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Post by elaine on May 28, 2020 14:53:39 GMT
Hi everyone! A big congratulations to stampnscrap1128 for finishing radiation! and big (((hugs))) to Baseballmom23 , who is starting another round. eta: @bergdorfblonde ‘s dh is through with chemo - yay! And has surgery coming up. How is everyone else doing? Any news that you’d like to share? |
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Post by elaine on May 28, 2020 15:01:28 GMT
My infusion of Zometa- a bisphosphonate- went without a hitch in March. It was nice to be remembered by the chemo suite nurses. They really are special people.
I’ll be having the infusions every six months. All I had was some fatigue and bone achiness - side effects I can live with.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,662 
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Post by Rhondito on May 28, 2020 18:00:33 GMT
I finished radiation on March 20. I had no problems whatsoever with it. No burning or anything so that was a huge relief.
I saw my oncologist for a checkup and started taking Tamoxifen about 6 ago. So far I'm doing fine with it, no negative side effects that I can tell, other than trouble sleeping a handful of nights.
How is everyone managing with Covid? I've been working from home since March 17 and have basically been a hermit. My doctor told me not to even go to the grocery store. I started riding my bike again a couple of weeks ago though - I was beginning to get depressed being inside all the time.
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Post by elaine on May 28, 2020 18:34:13 GMT
I finished radiation on March 20. I had no problems whatsoever with it. No burning or anything so that was a huge relief. I saw my oncologist for a checkup and started taking Tamoxifen about 6 ago. So far I'm doing fine with it, no negative side effects that I can tell, other than trouble sleeping a handful of nights. How is everyone managing with Covid? I've been working from home since March 17 and have basically been a hermit. My doctor told me not to even go to the grocery store. I started riding my bike again a couple of weeks ago though - I was beginning to get depressed being inside all the time. I’m so glad to hear that you tolerated radiation so well, Rhondito! My biggest problem with arimidex (anastrozole) is the sleep issues. I can fall asleep, but then I wake after my first sleep cycle, usually 4 hours, and have a very hard time falling back to sleep and 4 hours just isn’t enough sleep. We are working to find a non-addicting drug that will help with that. I’ve been doing okay - we’ve been home since March 12. I do go to the grocery store every couple of weeks, but I wouldn’t if I had just finished treatment like you. I do walk the dogs a couple of miles per day and have been fishing at least weekly, so I am getting in my outdoor time. |
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
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Post by Mystie on May 28, 2020 18:48:26 GMT
I have to agree about the chemo nurses, elaine .They are some special people. I have the same nurse every time and I'm so fond of her. My eighth and last chemo treatment is Monday the 1st. I'll be sick for about a week and a half after, so I'll count myself officially done on the day I wake up and feel semi-normal, whenever that may be! I have a mammogram + ultrasound on June 10 and a consult with my surgeon June 16. So that will reveal a lot about how much good the chemo did, what the surgery will look like (as far as how much they'll have to remove, whether they'll have to chop the other boob to make them match etc). And then of course getting a surgery date. Having all this covid bullahit along with the cancer bullshit has pushed me right to the edge of my mental health. I'm hoping when I start feeling physically better, my mental health will improve, too. There is so much I can't do right now. It's hard to keep pushing through. |
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,662
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Post by Rhondito on May 28, 2020 19:27:00 GMT
Mystie (((hugs))) it has to be hard dealing with it all when you're right in the thick of things. Thank goodness you're almost done with chemo! That'll help a lot mentally. Keeping you in my prayers!
