Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Hey, hey, hey,
I survived, actually was much easier than last time. The lower abdomen is quite sore and I do feel a little burning pain under each breast. Can't see a thing. I am to leave the ace wrap on the chest and the dressings on lower abdomen until I see ps on Monday morning. I have an abdominal binder on today. PS said I didn't have to wear it after today. It is pressure to avoid any bleeding.
So the great reveal of the "nips" on Monday.
Thank all of you for the loving thoughts and good wishes. My anesthesia was good and time in recovery went well.
I am about 98% sure I will be in Florida. I will probably stay about 4 or 5 days, not the full week.
It is about Vicoden time, which will also be bedtime.
Trying to stay up to finish the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. University of Texas Longhorns playing Arizona State. Good game, if you are a Longhorn fan, so far.
Hugs and warm wishes to all. 2008 will rock for the February Chemo Cruisers. Sammie Kay
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So good to hear you're doing well SammieKay. Hi to everybody else. I'm doing a little better today...must have something to do with knowing there's only 2 more regular rads to go.... I can't wait. Thank you for the encouraging words. Catherine, you brought tears to my eyes. I read my mom's tone into your words and suddenly I missed her very deeply. Wattaweek! Getting back to work should distract me...it's all this idle time on my hands. I am so looking forward to February 21st.
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Good morning! It's cold here in the desert this morning. 35! Should see the mid 50's by afternoon. This was NOT one of our 70 degree Christmas's! Yikes!SammieKay - I'm so happy to hear that your surgery went well. Hope you're feeling good today! I am sorry tho that I cant share your enthusiasm for the Holiday Bowl!
I'm afraid the Devils didn't show up! I ended up going to bed early. Wasn't that hilarious about the coach's stepson? That poor kid got more airtime than any of the players. I'm sure he'll never live that down! I felt so bad for him!Twink - Hope you are feeling better. Trust me, the Rads probably have a lot to do with it. Everyone says it's easier than chemo, and I suppose that it is; but emotionally, having to drive there EVERYDAY, being left alone in the room, and watching your skin change, does indeed take a toll. My Rad Onc was kind of funny at my last tx. She said if she pulled someone off the street and did to them what she did to me, she'd be criminally prosecuted! She said it was very important to blog, or start a journal and acknowledge my feelings; that I'd been thru a lot and maybe even a good cry was in order. All part of the healing process. She was also the one who said to take the total amount of time I'd been in tx, and double it. That was about how long before physically, I'd feel ‘normal.' Hugs to you and hope you have a great weekend! If I don't get to talk to you later, let me be the first to offer a big WHOO HOO on being done!
Terry - Good luck with the tx today. Hope it goes smoothly with NO S/E's.
Catherine - The trip sounds wonderful. Do post some pictures!
Marsha - Welcome Home! Sounds like you had a great time.
Melanie - What an adventure! How nice to be all done! I read the book Wicked, and HATED it! I absolutely love the Wizard of Oz and the concept of the book is that the Wizard and Dorothy were evil; or at least not as nice as everyone else thought. I just couldn't buy the concept. That said, I've heard the play was a little different and wonderful! Bummer about your luggage. Has it made it home to you yet?
Depending on how the day goes, we'll be leaving for the mountains today or tomorrow. I kind of hope its tomorrow. There's a movie I wouldn't mind going to see tonite, and honestly, the fewer days I can spend in the snow, the better.
Have a wonderful Friday everyone. Hope to see you soon!
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Good Morning All!
I have an overnight business trip, so I am just sitting around waiting for DH to finish up his last minute details...a little time for me to post!
Hillary; I love the boxes with "designated funds"...what a good idea! My hot flashes have subsided almost completely, but I am not on any maintenance drugs. It was weird to have the flashes as I was always so cold natured before. Now, I don't seem to get cold very often...strange. The weight...omg...what a struggle I am having. I agree that the holidays make it so tough, but I admire you for sticking close to your plan.
Sammie; I guess I missed your post about doing a skin graft for your nips. Most docs prefer that method and I bet they will look great. I am hoping that mine don't flatten out. There is a tattoo artist in Boca Raton that does fabulous work. I might check her out. Her name is Melaney and I think the website is permanent makeup.com. There have been several news programs that have featured her. Let us know for sure which days you will be in FL as soon as you find out. Take care of yourself!
