Cancer Support

PennyK

(2,312 posts)

90. Slow recovery from my chemo

Sun Aug 7, 2016, 09:34 PM

Aug 2016

Tomorrow would've been my chemo date -- but I'm done!
I'm finding my recovery from all the effects to be very, very slow. My energy level is good, but that's about it. I'm still taking meds for digestion, and food tastes just barely better. Frustrating! Also, all my fingernails are loose. I realize I may lose one or more, and the idea just creeps me out.
Trying to keep busy. I have a whole week before I start seeing doctors to discuss the next step, surgery. I had a plan to drive to a larger town to do some fun shopping and go out to Toojays, the closest thing around here to a Jewish deli, but it seems pointless unless I can enjoy the food. Might postpone the trip for another week.

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146 replies

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New member of the club here [View all] PennyK Mar 2016 OP

Hi, PennyK. Your post... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #1

Welcome to the club nobody wants to join. Knowledge conquers fear, so ask questions. alfredo Mar 2016 #2

Thanks so much PennyK Mar 2016 #3

Distraction is always good... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #4

My iPad and iTunes give me a great distraction. It's like meditating alfredo Apr 2016 #61

Nuttin wrong with a touch of gluttony, you're entitled. alfredo Mar 2016 #13

Total mess with co-ordinating tests and doctor visits PennyK Mar 2016 #5

as soon as the process starts the doctors see you as a person olddots Mar 2016 #6

They were angels, one and all, even the doc that gave me a biopsy. alfredo Aug 2017 #108

The waiting is really tough. I agree... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #7

Hi Penny.....I am just starting this strange journey too. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2016 #98

Welcome; you're in a good place Tab Mar 2016 #8

Thank you PennyK Mar 2016 #9

You're off to a good start Tab Mar 2016 #10

I do appreciate it so much. PennyK Mar 2016 #11

Even annoying distractions.. YvonneCa Mar 2016 #12

Lots of progress today PennyK Mar 2016 #14

Small steps PennyK Mar 2016 #15

I think you are doing a great job... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #16

More progress PennyK Mar 2016 #17

Very nervous! PennyK Mar 2016 #18

Well, THAT was uncomfortable. PennyK Mar 2016 #19

I'm sorry you have to join but I'm glad you found the group. Solly Mack Mar 2016 #20

I met my Chemo doctor today PennyK Mar 2016 #21

Well, that's that. PennyK Mar 2016 #22

I don't know what HER-2 is Tab Mar 2016 #23

The drug is called Herceptin. Apparently a wonder drug shrike Mar 2016 #26

It's a specific type (or cause) of breast cancer. PennyK Mar 2016 #24

You may have already discovered it, but check out Breastcancer.org shrike Mar 2016 #25

Thanks PennyK Mar 2016 #27

Sounds like a good plan shrike Mar 2016 #28

So today I had the PET scan. PennyK Mar 2016 #29

The nerves started up big-time PennyK Mar 2016 #30

I'm sure the results are considered Tab Mar 2016 #31

I phrased that incorrectly PennyK Mar 2016 #32

So far I haven't lost much on my head, mostly my beard. They say it will grow back, but different. alfredo Apr 2016 #48

Whew! PennyK Mar 2016 #33

Had my mini surgery today PennyK Mar 2016 #34

Morphine has a bad side effect, so have the stool softer at the ready. alfredo Apr 2016 #49

Number 3 today PennyK May 2016 #72

Tonight's the night PennyK Mar 2016 #35

Has anyone here used Emend? PennyK Apr 2016 #36

I bought some hair today! PennyK Apr 2016 #37

I need good thoughts PennyK Apr 2016 #38

Thoughts. Good. Tab Apr 2016 #39

You will learn how strong you are. alfredo Apr 2016 #40

Yes, thanks! PennyK Apr 2016 #41

Today I go back to the surgeon PennyK Apr 2016 #42

I'm Stage 1!!!!!!!! PennyK Apr 2016 #43

No congrats to me? PennyK Apr 2016 #44

Congrats! elleng Apr 2016 #45

That is wonderful news! Solly Mack Apr 2016 #46

Thanks, elleng and Solly Mack! PennyK Apr 2016 #47

OK, daughter totally understood PennyK Apr 2016 #50

My entire digestive system is messed up PennyK Apr 2016 #51

Metal mouth PennyK Apr 2016 #52

M------- f------! PennyK Apr 2016 #53

Been there - done that Ms. Toad Apr 2016 #54

I had a fun surprise last night PennyK Apr 2016 #55

And today the hair loss started PennyK Apr 2016 #56

I think it's time to shave my head... PennyK Apr 2016 #57

May I make a suggestion? Four years ago I was treated for Stage 1 estrogen- Nay Apr 2016 #58

