Finished !!!

new2me
new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Friday Oct 1st was my 6th and last treatment of Taxotere and Carboplain - but I still have to complete a year of Herceptin, but I can whip right through that. Anwyay - that last treatment really kicked my butt. I was down for the entire week-end to where it usually just starts to get me down Monday and last through Wed. but this time it started early. I was told by the nurse that the reason for this was becasue I gained 20 lbs and they had to up my dosage therefore hitting my harder. But I'm behind it now and feeling so much better. What I had to keep telling myself was...."This is the last of it, I can do it" even though I got emotional (I always do when I feel awful like that) Now I'm looking forward to feeling better. Tomorrow will be my week since chemo and I know thats when side effects start (for me) But I can do it. I just keep telling myself.
My Oncologist is giving me a break through the holidays and won't be starting radiation till Jan. I'm so glad. This gives me 2 months to lose some weight and regain some strength.
As I look back, the time really has gone by fast - Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. For everyone that is just starting out on there journey, just remember - you can and will get through this. God is with you :)

So much love to everyone :)

Kelly
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Comments

  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Kelly, congratulations on
    Kelly, congratulations on finishing the worst part of it all!! At least, the chemo was the worst for me. You should be feeling much better by January and then able to handle the rads. They can also make you fatigued but are tolerable. Go celebrate, you deserve it!! Keep in touch as you go forward.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    Kelly
    so glad to hear chemo is finished and rads don't start until after the holidays :-) I too have gained 20#s and I'm not happy about it. I feel like a blimp! Chemo Taxotere/Cytoxan #4 is next Tuesday and I still don't know if I'm going to have #5 & #6 yet. Enjoy the next 2 months and I hope you are successful in losing the pounds and regaining your strength.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    MyTurnNow said:

    Kelly, congratulations on
    Kelly, congratulations on finishing the worst part of it all!! At least, the chemo was the worst for me. You should be feeling much better by January and then able to handle the rads. They can also make you fatigued but are tolerable. Go celebrate, you deserve it!! Keep in touch as you go forward.

    Congrats, Kelly.
    The chemo was the worst for me also. Glad you have a break between that and rads. The rads seems like it'll take forever, but it really does go by quickly. I looked at it as going to a job every day (a very short job!). You can do it! Now go celebrate in the most fun way you can think of!

    Hugs, Renee
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    Cocktail sisters
    Kelly,

    we have so much in common. I just completed my carbo/ taxotere regime 2 months ago, yeps and
    also gained about 30 pounds.. It's now only Herceptin for me BABY!!!

    I am not having radiation, I chose the mastectomy to avoid radiation.

    Yeah, like you I can't believe it's been almost a year since my diagnosis.

    So let's keep each other inspired, shed weight and begin the healing process,
    What do you say?

    Ayse
  • new2me
    new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
    cahjah75 said:

    Kelly
    so glad to hear chemo is finished and rads don't start until after the holidays :-) I too have gained 20#s and I'm not happy about it. I feel like a blimp! Chemo Taxotere/Cytoxan #4 is next Tuesday and I still don't know if I'm going to have #5 & #6 yet. Enjoy the next 2 months and I hope you are successful in losing the pounds and regaining your strength.
    {{hugs}} Char

    Oh Char
    I know how you feel. I feel like a blimp too. but I was told that it should start to come off once the chemo and steroids are out of my system. Gaining the weight is harder on me than losing my hair. but keep your chin up and remember you are fighting for your life and the weight will come off. I don't expect mine to just fall off, I've always struggled and I know I will have to work out to lose what doesn't just fall off from the chemo. :) but I can do it and you will too.

    Did they have to up your dosage too? and if so was that harder on you?

    Love, Kelly
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    new2me said:

    Oh Char
    I know how you feel. I feel like a blimp too. but I was told that it should start to come off once the chemo and steroids are out of my system. Gaining the weight is harder on me than losing my hair. but keep your chin up and remember you are fighting for your life and the weight will come off. I don't expect mine to just fall off, I've always struggled and I know I will have to work out to lose what doesn't just fall off from the chemo. :) but I can do it and you will too.

    Did they have to up your dosage too? and if so was that harder on you?

