Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Hoping a Happy Valentine's Day to all of you, dear sisters... like Carynn's DH, I had my heart checked for the occasion: the results are in: it is still loving...
(((((hugs)))) to all,
Catherine
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Catherine -
That's wonderful news! DH wont hear til next week - I'll keep you posted.
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Happy Valentine's Day Everyone !!!
Catherine; So happy to hear you are doing well. Do you have a gynelogical onc? I have heard that it is wise if there are any issues. LOL on the energy...I think I used the last little bit last night. Both little granddaughters were here and of course I "had" to play chase and read books and give bubble baths.
Carynn; Sjogren's Syndrome...oh my, you have been through so much. You have earned a well deserved rest and you should take it! I hope DH's tests were good. Even if they have to put in a stent (been through that twice with my DH) it can make a world of difference.
Leah; Thinking of you today. You don't have to worry about your tests...we do enough of that for you. I know, I know...it is what it is.
Hillary; I make sure that the Vit D I take is D3. Supposedly that is important.
Twink; Almost time to kick back and forget about it for a week! No work allowed
Had a wonderful dinner with friends this evening. Got beautiful roses from DH. Not the most creative fella, but I certainly do love and appreciate him. Mushy mush.
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Good morning all...
First the good news: no hot spot anymore on lung, no lights anywhere but at the RFA site
Bad news: "new uptake" at the periphery of the RFA site. Could be scar tissue, could be new cancer. Waiting for liver guy to look at the report, calculate uptake values etc. to see what he thinks. Potential MRI next week if they can't decide. Need to get blood markers done Tuesday, as they have been very reliable in my case. So another week of hell. I am trying not to care too much- what is, is.
It is ironic that these always happen on holiday weekends, when the cancer center is closed and I have to wait for say, the blood test. Sheesh.
Where's Twink and Mel? I feel a strong need for retail therapy coming on....
Haircut and color today. She cut it so nicely 5 weeks ago. I love the way it is now. It is getting less curly with each cut- dang! I really liked it that way. Maybe this is it, as it is almost back to the way it was before.
The Florida gang will have a computer with webcam (mine), so if anyone has one, or can invest the small dollars in one (like $39), we can "call" you on a free service called Skype. It is so much fun. I have been seeing my niece and nephews and even my Mom pretty regularly since I bought my brother a webcam for Xmas. Nice for my Mom to see me, as she is in Virginia and I haven't been down there in months. so let us know if you can be "called" while we are in Florida. PM me if you need any help with any of this technology.
I started my new job last Monday... it is great. Very quiet, nopressure. There are two things that I can do: support users realtime when they have problems, or take business processes and design the "system answer" to make the business process work the way they want it to. This job is the latter type of work, which is very self-directed, lots of design and testing, and documenting. Low pressure in the sense that nothing is broken and needs a realtime response. So it feels so nice after the last 6 months. And my first task is actually done, and I learned a whole new piece of functionality in the shipping module- which wasn't my expertise, but turned out very ok. So I am feeling pretty darn good!
Thinking of you all as you go thru your own and your loved one's health journeys... how foreign this all was to me a year ago, and now how omnipresent it is in our lives. I pray that everything is ok, and that you find good, competent, compassionate doctors in your journeys.
Much love.
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Leah --
How wonderful about your new job! I'm in a similar situation with my job ... projects with no pressing deadlines ... and I'm greatly enjoying the decrease in work-related stress!
I've sent you a pm about Skype and my computer.
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Happy belated V day to all too. Mine was spent with work colleagues over yet another group dinner in Dallas. At lease this one was Mexican and I ordered the V Day special. Even splurged on a margarita. Unfortunately, after stepping on the scale this morning, I've fallen into a deeper funk about my weight. I'll never get this ten pounds off in a week...
Retail therapy...yes yes yes Leah. That always helps.Leah -- Congratulations on the lung spot. That's very good news. As for the liver, scarring from the RFA seems a very logical explanation. That's my bet.
I'll have my laptop in FL too as I'll be coming off a week in Dallas. I'll make sure my air card is functioning in case the Internet isn't available at our vacation house.
