Illinois ladies facing bc
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Morning!Blackjack...it never ends, does it? How did your pond spring a leak? And I am so sorry about your aunt....90...that is nice and long! But I know, still too soon for you. Hugs!
Jule....try adding crystal light lemonade to the water...the citrus made it so much easier for me to drink. I was one of the lucky ones who could (and did) eat pretty much anything I wanted. I did have the taste in my mouth tho...to me it tasted likeI had been sucking on dirty pennies. To this day if I smell a penny, it puts me right back in chemo. Puffy ostrich head, huh??? And why do I think you looked absolutely cute as an ostrich! And yes, DH's try but they just don't get it.
Nancy....slow healing? You know...I never thought about it but even if now, 14 months later, if I even get a little paper cut it seems to take twice as long to close over. Interesting....Kater----RESEARCH THIS!!!!!
Starved Rock...I didn't mean to change anybody's plans! I just made a comment to Kater that I thought it must be absolutely stunning in the fall. You guys go and have fun! And take lots of Pics!
Jackie...I have the box put together, and hopefully will be mobile enuf to mail it off on the way home from the Pain clinic, or DH said he would take it over later. But you know....somehow, someway, he will screw that up. And yes....that's what I am! I am the FIND-IT FAIRY!!!! Tom can stand in front of the frig for 5 minutes staring inside,looking for the lunch meat. But no, I have to crawl over, pull my self up (well no...heehee...I can walk OK, just love the drama I provide to DH) walk over the frig...AND PULL OUT THE FRICKIN DRAWER THAT SAYS....LUNCH MEAT. Duh. And he will be home with me until 8/1/2008. Lucky me. At least you can send kids off to camp.
Connie...have a wonderful, safe, happy vacation. Have someone take a pic of your whole family so we can see, okay?
Leesa...glad you had such a nice visit with your son...he will be back before you know it. And I love that t-shirt "I'm too sexy for my hair". LOL Hope chemo goes better for you...will you get to go home afterward if you are ok? Sure hope so...
Well...just time to read the paper and then off to steroided. Wonder what spell-checker will do with that word!
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Julie - I felt that water in general tasted horrible during tx. They tell you to drink a lot of it, but I couldn't. I also love Coke (limit myself to one a day), but that tasted horrible too. What worked for me was a weak lemonade or anything lemon. I agree with Laura - Luigi's lemon ice was a staple!
I won't be able to make it to Starved Rock as we are just coming back from our vacation that day. You guys have a blast.
Good luck with your next chemo, Leesa. Sounds like they are watching you carefully.
Have a great day everyone!
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Good Morning everyone,Was going to wait to post ,but major, major hugs and love to Blackjack....and I am so sorry to hear that you have so many issues to deal with at once. I also hope that you are feeling much better after your surgery. Doesn't sound like you have had time to focus on you with all the other events just piling up before your eyes.
Jule, I too went through food aversion a couple days after my txs. Basically when I was doing the first 4 of them.....that was Adriamycin and Cytoxin. I called them Ann and Sid for short. I also developed a water aversion. I use to drink 8 to 12 glasses a water a day just because I seldom bothered with anything else. I switched to lemonaide, Kool-Aid, Gatoraide.......almost anything as long as it wasn't water and I also had to take pills with the substitute liquids because the taste of ANY water would gag me. I'm only just getting to where water tastes pretty good again.
Rita, I might be able to get to the Starved Rock Sept. get together. Sounds like a lot of fun to me. Hubby usually has Sundays off ( or hee has had a lot of them off so maybe we can pair him up to some of the other men who may be coming.
Susan, I think you asked where I am---the motel is in Marion and it's called the
Marion Airport Inn and Suites
8101 Express Drive
Marion , Illinois 62959
It's right next to the Marion airport but it's quiet here...it's a small airport.
Moi, I am sorry to hear your sil is not inclined to take your advice about a specialist. I hope maybe the surgeon she is apparently willing to see might actually try to prod her to do it as well. That may be asking too much but one can always hope.
