The Chemosabe March Cruise

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  • mom07
    mom07 Member Posts: 35
    edited February 2008

    Hey I wanna join the March chemosabes too. I start March 6th with 3 rounds of FEC followed by 3 rounds of Taxotere. First I need cat scans and Muga scans which will be done next week. Doctor says no port or pic line will be used. Anyone have any idea how long it takes for the treatments each time I mean is it 1 hr or 5hrs to administer the chemo I'm getting conflicting answers. I'm sooooooooo scared.

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2008

    Hi, mom07 --

    Funny, I was just saying how we should put March 2007 in our title.  We all got started a year ago, but for me, it's fresh in my memory.  I know you're terribly scared right now, but believe me, once the treatment starts, you'll feel better.  It's all the unknowns that drove me crazy.

    As for your question about length of treatment, I don't know about FEC, but I believe the Taxotere is like the Taxol I had.  That took about 4 hours with the prep and administration.  They like to give it to you in a slow drip to minimize side effects.

    If you start a new thread, I'm sure many sisters starting treatment next month will join you.  Good luck to you, and feel free to drop in with questions.

    Max 

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2008

    Argh!  I lost a post.  So once more --

    Marsha -- I'm sorry you're going through this new worry.  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping there is good news to ease your mind.

    Angel -- Thanks for the condolences, and congratulations on the all-clears for both you and your husband.

    Melissa -- What a beautiful family!  Good luck in the new venture!

    MissS -- I'm very sorry you're having such problems with joint pain.  I've had a taste of it in my knees and back, but not as bad as yours.  I blame it on everything I've taken that had to do with the bones -- Neulasta, Procrit, Taxol, and Fosomax, not to mention aging.  Kinda scary!  I hope you can get some relief soon.

    Lisa3boys -- Congrats on the end of chemo!  I agree that rads is much easier physically, just kind of hard to face every day for several weeks.  Taking care of your skin from the start will help a lot.

    I hope your son gets his top choices, but it is nice to have a few acceptances under the belt, isn't it?

    Holly -- What terrible news about your sister-in-law.  Do the docs offer any hope she can make a recovery?

    Christine -- Sending healing vibes your way to chase away the pneumonia.

    Rosebud, Nancy -- My hair is at that freaky length, too.  Or should I says lengths, since it varies all over my head.  I've had a trim in the back, but I still have some very thin spots on top, in addition to thick coverage elsewhere.  I'm salt and pepper.  No sign of my natural strawberry light brown. 

    Diana -- You and your husband have been in my thoughts.

    Max 

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited February 2008

    Mom07,  I hope you still come back and read this.  I am surprised your Doc said no port or pic line.  I had the same treatment you are about to have a year ago and a port is a MUST!  FEC can to terrible things to your veins so please ask you Onc again about this.  I know this is scary but you can do it.  I found that the Taxotere was easier then the FEC.  If you have any questions, please just ask me, I'll gladly help you in any way.  Hugs to all...rosebud

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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2008

    Hi everyone -

    I had my surgery yesterday, and because the enlarged node turned out to be malignant, the surgeon did a full axillary dissection. I guess it's going to be round two for me.....

    Marshabel 

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2008
    Marshabel, I'm so sorry to hear that.  Frown   I hope that whatever potions they administer this time do the trick and knock the BC out.  Hate this disease!
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited February 2008

    Dear Marshabel,

    Will certainly pray for you as you start again. Will you keep posting here so we know what tx you're having? Hope you're feeling better after the surgery too!

    Christine ;-)

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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2008

    Thank you, Christine and maxgirl - I will keep posting to let you know what is going on. I will see the surgeon on Monday, then I'm sure I will have an appointment set up with the onc after that.  Knowledge is power, so I think that the more we can share with each other, the better. It helps so much to have this forum to share experiences and fears with each other!  Alaskadeb, I'm hoping that your results are good....B9B9B9B9B9

    Marsha 

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited February 2008

    Marshabel..I am so sorry about your return to the journey.  I am praying it will be a easy trip for you and you know will be here to support you in any way...rosebud

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  • lindaDK
    lindaDK Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2008

    Hi everyone, remember me?  Sorry I've been MIA for so long.  I don't post that much anymore but I do think about all of you.   Been trying to 'move on' and not think about bc too much.  Easier said then done.. 

    (((marshabel)), I'm so sorry to hear about this.  I'm praying for you.   We'll hold you hand through all of this.   Hate this disease!!

    I promise to post more often, I have finally faced the fact that I still need hugs from my cruise sisters and quit burying my head in the sand trying to convince myself last year was just a bad dream.!!  

    (((hugs))) to everyone here.   

    Linda     

       

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited February 2008

    Marsha, I'm so sorry for the news that you have received, I echo the sentiments of "I hate this disease"!  Many prayers and hugs coming your way.  Please let us know your treatment plan...we will be with you every step of the way!

