gramma23

Gail, my thoughts are with you and your Mom. I know what you are going through since my husband had bypass surgery just after I finished #6 and that was not fun. Do take care of yourself too. the hospital will take care of your Mom while she is there and my thoughts and prayers are with you too.

Traci1970, You have every right to take a nap when you can. It is not easy to get rest with a baby as it is but when you are so tired from chemo you deserve some help. I could not have cooked the thanksgiving dinner without my daughter's help. the shopping for it would not have let me to start with. As for you BF not shaving his head I can kind of understand that but he should not put you down for being tired and you are not lazy. I just hope he never has to find out what you are going through. If he ever does he will be 10 times worse than you about rest. Men are like that! Also if you want to cry by all means do as long as it is not to the point you are getting too depressed and when it gets like that you need some professional help. You may need to talk to someone in person anyway about how this is affecting you. Call the American Cancer Society and see if you can get some help.

My thyroid was making me tired and lose weight but since I have not had it checked I am not sure it was that or the cancer. I need to go for a check up on that but I am hoping I can get that done when I go to the doc this Wed. I want to get these test over with too and see if the lumps are scar tissue. I am really feeling anxious about that. My armpit hurts some from where they took the lymph nodes but I may have just over done it. I am not sleeping good with my husband's heart thing because I wake up to see if he is breathing okay and he keeps crowding me at night too. I may have to sleep in another bed soon. he does not mean to do that. I think because he has his head propped with pillows and then he slides off them and that puts him in the middle of the bed where he stretches out. He may need to quit putting those pillows up there. My daughter wanted him to get a wedge pillow but he does not sleep on his back good and probably needs to go for a sleep study. I guess we will see what his doc says.

 Cindy it is good to hear from you. Please do come back and post when you can.

Shelby, good luck on the tube. You never know about Xanax though. You may have a wonderful class on them. You may be so laid back the kids will really enjoy your class. Just kidding I am sure it will go great.

My prayers are with all of you during this time. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.I am home today and just need to do a few things so it will be good for me. No running to the hospital for anything until Wed.

Carolyn

Call the doc that put it in as soon as possible. Have you had a treatment through it yet?

Carolyn

Gail, I have had a few times with just Herceptin that I felt like I had the flu and even ran a temp. Did you by any chance recently get a flu shot? Just a thought it may have caused some reactions. I think Shelby had some reactions to Herceptin when she first started it and I don't think she took it with the other stuff but I could be mistaken. Every time I take Herceptin I feel the need to take a nap when I get home and most of the time I can sleep 2 hours but last time just 1 hour. I did not take my temp that time and the time I had such a bad reaction was when I was getting blood so I am not sure if it was all Herceptin or the combo of both. This past time I did feel bad and weak in the legs and so tired but then my platelets were really low so I am not sure what was causing the weakness. It has been a hard month for me so it could be I am just run down. Have you looked up Herceptin under the Search at the top of the page? It may have some things about it. I hope you feel better real soon but if you keep having reactions let them know because if your onc did not think it was normal it is not. I am one that will let stuff go and finally have a really bad effect and then I say something and they get mad I did not say anything sooner.

Carolyn

Aly, I am sorry you have so much anxiety. I find faith in God gives a lot of comfort. I can find several places in the Bible that are encouraging but just because I trust in God does not mean nothing bad will happen to me it just helps me deal with things that do. I know that should I have a dreadful disease and lose my life I will live with God and Jesus. The hard part is leaving my family but they are Christians too and they will get over it knowing I will be in a better place and if I should live then I will have to struggle until that day comes to go home to heaven. Pray and read the Bible and it may help.

Carolyn

Bethany! I just can't imagine falling in the first place but to fall on my boob (which is still tender) is not even in my mind. I hope you feel better real soon. My boob is having pains for you you! I have to go for a H tx Wed. I would like to skip it with all the stuff I need to get done.

Sue I hope you hold up good for all your company. I am dreading it a little but only because it is more than my family. I have a lot of cleaning to do and with my husband home it is harder to get done.

Aly, I am sorry you are scared about the cancer but I totally understand. I would hate to go through that chemo again! I am ready to get this all over even rad. I am hoping 2009 is going to be a better year for all of us. A little Xanax is not a bad thing but does not make you forget about cancer unfortunately. I take it for fibromyalgia.

Shelby, glad you made it and I am looking forward to hearing your experiences. I would never have made it. I am glad so many did!

I hope everyone is doing good during this week. I feel for those that are having SE and I think about those who are still in the middle of chemo. My brother will be finding out Wed. if he is going to have chemo. I dread it for him. I just hope he is one that has few SE but with him being my brother he will probably not. I am hoping they have a med like Herceptin for him but I am not sure. I know they have some more kinds that target the cancer now.

