June 2007 Chemo

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  • Charlie451
    Charlie451 Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2007

    Garnetann please keep posting about the rads. I have to commute quite a way, too. I really don't want to do rads in our little town as I've heard a couple of bad reports. I am really not wanting to do rads at all but I realize it's part of the whole breast-conserving package. Plus it kills the bc beast.

    Terry sorry to hear about the feet on fire misery. I read some where about taking L-Carnitine for nerve issues, tingling, numbness during chemo. I got a bottle of pills from our local health food store before chemo began. It has worked for me, I think. Never had problems. I don't know if that is the answer but it might help. Despite all you have been through with the draining wound from mammosite you can be glad you don't have to do rads now. I admire your spirit and the great support you have shown others on this site. Hang in there girlfriend, this has got to get better.

    Linda

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  • garnetann
    garnetann Member Posts: 158
    edited October 2007

    Linda, we also have a community hospital closer, still about 50 miles away, but I was hesitant for 2 reasons, one because I want the best of the best and I figure a major metropolitan hospital like Mercy would have more experience and be more knowledgable about radiation and stuff. Plus, my insurance is all paid up for the year, so price was not an issue.  Also, if the roads start getting nasty, Mercy is all interstate, but the community hospital would not be.  I have a love/hate relationship with treatments, one looking forward to them so they will be over faster, but also not looking forward to the SE of my last 2 chemos or the drive every day for rads.

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  • whatalife
    whatalife Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2007

    Hi all,

    Cyndi - Boy am I ever having a hard time thinking. Many times I stop mid sentence and forget what i was going to say next.  Very embarassing when it happens at work.

    Linday - Congrats for being done with chemo! How long do they want you to wait before they start rads?

    Dawn - So it sounds like due to the location of the second tumor along with the pathology report is how they were able to determine a diagnosis.  That makes sense.  were you given Herceptin with the first dx? if so, how long? Also, after you were done with your treatment for the first dx did they run any scans, like CT, PET or bone scans for even MRIs?  I'm asking as you are HER2+ with no lymph node involvement and that is what I have.  Except that I am ER- & PR- with this being my first dx. Congrats on you being so close to being 7 of 12 down for taxol/herceptin.  Today I got my 5th treatment of taxol/herceptin! I too am definitely counting down.

    Barb - welcome!  This is a great site to be on and it helps that we can all relate to one another on many levels.

    I got my 5th Taxol/Herceptin today and after I get it I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin and get very agitated.  I need to take Ativan to help me relax.  Does anyone else experience something similar.  Other than than I really can't complain as this regimen is so much better than the A/C.

    Denise

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited October 2007

    Denise - with my first dx which was er+/pr+/her2+ I had surgery (mastectomy & axillary dissection) and was put on tamoxifen.  With the second dx which was er-/pr-/her2+ I've had surgery to remove the tumor, 4 A/C, will have #7 of 12 Taxol/herceptin tomorrow and will have 6 1/2 weeks of rads and continue the herceptin till next summer.  I was just finishing up with a reconstructed nipple and tattoo when I found the lump in my reconstructed breast so I really hadn't finished with the first tx when the second came up.  I went to my surgeon and he did took 3 biopsies in his office which came back IDC again, had a PET Scan which came back clear except for the reconstructed breast and then had a muga scan to start chemo.  My oncologist says she would not have changed my tx from last year since the first cancer was .2cm and everyone was surprised it was even found but she wanted to give me the whole kit and caboodle since my cancer came back.  We haven't discussed what is next with scans or tamoxifen/ai's but I'm sure we will! 

    Did you ask your nurse about your reaction?  I get benedryl/zantac & decadron for premeds and I've had them cut the decadron in half because I'm gaining weight and how it made me feel but my understanding is that if they give it to you too fast you'd be on the ceiling.  Let us know what they say next week.

    Dawn

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  • whatalife
    whatalife Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2007

    Hi Dawn,

    I did mention it to them yesterday.  But when I told them that I take the xanax and/or Ativan and sleep. They were fine with that :( hmmm.....

    Yes, I also get Benadryl and a steroid as a pre-med.  I also get prilosec or something similar too.  I don't experience the anxiety until I get home.

