CMF Question
Comments
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Ginny! Welcome back! I'm so glad that you had a special time with your aunt and enjoyed that special vacation. It is nice to have you back, though!
Sending good thoughts and vibes for your thyroid ultrasound and the results. Please let us know what you find out! You will be in my thoughts and prayers! Darn those hives! Maybe they will discover the reason for them. Do you think that stress is a factor since you didn't have them during your leisurely vacation? Wouldn't that be great???? But then, how do we remove stress from our "everyday lives" when it creeps in around every corner???? Wishing you the best!
Rita
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I chatted with the onc today about wanting to get moving with consult/simulation for rads. I now have an appt for the 9 May. Looks like a busy week for me, txt on Wed, consult with surgeon for ooph on Thurs and the Rad consult friday, then off to Portland for my ds regional skatemeet. Whew, I pooped just thinking about it.
I really don't want to wait any length of time between the end of chemo on 4 June and the start of radiation. Hey I've got a friggin' 60 walk to do in September, I don't have time to be lolly-gagging along!!! Anyway, I told my onc about my appts (seconds) with the doc at SCCA and my gyn on ooph/ht stuff. I figure they probably send him a transcript of what was discussed. He once again really didn't jump on the band wagon one way or another on the topic. I'm very pleased that I took it upon myself to seek out some other opinions.
Well the ds did great, he was laughing at me getting my finger poked as I look as far away in the other direction as my neck will turn. I almost didn't feel a thing ... then she had a hard time getting the enough blood for the sample, thought she did and left. About 10 min later, she comes back in the room with that darn little tray of "poking" stuff. She didn't get enough the first time and had to poke again. I felt this one ... its actually no biggee as you all know, but a poke is a poke!!! The wbc's we're low again 2500, and my rbc as well. I have no idea why I feel like I have so much energy this past week. I'm sure it will hit after the steriods subside by tomorrow.
The ds got a little sweaty in the palms when she was accessing my port. She told him to look away if he felt "funny", she didn't want to have to pick him up off the floor. As my head was turned once again looking at him, he intently watched the procedure and had a handful of questions for the nurse. All went well, during my methotraxate push I was getting a nasty taste in my mouth while chomping my ice. The ds came to the rescue with some apple juice and a graham cracker (god I havn't had a graham cracker in years and it was darn good!!!). Anyway, I was happy that he got to see just a bit of what the process has been all about. We had a nice lunch out afterwards, and will be off to his skate practice in a few minutes.
The ds hat is pretty cool, although I guess you can only wear that style backwards (what do I know), it says "I wear pink for my Mom" with a pink ribbon on it.
His 16th birthday is next Friday, and I assumed he wanted something skater related for a gift when I asked. He was as serious as a heart attack and said he really wanted to get a "small" tatoo on his calf with a pink ribbon and Mom added to it. My jaw dropped, I think this one will be having to wait a few years, havn't even mentioned it to his dad. I think I'll be pushing for some new skate gear!!! Mom's what would be your take of this one???
Sorry this post was all about me, bear with ...
Carol
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Carol, I just had to say your post brought tears to my eyes...your son is wonderful. On the eve of mother's day, whether he gets it or not is a moot point depending on you and your husband's take, but what an early gift you have already received.
He is darling, what a special son you have.
And good for you on the ooph query...on reading more about it I find
that it is sounding like a better and better idea. Maybe "ooph" is the sound it makes when they pull all that plumbing at once. Sign me up i'd be right behind you. Go get 'em girl
End of chemo in June!! You must be so ready...........
xoxo
annie
p.s. (I'd let my kid do it but it would have to be a really reputable place)
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Hi ginny, I am so sorry to hear about your hives...I had a six month siege myself and right after they diagnosed me with Hashimotos thyroid. Now BC.... there must be an auto immune link with all these three. Did you speak to anyone about what Carol is doing, taking the ovaries out?
Thank you also for all these tips!! So helpful, what did you do(if you ever got it) for acid reflux type stuff?
