June 2007 Chemo

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited December 2007

    Shrink, glad you are feeling so much better--both physically and mentally.

    Dawn, I get so stressed by Christmas and end up not really enjoying it because of that but this year I am actually not feeling stressed because I'm just not doing as much as I have in the past. I have a great excuse this year anyway. I didn't send out cards, put up minimal decorations, no baking and I'm just concentrating on the kids for gifts. I still have lots of wrapping to do but that's the one part I actually like. But I do need to get organized in other areas! That's a great goal for 2008. Maybe I'll join you...

    Debbiek, I will be starting rads Thursday. Tomorrow I go in for some xrays (or something) and then I'll get started. I really want to get it going and get it done! What do you mean by weepy? Does your skin ooze?

    Is anyone else having problems with their eyes? Mine are so gunky and red in the morning. I can't figure out if it's from allergies (never had this problem before) or because I still have no eyelashes to keep stuff out or what. It's really annoying and some days it's really bad. I've had people ask me if I was prescribed medical marijuana cause my eyes are always bloodshot!

    take care everybody!!

    Cyndi

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  • burquie
    burquie Member Posts: 129
    edited December 2007

    Just checking in with everyone, hope you are all feeling well. My rad burns are finally starting to feel a little better (last rad was 12/7). Now I'm at that itchy/healing stage. Fatigue has been totally kicking my butt the last few days! And last night for some reason I was running a 101 fever. Feeling a little better today..... going to try and get caught up on my baking and maybe start the wrapping. Christmas sure is coming fast!

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2007

    Cyndi, the skin has places like a blister where the thin skin over it has come off so it is kind of open and moist.  It is helped by the burn cream so I will keep using that until it is better.

    Bonnie, I have really noticed some fatigue this week but not much before this.  I hope you feel better and can enjoy the Christmas weekend ahead.

    Take care,

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  • kath11
    kath11 Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2007

    So good to hear from everyone.

    Shrink, I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better, just in time for the holidays.  I wish you the best.

    Cyndi, my eyes have been extremely red as well.  Coincidentally I went in to get some new glasses (left mine at the airport!) and I mentioned it to the optometrist.  He thought it was due to dry eyes so he recommended Systane for dry eyes or Octiv (or something like that).  I started using the Systane and it does seem to help.

    I have a disgusting little story to tell.  I finished my shower yesterday morning and grabbed my towel that was hanging over the shower door.  I was still in the shower while drying my head with the towel.   I love to just rub my towel over my barely-there new hair and I was really enjoying it.  Then I noticed on the shower floor some black specks.  I thought it was black lint, but had no idea where it could have come from.  I took my towel wrapped it around me and stepped out of the shower.  Then I saw what I had thought was the black lint.  There was a parade of black ants running up and down the corner of my shower door, exactly where my towel had been hanging.  I had just rubbed those nasty little things onto my head.  Of course I jumped back into the shower and was really freaked out.  What a mess to clean up.  I'm sure they made their way into my house as we were having our first real rain of the season and it had been pouring all day.   I always seem to get ants with our first rain but I've never seen them near my shower!  What a way to start the day!

    Anyway, I hope you all are feeling well and are able to enjoy these last few days before Christmas.  I just love Christmas! 

    xoxo

    Kathleen 

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited December 2007

    DebbieK, thanks for the info. I start tomorrow. I had my simulation today. They are so great at my cancer center. I ran into a friend in the radiation dept. and they made sure that we got back to back appts. So we will visit and maybe go have coffee or breakfast a couple of times a week.

    Kathleen, yuck!! That would have really freaked me out! We actually have an ant farm in our house right now. It was a gift for my son's 10th birthday. It's got gel instead of sand and I have to say they are fascinating to watch. But that doesn't mean I want to shower with them!

    Bonnie, good to hear from you! I've heard that fatigue after rads is common. Are you completely done with tx now?

    Take care everyone!

    Cyndi

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    Hello, everyone.  My infection appears to be clearing up and today is my first day without pain meds. 

    I had my simulation session for rads today.  The worst part was opening my gown and showing the tech and the radiologist my chest.  Only my surgeon and I had seen it until today.

    Tomorrow I'm scheduled to see the lymphedema therapist at the hospital.  This has become my life now.

    Kathleen, I can't imagine realizing those black things were alive and  on me.  Sounds like a scary dream.

    I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the holiday season.

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2007

    Shrink, I felt the same way the first time I was in for radiation.  Luckily, that feeling faded as I realized that the techs are professionals and they have truly seen a lot worse.  I had a mastectomy on my right side and the doctore left a lot of skin folds.  It looks quite gross I think, and I am thinking about having it fixed up a bit even if I don't opt for reconstruction.  I really don't miss the breast so much just wish that side was smoother and flatter.  As you get further out from surgery you will get more comfortable with you new shape as well. 