Marsha; Keep us posted on your show. I really hope we get to see it!
Leah; Your post about fewer presents was similar to our Christmas. But, I actually enjoyed it more this year.
Terry; No water??? How awful. Of course you made the best out of a bad situation.
Twink; 2 more...what a relief! You have had so much to deal with lately.
Catherine; So nice to hear that you are enjoying your travels. We actually ate Christmas lunch in a Denny's one year. Long ago when we were doing the Christmas swapping of children with ex spouses. I am so glad those days are behind us. Keep in touch while you are roaming around! If you get to Dallas and need a break from the motorhome, let me know. I know a place where you can hang your hat
DH is beckoning....
Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
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Carryn; Have you ever told us where your "CommandoBarbie" comes from? I am curious! Have a great time in the mountains.
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I am sitting here, paying bills....didn't go for my treatment after all. The chemo room nurse called yesterday. My onc is out of town and his colleague would not sign off on it. So I have to wait until my onc is back next Wednesday and they will call me. So now I will be 2 weeks behind, if I continue. I do not know what the big deal is.
Well...back to billpaying...yuck!
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Good morning, and happy New Year’s eve, Eve.
Well, we still haven’t left yet! DH is now sick with the virus/cold that I have. He’s bound and determined that we will go tomorrow! We probably will as in addition to meeting up and spending New Years with some friends from the Valley who will be up there, we’re supposed to see some friends of his that he hasn’t seen in years, and that I haven’t met. I took the 2nd off as well, so if he feels up to it, we’ll still have time.
Melanie – “Commando Barbie” is a nickname given to me by DH’s Air Force Buddies at an Air Commando reunion. When I first met all of them, one man in particular kept calling me Barbie, or Holiday Barbie. He had the whole reunion calling me Barbie as they thought that was my name. Finally DH said to him, you think she thinks its funny, but wait til next year when she comes to the reunion with AK47’s strapped on. So the guy goes, that would make her Commando Barbie. Well, this guy wouldn’t let up with the Holiday Barbie stuff; and he didn’t bring his wife that year. So, as soon as I got home, I bought a Barbie, dressed her in a uniform just like the Commando’s wore and strapped firearms to her. I put a note in the box that said “Be warned, it doesn’t take much to turn Holiday Barbie into Commando Barbie”, and sent it to him anonymously. Of course the guys wife wanted to know who was sending him Barbie doll’s and I had the last laugh! But Commando Barbie was born and the name has stuck. She has become an unofficial mascot for the group. The Commando’s Brigadier General sent me “orders” to make one for him, then more “orders” to make one for display in the Commando Museum. So now you know the rest of the story…… 
Terry – So sorry to hear that tx was delayed. That’s odd that they wouldn’t sign off on it. Just hate it when we get psyched up for tx only to have it postponed.
Oh, we did get out of the house last night long enough to go see Charlie Wilson’s War. I highly recommend it.
Well, off to fix breakfast, pack and watch some football. Have a wonderful Sunday all, and if I don’t talk to you before, have a safe, happy, healthy New Year!
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Hmmmm....orders from the General. You go girl! Do you have a pic of this Barbie. I would love to see one. I have collected Barbies for my daughter since she was 3. She has 140+ in the original boxes. Most are really great ones. I will just be happy when they build their new home and get them out of my house...lol. I do have a few favorites that I am keeping
Thanks for the story. I loved it. I can just imagine how much fun you had with that!0 -
Another lovely lunch with Hillary. Phyl...the next one is planned for January 23rd.
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My very best wishes to all of you from a camp site in Salina, Kansas...
Happy New Year dear friends, for a much more enjoyable 2008!!
Love,
Catherine
ps, Twink, Hillary... you look terrific!
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Great photo Hillary and Twink
Happy New Year everyone. It is now 4.30 on a scorching hot New Year's day . Thinking of you all as you see 2008 in. I am so pleased to see the back of 2007. We had been out to dinner with friends then when midnight approached wandered up the street so that we could watch the fireworks display from the 'Sky Tower' which can be seen from there.
Must get on to wedding preparations tomorrow as the 19th is coming around fast.