    One thing that I think affects the anxiety is how long it takes for the infusion.  The first two times I got the Taxol they were 3 hour infusions!!!! I was notified by my dr. last week that they did not need to infuse it that slowly.  That it could be done in one hour.  So I guess I could ask for a slower infusion - but gosh then it would be: do I want a 3 hour infusion and no anxiety or 1 hour infusion and anxiety that can be controlled with meds.  I'm thinking I'd rather have the 1 hour infusion.  Call me silly - but I got so impatient with the 3 hour infusion.  When I saw the dr along with the infusions- it made for such a long day there.  I'd rather be home early and rest in bed or my couch.  I have 8 more infusions to go!

    Denise

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited October 2007

    Denise -

    My first 3 or 4 infusions seemed to take forever but since then the taxol is down to 1 hour, the herceptin to 10 minutes and the pre-meds I think are 45 minutes or so.  Of course you have to add on top the time it takes from check in to sitting in a chair, getting temp and bp taken and however long it takes the nurse to set up and get it going.  Talk to the nurses - they'll get permission to speed things up a bit if you aren't having any reactions.  They told me the insurance companies want them to go even faster, the doctors more slowly - so they do what they feel is the best for their patients.  Made me feel good to hear that!  We are still there for about 3 1/2 hours.  I bring an arsenal of stuff to do (magazine & crochet) and DH goes out and brings back some lunch after I am settled in.  Such a good guy.  I have bloodwork each Thursday, infusion on Friday and only see the oncologist once a month when I go in for the labs.  I see her today, although I really don't have anything to complain about so I'll see if there are any warnings about the last half of this treatment and when she wants to see me again.  I don't sit well so I was really concerned about how long the infusions would be but my DD25 told me last night she's never in her life seen me sit as much as I've had to with these treatments!!  Hopefully, I've learned to relax just a little along the way.  Besides still being here of course, that is a major thing for me!! LOL

    Good luck with your next treatment and let us know what the nurses can do to speed things up a bit!

    Dawn

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  • dville
    dville Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2007

    Hang in there Denise You're almost to the top of the hill. I cut the decadon in half last time and it was much better! I actually had less nausia and I felt so much clearer and less anxious.



    Garnetanne, 75 miles is a long way to go but worth it if you feel better about your care. I thought I had it bad with the 30 miles into Athens. I highly recommend books on tape from your local library. That's my plan. I met with the rad onc this week and he was great. He says radiation cut chances of local recurrence from 1 in 5 to 1 in 30. I like those odds better.



    Terry & Gracie, I'm sorry about the tinglies that can be painful. I'm taking the B6 and have had very little of that, though they say it can be worse after treatment. What do your docs say about supplements? My onc is finally starting to agree with me about B6 after looking into it. Linda, I've heard the L-carnithine and L-glutamine can help also.



    Welcome Barb. This group is a great connection. It's just nice to hear from others who are on the same journey.



    Gracie--I'm sorry those last side effects are laying you low. Just think, no more chemo. I can't wait.

    Bonnie, can they tell if the clot is disapearing? Let us know about your port. No one has said anything about taking mine out yet and I'm wondering.....when.



    Kathleen, I hope that infection is clearing up. I've got an ear infection for the first time since I was a kid and they've got me on a Zithro pack, but I'm not sure it's going away. I hope I'll be well in time for my last treatment which is scheduled for the 9th.



    OK,it's fall here finally (sort of--high of 83) and the pool is closed. The drought is so bad that Athens may be out of water by Christmas. I'm watering my tomatoes and cantalopes with bath water, but not often. It's too much work. My husband will be singing and playing acoustic blues at the North Georgia Folk Festival this weekend. Hopefully, I will be well enough to go. My doc says outside events are safer. I was in a store yesterday and a group of 3 women started talking about how they had all been passing the stomach flu around in their families. I got out of there fast! I am glad we did not go through this chemo in the winter because germs seem to be everywhere then.



    Have a great weekend everybody.



    Debbie M.

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  • TerryNY
    TerryNY Member Posts: 603
    edited October 2007

    Hi, ladies,

    Had my scans today, took most of the morning and then came home and collapsed.  Will I ever get my energy back??   Anyway, MUGA last week, CAT and bone today and if they come back clear then the dr will give his ok for the port to come out!   I'll be one happy camper when that happens.

    Denise, I think we all suffer from chemo brain, makes for some fun entertaining at my house.   The kids are waay too eager for mom to speak.   :-)   I think the decadron may be what is causing you to feel jumpy.  I had to ask them to cut my dose in half as well and it helped immensely. 