    I also was sent to the lymphedema therapist who was very informative.  She said that so many people don't find out how to avoid lymphedema or deal with it until they have it and was very supportive of my finding out as much as I could before I have a problem if I do.  She prescribed a sleeve and gauntlet for me to where when I fly, and I have used it and found it to be acceptable and not uncomfortable to wear.

    I hope you feel better as you get into your radiation treatments.  Take care,

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  • Charlie451
    Charlie451 Member Posts: 69
    edited December 2007

    Hi all,

    Shrink it is true that the rad techs have seen it all so don't worry. I have had two of the nicest ladies and they are pros. So glad to hear you are doing alot better. 

    I have my last rad tx today. Wahoo!! I feel real lucky in so many ways but especially now that it will be done by Christmas. The effects have been minimal mostly because I tan easily and I use that prescription cream very liberally. I  have have had some fatigue but don't stop going until it flattens me. The onc has proposed I take tamoxifen to prevent a new cancer - apparently it will do nothing for the old one (triple neg) recurring. Given all the SEs of tamox I just don't know. Any one have info on this?

    I am getting better after a week of flu/allergy or whatever. Finally ended up with an eye infection, too. But all is improving now with some meds.

    My daughter and I will be baking and wrapping presents this weekend. Her boyfriend will fly in later. We'll have everyone at my house for Christmas. Wouldn't have it any other way.

    Have a merry weekend!

    Linda

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  • burquie
    burquie Member Posts: 129
    edited December 2007

    Good Morning All!

    Linda, wahoo! on finishing up rads! I started my Tamoxifen about  2 weeks before I even started my rads (finished rads on 12/7). I've read a little about the side effects: hot flashes (have been getting them anyway since chemopause); possibility of blood clots (damn port gave me one; gone now since the blood thinners and port removal. Just take a preventative aspirin dose everyday); thickening uterine lining(made an appt for next month with the gyn). Anyways, I guess my point and feelings are this: if this is going to give me even the SLIGHTEST chance of no BC recurrence......... then I'm giving it a shot! Of course everyone is different in how they feel, rely on your Dr's judgement, that's what he is getting the big bucks for! And of course ask, ask, ask anyone of us who have been on it or are currently on it. And research.....read whatever you can about it. You know your heart and body best!

    Shrink (glad the infection has cleared up!Smile) and Cyndi: rads will be over before you know it! It seems like forever when you are going everyday.... but soon you will be to the other side!

    I think of each and everyone of you everyday! Even if I don't post, I always read to see how everyone is.

    May 2008 bring us ALL renewed peace and HEALTH!

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2007

    Linda, I read an excellent article on the various medicines to take after bc including tamoxifen and others.  It was on the MAMM magazine website in the current online edition.  Just google MAMM and you will get the link.  It really gave a lot of information; at least a lot more than I had gotten anywhere else.  Hope it helps.  So far I haven't had too many problems on Arimedex.

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited December 2007

    Shrink, even though I didn't have a mastectomy and I've never been particularly modest, there's just something about laying on that table that makes me feel so exposed. It's kind of a loss of dignity thing I think. But the techs have surely seen it all and are professionals. We just have to get through this. And we will....

    Cyndi

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  • TerryNY
    TerryNY Member Posts: 603
    edited December 2007

    Shrink, I'm glad you're doing better and hope that the infection is clearing up.   I'll keep you in my thoughts and wait for your next update. 

    Kathleen, eeww...too weird about the ants!  We had an infestation of some type of fly while I was recuperating from my surgery last spring..it lasted about two weeks even after we had the house sprayed!   I'm hoping it doesn't happen again next year as I'm at a loss on how to prevent it.  

    Bonnie, hope that fever didn't develop into anything more serious.  How are the CNA classes coming along?  

    Linda, congrats on finishing rads!   I'm not too sure about the tamoxifen.   I was under the impression that it is only recommended for women whose tumors were estrogen positive as that is what fuels their growth.  Tamoxifen stops the estrogen.  It also depends on whether you're pre or post menopausal.  If you're post menopausal, then an aromatase inhibitor might be a better option...but again, that's usually for women with estrogen positive tumors.   There is a thread entitled Hormone therapy, maybe post your question there?   It's one or two under the chemo thread.   I guess it all boils down to what you're most comfortable with.   That's the hard part!! 

    I wish all of you a wonderful holiday and best wishes for a healthy, happy New Year.  2008, here we come!! 

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  • Charlie451
    Charlie451 Member Posts: 69
    edited December 2007

    Thanks Bonnie and Debbie for the info on tamoxifen. I will check out the MAMM website. Cyndi hang in there with rds. After a few tx's you won't feel uncomfortable at all about being "exposed".

    Have a Merry Christmas weekend!