Alyson
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Swimmingmom:
Enjoyed your comments. I was diagnosed triple negative Dec. 14, have seen surgeon, radiologist and plastic surgeon to talk. Have had MRI and CAT Scan. There are two spots in my left breast, one is calcified the other is invasive. Surgeon is treating it as one because she doesn't know if the 2 are connected in some way, so I believe it is 4.6cm counting the 1.5 space between the two.
I have so much anxiety by Wellbutrin isn't working. I cry and cry, can't sleep, shaking, and just thinking too much. I really don't want to die, dah.
I live in MI but am on an extended stay in TX. I see that MD Anderson has physician to physician treatment consultations, my chemo Dr. is from MD Anderson.
What should I expect? What chemos are known to be the best? How long? Same with radiation. I don't know the drugs everyone mentions, etc. So, can you give me a dimes worth of an education.
By the way, I am 60 and caucasian.
Thanks
Cookie
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Happy New Year!
Hope you are all well and not too partied out.
Carynn...I have always wondered about CommandoBarbie, Now we know. Fun!
We are all battling the cold, flu, cough bug that is going around. So we are a fun bunch here.
Alyson...enjoy the summer weather. It is snowing here.
Went out today and exchanged a couple things. By the way, DD absolutely LOVED her deer antlers mounted on a plaque made to resemble her 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. It is hanging in the family room with the rest of the trophy antlers. What will I use for wall hangings once the kids leave and take theirs with them? Do you suppose I could have real art?
Cookie....welcome. We are the Feb 07 Chemo cruisers. We have done it all....Most of us did AC with Taxol. I did TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin) Most of us also did rads. Sounds like you are just beginning your journey. You will find much love and support here. We all depended on each other so much, even when we just needed to vent or maybe just read the posts and be quiet for a while....If I remember correctly, one of our gals went to MD Anderson. As far as your chemo...a lot depends on your ER, PR status, whether you are pre or post menopausal, if you are HER2 positive and the size of the tumor....Treatments are very individualized.
The crying is very normal. Especially in the beginning. And especially during the time when you don't know what your treatment will be. Once that is decided and you start, you actually feel like you are DOING something. Although tears can come anytime for any reason.....if you read thru this whole year of posts, you will see all the emotions...
I wish you the best of luck. I found it helpful to read all the books I could get my hands on to educate myself. That is how I responded.
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Happy New Year to all the Feb Chemo Cruisers! 2007 has been quite an eventful year for all of us, and except for the radiation for Twilah and the close watch we are keeping on our beloved Leah, we are done with treatment and ready to move on to a happy and healthy 2008! Thank you all so much for being there for me, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like we just got home from a war zone!
Rehearsal for Always.....Patsy Cline is going extremely well. I'm a little nervous, the part is so big and 22 shows in 25 days in a little intimidating but I use to do it as a matter of course and now is the time to get my life back! The girl playing Patsy is awesome. You can close your eyes and just imagine it is really her singing. WOW Mel, if you guys could pop over to Ocala (73 miles from Daytona Beach) for the show that would be great. The only problem is, they expect it to sell out early. The last weekend (23rd and 24th of Feb) is not sold to season ticket holders so would probably be the easiest to get tickets for, but I will need to know for sure towards the end of January.
Cookie, hello, and so sorry you have the need to be on these boards. As Terry said, we are all done, we faced all this throughout 07, but would be happy to help you any way we can. You will find breastcancer.org to be a very supportive, loving place with "sisters" more than willing to hold your hand and give you encouragement. You can do this, look at us, we did and are alive and well to tell you about it.
Has anyone heard from Karen??? I'm getting a little worried about her. Anyone have her addy or phone number?
Talk to you guys soon, it is so nice to be busy and productive again. Twilah and Hillary you two look beautiful, and the hair looks great.
Love to all, Marsha
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Happy New Year to everyone! We in IT land actually finshed 12 hours EARLY... so I am home packing to go to Ohio tomorrow morning. Snowed every day of the past 5, pretty sick of driving in it. We complain when we get it, we complain when we don't...
I am counting the days till Florida. Please let us know who will be there and when. I assume Mel is handling the rental. And we can go see Marsha!
Marsha,
We will be there on the 24th. Just need to figure out how many tix. That will be FABULOUS to be there when you resume your life. I can't think of anything more appropriate! I know you will just knock them dead!
Love to you all. May 2008 bring us peace, awareness and what we want most in the world.
