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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Hi Twink...
Glad you are not feeling too bad. I only took Decadron the night before (I thought it was to combat a reaction to the Taxotere). I took Zofran twice a day for 3 days for nausea, but no Decadron. That stuff drove me nuts...made my blood pressure go up and my fingers swell. And it kept me awake when I wanted to sleep. We are all different of course, but you may be able to forgo the Decadron. The chemo nurses actually watched my Carbo closer on the 10th treatment. They said the more of it you get, the more chance of a reaction. But I did fine. How many are you scheduled for?
I had my Herceptin today after rads. I was so tired from rads, that when the Benedryl (Herceptin pre-med) hit me I was out like a light. Slept for the whole infusion. Only about 40 minutes, but I guess I needed the rest.
Still no grill marks...just the fatigue. #23 in the morning.
Sleep tight all,0 -
Twink, so sorry you are going through this. I know you feel the love and support we all have for you. I visited a chemo in May website when I started my FAC in May, but the Feb cruisers are my family. I just feel like this is home for me, no matter what I am going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I loved the pics of you and Hillary. You are both so pretty. I can't wait until I have more than fuzz on my head.
Tink, congratulations on the birth of your baby girl. We are anxiously awaiting pics of you and your family.
About the follow up, I talked to my onc at MD Anderson and he said there were no scans or blood tests. I have lobular cancer and this is different from ductal in that the best weapon against it is the Arimidex or Tamoxifen. There is some question about the benefit of chemo. I took it anyway, wanting to fight with everything offered, but it may have been in vain. That may be the reason the onc told me that if anything showed on the PET scan that I would be considered incureable. That floored me, but the only explanation I can think of is this....if I(with Lobular BC) have mets, the treatment of choice would be Arimidex and I am already on that.
I had my port removed today and they covered the incision with opsite. It was itching and burning like crazy. It was very red under the opsite dressing. I removed it. I had blisters from the opsites after my lumpectomy. I didn't want to get more blisters. I put a piece of gauze with antibiotic ointment and some papertape over it. That feels much better.
I am leaving in the morning for Houston to stay with my grandson for 5 days while his parents take his sister back to North Carolina to college. I will have plenty of computer time there. I will read posts and write notes to you guys while I am there.
My Astros are getting beaten up by LA Dodgers tonight, darn it.
So sad about the rescue miners being injured and one killed.
We escaped the brunt of the Tropical Storm Erin. Now we wait for Dean.
Oh, almost forgot. I am so upset. I got the copy of my bloodwork for my internist and it is awful. My cholesterol is 317 and my triglycerides, which have been in the 40's were 180. I have been off of statins for 8 months. But that is because they mess up my liver enzymes. I think the decadron I was taking all the time I took chemo is what has really messed up my cholesterol. My LDL actually went way up too. I will see the internist the 30th of August and see what she thinks. That blood was drawn 3 weeks after chemo. Maybe that is why the local onc. didn't have me coming back to see him for 2 months. Maybe it takes at least 2 months for all that chemo to clear one's system.
Love to all. Sammie Kay0 -
Congratulations Tink, well done.
Well folks I am finished with rads, yippee!! Next thing is the port removal. think its the 27th something I must check up on next Monday.
SammieKay I must tell my DD2 that their was a storm named Erin, we always said she was similar to a hurricane. And last week there was one named Flossie which is her nickname!!!
The rads techs thought I should be brave and start going topless. They all were patting my hair today commenting on its softness. I has been quite amusing as I taught one of the techs, she is now a senior therapist but it was a little awkward for her at the start and she never managed to call me by my first name. However, she was great and would always answer any strange question I managed to come up with.
Terry you are lucky to have no burns, hope it stays this way.
Twink, hope the new treatment is OK and you don't get too many SEs.
The weather here has returned to Winter, just as it looked as if Spring was almost here. We should expect this as August often has the worst weather.
Hugs to all
Alyson0 -
Morning gals, I agree with Sammie Kay, this thread and all of you are HOME. I've made friends throughout bc.org but you guys are where I feel the family feeling.
