Newbie to the Forum

tasha_111 said:

Welcome Puffin!

I don't post in here too often.  But, I have to say you have a great attitude!  I have found Frankincense essential oil to be excellent for fatigue, gives me a hell of an energy boost, just wish I had discovered whilst I was going through chemo and rads it sure would have helped a lot!  Good luck with your journey.  Hugs Tash xx

 

How does an oil give you ENERGY?

Puffin2014 said:

Incision pain improving

Found heat the most effective pain reliever. Used one of those microwave rice socks for neck pain, nice and soft and moldable around my breast and under my armpit.

The incisions are gradually getting softer and haven't needed even Tylenol for the last week.

I'm still a little confused about the oils.... do you warm the oils and apply them to your skin and then ....somehow or other they give you Energy?   I don't get it.

Puffin2014 said:

oncotype 27, next step chemo

Saw my oncologist this afternoon, oncotype score was 27, not what I was hoping for, it falls into the high intermediate range. So baseline blood work has been drawn, I've picked up my antiemetics from the pharmacy and the radiology dept will be calling to set up placing my port for my 4 rounds of cytoxin and taxotere, probably next week since tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow will go looking at wigs and scarves.

Dear Puffin, welcome to the board no one wants to join!  Having said that, there are lots of great folks here and amazing support.  I am so sorry that you have had to find us.  Port placement was a breeze for me - home the same day.  My port has truly been a godsend; I have had it over a year and it is still working fine. I honestly don't know what I would do without it.

I finished 6 rounds of taxotere last year.  It was tough for me, but, every day, I seem to feel a little stronger.  If you run into any side effects and need any help, don't hesitate to private message me (CSN Email).  I have found that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and, when I have a problem, I get on the phone with my onc's office and we find a way for me to combat the pesky side effects.

I had a wig, but I found that my scalp on taxotere was too tender and I ended up wearing soft cotton beanies or cloches.

Good luck and welcome aboard!!!!

Puffin2014 said:

chemo #2 on Thursday

So grateful that I got 13 good days from the first Chemo. Got off to a bad start with my diverticulosis flare up and the start of an incision infection, but once those got under control my energy has been good. Lost my hair on day 14 and Lew shaved me bald the next day, hope to get the bangs on my wig trimmed tomorrow when my hairdresser gets back from the lake. Enjoying my new scarves in the mean time.

Preparing for second AC chemo on Thursday - getting house cleaned, making ahead some meals for Lew, trying out some homemade popsicle recipes, getting all my flowers watered in the yard, preparing my list of questions for the appt with the PA the day before chemo. I'm registered for the Look Good Feel Better class on Wednesday, that sounds like fun.

 

Those that have gone thru the 4 session AC routine, what was your experience like as you progressed through it?

I am an A/C veteran.  Each session was similar to the first one.  I felt fine immediately following the infusion.  I was pretty zippy from the steroids.  That was Wednesday.  I got my Neulasta shot on Thursday.  Friday was OK... but I felt really raggedy Sat. and Sun.  I broke out the Zofran and Ativan and spent a lot of time listening to music lying in bed.  Food did not particularly interest me.  I really did not try to do anything on the weekend and let my family take care of me.  I felt a little woozy and tired on Monday, but well enough that I could go to work.

That's pretty much what it was like, Puffin.  Not fun, but doable.  Take care.  xoxoxox Lynn

Hi All,

I am sorry for what brings us here, but appreciate the camaraderie. You gals are awesome!!  I had a lumpectomy for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 1, 3 days ago.  Surgery went well.  I'm super tired though.  I am awaiting the final pathology report.  Only know I am ER+ and PR+ so radiation and hormone treatment for sure at this point.  

I am a primarily a Mammography Tech.  Work is physically demanding and very stressful.  I usually go home exhausted at the end of the day.  I am more worried right now about being forced to return to work too soon (while having radiation therapy).  Not sure how it works with disability if you return and have to go off work again.  Any insight would be most welcomed.

Wish you you all speedy recoveries!