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OMG, there is nothing I would love better than you guys coming to the show!!! The theatre seats 400, so I can get the tickets as long as I know how many by the time they go on sale Jan. 21st!! Here's the link: www.ocalacivictheatre.com
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Hi everyone!
I'm just popping in quickly to let you know that we made it home safe and sound from the mountains. A good time was had by all, but I'm SO glad to be home.
Going to od on Bowl games and go back and read all your posts.
Happy New Year to you all!
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Well, I finally booked my flight to FL. I will be in Orlando on Sat.Feb. 23. I believe that is the date Leah gave me. I think I will arrive about 11:30 on Continental Airlines. I will stay the full week. I didn't want to be gone from home that long, but all the flights during the week were not nonstop on the way back to TX. I didn't want to fly to SC and have a 3 hour layover. Besides I am sure I will enjoy every minute with my fellow cruisers.
Love the picture of Twink and Hillary. Very nice.
Sounds like everyone is having a good New Year.
Alyson, good luck with your wedding plans. I have 3 daughters and have done that 3 times. It is a job, but extremely rewarding. To see your daughter come down the aisle is amazing.
Leah and Melanie, can you give me details about my part on the cost of the house,etc? Just so I can be looking at my budget. Didn't know how food etc was being handled. I figured we would mostly eat out, but if we are buying groceries and cooking that is something I would have a part in. Just let me know what your best guess is. It isn't crucial for me to have an exact amount.
Real excited about being able to see Marcia in the play. Definely count me in.
Cookie, my heart goes out to you. Bless your heart, we have all been where you are and know the pain and fear. We also have come a long way. For me, bilateral mastectomies with expanders, chemo and now recovering from my second surgery for reconstruction of my breasts. I have my nice new breasts, haven't seen the nipples yet, as the dressings have to remain on them for another week. Hard to believe what has happened in the past year. But I can still remember Nov. and Dec. 2006 and all the crying and anxiety. That does get better as one gets into the treatment process. Just rememer, you are not alone. We are glad to have you here. If you want to find others who are going through this as you do, you can look at the list of different months for chemo. But definetly come here and read back in the posts to when we were all going through surgery and chemo. Good luck and God bless you on your journey.
Forgot to report to all on my surgery. I continue to heal and am doing really well. I have an incision on each hip that is from my pubic area around my body to about 5 inches on my back side. That is on both sides. But it took away some ugly fat bulges that required me to wear an undergarment to smooth things out. I am very pleased with the outcome. It is just that those incisions have given me more pain and discomfort that the breasts. But this is day 5 postop and not needing pain meds.
Everyone have a wonderful New Year. Hugs from Sammie Kay.
P.S. Marcia, let me know how much the ticket is for the show and your mailing address and I will send you a check for mine.
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Cookie,
I just reread your post and realized that I am the one who goes to MD Anderson for my oncologist. My doctor is Dr.Booser. He prescribed my chemo and then I came home to Victoria,Texas and had my chemo here with a local oncologist. I still return to MD Anderson for followup visits with Dr. Booser. There are many oncologists there and I am sure they are all very good. The chemo depends on many facets of your case. Also, things change as new research is done. There is a good amount of information on the Breast Cancer . Org website. You can find about any thing you want here. Some people are better at reading all of the information and gleaning from it. I wasn't one of them. I got good information from those women here that did that. We did not all have the same chemo "recipe", but I figure that is just because some oncologists like some drugs more than others. I received 5Fu and few if any others on here received that drug. He just said he liked it and didn't know why oncologists don't use it. So, who knows. I have lobular breast cancer and there is even some difference of opinion on whether chemo works well on it. But I took it as I didn't want to pass on anything that would help me survive. Because like you, I don't want to die either. I am 68 and my tumor was 4.5cm. This put me borderline for needing chemo and radiation. I did pass on the radiation. My oncologist was comfortable with that. I am rambling and don't know if anything I have said helps or not. You take care and don't give up. This will all get better as you progress throught the process. Hugs, Sammie Kay
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Marsha; I am so excited that we will get to see you perform! I saw on the website that you will have 2 performances on the 23rd and an evening performance on the 24th. Which should we plan on attending? We now have 4 confirmeds (Twink, Leah, Sammie and myself) for tickets and waiting on Catherine to confirm her dates. Which day will you be joining us at the beach house?