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,447
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Post by peasquared on May 28, 2020 19:31:37 GMT
Thinking of you gals and sending warm hugs. I’m so sorry that along with all this, you’re dealing with covid, too! Life is so hard sometimes. But, better days are ahead!! 💕💕💕
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,948
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on May 28, 2020 19:47:45 GMT
Prayers and hugs to each of you going through this journey. It has to be heck with covid hanging over your heads as well. My BIL just had a bone marrow transplant yesterday morning and it was a real challenge for him as the transplant was put off twice because of covid, meanwhile trying to stay healthy enough to have the transplant. May everyone be healed with successful treatements! {{{Hugs}}}
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Post by elaine on May 28, 2020 20:51:30 GMT
I have to agree about the chemo nurses, elaine .They are some special people. I have the same nurse every time and I'm so fond of her. My eighth and last chemo treatment is Monday the 1st. I'll be sick for about a week and a half after, so I'll count myself officially done on the day I wake up and feel semi-normal, whenever that may be! I have a mammogram + ultrasound on June 10 and a consult with my surgeon June 16. So that will reveal a lot about how much good the chemo did, what the surgery will look like (as far as how much they'll have to remove, whether they'll have to chop the other boob to make them match etc). And then of course getting a surgery date. Having all this covid bullahit along with the cancer bullshit has pushed me right to the edge of my mental health. I'm hoping when I start feeling physically better, my mental health will improve, too. There is so much I can't do right now. It's hard to keep pushing through. (((Hugs))) This COVID stuff makes everything that much harder. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have your immune system in the toilet due to chemo at a time like this. I will pray that June 1 goes well and that you feel better as quickly as possible after chemo is done. Treat yourself gently, because the after-effects last a year or more. You feel 95% better, but you don’t have the stamina and have some days when you just can’t believe how fatigued you are even though chemo ended 9 months (or more) earlier. I hope that you get a surgery date relatively quickly and that they don’t have to remove too much tissue. Prayers and hugs to each of you going through this journey. It has to be heck with covid hanging over your heads as well. My BIL just had a bone marrow transplant yesterday morning and it was a real challenge for him as the transplant was put off twice because of covid, meanwhile trying to stay healthy enough to have the transplant. May everyone be healed with successful treatements! {{{Hugs}}} I hope that your BIL recovers quickly and stays COVID-free. |
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Post by withapea on May 28, 2020 22:05:44 GMT
I finished radiation just before everything shut down ( thank goodness ) and it helped my pain a lot. I just had my first scans after three months of target chemo and it's working. My largest mass was 9cm at the start of treatment and now it's about 3.5 and some of the smaller tumors are significantly smaller or gone. I'm still having issues with my blood and my chemo drug is really hard on my liver, so we're constantly monitoring that as well as my calcium levels as the cancer in my bone wreaked havoc. I'm going in for monthly bone boosting injections and haven't noticed anything negative from that other than it leaches calcium. I'm definitely having some significant side-effects from my chemo med but considering what others have to deal with and that fact that it's working I hate to complain about any of them.
I'm really pleased to hear everyone's updates. This virus crap on top of treatment is a real drag. Hugs to all of you.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,948
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on May 28, 2020 23:54:23 GMT
I have to agree about the chemo nurses, elaine .They are some special people. I have the same nurse every time and I'm so fond of her. My eighth and last chemo treatment is Monday the 1st. I'll be sick for about a week and a half after, so I'll count myself officially done on the day I wake up and feel semi-normal, whenever that may be! I have a mammogram + ultrasound on June 10 and a consult with my surgeon June 16. So that will reveal a lot about how much good the chemo did, what the surgery will look like (as far as how much they'll have to remove, whether they'll have to chop the other boob to make them match etc). And then of course getting a surgery date. Having all this covid bullahit along with the cancer bullshit has pushed me right to the edge of my mental health. I'm hoping when I start feeling physically better, my mental health will improve, too. There is so much I can't do right now. It's hard to keep pushing through. (((Hugs))) This COVID stuff makes everything that much harder. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have your immune system in the toilet due to chemo at a time like this. I will pray that June 1 goes well and that you feel better as quickly as possible after chemo is done. Treat yourself gently, because the after-effects last a year or more. You feel 95% better, but you don’t have the stamina and have some days when you just can’t believe how fatigued you are even though chemo ended 9 months (or more) earlier. I hope that you get a surgery date relatively quickly and that they don’t have to remove too much tissue. Prayers and hugs to each of you going through this journey. It has to be heck with covid hanging over your heads as well. My BIL just had a bone marrow transplant yesterday morning and it was a real challenge for him as the transplant was put off twice because of covid, meanwhile trying to stay healthy enough to have the transplant. May everyone be healed with successful treatements! {{{Hugs}}} I hope that your BIL recovers quickly and stays COVID-free. Thank you! |
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sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,036
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on May 29, 2020 7:54:45 GMT
I am now 2 years out from my initial diagnosis. I had my check up mammo and gyn visits in the past few weeks, and everything is looking good at this point. I am still on tamoxifen and 6 monthly mammos for another 3 years, but my gyn is happy with how things are right now.