Good to hear you had a great time with your aunt! Nice to hear from you...wait til you read about Carol's son and what he wants to do....it brought me to tears, what a precious kid!
Hope you are well despite the hives... it may be something you eat or drink or pollen in your area just as easily. Here's hoping you get some relief soon!
love to you
annie
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Carol,
I think it is TERRIFIC that your son wants to get that tattoo! He's really a great kid!! You must be very proud of him!! I say, if he wants it, go for it!Hi to Ginny, Annie, and Rita...
Sorry this is so short, but I gotta go pack... dh & I are driving up to Washington DC tomorrow, to stay with some friends for a few days.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Hugs,
Harley
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Good evening fellow CMF buddies,
Carol- Great photo of you and your son!! Hope he does well in his upcoming meet. Sounds like you will be busy next week with all your appts. I'm with you on the needle poke! I hold on tight the the side of the chair until it's over. I forgot the emla again, but all went well. My white and red counts were down last week so let's hope that are up for tomorrow's big day. I think I'm with you on the tattoo, my oldest daughter wanted to do the same.
Harley- Have a great trip to DC!
Hugs,
Jill
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Jill, yeah for you today, congrats on having this be your "LAST" treatment, lets hope those counts cooperate and you can draw a line through this portion of your unfornutate long journey. You be in my thoughts throughout the day. Kick some cancer boooty gal!!!
Annie and Harley, thanks for the kinds words, I'll be checking in after work, off to the showers and work, I had kinda a rough night sleeping (gotta love those steriods), but I think I'll make it. I have so many appt next week, I'd really like to save a day of sick leave.
Good day to ya all,
Carol
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Jill:
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carol, hope you feel OK, I know that first night after is so nuts, I never sleep a wink.
Everybody have lovely day, Harley have a fun weekend.
love
annie
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Hey Jill! YEA!!! Today's the day........no mo' chemo!!!! You did it!!
Carol, what a nice son you have! Our sons surprise us sometimes. My son came all the way from northern Minnesota to take me to my first chemo. I don't know which one of us was more scared and anxious. Instead of flowers or jewelry, he came bearing one of those rubberized bracelets....bright blue with the imprinted Cub insignia and the word BELIEVE! I'll cherish that forever! Anyway, I love the pic of you two and think he is quite the "gift" for you already. As for the tattoo...I'm a bit too old fashioned to give an opinion on this one, but it was a very sweet gesture on his part however you look at it.
Harley, enjoy your weekend away.
Annie...how have you been feeling this week?
Catch you all later.
Rita
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Hi girls:
Rita, hi!
I think your son sounds wonderful too...I love when men have a beautiful relationship with their moms, mine did with his, and i think it made him a great husband and father. The bracelet is so thoughtful and sweet a gift. You have a wonderful guy, there.
(If those are his children, a lucky dad too!)
Thank you for asking how I am feeling, I actually feel great, just running around getting a bunch of stuff done before chemo #5 next tuesday. I'm getting there! But as you said, it's just when you are feeling your old self that another treatment comes along.... oh well, one more to mark off the old calendar, gotta love that. Did you notice after you bounced back on the fourth or fifth day, (as i do also) that you felt a bit tired for about 4 more? Then I am up to speed and begin to take vitamins again. Makes a difference.
I hope you are feeling great...it sounds like you are! I was trying to style myself with new shorter do this Am, cursing my thick and stubborn hair (which is now coming in darker red and darker grey, where it was strawberry blonde and white) and wishing for your natural curls......you lucky duck!
Carol, sending good vibes for this one! Hope the tummy cooperates
for you!
Jill, thinking of you too....
love to all
annie
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Annie...yep, I was tired more than usual for the rest of that first week after treatments, but I was such a wimp about the nausea and achy feelings on the third and fourth day, that I just tried to ignore the fatigue. I rested when I really needed to rest and tried to keep right on going with the important things in my life (or those things that I THOUGHT was important).
