CMF Question
Comments
-
Hi Mandy... re acupuncure. Wanted to respond here in case this might be useful to anyone else...
I did an online search for an acupuncuturist in my area and narrowed it down to a few. In some cases, there were websites that outlined the Drs education and experience. Then I made phone calls and asked specifically if they had had any experience with cancer patients. One doc in particular was very warm and accommodating and I ended up going to him. This is my second experience with chemo and it seemed to work again for me. In fact, I looked forward to the sessions- they were relaxing, but beyond that, I had a sense that I had the reins in my hands and was actively doing something about my issues. I had (ok- have) big control issues and that's always been one of the hardest aspects of this disease and its treatments for me.
Annie- congrats on your new family member! We're holding off a bit, but I hope to have a new fuzzball sometime this year. But more significantly-- congrats on your one year mark! What's kitty's name?
And back to work with me....I need a CLONE!
0 -
Annie
Happy new kitten! What a nice way to mark your 1 yr. bc anniversary!
Since I can't help myself, I DO think about my dates, and I think that when I remember them, I am happy, thinking about how grateful I am to still be alive, and to think about what I can do to give back to the bc community.
Hugs
Harley
0 -
Annie: a new kitten is such a perfect way to celebrate your anniversary.
Mandy
0 -
Hi gals!
Mandy, how r those feet doing?
Hope everybody is feeling well, Julie, glad to e hear you and you sound great! I think acupunture is a wonderful idea, after all, their culture and medicine is whole lot older than ours, acupuncture is even covered by insurance now, so it must be helpful. By the time I had thought of it, I was done, wish i'd done it!
New crazy baby is Bella (Bella "fortuna" my daughter says, as she will bring good fortune). More like Bella Luna as in lunatic. Has anyone read the Frances the Badger series about Frances and her little sister Gloria? Well, that's my house at the moment with resident Only Girl Put Out, Emma, and new baby Bella. No one is getting along, so Bella is living in the upstairs BR, (daughters' private br, will have to kick her into the downstairs br) and Emma is hissing under the door (sigh) , in time with patience, this will work, but it needs to be done gradually.
I'm off to collect my daughter from college tomorrow, possibly spending the night in her room since her roomie and bf will leave tomorrow and she is not wanting to be lonely. My days of sleepovers are long gone, but for my kid, anything. altho I am thinking of booking a hotel room and seeing if she wants to come there
.Hope all are well, sending good vibes to everyone for no SEs!!!!! And to my staying healthy gang....love and luck in the holidays and the new year coming up.
love you all
annie (Beleagered Cat Mom)
0 -
Hey there Annie! How about that new Bella!!! I like the way your daughter thinks! She IS going to bring good fortune to your home and you. It's going to be a good 2009!
Enjoy your time with your daughter. I think it's so great that she still wants you to stay with her! What a wonderful relationship you must have!
We are heading south for the weekend also. My Dad lives in Tennessee and we're taking Christmas presents down but need to be back early so it will be a fast and frantic trip!
I'll check in later. I want to work on the "group info update" and get that emailed to you gals.
Rita
0 -
Julie and Rita at the Illinois gals Christmas luncheon, Dec. 2008!
0 -
Your two are beautiful. And you look so comfortable together! Thank you for sharing the photo.
Mandy
0 -
Hey! Now I look fat!! And how about that ghosty pallor! And my vest falling off to the side--eek!!
-julie the fat ghost who can't dress herself.....
0 -
Hey ladies, quit dissing my friends!
JKdding. Nobody looks fat, and you both are so beautiful and you both look healthy and happy!!!How I wish I lived closer, it looks like so much fun. Thanks, Rita, that is just great. And thank you for the new list too, it will be very helpful when I finally get those christmas cards mailed
Bella, is hilarious....Chaz and I sat on the kitchen floor and played with her while Emma The Jealous stayed upstairs. We had fun, forgot how small kittens are. We just laughed and laughed like fools while she climbed all over us.
I do have a great relationship with my daughter, but our temperaments and our senses of humor are so similar that it has always made things very easy. She's been a joy since she was born and I smile every time I even think of her. We can't even watch TV together without one of us starting to laugh at something then that will set the other one off. I imagine some of this will change when she gets married, as it should, but I hope not too much. Just hope my son in law whomever he may be will be able to stand me!! I am very blessed in both her and my hubby. He's a darling too, both of them are so very, very kind, and that is such a wonderful quality in a person.
