The Merits of the Case

We're sending you love.
Jeff, Vicki, Ty and Madi

I feel your pain on the neuropathy side of things. You probably don't want to add drugs, but if it gets worse the Cymbalta has been a miracle drug for me. You might also consider switching to a full B complex because all of the B vitamins can be helpful in nerve issues.

I'm really, really sorry to hear about the menopause. This whole thing is so unfair! :( (((HUGS)))

Hugs.

I don't know if you have heard this one but my oncology department recommends L-Glutamine (powder form) for maybe preventing neuropathy with taxol. I take 10mg 3X daily at least 5 days a week. I finished treatment four of weekly dose dense. So far. *knock on wood* I might be okay.. (8 more weeks to go)

Oh, dear... I am so sorry about the menopause. It is so unfair that you have to deal with all THAT on top of everything else... If it helps, my mother referred to her symptoms as "her own personal summer"!

Kim, just ONE more treatment!! Eye on the prize, my friend. You've been magnificent through ALL of this; you have no idea how much you are admired and loved.

Eyelashes or no eyelashes, you're beautiful to all of us.

Thinking of you often--

Much love, CGF xo

Your eye lashes will come back soon. My wife has enjoyed seeing hers grow back this past month.She's just bought an eyelash curler and some new mascara for them. Keep your head up and keep batting those eyelids!

I described my face as a moon-pie and I hated it. There's just something about loosing your eyelashes and brows that wipes your whole face bare.

Breast cancer at our age is unfair. Menopause is adding insult to injury. When I make an offhand complaint of hotflashes to a stranger I get those patronizing, surely-not-at-your-age-you-silly-thing snickers. I don't usually enlighten these strangers but sometimes I just want to tell them that, yes, I DO know what a hot flash is and I am having one RIGHT NOW, thank you very much. And, no, I can not take anything for it because I've had breast cancer and doesn't that just SUCK!

On the "let's be positive" side... have you talked to your oncologist about the hot flashes/night sweats? I'm just assuming they've begun... I suffered for weeks unnecessarily before I said something. She put me on effexor (a mild anti-depressant) which helps greatly with both. Big hugs.

I hope the side-effects all go away and you start feeling better soon. :( After all you've been through, you deserve plenty of R&R and pampering. I don't know what medicines would help, but spa trips are always good for the soul. I saw this link recently: http://www.prettycity.com/pink/

A colleague of mine once had a freak eyelash curler incident that resulted in the removal of the eyelashes from one of her lids. Even though they've since grown back, she found she liked the fake lashes so much that she still wears them. Maybe once you start feeling better, you can have some fun with cosmetics and give them a try. Buying new make-up is also good for the soul. An exotic new you... and very soon done with the treatments!!

Our oncologist, Dr.Lee Schwartzberg, has done some research into he use of nicotine patches or hot flashes. You might want to look into it.

Kim, if you want to talk to me privately about anything you are going through, please know that I am more than happy to do that. I have been on the taxol trail and I am very familiar with all you are talking about.

Losing the eyelashes and eyebrows is freaky..but when they come back oh my they are long and luscious...keep that in mind (the eyelashes, not the brows..but they do come back fairly soon after treatment). I couldn't do falsh eyelashes so I just played with the make-up. Yes, it makes you look like a cancer patient but I looked at that as a "good" thing..I smiled a lot, was the poster girl for breast cancer and never spent too much time feeling badly about looking that way. I know my attitude changed a lot of other people's attitudes towards cancer. I'd see them look with "pity" and then it would change to amazement that this woman has cancer and she's looking so bright and cheery and suddenly they were looking at cancer without their pity. Thank heavens. We can only take so much of that, thank you very much!!

Neuropathy won't go away overnight...it may last a short while or a long while but it won't just stop...you need to be aware of that in case it lasts longer than you had hoped.

Menopause..don't fret too much on that. Your periods might come back. It really depends on how close you were to menopause in age and in your periods so what might feel like full menopause now may not be. You won't be classified as menopausal until you have gone 12 full months without a period. So hang in there on that one.

And if the flashes begin to bother you...ask you doctor about Effexor. It is used to elevate the mood but it has the wonderful s/e that it controls hot flashes!!

You're going to make it to the final treatment Kim. I know you will. I thought I might not...the buildup of the taxol is so debilitating..but I did it and smiled in victory when I sat myself in that chair. I'm cheering for you!!!

I've been through all this as well. Menopause seems to have stuck for me, which is weird, but it's also really nice not having to have periods. Taxol sucks rocks, but you can do one more round. I remember watching the poison enter my veins through the IV, and thinking of that line from Housman, "Mithridates, he died old." Gotta do what you gotta do.

I know I've said this before, but I promise all this will seem like a long ago dream someday. I can't wait for that for you.