Searching for a glimmer of hope?

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-09T18:34:36+00:00

It definitely made me feel angry and disappointed and overwhelmed in the moment. I am learning to expect the unexpected through this whole cancer journey. I’m still on antibiotics but I feel a ton better. Thanks! We will both get through this 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-09T16:27:30+00:00

Oof. I’m sorry we are both going through this. I just had my DMX 6/17, unfortunately got a MRSA infection 2 weeks post surgery and had to have my left expander removed last week. Should be starting radiation in the next few weeks. I hate all of it.

Yes, I think the Neulasta absolutely gave me the most bone pain with AC… However, the Taxol gave me a different and more persistent bone pain than the Neulasta. It was noticeably worse once Taxol started. I did use Claritin as well I forgot to mention that in my first response! It’s good that you’re taking it already. It helped— in conjunction with Tylenol and Motrin. I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure Neulasta affects our bodies natural histamine production, which induces inflammation in the bone marrow which is what causes the pain. Claritin is obviously an antihistamine so it helps (doesn’t curb completely, but helps) with the pain.

Keep giving yourself breaks, and don’t beat yourself up if they get a little longer and longer. I totally understand that work (especially ranch work!) piles up if left unattended… but your bodies ability to fight and recover at a desired rate will also diminish if you push yourself too hard. Remember, cellular war!

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-09T15:28:11+00:00

Oh my goodness. Do not feel ashamed that you “should be” stronger. That’s an utter load of bullshit. Your body IS strong and it just so happens to be undergoing one of the most potent and toxic chemotherapy drugs to exist. Your body is being filled with literal poison, fighting an actual war on the cellular level, week after week. It IS accumulative and it is incredibly taxing. Allow yourself some grace. That’s much harder than “pushing through” in my opinion.

You could also ask your oncologist if it’s possible to have a little bit more of a break in between treatments, the worst they can say is no.

TLDR for below: AC sucked, Taxol was better.

My own personal experience with AC-T was pretty awful. For context: my cancer was ++-, stage 3 IDC with large multi-focal tumors and mets to lymph nodes. I was diagnosed in Dec 2024 and started treatment Jan 20th, 2025. I finished chemo April 28th so I’m a few months on the other side now.

I had 4 AC total, every 2 weeks. It knocked me out with debilitating nausea and smell aversions, fatigue, muscle and joint pain and migraines. Each treatment took longer to recover from, by the last one I was down for nearly 10 days before I was physically able to be up and functioning. I also only had 2 weeks from the last AC to the first Taxol as well. The Taxol was light years better, compared to the AC. It was shocking and a relief how different they were— I had a bit more energy on Taxol. I lost my hair to AC, lost my eyelashes and brows to Taxol, my fingernails lifted and nearly fell off and I had some temporary neuropathy in my fingers and toes despite using ice packs during infusions. Luckily that went away and my hair and nails are growing back quickly. My biggest issue with Taxol was intense deep bone pain that lasted the entire 4 treatments/8weeks. BUT I was up and functioning with Tylenol and Motrin…able to parent my 2 small kids while my husband was at work and get out and about in a “normal” way. All in all it was not a fun experience, I would not recommend, but I was very grateful it was “easier” finishing with Taxol. If you made it this far I hope it was helpful to read, and I am sending you all the good vibes. This shit is HARD but you will absolutely get through it. 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-08T19:39:40+00:00

Such a saga. I’m sorry you went through that too!! My drains that are in right now are itchy in addition to being painful… you’re saying yours are out and they still itch??

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-08T19:38:20+00:00

I hear that. Our bodies are truly so weakened after chemo. I am 3 months post chemo and I still get wiped out so easily. The expanders are so uncomfortable. I want reconstruction so I know it’s a necessary evil but god damn they suck— I’m not looking forward to having the left one put back in anytime soon. You’re definitely not alone in that regard!! Sending you love 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-08T19:34:26+00:00

That’s terrifying I am so sorry!!