As for your hair....don't stress about it too much right now. You're a doll! As I've said before, I felt so lucky to still have hair that I figured I'd never have another bad hair day as long as I had something to work with! The color's easy to change and I dyed my hair during chemo with no problems at all. So some days my hair just looks better than others and when you finish the treatments, it becomes more like it was before all this started.
Thanks also for the nice comments about my son and my grandsons. They are indeed very important to me. I was an only child and then I only had the one son so our family is very small. We need to stick together through both the good and the bad times. It always makes me sad to hear about somebody who has family members that "act up" during their breast cancer journey. Our families and friends are the most important things that we have.
So see....we are both lucky that way and it's quite obvious that Carol has this plus too!
Well, good luck Carol on this treatment. Hang in there Jill! Annie...enjoy your last days of this chemo holiday. You're markin' off those trips to the chemo room and before you know it, you'll be saying good-by to those pac-men!!!!
Catch you all later.
Rita
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Hi all;
Carol, I hope you are feeling OK after this last one and getting thru the eve. alright. I keep on telling people about your son and what he wants to do, chokes me up every time. You are indeed blessed.
That, and the skating hat!! So sweet. Quite a fine guy you raised there.
Rita, you are right as always...geez, the hair is still here, I should stop already. The oncologist did tell me not to dye it, but I have some good rinse in color I've been sneaking, so unless I go bald, I will just stop it already. Thank you, that was a good head check! (but I still envy you your curls)
I have just the one child, my beloved daughter, I did want more but the stars didn't align for that. I had two stillborn children after my daughter, and after that, I tried with a surrogate, but it didn't work out. So I do treasure my daughter all the more. Still have three embryos "asleep" and I hope and dream someday to bring them awake and to life. I'd be pushing that stroller in a walker, but who cares...maybe..(sigh) these are dreams.
I could wish my sisters and brothers were more supportive, they just don't seem able to deal with it at all and to be honest with you , I have only gotten one or two phone calls from two of them (I have three sisters and two brothers) about the bc or even to ask how I am....I tend to make excuses for them and just tell myself it's too scarey for them to deal with. My mom I've heard from only once or twice as well. Sometimes I think I must have done something terrible bec. I can't understand it. But what I did do, is take care of everything for everybody else and never for me, so that is what I think I must try to learn to do now and let go of doing it for my sibs and mom.
I tell myself you can't change what is, but it certainly does make me very thankful for my husband, daughter and my friends...esp. these new and very wonderful and terrific buddies on this board!! I feel lucky to have met all of you ladies. So I will continue to go on this journey gathering friends like so many flowers and cherish the bouquet.
My, I am feeling rather philosophical tonight and rehashing old wounds doesn't help a thing, so I will get off the pity pot this evening and listen to my daughter have an on air debate with her bf on his radio show. It's alot of fun and the kids are great. Like having her here with me.
thanks for the "heads up" (ha ha) Rita, as always, I just love your perspective on life and bc and gettin' thru it.
love
annie
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Hi all,
Just got home for the evening- My last txt was "very" emotional. After I was finished they had a certificate and everyone clapped and hugged and cried! (as I'm doing now). After treatment my husband had invited family and friends to a local restaurant for dinner to celebrate. Also great news that my MRI came back clean and I can now schedule with my surgeon to have my port removed (excited but scared).
Annie- I also have the same issues with my family and support. After going through this battle twice in 2 years you really get to know who your real family is. My oldest sister lived 1/4 mile from us and NEVER came to visit, call or volunteer to do anything for us. She did come over once to show me her pictures from her cruise to Mexico and her new red VW beetle convertible. She wanted to take me for a ride and made the comment "At least you don't have to worry about getting your hair messed up"! She than was dx with DCIS and came crying at my doorstep for information. Being the sister, I did give her information and directed her to this website. My mother is one person that I could have not made it through this journey without. She is truly an angel. Her husband is blind and taking care of him and making time to be with me is something i will never be able to repay her for. And of course my DH. Being there at every treatment and every other appt. to hold my hand through all the pokes. And my two girls, I know they are at the stage in their lives were being home is not a priority, but they would do anything I ask including mopping the floors!! I can't forget my 3 puppies. They never leave my side and are there on my down days laying in my (their)bed!