Sammie Kay, same with me on the cholestrerol. Tested me about 3 weeks ago and I have never had high anything. Eleveted total and elevated the bad one. I reminded her I'd done a lot of chemo and she just brushed that right off! Then got home and checked to see what Dr. Google had to say and that should have been a fasting test for 12 hours. Well she drew that blood right after lunch. I proceeded to throw away all the info she gave me about lowering my cholesterol. LOL
Alyson, You are done???? Hooray! Well in t he tradition of a celebratory dance here you go, met this BC sister yesterday in Orlando (she's from Calif. and visiting a relative). A little bench dancing!
Terry I am very happy to hear you are doing pretty good at the grill. I agree the fatigue sometimes just knocks you right out!
Vegas, my docs don't seem to tell me much. I have no idea what "close watch" means. I bet you look better topless than you think!
Twink, girl you absolutely crack me up! I've joked that I will show the scar to anyone who has a ten-spot! heehee Let us know how you are feeling.
Love you guys! Marsha0 -
Marsha, you look adorable... short hair looks good on you, too...
Alyson, stay warm by your fireplace and enjoy the nomorads feeling...
SammieKay, say hi to Houston for me... boy, they got drenched yesterday... I do not regret the hurricane warnings when we had to rush down to Clear lake to secure the boat...
I must rush out of the door with Toby... trying to beat the heat...
Till soon, dear friends,
Catherine0 -
I only have a minute to post. DH had a 95% blockage of the artery that goes to the front of the heart, so we spent the night in the hospital after he got a stent. He's doing well now.
I did some speed reading through everyone's posts. I can't reply to all right now, but I did want to send a HUGE Congratulations to Tink! How absolutely wonderful that your perfect baby girl is here! What a story you will have to tell her someday. Please take extra good care of yourself and accept all the offers of help that I am sure you will receive. Schedule 'em if you have to!
I am really looking forward to sitting down and pouring over all the posts. It's looks like everyone has been busy and productive!0 -
Melanie, so sorry to read what your husband went through, and you by the same token... good thing it was caught on time and fixed... we are living at the right time, when you think of it...
Have both a restful week-end to recover from this dramatic situation...
Big hugs,
Catherine0 -
Marcia, you are so cute! Bench dancing! The only things better than bench dancing are table dancing and chair dancing. You go, girl!!!
Melanie, so sorry about your DH. Hopefully he is being good and taking care of himself after scaring you half to death. How are you doing, and how are your new girls?
Sammie Kay, congrats on getting the port out! That was a HUGE red letter day as far as I was concerned - my incision is still a bit sore after two months too.
Alyson, congrats on finishing rads - another major milestone as well. It is so nice to have so many happy dates to celebrate now.
Well we are heading up to Brian Head Utah for the next four days. Hiking, golf and the annual Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City. On the way we will also stop in St George to at an open air theatre to watch "My Fair Lady." No computers and almost no cell service, so I will catch up with you all mid week. Take care ladies, and everyone have a wonderful lazy weekend!0 -
Vegas,
This board saves me everytime... I was worried that where they took the port out still hurts and feels a little raw. And there you go mentioning it! Now I won't worry that there is something wrong. I do wonder why it takes so long to heal, however.0 -
Marsha,
You look Great!
But, one meal cannot raise your cholesterol that much. Could you have a resked in a month or so and make them do it right?
Love you, babe...0 -
How dreary for you guys...to have to listen to me talk about chemo when it's history for you. Anyway...Day 3 and all is well. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop but so far so good. I skipped the decadron entirely so if I make it through today without nausea, looks like I'll be okay.
Terry, I have three more treatments. The onc also mentioned that the more treatments, the more likely an allergic reaction could occur...she mentioned at the 8 treatment mark.
Taking Alleve for my poor aching joints, which seems to be a little worse since chemo. Who knows anymore, my whole body is a wreck...sortof. Aches, pains, stiffness...whatever. I read on another thread that 3-5-6-12 months later, women are suffering the after effects of chemo. Seems like such a long haul...