    They never sped up the taxol infusion after the first time for me.   I think it took about 4 - 5 hours the first time then 3 hours after and that was just for the taxol, then add in the benadryl, zantac and decadron too.   It made for a long day.   The benadryl sent me to sleepyland so it didn't bother me too bad about the length of time.   The last thing I heard the nurse say was, "Don't fight it....."

    Dawn, is that what cancer is teaching us, to be patient?!  LOL   Actually, with all the dr appts, waiting for test results and length of treatment times, in hours and months, I guess it does in a way, huh? 

    Seriously though, I have found myself cutting more slack to people, I feel everyone has a story and if they do something stupid or irritating, hey, I've been on that end of the rope plenty of times the past few months!   But enough rambling on that....

    DebbieM, I'll have to look for the B6, is it in pill form?    My toes are very sore today and kept me up some last night.   Thought the worst was over on that front.   Thanks for the tip.  

    I'm very glad I went through this during the summer, couldn't imagine doing it through a western NY winter with all the snow and cold and being cooped up in the house, would've gotten cabin fever very quickly.  

    We have had drought conditions as well so we do need the snow just for the spring melt!  Hope you get some rain soon, a good TD would be great for that area.   My folks live in N Florida and they are suffering too.  

    Ask your dr about your port.  Mine likes to keep them in for a few months after tx ends but I was adamant about getting it removed ASAP.    He agreed as I was so against it in the first place.   I know, I'm just a troublemaker patient.  

    We are expecting to break heat records this weekend, it is FALL, right?   But we'll pay for it soon enough.   Youngest, and last, son's Open House is tonight at the high school.   Will be bittersweet for us, we've sent 3 kids through the district over a course of 10 years.   He's looking into colleges in the area. 


    I guess that's the update from here.   I wish everyone still receiving tx minor side effects but better yet, none at all.   We're still here cheering you on at the finish line.  

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited October 2007

    Dawn - I did have some steroids prior to the Taxol infusion, but I'm not sure what they were.  Anyway, I didn't have any reaction to them during the AC part of my treatment.  I think the extreme restlessness in my hands, legs , neck and even lips had to do with the beginning of the Taxol infusion rather than the Benedryl but what do I know?  I do know that some antihistimines can really aggitate  folks.  Well, it's been 8 days since my last tx and I began to feel "normal" at last yesterday.  Two weeks to my next infusion and then the last one in the beginning of November.  Surgery is next.  Depending on what they find in my lymph nodes, I may have more chemo to endure.  If not (and that would be great), on to radiation.  

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  • Charlie451
    Charlie451 Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2007

    DebbieM, it is L-Glutamine I take for numbness and tingles not L-Carnitine. I don't know why I wrote that.

    On the port issue my surgeon says after rads it can come out.  I'll be there immediately after rads!! She wanted me to get a baseline mammo before rads but the onc said no. So here I am with two docs who can't agree. The surgeon finally said it's up to me but the mammo after rads is more painful. Ouch.

    Denise, I see the rad onc in the morning and will have a better idea of what is down the road. I think there is a wait time of 3-4 weeks after chemo before rads.

    Linda

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  • whatalife
    whatalife Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2007

    Hi all,


    Dawn - I think that now that my infusions for Taxol are down to 1 hour I am able reduce my time in the infusion chair.  My process is similar to yours with the exception that I have my blood tests taken the same day of my infusion.  They have a lab on-site that runs the tests.  What takes a little time is getting the lab results 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending how busy they are.  Of course, when I do see the doctor (and not every time do I visit with her) and mixing the chemo sometimes take some time depending again how busy they are.  I watch television and/or read.  They have televisions and dvd players in each infusion room so I watch cable channels that I don't get at home.  Like HGTV or FOODTV :) Your dh does sound like a good guy bringing you lunch which is what mine usually does as well. You are absolutely right, sitting in that chair requires patience.  Let us know how your treatment went today or do you go tomorrow, I forgot?  I'm gonna blame chemo brain on that :)

    Debbie M - Hmmm.......cutting the decadron in half made you feel better.  I might try that - what scares me is being nauseous but I have other meds that I guess can combat that.  Something to definitely think about as I don't like the anxiousness/anxiety.  Thanks for that suggestion.  You also made me laugh about you running out of the store - I would have too! Hope you feel wel enough to go watch your husband perform at the festival.

