Posted by DansBoobs on 28 May 2012, 01:27PM
So. The margins of the re-excision are still close. Not sure what that means surgery wise but my oncologist wants to start treatment so any further surgery will have to wait until afterwards.
Wednesday I will start 4 cycles of AC every 2 weeks then go on to weekly taxol/herceptin for 12 weeks then switch to 3 weekly herceptin for the duration of the 12 months.
I'll have a port put in just prior to cycle 3, not getting neulasta until cycle 2.
I'll be pushing for a mastectomy post treatment. F$&k screwing around with this shite! While he's there he can whip the other one off and give me a new set of perky 20 year old boozies!
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Hey Dan
At least you have a plan now so you can start organising your life around your treatment. A hell of a lot of treatment happening for you baby. They not taking any chances with you so that is wonderful. They are definitely gunna get this mutha for you, which is great.
I hope and pray that you sail through the rest of your journey. A port sounds a good idea. I haven't needed one thank god but I only having 6 chemo cycles and then 35 radiotherapy.
I am sincerely wishing you lots and lots of energy through your journey as that is what gets me down the most (especially today). I have a sister who is 9 years older than me and she emails me every day telling me all the things she manages to do in her day (she has only one speed and it is full steam ahead). I guess this depresses me cause I am grateful if I manage to do one or two things in a day. I was puffing walking back from the letterbox today.
You are much younger and definitely fitter and healthier than me so I know you will find it much easier.
Keep smiling your beautiful smile and keep your chin up kiddo. I am here for you.
Mich xoxo
Thanks mich.
Your beautiful words bring a tear to my eye. I know how you feel with your sister. Mine is currently facebooking every day about how hard her life is because she is moving to new town to be with her partner. I love her dearly but sometimes I just wanna say "who gives a toss! At least you don't have cancer!" I just skim over her stuff now, maybe you should do that with your sisters emails? Don't read them when you feel crap!
Another way to look at it when you feel crap is to think if it makes you feel so bad then it's doing it's job! It will get better. Day by day. Keep your chin up chicken I am here for you also xxx
Thanks sweety for your special words, they did put a smile on my dial and a happy tear in my eyes.
I am glad you understand the whole "sister" thing.
I have another sister who has always got something wrong with her- and I mean always!!!!. When I speak to her she says things like she has sore knees this week or whatever but then adds that at least she doesn't have cancer. I know she means well by it.
Everyone means well in their very own special way but just sometimes, (just sometimes) it all gets a bit much.
As you say just day by day that is all you can do.
Keep on smiling that beautiful smile for me.
Mich xoxo
Hi Dan
Will be thinking of you on Wednesday and sending lots of support and hugs. They aren't wasting any time, that's for sure - sounds like you are in really great hands. Cycle 1 Wednesday, Cycle 2 Neulasta, Cycle 3 with Port - and jump the surgery hurdle when you come to it. Keep us posted, Dan - we are here for you - roll on Wednesday -
love, Michelle xx
me too
Hiya its a bit of a worry about your margins.I had exactly the same treatment 4 AC.12 Taxol
with 18 Herceptin and 36 radiation treatments.I had a mastectomey though.
Its a lot of treatment they told me they were hitting me with all they can and it seems they did.It feels like it goes for ever.I just concentrated on getting through each treatment.My hair fell out by cycle 2 of AC.AC was hard but the Nuelasta helped a lot.Its all quite doable. If you ever have any questions im happy to help.Take care and good luck with it all x
Great idea!
Hi Dan,
If I had had a mastectomy the first time I got breast cancer in 2002 (instead of lumpectomy/chemo/radiation) I wouldn't have got another bloody tumour in the same boob last year!! Going through chemo a second time, having my ovaries removed and going on femara would have all been avoided! This is why I'm getting the other boob removed and bilateral reconstruction in September. The last ten years have been a series of mammograms and ultrasounds to check for recurrence, and the anxiety that goes with it. I can't wait for the new replacements! I'm only 44, and I think I'll stand a better chance of living a long life without the boobs!! x Jane
Hi Dan
My thoughts and prayers are with you on Wednesday and always.
We "sisters" stick together. We all have some sort of upset from our families every once in a while. Like you said, who gives a s***, just think about yourself and yourself only. You are the most important person at the moment, and no-one else, and just concentrate on yourself getting better and over this.
We are all here for you any time, day or nite. Just vent out anything and as you have found, there are lots of us lovely ladies on this website giving you advice, hugs and encouragement.