Julie, I can see a little ballerina in that photo, but what is your son dressed as? Is it a baseball player? What fun days those are. You are going to have such a blast at christmas. Oh, how we overdid it, even down to my husband putting a flour bootprint on the floor in the LR, and my then 6 year old saying "oh for heavens' sake, that is dad's boot, you two are taking this too far"...from the mouths of babes.......we had thought we were so smooth with that one. NOT.
Well, gotta run and pack for my trip south in this incredible downpour. I heard it was snowing like crazy down your way Harley, I hope everyone is staying put tonight. We just have rain, but one heck of a lot of it.
xoxo
annie
0 -
Happy Thursday Eve,
Once again I have been keeping up with reading the post, many times from work and I find it hard to type on that tiny little blackberry keyboard. Guess I need to learn how to use my thumbs a little better!!!
Rita and Julie ... what a great picture of two fabulous looking women. The smile on your faces say a million words !!! Thanks so much for sharing Rita, and its nice to put a picture to your words Julie.
I've had a busy work week, along with a couple of doc appts. I called to schedule my mamo on Monday, thought that they we're not going to have an opening until after the new year ... I kidded with the receptionist and said that I would be a quickie as I only had one side to shoot ! Lucky me, she asked if I could come in that day. Havn't heard anything back, they we're going to order up my old films from another facility to do some comparisons.
Last night I had a MRI, scheduled for 6:00, didn't get into the tube until after 7:00. Okay, I could have used the reminder to keep my eyes shut in that darn thing, I had to talk myself down from a slight panic attack. Next, its time for the I/V for contrast ... he looks at my veins in my whimpy left arm and says, boy these are small veins. Not what I wanted to hear. Then he says that the needle is the size of my vein ... now I have to tell him that he has me even more nervous. I asked if he could put it in my hand, since that is where they put it in for my port removal, he said nope. Thankfully he did only one poke, although had to tweek around the needle to get things working. By this point I have my right hand over my face, thankfully I'm laying down or I would have probably been on the floor. Anyway, didn't get home until 8:30 last night, just in time for bed. Should hopefully have results on Friday. No news is good news !!! Bottom line, I'm now kinda freaking out about having my Zometa infusion via I/V.
Today I also commited to the 2009 3 Day 60 Mile Walk. I knew I wanted to participate again, my only hesitation is the time commitment for training. Oh well, what better way to try and stay in shape and support such a worthwhile cause. The walk is not until next September so the real training walks won't start until spring.
Lastly, I finally got out our Christmas tree (I know pathetic for a north westerner to have a fako tree) and decorations from the attic. I've been having a bah-humbug attitude towards the holidays, I blamed it on being out of town during Thanksgiving, now I don't have any excuses. This is a first that I would wait until now to even start shopping let alone decorate. YIKES !!! Hoping to get in the spirit sooner than later.
Annie, wow ... you're a new mommy ! Although I've never had a cat, I can only assume that having a kitten is as much fun as a puppy. BTW, I love her name!!!
Harley and Annie, holy smokes ... you gals have big families. I have just one bro who is a total charm. Funny, we live about 5miles from each other yet only see each other a hand full of times a year. We're pretty fortunate to have great inlaw/outlaws and friends!
Oh, on the cancerversaries ... I may forget my surgery dates, but Oct 3rd 07 will be embedded in my head for many years to come.
Hoping that our gals undergoing treatments, or enjoying a break in the action are doing well.
Jill ... thinking of you often, I'm so hoping to hear some encouraging news from you.
I'll be gone this weekend at my ds' skate meet, we're expected to have some possible snow, should be an interesting drive. I'll be popping in from my Blackberry ... gotta love modern technology!
Pleasant Dreams, Carol
0 -
Hi Ladies: I go back in a few hrs. for my 2nd tx. Even though I know what to expect, I am still a little anxious. Today my friend that I have known since we were 5 is taking me. So it should go fast. I have not seen her in a couple of mths. so we have a lot to catch up on.
Rita: Thanks for including me on the list. Hope you have a safe trip to Tenessee.
Annie - Congrats on your new kitten. I never had had a cat, but I remember getting our dog when he was just 12 wks. old and it was so much fun. Hope you have fun with your daughter. Right now my daughter is 13 and we butt heads more then we don't. I am hoping she will out grow it soon.
Carol - I want to wish you Good Luck with all your test results.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and I hope it stops raining!!!!
Colleen
0 -
Colleen - Hope you did well today. How are you feeling?
