I can tolerate the idea of another needle, sometime loooong after chemo!

    Sleep well, and be happy.

    Melia
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited May 2007
    Mary, I second and third Rebecca and Robbinjaye, thanks for letting us know the good news. No more chemo sounds good to me!

    Jan the buff looks way cool, thanks for posting the pix.

    Tina, thanks for the heads up on the topoII, I never heard of it. I did have Adriamycin first, so I guess it's possible I am positive.

    I don't have cable so didn't get to see the Discovery Ch. special, from what you all have said it doesn't sound like it was completely enlightening. Just think what the bunch of us could do on a show like that...The View in Headscarves.

    Joni, I still haven't figured out exactly what a solar sex panel is.

    Viddie, everyone gave you great advice. You don't need the aggravation. Who would ask something like that of you at this stage in your recovery?

    Caya, I'm so glad the Cipro is working for you. Sounds like you just have to wait to get through the chemo which won't be long.

    I had good news today, the onc agreed to give me Herceptin every 3 weeks starting NOW instead of after rads, after he did some consulting and looking at studies. He says he is going to wait til after rads to decide on what I get for estrogen therapy, and for how long, because there are studies that will be giving results in about that time. So I don't go back to the chemo room til May 30! Woohooo! - Skye
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  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited May 2007
    Mary, glad you got good news - nodes negative and margins clear is great. I know you always hope for even more, but at least the tumor is out, and no more chemo. That news was worth waiting for.

    Lynn, I got my package today, and it made me cry. You are such a special lady to do that for all of us - especially for me since I basically crashed this group, but I feel so at home with you guys, and so lucky to be a part of this great group of women. Thank you so very much. Mine is also on my nightstand, where I see it first and last.

    Viddie, I won't go on and on, but please let me add my votes to the others. You have more than enough on your plate now as it is - no delinquents needed.

    Jan, thanks for the REI link and your picture. I have been meaningi to get a buff for months. Someone, I think it was Amera, mentioned the Survivor buffs and how well they worked. Anyway, I got online as soon as I read it and ordered a couple. Right after that, I found some (same exact ones) on another site for less money, with free shipping. More color choices too. http://www.wellnessmarketer.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=46

    Tina, my hot flashes stopped when my Taxol stopped. I don't know if they'll come back, but I did notice the timing and thought it interesting.

    Mel
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited May 2007
    Lynn, thank you so much for the nice surprise in the mail today; makes me realize what a special group we are and how lucky I am to belong to it. For many of us, this is the most serious crisis we've had in our lives, and we have learned to deal with it by helping each other.

    Mizsissy
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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited May 2007

    Mary, your path report sounds really good. It sounds to me as though the chemo did its job, and from the size of your tumor, you I don't think you sound like anything more than Stage 1. You're in good shape!!!

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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited May 2007

    OK gals, what is Buff? Maybe I'm just not cool but I looked at Jan's scarf and it was anything but the color buff.

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  • NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING
    NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING Member Posts: 778
    edited May 2007
    RobbinJaye,

    To post a poll, you first have to click "REPLY" not "QUICK REPLY" the you get to the poll option.
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  • t4t
    t4t Member Posts: 28
    edited May 2007
    Lynn, Tae asked me to say "thank you so very much for the beautiful gifts". She received the box today and was very touched upon opening it.

    Tae is done. She was admitted to hospital shortly after the last taxotere with a reaction that scared the pee out of me. I came home early on a Wednesday and we had lunch together. She stopped breathing for a short time and then her breathing was labored and she had pain and tightness across her chest. We went in to hospital and she was admitted. Stayed six days while they called in a cardio guy who did a million tests. End result = her heart and lungs are fine, but chemo or steriods have done a job on her esophagus. The swelling caused the chest pain and tightness and also caused shortness of breath. The onc agreed that she had enough and the benefit of one last infusion was not worth the misery. Of course I support her completely. So now it is arimidex for the next 5 years.

    quote:
    " I had my left mastectomy in Dec. There is still a seroma, plus extra skin/puffiness under my arm. It makes the prosthesis uncomfortable. When I first saw my onc in Jan he said it 'might" go away, or it could be drained. Obviously I don't want any needles now; I am already getting blood tests and treatments weekly, no one else is going to jab me. Do any of you other ladies still have this?
    Melia"

    Yes, Tae has the same. Here's a story. After getting out of the hospital, Tae had an appointment with the surgeon who installed the Port-a-cath to arrange for it's removal. He grabbed that chunk of tissue at the side of her chest and squeezed it saying how he could "take care" of that for her at the same time! That hurt! Tae told him NO and Hell NO. Just take the damn port out, it only worked 50% anywayz. Never could aspirate any blood from it. They could only pump the chemo in thru it. After the port is out, this guy will never put a knife to her again.

