Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?
Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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For everyone's information: I received a PM from Cheryl today. All she said was that her cancer had returned and that she is coming back to Illinois for a second opinion. Hopefully she will rejoin us here as soon as possible. I did ask where the recurrence was and will let you know more if she responds. We need to keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
Rita0 -
Hi everyone,
Had a wonderful weekend. Rainy Saturday, but was not feeling great, tired, so it was a good day to rest.
Sunday pulled weeds (nice wet ground) and planted flowers. A month ago I had told my DH that I was not going to plant any flowers in the back rock garden because I did not have the energy to weed or plant, I really could care less at that time how it looked. Now, thankfully, I am feeling much better and did do the weeding and planting. I really enjoy it and am glad I feel up to it. Monday, we walked around the shops in Lake Geneva WI and had lunch. They offer boat cruises, which I would like to do in the future.
Chemo# 4 of 12 (taxol/herceptin) was today. I feel good now but we will see in a couple of days.
My hair seems to be coming in slowly, but I'm also losing my eyebrows and lashes-so bizarre.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. It sure was hard to get up for work this am
Hoping everyone's treatments are going smoothly.
Michele0 -
Hello Ladies,
Hope everyone is doing great!
Rita,
Your would like to know what I shoot for 18, Well you most likely do better than I do. I do my best to break 100. 50% of the time I do. Since my left arm is where the nodes are missing, 19 to be exact, I cannot hit out of deep ruff, but I still seam to hit the ball the same distance. #3 ac was ruff on me and I am just now getting back to myself. Cannot wait to move on to taxol, I think...
A get together would be wonderful! Great idea Kater.
Stay well
Hugs to all,
Kathy0 -
Spent about 5 hours in the chemo chair today getting fluids...I really got dehydrated this weekend. I started vomiting a few minutes into the first IV so the doc gave me Aloxi....I finally had some relief after that. Does anyone know if there are any differences in the SE of Taxol or Taxotere. I have a feeling the insurance company will be the deciding factor. Some of the chemo nurses tell me Taxotere is easier. Any comments...good or bad all welcome............. Pat
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Jan,
These gnats are the most annoying critters I've ever seen. Most of the ones I was around was at Siloam Springs Campground. My hubby had whelps on his face from them. I don't know what type they are. It seems that they are going away but we'll see when I go camping next weekend as they are worse in the country than here. Take care and I hope the gnats don't come see any of you..Mazy0 -
back to topic
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Morning girls!
Rita/JanClare....well, had my first zap yesterday. I must say it is quick but I do feel like a piece of meat that is on display and all 4 techs are men, so......I suppose I will get used to it. Find out today the results of my 2D Echo last week to find out if I can continue to Herceptin. I have no cardiac symptoms but you never know!
Michelle...I am 3 weeks out of chemo and I have lots of fuzz and little hairs but my eyebrows/eyelashes are going quickly...but take heart...that means the normal growth cycle is waking up. The way I understand it..they will all fall out as the new ones are already poking out so we should only be without them for a short period. I consider myself lucky that I had them for as long as I did.
JanClare...how is rads going for you? Doing better?
Fitzpatti...the onc nurses told me I was better off with the taxotere, less neuropathies/nail problems..except for some tingling in my fingertips that was it. My nails survived just fine.
Michelle...glad your weekend was good, did you eat at Popeye's? We took the boat once...it was grand! But we did it in the fall and it was so beautiful with all the colors.
Connie...glad your weekend was good. And aren't naps a great invention? Never took them before but took some during chemo...not bad!
Well...off to exercise then to my home-away-from-home, Delnor Hospital.
Have a great day!0 -
OK...really need to start reading my posts...
I already had 18 doses of Herceptin...need to find out if I can continue with the drug.
Jeesh...how long can I claim chemo-brain?0 -
Hi gals!
What a beautiful day! I've been to rads and golfed 18 holes. Now I'm really tired so I think I'll just crawl up in the chair with a book when I get done posting.