    Nancy

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited February 2008

    Mom07....so sorry you have had to join the sisterhood.  This is a wonderful site to help you along this journey.  As was said earlier, we started this journey a year ago and if you go back to the beginning of this thread you will find how we all handled it and continue this journey.  We are here for any questions you have....do look for a thread of others starting in March of 08, I can't tell you what a wonderful support it is to have a group that is going through the same thing as you at the same time.

    Hugs to you,

    Nancy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Marsha,

    I sit here in disbelief as I read your news. I am so sorry to see you having another round and so soon. We will be with you all the way and praying for you, too.

     Did they not check your nodes last time? Refresh my memory, please. Is this considered something that was missed, a new cancer, or what?

    Mom 07..... prayers go your way, too, as you embark on this journey. Be strong and of a good courage. You can do it!

    Love to all,

    Miss S

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  • whitecotton
    whitecotton Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2008

    Marsha

    I am so sorry as well. I wish I was close to you and reach out my arms and give you a big hug* You are in my prayers. cuck fancer!

    sorry ladies just frustrated.

    Melissa

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  • whitecotton
    whitecotton Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2008

    Marsha

    I am so sorry as well. I wish I was close to you and reach out my arms and give you a big hug* You are in my prayers. cuck fancer!

    sorry ladies just frustrated.

    Melissa

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  • 3boys4me
    3boys4me Member Posts: 319
    edited February 2008

    Marsha - I'm sorry to hear about the lymph nodes.  I had the full ancillary dissection when I had my mastectomy and 6/14 of the nodes showed signs of cancer.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    I finished day 4 of rads today.  So far, so good.   Only 5 more weeks to go - yay!?  I'm wondering if/when I will feel any se's from rads.  Hopefully I'll sail right through - that's my plan anyways.Laughing 

    I'm getting very tired of the lack of sleep due to night sweats.  I've been offered Effexor if I continue to have problems, but if there's something else non-prescription that works, I'd rather go that direction first.  Any suggestions?  

    I realized it's been a full year since I was diagnosed.  Seems like forever...   

    Lisa

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Lisa, good luck with the rads. My skin started peeling and I got raw about 2/3 of the way through it. It healed up quickly after rads were ceased, though. My skin is nice and white and soft now.

    Here is a link for a pillow called a chillow. It should help keep you cool at night.

    http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=77866&aid=336064&aparam=chillow_pillow

    Good luck sweetie!

    Miss S

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited February 2008

    Lisa....happy to the rads are under way and not causing any problems.

    MissS....how's the arm?

    Nancy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Thanks for asking, Nancy. I had my last daily massage on Friday, but my arm is still not down to size. I'm supposed to give myself the massages and do the exercises. My shoulder still hurts, so it's kinda hard to do the massage to myself.

    I'll see her once a week for a couple of weeks. I think she is going to try to get me a different kind of sleeve to see if it will stay on better. In the mean time, she wants me to keep my arm wrapped.

    I tell you what.... going to see the LT every morning before work for two weeks plum wore me out! This ole gray mare sure ain't what she used to be!

    So how are things going with you?

    Miss you all!!

    Miss S

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Thanks for asking, Nancy. I had my last daily massage on Friday, but my arm is still not down to size. I'm supposed to give myself the massages and do the exercises. My shoulder still hurts, so it's kinda hard to do the massage to myself.

    I'll see her once a week for a couple of weeks. I think she is going to try to get me a different kind of sleeve to see if it will stay on better. In the mean time, she wants me to keep my arm wrapped.

    I tell you what.... going to see the LT every morning before work for two weeks plum wore me out! This ole gray mare sure ain't what she used to be!

    So how are things going with you?

    Miss you all!!

    Miss S

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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2008

    Miss S - I had a negative SNB, lumpectomy, chemo, and rads. This new thing showed up on my first set of followup scans. I go back to the surgeon on Monday, and the path report should be able to tell us if this is the same cancer that refused to die, or a new one. I hope that your arm continues to deflate - I'm giving it a cyber massage right now!

    Lisa - I hope that you sail thru your rads. I was prescribed 75mg of Effexor and it helped my night sweats and my anxiety.

    Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone!

    Marsha 

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  • leesa
    leesa Member Posts: 70
    edited February 2008

    Hi Girls

    I can't believe it's back so soon. 

    I was dx'd in April of 06, trip neg stge 1 lumpectomy then mastectomy, 4 ac's I found a lump about a 1/2 in from the first one in my right armpit.  Dx'd in Jan of this year, trying to figure out if my lungs are ok.  Scans came back fine, another lung scan (my 3rd) March 4, then they can do the surgery if I'm clean. Need a lymph node disection, Can anyone tell me what that's like, also what do you think I need.
     
