Breast cancer

[W2R]

Hang in there, W2R. I just “rang the bell” today, completing five weeks of radiation (was diagnosed about same time as you, back in April).

No you weren't. That was months earlier, gcgang. Mine was not even noticed by me (much less any medical person) for the very first time until June 10th. I waited a week to see if it would go away, and then had my PCP look at it for the very first time on June 18th. June and July were full of imaging appointments needed before a diagnosis could even be considered.

I'm happy for you that you are so very much further along in this than I am, to the point that you have even completed radiation treatment. I may or may not have similar treatment in a few months (too early to know yet).

I'm still in the scanning/testing process. Getting an echocardiogram on Tuesday.

 

[gcgang]

Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend, just trying to offer encouragement and belief (maybe trying to convince myself) that cancer can be cured!

 

[W2R]

Tomorrow at 9 AM I need to get a Complete Trans-Thoracic Echocardiogram done. My understanding is that the purpose of this is/was to decide if my heart is strong enough for chemo. But, it couldn't be done before starting chemo so here I am, getting it a few weeks late? Or whatever. Anyway, Frank and I are not looking forward to getting up early yet again, but oh well. The doctors are doing what they can for me so I can't complain.

 

[rodi]

Hope the appointment went well.

 

[W2R]

Hope the appointment went well.

Thank you! It did. Then we came home and both of us slept all afternoon. LOL Nothing else scheduled for a few days.

 

[Telly]

W2R, I've been away. I read the first post page and the last two. Wow...
I wish you the best!!!

 

[W2R]

Not much going on here - - getting a lot of deep sleep even during the daytime, which is probably a good thing in order to rest up for my chemo on Wednesday. Chemo seems to have created some stabbing pains (neuralgia) in my feet, but so far it's not too bad. I should probably tell my oncologist about it on Wednesday, although I worry that she might cut back on my chemo and delay the progress of my treatment. We'll see! If it becomes awful then I'll tell her, for sure.

 

[Lisa Lisa]

Much sympathy: chemo did a number of both my feet. Hang in there and keep kicking cancer's ass.

 

[Dtail]

Hang in there and keep us updated. It will all work out.

 

[euro]

Not much going on here - - getting a lot of deep sleep even during the daytime, which is probably a good thing in order to rest up for my chemo on Wednesday. Chemo seems to have created some stabbing pains (neuralgia) in my feet, but so far it's not too bad. I should probably tell my oncologist about it on Wednesday, although I worry that she might cut back on my chemo and delay the progress of my treatment. We'll see! If it becomes awful then I'll tell her, for sure.

My DW is going in for her last Chemo round on Monday. During her previous Chermo battle back in 2008, she too experienced neuralgia in her feet. This time around, she is wearing coldpacks on hands and feet for the length of the infusion and this seems to have made a huge difference. So far no neuralgia problems at all.
Cheap ($40) from Amazon:

Relief Genius Cold Therapy Socks & Hand Ice Pack Cold Gloves for Chemotherapy Neuropathy, Chemo Care Package for Women and Men S/M​

Yes, please discuss with Oncologist. Neuralgia (nerve pain) can turn into neuropathy (nerve damage) and it can lead to prolonged or even permanent problems. Obviously, I don't know if the cold packs will work for you, but given the low cost, you may want to just give it a shot.
Our local infusion center actually has special freezers to cool the packs, but DW and I just throw the packs in the deep freezer for 24h and then bring them to the infusion appointment in a small ice chest.

 

[Koolau]

Thanks for the update. We're with you in spirit.

Suggest you share everything with the oncologist. She needs to know everything about what is happening with you. I'm sure she has seen/heard it all before and will know what to do (and what to say.)

Blessings!

 

[W2R]

My infusion center puts those cold packs (dry ice in special gloves and socks for that purpose, I think?) on everyone's hands and feet during the infusion. I should probably point out to the nurse exactly where I am having neuralgia issues and maybe she could make sure the cold pack is right on that part of my feet.