Kathy...you are a golf pro! I only shoot around 105 and seldom break the 100 mark. I just can't seem to get it all together. If I get to the green good, I blow it with three putts...and visa versa. Also I have found that I"m not hitting as long a ball this year, which doesn't help when you didn't hit a very long one to begin with. I still love it, though and seem to keep going back for more.
Wendy...you've officially joined the nukem' gals. It will go fast. I have two gals a couple times a week but the other two are guys. Actually, I think the guys are a little more precise with the measuring and positioning. You'll get used to them. I have six more rads to go!
Connie...so glad that you had a good weekend. YEAH!
Mazy, we have those gnats, too and they are horrible. Last week I got bit 4 times on my neck and had terrible welts from them. Wish we could send them elsewhere!
Michele, The flowers that you planted will perk you up this summer. I love digging in the dirt. It's like therapy to me. I hope that you experience little or no side effects from chemo #4.
Laura, sure hope that you are doing better.
Nicki, how is the weight program doing? Are you continuing to shed those pounds? I give you big points for being so diligent about it.
JanClare....are you doing any better with the rads?
Hope everyone is enjoying this excellent weather.
Rita0 -
Hi Illinois Girls!
I have been super busy, but wanted to check in. I'm feeling much better. The medication is doing its job. Hope you're all doing well. I;m still working out every M-F and today...
I met up with JanClare and we walked 3 miles around town here! It was a really good walk...have to do that more often. JanClare did really well considering she is going through rads. She's a tough one!
Rita -
You are such a busy gal! Are you using your Cub cart?
wendyk -
On Sunday I took the Goat for a cruise down my usual route...Rand Road (rte 12) through Fox Lake, etc. and for the heck of it, I turned at the DQ and sure enough there was Dockers...I didn't go in but plan to soon. Cops had hot rods pulled over everywhere, so I couldn't romp on it! LOL bummer Have you ever heard of a restaurant that's on the lake behind the Morettis rest. on 12? I can't think of the name of it...I heard it's really nice.0 -
Hello-
WendyK-If your echo results are good, do you continue with herceptin while doing rads, or does that start up again after?
Yes, we ate at Popeyes-had the Cobb salad, but then blew it by later on having choc-peanutbutter ice cream, oh well!
I've gained 6 pounds since starting the taxol and I've only had 4 of 12 treatments yikes!!! I need to start walking more often.
Rita-what did you mean by boosts?
Laura-Are you talking about Famous Freddies? I live about 10 mins from Fox Lake.
Michele0 -
Laura....I sure am using that Cub cart. It hasn't improved my golfing any but it sure is fun!
Michele...boosts are dose dense radiation to the scar area of the lumpectomy. The rest of the breast is not being treated at this time.
What a great day!!!!! Hope everybody had a chance to enjoy some of it.
Rita0 -
Rita -
You are so funny! I love your honesty about your golf game! And I can still picture you struttin' your stuff at the course - with your hot new cart! LOL You're a doll!
JanClare -
Thanks for teaching me all about walking today! You're a pro - not to mention a Marathon Runner Girl! I would love to walk again...next time...6 miles! Thanks for the band aids and alcohol wipes.
Michelle -
Oh my! I think it is Famous Freddies! I take my Goat for a cruise almost every night at 7:00 and I always head north through Fox Lake - maybe some night we could meet there or at Dockers, for a quick drink.
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I'm sad about Cheryl...
Cheryl -
If you're lurking...we're all thinking about you and hoping the very best. Hang in there sister.0 -
wendyk -
You have earned the right to claim chemo-brain for as long as you darned well please! LOL0 -
Good Morning Everyone: Im still fighting this creepy crud from a cold. So I havent been around much and since I am calling in sick this morning I actually have some time to say hello to all of you.
Connie: Sounds like you had a wonderful week-end. First day was rainy here too, but we didnt get enough of it. My flowers are so thirsty. Seems like we are having a dry spell here in Northern Illinois.
