Struggling through Chemo

WhiteLight

Hi @GorgyS, so glad to hear you have made it through radiation.
You have a tough choice ahead of you, I haven't even heard of Cambria-2. I guess the best thing to do is read all the research and trials info, and then discuss it with your family.
Whatever you decide I wish you all the best for the least side effects and the best outcome. Hugs 

Katie46

Congratulations @GorgyS on finishing radiation🥳

That is a difficult decision, I haven't heard of the trial, all you can do is read the paperwork, speak to the experts and do what you think is best for you. Maybe start a new post to see if anyone else is participating.

I had my first Goserelin injection today, they gave me a patch to numb the area and other than a tiny scratch it was painless. I also had my zoledronic acid infusion, and so far no noticeable side effects, although I assume they may come with time. I start Letrozole next week. 

GorgyS

Thank you, ladies. It was good to finish with radiation. I had a seroma during treatment and had to take antibiotics, but now everything is good. I have had seromas on and off since my surgery. I used Mepitel film to protect my skin during radiation. I was very tired during the last week of radiation but managed well with rest. I'm also dealing with lymphedema, wearing a compression sleeve, and will start an exercise program next week. It seems there's not much of a break during this journey but so far everything was manageable. 

I am going through information about the trial medications—hormonal blockers—and will probably go ahead, as I am following all the recommendations from my medical team. Initially, I was prescribed Letrozole. I am just reading all the information about the new medication (Cambria 2) as I want to be informed and try to understand the information.

@Katie46, yes, I sent another post about this medication, trying to get as much information as I could. All the best with the treatment and have a great weekend everyone.

Coastiejas

Hi Ladies 
Hope everyone is going well!  I noticed something odd the other day..... it seems that I now only sweat under my right armpit,  nothing on my left after ax clearance and radiation! Has anyone else had this?
Have a good weekend!

Katie46

Hi @Coastiejas, all good here. I'm about a month into my hormone treatment and feeling ok, no side effects other than maybe a bit tired from time to time, and I'm actually sleeping better, which is weird for someone who is a historically light sleeper with bouts of insomnia all my adult life. I'm still sweating (chemo caused hot flushes which I'm still getting, but no worse), but I now have no body odour under my arms 🤷‍♀️ another strange side effect I'm going to take as a win. 

I start abemaciclib on Friday, which I'm a little anxious about as it of course comes with a list of side effects as long as my arm, and diarrhoea seems to be most common and top of the list 🙄 I've been told this repeatedly which makes me think it's very common, hopefully I'll avoid that one.

Other than that I'm keeping up my exercise and stretching and feeling pretty good. My hair has grown back mainly brown with a few greys and I now look like I have a very short pixi cut. Eyebrows and eyelashes are almost back to normal.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. 

Katie 

unicorn3

Hi everyone 
yes I too have noticed that I don’t seem to sweat on the left side which has mastectomy, lymph node removal and radiation although I also still don’t have a lot of sensation on that area, I can spray deodorant on and not feel it at all which is kind of weird 
I’m into about week 3 of anastrazole and no side effects other than some stiffness and joint pain first thing in the morning and the hot flushes of course 😩
Ive still got 6 or 7 of herceptin and perjeta infusions to go then I’m pretty much done which will be great
I’m also supposed to be starting zolendric acid infusion soon to protect my bones, is anyone else having these? Any side effects?

 

Katie46

Hi @unicorn3 I've had the zolendric acid infusion, I had to get a clearance from my dentist before I could have it as it can cause issues if you have dental problems. No new side effects that I noticed. The infusion took around 15 or 20 minutes. 

unicorn3

thanks @Katie46. I have a dentist appointment this week so hopefully all good.  My vitamin D was low so they want me on supplements to boost that for a bit before I start. Glad to hear no side effects, I think I’ve had enough of those over the last 12 months 😆

Katie46

I'm on vitamin D and calcium tablets as well, although both levels are ok the Letrozole and Goserelin can reduce your calcium levels. I had a bone density scan last week, the easiest scan ever, only takes 5 minutes.

unicorn3

yep I’m on calcium too and also blood pressure tablets. I had to get myself a pill organiser so I wont forget to take my daily bundle lol. 

I haven’t had a bone density scan yet must remember to ask about that one next visit 

Katie46

You should definitely get it if you can, I'm 51 and have signs of mild osteopenia, a sign of decreased bone density and possible osteoporosis in the future. They said it was nothing to worry about now, but they'd keep an eye on it. The infusion will help stop it getting worse, along with the calcium vit D tablets.

Paris_24

@Katie46 how is the letrazole and abemaciclib going?  I am still to have radiation yet, however the dr gave me the reading sheets on these 2 drugs.  I was also concerned about the abemaciclib side effects.  Depending on hormones, I might be up for the injections too though we did chat about surgery to remove the ovaries.  Keen to hear how you are going on it though. 😀 

Katie46

Hi @Paris_24, I'm finding the Letrozole and Goserelin injection ok so far, although I've only been on them a month. No significant side effects, I've been getting hot flushes since I started chemo and it hasn't got any worse. Some tiredness from time to time, but that could just be my body still recovering from chemo. 

I start amermibercib on Friday, so I'll keep you posted on that.

GorgyS

A little update about my progress: I had my first appointment with the oncologist today, after finishing radiation 4 weeks ago and being on Letrozole for 2 and a half weeks. If my genetic tests come back negative, I will start an additional medication, Abemaciclib, which (the BRCA test) I need to do in the next few days. The bone density scan showed osteopenia, so I will also be receiving Zoledronic injections every 6 months and take vitamin D and Calcium. My treatment after 3 months will depend on the BRCA results. Otherwise, I feel good. I hope everyone else is doing OK.

Katie46

Hi @GorgyS, glad to hear you are feeling ok. The Abemaciclib was added to the PBS in around February, and it looks like quite a few of us will be on it now. It wasn't an option when I started treatment, but my oncologist is very pleased to be able to give it to me.