Well, I have been on here quite a while this a.m. so I'd best get off and give someone else a chance. I'll talk to ya'll later.
Jackie
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Blackjack - I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your aunt. I'm sending hugs & peaceful thoughts to you & your family.
take care, JulieR
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Blackjack, sorry to hear about your Aunt, (((HUGS))). What kind of liner do you have in your pond? Mine is (some fancy name) kinda like tire rubber. Been in almost 20 years now, no leaks. But I have a net over it to keep critters out!
Jule, I had the worst problem w/ tastes while on tx.. I ate mainly watermelon and cottage cheese!! Could not stand using real silverware, only plastic! I found the little after dinner mints helped w/ tastes and tummy. ( and I don't like mint!)Water tasted "moldy" but the crystal lite did help.
Moi, my surgeon is a "Dr of general surgery" and she did a wonderful job, wish she could be my GP!!
Wendy how did the steroids go??
Connie have a wonderful vacation!!
Leesa, glad to hear they are keeping a close eye on you. (somebody needs to you wild & crazy gal!! LOL)
Jackie how is you skin holding out?
Was going to have a relaxing week while gd was on mission trip but..... DH is having a colonoscopy Friday....are all men worse than little kids when it comes to Dr stuff?
Better get to work
will check in later
(also a "find-it-fairy"!! )LOL
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Oh.....Connie. I haven't had a coke since before chemo. I always had one diet pop every day at lunch and I was just repulsed by the pop during chemo. IT tasted like cough syrup. Maybe I am better off without it. I also love red wine (nice Merlot) and that too tasted like cough syrup. I have to admit I didn't lose my taste for that altogether.
Went to the zoo today and had a fantastic time. I just love the zoo and the weather was fantatsic. The kids are keeping my hopping.
Leesa, hope all is well with you.
I too am sorry to hear of your aunt's passing, Michelle.
Susan
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Michelle - Sorry about your aunt...
Wendy - My dh can NEVER find the katsup!! When he can't, I open the fridge door, move the half gallon of milk - AND BINGO! LOL How dare it hide! LOL
Jule - Yeah...the mouth thing is pretty common. I really like seltzer water (w/o sodium) or Pierre...seemed to help...hang in there.
HI GIRLZ - Hope you're all doing as best you can.
Leesa - How did your scan go today...?
I'm really tired...more later.
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Blackjack-I too am sorry to hear of the passing of your aunt.
You asked if I am busy with my kids, well, since they are almost 17 yrs old, no, I'm not really. Now that they are driving, they seem to always be out and about with friends, work, etc.
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Michele, so sorry to hear about your aunt. It's always sad to lose somebody special. Hugs to you! I hope you are recuperating well now and getting ready for your Boston trip.
Jule...I sucked on lemon drops through most of my chemo. The citric taste was always kind to me, thus the Crystal Light and the Lemonades tasted good. Since I got to the point where I just couldn't get water down, I discovered that popsicles tasted pretty good, too. Unfortunately, I can no longer eat Chinese food, which I loved prior to chemo. Even the smell nauseates me now. You will find that special combination that works for you.
Leesa, I will keep you in my thoughts. I hope and pray that you will get through the next chemo session without any problems. Hang in there! Please let us know about your scan.
Jackie, can you give me an address where you'll be doing the rads in Carbondale. Mary Jane and I are debating how early we have to leave and I want to run it on mapquest. I ran the motel address and it says it's 3 hours 45 minutes from my door to there and I'm sure we'll need to get out a couple of times and stretch on the way. She is going to be at my house at 7:30 that morning and we'll get right on the road. I know that Carbondale is a little farther down the road from your motel, so that should put us there around "noonish." It would probably be easier for us to pick you when you finish your rads. We will deliver you back to the motel on our way out of the area later. Will that work for you?
Hi to everyone else! I hope you are all busy and doing well...and I especially hope that you're enjoying this weather as much as I am!
Catch you later.
Rita
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Michelle, I'm sorry about your aunt.