I had round 3 on Tues and did pretty good. They have been administering the cytoxan over 45 minutes and it worked well. This time they did it in 30 and I could feel the difference. I'll be back up to 45 min next time. Feeling pretty good for the most part. Taking a Xanax at 11 p.m the night of treatment knocked me out. Happy to find the little tricks that work fo rme. I did catch a cold and have been zycamming and resting all day. Have a big night out in NY on Sat so I have to rest up and kick the darn cold. Getting my hair cut tomorrow so I'll be curious to see if my stylist notices any hair loss/changes
Annie - I keep debating on a 2nd dog. Mine is a mini labradoodle and is so good. It's nights like tomorrow night where I have to worry about what the kids are going to do while we are in NY let alone what I would do with 2 dogs.
Rita- Thanks for sharing the picture. You guys look awesome!
Carol- 60 miles! Wow! I'm impresssed.
Everyone have a great weekend!
0 -
Scarp: Today was ok, just really long. My appt. was for 10:20 to see onc and blood work and treatment at 11. But I did not get home until 2:30 and I only live 10 minutes away. It just seemed like they were behind on everything. I am feeling pretty good. A little tired this time not like last where I had some much energy. The onc told me if I have trouble sleeping she wants me to try the benadryl. If that does not work, she will give me something. She also said that the SE's should not increase and this time to take the nausea pills right away and not wait. I think that was my mistake last time. What are you doing in NY tomorrow, I hope something really fun!! Also I had my hair cut on Wed. and she told me that everything looks good so far. She did not notice any thing coming out. But I had only the 1st tx. Hopefully it will not be a problem, but if it is I will just have to deal with it. There is so much more to worry about that hair that will eventually grow back. Hope you feel better with the cold and enjoy tomorrow.
I hope everyone else has a great weekend!!!
Be Well,
Colleen
0 -
Hi all
Just popping in at a moment of rare calm in my home....Friday night is movie night at our house..the kids are munching popcorn and watching Toy Story...too absorbed to pick on each other.
Carol- your MRI experience sounds like mine. I'm smaller built and am told I have tiny veins. When I had to have my breast MRI, after finding the new primary in my left breast, it took them 7 (!!!) attempts to get a vein. Both arms, both hands. I was in tears at that point- just completely stressed out. I later came to realize that I was basically dehyrated. Just so upset and so completely anxiety rattled that I had not had anything to eat or drink basically for the entire day prior. So now- whenever I know needles are involved, I try to load up. Not that this was the case with you-- but I do think it helps those of us with tiny veins. Praying for good result. The waiting- God, the awful waiting. Always the worst part.
Scarp, Colleen, everyone in treatment- glad you are doing okay. I found I was completely dragged out the first day, but definitely better by the third.
And here's a bit of levity...... by now most of you know I have a 6 year old son, Tim. He's in first grade this year and has been bringing home a lot of new words and interests- courtesy of a classroom of new friends. He's become particularly enamored with superheroes and comes home talking about Spiderman, Iron Man, the Hulk. Well, Sunday, we went shopping for a few household items and needed to pick up new toothbrushes for the kids. We let them pick out their own and Tim chose a green "Hulk" toothbrush. It came with a big green Hulk head to cover the brush when not in use. The kids always brush their teeth before bathtime. So last night, as I ran the bath, Tim stripped down and grabbed his toothbrush with the big head. Running around buck naked, he's yelling at the top of his lungs. I'M THE DORK!! I'M THE DORK!! GRRR!!
He meant the HULK!!! Had forgetten his name and came up with DORK!
I laughed so hard I lost a contact lense and had to hunt for it holding my side.(found it) It's a little bit "you had to be there"- but I snorkled about that all day.
Anyway- have a great weekend all.
-julieb
0 -
Julie: Aren't kids great. Especially when you need a good laugh. That must of been some sight.
Day two and I am feeling pretty good. I slept better this time but I still woke up around 2 or so. I also have small veins. The nurse said yesterday how come we did not give you a port. I said because know one said to and really I preferred not to have it I didn't need one. She told be before I come on the 22nd two drink a lot of water and also to eat salty things and that should help the veins. I hope so, because I do not want to get the port if I do not have to. Just thought I would pass that on.
Colleen
0 -
Colleen - I've been told to drink the water to help the veins. Mine are pretty good. I do hate getting that needle put in. We went into the city for my brothers 40th b-day party. It was so much fun. Even stayed out until 3 a.m. I'll be dragging for the rest of the week. What the heck, ya only live once. My hair stylist did not notice any hair loss which made me happy. At home I have dark sheets and can't see my dark on them. The hotel has white sheets and I only noticed 2 or 3, which also made me happy. My hair is getting a few grey patched but I'll wait until the next cut to get it dyed. The nurses told me I could but not to do it often. I don't blow dry it much because it is so short ot begin with. Now I try not to wash it every day. There are some days I wake up with gumby head.