Carolyn

Cupcake it is good to hear you are doing better.I hope the Se start going away. I think I contacted a virus but I am better now just a little tummy ache. It may have come from the blood transfusion area but I am not sure since I was all over the hospital that week. I was trying to punch buttons with my elbow and paper towels etc and of course wash my hands all the time.

Shelby I sure hope all goes well with your trip. I know your family is proud of you just as we are too.

Deedee78, I am so sorry you got so sick and had to take yourself to the hospital. I am glad you are better now. I will take a Herceptin tx the day before Thanksgiving and I sure wish I could skip that one but I know that would not be wise. Congrats on the last tx. I am happy I am finished with my last TCH and Cupcake is too. Well, at least I hope I am finish with them. I am not sure when I start Rad. but will probably find out Dec. 3 when I go for my onc visit.

My hubby had a bad night last night but would not listen to me about taking some pain med and putting a heating pad on his back before we went to bed so needless to say neither one of us got much sleep. I got more than he did but was not restful. I am hoping for a nap. I am going to try to find a wedge for him to sleep on as a pillow. this was suggested by a man who had the same kind of surgery he had. I am not sure he will like it but we need to try something.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Carolyn

Hello everyone! I really understand the hair loss but for me it was not so bad until lately and I am so tired of not having hair. I went for my H tx yesterday and we were supposed to get my husband out of the hospital too. they said my RBC was down to 7 so I had to have blood even though I protested. I thought 2 units but after the second was almost done they told me I was to get 3 units and I was beside myself because I knew my hubby was waiting on me to get him out. I finally had to call my daughter because I started having some breathing problems which could have been mental but I got a breathing treatment and benadryl and 2 shots of lasix. I knew I would pee my pants on the way home but I didn't.I am almost afraid to go for my next H because of low blood count but surely they won't be down in a week. I knew I was tired but I figured it was from running to the hospital everyday and staying all day and then driving home at night. Maybe I will feel better for Thanksgiving.We did not sleep very good last night because Hubby was used to hospital bed being elevated and I had pillows propped up for him. He is sitting in his recliner sleeping now and I am so sleepy myself but I have to go get meds and food since I didn't buy groceries last week.

It is hard to think about being through with the TC but I am! I can't wait to get on with the rad. and my hubby has to go to rehab at the hospital too so we can go together. I will be going longer than he will because he is really good to do his exercise and I am sure he will bounce back real fast.

Shelby, I really don't see how you can push yourself like that but glad you can. I will be rooting for you.

I hope all of you that are having SE are dealing with them okay. As far as craving salt or anything I really didn't but the salt will make you retain water so maybe a little would not hurt but just don't over do it. I know they said I was not getting enough salt and that is why my water I drank ran right through me. The Taxotere will make you swell though and you don't want fluid around your heart and lungs either. I think whatever just do in moderation. I had heard that vinegar was good to settle your stomach but it was really hard on mine.

Well, I need to get some laundry in and then by the time I get this house straighten it will be time for the store to open. I hope all have a good day.

Carolyn

Hi everyone! I have been absent but not just because of chemo. My husband had triple bypass on Friday but they put him in the hospital on Wed. to do a stint but when they got in there they found he had too much blockage. He did not even have symptoms. He only went to do his normal stress tests and that is why they thought he had a blockage and then found more. I am really lucky he did not have a heart attack because he works really hard. anyway it has been a real trial for me. I was coming home in rush hour traffic on Friday after his surgery and had diarrhea and no way to stop so you can guess the rest plus nausea. I had been fighting it all day and had every kind of med in my purse I had at home and the chemo lab said come down if you need meds. I was okay until I got in traffic. I just kept thinking I hope I don't get stopped by a police or have a wreck. then with all that med in my possession I would have probably gone to jail. The good Lord took care of me and I got home and ran to the bath and cleaned up but oh man how embarrassing. My son and his family were here doing laundry but I guess when they have a problem like that they will remember Grandma! I was going to try to eat something last night since all I had been eating was crackers and pretzels and got home and my grandson had gone duck hunting and was cleaning those things in the house. I thought it smelled like a 5 day old dead mouse but he cleaned it up and I tried to eat some food my daughter brought over and could not so I made some lemon mint tea and ate a cracker and went to bed.