MaryJane
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off topic this forum
Yesterday I tried about 8 times, 4 different links and every time i was taken to fbi.org instead of here.
Thankfully it works now...I virus scanned (avg paid version) and nothing came up...really weird!!
If you are on addy list email me starved rock intentions so i can email to person who lives there, UNLESS BECKY HAS GOOD INPUT...she would know and hopefully can even attend....if chemo goes well.
Regards to Michelle for her aunt, never a pleasant thing...losing one more relative.
Kater
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Good morning, dear sisters!
I'm so far behind it's not funny- but we just signed a contract for our new addition, so I'm no longer in the "interview" stage and have some breathing room while they making up the plans, etc.
I will be at the lunch tomorrow and I still plan to go to Starved Rock if that trip is on, so I'm more then happy to drive who ever wants to go. Just let me know where and when and I'll be there!
I miss "chatting" with you all, each of you are in my thoughts everyday. Sending hugs and positive thoughts to you all, especially our sisters going through treatment.
Can't wait until lunch tomorrow!
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Morning! Jackie...thought you might be missing your little pal (OK..I admit it...I forgot the name!!!) so I hope this puts a bit of a smile on your face...you'll go home tomorrow and then can play with all your "friends"! I also got that box off to you yesterday...hope it comes before Monday.
Rita...I thought that ridge of hard tissue was "just" radiation damage? I have one too so please let me know what you hear. My rad onc said that's what it was and I have to stretch and massage the area and this has reduced it a lot.
Kater....still think the FBI has been looking for you!
Leesa...how are you doing? I think about you every day, and your pretty smile!
Jan...glad to hear from you! Are you bringing your new friends to lunch tomorrow??? I'm sure Maggiano's would just love to have those passed around with the entree's!
Well...I have been steroided. The whole procedure was as uneventful as I remember it from last year but I was under a lot of morphine so I didn't know. Just some ouchies from the needle sticks to be sure, but all in all...very "do-able". So far, tho I was warned that it will probably feel a whole lot worse before it kicks in...I think I am actually better. I've got my fingers crossed that this and PT will keep me out of surgery. I really don't want to have pieces of disk removed again if I can avoid it. I have NO expectations that this will work, only have hope that thru this and PT and hard work and charm school (to learn to STAND UP STRAIGHT) that I can be relatively pain-free. I think they were all shocked in the office yesterday when I told them that. I think BC taught me not to expect a cure for anything anymore, just a good life. Boy...the lessons this disease teaches you! Hey...now that would be interesting!
What has BC taught you .... you know...something that changed your life for the better? We know that it has changed our lives certainly for the worse, but what good things have come out of it all? Besides all of you guys, who I dearly love and appreciate you being in my life...more than you will every know.
OK, OK....Wendy is being weird this morning! I think I am just happy not to need a vicodin this morning! OH...nothing on TV last night so we ordered up "Fool's Gold" with Kate Hudson and Matt Mcconnaughy (sp?)...I thought it was pretty funny and the scenery from Eleuthera and Queensland was quite beautiful. Donald Sutherland had a supporting role and he was pretty good.
Have a great day everyone!
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Wendy--thank you- thank you. He's Baby Boss and I do miss him as well as all the rest. Nice to see his smiling face this morning. I also noticed how badly our deck needs re-done from this winter.
You know, I think we could wrote a book on what bc has taught us. I would not know for sure where to start, but one thing I know---I appreciate others more than I ever did, but at the same time I'm learning to appreciate myself too. Use to put all others first but I found out that I can be first as well.
There are lots of other things but that came to mind first. I'll be back on here later and we'll talk more.