Funny part of last night was that everyone seemed to know my situation. I haven't told many people but I guess some family members have shared with their friends. People were shocked that I'm going thru chemo because I don't look it. Annie made me realize something...people do look at your chest and try to decide which one and is/they there. It was the first time I saw a few doing it or at least I thought they were.
Julie - thats one of those situations that you'll never forget. I'm sure he'll be reminded of it as he gets older.
0 -
hello ladies!
Julie, great story! Colleen and Scarp, you sound like you guys are hanging in there....
Here's a query for the arimidex/lupron ladies.......
My hands began swelling up, not a lot but enough that my rings are tight. Oncologist says it's not either lupron or arimidex and sent me to my primary. Now I am freaked out.
I had assumed it was merely some SE of one or the other.........the websites do cite that as SE of both of them, but onc says no.
Anyone?
love to all
annie
0 -
Collen, I was told by someone somewhere to drink water before I went in for the IV and it would help my veins. In my case, it was almost astonishing because I could see them puff out And it makes for an easier stick. A good phlebotomist (or however you spell it) can get into even the tiniest veins. Just tell them you will not have a port and you will not have it. But I may be a more difficult patient than you are. I looked them straight in the eye and said I would stop chemo if they needed a port. They were surprised but found a vein on one stick..
Mandy
0 -
Good morning CMF sisters,
Well home from the hosital. It was a long day and and very sore. NO MORE PORT for me!! 3 years was long enough but I know I could not have made it through all my treatments, blood draws. My veins are shots. Yestarday it took 2 nurses and 3 trys before they finally able to get my iv started. That was the worst part of the entire surgery!! I should have the results by Thursday. My surgeon believes all should be clear. I will start my new chemo in a couple of weeks Xeloda/Tykerb. Both are in pill form. SE's are petty much the same as CMF.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support.
Jill
0 -
Hi Ladies,
We're getting our winter blast here in the Pacific Northwest, probably not as intense as you on the east coast, none the less, we're freezin' our bottoms off and expected to get some more snow tonight! Not a good time to be a truck driver !!!
Jill, I'm so glad you posted, I had been thinking of you yesterday (I ended up with a busy day/eve with the ds) and never did send off a note to you. I hope that your tenderness from your port removal subsides quickly, and I will continue to send positive vibes for a good path report.
I'm glad to hear that your going to be able to take your meds orally, what a nightmare huh, with having to get stuck so many times to get an i/v started. I've tried the drink a ton of water the day before and that day with no luck. Boy you have sure have had to be a trooper, stay strong my friend.
Annie, sorry no input on the Arimidex, I hate the fact that we tend to have anxiety everytime something is out of whack. Hopefully there will be a time in our lives when that won't be the case.
Rita, are we back from seeing your Dad? I was just checking out the weather where my Dad winters ... a mere 80 degrees in FL. Golf anyone ???? Oh, thanks for the updated CMF group info.
Julie, so I mentioned my problem of needles and veins to a gal on another posts, her recommendation ... ask for child needle. I may give that one a try come Feb for my Zometa infusion.
Who's the Dork ???? Too funny!!!!
Colleen and Scarp ... sounds like your tolerating your treatments pretty darn good. Keep it up ... you'll be at the finish line before your know it.
Lastly, I received good news yesterday from my onc's office, both MRI and Mamo looked good ... time now to finally get in the swing of the holidays, I definitely think that those results we're weighing on my mind more than I'd like to admit.
Off for now .. at work and lunch is over ...
Carol
0 -
Carol
I read your post and lastly I read your wonderful news from your MRI and MAMO. What a blessing that is!
Hugs to all.
Mandy
0 -
Yea Carol........Such good news. Both you and I got our Christmas presents early! The unknown does indeed wear on us.
Jill, you have a new plan and it sounds good. I am also glad that you posted. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Here's hoping beyond hope for a good report on Thursday so you can enjoy the holidays, too. You hang in there gal!
The midwest is getting clobbered today with snow. We had freezing rain/sleet before the snow so travel is treacherous and walking is even worse. Lisa....I'm so jealous! I imagine that it's warm and sunny in CA today. Now get this. We went to Tennessee this last weekend, hoping to get out of some of this weather for a few days. They had snow (almost on the Alabama border) and it was colder there than it was in Illinois over the weekend. The darn stuff even follows me around now! LOL It just isn't fair!
I'm so glad that all of you ladies in treatment are doing so well! Keep it up!