They had to test my blood 3 times on Wed. and then did it every day until Friday. she said if everything was okay Friday they would leave me alone until Wed. when I go for H. I was shocked when my doc called me to tell me they needed to test it again on Wed. and I asked why and he said a bunch of stuff that did not even make sense to me. He is on sick leave from having a knee replacement and had just came it to check on his patients. He finally said they gave me the wrong fluid in my IV with the H but it was just water so I should eat some salt. I did eat a little but not alot since I was not well and could not get much down. then the nurse over the chemo lab told me my hemoglobin's was down to 10 which is not unusual so I was suspect of that and then the next day they dropped to 9.1 but still not as low as they have been before. I was really dizzy on Sat. but got better with drinking more and ate some pretzels which gave me the salt. I am still wondering what was going on with the blood tests. At first I thought they may have messed up the first one but then they were drawing a lot more than normal and taking it to the lab themselves. Also my husband's cardo was worried about me and I looked in the mirror and boy was I bad looking.I think that is why we stayed overnight there. I did not think I could get him in the house by myself since it was so late. 10 PM and I was exhausted

My hair is growing some because it is starting to feel softer. I have been using shampoo but just a dot since it does not have much there. My fingernails have always grown and need to be cut again but I do have one toenail that looks like it wants to come off. I have been walking a lot so I am not sure if that is the reason or not. I guess on Dec 3 we will see what comes next. I know we have tests to do and see what is going on with the lumps that came after surgery.

Cupcake I hope you are doing better than I did with the last one. I got sick sooner and stayed sick longer but maybe you will not be as bad.

Have a good Sunday and if I don't check in it will be because I just don't have time.

Carolyn

Susiered, I guess a Bug Hug can be as good as a Big Hug haha! I tend not to notice too much of the typos since I make plenty myself.

Well, tomorrow we go for my Herceptin and then over to my husband's heart scan check up. they had called on Friday and were just sure he was having chest pains but he was not. I did not know what to think and so they told me today if I was not able to drive tomorrow we needed to bring someone with us. I think I will be able to, but my daughter has offered to go. The only problem is it is not a certain thing they will do anything to him. We are going for results of the tests and then they may do a procedure which I suspect is to clean the arteries out. We just didn't know there was anything blocked and it was a surprise when they called. this is supposed to be a regular check up every 2 years and he has not had any symptoms. Well, if he does have a problem no time like the present to take care of it. I think my standing very long is my biggest problem. I believe I will be able to drive by tomorrow.

Cupcake, I hope this is a relief to get this tx over with. It has been a different experience for me. Not too bad but not too easy either. I guess just take it as it comes and make sure you have meds! I am taking my Imodium with me tomorrow because once we got there for the Herceptin and all of a sudden I had bad diarrhea. I am going to be prepared for anything. Also I am not going to eat any heavy stuff which I don't usually anyway. I threw up at the tx center once and had spasms and then they had to give me morphine so you see why I am a little scared not to have someone along if he has to have a procedure. I just never know what is going to happen!

It would be nice to have a website to keep up with your blood work but they always write in my book just in case I need to call before my next visit I have all the info.

Carolyn

thanks everyone for congrats! I have gotten sicker earlier this time and all my counts were up in the normal range. I think that is strange! what I want to know is how did ya'll get to keep your animals? I was told no animals or fish tanks etc. thanks goodness I got to keep my family! I didn't really have any animals of my own but I do take care of my children's animals at times. It could be because I have an auto immune thing going on too.

This is my oldest grandson's birthday weekend and I feel like the devil but I think they may come over here to have his birthday dinner. I can't eat anything right now but it will be fun to have them all here. he is 21 and I just can't believe it. Him and his brother have gone running around to a sporting goods place. He is going to be a wildlife biologist someday I guess if he can get funding. His parents have moved out on 80 acres and are still trying to get a house built so that is why they stay with me. A travel trailer is too small for the 6'4" boy and when both boys are home it is tight too. I hope they can get by without a hard winter this year but we will see. Oklahoma is strange!

My surgery breast is very red today. I am the one who gets the red breast from Herceptin only and the young woman doc asked me about it when I seen her. I have been asking my man doc and he does not know why and neither does any of the nurses. This was a week after tx and it was still a little red. I told her how it gets but she said we would do a mammogram and a MUGA next month I guess when my doc is back so I am not sure when I will get to start rad or if I will start rad. I guess it depends on the lump I have and what they think it is. I have some hardening of the mucus membrane in my breast they have found before and they think it is from fibromyalgia. I have it in my legs and arms too. I can't be normal. Now they think my husband has blockage in his heart or blood vessels someplace so he is going to have some kind of test and I am not sure what it is since they only talked to him and he didn't remember what they said. Geez men! they wanted him in on Monday but he said he had an appointment Wed. and that is when he would be there. They thought he should be having chest pains but he doesn't. I hope it is nothing real bad. I am just not up to all this but I can be if I have to. At least I got through #6 but the SE yet.

Carolyn