Marsha...darnit girl, you look great! I'm with Vegas, table-dancing can be fun too. Maybe we'll get to that in February!
Oh Melanie, what a scare that must have been! So glad to hear that DH is doing well now. It just never seems to rain but it pours...
Catherine, Hillary, Leah, Sammie Kay, Alyson, Carynn, Jan, Tink, Phyl, Belinda, (ohhh..I know I've missed somebody, but HA! I can really use chemo-brain as an excuse again
) and everybody else....Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Hugs. 0 -
Twink, we are your support group for good and bad, do NOT think we don't want to hear what you are going thru with this new round. We've got your back girlfriend!
And hey Vegas, the BEST is bar dancing! Gives the bartender alittle heartattack but.............. Enjoy your trip this weekend, it sounds like fun.
Melanie, man oh man how scary about DH. So glad to hear he is fixed! When it rains it pours.
Hey Leah, I agree with you. I keep thinking things are happening to my body and it is such a relief to hear you guys say the same thing. I still have my port but once it is removed I won't worry if it is still sore. I helped my friend move to Flagler Beach and noticed all the beach houses are actually across the street. The beach highway runs close to the beach there. I think a little further north (Creasant Beach) the homes are actually on the beach. I need to check on that. May take a road trip over there next week.
Hi Catherine, Karen, Alyson, Terry, Phyl, Hillary, Tink, Sammie Kay, Jan, Belinda, Carynn (where are you?) and anyone I might have missed. Love, Marsha
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Melanie -- How scary for you, but glad that dh is on the mend. Keep us updated.
Marsha -- I read that chemopause can raise our cholesterol, but that tamoxifen reverses that affect. Have your cholesterol checked again after you've been on tamoxifen for a few months.
Twink -- You know that we're here for you ... The aching joints are no fun ... I'm going to ask my onc about them next week.
Well, I've finally done it -- colored the hair and now I am officially topless! My husband is being very supportive. I think my ds is a bit freaked, but he has a friend over and has to be brave about it. The friend (not one of his closest ones) definitely looked at me funny when he saw me!
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Hi everyone! I've kept up with the reading and glad to hear you all are doing good. It's so busy at work but I have all my strength and energy back but YES also to the aches here and there, especially feet/ankles and upper back/neck area. Although I did color my hair but I still have a couple of areas showing a little too much scalp for me so not going topless just yet. Eyebrows are coming in like crazy especially this past week---thank goodness!
Talk about high cholesterol...my primary md is freaking out over my numbers and put me on crestor. I'm not as concerned as he is especially since just going thru chemo and all, it just pales in comparison. Not that it's not an important issue, just that I'm burned out and can't seem to be too worried about it. I'll take the crestor and next month check it again.0 -
MELANIE, prayers for full and fast recovery for your DH!
MARSHA>your picture made me smile!
My hubby said OMG you should see the curls on the back of your head this morning. He took me to the bathroom and using two mirrors I saw it too. Yay...I wanted curly hair and the more it grows the more pronounced the curls are!!!
Saw my BS yesterday, check up was good. See her and rads doc in 3months right after a mammogram in november.0 -
Happy Saturday....Jan..congrats on the curls! Mine is coming in straight as straw.
Melanie...hope hubby is feeling much better and recovers quickly. Thank heavens for stents.
My cholesterol was up too. Can't help but think the chemo and the crazy way the steriods make you eat that does it. My primary doc increased my Mevacor from 10 mg to 20 mg.
Speaking of ports... wait til you hear this...when I went in Thurs for Herceptin, the nurse missed the port when she attempted to flush the one side and flushed right into my chest under this skin. Then she had to pull back on the syringe to get the saline back out. When she did that all this black dead blood came out. Must have been from when I had that seroma way back when. But, boy did that hurt. Now my chest is black and blue and tender. That is the second time that same nurse has missed the port...think I will run next time I see her coming toward me.
My rads breast is pink and my underarm very red and sore. The rash is getting worse and my antibiotic is finished. So I don't know what the rads onc will say on Monday. I only have 10 more, so I guess just grin and bear (bare) it.