So what type of plans do you all have for Christmas? Who's cooking Christmas dinner besides me? My kids will be an my son's in-laws for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we're celebrating our Christmas on the 27th this year. A couple of our golfing friens were going to be alone so I volunteered to cook Christmas Dinner for us here. That way nobody has to be alone! It should be fun.
Gotta get moving. I still have Christmas cards to finish!
Rita
0 -
Such great news Carol! So happy for you!!!!
0 -
I have not been on in a few days. Seems this 2 tx really knocked me out. I have been really tired, but started to feel a little more energy late today, so I hope that the worst is over, that is until it starts again on Monday.
Julie - I hope you are feeling better from you port removal. And I will be sending good thoughts your way for Thursday.
Carol - That was great news now you will be able to relax and enjoy your holidays.
Scarp - I am so glad that you had such fun in good old NYC. I love NYC during the holidays everything is so pretty. Just wish it was not always so crowded. I am hoping to get in with the kids over the break. We usually spend the day in the city. I have to see the ps on the 29 in NYC for a fill so we will probably spend the day after that.
Be Well,
Colleen
0 -
Carol
YIPPEE! So glad you got good news!!!
Colleen,
Good to see you posting again. Sorry you were feeling a bit tired from the chemo, but I'm so glad that you are back!
Harley0 -
Hi all
I have a hair question. I have had 2 tx and so far I do not seem to have any obvious hair loss. I have changed my shampoo to a gentle one and I do not blow dry my hair as a precaution. But I am scheduled to get a hair cut on Friday and I wondered what precautions I should take. I thought I would shampoo my own hair in advance to prevent the over enthusiastic shampoo people from pulling on my hair. But can I get it blown dry....you know how they pull with the brush when they are trying to shape your hair. Or should I be cautious and just let my hair air dry. My hairdresser is quite good at giving you "wash and wear" hair so the blow drying is not actually necessary.
Any advice?
Thanks.
Mandy
0 -
Hey Mandy....I don't think you need to worry too much about your hair. I even had mine colored while doing CMF and blew it dry all the time. It sounds like you are doing quite well with the hair situation. I had lost hair by the time I had my second treatment, but never so much that others noticed...just me and my hair dresser! This is definitely one of the advantages of CMF chemo versus AC or other forms. It sounds like you're doing pretty good! I imagine that you'll breeze through the rest of the treatments, too and you'll rank right up there with Carol as our CMF poster gal! :-)
Hugs!
Rita
0 -
Hello beautiful ladies.........
Carol, it's like you to leave the big sentence til the end..........but i found it and a big WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jill, sending good vibes, good thoughts, prayer your way on Thursday.
Colleen, I'm sorry the txt knocked you down. You'll feel better soon and I hope they begin to go easier on you.
Mandy, Rita and the gals told me about Nioxxin hair products....stuff was pretty amazing, it really seemed to strengthen my hair. I did blow dry, did not color, but alot of us did. I tried to be gentle but lost a ton on the floor, nonetheless, no one could even tell. CMF is great that way!
And for any who wonder.........yup, swollen fingers is just a nuisance SE for some people of Lupron/and or arimidex! Good to know.
Julie, thank you for your email, I will write back!! Life is a might busy with my daughter home and the house to get going for the holidays, but it's so much fun.
Everyone hang in there!
love to all of you
annie
0 -
Jill,
I'll be thinking of you on Thursday, sending lots of HUGS and prayers your way!!
Annie,Glad that the swollen finger is "just" an se from Lupron or Arimidex... FUN FUN FUN!!
Hugs
Harley
P S My sil is coming down for a few days, to celebrate Christmas early, so I may not be around very much for the rest of the week.
0 -
Harley, Have fun with you sil! We'll be waiting for an update when she's gone!
I really thought I was doing pretty well on the Christmas preparations this year (and for the first time in two years, I'm really getting into the season) but I can't seem to get finished with the presents, the wrapping, and the cards. I don't know if it's the fact that I can't seem to multi-task anymore or what is causing the problem. I sure started early enough! We have our first Christmas party on Friday. Then we're going back to where I lived before in Illinois on Saturday to "party" with old friends. Sunday is Christmas on Dave's side of the family....and I've been running around in circles today trying to get the last minute things. Golly! Now I've got more presents to wrap! LOL Is it just me?
Jill...you've been in my thoughts today. Please check in and let us know who it's going! HUGS!
Carol, I bet this is your busy delivery season, isn't it? Do you end up working extended hours?
Is there anyone who has to have a treatment this next week before Christmas?
Ginny...where are you? I miss you! Please check in and let us know how life is treating you. We're all hoping that you got that job and have just been too busy and preoccupied to log on!
Gotta get moving again!
Catch you later.
Rita
0
