Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

we had the winds and some blowing snow. only about a inch or two! we had some freezing rain on top of that! (ouch)

Hey Jewels, I am having some doubt on the chemo crap. I am looking at my % with that kettering thing 12-15% is my number and I am having the surgery this week. Tamoxifen cuts my rate by 50% and the chemo only adds another 1-2% to my cure rate...maybe i am just getting scared...i  need to know what this next path report is on my nodes...thats it i am scared

Just popping in from the October 2007 group.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction in June 2007 and was supposed to start Chemo 6-8 weeks afterwards.  I was delayed 1st due to needing to have my thyroid removed and then again because I had to have a tooth pulled.

I just finished 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan 3 weeks apart on December 3rd.  I felt pretty good throughout.  Some constipation (get peri-colace) and fatigue.  Some foods didn't quite taste the same.  I seemed to have tolerated the TC well.  I was also on disability from work during that time so I was able to get plenty of rest. 

It was scary not knowing what to expect.  I didn't know how I'd feel during the treatment or afterwards.  I really didn't feel much during the tx, but my arm and hand did get cold (take a soft small blanket with you in case you need to wrap your arm up for warmth).  I felt about the same during and after each tx.

I just want to stress to you ... LISTEN to your body and get REST when you need it.  Don't try to do too much too early.

Keep a count-down of your treatments going.  It's nice when you can start checking off each treatment and can see the last one coming into sight.

Here is a link to some helpful tips for dealing with the side effects:

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/69/conversation/478386?page=1

As for wigs, my insurance company said they didn't cover a wig.  I had my Dr write out a prescription for a Hair Prothesis and the Wigs store wrote Hair Prothesis on the receipt.  I submitted a claim to my insurance and they paid for the whole thing!!  Even though they said they don't cover wigs.  Submit a claim for it in case they will pay for it.

Hey Jewels,

Haven't posted in a few days...we have grown...how wonderful to have so much support as we start this journey. Hope you're still feeling well Sharon after being our first chemo-girl. Hey, I can see the magazine cover now-instead of Cosmo- ;-)



I see my oncologist on Thursday, so I imagine I'll get the big start date information-when to do orientation etc. What's a MUGA test?



Sunshine, I coined the phrase SIS(Sisters In Survival) when I first got on the boards after a gal explained to me what some of the acronyms being used meant-a whole new lingo- because I wanted to add to the acronym library. My students think I'm whacky for acronyms...but it helps me remember things, and they are easier to spell and to say than the full on version.



I will be sure to log in daily to this thread and check in on you all.



Off to dinner....my father is cooking tonight...he's in his 70s and a breast cancer survivor.



Your SIS,

Kimberly

Hi Jewels!  I'm back at work today for a half day.  Tomorrow I get my MUGA scan.  I'm getting T/C for chemo, but i think they're doing the scan b/c I'm also doing a year of herceptin which can mess with your heart.  Great...

Vettegal:  We're all scared and panicked.  It's OK... somehow we'll get through this together:)  I'm only T1a with no nodes involved and doing chemo soon.  I'm freaked out about what it will do to me, and whether I even need it (I could be fine right now, 85% chance I'm cured now as we speak).  But I'm doing it as insurance, to be there for my husband and 2 sweet kids who are only 2 and 5.  They need a mommy to be around for another 40-50 years!  And I want to grow old with my husband and never have to worry about cancer again.  I've cut it out, and now I'm gonna poison it out.  NO more cancer for me!  Hang in there, girl!

Hey Jewels of January!!

   Back from my meltdown yesterday..D1, thanks for the encouragement, I let my hubby read your post and he was touched by it as much as I was. I just found out I am her2/neu negative..don't know what it means right now...They said I wouldn't  do herceptin, so I don't know where that leaves me on that front...Another thing to be educated on. I have told everyone about this message board and I am blessed that we have all met and can share all the craziness together hugs to all the sisters of this post!!

Hi Ladies,  I, too, am from the Jan. 2007 thread.  Last year at this time was a mind boggling fog.  But once you get started, you'll feel good that you are doing something about your situation and believe me, the time will fly.  A year later, my hair is back and I'm feeling completely normal.  And you really do get to a place where you can live a fairly normal life where you aren't thinking about it 24/7.  I never believed that day would come.  My best chemo tip:  Emend.  I did four A/C's and 12 taxols and never, ever had a day of nausea due to Emend.  Ask for it.  Best of luck all!

Thanks to all the Jan. 2007 gals for your encouragement!  I'm leaving soon for my MUGA scan and "chemo talk" today.  I think the "talk" is going to hit home and be difficult to hear... but I'm trying to keep positive and know that by doing chemo I'm giving it all I've got!

I'm in. I am beginning my TC treatment today. Then 2 in January and last in Feb. I am hoping to take my mother and teenage daughter to Italy a month later in March. Cancellation date in Dec. 31 - it is a lot of walking. I am in good shape now...any thoughts on how long till energy comes back after last treatment?

thanks,

KMK

hey D1- mentally OK, i think. last night i slept and hour up an hour type sleep. so, i am tired today and i think the haircut thing will be good for me. I am thinking with this surgery not being able to lift arm way up to work/wash hair, going for something short and cute.

truthfully i am getting real scared, but i am human and i have a lot of emotions right now. I have friends from all over the country calling me sending me cards and flowers and I have been touched by everyone i get. I cry my hubby cries..we cry together.

enough about me...HOW ARE THE WONDERFUL JEWELS OF JANUARY?

Hello January 2008 gals

I too am from the January 2007 chemo group stopping by to offer my encouragement.  I am one year out - I had my MRM one year ago yesterday.  I started my chemo on January 25 (3 rounds of FEC, 3 rounds of Taxotere - this is a common chemo treatment used in Canada, the UK and other commonwealth countries) - then I started Herceptin in June 2007 - and have completed # 10 of 17 total infusions. The chemo is doable - have saltine crackers, some bland veggie soups, bananas, applesauce around for those first few days after chemo. 

Most important - take those anti-nauseant drugs regularly the first few days after chemo, even if you don't think you need to.  The idea is to head off the nausea, not try to play "catch up" with it.

Good luck - one year from now your hair will be growing back in, and this will be behind you.