    Linda

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  • TerryNY
    TerryNY Member Posts: 603
    edited December 2007

    Merry Christmas to my fellow Junies!    Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2007

    I echo Terry's sentiments.  Merry Christmas!  I hope we all have a much healthier and happier 2008.

    Hugs to all,

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    Me too!

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  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 1,718
    edited December 2007

    Hello Ladies , may the miracle of Christmas continue with miracles in our lives , may God heal us , and keep us always , safe  with Him. I hope you all are having a peaceful and calm Christmas Eve. May God strenghten us and keep us all together in the New Year. Peace be with you sisters. xxxx Melody

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    Well, I'm 3 1/2 weeks post bi-lat mastectomy and starting to feel better now that those drains and stitches are out.  Since I had so many positive lymph nodes (a big disappointment), I'll be getting more chemo - Xeloda along with radiation. Does this ever end?  I started on Effexor yesterday.  Maybe that will help with my mental outlook.

    Melody, I like your prayer.

    All the best in the new year to my sisters out there.

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  • Barbeqrn
    Barbeqrn Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2007

    just caught up on all the posts...



    I have just finished rad#24 and have 4 more regulars and then I don't know how many boosts...hopefully only 6. My skin is doing ok....a little dry and red but nothing major...



    i have been taking Tamoxifen since Nov 26th with minimal side effects....If I remain in the chemopause state for about a year I think I would like to change to an AI due to increased benefits of no recurrence...



    Shrink, I hope the Xeloda has minimal side effects for you...I am very glad you are doing well post surgery.



    All the best,

    Barb

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  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2007

    Hello everyone!  I finished my last rad tx yesterday.  I was very happy to say good bye to the techs and rang the bell loudly.  I still have some sore spots to heal up, but overall I am doing well.  Now 5 years of Arimidex and hopefully I will be good to go.  I am tolerating the Arimidex pretty well; just hot flashes a few times a day.

    Shrink, I hope you continue to feel better and stronger so you can continue the fight.  You are in my prayers.

    Can't believe it is almost the new year.  Christmas went by in a blur.  2008 has got to be better!

    Hope you all are doing well today.

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited December 2007

    Hi everyone!

    Well, we made it through Christmas! Mine was pretty low-key and I did not allow myself to get stressed out over it. I've got enough stress already! Hope you all had wonderful days with family and friends. I have had 6/33 rad tx. So far, no problems but I know it's early. My biggest annoyance right now is my skin and eyes. I have had mild rosacea in the past and really had bad flare ups since Taxol. It clears up when I take antibiotics but comes back again and I think it has spread to my eyes (this is called ocular rosacea). My dermatologist called in a prescription for minocycline and that is supposed to clear up eyes too. My radiation onc said her brother is an opthomologist and will get me in right away if I need it. It doesn't hurt but I look awful. My face is broken out and my eyes are bloodshot. Add this to the baldness and lack of eyebrows and eyelashes and it is not pretty!! My eyebrows are coming back and they stick out randomly and I don't know what to do with them. Can't bring myself to pluck them...Oh well, if nothing else, I have lost my vanity with this disease. Did I mention that I'm also heavier than I've ever been except right before I gave birth? Here's hoping 2008 is a much healthier and happier year for all of us!!

    Cyndi

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  • TerryNY
    TerryNY Member Posts: 603
    edited December 2007

    Shrink, glad to see you are doing somewhat better on the emotional front.   Now kick cancer's butt!   I'm keeping you in my thoughts.  

    Sounds as if everyone is doing well with rads, finishing up or about to. 

    I'm glad to hear that those of you on hormonal treatments aren't having terrible SE.  I go back to my onc on 1/15 to discuss this further.  I'm still not convinced it's for me with being ER neg but slightly PR pos.   Sigh.....

    Cyndi, our Christmas was low key as well.  It usually is as we don't live near family so we just celebrate at home with the kids.  We do eat dinner out Christmas Eve though, that's always a special time. 

    I hope the rosacea clears up soon!

    I hear you about the weight, my goodness, I CANNOT stop eating.  Everything is going into my mouth, don't know if it's the relief or happiness of having my tastebuds back or just emotion eating...angry, happy, sad, bored...I'm eating. 

    We have no snow here, yeah, outside Buffalo, NY and no snow...who would've thought at the end of December?!   I'm sure it's spoiling a lot of kids' vacation plans!

    Not a lot of news to share.  I think of everyone here often and am glad most seem to be moving on but I still think of everyone often!

    Happy and HEALTHY New Year to us!!

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  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 1,718
    edited December 2007

    Hello Ladies. Cyndi , (((((((((((cyndi)))))))))) sorry about the rosacea. I have never heard of occular rosacea. At least its not painful. Hang in there with the eyebrows. Mine were the same way coming back in. But after a while , I could "brush" them upwards and trim them and they looked so much better.