Hugs girls.
t
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What is it with this site? Accidentally pressing the wrong button should not completely erase a post....arghhhh.
Let's try again....
Leah; I hate playing the waiting game. Scar tissue does sound reasonable to me also. I will be thinking of you. I am so happy to hear how hapy you are with the new job. I strongly believe that our high stress levels and many medical issues go hand in hand. I have been in the position of very little stress and I took so much better care of myself.
Twink; I am leaving my computer home since the house has a computer and internet. But, I am still having second thoughts about that. I keep telling myself that I am not working and I am on nonstop flights so I shouldn't need it. Please tell me that your Mexican meal was at Uncle Julio's. I love the place.
I was hoping to avoid all the flu and crud going around here. Unfortunately, I am sick. I went to the dr. yesterday and she would not give me the "sinus cocktail" shot that always jumpstarts me to getting better since I just had one a month ago. It is basically steroids and antibiotics. It was concocted by a local pharmaceutical compounding company and works great. I did tell her about the scans on Tues and the FL trip. She said if I was not better by Mon she would consent to the shot. I am resting at home this weekend and taking the meds she prescribed.
Marsha; Check in with us! I know you are very busy...just worried that you are not overdoing.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend...
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Ditto on the belated Happy Valentine's Day to all,
Leah, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you wait. That is the hardest part isn't it, waiting. Seems like we have to do a lot of that.
I am so excited for you fantastic 4 in FL. I know you are really getting excited about the trip. I will talk with my techy DH and see about the cam. I think we have one connected to the desktop in his office.
Seems as if many of us have been blessed with a decrease in job-stress. My new job is a joy. It is such a difference talking with "unsedated" people. LOL. As a recovery room nurse you are very "invisible" because your patients are very sedated with anesthetic agents and then the pain meds we give in RR. Now I am ministering to families that are very anxious and stressed as their loved ones are in the operating room. It is very rewarding. I have to laugh sometimes as I go to the cafeteria and get coffee for several people at a time and bring it back to the surgical waiting room(they took the coffeemaker out as it was a mess), I told someone I was a "flight attendant" now. LOL. But seriously, I love what I am doing. Best of all, unlike RR, I know when I am going to work and when I am going home. I used to get stuck at work for 10 or 12 hours at a time.
Now it is 8 to 4. Very nice. And I might add I have the best boss in the world. She is awesome and keeps telling me how lucky they are that I took this job. I don't get that. I feel lucky to have the job.
Hope everyone is doing well. Hugs to everyone. Love you all, Sammie Kay
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I had my mastectomy on Jan 9th and had my port put in last week, I have my nurse visit on teh 20th and my first chemo will be on the 21st. I am er/pr pos and her2 neg. Grade II invasive. i had two areas in my breast no where near each other ::rolls eyes::
I am scared! there is a family history on my mother's side of the family of negative reactions after starting cancer treatments. My oncologist knows about it and is working with me! I am so lucky to have doctors that listen to my fears, and have worked with me.
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Just popping in to say hello and good morning. I should have checked in hours ago when the four legged babies confused Monday with Sunday and INSISTED that I get up at 4:30 to hand out the cookies. Sigh..... but alas, I decided to do a little retail therapy (online) instead.
We have a guy coming over to give us an estimate today on replacing our arcadia doors with French doors that have some new technology to reduce heat (good sales pitch for here in AZ). Anyway, he's been warned that the Daytona 500 comes on at noon and he needs to be done by then.
Oh, Leah - I will look into the Skype software. My Mac has a built in webcam. If it's compatabile with that, I'll download it. I dont know if I'll be around too much this weekend tho. DH and I were comped the weekend at Firebird Raceway for the drags. We'll likely camp out there Friday & Saturday. Neither of us are very big fans of the drags, but a few other racing friends are going and it's shaping up to be an interesting weekend.