    Love, Kelly

    Kelly
    surprisingly my onc has not weighed me since I started chemo. I see his APRN next Tuesday because he will be on vacation. I didn't know they adjusted chemo cocktail if you gain weight.
    Char
  • new2me
    new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
    aysemari said:

    Cocktail sisters
    Kelly,

    we have so much in common. I just completed my carbo/ taxotere regime 2 months ago, yeps and
    also gained about 30 pounds.. It's now only Herceptin for me BABY!!!

    I am not having radiation, I chose the mastectomy to avoid radiation.

    Yeah, like you I can't believe it's been almost a year since my diagnosis.

    So let's keep each other inspired, shed weight and begin the healing process,
    What do you say?

    Ayse

    Yes, Totally lets do. :)
    HOw you doing on the weight loss? coming off easy or do you have to work at it? I'm giving myself 2 weeks then I really plan to jump on it and really watch what I eat and work out and much as i can. Right now my red counts are low and considered Anemic so I'm very winded just walking up the stairs at work here. But I try to do as much as I can.
    I feel so refreshed and excited -

    So glad you don't have to do radiation. People tell me it makes them tired so I'm expecting as much. I chose a lumpectomy because my percentage was low of it returning, plus I didn't want to go through all of the reconstruction.

    Yes, lets do keep eachother inspired.

    Love, Kelly
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    aysemari said:

    Cocktail sisters
    Kelly,

    we have so much in common. I just completed my carbo/ taxotere regime 2 months ago, yeps and
    also gained about 30 pounds.. It's now only Herceptin for me BABY!!!

    I am not having radiation, I chose the mastectomy to avoid radiation.

    Yeah, like you I can't believe it's been almost a year since my diagnosis.

    So let's keep each other inspired, shed weight and begin the healing process,
    What do you say?

    Ayse

    Yea for being done
    Congratulations on finishing chemo! It feels so good to be done, glad you have some time till rads. I did well through rads, praying you will too. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • new2me
    new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
    cahjah75 said:

    Kelly
    surprisingly my onc has not weighed me since I started chemo. I see his APRN next Tuesday because he will be on vacation. I didn't know they adjusted chemo cocktail if you gain weight.
    Char

    For me they did....they may not you.
    Because I am a case study and on Herception they monitor me. My Oncologist didn't adjust it - the Lady from UCLA did.(for the lack of better title) I go to CBCC for all my treatments and see the Dr's and it is affliated with UCLA. Dr. Patel is the founder of CBCC and he is my Oncologist.
    They weighed me in every treatment and every Dr. appt. Ugh :(
  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    I gained a good 10 pounds.
    I gained a good 10 pounds. It is not easy taking it off. Back to my usual eating habits (1-fiber bar for brreakfast, 1/2 any lunch, little dinner, no drinks except for morning coffee, water and wine. some chocolate treats once in a while. Whee, lost 1/2# in 2 weeks. Sure didn't take that long to gain it.

    One problem for me is that by the time I get home from work, take a little nap, then start dinner, it's about 8pm. Kinda late to eat, especially since I've been going to bed around 9:30 lately. But unfortunatly my cook is as non-existant as my housekeeper.

    Good luck, Cindy
  • new2me
    new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    I gained a good 10 pounds.
    I gained a good 10 pounds. It is not easy taking it off. Back to my usual eating habits (1-fiber bar for brreakfast, 1/2 any lunch, little dinner, no drinks except for morning coffee, water and wine. some chocolate treats once in a while. Whee, lost 1/2# in 2 weeks. Sure didn't take that long to gain it.

    One problem for me is that by the time I get home from work, take a little nap, then start dinner, it's about 8pm. Kinda late to eat, especially since I've been going to bed around 9:30 lately. But unfortunatly my cook is as non-existant as my housekeeper.

    Good luck, Cindy

    So glad you only gained 10
    I know I will have to struggle with getting most of it off, I'm just enthusiastic that I can begin soon. Over a year ago I lost 24 lbs but I had the help of diet pills under my physicians care but I can't take the diet pills this time. Herceptin is hard on the heart and so are the pills. so that leaves just my work out and tough diet. I've been so off of my normal eating habits that it'll be hard to get back on it. I know that for sure.