Please keep blogging here and we would love to know how you get along.
Love as always Julie XX
Hey Dan
You and I will be sitting in our chemo chairs on Wednesday in other parts of the country but my thoughts will definitely be with you on the day sweety. I will be thinking lots of healing thoughts for you.
Mich xoxo
Hi Dan and Mich
Good luck to both of you for Wednesday-hope all goes smoothly for you. Hey,I have 2 sisters like that.They are at full throttle all the time,fit and healthy.I feel like I'm the sickly one. They like to sweep any problems under the carpet and walk everything else off.All these bc treatments take such a chunck of time out of your life.If anything,it teaches us to be patient and slow down.Nothing wrong with that Mich.I kinda like the slow lane now,you appreciate the scenary more.
love and hugs to you both,Tonya xx
Bloody Sisters
Hi I thought it was just me.... When I told my oldest sister that I had breast cancer the first words that came out of her mouth were "Oh yes well that would be your smoking". I haven't smoked for over 5 years - stopped when I was 35 but I would have thought you wouldn't even say that to someone diagnosed with lung cancer who was still smoking. Some people are just clueless don't waste your time or energy trying to work them out. Concentrate on yourself, doing the things that help make you feel better. Take care will be thinking of you Dan and Mich on Wednesday - I'm having bilateral mastectomies that day. I was packing my pants but to hear you want it Dan I know where you are coming from and thank my lucky stars I am able to. Just praying the sentinel node biopsy comes back all good. Take care Lara xx
Hi Lara
Your Wednesday isn't going to be a rosy one either is it hun. Wishing you all the best and hoping it all goes well on the day and sending you lots of healing hugs for a nice smooth recovery.
I know all your "Pink" Sisters out there will be thinking of you as well.
Mich xo
Big day this Wednesday!
Good luck Lara! Sending you "clear nodes" vibes and healing energy.
Big hugs
Danielle
Onwards we go
Thinking of all of you who are being "juiced" this week. Especially those who are having their first dose. But it will be one down, and the chemo WILL flush away any cancer radicals bopping away in your bodies! You WILL be well! And YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Be gentle on yourselves and take care.
Onwards the pink chicks go :)
First chemo
I well remember my first chemo session nearly 3 years ago. The day before I was so scared. However after the first one, you at least know what to expect, and though it is hard, it is never as bad as you might dread it to be.
Let your dr know how you travel with it, as they can often adjust the dose if required. You don't have to just put up with awful side effects. Good luck and hugs to all just starting the chemo journey.
One week after first chemo
Well I am back on here after quite a while and I want to say thank you to all of you. I have just read all the comments and I am feeling a lot stronger. I had my first cycle of chemo a week ago and I have had all the side effects. My cupboard is full of all the things I felt like and then couldn't eat when I tasted or got the smell of them. I was happy with my lemon tea and cans of Solo as water was so yuck, until I developed ulcers in my throat and everything I eat now causes heart burn. I have managed to combat the sickness with little snacks of either soup, scrambled eggs or mashed banana. Will I go through the same thing every cycle? It is nice not being on my own and being able to run away to be here with you all.
Hi Chrissy4
I have been incredibly lucky as I have been able to keep the yucky stuff at bay so far. First week I craved salty stuff then realised it wasnt helping my mouth. I have since been eating little bits of bland food every 2 hours or so. Green tea with a slice of ginger, apple cider vinegar with a dash of honey and arrowroot biscuits in between. I have a prescription for Omniprezole which is specifically to prevent the reflux and burn, do you have some? If not perhaps you can ask? The down side is that I need to burp alot, but I am learning how. The first cycle was my worst so far. I have found pawpaw, melon and banana to be great - although cant taste them most of the time. My physio suggested sustagen every day if food is really too much.
Take care and come chat when it all gets too much.
Heartburn
Hi Chrissy,
Definately get something for the heart burn. Ask your doc for a PPI but in the meantime try some Zantac. You can get it at the supermarket and it works quick!