And Koolau, I'll probably do as you suggested. I dread the idea of her cutting back on my chemo (because cancer is scary and I want to get better ASAP), but she definitely has experience in this and hopefully will make a good decision one way or the other.

 

[Koolau]

My infusion center puts those cold packs (dry ice in special gloves and socks for that purpose, I think?) on everyone's hands and feet during the infusion. I should probably point out to the nurse exactly where I am having neuralgia issues and maybe she could make sure the cold pack is right on that part of my feet.

And Koolau, I'll probably do as you suggested. I dread the idea of her cutting back on my chemo (because cancer is scary and I want to get better ASAP), but she definitely has experience in this and hopefully will make a good decision one way or the other.

That's the spirit!

You gotta trust your care team - and you are the most important member of that team!

 

[W2R]

That's the spirit!

You gotta trust your care team - and you are the most important member of that team!

So true!

 

[MC Rider]

So true!

Appoint yourself President or Queen or whatever title you like. Queen sounds pretty good. Emporer. Be well.

 

[Richard4444]

W2R, I just saw this thread as I don't "sign on" often. I've added you to my prayer list and wish you the very best.

Rich

 

[W2R]

Complicating things is the somewhat unsure prediction that here in Louisiana we may have a hurricane making landfall on Wednesday. My guess is that it will be far enough west of us that despite some very stormy weather, getting my chemo done on Wednesday won't be a problem. We'll see. Tomorrow, we need to get my blood work done in preparation for chemo.

Last night I didn't sleep much so today I'll probably nap on and off whenever I can.

 

[pacergal]

hopefully, the hurricane will bypass you and chemo can commence as planned.

 

[5Miler]

W2R - I have been following your story and I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Cancer is such a devious enemy. Although I have gone through a few battles with it myself, they were nothing compared to what you and others have had to endure. On the first of August I had another surgery for skin cancer, this time on my shoulder for a carcinoma just smaller than the size of a dime. The surgery went well but in a twist, I immediately got shingles affecting the surgical area which persists to this day. Fortunately, not a major outbreak but frustrating to say the least.

I will pray for your speedy recovery and continue to look forward to your posts on lighter subjects in the future.

 

[W2R]

OK, the infusion center just called me (now that we all know about the hurricane). They said chemo on Wednesday can still happen, but I need to show up early and they'll need to reschedule the oncologist appointment that was supposed to be on Wednesday also. If the hurricane forecast worsens they will call and we might have to delay the chemo further.

Luckily the neuralgia problems have decreased a little since yesterday.

 

[rodi]

I'm glad you're getting some respite from the neuralgia.

 

[W2R]

I'm glad you're getting some respite from the neuralgia.

Thanks! I also took Tylenol at 3:30AM, and that helped me to get to sleep.

 

[Koolau]

Luckily the neuralgia problems have decreased a little since yesterday.

Thanks! I also took Tylenol at 3:30AM, and that helped me to get to sleep.

I can see that you are already learning how to play the chemo game successfully. You rock, W2R!

 

[W2R]

We plan to get to the lab for my blood tests by 9 AM this morning, ten hours from now.

The lab is right next to my oncologist's office (and chemo infusion center), in the same building, and all are only 1.5 miles from my home. So hopefully even if the storm gets really bad during chemo on Wednesday we can still get home. Tomorrow when we go to the lab it shouldn't be as bad but then who knows. LOL It's supposed to become a stronger tropical storm tomorrow than it already is, and a weak hurricane by Wednesday.

Maybe I'm lucky..... !!! The storm should provide ample distraction from any fears related to this chemo infusion, that I might have had! (grin)

 

[W2R]

Got my blood drawn this morning as planned. It's storming outside but really not too bad yet, so we got home safely. All the nuts are out on the road as you might imagine. Nothing else to do today but nap and relax.