Jackie
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Wendy. I'm glad that your procedure is over and you're doing a little better. Let's hope this takes care of the problem. Your philosophy on life now is so right! I think this wake-up call has taught me a lot. I'm a pretty "type A" person. I have always had a hard time NOT working, whether it was at a job or around the house. Now I've learned that the work waits. It's time to pause a little and "smell the roses." I was on the golf course at 7:45 this morning. It was so beautiful out there today. It's amazing, though.....all the things I probably should have been doing are still sitting here just waiting for me to tackle them! :-)
I used to let small things bother me. Now I save the worry for the big things, like check-ups and major events. I know that I'm always going to be a worrier, but I've tried to shift my worry and frustration to the things that really matter. I've also learned the meaning of true friendship and the give and take that is needed for a friendship to grow and flourish. I laugh a little more and play a little more! I've learned alot about "me." So there was some good tucked into the trauma of this diagnosis and the journey. Hopefully I have also learned how to help others who are faced with the same journey, because I truly value those who helped me.
Well...speaking of those things that need to be accomplished.....I have a few hours to get them done before I go into town to do some shopping.
Thinking of all of you and hoping that you're day is off to a good start. Hugs!
Oh...Wendy the younger had her port put in Tuesday and also had a bunch of tests. I guess she kept it lively for everyone since she passed out on them a few times and was in quite a bit of pain that night and yesterday. She has her first chemo tomorrow and we all know what that first one (the unknown) is like!
Catch you later...
Rita
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food and drink during chemo
A nurse recommended and i liked:
hot water and lemon...hot helped my throat which did get sore spots occasionally ...also they recommended biotene ? mouthwash and i bought the gum, too, it's in mouthwash section only more medical ly.
someone said... frozen banana popsicles.
i liked the frozen minute maid popsicles they had at sams club.
lemon drops..my mom is using them a lot now during HER chemo...
bland things like bread and pasta went down well. I took care not to eat favorite foods so that i would not HATE them later.
My Mom has trouble eating chicken now, from eating it during chemo, she thinks.
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Morning!Well....no vicodin needed so far this morning. Kinda miss my morning buzz.....
Rita and Jackie...I agree. I did pay attention to myself before BC, but now I do take time once in a while...to just focus solely on ME. Like right now....and you know what? It's okay to just focus on yourself once in a while....when did we cease to be important people as we run thru life, taking care of everyone and everything else? I have found that its ok too to NOT run out of the house every morning to go the gym...but to sit on my deck at 5:30 and sip my coffee and just enjoy the early morning quiet. It's so nice and peaceful and it's a nice way to start the day....a little me-time. And you know what? We deserve it. Cuz we're important too.
WendytheYounger.....gosh! What happened with your port insertion? You fainted? Weren't you "out" for the procedure? Kater gave you some good ideas for stuff to keep on hand for chemo...what protocol by the way are you doing? Good luck and I wish for you NO side effects! Well...the hair will go but you look so cute in your short hair I can't imagine that you will look any less cute! Hugs!
I am hoping to make the lunch today....can tell much better after I am up and moving and showered. If I can't, I will call Blackjack on her cell. What time are we meeting by the way? Are we still meeting? Is it 11:30? It is today, correct? I swear...my mind is going....took me truthfully 5 minutes to remember my onc's name when I was filling out forms at the pain clinic the other day. Jeesh.
Everyone...have a great wonderful happy day!
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WendytheYounger......
Oops....forgot! Kater was right too about the pasta. I made a whole box of either orzo and farfalle pasta....just plain...and kept it in the frig....it was so nice to be able to just grab that container and munch on something bland. I ended up not having food issues so after the first 2 rounds of chemo I made the box of pasta and chopped up tomatoes and green peppers and some red onions and put that in with the pasta with some lo-cal Italian dressing. Lasted the week and I always had something to eat.
Just a thought for you!
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IMPORTANT
Hi Girlz...Wendy just called...she is stuck up in Wisconsin with contractor appointments (and without a computer) and won't be back in town for lunch.
I have a serious family crisis that I must attend to today. So I will not be able to make it either. Please don't "worry" about me though.
If you still want to go, you don't need reservations...only for 8 or more. I was really looking forward to this. Sorry...
I'll check back later...if I have an opportunity.
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Good morning gals!
Wendy, isn't it nice to be able to sit out on your deck and drink your coffee? I've been doing the same thing in the mornings. Then if I decide to work and write questions, I just set up my laptop on the deck, bring out the books and a glass of tea or water, and sit under the umbrella at the table.....just working away!