    I heard about pillow called chillow that's supposed to be great for night sweats, also I'm on the effexor it seems to have helped.
    Leesa 
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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2008

    Hi everyone -

      I saw the surgeon today, got the drain removed (yeah!!), and my path results. Pretty good news - out of 10 lymph nodes removed this time, only the one enlarged one was bad. We still don't know if this is part of my original cancer or a new one, because he didn't have complete results on that stuff yet. Anyway, they are making me an appointment with my onc next. The surgeon said that he was sure that I would need some kind of treatment, but he wouldn't speculate. I imagine that it will probably be more chemo, but I will just have to wait to know for sure. Does anybody have any thoughts on that?

    Leesa - I just had my axillary dissection a week ago, and the soreness is mainly in my arm. It's a really strange sensation; numb on the outside, but tingly and painful on the inside. It is certainly manageable though, so don't worry. My doctor said that it is about a 6 week recovery, and then longer sometimes to regain full motion of the arm.  Good luck with your scans and whatever else this stupid disease tries to throw at you. I'll be thinking of you.

    Marsha 

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited February 2008

    Marsha...great news on your path report !!!!  I will be keeping you in my prayers as you await for further results.  I don't know what the options will be....did you have rads the first time.

    Leesa...sorry to hear of your new finding.  My prayers will be with you.

    Nancy

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited February 2008

    Lisa..One is good!  Here's hoping no chemo and perhaps just rads.  I pray they kill that bugger this time.

    Leesa..Had soreness in my arm and couldn't raise it for awhile.  I took sometime for me to be able to get it back into the swing of things.  A prayer that God will be with you during this terrible thing.

    Rosebud

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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited February 2008

    So, yesterday was exactly one year since my first chemo tx. And all day I felt really sick and yucky. I'm such a psycho! I can't believe it's been a whole year.



    Hope everyone is hanging in there. Thinking about Marshabel and Lisa and praying for simple solutions that won't be too long or too hard. And for Miss S and her lympho arm - praying you get some relief too. It must be painful and annoying to boot.



    Enjoy a restful weekend, ladies!

    Christine





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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Wow, one year since first chemo. All I remember is mine started in March. I'd have to do a little reseach to find out the day. Sorry you felt yukky, Keenie. I know I was sick as a dog for about a week after my first chemo. It was the worst one of all.

    Still keeping my arm wrapped. Don't worry, it's mostly just annoying and not too painful. You're so sweet to care, though!

    Marsh and Leesa, what is going on with you two? Please let us know your most recent news.

    Lisa, are you still heating up Cali with your hot body? ;)

    Let us hear!

    I also wanted to ask you gals to be praying for AlaskaDeb who was dxed with mets yesterday.  I just hate cancer! GRRRRRRRRR!

    Love to you all,

    Miss S

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited March 2008

     A lot of us will be celebrating our chemo-versaries this month.  I can't remember the exact date of my first one, but I know it was the first week in March.

      

    MissS -- Do you manage that arm wrapping all by yourself?  I saw my BS last week and was complaining about the boob lymphedema, so she's recommending me to another LD therapist.  I liked the first two I went to, but neither one would teach me how to do manual lymph drainage.

    I learned that the discomfort under my arm and down my side was a combination of lymphedema, fibrosis from the radiation, and a little scar tissue from the AND. Tongue out

    So sorry to hear the news about AlaskaDeb.  I hate, hate, hate BC!! 

    Leesa -- Sorry you're rerunning on the BC treadmill too.   The AND took a while to recover from, but it wasn't that I was incapacitated, just sore on the underside of my arm for several weeks.  It's not so much surgical pain as your nerves getting disrupted.  But it was manageable and finally went away.

    Marsha -- Thank goodness it was just one node.   I hope the next steps are as easy as they can be, and that you're recovering well from the AND.

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  • whitecotton
    whitecotton Member Posts: 106
    edited March 2008

    I can not believe it has been a year either. I am not sure of the exact date too. Last year was such a blurr. I feel so blessed to wake up everyday. I am so sorry to hear about alaskadeb i hate cancer too! sending prayers her way! In my local cancer support group there is a lady that has been given two terminal dx and she is still hear 11 years later. got to love her. She is such an inspiration to me.

    I have lymphedema of the boob as well. I think I have a slight prob with my arm too as my finger tips on my affected side are numb.

    I finished my Breast Cancer stickers and they are really cute.

    When I get a chance I will link them for you all to see.

    take care

    Melissa

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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited March 2008

    Throughout the day I've been thinking of all of us...one year ago we climbed on board for the Chemosabe Cruise.  What a voyage it has been...for all of us and in so many different ways...I love you, I celebrate you,I thank you, I embrace you, I pray for you (and me) that we go on to live in love and health....

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