    Terry - Wow, you also felt less anxious when you cut the decadron dose in half? Now I'm definitely going to have ask next week.  That feeling just makes me feel awful!

    Shrink - Glad to hear you are finally feeling "normal" sorry it too 8 days to feel that way.  Hang in there, enjoy the two weeks until your next infusion, rest, rest, rest.

    Linda - yes, I would be interested to hear what you find out about the timing of rads after chemo.  If 3-4 weeks is how long they want to wait that means I will be doing rads in January.  Oh, mY!!! Going to get radiation EVERY DAY during the month of January in IDAHO, that will be fun.  Idaho doesn't normally get alot of snow where I live- but I'll bet this coming year will be different.

    Has anyone started the rads yet?  I'd be curious to know if you are experiencing fatigue.  The weather here in Idaho right now is fairly cool.  Fall just sort of came so quickly.  One day we are melting with weeks of 90+ - 100+ degree weather and then it seems like the next day it cools drastically.  Which is sort of funny as my head gets cold so I walk around the house with a ski cap to keep warm.  I even sleep with it as my head gets cold :) 

    Denise

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  • garnetann
    garnetann Member Posts: 158
    edited October 2007

    Hello all

    #7 down, only one more taxol to go.  I also take l-glut for the taxol side effects.  Don't know if it is working, but I have had very little problem with numbness and tingling.  By the time I go for my next tx, they are gone.  I also take 800 iu of vitamin E for the hot flashes and they have all but gone away during the day.  I do notice the more caffiene I drink (diet pop), the more I have. But they are not like drenching sweats, so I pretty much ignore them.  They told me today I was in excellant health and doing great.  I get my neulasta shot tommorow.  Since I saw a different doctor this time, she said if I was her patient, she would give me a neulasta shot after my last chemo, but was not sure if my regular doctor will.  I have so far not had any problem recovering my white blood cells.  Sounds like everyone is fairing pretty good this week. 

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2007

    Hi all,

    I had my second of 4 taxol tx today along with my 4th herceptin. I also saw a new onc at our cancer center as mine is out of town. I liked her very much. I like mine too. My infusions take about 5 hrs total when I'm getting the taxol. The taxol takes 3 hrs. I don't have any reactions but I get very sleepy due to the benadryl. But our cancer center has private rooms with beds and I always ask for one of those when I'm getting taxol. I just dose off and on and read a little. I've had no neuropathy. Last time I got a lot of pain on the 3rd day after.

    Because I will probably finish chemo in mid-November I will probably not do rads till January. So I get the holidays off!

    I start crying every time I meet with my onc--either my regular one or the new one. I don't know why! I think it's partly because they are so caring but also it makes it so real to me when I'm sitting there talking about it. I'm just emotional...

    I was told today that taxol is easier on the immune system so there is less risk than the AC. I remember being at the school uniform place this summer and a mother said to her son "oh, you feel a little warm" and I started backing up!

    Dinner time here--I hope I can taste my food. That's the other SE I get with taxol. Just for a few days though.

    take care,

    Cyndi

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  • dville
    dville Member Posts: 55
    edited October 2007

    I'm getting better, better, better. I have to admit I'm getting better. I'm getting better all the time.



    I dreamed that old Beatles song (White Album, I think) over and over again and I also dreamed that I wrote a post about it to you all, so here I am. Makes a good affirmation.



    Yes, the B6 is a 100 mg. pill. I buy it at the Dollar Store for $2. Some doc recommend 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening, then 1 a day satrting a few weeks after chemo.



    My rad doc said he would start me 2 weeks after chemo if I wanted, which I do because I really want to be done well before Christmas.



    Debbie M.

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited October 2007

    HI Everyone,

    Just a quick note.  I have been out of town all week and am at my mom's in PA until tomorrow morning when I head back to Washington and home.  I am just coming up to 4 weeks since my last Taxol on Monday, and I have to say I feel great!  The only residual effects are baldness and neuropathy.  The numbness and tingling in my feet and finger tips continues and is very gradually improving.  My head is still way to bald but the fuzz is getting thicker!  I am very impatient with my hair growth.  Otherwise, I have gotten a lot of strength back.  I will see the dr. on Oct. 18th to get ready for rads.  I sure hope it won't be too bad.  I think I will have 6 1/2 weeks of that.  How much is everyone else having?