Di53 - Youve found a wonderful place for information and support here at BCO. We are the February '07 group, so we're a year ahead of you. There is a recently started '08 group that you should check out too. Please feel free to pop in here and ask us any questions that you might have. One thing to keep in mind is that the chemo meds are constantly changing and have even changed some since we've been thru it. Chemo wasnt fun, but definately do-able. Many of us continued to work thru our treatment. It's good that your Onc is working with you and will keep an eye on your reactions. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to stress too much. The unknown was much worse than the actual tx.
Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I'll peek in during the race.
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Carynn; Watching Raceday right now. I think I like it better than the race....lol. I have a confession...I usually fall asleep during the race. Lousey fan, aren't I? You might have to sneak off to Dallas in April!
Sammie; Wonderful news that you are so happy with your new job! It sure makes going to work easier. But I do hate that you won't be with us in FL. Maybe we can plan a short get together towards the western part of the world for those who couldn't make it east. I'm easy since I am centrally located. It might be that we could make it a long weekend at my place in Dallas. I might could borrow someone elses condo if we needed it. Just a thought....
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Hi. I started chemo on February 7. My next treatment will be Feb 28. The first week was rough after treatment with stomach upset and joint pain, but this week has been better. I took two of my kids to the zoo today.
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Morning, all.
We have danced around this topic... thought you would be interested in this new bill moving thru congress. The Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1078) would reimburse oncologists for writing coordinated follow-up plan to address our unique post-treatment needs and give us guidelines to assist us through the next stage of their lives.
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Leah, thank you for the article... let's hope the "would" become "will"...
So glad you like your new job. Time to think about packing for Florida... I sure would have liked to go... I will try the skype thing, too... that could be fun...
Take care, sweet Leah,
Big hugs to all for a gentle day. Thinking of those who just started their treatment...
Love,
Catherine
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HI all, we had a quick trip to Michigan by car just a few days after DH surgery. He seems to be bouncing back a little quicker from this surgery though! My fav female cousin lost her DH suddenly to a possible blood clot that was in his leg. He was 50.
((((LEAH)))) dang the wait!
Glad to read some of you are getting less stressful jobs.
CATHERINE>my marine son was in Denver changing planes about a week ago to get to Michigan! He is flying back home to San Diego today but I don't know where he changes planes this time.
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hi,
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Re: Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Hi Karen,
know what your going thru. In a 3 week period I had at least 7 mammos,1biospsy, an mri and gamma, a snb and the port added, and chat w/oncologist about chemo. mine will be tac and i'm sched to start on Feb 28. I have to see another onc because I want to do it close to home as opposed to going over a couple of cities.
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Happy day to all. I know I have been a slacker on this site lately. Last week was tough at work. An audit going on. Late every evening, although DH & oldest DD and I went to dinner for V day. DD treated us. Now that was a surprise! Have been struggling with our driveway...hills and snow & ice .25miles long....ugh! Can't wait for spring.
Feeling okay....gallbladder US next week.
Well...on the run again... will post more later.
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Leah and others --
There's a decent website sponsored by Penn called Oncolink. They have a specific survivorship program called OncoLife (http://www.oncolink.com/oncolife/) which discusses a lot of survivorship issues. Right now, it's fairly generic, but my onc NPN is working on improving the site. I'll let you know when the next version is operational, but in the meantime you can check out what they've got.
Terry -- Is gallbladder US next week (as in the week of Feb. 25th) or next week as in this week after the Monday President's Day holiday? And, how nice for DD to take you out for dinner. Love the avatar, too!
Jan -- How nice that your husband has recovered so quickly for his operation. But, how devestating for your cousin.
Catherine -- I hope that you and dh are doing well. Is your dh deep in the throws of the semester? My dh, also an academic, is busy teaching, teaching, teaching.
Carynn -- As you are the IT specialist, I'll let you figure out the Skype thing with a Mac and then education me!!
Twilah -- check in and let us know about your bloodwork.
As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting my US on Wednesday morning. I'll let you all know what they find. Crossing fingers and toes that it is just "fat necrosis" (i.e. radiation damage).
OK, Melanie, Leah, Twilah ... when do you go to visit Marsha?