It is an absolutely georgeous day here in Central PA. Mid 70's breezy...I have already dried 4 loads of clothes on the line out back. Hubby is having a yard sale...so he is out of my hair (what hair?). Hope he sells everything so we don't have to put anything back. Since chemo I am ready to just purge this house of all clutter.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend....Love,0 -
TERRY>ouch on the port!!!! LOL at your puns! Funny I too have been doing major housework lately and made the garbage men really work last week!
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Twink, thanks for the dance would join you but rads site keeps oozing if I do anything involving arm movement. Have done lots of mental dances though - it is so great not to be going in again on Monday.
Once the living room redecoration is complete intend to throw a nomo party for all my wonderful friends here who have helped me get through this.
Went to the Mall topless this morning, not so scary after all. No one seemed to even look.
Terry hope the bruising is getting better, I winched as I read what happened.
Melanie, my DH has two stents which have really improved his health, its great what they can do. We don't need these husbands getting sick at present.
It has been a lovely fine day here, not warm but at least not raining.
Must make some coffee
Have a restful day
Alyson0 -
Twink - we're with ya no matter what. btw - I may try for your October 17th (is that what it was?) date to meet up with you and Hillary.
Jan - what gorgeous curls. I'm still waiting and watching for a hair to turn in a different direction but so far, they're all laying flat. The eyebrows - now that's a different story.
Marsha, Pat, Terry - I've been concerned about the cholestrol thing for awhile now. I haven't had a lipid panel for many, many years and I need to do that.
Alyson - know exactly how you feel about the oozing - yuck! Any time I lifted my arm, I broke the seal. Are you in the mode of washing the sheets daily yet? I have one spot still oozing and my last rad was July 27th.
OMG Terry - don't let that incompetent b***h anywhere near you. I think she'd have been pulling her teeth out of her a**.
On the subject of cleaning - I just purchased a Roomba for Pets. I swear I have enough dog hair to build another dog every 2 days so I purchased a new wife (I named him Pedro). Don't want to sound like an infomercial, but honestly, I moved all the kitchen chairs, bar stools, etc. out of the house Friday, did a very, very thorough vacuuming myself followed by mopping the entire area (all hardwood and ceramic) - then after the floors dried, I put him to work and he still had the dirt bin 3/4 full. I don't know where the heck he found it but I thought it was pretty amazing. I wanted to start out clean so he didn't kill himself first time out and then fire him up every 2 days for maintenance. Today is the day - hopefully I have the same feeling after he's done.
Hi to everyone - hope you have a wonderful Sunday. Sleep well Alyson.
Hugs,
Phyl0 -
Seriously folks, I wouldn't worry about your cholesterol levels until these chemotherapy drugs are totally out of our system. These drugs stress our livers (which are trying to detoxify the drugs) and the liver is primarily responsible for regulating cholesterol. Sammiekay's docs were right to take her off the statins while doing chemo.
Jan -- Those curls are adorable ... you should change your avatar photo!
Marsha -- Forgot to mention earlier that you look so cute in that photo ...
Terry -- Avoid that nurse at all costs!
OK, gotta go and get ready. We're going to Ikea to buy ds a desk. He starts first grade soon and with that comes homework!
Hugs to all,
Hillary0 -
Hillary...let me know what the onc says about the aches. I'm starting to find it really very uncomfortable. Until this last Tx, I was just achey and stiff when I got up in the morning or after sitting for awhile. Now, the ache bothers me all the time...I wonder if it's the Neulasta. Kept me awake, tossing and turning last night...I hate that.
Phyl, October 17th is the date, you've got it. It would be so nice to lunch with Hillary AND you! Hillary knows all the hot spots, right Hillary?
Your hair looks fantastic Jan! So wavy and shiney. I wish I was as pleased with mine. I never wanted curly hair. Mine has a little wave that I used to iron out. There's no ironing this curl out...I feel like Shirley Temple!