    Just wanted to say hi since I have not posted for a while.  Hope everyone is doing well.

    Take care,

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  • TerryNY
    TerryNY Member Posts: 603
    edited October 2007

    Denise, I'm probably going to get a sleep cap too pretty soon.  My bald head is cold in the house and we have the a/c running..yeah, I know, odd for Buffalo in October!  LOL   I did mammosite radiation immediately after my lumpectomy so I'm done with rad.  Too bad my wound isn't healed over from *that little fiasco.  :-/   But, it's getting much, much smaller and draining less everyday.  

    GarnetAnn, isn't it reassuring to hear from your doctors that you're in excellent health?  Are you still able to work out? 

    Cyndi, enjoy the holidays treatment free!   I think being emotional while seeing our drs isn't so unusual.  I wasn't always the happiest person, until I started taking xanax on treatment days.   The further along the months went, the harder it was for me to keep going back.   What is that saying, better living through chemicals...well, it worked for me.   I did cry one time and the onc just stood by me with his hand gently placed on my back.  It was comforting for me when he did that.   Hope you were able to taste your dinner!

    DebbieM, I bought B6 and B12, now to wait till they kick in.   The neuropathy has been really bad the past few days.   But, it isn't constant, that's what is so frustrating about it!  I think I'm getting better and then BAM!    I love your affirmation, great to know you're getting better all the time.  Good luck with rads. 

    DebbieK, I'm glad you checked in.  Enjoy your visit with your mom.   Did your dr say how long to expect the neuropathy to last?   Mine just says, 'indefinitely'.    Also, when you fly, do you use a compression sleeve to prevent lymphodema?   We're flying in Nov and I have a script for one but I've heard conflicting opinions on who should actually wear one.   

    Hope everyone is having a terrific weekend! 

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited October 2007

    TerryNY, my onc said that if you don't need a sleeve for air travel, the sleeve itself can sometimes cause issues.  So I have not used one.  I make sure I am well hydrated, sit in an aisle seat if possible and get up and move around.  Also, I read somewhere to wear loose fitting clothing.   So far, so good.  It is very unnerving to know that the risk for developing a problem doesn't go away; just one more thing to worry about I guess. 

    Good luck with your trip.  I travel a lot for work so I really didn't want to have to use a sleeve unless it is necessary.

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  • garnetann
    garnetann Member Posts: 158
    edited October 2007

    Hi all

    Made it through taxol #3, but got really sick yesterday.  Sick to my stomach, and stayed in bed all day.  Feeling much better today though.  Could not stomach food yesterday though, but DH made me a scrambled egg and some sausage today, so far, is staying down. Funny thing, the first taxol only made me a little sick, the last taxol was a breeze, and this one was hard.  Hoping the last one will be a breeze, I am due for one.  I am also pushing to get started on radiation, want it done and over with.  So exactly 2 weeks after my last chemo.  I am still working out a little, a lot depends on my energy levels.  I am still walking the dogs though, but even that tires me out sometimes.  Still hot flashy and achey today.  Also not sleeping well, the percoset makes me sleep good, but I am spooky about taking it too much. 

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited October 2007

    Terry,..I dont' know exactly how they rate the neuropathy. But mine was at a 1, however, after having this last treatement, I think it's probably up to a 3 or 4 at this point, it seems much worse now that I'm done...how weird is that? I took b6 too for mine.



    Debbie M..thanks for the song...i have to admit I'm getting better too...getting better all the time, lol ...now i can't get it OUT of my head, lol.



    Kathleen ..how are you feeling? Haven't seen you post ina few days. Let us know. I have a cold too...I guess now since I'm done, it's a good time to get one if I have to get one.



    Shrink, I had 'restless body'...lol...I had it all over too. It was the benadryl...they cut in half the second treament and it wasnt' nearly as bad. I hope it gets better for you too.



    Debbie K, you give us all such hope when you post :) You are like our pioneer, who's been there done that :) I hope at four weeks out I feel great too, although, I'm two weeks from last treatement now and starting to feel a little more human every day...now if I could ONLY get some of that energy back!!!



    Garnet Ann, I hope your next treatment is easier. I had almost no nausea on Taxol at all, so that was a real plus to me. I'm just so glad I'm done. Now if my bone scan and PET scan come back clean, I'll be a happy camper.



