post chemo update

I thought I would do a quick post chemo update. It’s been 7 weeks since I finished chemo and my hair has started to fill in nicely, it doesn’t appear curly so far and I’m hoping I don’t get the “chemo curls” I definitely still have the grey though. My eyebrows starting really falling out last week and now they are about 63.8% gone so hopefully they grow back in quickly. My biggest issue right now is the insane hot flashes, it is very common to have these during and after treatment and I started Tamoxifen Monday Feb 2^nd so the hot flashes will probably start getting worse with this drug. Since my cancer was strongly estrogen positive (98% positive) I’ll have to be on Tamoxifen for 10 years L. Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocking drug and has its own list of side effects that I’m praying I don’t get or at least I can manage. I already started aching a lot (very common Tamoxifen side effect is aching and body pain) mainly in my chest area where my expanders are… they have only been uncomfortable past few months but not causing actual pain, a couple nights ago I starting really aching and I’ve had to start taking Motrin and Tylenol for the pain.

6 weeks post chemo

My Moffitt Oncologist wants me to start getting Zoladex injection every month for the next 5 years (possibly 10 yrs). It’s a small pill that in injected in the stomach and slowly dissolves during the month, it’s basically putting you into chemical menopause…… I’ve heard the injection is very painful and the side effects can be harsh… that or she said I could get my ovaries removed. I really don’t want to do either one, so I’m going to discuss this with my local oncologist before I make a decision.

My next and hopefully final surgery is scheduled for March 11^th at Moffit. I’m having my expanders removed and round gummy bear (silicone gel) implants put in their place, my port removed (yeahhh) and a small umbilical hernia fixed. I figured since I’ll already be under and having an amazing plastic surgeon working on me I may as well get the hernia fixed (I got the hernia when I was preggo with Ava, so its definitely time to get it repaired). I am seriously so excited for every one of these procedures I CAN NOT WAIT! Right now we have it scheduled for outpatient surgery so hopefully everything goes well and I won’t have to stay the night in the hospital.

I did find out that my oncotype score was a 29 which is an intermediate high score if it was a 32 I would have needed 8 rounds of chemo (that is a bit scary to think about). 18 and under is low, 18-31 is intermediate and 32+ is high.

Overall I’m doing well just trying to adjust to “my new normal” life.

All for now XOXO, Lynn



2/1/2015 park fun with my kiddos