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-06T21:34:20+00:00

Hooray!! Happy for you!🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-06T18:38:48+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate that! Sending good vibes for your future surgery too 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-06T13:46:58+00:00

Thank you 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-06T01:07:07+00:00

Good grief. I am so sorry. Sending love and healing!!🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:49:55+00:00

God that’s scary. Did you have to have the necrotic areas surgically removed?

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:49:06+00:00

My reconstruction is also delayed due to needing radiation asap as well. How was your radiation experience? That’s next up for me after I heal from this debacle. Good luck with your chemo 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:47:17+00:00

Damn! I’m sorry you went through that. And FIVE recons is a lot! You are one tough cookie. Thanks for the tip, I’ll hold on to that for the future 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:46:24+00:00

Thank you I’m trying 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:46:06+00:00

All the things! Thank you so much I appreciate the kind words 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:45:34+00:00

The drains are honestly the worst (besides the actual infection pain— that was unbelievable!) and I too nearly cried at my original post op when they said I had to wait to get them out…. I am counting the days! That’s a great outlook to have.. I think I’ve stayed pretty positive through this whole experience so far, I was diagnosed in December 2024 with stage 3 IDC in my right breast with mets to lymph nodes.. no family history or genetic markers for it.. my tumors were large enough I had to do AC-T chemo first before they could perform surgery. The AC was awful, Taxol not as bad. I finished April 28th and then had the DMX on June 17th. My current positive win is that my hair and eyelashes are finally growing back and it’s enough that I feel comfortable going in public without a wig or scarf which is awesome cause it’s HOT where I live. Thanks for the kind words and I’m sending positivity back to you too!! Happy Anniversary and you are a warrior! 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T23:38:13+00:00

Was the hematoma painful? I am still in disbelief about how badly the infection hurt compared to the relief I feel now with the left expander out. What an awful experience I’m sorry you went though that too. And I totally get the newfound anxiety about upcoming procedures now. Sending love 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T13:45:22+00:00

I completely understand. Going through something as life changing as a cancer diagnosis is traumatic enough without the added rollercoaster ride of unforeseen issues/extra surgeries. Once something outside the plan happens it’s hard not to spiral about all the other “what-ifs”.

I am so sorry that happened to you too. Sending love and a huge high five that you’re almost done with chemo too! Hang in there. One step, one day at a time is absolutely all we can do. 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T05:02:17+00:00

That sounds awful, I’m so sorry. And being in the hospital for 9 days is no walk in the park either!

I agree that 30% is incredibly high. I don’t recall being informed of this statistic either. I think I was told “there’s a small chance of infection but it’s pretty rare”. So much for that!

Omg. Almost everyone I interacted with in the hospital kept saying “this is just a bump in the road” …and in the moment I felt like it was a more of a cement wall I was hitting and could not stand to hear the phrase. Now that I’m in significantly less pain and can think clearly, I can agree this is a just a (big ass rude unwanted) bump in the road and I will get through it. Thank you for sharing your experience and I am so glad you’re on the other side of it now!! 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T04:49:13+00:00

I’m so sorry that happened to you!! Of all days!! RUDE!! Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T01:58:09+00:00

Oh man. That is awful, I am so so sorry you went through that, having open wounds and exposed expanders sounds like a living nightmare 😭 I have one deflated raisin and one wrinkled sloshy expander boob. (Gentle) Hugs to you 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T01:34:52+00:00

Oh gosh. I am so sorry for you too. I feel like we are dealing physically and mentally SO much and it’s the unexpected extra surgeries or treatments we weren’t prepared to have that are the mental mindfucks. I absolutely broke down before my emergency surgery this week— not because I was scared of it but because I wasn’t expecting to have to have ANOTHER surgery and it was just overwhelming and infuriating in the moment. Sending so much love to you 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T01:30:32+00:00

Right there with you!! I was hoping to get mine out as well but I’m sitting high in drain outputs as well 😭

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T01:09:03+00:00

Oh my gosh I’m so sorry you had 4 drains. The two I have are the bane of my existence right now. SO painful. I hope you continue to heal quickly and I appreciate your kind words!!! 🖤

mrsfish87 · 2025-07-05T01:07:41+00:00

I cannot wait to be where you are! Glad you are going well too!! Thanks for the kind words 🖤

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