    I have my PET scan tomorrow, bone scan was last Wednesday, of course they wouldnt' tell me anything, so I have to wait until Wednesday of this coming week to see the onc....hoping and praying they are clean.



    I've had to cover my head at night too, Terry..it gets so cold and then I get cold all over. Then I cover up..then I get too hot...then I uncover...etc...e.tc...etc...it's a never ending battle...I would have thought the hot flashes would have stopped too, two weeks after the last taxol, but mine haven't yet. Have yours? And I have NO hair yet coming in...waiting, waiting....lol.



    Keeping you all in our prayers continuously,



    Gracie



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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2007

    Right on schedule I got the body aches and pain from Taxol #2. It hurts so bad...I take lortab (can't take percocet) and that makes it bearable but doesn't get rid of the pain.

    I think I've got a UTI now too.

    Garnetann, after what you said about starting rads right away to get it over with made me think about doing that too. But I think I need a break and I don't do so great around the holidays anyway. Don't need to add anything else to it.

    Gracie, I am praying for your scans to be clean. Don't you hate waiting for results?

    Cyndi

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited October 2007

    Hi Gracie:

    I'm right with you with the hot and cold every half hour during the night - covers on, covers off.  My head gets cold too.  I do have some wierd looking peach fuzz all over my scalp.  It looks like that troll doll hair.  My eyebrows and eye lashes are almost gone.  There is a little regrowth in the eyebrow department but it looks like weeds. 

    I've had Taxol #2 and the neuropathy and fatique along with it.  I find I feel good at round day #7.  Two more to go.

    Praying for everyone's scans to be clear,

    Shrink

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited October 2007

    Cyndi,



    I DO hate the waiting..it's the worst part:( I took Lortab for my Taxol bone pains too and it made it bearable, but never completely got rid of it.



    Gracie

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited October 2007

    Thanks, Shrink for your prayers. I know...I would think that I'm 51, have had a hysterectomy, that I wouldnt' HAVE all of these hot flashes...but evidently my body makes a whole lot of estrogen. That kind of sucks, since my cancer was er/pr 98% positive on both of them.



    You are in our prayers too :)



    Blessings,



    Gracie



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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited October 2007

    Terry - prayers for clear scans girl!!!  Hopefully, we have all learned a bit more patience especially for other people and ourselves through this journey - probably not for waiting for results though!

    Shrink - I had the steriods during A/C too - not sure if the amount was the same as now with the Taxol/Herceptin but I ask a gazillion questions of my nurses (they LOVE to talk too!! :)) and that is where I got that info about the steriods. 

    Denise - I guess since my weekly labs & onc appts (once a month) are on Thursday and my infusions are on Friday, my days don't seem as long as yours since you do it all the same day.  Interesting how different offices do different ways............................

    Cyndi - skipping rads till after the holidays!  You lucky girl you!!!  My onc said rads would probably start for me a month after the end of Taxol which is 11/9 so this holiday season is going to be CRAZY!!! and I read that if you skip a day, you make it up the next day - one tx in the am and one in the pm!!  Guess that's what they'll do with Christmas and New Years....................UGH. 

    DebbieK - great to hear that you are feeling good!! Let us know about rads...........

    Garnetanne - I'm so sorry you are having a rough time - one more to go - you can do it!! :)  Hot flashes suck!!!  Day and night ones!!

    Gracie - prayers for clear scans for you!! Please let us know.

    I had #7 of 12 taxol/herceptin on Friday.  Heartburn is probably my biggest complaint, plus weight gain!!  I've been pretty good about hitting the treadmill about 3 times a week - my onc said push for 5.  UGH.  Oh well, maybe it will become a habit!  So far no neuropathy but my feet are drier and itchier although I'm not sure those are side effects.................anybody hear that they are?  5 to go!!  love that number getting smaller!!

    Wishing everyone a good week!

    Dawn

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited October 2007

    You know, I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached.  I wanted to tell you guys a funny............................

    My hair seems to be growing back fairly well and I can see a difference every week.  Looked in the mirror one night and all I could think was that I have a "five o'clock shadow"!!!  So of course, I shared this with my family.

    Apparently, my youngest son, Ryan, 17 - shared this with everyone he knows at school!!!!  His counselor at school came running up to me at back to school night (our last!!  woo hoo!) laughing and saying how he told her! 