    Now it has been a few weeks and Tae is getting her energy back and her taste is coming slowly. Hair is even more slowly. She has just minimal stubble and still some completely smooth patches. But, it is wonderful to see the light back in her eyes and we can actually talk again as the fog is lifting.

    The port will come out on the 17th and our daughter and family will be back from overseas early June. Her DH has to go to Iraq right away, but dau and granddau will be nearby in Destin FL. That presents a rainbow of anticipation. The future is bright. We wish you all relief from the SE and an end to these treatments.

    Terry 4 Tae.
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  • IowaCindy
    IowaCindy Member Posts: 341
    edited May 2007
    YEA for a good report!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Cindy
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  • IowaCindy
    IowaCindy Member Posts: 341
    edited May 2007
    THANK YOU!

    I'm another one touched by your thoughtfulness. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Cindy
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  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited May 2007
    Caya and Viddie, sorry about your UTI's, and hope you are both on the road to recovery.

    Joni, " I'm worried my solar sex panel on the top of my head will show through."?? What a great line! You crack me up. Spanx, by the way, are http://www.spanx.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main Someone else brought them up.

    I talked with my PS's nurse today, and with my oncologist...the final verdict is that a) Dr. Spiegel definitely doesn't want to do my DIEP until July, and b) my oncologist definitely doesn't want me to wait until July to have the mastectomy. So...I guess I get to have my mastecomy in June, and wait until July 3 for the DIEP, and hope I can recover from one in time for the next one. The only good thing I can see about all that is that there should be no problem with extending my STD from one surgery to the next. Kind of a drag to have to have two surgeries, but I guess I can roll with it.

    Have a good night everyone...my sisters. I'm so grateful for all of you.

    Mel
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Mel,

    Thanks for the link to the wellnessmarketer sight that sells the buff - they offer free shipping within the US and Canada, which is great for us Canucks - the first sight wants to charge me $13.00 just to ship one up here. I will look this over more carefully tomorrow and order a couple.

    hugs,caya
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Mary - your pathology report sounds great - node negative, good margins - dance the happy dance girl!! don't rush taking out the drains at the same time - you can have problems later if you take one out before you should. My second drain came out about a week after the first one. But I have had no problems since. I started to do the exercises right away - climbing the wall, arms circles etc. and had great arm mobility within 3 -4 weeks.
    As for driving, I thing I waited until both my drains were out - maybe 3 weeks after the mastectomy.
    take it easy
    caya
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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited May 2007
    Dear Mary,
    Congratulations on the great pathology report! Clear margins and clean nodes-and no more chemo!!! Way to go!
    Viddie
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Skye and Tina - I have read about the Topo II issue, but I don't really understand what it all means. I had FEC - the E is for Epirubicin, which is a derivative of Adriamycin, so I am guessing I am covered as well. I will ask my onc. about this on Thursday when I see him for my last chemo ( that does sound nice).

    Viddie - sorry you are having a UTI too - we should have bought stock in the company that makes CIPRO... feel better soon - I feel alot better today, but had a bit of a headache, a s/e of the CIPRO - just can't win, can we?

    Skye, I also have to talk to my onc. about what estrogen therapy I'll be getting, and I am still waiting to see another specialist about taking out my ovaries. Keep me posted on what your onc. says - are you ER+ and PR+ like me? Also glad you'll be on the every 3 week Herceptin schedule - less shlepping to the hospital. My onc. is putting me on the 3 weeker as well, I'm supposed to start June 7th, but I will get more info on Thursday.

    Terry and Tae - I hope Tae is feeling better. She really has been through the ringer.

    Hope everyone else is feeling okay -
    good night
    caya
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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Yipee Tae on finishing up! It has been a hard road, but you made it (with the loving support of Terry of course!)

    Mary I second the cautions about removing the drains to soon. I had mine in for about 10 days I think. They were definately not very active when they were finally removed (which BTW was odd feeling, but not painful) and I have NOT had any problems whatsoever with fluid accumulation or seromas. Keep up the exercises...and that includes using your "bad" arm to get the cereal box down from the top of the fridge . I started driving again when I could hold and turn the steering wheel without pain...I think it was about 2 weeks (maybe less because of necesity)

    Mel, that stinks that you have to have two surgeries like that. I feel for you...I too have to have another surgery and I am not relishing it, particularly since it is going to cooincide with the time that the last of the chemo toxins will be gone from my body and rads will be over. Just when I will be feeling normal again WHAMO!!! Oh...and do not say you are a "crasher". I mean REALLY NOW!!!!