Good luck chick!
xx
dumped by one sister
Hi guys just had to say I know how you feel about the sister thing, while I was in hospital, have only been home an hour woot woot, my older sister defriended me on facebook and I have not heard one word from her since a week after I was diagnosed, I believe the reason was because I had not rang her personally and told her about my operation date (OMG could she not ring me or my mother or family and find out) I really think that telling family and friends about diagnosis and treatment plans is the worst, and would have to say the only tears I had in hospital where because of her unbelievable selfishness , I honestly do not know what runs through peoples minds sometimes but I am going to get on with getting better and stuff her, hope to have path results soon and get a better plan , ps bilateral mastectomy is not as painful as you would think I only had panadol/panadeine go for it I reckon
cheers and hope chemo not to bad will be thinking of you all xox
Narelle
Hi Narelle
So glad to hear you are home finally and doing well. I totally agree regarding the friends and family thing, today I requested no visitors, flowers or fuss at hospital as it only upsets me more. So one of my friends (is that what she is I'm not so sure) returned with "Well it's not all about you you know" What tha! Guess what yes it is and I'm with you just going to concentrate on me. If we can't be selfish now when can we be??? Anyhow is asking for some space to deal with this crap being selfish and too much to ask? Don't worry about your sister, I don't know much about facebook but I'm guessing if she has defriended you everyone will see and she isn't going to look real flash. Hang in there and let me know how the first injections go into the expanders - another thing I am not looking forward too. I think you are a star *
Lara x
What is wrong with some people?
Seriously there are some deadset space units out there! I had a twit ask me to come do ground duty at soccer this weekend. He knows I'm starting chemo this week? Ummmmm short answer - no. Long answer censored!
Cut the negatives out of your life! Sooooo not worth it!
So funny
You always crack me up Dan, just wish I lived near your local :)
would love to here the long version
Some people have just dumb tunnel vision dont they, all the best for your first chemo I am sure with all your knowledge you will be able to keep the side effects to a minimum, having just had bilaterals last week I say if and when you are ready for more surgery for you it would be a walk in the park, but like me you might of had to buzz the tower(nurses station) quite a few times, I had multiple multiple fly buys at all hours, wish I had taken in a pedometer honestly would of clocked up some serious kms in the past 6 days lol
rock it baby
This is just a low key, you are going to do great and dont stress the little stuff plug before tommoz, another little tip is have the shower chair to put all your drains and stuff on and dont forget to take out of the carry bags if you are given them, I did one day and spent ages drying them off doh, you are a strong pink sister and this time next week you will be home like me and it will be all over red rover
All the best
Narelle xoxoxoxox
to fd (lara)
sorry previous rock it baby was for you, put it in reply but it doesnt look like it is addressed to your comment cheers
One week after
Hi Chrissys4, glad to hear you have survived your first round! My first one hit me the hardest in terms of nausea, but my oncologist adjusted my dose down slightly for the next one, so it was a little easier. The other side effects you mentioned will be cumulative unfortunately, however usually in the week before each new dose, you will be feeling quite a lot better. Hang in there! Mark this one off and congratulate yourself , one down already
Hey Pink Sisters
I agree with you all and we need to try and get rid of as many negatives as we can however we can. Unfortunately it is "all about us" at present and there is nothing we can do about it. We didn't decide to get this bloody awful, scary, life disrupting, strength and life zapping bloody disease. I am sure if we could all turn the clock back and make all this disgusting stuff that is happening to us and just get our old life back (no matter what kind of life it was) it can't be any worse than what we are all going through now.
We have to learn to ignore all the cretins, selfish, nasty, demanding, yukky and every other name we want to give them people and things and just take them out of the equation for now as they not good medicine for us and we should only soak up all the good stuff like lots of hugs, cuddles, kisses, loves and good vibes to see us through this shitty journey.
Exception being that WE are allowed to winge, vent, yell, scream and throw a tantrum on this website cause US SISTERS all know what the other sister is going through.
We can do it Pink sisters, I know we all can.
Sending all my good vibes your way tonight girls. You will all help me think good thoughts tomorrow at chemo of pink, pink, pink.................lol
Mich xoxo
Just About To Start
Have my first chemo next Friday. Not sure what to expect and how I will cope. I have 4 sessions of chemo, 5 weeks of radiation and 12 months of Herceptin. Seems like a hell of a lot. 12 months sessions pretty much floored me. Not what I expected at all.
Second chemo down!!
Hi all, thank you so much for your advice. I am the third day after my second chemo cycle and I am feeling sorry for myself. I have headaches all through the night and they just hover in the head through the day. I crawl out of bed to get somethng to eat as I feel so sick first thing. After I have stuffed cheese on toast down I am feeling a little better. I am sure the headaches are due to me not eating properly!
I felt so good last week and it is a hard hit to be starting all over again. Have to pull myself out of this, so I am hear to gather my strength from you all as I know I am not alone.