Michelle: I was on taxotere and herceptin. It was bizarre, I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows after my last chemo.
Pat: Everyone reacts different to chemo. I had one round of Taxol - the side effects were so bad for me I wanted to quit chemo totally. My onc switched me to taxotere. It still wasnt easy, but was easier than the taxol. I heard others had very little side effects to taxol. Its crazy, cause the one side effect I did not get was nausea. Make sure you keep drinking lots of water - if you can. Popsicles always tasted good to me during chemo too.
Wendy: At least the firs RAD is over with. I found that being a patient instead of a caregiver over the last 2 years has been quite a rude awakening. Pretty awful having 4 male techs - how can they possibly understand how your feeling both physically and emotionally. Im hoping the RADs go by quickly for you.
Rita: I have to laugh cause the only time I tried golfing I hit 3 balls into the water. Then I had my husband and his friend giving me all kinds of advice. I finially said the heck with it and went to the bar - had a nice Long Island Ice Tea and waited there for them to finish. Im sorry this is probably chemo brain - but there are so many Cheryls. Im not sure who you are talking about, but I hate to hear that anyone has to deal with a reoccurance. Hoping she will come here and talk with us, cause Im sure she needs alot of support right now. The diet has been going well, but I have been so sick with this cold that I havent been able to do my walking. The diet works best when you combine physical activity with it.
LauraGTO: One of my favorite rides is to cruise down route 12 and through the chain of lakes. Its a great ride. Lots of great bars too.
Well Im not in the most positive of moods today. Im so tired of being sick with something. Seems like just when I start enjoying life again, something happens. This cold has gotten the best of me. Now its a sinus infection and I have vertigo. Sometimes I just feel like crying my eyes out. I just want to feel better and get on with life. I think a big part of it is me trying to be like superwoman. So today - I will stay home and nurture myself and hope Im feeling up to par tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day.
Nicki0 -
Hi all! Sorry I couldn't get on yesterday, but my son decided to do some sort of "upgrade" on my computer, so naturally nothing worked. All sorted out now!
Nicki, (((hugs)))- hope you feel better soon! I just hate this whole process of being sick with the breast cancer, having extra stuff like a sinus infection would make it even worse! Yuck.
Rita, Happy dance at your reaching your boosts! Almost over for you, and then you can really enjoy your summer.
I was so glad to hear from Cheryl, but so sorrowful to hear of the additional cancer. (Nicki- she's also known as jodisgirl and was being treated in South Carolina near her family, though she lives in Illinois) Cheryl, I'm sending you all the hugs and healing vibes I can. I know you don't have any family in Illinois, so if you do come back to go to Northwestern, please PM me- I'm kind of in the area and I can hold your hand through a least some of the treatments!
Laura- loved the walk! Now aren't you glad you aren't walking this weekend? I'll walk with you anytime, and we'll get you prepped for the 3 day!
Shoot, I had more to write, but I have to go to work now- didn't budget my time well this morning. Have to say that I'm still feeling like a piece of meat at rads, but I do like the staff and doctor, it's not their fault that it's a big impersonal cold room full of cold impersonal machines! Just glad that all my techs are women- yikes, Wendy, I'd be really uncomfortable with men!
Later!0 -
Nicki, Your morning graphic hit me perfectly today. I just didn't want to get up, but I forced myself out bed, telling myself the entire time that I only have five more rads to go. I hope a relaxing day helps knock your cold and sinus infection. I think it takes a LONG time for our immune system to build back up after treatments....and for a couple of years we're going to be susceptible to about everything and then have a tough time shaking it. It just doesn't seem fair, does it?
It looks like we might be going to get a little much needed rain today. That would be just fine with me. It will give my flowers a drink and save the watering routine tonight.
Laura....so glad that you are doing better.
Wendy...what time of day do you go for your rads?
Well, I'm off to get domestic for a change.