Sammie; I just took the final bandages off the new nips 2 days ago. It makes the recon finally start looking like real breasts. I also just made my plane ressies. I managed to get direct flights also...such a rarity these days.
I am happy that our Florida plans are finally taking shape. I just wish everyone could be there!
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Is it okay for me to invite my SIL? She's lovely and unobtrusive.
I am very excited about this trip. Even more now that we'll be seeing Marsha perform.
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Hi Ladies,
A Very HAPPY NEW YEAR:) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's to a great, healthy and Happy New Year.
I am glad to hear that your surgery went smoothly SammieKay.
Marsha, Best of luck with your new role. I know you will be a hit!
Twink, I do hope your BIL is doing well?
Nice to hear about everyone's travels these days.
Cheers for now.....
Jel
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Happy New Year everyone! Y'all have to take lots of pics of the meet!
Nice pic Twink and Hillary! TWINK>have you had your hair styled/cut? Its so cute the way you have it.
Gentle ((((SammieKay and MelanieW)))))
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Hi all,
Quick update.. my BIL has his first onc appt this coming Monday. Until then, as you know, it's all speculation and worry.
Jan, my hair has just grown in like this. I had one trim (hated to pay for it) and another scheduled for later this week. Thankfully Redken keeps everything under control
.Boost #1 today - 4 to go. My boob is rare. I can't wait for this to end.
Hugs everybody.
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One of the most beautiful places on earth, my home state.
These are pictures of the Salt River Canyon - one of the scenic roads one can take from Globe, AZ to Northern Arizona. I've always joked that if this was the only way in/out of AZ a lot less people would move here! (While beautiful, the road can be intimating to anyone not used to mountain driving.)
The last picture is Sunrise, AZ, one of our ski resorts. Sunrise was about 30-40 minutes from where we were staying. Enjoy.
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Truly beautiful Carynn, thanks for sharing.
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Carynn...really beautiful pics. Not sure I would enjoy the heat in summer, but it would beat the snow in winter, for sure!
Still waiting on Herceptin news from my onc....will keep you posted.
Wish I could be in Fla with you all....but I speculate I will be having my reduction and port removal around that time....dd#2 also has a dance performance on the 29th.
Twink & Hillary...you both look great. I envy you the lunches together.
My hair is a frizz ball....I HAVE to gel it to keep it under control. Who would have ever thought the girl with stick straight, no body hair would have a frizzy natural do?? Wonder if it will stay or is it a temporary thing??
Have a great evening all!!
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Twink; I am wishing the best for your bil. Your hair does look great. I use blue glue on my to try to control it. It is just crazy.
Terry; I am wondering also if this hair is permanent.
Carynn; The pics are really beautiful...
OH...I forgot that Phyl is supposed to join us in FL. Maybe we will hear from her soon. I think she said 4 nights, so we better make sure of her dates before Marsha gets the tiks.
You know something....I complain about Dr bills and then I go to the dentist today. OMG...over 1k for one little back crown. Everyone send your kids to dental school. I think it is more lucrative than md's.
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Just a quick post here . . .
Melanie - I was told a couple weeks ago that I need to attend a professional class Feb 25th thru the 28th. My department has $$$$$ of education credits which expire March 1st and that's the only class of any value for me. I've been looking for alternatives without any luck. Like a dumb-ass, I hadn't officially requested the time off earlier as it's never been an issue. The sad thing is I was the one who suggested these dates - please don't stone or tar-and-feather me. There's also a conference in Orlando that week - I tried to bargain for that so I could at least make the drive to spend the evenings with you all but that didn't work out either. So, it looks like I'm out. DH and I will be heading down Saturday morning but his intent is to stay at a friend's house in Charlotte Saturday night and continue to Daytona Sunday morning. Hopefully this reunion will be an annual event and I'll be able to make the next one.
Hugs to all till I can get caught up and post again. Hope everyone is well.
Phyl
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CARYNN>beautiful pics!
TERRY>my hair is still curly after two haircuts! I too had straight hair that wouldn't even hold a curl no matter what I did. I had the haircut when my hair was getting to look like Richard Simmons. I just shampoo and rub my hair hard with a towel and scrunch it with my hand to get an even look to the curls. The rest of the time I use a pick (afro pick?) to make the curls look even after sleeping. It will look frizzy instead of curly if I brush it. Feburary will be one year out from the chemo I had.
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