I had my meds changed and I now have something for the reflux so I am hoping that will help out. The anti nausea tablets were making me feel sick so they have been changed and they are a help on this third day as the main ones are finished.
Thank you for your strength.
Hey Chrissy, I am 2nd day post c2. I must say I feel so much better than last time! I think that 3 consequetive weeks of anaesthetics and possibly some of my daughters gastro bug plus chemo wiped me out last time. This time round I feel much better. Yuk yuks are still in the background but manageable. I do however have a cracking headache which has been present since chemo day and now my scalp is tender and the hair is starting to fall out.
Oh the joys! Aren't we a special bunch!
Thanks for the reply. I always feel bad when I have had a moan to know that there are so many people worse off than I. I have had a lie down and I am now eating arrowroot biscuits and sips of water. My daughter shaved off my hair as it was falling out and messy. I now have a problem with the prickly hair and I wear a t-shirt tube I cut and find it the best thing to sleep in and keeps my head warm.
HI Chrissy and Dan
I dont know if it will help, but my breast care nurse advised 1 maxalon plus 2 panadol for the big post chemo headache. Works for some not all. Worked for me. Wish I know about it on round 1!. Love arrowroot biscuits. Green tea with a slice of ginger. Apple cider vinegar (weak) with teaspoon of honey. Ice pack on head or face flannel that was popped in the freezer resolved the head itch as did a massage with olive oil. For some humour check out headcovers.com. A USA cancer website. I bought some "caps" which are really light and fit under my beanies and hats so no irritation. My sister in law bought me the multi colour floral swim cap for summer when my radiation is finished. Very 1950's. Laughed so had when it arrived in the post. Also check out the hats with hair much laughter there. I'm thinking denim hat with plaits for a treat.
Take care.
Hi Dan
Yes, we are a special bunch.
Glad to hear, you are feeling better than last time :)
Yes, I have the headaches after chemo. My oncologist gave me stronger headache tablets to take, to which helped.
Oh the tender scalp. Oh honey....... do the shave. Don't let it get to the stage I had, where it will start to feel like "cactus spikes" That really hurts, and I think that was also a contributing factor to the headaches as well. I got my hair cut real short and had the cactus spikes to which also lead to me not having a good nites sleep. I tossed and turned endlessly, trying to find a spot on my head that didn't hurt. It was awful. :(
Once you hair is falling out, get it just real short and shave. Trust me on this one......
Let me know how you get on, my lovely.
Love as always Julie XX
Hi Chrissy
Don't worry, we all feel sorry for ourselves, at some point. I know, I have.
I just had my third chemo, last Friday, and am still not feeling 100% percent. Bugger.....
I had bad headaches to, and my oncologist gave me stronger headache tablets, to which helped. So maybe tell your oncologist, they should give you something for it.
Yes the crawling out of bed, I know as well. Feeling nauseous and needing to eat something.
I think ( not a proper medical diagnosis) haha , but having more chemo sessions have made me feel not as sick, but the duration of feeling sick lasts longer. If that makes sense.
Hope you are feeling well real soon and you also give us strength to. So don't forget it.....
Stay in touch love Julie XX
Hi Girvan8
Just take one day at a time sweetie. We all are......
Let us know, how you get on next Friday.
Just think all this is relatively short, compared to how much having life is really worth.... After treatment a whole new world will be. You will look back and wonder that it WAS ALL WORTH IT.
Thats my way of thinking. When I have a bad day, I keep thinking, in the scheme of things, this is all for a reason. To make me feel better and rid of this horrible BC. I will look back and be happy that I did find it, I did do something about it, and I am being treated for it. And now I am happy and proud of myself.
You go girl - chin up and remember, we are all here for you.
Love Julie XX
Overwhelmed by the responses
Thank you chipmunk. Overwhelmed by the responses as I said above. Aren't women just the greatest when you need some solace and help.
First chemo over today. A few tears I have to admit but I think the anticipation is the worst thing. I feel fine just now but not sure what to expect in the days to come:)
What the medical oncologist did say was " I can cure you" but only if I complete all the treatment which of course I have to.
Having lost my dear mum to this disease at just the age I am now is pretty devastating but mine was caught early and hers wasn't. Her cancer was pretty advanced when discovered. There was not the screening and publicity then that we see now.
Your aye
JeanW
Hi Jean
Great to hear that you have finished your first chemo today... congrats... :)
Yes, I think the anticipation of the "not knowing" when you have your first chemo. Hope you don't get too many side effects. Just remember to take all your meds given to you, when you start to feel whatever the side effects. Try not to put up with them..... as I found out.... it isn't worth it. I thought I could handle some of them, but to no avail. I took the meds which helped heaps in the end. So lesson learned for my next chemo.
