Cancer can happen, to any of us!

[Diane4145]

4th Chemo pic

Thank you, bluecat, for your comment! ‎My Oncologist told me today, that with the treatment I'm getting, majority lose their's, by now! I can't color my hair and the girl's got a little grey, at the temples!lol The stress of watching it come out, may be worse than a buz cut! 4th chemo's going well, as I write this! Except for the Benadryl groginess, which I'm not fond of! No danger of me ever abusing alcohol, or drugs!lol I'll be getting chemo till August, but, will continue getting Herceptin for a yr! For the last month I've been getting Taxol and Herceptin, along with Prednisone (hate the extra weight it brings!) and a weekly Benadryl drunk! They give me this to prevent, an allergic reaction! In June, I'll start Epirubicin, Cytoxan and 5FU, (otherwise known as Flouraroracile) every three weeks, x 3-4 cycles! I've said that I intend to post my experience and pics, though they'll sometimes be scarry! I'll keep you all updated, I'm a little too groggy now! Thank you all for your comments and encouragement, they really help!

Diane

 

[heartbren]

Hi Diane! I was just reading your post and I am glad things are not going very badly with this chemo. My mother never lost her haid either. I'm sorry I have not been in contact. I've been going through some stuff that I really need to resolve so I can get back to who I used to be. I just spend a lot of time alone these days; not totally - I have my dog and 3 cats. Just a bad funk and I hate it. You are real inspiration for others I can tell you that. I hope you did not have any of that weather that just went through. I thought about you when I saw what happed. Unbeilable! I think Mother Nature is mad at everybody in the world right now! Whew! I wanted you to know just since I have not called I think about you all of the time and hope you are doing well. You are going to beat this cancer, yes you are. Your attitude towards your situation just might help in getting you through also. Keep it up my friend and I will really try to call you soon. I'm not sure where your number is, perhaps you can email it to me heartbren@centurylink.net Love you, Brenda

 

[Diane4145]

Hi Brenda,

So sorry that you're going thru a tough time, seems alot of people are! I try to stay positive and realize that It could be sooo, much worse! I could've lost a loved one, like a coworker of mine! Her uncle's still missing in Tuscaloosa and one set of her grandparents, lost everything! My cousin's cousin just called her and three people were found alive today, in the Tuscaloosa area! I'm not sure of gender, ages, location, ....

Well, I did it, had to shave the head! I couldn't stand the "coming out in clumps, business"! I'm posting a mohawk and other pics, soon! I said that I'd be posting the good & bad!lol Didn't feel well anyway and shears died, twice! I'm getting my 5th chemo as I write, makes the times go by quicker! I've had numerous people ask about what happens during treatment and stages! The Power port is under skin, is trianguler and is connected to a large vein! Wicked feeling! It prevents me from being stuck, weekly! Keep you all posted and I continue to appreciate, your support and prayers! Gotta go, getting Benedryl drunk!lol

 

[Paula]

Thoughts and prayers to you. Four of my good friends are now healthy survivors of breast cancer. Wishing you a speedy recover, and thanks for the advice.

 

[Diane4145]

Just started chemo, had a bad last few days! I've developed a really bad rash and welts, all over my head! They were waiting on my blood results, to determine if I can get my weekly treatment! Ugh! Kinda have flu like symptoms, too! Oh well, I've been so fortunate to not have much difficulty in my previous six treatments, can't say much! Today's not a day, to take a pic!lol I'm now getting my, Benedryl drunk on!lol Hopefully, the Rx's Dr has ordered, will take care of rash! I start 3 new heavy drugs, on the 1st! They are Epirubicin, Cytoxin and Flouraroracil, also known as 5FU. The Epirubucin and Herceptin that I'm already on, can cause heart function problems, even 7-8yrs out of treatment! Some of these drugs can also cause, blood cancer! Damned if you do, damned if you don't! This is what you call, a necessary evil! I'm still trying to stay positive, but, it's really hard when you feel, like crap!lol I'm still going through treatment at my mother's, in Mobile, AL. Boy do I miss sowal, especially my sons and grandson! Keep you all posted, soon!

Diane

 

[Diane4145]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the process of my 8th chemo treatment, as I write! I've continued with them every week and had no significant side effects! Except for the bad head rash, of bumps and welts! I'm on meds and the rash is a little better, but, there is an annoying side effect! I thought that I couldn't be any more down, but, one of the drugs keeps me in bed, more than usual!

Next week I begin Cytoxan, Epirubicin and Floraurorocil and I kinda dread it! Some of these drugs can affect my heart, even years later! Not to mention that several, can cause blood cancer! I try to stay positive, but, it can really be hard! I realize that the sooner I begin these new drugs, the sooner I get through chemo! I'm still going through this at my mother's, in Mobile, AL. I miss having my sons and grandson close by and I miss sowal, 2! Thank you all for your continued words of encouragement and prayers! I'll keep you all posted, soon!

Diane

 

[Diane4145]

I am at my 9th chemo treatment, missed last 3 wks due 2 bug & family member's surgery! I won't start 3 new heavy drugs now, for another month! Feeling much better, but, still hard to believe that I'll be in treatment, till around April! Even then I'll have several surgeries, with months of recovery time! I need a vacation, bigtime! I hope to visit my family in sowal, soon!

Diane

 

[Alicia Leonard]

I admire you Diane. You are very brave and I am thankful for you sharing your journey with us. God bless you and keep fighting. It will get better.

 

[Diane4145]

Thanks, Alicia, for your kind words! I have my bad days, but, try to remind myself, that this to shall pass! I have had many people say the exact same thing that you did and it means a lot! If my experience can help raise awareness, I'm for it!

 

[Diane4145]

Update on the chemo experience!

Sitting here getting 10th chemo and finishing up, my Benedryl drunk! I saw my new Oncologist today, since mine transferred to MD Anderson, in Houston, Tx! Since I have at least 10 mos more treatment, I'm so relieved that I really, like him! It's very difficult to find a Dr, with a decent bedside manner! I need to be able to focus on my health, not having to keep a Dr in line!lol

Having chemo last week for 1st time in 3 wks, kinda took it's toll! I had a bad intestinal bug first two wks and was out of town for a family surgery, the other week. Just feeling better, now time to get a chemo refuel! Only 2 more weekly treatments, then start the 3 new heavy drugs! I'll get those every 3 wks, for 4 cycles! I've done so well so far, but, I'm hearing that the next drugs, may put me on my butt! Oh well, gotta do whatcha gotta do, to do what you wanna do! And, this is not the highest and best use, of my time! I prefer working and being productive and miss Russ, Blake & Jake, my sons and precious grandson! Thank you all for your continued support and prayers, I can't tell you how uplifting, they are!

Diane