Good plan, Nay PennyK Apr 2016 #59

Got my hair cut off PennyK Apr 2016 #60

Chemo Number 2 today PennyK Apr 2016 #62

Number 2 went fine PennyK Apr 2016 #63

T-i-r-e-d PennyK Apr 2016 #64

I had my first issue with insurance PennyK Apr 2016 #65

Going in to the doctor today PennyK May 2016 #66

Wow...today I had the worst discomfort PennyK May 2016 #67

So let me ask PennyK May 2016 #68

Feeling better! PennyK May 2016 #69

Yeppers, still feeling good... PennyK May 2016 #70

Chemo number three is coming up! PennyK May 2016 #71

Chemo 3 yesterday PennyK May 2016 #73

Tired! PennyK May 2016 #74

So, I've been getting free samples of Varubi PennyK May 2016 #75

Back to feeling good again! PennyK May 2016 #76

Just had my fourth chemo PennyK Jun 2016 #77

Chicken Soup PennyK Jun 2016 #78

Enjoying these few good days 'til my next chemo PennyK Jun 2016 #79

5th Chemo: not as bad as I expected PennyK Jul 2016 #80

I spoke too soon! PennyK Jul 2016 #81

I have a fever PennyK Jul 2016 #82

Update PennyK Jul 2016 #83

Congratulations! - you've made it through the worst. usrbs Jul 2016 #84

Thanks for reading PennyK Jul 2016 #85

I am SO dumb PennyK Jul 2016 #86

I think I'm finally doing better PennyK Jul 2016 #87

Bon Appetit! usrbs Jul 2016 #88

Thank you! PennyK Aug 2016 #89

Slow recovery from my chemo PennyK Aug 2016 #90

Hang in there usrbs Aug 2016 #91

Okay, the Pina Colada was NOT a great idea... PennyK Aug 2016 #92

One-month checkup tomorrow PennyK Aug 2016 #93

Seems as if they always want blood! Best of luck today :) nt slipslidingaway Aug 2016 #94

Went well PennyK Aug 2016 #95

Thanks for the report and happy to hear things on balance went well ... slipslidingaway Aug 2016 #96

AND a new symptom appears! PennyK Aug 2016 #97

OK, that must have been panic. PennyK Aug 2016 #99

New problem diagnosed PennyK Aug 2016 #100

I went to the store again PennyK Aug 2016 #101

Still have some of those shoulder pads in a bottom drawer ... slipslidingaway Aug 2016 #102

Isn't it wonderful to be able to taste food? alfredo Aug 2017 #105

Excellent progress! PennyK Aug 2017 #106

Thanks. I had to win the mind game. alfredo Aug 2017 #107

Post removed Post removed Jun 2017 #103

Sore loser? PennyK Jun 2017 #104

Sleeping and barfing, sleeping and barfing ... fun alfredo Aug 2017 #109

Even though I'm still dealing with aftereffects... PennyK Aug 2017 #110

Think of it as going to the Marquis de Sade day spa. alfredo Aug 2017 #111

Perfect. PennyK Aug 2017 #112

Since starting Synthroid, I have become Mr. Clean. alfredo Aug 2017 #113

Daughter knows me by now, hehe PennyK Aug 2017 #114

I've been wanting to try that, but now it seems I have an aversion to potatoes. alfredo Aug 2017 #115

I did well today!!! PennyK Aug 2017 #116

Little victories is all we need. alfredo Aug 2017 #117

Today I have a bit of pain PennyK Aug 2017 #118

Pain is good, it lets you know you are alive. alfredo Aug 2017 #119

I think I'm doing well these days PennyK Aug 2017 #120

Well, I'm going to a new doctor today PennyK Aug 2017 #121

Anxiety came back PennyK Aug 2017 #122

Guess I'll post here PennyK Sep 2017 #123

OK today, so far PennyK Sep 2017 #124

Well well PennyK Sep 2017 #125

I seem to be doing better! PennyK Oct 2017 #126

Venturing out PennyK Oct 2017 #127

I went for a haircut and style today PennyK Oct 2017 #128

Breast biopsy tomorrow PennyK Oct 2017 #129

Change in plan PennyK Oct 2017 #130

Surgery scheduled PennyK Nov 2017 #131

I did my pre-op stuff today PennyK Nov 2017 #132

I had my biopsy today PennyK Nov 2017 #133

No cancer! PennyK Nov 2017 #134

Another milestone (silly but fun) PennyK Nov 2017 #135

Am I done???? PennyK Dec 2017 #136

What a wonderful way to step into the New Year :) moonscape Dec 2017 #137

Hair! PennyK Jan 2018 #138

Well, I did an oopsy PennyK Jan 2018 #139

Got my replacement hairpiece PennyK Feb 2018 #140

And the adventures continue! Ms. Toad Feb 2018 #141

I'm hooked now on the fake hair PennyK Feb 2018 #142

I saw my doctor about reconstruction...finally PennyK Apr 2018 #143

I'm finally traveling for a family visit PennyK May 2018 #144

Hair issues (guys, feel free to ignore) PennyK May 2018 #145

This fun never ends! PennyK Sep 2018 #146