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Post by elaine on May 29, 2020 13:08:27 GMT
I finished radiation just before everything shut down ( thank goodness ) and it helped my pain a lot. I just had my first scans after three months of target chemo and it's working. My largest mass was 9cm at the start of treatment and now it's about 3.5 and some of the smaller tumors are significantly smaller or gone. I'm still having issues with my blood and my chemo drug is really hard on my liver, so we're constantly monitoring that as well as my calcium levels as the cancer in my bone wreaked havoc. I'm going in for monthly bone boosting injections and haven't noticed anything negative from that other than it leaches calcium. I'm definitely having some significant side-effects from my chemo med but considering what others have to deal with and that fact that it's working I hate to complain about any of them. I'm really pleased to hear everyone's updates. This virus crap on top of treatment is a real drag. Hugs to all of you. I am so happy to hear that the chemo is working! With my reading on Zometa, I learned so much about the nasty stuff bisphosphonates and other bone cancer drugs can do to your blood calcium levels and the load they put on your kidneys and liver. I am sorry that you have to love this, but glad that it is working. I wanted to say that I admire you. You have such an upbeat attitude and handle what is thrown your way with grace. Cancer found a very formidable warrior in you. 🥰 I am now 2 years out from my initial diagnosis. I had my check up mammo and gyn visits in the past few weeks, and everything is looking good at this point. I am still on tamoxifen and 6 monthly mammos for another 3 years, but my gyn is happy with how things are right now. It is hard to believe that it is two years already! I am just a couple of months ahead of you. I’m glad to hear that you are tolerating the tamoxifen well and that your gynecologist is pleased. Will it be a relief when you move back to annual mammograms, or do you prefer every 6 months? I’m not sure how I would feel about it if I were still having mammograms. I’m glad that you were able to get in for check-ups even with everything going on pandemic-wise. |
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sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,036
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on May 29, 2020 13:14:53 GMT
I am now 2 years out from my initial diagnosis. I had my check up mammo and gyn visits in the past few weeks, and everything is looking good at this point. I am still on tamoxifen and 6 monthly mammos for another 3 years, but my gyn is happy with how things are right now. It is hard to believe that it is two years already! I am just a couple of months ahead of you. I’m glad to hear that you are tolerating the tamoxifen well and that your gynecologist is pleased. Will it be a relief when you move back to annual mammograms, or do you prefer every 6 months? I’m not sure how I would feel about it if I were still having mammograms. I’m glad that you were able to get in for check-ups even with everything going on pandemic-wise. At the moment, I am pleased to be having 6 monthly mammos, as I am still concerned about a recurrence, no matter what all the doctors have said. I guess dropping back to annually will be a sign of progress in my aftercare - I don't know when that will happen. Medically, things are pretty good here - most GPs and specialists are still seeing patients, with precautions like masks, disinfection gels (both doctor and patients) and gloves. When I rang to check if my gyn appointment was still on, as I made it back in February at my previous check, they were all 'of course you come in. Aftercare is still important'. |
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Post by oliquig on May 29, 2020 13:25:03 GMT
Hi, I was diagnosed at the beginning of May. I am a survivor from endometrial cancer in 2010, but now it's back metastasized to my pleura and one nodule on my lung. I start chemo next week, once every three weeks for about 8 sessions taxotere and carboplatin.
It's funny talking about nurses, I went in for a drs appt, just to get a layout is what would be happening. I also had blood taken from my port, and the nurse was telling me what to do what m when showing up for chemo. Then she said there will be several nurses, but she's decided to keep me. I thought that was funny.
