Stoked!! Chemo is done!!

pinkkari09
pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Yah!!! I have my last treatment today, 4 a/c and 11 taxol under my belt. Now I need to prepare myself for bilateral mastectomy, all lymph nodes, both ovaries and expanders in 3 weeks. Oh Boy, it takes a lot to scare me and I got to be honest this one is freaking me out, I know it can be done because of all you brave warriors who went before me. Any mastectomy advice out there?? After I'm healed up from surgery I'll start 30 rounds of rads. SO SO SO HAPPY TODAY THAT I FINISHED CHEMO
Happy Trails,
Kari
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Comments

  • Dot53
    Dot53 Member Posts: 239 Member
    Hi Kari,
    Congrats! Glad that

    Hi Kari,

    Congrats! Glad that part of the treatment is over for you. I had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders 6 weeks ago. I had some issues with healing afterward which delayed getting my stitches out and starting my fills. After 5.5 weeks the stitches came out and the first fill went in.

    Of course there are some tough moments, but if you take the meds and get your rest you will be fine. Looking back, it really wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.. You will be surprised at how fast you bounce back. Just take things day by day that way you won't get too overwhelmed.

    Wishing you all the best,
    Dot
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
    Kari, I am so happy for you! It's a BIG DEAL to be finished with chemo......been there done that! Pat your self on the back, Job well done!

    I wish you the very best in your continued journey.......
    Peace be with you
  • jbug
    jbug Member Posts: 285
    Congrats!
    Congrats on your HUGE accomplishment!
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    jbug said:

    Congrats!
    Congrats on your HUGE accomplishment!

    congrats one big hurdle to
    congrats one big hurdle to check off your list!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    Congratulation! It feels so
    Congratulation! It feels so good to be finished, I know. I didn't have bilateral or expanders so no advice to give. I had 15 nodes removed tho.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    Marcia527 said:

    Congratulation! It feels so
    Congratulation! It feels so good to be finished, I know. I didn't have bilateral or expanders so no advice to give. I had 15 nodes removed tho.

    Congratulations.

    Congratulations.
  • TLynn0102
    TLynn0102 Member Posts: 86
    Awesome!
    Congrats to you on your accomplishment! I had my bilateral prior to the chemo, and the ovaries after chemo. You have three weeks until the surgery, during this time be sure to get a lot of rest. Nap when you can. Your body will need lots of strength to heal after the surgery. The bilateral is not easy but for me it is not that bad either, the drains are the worst. They are very annoying. I wore pj's the entire time I was healing from this surgery. My nurses gave me these little fabric bags with 2 long ribbons on each side that I tied to my robe, the drains fit right in them and no one saw them. It was nice too because I did not have to pin them to anything. The volunteers at the hospital made them for the BC ladies. I had a small pillow that I would hold against my tummy and a fluff teddy bear I would tuck under my arm when I laid down. I also had a notebook that I kept on the kitchen counter that I would record my meds in. I wrote down the time in 2 hr. increments, I alternated my pain meds (4 hour dosage) with 2 ibueprofen every two hours. The ibueprofen helped to take the edge off before the pain meds wore off. Talk to your Dr. before you do this though and get their approval. And last but not least, get a good book to read. Best wishes for a speedy recovery from your surgery and congratulations again on your accomplishment!
    Tracey
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    Congratulations, Kari!
    That's a lot of chemo rounds you've completed! Yay! My advice is just to take time to celebrate your achievement, realize how big it is. At least half of chemo patients fail to complete as much as 85% of chemo. And you did it all. You are a warrior, too.
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Moopy23 said:

    Congratulations, Kari!
    That's a lot of chemo rounds you've completed! Yay! My advice is just to take time to celebrate your achievement, realize how big it is. At least half of chemo patients fail to complete as much as 85% of chemo. And you did it all. You are a warrior, too.

    YIPPEE
    Congrats Kari! That is a huge milestone to reach! Enjoy and celebrate!