Catch you all later.
Rita0 -
Hi all -
Well, I had my tx #7 of AC today - 8 more to go then on to Taxol. My onc almost postponed this one because I have been terrible throat pain when I eat. He looked at saw a small ulcer. He said he was on the fence but I assured him I am still eating, I am just being more careful about what I eat so that I can avoid the pain as much as possible. He is having me gargle with Hydrogen Peroxide and told me to also try Biotene. He said he didn't want to give me the numbing medicine because it was too far back and could interfere with swallowing, etc.
So, as long as I don't eat, I'm feeling good. But, I'm not one to miss a meal, so I will be suffering through the pain.
We are getting a little rain out here in Aurora. Good for the grass, etc, but my kids are having their end of the year school picnic tonight so they will now crowd everyone in the gym.
Hope you are feeling better Nicki. Sounds like everyone else is doing as well as can be. Sounds like there are a lot of gals getting zapped.
Have a great evening everyone!!0 -
Thanks for the input. I spent a lot of time today with the oncologist. She gave me some graphs per my request. I am just the kind of person who can understand better if I can see things on paper. It is a tool where my age, health history, ER status, tumor grade and size, and node status are used to calculate the effectiveness of chemotherapy. It says without treatment the percentage rate to be alive and without cancer in 10 years was 50.7%. I did not like those numbers. Now after AC it is 62.7% and if I can finish Taxol it will be 68.2%. This is also assuming I complete radiation as well. Of course she explained that anything can happen and it could come back or I might not ever have it again period. I can get dose dense Taxol over 8 weeks or a lower dose every week X3 with a week off and repeat these cycles X 4 (4 more months) ....she prefers Taxol...still don't know why. I know I will get and finish rads. I am on the fence about the Taxol. If I do it I would try dose dense even though I am not wild about Nulasta or the bone pain that comes with it. I will make a decision by Monday and get on with chemo or move on to rads. I have to work ...I am my only income. I have already missed more than I ever have with the surgeries, appts, etc. Sure wish there was some feeling normal time in between all this. I am doing better with fluids. I lost 22 pounds since April 6th...great weight loss program....but I don't recommend it................My best to all of you......Pat
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Pat, we are all different and the percentages only are averages. The decisions that we are faced with are very nerve-wracking to say the least. I guess I was lucky. I didn't have any pain with the Neulasta shot. What grade was your tumor and how old are you?
Rita0 -
Had my mammogram (6 weeks after finishing rads) and instead of an "all clear", there is another area that needs a biopsy, which is scheduled for next Tuesday. Not upset, mostly discouraged. Hopefully after 7 weeks of radiation, there's not a problem.
A get-together sounds great.0 -
Pat - I am currently getting weekly treatments of AC - it's a lower dose. So far, I seem to have less intense side effects then those on bi-weekly and I think it's because it is a lower dosage weekly. Just throwing that out there - maybe the weekly Taxol would be better for you. Good luck in your decision.
Sorry to hear about your suspicious area, 6 kitties. I will be thinking of you.0 -
Rita: It rained long enough for my husband to put off opening up our above ground pool. But not long enough to even get the sidewalks wet. The plants, the trees, and my flowers are very thirsty.
Connie: When they are giving you the Adriamycin make sure your chewing on ice chips or a popsicle. That is supposed to help prevent mouth sores. My throat got really sore when I was getting chemo. I found that anything cold helped. Ice cream. popsicles, etc. You will get through this. Sending you a big hug.
Pat: Taxol and Taxotere are from the same Yew tree. One is from the bark and one is from the needles. Dont let the taxanes scare you. From what you explained, Chemo is definitely the way to go. 50% yikes! Also, dont get confused by what others treatment protocols are. If you trust your doctor, go with what is recommended. I did dose dense and it was very hard trying to work full time while I was getting it. Every 3 weeks gives you some recovery time. I sure know what you mean about the bills. Still trying to recover here from the financial burden of bc treatment.