Jackie, Mary Jane and I will see you on Monday. I will talk with you before, probably on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I'm golfing with a group very early on Saturday so I won't be around in the morning. Like I said, we need an address where you'll be when you finish your rads. Sometime before then I need to clean the inside of my car. It gets dusty from coming down the gravel lane with the top down.
To all of you who are meeting for lunch today......have fun!
Rita
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Good morning ladies,
It is gorgeous here today, sunny, 60's. I need to get out and pull some weeks but thought I'd check with everyone here first.
Wendy the Younger, sorry you had such a hard time getting the port put in. I would have thought they'd put you out for that. Goodness. I didn't have one, although they said half way through my treatment, they wished they had put one in. (I wished they had too because it was an ordeal every time to get the needle in my rolling vein.) So you will be glad you have it, but maybe not very glad at how it went in.
My 95 year old aunt has been here visiting all week. We've had such a nice time. She is an amazing woman. Was an occupational therapist in her career and lived in the D.C. and N.Y. areas. She never married and has traveled the globe. I think the secret to her life is that she is a lifelong learner, always interested in everything. She and Daughter #5 have really bonded again this week. They do crossword puzzles together. Daughters #3 and #1 have had us to dinner on different evenings, so that has been nice also.
My onc app't is next week. I'm going to ask him about some of the preventive drugs you gals are taking. The only thing I've taken in these 13 years is Evista which was really for osteoporosis but is supposed to help with bc also.
Well, I'd better get busy. My aunt and I are babysitting Daughter #3's twins this afternoon (15 months old) so I sure won't get any work done then. But it will be fun!
Have a nice lunch, girls. Wish I lived closer!
Jackie, I'll leave here at 5:30 Monday a.m. and will be at Rita's by 7:30. We will then head your way! Can't wait to meet you! We'll be in Rita's convertible, so get ready!
MaryJane
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Laura,
We were posting at the same time. Hope everything turns out o.k. with your family crisis.
MJ
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Mornin'
It's raining this a.m. A definite no hair day for me but just in case I brought one of my caps. Figured I'd need it sooner or later. Looking forward to the week-end at home. I hate to admit Rita & Mary Jane that I got so excited when you said you'd like to come up that I forgot instead of being two hours away from Bloomington, I am now three hours away. That is a terrible bummer. I would not hold it against you if you changed your mind but sounds like you are still coming. I will get that address for you.
I figured if I went to Bloomington from my house I would just use 51. That may not be the best way though--but it does come into Carbondale on the hospital side. Probably a bit more scenic if slower.
Wendy the Y it sounds like you are going to be full of war stories about your bc journey. Hope things go really well the rest of the way for you. If you keep this up I'll be feeling like a super wimp in no time so no more of this ok.
Just a note here--my nutritionist friend said all bland foods when your tummy is rocky--white bread, white rice, mashed potatoes, bananas, and I craved Jello so I ate lots of that and a little mac and cheese. You'll find what works for you.
Hope the lunch goes well for those able to make it and for those who can't I hope what your dealing with is not too difficult. Will talk to you later today I imagine.
Jackie
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Huh? I just found out that I am in Wisconsin per Laura!!!! I am thinking you meant JanClare...I was confused there for a minute!
Sorry you two can't meet up for lunch...but I am waiting for another 1/2 hour or so but I don't think I will be there either.
Laura...whatever your family crisis is....we do care and if you need us, we're here for you. And what ...us not worry about you???? Yeah..okay...we won't.
Hugs, honey. And remember...it's always darkest before the dawn. Gosh...now didn't that just make you feel all better!!!!!
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Woa....this is an active morning. What with so many things going on for us all, I am going to skip lunch too. Wendy, I did wonder what you were doing in Wisconsin with those contractors while you waited to see what the steroid would do. See how the steroid work, Wendy, and I can come to see you during the summer.
