June 2007 Chemo

Terry: Thanks for the link! Everything in it makes sense and answered a few questions......and I'm sure with time the anxiety of it all will get easier or just become the "new normal" for me. Glad you're doing well with the 3rd taxol.

Debbie K : Yeah for you!!!! ((((great big happy hug!!!))))

Bonnie

Hi All, I am on a borrowed computer.  My old one does not work with the new changes.  I can read and reply to individuals , but not the group thread.  It's a sad situation I will have to fix.

 I wanted to reply to something Bonnie said and see what you all think about it.  Right now I am thinking I will just be thrilled to be done with chemo & then rads, but my California sister-in-law (I have 7 sisters-in-law) just finished in June and she too misses it somehow.  She feels cut adrift.   I think I see my self as a chemo patient right now, a cancer patient.  It's become part of my identity.  When I'm at home, wigless, I look the part.  I spend a lot of my mind time thinking about it--affirmations, information, prayers, and visualization.

  I'm ready to stop all that or at least cut back, but maybe it won't be that easy.  I know I'll always have worries about reoccurence, but I want to start thinking of myself as a cancer survivor rather than a cancer patient.  I've heard that you're never the same after this brush with death, but that could be a good thing.  I think it's up to us every day and that means hard work and I'm lazy sometimes, but that's OK.  It's OK to be human.

  The hardest part, that first month after diagnosis, is behind us though that serious fear may visit in the night sometimes.  Hopefully none of us will have reoccurrence, but my surgeon tells me it's too early to stress about that now and that worry about it will only make it more likely.

I guess I'm just trying to say hang in there.  I do believe it will get better.  I do believe we'll move past this place and become calmer with every clean scan and clear mammagram.  

Debbie M. 

DebbieM, so good to hear from you.  I hope you can get the problem fixed on the new format to visit us more frequently.  In the meantime we can PM. 

 Garnetann, kudos to you for doing aerobics!  I'm so out of shape it isn't funny.  I'm impressed you had the stamina to go the distance.  

 As for upcoming mammos, mine is scheduled for 10/29...and I'm a nervous wreck already.   When I was dx waaay back in Feb. they only took pictures of my right breast where the tumor was.   Nothing was done on my left and with me being shellshocked, I didn't think to question the reasoning behind that.  Now I'm terrified they're going to find something in the 'forgotten' breast...sigh.   My last bi-lateral mammo was in May 2006, I sure hope there isn't anything there!

Going for my heart monitor this morning and then neulasta shot.  Will be happy when dr visits aren't so time consuming.  :-) 

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Holy cow, lets have a few more hot flashes today, I don't think I have had enough!!!  

I had my first taxol and herceptin today. I was at the cancer institute for 8 hours!! Had labs, onc appt. then chemo...But I really don't feel too bad! I'm tired but no nausea--actually not much appetite and food tastes kind of bland. I too am using lots of salt ( someone else said that...can't remember who). I will have to go back for the herceptin weekly but my chemo nurse said future infusions will  be much faster and I don't have to have the benadryl next time since I had no reaction today.

Terry, when I was diagnosed I had to get an mri on both breasts and a pet scan on my whole body as a baseline. That was kind of scary because of course I was afraid of having cancer somewhere else. I didn't but I think in the future every mammo will be a traumatic experience.

Denise, my onc said that the hair that AC didn't get, taxol will get. I cried when I met with him today--not so much because of that but I had been feeling sooo great this week and then the reality that I'm not done yet. But I'm 5/8 done with chemo!

I finally tried the Lindt skin care stuff I got samples of and it is incredible! My mom uses the body butter from Body Shop and really likes it.

Garnetann, I'm right there with you on the hot flashes! Enough already! Especially if your head is covered...but at least at home I can uncover it to cool off. I don't even use a sleep cap.

I'm so impressed that you worked out! I've thought about it but haven't got farther than that...I have really packed on the pounds and if I gain anymore, my fat jeans won't fit.

DebbieM, thanks for the positive thoughts. I don't want to be 'cancer girl' forever but I will be a different person--I'm sure of that.

Dawn, was your recurrence in the same breast? I think you've told us before but I'm not sure.

My email reminders stopped for some reason...this new format will take some getting used to.

Cyndi

Cyndi

Hi all

Denise, my breast surgeon said I would experience sharp pains in my breast because of the nerve endings that were cut are regrowing and getting their feeling back.  I have had a few, but most of my boob is still pretty numb.  But I can see some feeling coming back, little by little. 

So far the only SE I have had from the taxol is the aching all over. My feet ache, but do not really seem dryer than before. 

We are on peachfuzz alert, but so far nothing.  My downthere hair is still falling out too. 

I have aerobics again this afternoon, I can feel the effects from last tuesdays workout.  Atleast I can blame my aches and pains on exercise this time.

I wonder if the hot flashes are better or worse with or without hair...

Hi to everyone,

Debbie M., I love that little story.  I feel like that with my eyelashes.  I still put on mascara even though there are just a few lashes on each eye.  It makes me feel so much better!