Puffin2014 said:

Ended up spending most of the day at the chemo infusion center. Within 3" of starting the taxotere I had a reaction - felt weird, face got flushed and red as a beet, breathing didn't feel normal, stomach felt strange. Had 5 nurses hooking me up to oxygen, a BP cuff, stopped the taxotere, gave me benadryl and called the physician's assistant to check me. She ordered a dose of solumedrol, and after all symptoms had subsided they restarted the taxotere at a slower rate so it infused over 3 hours instead of 1, and then I still had the cytoxin to go in, didn't leave until 3 PM.

After getting only 4 hours of sleep last night I needed to nap and just couldn't chew my ice for the 3 hours so hope I don't get mouth sores. That also means the remaining 2 sessions will also be long ones.

Got the OK to start probiotics to try and keep my diverticuli calmed down. The dietician also came and she had some good suggestions too.

With all the extra steroids I got today my feet have swelled up again, Lew just brought me extra pillows to get them elevated on my recliner, and just gave me the most awesome foot rub.

Now have to drink, drink, drink to flush the poison out of my system over the next 24 hours, and double flush the toilet for Lew's protection for 48 hours.

I have a similar reaction to perjeta (which I am on forever or until it stops working).  Anyway, I manage it pretty well now by taking claritin for 4 days before and 4 days after.  I also get IV steroids, IV benadryl and IV ativan (along with aloxi for nausea).  All of that really helps, but I pretty mucj sleep chemo day away. 

It is great to drink lots of water, but, if you have swelling, make sure you avoid salt.  I had some abdominal edema with taxotere and my cardaic function took a temporary hit (MUGA scan down from 64% to 51%).  I really watched my salt intake on the days after when I felt like a breathless Pillsbury doughboy.   My last MUGA was back to normal, so it was a temporary deal for me. 

You have a great attitude!  Get some desrved rest now.  Sending gentle hugs and prayers.

YosemiteHowler said:

NEWBIE

Hi All,

I am sorry for what brings us here, but appreciate the camaraderie. You gals are awesome!!  I had a lumpectomy for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage 1, 3 days ago.  Surgery went well.  I'm super tired though.  I am awaiting the final pathology report.  Only know I am ER+ and PR+ so radiation and hormone treatment for sure at this point.  

I am a primarily a Mammography Tech.  Work is physically demanding and very stressful.  I usually go home exhausted at the end of the day.  I am more worried right now about being forced to return to work too soon (while having radiation therapy).  Not sure how it works with disability if you return and have to go off work again.  Any insight would be most welcomed.

 

Wish you you all speedy recoveries!

Yosemite Howler, I would take it one day at a time right now.  I remember being soooo overwhelmed when I was diagnosed.  I thought I would have to quit working and sell my house and was in a general panic.

6 weeks.  The hormone therapy should really help, so that is a good thing!

BTW, I was a NICU nurse for most of those years (later a NP) and my job was also tough, but it was also very helpful to be busy then (for me),

Good luck and sending lots of hugs and well wishes!  Hoping you feel better soon. 

Pixie Dust said:

LOVE YOUR NEW HAIR STYLE !!!

Puffin, hello to you. Sorry to hear about your reaction you had today with your chemo treatment. If that had been me they would have had to call ambulance and took me in surgery for a major heart attack, LOL. I am glad that everything turned to the better for you and you got to finish your treatment. 2down, and 2 more 2 go. Just watch out for neuropathy. First sign of it, mention it. Mine did not start until after I had my third treatment. I love your wig on you. You really look nice. Keep that smile on your face and you will do wonders. I think about how you are doing all the time. I wish you the best all the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pixie Dust

Are you feeling better today puffin?

Puffin2014 said:

feeling better

I'm feeling pretty good today, still have the swollen legs up to midcalf and face is flushed & puffy like last time.

But I washed 5 loads of clothes. And this afternoon Lew drove me over to the mall and I shopped at a wig shop there that's run by a breast cancer survivor. I picked up one of those bands that has hair so when you wear it under a cap it looks like you have bangs and hair over your ears. Also got 2 caps and a couple stretchy bands. And had another lesson on getting my wig on straight. When I first tried to adjust it this morning my ears kept sticking out like Dumbo.

Got my neulast shot a couple hours ago, hope that Claritin works again this time around.

Good to hear you felt well enough to be out and about.((((hugs)))