jonimb

Hello Tatas,

Well they gave me a few days out of the hospital.  I  came home yesterday, and depending how I do will determine when I go back.  I have home care care nurse and a a pallatiative nurse, and of course Dan.

Feeling very weak, but very little pain, so that is good.  I'm starting to eat things like ice cream and boost and orange juice...yogurt.  Anything fattening.  I'm sorry to get everyone is such a dither.

They may be giving me chemo next week if I keep improving.

Love you all......hugs all around....Joni

Hello TaTas,

Well we made it to Alaska.  I slept quite a bit of the trip.

I did make it on my Dog Sled Run....it was a blast.  They had 16 dog pulling our sled, and it was so much fun, and so fast.  Afterwards they let you hold the puppies...I was in heaven.

Sharon, sorry about the BRCA genes testing positive.  At least you can do  few things ab out it.

Skye, that wedding looked beautiful.

This week are all my scans and meeting with my oncologist.

Melia....congrats on the great news on your daughter.

hugs to alll......Joni

Also wanted to say my prayers are with all the people on the Gulf Coast.  That hurricane looks very dangerous. 

Joni

Hello,

I am on weekly Taxol.  I get Benedryll and Zantac in IV, then I get Dexamethasone in IV, then I get 130 mg of Taxol each week.  I do not get anything else, however, my doctor did give me a prescription for Stemetil (anti-nausea), but I rarely take it.  If I get an upset tummy I find that gravol helps most, and it also makes me sleepy.  I do crash on Day 3/4 after chemo.  I get the floppy legs and arms. 

The Benedryll does make me sleepy, and if you can manage it, it might be a good idea to have a ride home.  The Dexamethosone kind of counteracts the sleepiness, but it still would be advisable to have a ride.

I will be having 6 sessions of this (6 * 3 = 18 infusions).  One session is 3 weeks on, one week off. 

I'm just finishin off Session 3 on Tuesday so half way done.  I get my scans in September. 

As it gets further down the line, I find now I'm down 2 days, I used to only be down 1 day.  I think that is common with any chemo.

I have never taken a neulasta shot, my WBC come back each week.  If you can avoid them, I think you'll be better off.

If you need anything or need to know of any s/e's feel free to email me, and I'll try to help you thru the tough ones.

Hugs to you....Joni 

I too took fertility drugs, tried the Invitro, Danazol for 8 months one time and 6 months another time (to get rid of endometriosis)...all to no avail.  I too have wondered if this was part of my problem.  I was 8/8 positive for ER and 6/8 positive for PR.

Also, way back in my younger days my doctor asked me if I knew whether my Mom took a drug called DES.  She said she didn't take that but the doctor had given her something to help with her iron counts.  Never will know for sure.  I did have cervical cancer at 26, couldn't have kids, and then dxd with BC at 51.  It's almost out of the DES textbook.

hugs to all.......Joni

I'm in Chestermere, Alberta about 20 KM out of the city of Calgary, Albera, CANADA.

Joni xxxoooxxx

Hello Tatas,

I lost our google account....can someone sent it to me privately.

I had a great weekend with the girls in Canmore.  I didn't get out to look at condos, but Dan says we'll go in a couple of weeks.  We got a quote on our back deck, $5,000.  I think that is a bit to much, but I don't know how much these things cost.  We want it built with that Trex stuff and it is pricey.

I shot a 52 for 9 holes in Canmore, so that was pretty good for me.  That's my first golf game since we were out last year, and my first since I got my port.  I was a bit nervous with the port, but eveything was okay.  I was just pooped after the game.  I went and laid down and the girls did the annual shopping of main street in Canmore and stopped at a nice patio pub for a cool drink.  It has been very hot here all weekend.  Friday 29, Saturday 30, Sunday 30, and today is suppose to be 33.  

I'm just heading out to chemo at 11:00...yuck.  Had my blood work on Friday and my onco has a few concerns about the elevation of some of my liver enzymes again.   I never seem to catch a break.  I have all my scans set for the week of Sept 15, so we'll know more then.

Only 19 more sleeps until our Alaskan cruise.  When we fly into Vancouver we are taking two of Dan's elderly aunts out for lunch prior to boarding our ship at 3:00.

Those pics are beautiful Lynn.  Mel Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary. Cindy sorry you had such soggy weather, but it sounds like you had fun anyways.

Mary, I watched a bit of that golf from Detroit, but I think you were only there for the preliminaries or something.

Shorti, how are you?  RobbinJaye, are you enjoying your summer?  Amera are you back yet?

My niece is due to have her baby on Oct 12th, and she is getting quite large.  That must be very tough when it is so hot out.

Hugs to all....Thor sends his love too....he's been running through the hose already this mornig.

Cheers...Joni 

Hi Sandy,

I find I eat a healthier diet now, take 1000mg of Vit D daily, 200mg of Vit B, plus my clondronate (oral for bones...1600mg), plus I get chemo Weeks #1, 2, & 3, with Week #4 off.  I live a pretty good life....try to get out for a walk each day, some days during chemo that walk might just be around the outside of the house, but I like to get out.

I love the summer as I'm an avid gardener, and I hope to live a long time even if I have to stay on chemo.

Hugs to you.

Joni

Hello MOC,

I don't know of anyone in this particular situation, but my brother was a quadrapalegic and I have BC.  If I can help your friend in any way, I'd be more than willing.

Hugs....Joni

CalGal,

I was facing the same dilemma, but what my onc did was move my MRI & Bone Scans up to my Week #1 of Chemo, and now I won't miss anything.  I have Chemo Week 1, 2,3, and then usually aa break on Week #4....We leave on our Alaskan cruise 4 days after my Chemo #3, and then we return on a Sunday.  My Monday would be my normal chemo Week #1, but that day is now my Scans, and then Tuesday I will be getting my chemo.  My onc always tries to work something out.

Watson is correct, lots of times people have to go 2 or 3 weeks with no chemos because of bad blood counts.

Have a GREAT TRIP, and kiss the Blarney Stone for me.

Hugs....Joni