I have really good news...last Monday I had Taxol tx. 7/12, and I am now absolutely sure my hair is growing.  The top has lots of grey and peach fuzz, but the back is beginning to look dark and is actual hair!  I honestly can't believe how much it is growing.  And if I look with a magnifying mirror very, very closely I can see little stubby eyelashes and eyebrows starting to grow.  I didn't lose all my eyebrows, but they are so very thin and sparse.  I always had dark eyebrows with dark eyelashes even though my hair was very light brown.  I feel like the loss of the eyelashes and eyebrows has really made me look like a cancer patient.  But it's all coming back and sooner than I expected.  Of course I've read where some women see the regrowth and then they lose it all again.  Yikes, I hope that doesn't happen. 

Unfortunately I do wonder does this mean the chemo is not working?  I guess the fear always creeps in.  I think I'll quit thinking about that part and just enjoy looking in my magnifying mirror!

xoxo

Kathleen

Hi all!

I just got back from my 3/4 taxol...... am feeling okay. I have an appt with the rad onc next friday.... just to touch base and see if I will warrant the rads........And then my LAST taxol is 2 weeks from today, the 27th. I can't wait! At my center the have a brass bell that you ring to "ring out" your treatment, so be prepared girls.... you'll be hearing that baby no matter where you live! Tomorrow I go for my neulasta shot. My counts were very good today according to the Dr, I forgot to ask what they were exactly, but he seemed pleased with them.

Garnetann: I know what you mean about the "downthere" hair....it's a little unnerving. But I'm starting to get some hair growth on my head...... I never shaved bald, always had a little stubble andI think that's growing; and now I'm getting some light colored hairs back on my legs.

Hope everyone feels well!

Bonnie

Terry and Bonnie--One More Treatment! Wow, I wish we had a big bell to ring. Maybe I'll sneak over to the one on campus at UGA. It is so exciting to know you ladies are almost done. Debbie K, how about it? Are you done and are the side effects better or worse? I'm halfway through the 4 Taxols and have some pain, but nothing unbearable, though certainly not fun.

We all went outside this morning and couldn't believe the weather. It's cool. We had home grown tomatoe pie last night and there are still watermelons on the vine. We went swimming yesterday afternoon, but I think that's all about to change. It's always such a shock when we get this first burst of cool. The temps were in the hundreds less than a month ago. This weather will be better for doing more outside, but I sure will miss the pool. Indoor swimming is just not the same.

Take care everybody. It's great that we are all getting closer to putting this nasty ole chemo behind us.



Debbie M.

Terry and Bonnie--One More Treatment! Wow, I wish we had a big bell to ring. Maybe I'll sneak over to the one on campus at UGA. It is so exciting to know you ladies are almost done. Debbie K, how about it? Are you done and are the side effects better or worse? I'm halfway through the 4 Taxols and have some pain, but nothing unbearable, though certainly not fun.

We all went outside this morning and couldn't believe the weather. It's cool. We had home grown tomatoe pie last night and there are still watermelons on the vine. We went swimming yesterday afternoon, but I think that's all about to change. It's always such a shock when we get this first burst of cool. The temps were in the hundreds less than a month ago. This weather will be better for doing more outside, but I sure will miss the pool. Indoor swimming is just not the same.

Take care everybody. It's great that we are all getting closer to putting this nasty ole chemo behind us.



Debbie M.

My doctor said what you all had told me.  The sharp pains are probably from the surgery and it healing.  Therefore, at this point, she wasn't concerned.  That was good to hear.

I have experienced the hot flashes too and am glad when I am able to take off my wig or scarf off at home when I get one. 

Debbie M- Nioxin is a shampoo and scalp treatment.  I was told that it was originally created for cancer patients, but don't know for sure. Anyway, my hairdresser told me to use that to stimulate hair growth and to help the hair's roots.  Who knows if this is really working or not or if my hair is just growing back on it's own.  I have the same peach fuzz everyone else does.  Howevever, if I am going to use shampoo on my hair, I don't see how this will hurt.

Cyndi - it looks like you and I are on the same taxol herceptin schedule.  I was there on the 13th for my firts treatment of taxol and hercpetin as well.  I too was there for 8 hours!!! I got there at 10 and left at 6:20.  What a long day!  I though have weekly taxol too not just the herceptin.  I didn't feel bad either after the treatment, just tired.  However, it was a long day.  It is Sunday and I am still feeling pretty good.  Also, did you get the PET scan on your entire body before or after your surgery?

Bonnie - I will be thinking of you on the 27th!  When I hear bells ringing - I know it will be you.

Denise

Denise, I sometimes get sharp pains in my arm too and I only had one lymph node removed. It's still kind of numb too. My pet scan was before surgery and the tech let me see it. It was really amazing--like looking inside your body. The only "hot" spot was in my left breast where my tumor was.

Terry and Bonnie, congratulations on almost being done with chemo. I know we will all be there in the next few months and I for one can't wait! If I stay on schedule, I will be done with chemo in mid-Nov. so I will have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But I have a whole year of herceptin so I won't be done with that till Sept. '08. 