    Regarding the Buff....
    I WANT ONE TOO!!!! I actually found these things a long time ago when I was investigating headwear (pre-baldness). Have any of your visited the official site and watched the demos? they are entertaining indeed....

    http://www.buffusa.com/waystowear.html

    I think I am going to get one for the summer...my sleep cap is getting a bit too warm, and I think I might need something breathable for when it gets really hot. The REAL question is what color?!!?. Thoughts ladies? (be honest, now....this is important!)
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  • Dar1
    Dar1 Member Posts: 146
    edited May 2007
    Hello ladies! Wow, lots of posts the past week!
    Mary - congratulations on the good path report. I hope you are feeling OK.
    I bought one of those "buffs" from the Valhalla Outdoor Outfitting store here in Red Deer. A friend's sister had loved them during chemo - very soft. I think it was around $20.
    We had a good trip to the coast. Saw some whales and a bear, ate lots, walked lots. I was glad to be home though. Today I am going to the Lymphedema Clinic in Calgary to see a physio. My arm is fine - not swollen, but sore, so I want some guidelines etc. My sister has primary lymph. in both feet, so I'm a bit concerned - it has been a pain for her, but not disabling.
    I know I'm a bit behind in this, but Viddie - NO, NO, NO! What a thing to lay on you at this time! The fact that they would even bring it up speaks volumes - you need to take care of yourself - no extra stress.
    Families are a mixed bag. My MIL had one of her histrionic episodes last night. Got her new hubby to phone in panic mode - when dh phoned back, turned out she had the flu, no she wasn't vomiting, just felt bad, no she didn't want to go to the clinic or emergency, just wanted dh to come over. That didn't happen. Sounds cold perhaps, but this is an ongoing thing. I had been naive enough to think that perhaps she wouldn't do this now that I've had cancer and felt bad for months! But I guess she needs some attention too.
    Have a good day everyone. I need to get an early start as I may get lost in the "big" city!
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  • Amera
    Amera Member Posts: 452
    edited May 2007

    Already thanked you off line but wanted to say again how lovely and touching the gift was. I just get all mushed up when I look at it. Thanks again!

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  • Amera
    Amera Member Posts: 452
    edited May 2007

    Yeah! So glad the wait is over.

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  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone,

    Home from Cambridge and getting ready for my last chemo. Too many posts to read, I'll check in when I get back home and catch up!

    Quick scan shows that everyone likes their gift..I'm so happy!!!

    Have a nice day!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    RobbinJaye - Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...Hope it's a good day!

    Mary – so glad to hear clean margins and clear nodes. That’s good news. I’m glad the waiting is over.

    I finished watching “Living with Cancer” last night. One thing I found very frustrating was that in the town hall section everyone had hair. It would have been nice to see a scarf, hat or bald head. One of the women that founded this site asked as question – so it was neat to see her.

    Mel – you didn’t crash.

    Lynn – I can’t wait to get my package, the suspense! Best wishes for the last chemo. I hope it goes smoothly.

    T4T – so glad to hear that Tae is done and starting to feel better.

    Mel – that stinks that you have to have 2 separate surgeries. I’m sure you can recover in between, but having two so close together will certainly drag out the whole process.

    Dar1 – Nice MIL. Good thing he didn’t go visit – he might have brought her “flu” home to you!

    Has anyone else had a problem with feeling sick at the sight of the chemo room? Last time I went I felt queasy from the moment I stepped in the door and I just couldn’t shake it. I know it’s just in my head b/c I’ve made that association. I wonder if they’ll let me take some extra drugs while I’m there to head feeling off?
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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited May 2007
    Hey ladies,
    Jan, I'm in suspense along with you, mine didn't arrive yet either but I'll be on that mailbox today like a tick on a coonhound. And I don't feel sick at the sight of the chemo room, but I can no longer bear anything I associate with it while I was having the A/C, including my favorite Cocoa Vie bars I took as snacks, my monkey socks, and even a book I took there to read.

    Mel, you are no crasher, you simply joined us a bit fashionably late.

    Tae, congrats on finishing and hope you are soon over all the s.e.'s

    Caya, I'm ER+, PR- and HER2+ but I think the ER+ is the one that counts most for the estrogen therapy, combined with the menopause stage. I will definitely let you know anything I learn from my onc. He's a study junky and takes part in some of them as well. I've met women in the chemo room that he has on various trials.