AND of course my sisters on this page- Everyday I come here for encouragement, and can't THANK YOU ALL enough.
Now onto 6 weeks of radiation, not sure when I will start.
Great big ((HUGS)) to all,
Jill
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Annie, you just pity pot all you want right here. I personally could not imagine not having all the love and support from my family. I'm so glad you have your dh and daughter to help you with the up and downs of this ride.
Thanks for your kind words about the ds, I have gotten some pretty good advice from the gals I chat with on the Jan 2008 thread in regards to having my son really think about what he is wanting to do in regards to getting a tat. We'll be in hold pattern for a bit as he has a regional skate meet next weekend in Portland. In the mean time I will have him do some research, write down the pros/cons of his decision etc. Next will be chatting with his dad, so far he's not to keen on the idea, as well as my hubby. I think it hit a sentimental note with me. Hmmmm wonder why?!
Rita, I was wondering about hair coloring during chemo, I suppose I should have bounced the question off of my onc. I was complaining to my gf how I look like I've aged 10 years in 6mo. She is a hairdresser and suggested that I get my hair colored as I have the past 15 or so years. I guess right now I'm just pretty darn happy to still have hair. I got to thinking about the whole hair thing recently. I remember the onc back in Dec saying that CMF would probably not cause hair loss, I don't think I really listened to anything else, like how long 6 mo of txt really is. I've really been having a harder time keeping that positive attitude as I really did not want to go in this week for txt. I enjoy feeling good and the thought of the pit in the stomach and possible diarrhea is not my idea of a good time. I know the light is getting closer at the end of the tunnel.
Love the story of the cubbie bracelet, my kind of guy!!!
Harley, hope you enjoy your well deserved time with friends in DC. Time to just kick back and enjoy some time away from "it all". We'll be here when you get back. Remember to breath through your nose and relax!!!
Ginny, I think you need another trip planned. Sorry to hear that your having hive problems, hoping that your doc can get you squared away, none of us need any new issues.
Jill, Done Deal Gal ... time to put that exclamation point at the end of this one. Was thinking of you today, and hope your se's stay to a minimum.
Pooping out as I type, I think that the steriod high from yesterday has definitely worn off and I didn't sleep to well last night so hoping for a minimum of night sweats and a good nights rest.
TGIF tomorrow, and a good day to all,
Carol
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Jill, was posting at the same time, what great news on your MRI results, and kudos for the dh having a dinner celebration for you. You are a lucky woman to have such a loving dh and the support of your girls.
I'll be a few weeks behind you on the rad front, I'm ready to be over with this part of txt myself and will look forward to a celebration of sorts!!
A good night to you,
Carol
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Hi ladies, sorry for being such a pity pot and thanks for the support (as always) you guys are the best. Humor has always been my resource in times of trouble, but I confess to losing it now and again on this journey. My daughter Emily would have been sweet sixteen last sunday, so I am kind of emotional around those times.
Jill, are you sure this isn't MY sister?? Yours sounds exactly like mine. She also lives 1/8 of a mile away and has asked once by e mail how I was, then nothing except for asking us to take a kid to babysit, print a joke for her, jump her car for her...I think we have the same sisters~! I am sorry yours has been such a jerk to you, I know how that feels. But isn't it so great tho that we can pretty much choose our family now? Your end of treatment was so sweet, I can't even begin to imagine how you feel....that they did all that for you is just so wonderful. You must feel soooo special. And you are, this is a huge and significant achievement!! What a huge "WHEW".
I love your husband and that he did that for you, and I am so happy you have such a great mom. Mine is unfortunately, somewhat like Gangy from Arrested Development show. She is, however, good for laughs even tho one cannot depend on her at all. I have one absolutely wonderful sister and brother and my hubbie is my rock, he has gone to everything, every single appt. from beginning of all this time around. Last time, I wanted to "do it on my own" and did all the rads myself, which was no big, bec. they take about 5 minutes, literally.