Hillary, are you going to post a pic of the dye job? Your six y.o. will forget about your short hair in no time flat, I'm sure. Did you have your hairdresser trim it up too?
Dribbling rain here...so much for finishing the deck staining today (unless it stops soon). I've skipped the decadron entirely without any signs of nausea...darn, all that practice consuming too much alcohol in my youth has served me well through chemo...
Day 4 heading into 5 and I don't feel too bad at all...nothing like the AC or T. Back to work tomorrow and with my luck, that's when it'll hit me.
Wishing everybody a peaceful Sunday.0 -
No curls for me either. Straight as a stick. That's OK, it was straight going out and I'd just as soon it come back the same! Jan your hair looks great!
Twink, glad to hear this chemo round is a little better about SE's.
Hillary, I agree, not worrying about any abnormal results that are not cancer related. Same woman checked by hormone levels to see if I was menapausal. She just doesn't seem to get it that RIGHT NOW is NOT the time to be checking stuff that could be chemo related! I tried to explain I am in chemopause.
Phyl, I think you need to sit down. Obviously you are still having some kind of weird side effect if you can get that excited about cleaning. NOT a SE I am having! LOL
Hey Pat it is good to hear from you. My eyelashes, I am happy to report are longer and fuller than they were before!! YIPPEE
Terry, I would never allow that woman to access that port again. And don't be afraid to say so. That is dangerous I think!
Marsha0 -
LOL!! Stopped by for a quick check in and litterally laughed out loud! Marsha, Marsha, Marsha, now you leave poor Phyl alone! I have four cats and a dog and can also make a new pet every couple of days, if not careful. So Phyl, I read your post with great interest! I'm going to google it and see how much, etc. You two just made my day!
Tink - Congratulations on baby Aubree! We are all anxiously waiting for pictures!
Twink - I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling well. I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you that it stays that way.
Terry - I feel for you. I dont know if you remember, but I had a similar experience. A nurse who's first day at our office kept sticking me in the (fairly fresh) incision intead of the right place. She said something about how they must do it different in AZ compared to CA. She was about to flush it (in the wrong place) when another nurse came and did it right. After 3 sticks and a good scare; I asked the head nurse to please not assign her to me anymore. She said no problem. I actually never saw her in the office again.
Jan - your curls ARE adorable! Looking good wild woman!
Alyson - I'm glad to hear that your DH is on the mend. Wishing him a full and speedy recovery. How are you? Are you keeping the RA at bay?
Pat, Catherine, Hillary, Melanie, Leah, and anyone else I might have missed - thinking of you all and wishing you a nice relaxing Sunday.
Hugs to you all ((((FCC))))
Oh. I did want to make a suggestion to all of you. On one of the other boards (Is it CG Marsha?) They started a Secret Pal game. I thought it would be fun for us? What do you think? There was also another thread where they passed a single box where everybody put in some items and when it came to you, you took out items you wanted and put in some more. These were just trinkets, nothing expensive. I think the girls included pictures and or journals too.
So what do you think? Are we up for a little fun?0 -
Caryn -- Count me in for a little fun!
Well, I finally figured out how to get an avatar in -- this is me prior to chemo. As Twink knows, my hair came in much greyer than you see in this photo. I'll try to get dh to take a photo of the new me and post that ...
I'm getting a bit nervous about going back to work tomorrow. I've already picked out my outfit, like it's the first day of school! One of my radiation buddies called to wish me luck ...
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Hillary - here's a big hug for you on your first day of work (for awhile) - {{{{{{Hillary}}}}}}.
Twink - I'll do my best to be in Philly Oct 17th. Hillary - someplace that serves alcohol, of course.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha - don't you see, I'm enjoying sitting on my ass with marguerita in hand watching Pedro do all the work. Now I really, really get excited to look at my clean floor - NOT see huge clumps of dog hair and I didn't have to lift a finger except to push 'clean' on his remote. Now all I need to do is attach a dust cloth to Hannah's tail - that takes care of the dusting. Hmmm - toilet bowls are still an issue - whatdyathink?
Carynn - I'm up for some fun . . .