    Now if only that mailman would hurry up and arrive... Skye
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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited May 2007
    RobinJaye, enjoy your birthday - try to make it special!
    Jan, I know what you say about anxiety towards the chemo room. I have that same anxiety waiting for test results or when the phone rings and the dr's office is calling. My heart races.
    Lynn, rest up from your trip. No mail delivery yet - I think my mailman takes the long route.
    Luckmel- You are lucky not to have hot flashes. I guess I'm getting used to them. I don't think they are going to go away esp with Tamoxifen. My SIL who had breast cancer 15 years ago was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and she said it was no big deal.
    Melia- what exactly is a seroma? How did you know you had one?
    Skye -- Whohoooooo on no chemo until 5/30. Enjoy the rest.
    Amera, Viddie, Tina - how are you guys feeling?

    I think I might be getting a little more hair - it looks darker at the roots than the white fuzz. I keep checking and asking my DH. Oh there's hope!

    Mel - so sorry you will have to have two surgeries. Don't rush the reconstruction! You will need to heal.

    Tea and Terry - so sorry it's been a rough road. The children and grandchildren are beautiful sites at the end of the rainobw.

    Dar1 - I know what you mean about the crazy MIL! I had one - luckily they lived far away.

    I like the idea of us doing the View in Headscarves. I didn't watch the special because I was awaiting my test results and didn't need any more anxiety.

    Rebecca and Caya - I'm off to do my exercises (I've been saying that for the last hour). I am using my "bad arm" and it's getting stronger. I am still frustrated at not driving and not getting the drains out but I won't cheat and lie to try to get them out sooner.

    I was hoping to have the radiation simulation before I went back to work but I guess that won't be happening. I am suppose to go back to work Tuesday. I assume that you have to have the drains out for the simulation? Does all of the swelling have to be down too? I know I'm rushing it but the sooner I get the radiation started, the sooner I'm done.

    Mizsissy, anything over 5 cm is Stage III and I'm at 7-1/2 so that defintiely puts me there. I wonder how big it was to start with? I guess I'll ask.

    Thanks everyone for keeping me sane during this wait.
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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2007
    Lynn, Welcome home, and thanks again. I love having it on my nightstand. RobbinJaye, Happy Bday! And Jan, yes, I get agitated and queasy as soon as I go in the door to the medical facility, both for blood tests and chemo. I threw away some very nice lotion b/c the scent reminded me of the hospital. Chicken soup now makes me gag. These reminders are powerful!

    Melia
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2007
    Happy Birthday RobbinJaye.
    Lynn - welcome home and I will be watching at my mail box..
    caya
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  • sharon56
    sharon56 Member Posts: 220
    edited May 2007
    just checking in to say Hi to everyone . yesterday i had 2 posts conk out on me so this one will be short . reading all the posts . gotta finish reading them all .
    Catch ya ' ll in a few .
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited May 2007
    HB RobbinJaye!

    Mel, I am rather surprised that the DIEP surgeon wouldn't coordinate with the mastectomy surgeon. It was hell getting their schedules together and I would have had my surgery sooner had that not been necessary, but they worked it out. I'm not getting why yours needs to be separate. Is it something to do w/your health or can they just not get together at the same time. I certainly hope that's not the case because I'd really MUCH prefer to knock it out at one time. I like to avoid general anesthesia.

    Glad to hear so many of you are so close to done and congrats Tae, on being done! Mary, I am sooooooooo happy for your good report. Waiting is brutal, but bad news is worse.

    Nope, Jan, never sick at the site of the Chemo room. Can't eat at Chipotle anymore, but....that's it.
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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited May 2007
    QUOTE: Luckmel- You are lucky not to have hot flashes. I guess I'm getting used to them. I don't think they are going to go away esp with Tamoxifen.

    MARY, MY FLASHES STOPPED COMPLETELY AFTER THE TAXOL ENDED. I HAVEN'T HAD A ONE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON TAXOL, WHICH IS OVER TWO WEEKS NOW. NO S/E'S AT ALL.

    FEELING REALLY GOOD, THANKS. OVER A MONTH OFF CHEMO NOW. WOO-HOOOOOOO! I CAN SEE THAT ONCE YOUR HAIR GROWS BACK IN, ETC., YOU CAN PROB. KIND OF FORGET ABOUT CANCERWORLD FOR LONGER STRETCHES OF TIME....SAY SIX HOURS VS. TWO. HA-HA!
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