Hugs to all,
Hillary0 -
Hugs.. this waiting is tough. Hillary, Leah... I know. No word on my front yet. I'm a little ticked about the whole waiting game (two weeks tomorrow since the tests). I left a message the onc's office to that effect... have a heart, don't you realize what kind of stress this creates. A simple call, a simple follow-up, a little empathy... Yet, nothing Friday, nothing today... my luck, they've lost the test results and I have to go again when I return from FL. Speaking of which, I think we're scheduled to see Marsha at the Sunday Matinee. Eeeeek... I can hardly wait.
Nice to see you again Terry. Hang in there, winter's almost over.
Carynn, Catherine, Sammie Kay, Jan... Wish you could all be there with us.
Love
t
Hi onesweetwoman... we're the Feb 2007 group. There's a 2008 group going too and you may want to check in there for some company as you go through this. We're more than willing to chime in with our experiences of course, but we're one year ahead of you. Keep your spirits up, soon you'll be where we are.
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Hi all!
Melanie - Don't feel bad, DH and I also usually get a good nap during the race. I figure that's why they are 500 miles!
I would love to sneak off to Dallas sometime; what fun that would be!Leah - I downloaded Skype. It is indeed compatible with Mac and uses the built in web cam.
Catherine - How nice to hear from you! Hope all is well.
Hi Jan!
Terry - Is the ice and snow letting up at all? Yikes! It was 71 here today! Please keep us posted on your upcoming US.
Hillary - Skype seems to play very nice with the Mac. Do you have a Mac or a PC? I'm fluent in both "flavors", don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Twink - Any news yet? I don't think I'd be so nice if I had to call again!I saw my Onc today. Nothing to report, which I suppose is actually great news! DH gets his test results tomorrow.
Thinking of you all. Cant wait to see the pix from the get together!
Talk to you soon!
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Got the news. It's nothing to be worried about apparently. Likely the result of my year-long chemo diet. The two measures of concern (MCV and MCH) were both improved in the second test. (big sigh of relief)
MCV is the Mean Corpuscular Volume, or the average size of the red blood cells. Mine was elevated meaning the cells are larger than normal, which could have meant anemia caused by a B12 deficiency. MCH is Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, or the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin inside the RBCs. Larger RBCs (higher MCV) tend to have higher MCH values.
I asked her if this could be a sign of BC recurrence. Absolutely not. I believed her (don't know why I didn't believe the rads onc). I suggested that she might want to clarify that at the outset of the conversation, like when she called me 3.5 weeks ago and asked for more bloodwork. Some of us worry alot about what these test results really mean.
Enough of that. I'm heading upstairs to pack for the next ten days. Trying not to forget important things like the camera and underwear.
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Great news Twink, I am so happy, dancing for you. My Mom always said, "worry is the interest we pay on the trouble we borrow". That is a mouthful. Just a little Juanita'ism(mom's name Juanita). Of course she was the biggest worrier on earth. LOL.
Melanie, I would love to get together in Dallas. That would be awesome. I am so thrilled for all of you that are headed for FL. I know you will have a great time. Will be thinking of all of you as you gather.
Terry, be sure and let us know about the GB US. I hope you don't have to have surgery, but if you are suffering with GB attacks it would help to get that thing out. It is so much easier with the Laproscopic Chole. We send people home the same day. I can imagine how tired of winter you are. Spring is in the air. My sister in GA says her daffodils are up.
Leah, thanks for the link to the website. Very interesting. Enjoy your trip to FL. Just a thought...my onc at MD Anderson told me no follow-up testing because it would just drive me crazy with worry about things that turned out to be nothing. Now do you think that attitude has something to do with reimbursement? How would you have known about the liver lesion if you hadn't had a scan? How do I know I don't have something like that? I have had no scans and just a CBC for blood work.
I read on another thread about a glucosomine called DONA brand. Supposed to be a superior type of granulated glucosomine. They say it really helps with flexibility and joint pain. I realize it isn't FDA approved and hasn't been proved to work. This box says they have done 2 years worth of testing and studies. It is pricey. $40.00/mo. But I bought a box. I found it at Walgreen. I have such back pain and degenerative changes in my spine. They also said if one would use this brand for 3 months, then one could change over to the cheaper brands.