    Wish there was enough for me to feel comfortable going without a scarf or bandana but it feels good to see it growing.  Now I need my eyebrows and lashes to grow back too!! :)

    Hope you smiled!!

    Dawn

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited October 2007

    Dawn - My feet are itching, red and peeling from Taxol according to the onc. nurses.  They suggested Udderly Smooth cream lathered on several times a day and benedryl cream on the reddened area but check with your people. A friend of mine, a nurse, suggested Eucerin cream on the feet covered by socks during the night.

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited October 2007

    thanks shrink - I think you posted before that you were having some problems with your feet too.  Not so sure I could handle socks with these hot flashes during the night at this point but maybe this weekend when the temps drop again and the window is open!!

    I am so ready for fall temperatures!!

    Dawn

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  • bgcrutcher
    bgcrutcher Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2007

    Hello, I have not started any treatment yet, but i will be going to get  the megan s to see if my heart can take the cemo. and they want to put the port in because i have small veins, but i think i will go ahead and try the veins and if that do not work i will go with the port. i will be have 16 weeks of cemo and 6 week of radation. I have infiltrading ductal carminamo.......any work of help

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  • kath11
    kath11 Member Posts: 102
    edited October 2007

    Hi to all,

    I've had a busy week and haven't been able to post.  So good to read how everyone is doing!

    Bgcrutcher, you'll find so much valuable information on this website.  When I was first diagnosed I went to the threads "Just Diagnosed" and "Help Me Get Through Treatment," but you should read whatever interests you.  This group started chemo in June and some of us are done, some are beginning rads and others are still getting treatment.  I wish you the very best with your treatment.  And keep reading, you will find an amazing strength from these women who post here.

    Cyndi, did you get a UTI?  Hope it was taken care of quickly.  Mine was quite a scare but was gone in a few days, thank heaven.  At least we have a good connection with doctors to get us the medicine we need ASAP!

    Gracie and Terry, I hope your scans came back clear.  I will hear from my onc next week on my follow up procedures.   I hope he schedules scans for me as well.  When you finish chemo do you always get at PET scan or CT scan?

    Shrink, I hope you are feeling good and looking forward to the countdown.  I have two treatments left also.  They can't come soon enough for me!

    Linda, congrats on being done with chemo.  When do you start rads?  I had a bi-mast so I won't be doing rads, but I will be doing Herceptin until next August!  Oh well, it's got to be easier than chemo.

    Dawn, that was so funny!  My first thrill in quite some time was when I realized I had a 5 o'clock shadow!  My hair is mixed dark brown with white so it was definitely a shadow.  Even though my hair is barely a quarter inch long, I took out a soft brush today and brushed it.  It felt so good and actually made it look better. LOL.  Of course, I'm sure I'm the only one who would notice.  :)

    Denise, I had the weirdest sensation getting Taxol and Herceptin a couple weeks ago.  I really can't even describe it, but it was in my crotch :) and it felt like I had bugs running wild down there.  It only lasted a minute or so, but it was really creepy!  

    Garnetann, we will finish chemo the same week.  It's getting so close!

    Debbie K. and Terry, I will be flying too on November 2.  I'm flying from California to Rome. I have several connections with my longest flight being 7-1/2 hours, but a total of 21 hours of travel.  I totally forgot about getting a sleeve.  I've heard mixed opinions on whether one is required when you have no symptoms.  I had five nodes removed.  I will check with my doctors this week to see what they say, but what do you two think I should do?  How could I have forgotten about this?  Yikes!

    Debbie M., I'm getting better all the time!  I love the Beatles!  My husband plays guitar in a band that plays oldies and they play that song.  From now on that song will have a special significance in my life!   Smile  I love it!

    Bonnie, how are you doing this week?  Taxol/Herceptin #11 will be Wednesday for me and then #12 on Tuesday of next week and then I shall be done!   I need to find a big bell like the one you rang!

    I hope all of you are doing well this week.  Only two more weeks for me!  Yippee!

    xoxo

    Kathleen

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2007

    Kathleen, I called my cancer center today and they had me come right over for a urinalysis. Don't have the results yet but I know I've got an infection...they'll get me antibiotics as soon as they get the results.

    As far as wearing a sleeve for your long flight, I was told that it was a good precaution (I only had one node removed). So I bought one and forgot to take it! Gotta love that chemo brain!

    Cyndi

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