    Sue :)
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    Thank you so much
    Thank you so much pinks....you are all right, i'm going to relax and get myself ready for this big surgery, the more i dote or worry about it the more downhill my health will go. I used to be an avid vitamin taker and they made me feel good, well, with chemo doc said NO VITAMINS and now she says I can start taking them again so YAH that's exciting. I think I will get going on those, take walks, take naps, eat ice cream (excellent source of calcium) and be merry these next few weeks. It was all of you, my friends,family, and of course God who got me through this far, thank you so much!!
    Peace and Love,
    Kari
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Hallelujah Kari---Done with
    Hallelujah Kari---Done with Chemo!! woo Hoo. I'll be praying for you while you move forward with your treatment. Please continue to keep us informed. You've carved a little place in my heart as so many of the sisters have, and I/We want to know about your progress. Lots of "bear hugs".
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508
    WTG!
    Congratulations, Kari! That has to feel SOOOOO good! I'm right behind you. I had my 5th today and have my 6th, and last, scheduled for February 4th. Oh boy did I ever dream of that day! It's odd that I never got sick from chemo, but for whatever reason, I get nauseus with just 'thinking about having it'. I will be glad when these days are over. I already had my mastectomy, left breast, without immediate reconstruction, so I will be onto rads and then begin my reconstruction. It's just crazy to think we go from that scared woman that hears we have cancer to this warier that fights with all we got to get to the end of this. Lots of hugs, love & prayers sent your way for a full and permanent recovery from the rest that lies ahead of you, Kari! Mar
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Kari, congratulations on
    Kari, congratulations on making this milestone. I remember that day well, it hasn't been that long ago for me. Good luck on the surgery and rads are not all that bad. You can do it!!!
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598

    Thank you so much
    Thank you so much pinks....you are all right, i'm going to relax and get myself ready for this big surgery, the more i dote or worry about it the more downhill my health will go. I used to be an avid vitamin taker and they made me feel good, well, with chemo doc said NO VITAMINS and now she says I can start taking them again so YAH that's exciting. I think I will get going on those, take walks, take naps, eat ice cream (excellent source of calcium) and be merry these next few weeks. It was all of you, my friends,family, and of course God who got me through this far, thank you so much!!
    Peace and Love,
    Kari

    Wooo Whoooo
    It feels good to be done, dosen't it? I finished all treatments(chemo and rads)1/9/10. It seems like a hundred yrs ago. Take one thing at a time. That's alot of surgery, but it will be all done at once. I actually had a breast implant done 8 yrs ago and we left it in. Had right mastectomy w all nodes removed. All were positive w ca cells. My implant has survived rads so far. I'm still cooking they say. It is a posibility rads can " damage" ur expanders. Can't remember the proper name. Be aware of that. Mine are ok. You're a awesome person. Don't get freaked out now. We're here. Love and positive prayers heading ur way, Gayla
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    MyTurnNow said:

    Kari, congratulations on
    Kari, congratulations on making this milestone. I remember that day well, it hasn't been that long ago for me. Good luck on the surgery and rads are not all that bad. You can do it!!!

    Party!
    Congrats Kari on saying bye bye to chemo! Good luck with your surgery and radiation treatments!

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    Huge accompishment!
    HUGE!

    Heartfelt congratulations! Glad chemo is done and over for you.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member

    Huge accompishment!
    HUGE!

    Heartfelt congratulations! Glad chemo is done and over for you.

    Kind regards, Susan

    YeeHaw!
    Congrats Kari! Finishing chemo is huge! I am so happy for you!

    KYLEZ ♥
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    Congratulations
    I bet you're glad. My last is coming up next week. I'm tired of being tired. Lumpectomy is next. Good luck to you!
  • lovelylola
    lovelylola Member Posts: 279
    Congratulations Kari
    One stage of the journey over and done - cross that goal off your list of "Things to Do to Beat the Beast" I am happy for you that the chemo is done! Mine finished yesterday as well going in for the Neulasta shot this afternoon.
    I've had the bilateral mastectomy but didn't opt for the reconstruction and my ovaries and uterus came out 20 years ago. There will definitely be some ladies on here with help in the type of surgery you are having. Take the time needed to be good to yourself and don't overdo. Talk to your doctor now about possible getting an anti-anxiety medication. It sure helped for me prior to surgery and then through the chemo.
    Let us know when your surgery date is actually set, we'll by with you in prayers and fluttering little angels in the OR. Lola
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867

    Congratulations Kari
    One stage of the journey over and done - cross that goal off your list of "Things to Do to Beat the Beast" I am happy for you that the chemo is done! Mine finished yesterday as well going in for the Neulasta shot this afternoon.
    I've had the bilateral mastectomy but didn't opt for the reconstruction and my ovaries and uterus came out 20 years ago. There will definitely be some ladies on here with help in the type of surgery you are having. Take the time needed to be good to yourself and don't overdo. Talk to your doctor now about possible getting an anti-anxiety medication. It sure helped for me prior to surgery and then through the chemo.
    Let us know when your surgery date is actually set, we'll by with you in prayers and fluttering little angels in the OR. Lola

    Congratulations Kari ♥
    ♥CONGRATULATIONS!♥☺CONGRATULATIONS!☺☻CONGRATULATIONS!☻♥CONGRATULATIONS!♥

    Love, Jeanne ♥</♥</font>