The radiation is sooooo easy, it's just the fatigue at the end of it, and not everyone gets that by any means. My hair turned white! But I figure at 52, hey, I'm entitled to it. I just colored it, nobody said no no to that during rads as they did in chemo. then the color came back lighter and in stripes, I felt quite patriotic, striped white and red.
Good luck and take a well deserved special day for yourself!!!
Carol, that is a great idea to have your son really think about it...writing the pros and cons down is a trick I have used on myself and have passed onto my daughter, it really clarifies if you want to do this or not. I am super traditionally raised, but I'd still say OK to this one. Just because it is about the sweetest thing I've ever heard.
If he does it or no, you still have the sweetest gift in that he wanted to and that it was totally unexpected. He must make you very proud.
As to the not wanting to in for treatment, neither do I! I know how that feels, I love the chemo holiday. But you know what? It's one more milestone to mark off and you are sooo close.
You have not aged hon, you are as beautiful as ever. I think you just feel weary at the end of all this and to keep working and mothering and travelling, well, who wouldn't?
Do you think the Miralax is making the diarrhea worse? Maybe cut down or take a half so you aren't bothered with it? I hope this treatment goes a little easier on you.
This thing is like a flume ride isn't it, bumpy and smooth alternately.
Harley and Rita, hi! Hope everyone is feeling well today and having a nice day. It's cool and wet here and I need to clean my daughters' sheets for when she gets home. Yippee!
love to all
annie
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Annie, whats up with hair turning white on rads, I'm not getting that one!
As far as the Miralax goes I havn't taken a full dose of it since the first month when I really had a problem. Its still a balancing act for my system for the next few days, hoping that it behaves on Sunday, I'm going for a training walk with a bunch of ladies on the 3 day team. I'd hate to have to shuffle along!!!
At work, will check in tonight, good day all,
Carol
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Hi Carol:
I don't know why, they speculated that I got too high a dose of radiation and I got almost a radiation poisoning...so hence the white hair, after i stopped treatment, it "recolored" itself, starting at the bottom, really weird, I kept thinking I looked like smurfette.
I'm sure you will do well on your walk, have fun!
xxo
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Hi everyone,
Just checking in and will post later, with replies to all. We got back last night from our little mini-vacation in Washington DC, so I haven't been around for a few days.
Sorry to hear that some have problems with family members who are not supportive. My family was very much like that. I am the youngest of six, and I have one brother and four sisters! They just didn't seem to understand why I was getting such aggressive treatment for "a tiny piece of bc". They came around and were a little more supportive, after my bi-lateral mast., but when I decided to go ahead and get chemo, they just sort of disappeared, and I stopped getting phone calls and letters.
Annie, I bought some haircolor, and I'm still thinking about taking the plunge and doing it myself. I still may go out and get the Natural Instincts, because it is easier. It comes with the applicator. I'm also a chicken, and I'm afraid that I might damage my hair. Since I didn't get CMF, this is all brand new hair, and I have read that it's fragile, and we have to be very careful when coloring it. But, there is a website that has information about cosmetics, including haircolor. It rates them from 1 to 10, and Natural Instincts is a 5! That Light Mountain stuff is a 1, so it sounds much safer.
Carol, since getting back, my hubby has been driving me absolutely nuts! I am trying to remember your advice - relax and breathe throuth the nose!
I'm not making much sense today. I didn't sleep very well. My dh was having a meltdown. It's too bad that they don't have support groups for men.
Jill, Congratulations on finishing your tx!!! YIPPEE!! I didn't get a port, but my last tx was SO HARD, I was crying!! They couldn't find a vein. So glad you can get rid of that port now!!
Hugs to all
Harley
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Hey girls! It looks like spring is finally here in Illinois and I hope all of you were out enjoying the weather this weekend. It was sure quiet on the site!