My first Taxol/herceptin was uneventful until Friday (2 days after tx). I got so much pain--muscle pain, joint pain, all over--that I was unable to get out of bed yesterday. It still hurts today but not as bad. I have been taking Lortab and it barely makes a dent in the pain. I really hope it doesn't happen on my future chemos. It's almost worse than the AC...

I too have some peach fuzz on my head. But I am a long way from being able to go natural. I did dream that I had about 2 inches of hair last night. My hairdresser said she was going to give me something to keep the folicles healthy. I don't know if it's Nioxin or something else...I'll call her this week and find out.

DebbieK, I hope you are up to your work meeting. I'll cross my fingers too. Make sure you take something (motrin or whatever works for you) so that you are prepared.

Garnetann, my nails are also really growing and much stronger than before chemo. I like mine short too and now I have to trim them much more often.

Kathleen, I still wear a little mascara too and my eyelashes are really sparse as are my eyebrows. I had to learn how to do eyebrows since I had plenty before. When I don't have make-up on I really think I look like a cancer patient.

After I finished AC, I really had a very positive feeling about everything and I still do but I have been kind of depressed since my first taxol I think because it really hit home that I am not done yet. I always feel positive about survival but not so much about treatment. It just seems like it's so long. How is everyone else handling the emotional part of this?

Cyndi

Hi all,

Kathleen - I'm sorry to hear that you are having the cumulative effects of Taxol.  How many Taxol treatments are you getting?  I hope that things get better.  As for the Nioxin, you can buy that at a beauty supply store or salon.  You do not need a prescription.  It comes in a set and that is what I would recommend.  One is a shampoo and the other a scalp treatment.  Or just ask the person at the store where you buy it - what they recommend.

Cyndi - I too had only one lymph node remove and I only experience intermittent numbness.  I don't like that feeling - but I guess I shouldn't really complain.  I never got a PET scan...I wonder why not. You and I have similar stats. I was dx the Friday before Mother's Day.  What a treat that was My stats are dx 5/11/07, DCIS, Stage I, 0/1 node, ER-/PR-,HER+.  I also did the genetic testing and did not have the BRAC 1 nor 2. Anyway, I am sorry to hear that the Taxol really hit you so hard it was difficult for you to get out of bed.  Maybe there is something else they can try giving you for pain.

DebbieK - Good luck on your trip and I hope all goes well and you feel good!

Regarding the emotional part of all of this. I am on anti-depressants and am really glad I am.  I believe that if I wasn't I would be a total wreck.  However, even with the anti-depressants I still feel overwhelmed about the treatments and the survival part.  I try not to worry, but that is much easier said than done for me.

Regarding the eyebrows, the other day I had an itch and scrathced my eyebrow.  I then later realized when I looked in the mirror that I had a bald spot from scratching. Oh dear.  I am more careful now that that I can keep what little eyebrows I have left.

Take care,
Denise

Kathleen -

ANC has to do with your white cell counts. 

When you have a low white blood cell count there is an increased risk of infection.  The level of risk depends on several factors:

• How low your white blood count falls
• How long your white blood count is low
• Which type of low white blood cell count you have 
• Other medications you may be taking such as steroids or immunosuppressive agents (cyclosporin).

One measure of risk is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC).  The ANC is calculated by multiplying the total white blood count by the percent of neutrophils (also called segmented neutrophils, segs, polymorphoneucleated cells or PMNs, polys)

Total white blood count  x % neutrophils* = ANC

* Neutrophils may be reported as segs & bands (a band is slightly less mature form of a seg).  In this case add the % of segs to the % of bands then multiply by the total number of white blood cells. 

(% segs + % bands) x Total white blood count = ANC 

Things you can do to reduce your risk of infection when you have low white blood count:

• Frequent hand washing of both you and those coming in contact with you.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.  If someone in the home is sick limit contact and consult your doctor or nurse.
• Do not have dental work done while your white blood cell count is low.

When your white blood cell count is low you may NOT have the usual signs and symptoms when developing an infection such as:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pus formation  (at the site of an injury or incision)
• Cough
• Sputum
• Nasal drainage (from a sinus or respiratory infection) 

This is where I got the info:

http://www.chemocare.com/managing/low_blood_counts.asp

Good luck this week!

Dawn

Bummer - looks like the chart didn't copy correctly!!

Hi all

I go for taxol #2 on Thursday. I still have no peachfuzz.   My feet feel a little funny but I notice it is worse at night when I have been on my feet all day. By the morning they are better.  Other than my feet, I feel pretty fine, except for these dadgum hot flashes. My dr. said no rx for them, but to try the 800iu of vitamin E. He said I am just getting so much in my body, they don't want to add another drug.  So, maybe they will subside on the vit E.  The aches were terrible for about 5 days, but they went away too.

I wonder if the foot stuff is cumulative? Like does it get worse with each taxol treatment.  Does anyone know?

Have a great day.