    Cyndi and Terryny , I am in the same situation with the weight! When my taste came back , boom! I was eating everything. Now that I am on tamoxifen , my appitite has decreased. But the damage is already there.lol New Year's resolution , same as always , Diet and exercise!

    My Christmas was low keyed as well. Me , my son , and my O/H. My family is all in Tennessee. I got a digital camera for Christmas. I will share a pic with you all of my tree Christmas morning.

    Cy , hope things are moving along good for you. One day at a time , I always take it.

    Shrink , Glad your on your way with your treatment plan. Let me know how you are doing on the Effexor. I am taking it to stop these @#$#@ hotflashes! I've read alot lately of ladies who have had 30-50 positive lymph nodes. And yes , they have had extra chemo , but are doing as well as us with no nodes positive. It sucks that you have to have more treatment. But it is something that can help like it helped shrink you tumor. Hugs and prayers to you xxxx Melody

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  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 1,718
    edited December 2007

    This is my Christmas morning pic

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    Hello everyone and Happy New Year.

    I've taken 4 doses of the Effexor and can't believe it's working already but I have stopped crying. I think some of the tearfulness was my body's reaction to the surgery.  Now that I have no pain, I'm on the upswing except for some fatigue.  I start rads and Xeloda next weeik.  My hot flashes seemed to have disappeared with the end of AC. 

    Thanks, Honeygirl, for letting me know about those with a bunch of positive nodes who are still doing well. Gives me hope.

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  • TerryNY
    TerryNY Member Posts: 603
    edited December 2007

    Shrink, fantastic!  I'm so happy for you.  Pain can cause a myriad of problems so I'm thrilled it's gone and you're doing much better. 

    Melody, your tree is gorgeous!  I've tried the ribbon drape and I just can't get it right.   Looks like a grand Christmas at your house!

    How do you post pictures?

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  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 1,718
    edited December 2007

    Hi Terry , I use photobucket to upload pics. You sign up , and then upload to photobucket(if you don't use photobucket already) and then copy the url line and then click on the tree here on the above line and paste there. That should do it. My kitty really did a number on my tree! But to do the ribbon thing , get ribbon with wire in it , take an empty roll that had wrapping paper on it , and wrap the ribbon on it , then gently pull it off and wah-lah , pretty ribbon!lol

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  • Charlie451
    Charlie451 Member Posts: 69
    edited December 2007

    Hi All!

    Happy New Year!

    Glad to hear Shrink is feeling better. Cyndi, I hope the skin/eye condition clears up soon. I had an eye infection(aka "pink eye") with a cold recently. Not fun.

    I finished rads before Christmas, thankfully. Now I'm just a little pinkish on the boost area. So glad to be done with the majority of treatment. It seems like 9-10 months of 2007 was tied up with bc. So 2008 should definitely be a good year.

    Terry, I appreciated the suggestion on AI instead of Tamoxifen. I have that question on the top of my list for the onc when I see him on the 1/25. I am hormone negative, too.

    Melody, I loved the pic of the tree! The ribbons worked great. It is a good idea for next year.

    You all have a super New Year!

    Linda

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2007

    Hey All!

    Trying to catch up with you all - such a busy time of year and all the radiation treatments on top - UGH.  Christmas was nice - we have lots of family around and used to be able to have both sides over on Christmas day.  Used to.  Now we have several get togethers each year - this year we have 4, one more to go this Saturday.

    My daughter (25) and her little dog moved out again this weekend as well.  I'm excited for her but you know the count down is on!!  My oldest son (21) will graduate from the Art Institute in June and hopefully will be going to California for an internship with Sony and my baby son (17) will graduate from high school in June and hopefully off to college.  Busy, busy, busy.  I need a nap.  Laughing

    Sounds like everyone is heading in a better direction - especially you shrink!! 

    Cyndi - taking more drugs is a bummer, but you will get past this too and feel beautiful again.

    I am so tired of wearing something on my head but until the top fills in like the back and sides all I see in the mirror is that I look like a man!  Better than seeing me as a BALD man but I'm so done with this stuff.  My lashes and brows seem to be growing back as well.  I'm very curious to see what my brows do.  I had them waxed when I was 16 - not sure what the girl did but most of them never grew back and I've had to pencil them ever since (which was good practice for not having any!).  I'm seeing growth where I don't remember there being any and hoping I'll be able to NOT use a pencil but of course have to wait to see.  Hurry up and wait. 

    Had radiation #23 today!  I'm seeing a light at the end of this part of the tunnel at least!

    Happy New Year everyone!! 

    I'm praying for a happy, HEALTHY one for us all!

    Dawn

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  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 1,718
    edited January 2008

    To all my chemo sisters , HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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