Annie...you are indeed unique. I have NEVER heard of anyone's hair turning white. You're just so special! LOL I probably would have freaked "big time" on that one, but as usual, it looks like you handled it with "class." Tomorrow's chemo day again, isn't it? If so, you go get 'em and be sure to mark it off on your calendar as another one DOWN! Then look at that little number that remains and think...I'm getting there. I can do it! I can do it!
Jill...CONGRATS! You ARE done! Isn't it amazing how emotional this journey is? I cried as I went out the chemo room door for the last time. I'll never be able to explain it because I sure wasn't going to miss it! It had to be stress release or a short "lost feeling" on this roller coaster ride. I'm so glad for you! I'm hoping that the rads are as easy for you as they were for me. Except for the inconvenience of having to show up everyday, they didn't bother me at all. When do you start?
Well...hi to everyone on this lovely day! Harley, I hope you enjoyed your time away. We will be glad to have you back. Tell us all about your weekend!
Jill...Hope you had a chance to hit the links this weekend. We golfed yesterday afternoon. I'm really trying to work on my irons because if I get in the rough, I'm done for that hole. Maybe one of these days things will all come together. I guess that's what keeps us coming back for more!
Have a good week, gals!
Rita
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Morning Ladies,
At work so this will be short ...
Had a busy Sunday, went to the Seattle side of the water, walked with some team members from the 3 Day team. We went 6.5 miles, had a great brunch with my friend Ginny, and then back towards home. Stopped at the local nursery, worked in the yard until 5:00, time to start on those annuals, sure hope it doesn't freeze at night!!!
Figured I'd sleep great with all the exercise, but nope, the ol' nightly sweats we're at an extreme last night. Must have been all those endorphines running through my body!
My tummy has been the best its been so far, I was prepared this go around with Zantac for that pit in the gut, I think its like carrying an umbrella, if you have it you may not need it. I havn't had to take anything so far except for my regular Zofran and Miralax.
I've got a busy doc appt schedule this week, txt on Weds, seeing an onc surgeon in regards to ooph on Thursday, and my initial meeting with the rad doc on Fri, then off Fri afternoon to Portland Or for my sons regional skate meet. I'm pooped just thinking about it ... this work is getting in my way.
Rita, didn't get a chance to golf this weekend, should be hitting the links with the ladies league after work tomorrow. Have you hit any hybrids? I personally don't have any but my gf has a few and she hits them pretty darn good.
Enjoyed reading your comments about not having any troubles with rads, I would love to be in that category come July!!!!
Harley, welcome back, so whats up, too much dh time and he blew???? Hang in there, hopefully things will mellow out.
Jill, hoping that your se's stayed at bay and your feeling up to snuff.
Annie, all the best for an uneventful txt tomorrow, what number is that for you?
Better go for now, take care my friends,
Carol
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Hello everyone,
I spent the day with a friend, helping her. She adopted a new cat, and she now has TWO... She has the new one isolated in the bathroom, with occasional breaks to explore the rest of her home. So far, the new kitty, a male, is doing just great! He is just curious, and wants to explore. But, her cat, who is a female, wants NO part of this interloper! It was kind of funny, because the new cat didn't EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE Chloe! He just ignored her the whole time I was there.The weekend trip to Washington DC was fun. It was really nice to visit with our friends. They have a huge four poster bed in the guest room, with a little stool to help me to get up on the bed! I tripped over the stool while I was trying to reach for the light switch, to turn the light on. Now BOTH my arms are SORE!! OUCH! Am I just getting old??
Rita, hey glad to be back! It's funny, but here in NC, it is still kind of cool, at least at night, but in DC, it was REALLY WARM! We went to the Eastern Market 'open air' market on Saturday, and I was SWEATING, it was so hot! Of course, I didn't even bring any shorts with me, and only ONE short sleeved t-shirt!
Annie, I hope your tx goes well tomorrow! You are getting closer to the end with each tx, so you'll be finished before you know it!
Carol, I'll be thinking about you, on Wednesday, and hoping your tx goes well. Gosh, your weeks of dr. appts. sound alot like my two weeks in April, I think I had a dr. appt., or a test of some sort EVERY day!