6kitties: sending you a big hug. It gets so frustrating sometimes. This bc likes to bite us in the butt. Likes to push us down - but we are survivors and we get right back up again. Hoping all goes well with your biopsy.
OK - time to go. Have a great Friday.
I think I may have beat this cold. I had the "big sweat" last night and so far this morning, Im feeling pretty good. So hopefully Im on the mend.
Nicki0 -
My age is 52 (May 30th). I am triple negative. Grade 3. Tumor size 5 cm. Negative nodes. I had a left lumpectomy following sentinal node biopsy. My onc is not encouraging or discouraging the Taxol. She is giving me the facts and current info out there and said it is up to me...well it's off to work...............Pat
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MOrning Girls...
Lots of posts! And boy did it pour here yesterday....right after I finished mowing. Talk about good timing!!!
Laura....glad you got to see Dockers. Isn't it a great spot?
Rita/JanClare....My time is 9:15 but if I get there about 8:45 or so they take me right in if they can. I was getting used to Bill, Brian and Andre but then yesterday I got all marked up and they took polaroids for the chart of the radiation field. OK...my face wasn't in the pictures but jeesh...didn't know that was going to happen. They assured me it was a one-time thing tho. Piece of meat is exactly how I feel but a girl has to do what a girl has to do!
6kitties...oh boy, sorry about your "area of interest". Let's just hope it is all precautionary and it is a big, fat nothing.
Taxol I hear is a bit stronger but causes more neuropathy than Taxotere. My onc suggests you take claritin (plain one, not claritin D) the day of neulasta and for several days afterward..they think the bone pain is an allergic reaction to the neulasta. I did this and never got any pain only a wicked bruise on my arm...I switched to getting it in my belly and no bruising, no pain at injection site.
I will write more later....time to exercise and nuking!0 -
The oncologist I'm seeing told me that December they decided dose dense does not have significant advantages, however, he was talking for me, 6 cycles of all three: cytoxin, adriamycin and taxotere.
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I forgot to take the claritin last time and no pain with neulasta shot that I know of...I should take pepcid, it seems like I have heartburn for more than a week after chemo...also, THE BEST NURSE that accesses my port, I asked her what her secret was, she said "I pull the skin over before I prick"...I asked her to tell the others her trick because it hurts when the rest of the staff stabs it!
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Thanks for the advice on the ice chips, Nicki. I love ice chips so I will try that!
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Good morning everyone! This time next week I will be through with rads and waiting to see if I have to do two more chemos or if I am done!
The sun is out and it appears that today will be another very pleasant day. Nicki, it did rain almost all day here yesterday, a very steady, gentle, rain. That should help my flowers greatly.
Connie, Nicki is right about the ice chips. I sucked on them throughout my treatments and had no mouth sores or throat problems. It's certainly worth a try. The popsicles are also great to eat at home and now you have the perfect excuse for digging into them.
6 Kitties...Good thoughts and vibes to you concerning "your area of interest." Keeping in mind that they are going to be especially careful and pro-active with all of us now, we will hope that the biopsy is only a precaution. I will be thinking about you next week.
Wendy....I had those chest polaroid shots, too. How glamorous! You have a good radiation time. You get it over with in the morning and can still have the rest of your day without a mid-day interruption.
Pat...my tumor was Grade 3, too. That still concerns me a bit, but both of us have our negative lymph nodes and our age in our court. I guess this is one time that it's good to be older (or shall we say "more mature"). You will make the right decision. Hey, you just had a birthday, too and we missed it! Happy belated birthday!!!
Hope everybody else has done well this week. It's hard to believe it's June already. I think we need to decide if we are "on" for the outing and if so, finalize a date. What do you think, JanClare and Laura?
Enjoy your day!
Rita0 -
My physical therapist found a very small lump four inches from my armpit on my "bad" arm this past week. Any experiences with this?...I bought Italian ice for a way to get more fun liquids during chemo.
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