It all seems we are getting pensive about the BC. I, like Rita, used to get crazy with the details. Now I am so much more patient and tolerant. It is either the BC journey or the antidepressant meds they put me on when I was getting too obsessive about the details
. Actually, I have been a faithful blogger with Leroy Seivers of NPR. His group even asked me to be on NPR radio for an interview (along with fifty other people). I froze at the thought of talking about cancer before so many, so I declined. Sadly he is dying now and his people asked for a pic of all his bloggers along with the completion of "My cancer......." and I sent this completion:
My cancer has taught me many lessons. Perhaps the hardest lesson it has taught me is that I just may not be able to always control this beast. In the past I was under this delusion that if I had enough money, enough clout, enough of the right connections, enough prayers, I could fix any wrong in my life. Maybe not! I may be a control freak but I may not be able to control this freak within me.....no matter how many advantages i have in my corner.They are creating a gallery of the bloggers with cancer. Mine is more dismal than the others who wrote that they found new friends, loved harder, and found g.d.
I am up for Starved Rock.
Susan
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Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we will not find it.(Thought I'd fill in for Jackie today)
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Hi All!! GOOD NEWS!!! I don't have to see my onc for 1 YEAR!!!!
YAHOO!!
Now I'm sitting in the waiting room while my DH gets his 1st colonoscopy....
Sure like the fact that the have free Internet here, gives me a chance to catch up on all you gals!Gee Wendy you must really drive fast! home from WI already!! LOL
Laura is there anything we can do to help w/ the family crisis? You know that this group is a wealth of information and resources!!
Maryjane..twin 15 month old!!?!? you'll have your hands full!!
Susan Your 'completion' sounds very nice and quite true. Strange what we learn along this journey.
Rita you enjoying the golf weather? I work about 3 blocks form a golf course. We have a annual golf tournament, max out at 72 golfers. Then a big banquet after! A lot of work but fun!
Jackie hope the weather lets you enjoy your weekend home. Remember the laundry & dusting will still be there .....( unless you have a "clean house fairy!) LOL
Leesa How's the battle? hope this tx was easier on you!
I better get busy dr should be about done
everyone have a great weekend!
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Hi all,
Came home from Trader Joe's to a message that Laura and Michelle were both canceling. (Hugs to you both, I hope everything is okay) So I called Wendy who said her back would prevent her from going. (more Hugs) I called Julie, and her power was out (my goodness, this is quite a day for our group!). Finally, I reached Leesa, and she was running late anyway. So I stayed home. I hope that was all of us and that I didn't leave anyone waiting at the restaurant, but I was not going to get there before 12:15 anyway and thought if someone was there, they would have left by then anyway!
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Hi everyone,
Haven't checked in in a few days. Feeling good this week and don't like it but trying to adjust to the hair loss. At least I am not crying over it now like last week.
Jule-- My tx's are once every 2 weeks. This wed the 25th will be my 3rd one of the 8 total I need. Once I get 4 done they will do another PET and CAT scans to check the 2 "hotspots" that showed on my left chest wall before I began chemo. I have the same problem about water now. I try to drink it but even thinking of it can make me feel a little nauseas. I have an aversion to ice chips and I know its because eating them during treatments. I took popsicles with me last time and now I don't want to eat one. I know its just the association with chemo.
I am not sure if I am to let one person know specifically about going to Starved Rock the 28th. I do plan on going for lunch then and look forward to meeting some of you. I do have my 3rd treatment that wed before, but unless I am really not feeling well I will plan on coming.
Hope everyone a good afternoon and evening. Take care, hugs.
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I TOTALLY SCREWED UP! CRIPE...it wasn't Wendy I spoke with IT WAS BLACKJACK...I am so sorry!
My family crisis...I don't want to explain it here on the site...but it involved a family member and I had to be at the emergency room...it's being managed and under control. I spent most of "my day off" at the ER. Thanks for understanding...My biggest PHOBIA in life has always been CANCELLING dates...so it was "doubly" stressfull.
Thanks JanC for heading up this....I really appreciated that.
MORE later...I'm wiped!
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