My dh is doing ok now, but I really think that he has had too much going on. Ever since his Dad was dx'd with kidney cancer, with bone mets, about 3 years ago, he has had so much stress. He is the one who his parents depended on for all those late night ER visits. Just a month or two after his Dad passed away, he decided that we would move to NC after he retired, and then his Mom wanted to move down to SC to be close to her son....Then, last year, in March, I was dx'd with bc... Maybe they need to have support groups for spouses!
I think I am talking too much! We just got back awhile ago, from my MIL's house, where we had dinner, because my dh was building shelves for his MOM, in the garage... it never ends!
Take care, everyone!
Love ya,
Harley
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Hi ladies, Harley welcome back!
Rita, I don't know if I was unusual or not, they just shrugged it off. No big deal to them. As to "class", hm...doubtful! It did look pretty weird. But I've always been a dark red, so it was nice to have a change, despite the startling effect! (or smurflike effect) The color started coming back six weeks or so after I finished. Kind of a re-forestational effect. Thank you for those good words of encouragement....yes, I can do it, and I will!
Thanks for all nice thoughts and support all, I admit to a bit of cold feet on this one as I had a little nausea last time and am scared (such a chicken) to take the drugs...but it wasn't even drugworthy just a titch queasy, so I am going to be like Carol and bring the drugs with me, therefore I won't need them. I like that thinking.
But, as you all say, this is the downward part of the roller coaster ride and after tomorrow I can say "just three more!" Whoopee!
Carol, you make me tired to hear what you are up to girl! You also make me very encouraged . It makes me think "well, Carol can work, plant stuff in her yard, walk miles, visit buddies, and go to chemo" so then I think, well, I can too, so you are very inspirational.
If you didn't make a roaring success out of rads, then it would be most surprising! You will of course!
Harley, I am sorry your hubby was cranky. Mine lost both parents within a year of each other and me having bc the year before, it was a lot and he was very very moody for a long time. The guys do need a support group for this I think, but it's good to hear he was building shelves, because that is a way of coping for some guys, I know it is for mine. Be patient with him, he loves you very much I think.
I got some of the all natch haircolor but my onc told me not to do anything til I finished chemo. Grrrr. You try it and let me know how it works! right now, well, things look pretty weird. But, as I told myself in the mirror, "girl, you have hair, shut up". It's all relative, isn't it.
Off I go tomorrow, and I'll check back in tomorrow night all buzzed up I am sure.
Carol, if I don't, thinking about you on Weds., and good luck with your consults!!
Jill, hope you are getting your equilibrium back. It must be so emotional, yet I can't wait to be there. Except I can see how it must feel weird to not have to do this when we've all done it so long.
Big sigh of relief for you!
love to all
annie
p.s. Rita I told some folks about your Pac Man visualization and everyone loved it. I'm taking that pac man thought with me tomorrow to eat it (bc cells) all up!
a
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Annie,
I saw a friend at the coffee shop today, and she commented on my hair... Well, I colored it at a salon in early March, and now...YIKES, it needs to be re-done! My friend said...your hair looks good...looks like you colored it? I thought "where have you been?" but, I did say, 'hmm... it needs a touch up, cause the white is coming back in again,' and she just looked at me like I had three heads!
I hope your tx goes well tomorrow...and yes, if you have the drugs with you maybe you won't need 'em!!Hugs,
Harley
ps I'll let you know how that haircolor experiment goes... I am thinking about doing it either tomorrow or Wednesday, but I have to go buy the distilled water. Do they sell that at the grocery store?
Oh, BTW, that website is called:
I just looked up the Natural Instincts, and it wasn't a FIVE, like I thought...it was an EIGHT!!! OH MY! I had been planning on using that as a fail-safe coloring plan, just in case the other one was too much trouble!
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Annie, thinking of you today as you hit the chemotini lounge, keep a bar stool warm for me, as I'll be right behind you tomorrow.
How about a half dose of nausea drug, I'm with you I hate having to take them for the plugger-upper effect, but I think I pretty much have it figured out, figures now that there are three txt left.