Catherine - how's your weekend? You're very, very quiet!
Hugs to all.
Phyl0 -
Hillary...I'll be thinking about you tomorrow, your first day back. Enjoy yourself and don't get too stressed. Your pic is beautiful.
Carynn, I'm up for a little fun! Post the rules of the game as I have no idea how the secret pal thing works...
Phyl, ditto on the alcohol...I'll look forward to lunch.
Another day passed without any nausea and I think I'm tempting fate...Mexican for lunch yesterday and Indian today...OMG!
I'm back to work tomorrow too. I feel like I need a vacation...0 -
Hi, Phyl... Hi all FCC's... I keep reading everybody's news, but I had to go back to my "to do" list... weeding after the rain, taking care of roses, laundry, house cleaning, etc. you know...
Last night our sweet neighbor and friend wanted us for dinner with her sister and BIL and their lovely dog, but her DH (out of town) can't stand the idea of dogs around (he keeps everything very neat, inside and outside) so to avoid her marital troubles, we had the dinner at our home with the 3 dogs in heaven playing together like crazy... she brought the food over, we provided the plates and silverware... it worked out great, the food was excellent (in particular a white cabbage salad with oranges, tangerines, fresh crab meat and avocado... yummy and light), and everybody was very relaxed...
My DH was asked just 2 days before starting teaching again to take an extra thermodynamics class.. this coming semester is going to be a very busy one... but he loves it, and it beats having to worry about bc, tx's, etc...
I am quite achy today (the tamoxifen may be accumulating by now, in the 3rd "bottle" of it...) Had to take some advil (and I have a high pain tolerance threshold...). It is from gardening, I think, my body had forgotten all the various positions you have to stay in (I had to weed a bad spot along a very busy street, waiting for traffic lights to "pace" my efforts... kind of scary... but we have to keep things in line or else... citations if weeds are too high...).
I am now going to deveine some fresh Florida keys shrimp to just sautee them in olive oil, fresh garlic and Italian parsley, served over rice with a green salad... followed by fresh strawberries with lemon juice and fresh mint with short bread... Tamoxifen gives me an appetite, too...
You all enjoy a nice evening and get rest for work tomorrow... Thinking of you often, even if I stay quiet...
Love,
CatherineH0 -
Twink and Hilary: Good luck in going back to work. Just take it easy!
Friday was my last day at the 4 year long project, so I am actually not working for a week or two. I have some offers, none seem quite right, given they all want massive amounts of travel. So I am holding off deciding. The one I really want (3 days/week with no travel) might be able to get decided this week. But I am just laughing about all this work stuff...what a different perspective I have now. Work was my whole life for so long. Now seems like something I can do to just keep busy while my other life is unfolding!
Liver ZAP Tuesday. Can't wait for that to be over!
Love to all. Have a great week!0 -
Hillary - best of luck to you on your first day back! I bet it will be great! BTW..love the avatar!
Catherine - the dinner sounds wonderful! About that time to figure what to do for tonite!
Leah - that really is awesome news on the contract. I'm betting it's going to go just like a relationship. You always find the right one when youre not looking!
Ok - as for the fun - we can copy one of the other boards, or do something completely different.
1) Secret Pal - everyone gave their address to the person running the game and each person was randomly assigned a Secret Pal. Everyone playing decided how often to send their Secret Pal a little something. Nothing extravagant, just cards, small trinkets, whatever could be purchased for the agreed upon dollar amount. The game had a predetermined end and you had that much time to guess who your pal was. Marsha played last time, so she can probably give some more insight.
2) A white elephant box was put together and sent to everyone on the list. You could remove any item you wanted, but you had to add something. The box litterally went around the world to all the girls on that board.
I thought we could do one of those, or come up with something on our own. Whatcha think??0 -
Hmmm Carynn...I like the Secret Pal idea...it sounds more 'personal', even though your pal is a secret, and it sounds like FUN! I need fun! Only flaw I can see is that one of us doesn't get to participate. I'd volunteer my husband to be the keeper of the addresses so that we can all play.
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