Sorry to hear that you lost your dearest mum to this disease. It's just not fair is it? I actually lost my father to Mesothelioma (asbestosis) last year. And I was diagnosed with BC basically a year later by a month. So I saw my father go through chemo and radiation. My parents live in Adelaide and I was commuting from Brisbane each fortnight. I couldn't bear to not see my dad... so I flew each fortnight to stay on the weekend. I did this for 18 months... must admit accumulated serious frequent flyer points...
It is good that you did catch this early, and now having the treatment needed to cure this. And also you need to do all the treatment as the oncologist has advised. As this will cure you.... Keep positive..
Keep us posted. Love as always Julie XX
Hi Julie
Well had a not too bad weekend at all. Feel pretty good. Spoke to my sisters in Scotland via Skype yesterday and that is so helpful. We are a pretty close family and skype is a godsend and being a good Scot I like it even better '' cos it's free:)
I took all the anti nausea meds they gave me and I feel I can go to work tomorrow. I would rather not sit on my bum at home when I can work and my employers have been absolutely fabulous. Can't fault them at all. Take all the time you need they said. Fortunately I have heaps of sick leave accrued and other leave as well along with a 75% salary guarantee for up to 2 years. Determined I won't need that!
My medical oncologist told me 4 words that have really buoyed me and my husband.
He saïd " I can cure you" if I complete all the treatment. The chances of it recurring after treatmen is 20% or less, without it it shoots up to 50-60%. No contest really.
My hearts scan apparently was excellent. My daughter reckons they may have had difficulty in finding it :)
How are you going? So sorry to hear that you too lost a parent to this hellish disease. Doesn't matter what age you are it is always devastating when your parent is lost to you.
How many more chemo do you have to go or are you done? What's next on the agenda?
Anyway need to go and make some tea and prepare for work tomorrow. Hope you will have a good week and it's another step on the road to the finish line.:)
Yours aye
jean
Hi Jean
Great that you haven't had bad nausea, and able to go back to work for the "sanity". I am like you, after getting over the sideeffects, I prefer to go to work for a few hours a week, just to get my mind off it all.
I also use Sykpe to keep in touch with my friends in Adelaide.It's great !!
I still have 9 chemos to go, the next one is on Friday..... I need to do these each Friday for 9 weeks. Also, just seen my Radiologist last Monday. Need to start radiio, after I finish chemo, for 5 days a week for 6 weeks = 30 sessions........
Hope all is well, and keep up posted, Julie XX
AC chemo
Hi Dan,
Your treatment sounds identical to mine last year. I'm still having 3 weekly herceptin until October which is 12 months. Hope you are travelling ok. I found the AC knocked me around a lot more than the Taxol/herceptin. I also had 36 rounds of radiotherapy which I finished in mid March. Long haul but you so find the strength to keep going.
Good luck with the remainder of the treatment. Thinking of you and everything you are going through. This site kept me going and still does. The journey in some ways never ends.
Take care,
Alison (Perth) xxx
Thank you so much for your comments. I find them very helpful. I really need a friend who can relate in least situations and that is why I am here with you all. I had a bad third day yesterday and today I have started to feel like I belong again. The tablets must be better as it didn't take so long this time to stop the nausea. As for the spiky hair, I am a bit worried about getting an infection from shaving completely as I have been told it can cause ingrown hairs which can be a problem. I do toss and turn all night trying to get some sleep as it is very uncomfortable.
Nude nut
Hi Chrissy, I understand the concern re infection and ingrown hair. I think we become super vigilent when we start chemo. I took the option of a no blade on the little clippers (these are little clippers with all these extra attachments not big hair clippers) rather than a shave (it is very close to a shave). I have sensitive skin so I get a rash even when I shave my legs so I thought best not on my head (much to my husbands disappointment as he is bald and has all the "right stuff" for head shaving). I have just been letting my hair fall out naturally on my legs and arms, so I figure it will happen on my head (although suprisinglynot yet). I wash my head with my facewash or the cepetal soap and then every couple of days rub sorbolene and glycerine over it. I also have little cotton caps with no seams that help when I go to bed. I hope you find a solution soon. Sleep is so important.
Well I found a friend with an electric shaver and my head is not bald but it is very close to it and the prickly feeling is much better. Thanks for all your input. xx