    Thanks,
    Kelly
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    MyTurnNow said:

    Kelly, congratulations on
    Kelly, congratulations on finishing the worst part of it all!! At least, the chemo was the worst for me. You should be feeling much better by January and then able to handle the rads. They can also make you fatigued but are tolerable. Go celebrate, you deserve it!! Keep in touch as you go forward.

    Congrats Kelly! You have
    Congrats Kelly! You have completed a huge milestone in your treatment.

    Good luck with rads!
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    new2me said:

    So glad you only gained 10
    I know I will have to struggle with getting most of it off, I'm just enthusiastic that I can begin soon. Over a year ago I lost 24 lbs but I had the help of diet pills under my physicians care but I can't take the diet pills this time. Herceptin is hard on the heart and so are the pills. so that leaves just my work out and tough diet. I've been so off of my normal eating habits that it'll be hard to get back on it. I know that for sure.

    Thanks,
    Kelly

    Congrats Kelly
    So happy for you to be done. I just finished my year on herceptin. Last June I saw my cancer center's dietian who really helped me with portions and what to eat and what not to eat. I lost 6#'s just by changing what I was eating. I wouldn't call it a "diet" per say as I was never hungry. She gave me a pamphlet from the American Institute for Cancer Research called "The New American Plate". You can read it online at www.aicr.org. I'm also on Tamoxefin so I have the joint pain so exercising is hard for me.

    Hope this helps
    Sher
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    Sher43009 said:

    Congrats Kelly
    So happy for you to be done. I just finished my year on herceptin. Last June I saw my cancer center's dietian who really helped me with portions and what to eat and what not to eat. I lost 6#'s just by changing what I was eating. I wouldn't call it a "diet" per say as I was never hungry. She gave me a pamphlet from the American Institute for Cancer Research called "The New American Plate". You can read it online at www.aicr.org. I'm also on Tamoxefin so I have the joint pain so exercising is hard for me.

    Hope this helps
    Sher

    Congratualtions! I felt
    Congratualtions! I felt better and better as the chemo was out of my system. slowly at first then it seemed to take off, kind of like my hair!. I got weighed every treatment too. Unfortunately I had such a bad reaction to chemo I lost a lot of weight. which I appreciate now. I have talked to the dieticians and they were very helpful. Rads was a breeze for me.
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    Hey Kelly, Congratulations,
    Hey Kelly, Congratulations, I bet it is nice to know your done with taxotere and carboplatin. I have one more and I will also be done with them. Can't wait! You can do herceptin standing on your head. That will be easy compared to the others. Its nice you get to stop for the holidays. does it matter that you wait 2 months to start rads. Take care. Best of luck to ya Kay,
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    Whoop! Whoop!
    Wow! What a milestone to complete! As soon as you're feeling up to it, go celebrate girl! You deserve it!

    Hugs to you,

    Linda
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Congrats on finishing! Now
    Congrats on finishing! Now take it easy and give yourself time to recover. And you will get through it all because we are right there with you.
  • chriskaput
    chriskaput Member Posts: 109
    congrats
    Sooo happy for you! You made it through and I know how tough it was! I finished this week too..also gotta do the Herceptin for a year. Hope you are feeling better and continue to through the holidays :)
    All the best
    hugs,
    Chris, NY
  • pscheer
    pscheer Member Posts: 56 Member
    So happy for you finishing
    So happy for you finishing chemo! I had tch also. I gained 30 lbs. I was so worried about what rads would be like and I didn't feel anything at all until after the 21st of 30 rads. Even then, it wasn't bad at all. I've had worse sunburns. A walk in the park compared to chemo! I only have two more herceptin and have already scheduled the day to remove my port. I love herceptin! Your hard days are over! Yay for you!
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    pscheer said:

    So happy for you finishing
    So happy for you finishing chemo! I had tch also. I gained 30 lbs. I was so worried about what rads would be like and I didn't feel anything at all until after the 21st of 30 rads. Even then, it wasn't bad at all. I've had worse sunburns. A walk in the park compared to chemo! I only have two more herceptin and have already scheduled the day to remove my port. I love herceptin! Your hard days are over! Yay for you!

    Awesome you're done!
    I was on Herceptin as well and had to get my heart monitored. I was happy that I didn't have to be hooked up nearly as much taking Herceptin as I did with the Chemo mix.

    I hope and pray this goes by quickly for you!

    Blessings,

    Sylvia