Got get um gal, gotta go, at work ....
Carol
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Hugs to you Annie as you tackle this treatment today! Glad you're taking the pac-men with you. I hope you filled up your purse or pockets with them. You might as well send out the pac-man troops since you've got to be there anyway!
I'm with Carol. If you had some nausea last time, take one of your compazine (or at least part of one) as soon as the treatment is over to help WARD OFF the nausea. The effects of CMF are cumulative so it's very possible that you might get a bit more nauseous as the treatments progress.
Thinking of you today and I'll be thinking about you tomorrow, Carol! Both of you.....hang in there. This nightmare will be over before you know it! Look at how far you've already come!
Rita
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Hello everyone,
Annie- Hope your txt went well today!! Mark one more off your calendar
I agree with Rita on the cummulative effects. The fatigue is huge for me. I'm hoping it will go away soon. With as active as Carol is it makes me tired just reading!! Carol- Good luck tomorrow! Your almost to the finish line.
Rita and Harley- Just wondering if you had a port? I'm scheduled to have mine removed and very nervous. Just thinking that I will now have to have my follow up blood draws through my vein does not thrill me. I have my appt with my Rad onc. tomorrow to see what the schedule will be. This will be my second time through this as they will be concentrating on the chest wall.
have a good evening everyone,
Jill
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Jill,
Sorry, but I didn't get a port. I 'only' had 4 txs of Taxotere & Cytoxan, so I didn't even get CMF, I'm only an honorary member!
By my last tx, I guess my veins were kind of 'used up', and they had a really hard time getting the IV in a vein. I was nearly crying!, it hurt so bad! The last tx was Oct. 9th, and I am STILL having trouble, whenever they need to find a vein, for bloodwork, or IVs.
Maybe Rita can help you. I can't imagine ANYONE getting CMF for six months, and not getting a port.
I know you'll be glad to get rid of that port!!
Good Luck!Harley
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Hi ladies, thank you so much for all the encouragement. My onc recc'd the Zofran to try first, since it was more of a "queasy round the edges" he did not deem it compazine worthy. I also didn't get a thing til the third day after treatment and I think he's upped my steroids to help too, as that would explain why I am Buzzed and typing away.
Rita I did indeed take the pac men, and they are doing their good work as we speak.
#5 down, yahoooo! And now, I can say only 3 more. Doable, definitely doable. (of course this isn't the trenches yet, but I figure after labor, EVERYTHING is doable at least for only three more times.)
Carol, I'm warming up that bar stool for ya at the chemotini lounge....we are getting there girl! You'll be done sooner than me, tho, and I am sending good vibes for you to breeze thru tomorrow and go kick some butt on the oopharectomy query and all your other appts. Go get 'em!
Today I got a bit freaked out tho as my onc. reminded me they found a nodule on my lung during a cat scan that they want to recheck in a six month time frame (which is coming up) to make sure it isn't cancer. He says these things are really common, everyone has them, but since it showed up on the cat scan and I did have cancer, they want to recheck it to make sure it's not bigger. Another thing to freak out about. He is reassuring but as we all know, that doesn't mean a thing.
Well, I'll sign off, Harley, sending hugs and let me know how the hair turns out! I went to that website and am glad to know it exists.
I have a great vein in the right arm thankfully and it's hanging in there just fine so far. Hope so, as it's the only vein I've got! They can't stick a port in during chemo, but they can go thru a leg or something also. Don't worry, Harley, I've heard that's a big no biggie to take it out. Some folks use a local and ativan!
love to all and thank you.
anniehopingtostaynotnauseous
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p.s Oh lord, it's chemo brain drain!
Jill, I am sorry, the port comment was meant for you, not Harley.
Best of luck to you. Harley I am hanging in there the whole six months with my right arm. They are really good at IV's so no big deal at all. Let's hope the vein holds out.
Jill, good luck with all, I hope you find some reduction of anxiety with your drs. appts. and that you get your energy back soon.
love
a
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