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Post by elaine on May 29, 2020 13:33:19 GMT
Hi, I was diagnosed at the beginning of May. I am a survivor from endometrial cancer in 2010, but now it's back metastasized to my pleura and one nodule on my lung. I start chemo next week, once every three weeks for about 8 sessions taxotere and carboplatin. It's funny talking about nurses, I went in for a drs appt, just to get a layout is what would be happening. I also had blood taken from my port, and the nurse was telling me what to do what m when showing up for chemo. Then she said there will be several nurses, but she's decided to keep me. I thought that was funny. Well, it sucks that the cancer is back. 🙁 I am glad that you got your port put in so quickly and that chemo will be starting soon. 🙂 I hope that you tolerate it well, especially the taxotere. I had another taxane drug and struggled with it. Please let us know how it goes for you! It sounds like you are in good hands with your nurse. I wonder if they know how precious they are? I know that I made a point of stopping at Dunkin Donuts or BJs on the way to chemo and picked up a dozen donuts or platter of brownies and brought it in for the nurses to each session. It is amazing how much they appreciated a $12-$15 gesture. And it was nothing compared of what they did for me and the others in the chemo suite. |
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Post by oliquig on May 29, 2020 13:53:02 GMT
Hi, I was diagnosed at the beginning of May. I am a survivor from endometrial cancer in 2010, but now it's back metastasized to my pleura and one nodule on my lung. I start chemo next week, once every three weeks for about 8 sessions taxotere and carboplatin. It's funny talking about nurses, I went in for a drs appt, just to get a layout is what would be happening. I also had blood taken from my port, and the nurse was telling me what to do what m when showing up for chemo. Then she said there will be several nurses, but she's decided to keep me. I thought that was funny. Well, it sucks that the cancer is back. 🙁 I am glad that you got your port put in so quickly and that chemo will be starting soon. 🙂 I hope that you tolerate it well, especially the taxotere. I had another taxane drug and struggled with it. Please let us know how it goes for you! It sounds like you are in good hands with your nurse. I wonder if they know how precious they are? I know that I made a point of stopping at Dunkin Donuts or BJs on the way to chemo and picked up a dozen donuts or platter of brownies and brought it in for the nurses to each session. It is amazing how much they appreciated a $12-$15 gesture. And it was nothing compared of what they did for me and the others in the chemo suite. It's actually the same chemo combo I was on last time, and I had no problem with them (beyond losing my hair) so hopefully it will go the same. My body responded really well to chemo last time. |
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Post by elaine on May 29, 2020 14:00:07 GMT
Well, it sucks that the cancer is back. 🙁 I am glad that you got your port put in so quickly and that chemo will be starting soon. 🙂 I hope that you tolerate it well, especially the taxotere. I had another taxane drug and struggled with it. Please let us know how it goes for you! It sounds like you are in good hands with your nurse. I wonder if they know how precious they are? I know that I made a point of stopping at Dunkin Donuts or BJs on the way to chemo and picked up a dozen donuts or platter of brownies and brought it in for the nurses to each session. It is amazing how much they appreciated a $12-$15 gesture. And it was nothing compared of what they did for me and the others in the chemo suite. It's actually the same chemo combo I was on last time, and I had no problem with them (beyond losing my hair) so hopefully it will go the same. My body responded really well to chemo last time. That is awesome! |
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Post by withapea on May 29, 2020 16:07:04 GMT
Hi, I was diagnosed at the beginning of May. I am a survivor from endometrial cancer in 2010, but now it's back metastasized to my pleura and one nodule on my lung. I start chemo next week, once every three weeks for about 8 sessions taxotere and carboplatin. It's funny talking about nurses, I went in for a drs appt, just to get a layout is what would be happening. I also had blood taken from my port, and the nurse was telling me what to do what m when showing up for chemo. Then she said there will be several nurses, but she's decided to keep me. I thought that was funny. I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this again. Sending lots of strength and good vibes. I marvel at the oncology staff every time I'm there, it's a very special group of people. |
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