Rachelgators, Di53 and onesweetwoman, you are in my thoughts and prayers. What memories it brings back to think of chemo last year. We are here for you and as others have said, there is a Feb.2008 group as well. I read their thread and post there if I have anything to contribute.
Jan, good to hear from you. I was hearing a doctor tell a patient's family about how a person heals faster from second surgeries. Of course this woman had surgery very recently, then again today. He said because the body was in a healing mode, the rebuilding cells were already in the "neighborhood". Hope your DH continues to do so well.
Carynn, refresh my memory, what test result is your DH waiting for?
Glad all your tests have been normal. How is the RA?
Hillary, are you ready for your DS birthday? Is this 7? What a cute age. They are so adorable at that age. Thanks for the link.
Hi Catherine, Pat, Phyl, Marsha and anyone I have forgotten, Hugs to all.
I awoke at 4:30 a.m. today, so it is past my bedtime. Be happy all.
Love, Sammie Kay
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Hello all,
Just got from the ultrasound. They could definitely see the "mass" that was found by MRI. It looks *likely* to be fat necrosis, but they want to biopsy it to be sure. I'll be scheduling that in the next couple of days.
Fingers crossed for me girls ...
Hugs,
HillaryEdited to add that I just got off the phone with my wonderful onc. He read the US report and is pretty sure that it is fat necrosis but agrees that we should biopsy it. Biopsy is scheduled for Monday. Oddly, I'm very calm about this, not like I was the first time around when I was fairly certain that my lump was something bad. This really does feel like it will be nothing.
Well, OK ... not totally calm, but still pretty calm!
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Good, Hillary, it does sound not worrisome... I have the same feeling: nothing scares me anymore... did not go through the D&C yet, will see another GYN recommended by the cancer center where I go (was going??), just in case of bad news... but not that worried...
Relax, sweet Hillary. Hope your lovely little boy is doing well.
Twink, so happy for you, too... good packing (don't forget your swimsuit and sun screen...
)Hi Sammie Kay, Leah, Carynn, Jan, Marsha, Pat, Phyl, Vegas (??).
How is our young mom doing, who had a little girl in August? Please drop us a note, OK?
Hugs to all,
Catherine (hurrying back to work...)
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Hillary, fingers and toes crossed. Sounds like nothing to worry about, however I know you will be glad to have that biopsy report in your hand. Take care and remember we are all sending positive vibrations your way.
Hi Catherine, you sound very calm about things. I think what we have been through, gives us strength to face anything. You are working a lot aren't you? I am too. The money is nice, but I enjoy a little more control over my time. My work eats up much of my free time and then when I get home I am very tired.
Hugs to all, Sammie Kay
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Hillary,
Hope everything is ok with the biopsy. Post as soon as you know. I am still waiting for the liver guy to decide what to do about the "new uptake" on the edge of the liver on the Pet scan, though there was nothing on the CT scan. So they are confused. And I am tired. I should get the results of the blood marker today, which will tell us something.
SammieKay, Did you get scanned when you were diagnosed? I can't believe that they didn't check for any further cancer anywhere else?But as for followup, I think I will get a lot more than anyone else because I am already Stage IV.
Well, I have been eying a stack of summer clothes, waiting for the final weather reports for Florida. They are predicting, at this point, 78-80 and sunny all week. If that happens, you will be looking at one happy woman. The weather in New England has been awful. low 20's today, and heavy snow AGAIN tomorrow afternoon. I am sick of all this. And we have so much snow on the ground, I am sure we won't see daffodils until May! I need a pedicure, but who cares when you wear socks and boots every day? Maybe in Florida!
We see Marsha in her play on Sunday. That will be exciting, I am sure.
As to the Skype/Webcam, we should set a time or two now so that we can catch a bunch of people. Or send a PM so that we will sure to be on. If anyone wants to practice quickly, I am usually on like 5-7 p.m. EST. I just leave it open in my tray. skype name leahrc1.
Twink- whatever you forget, we will acquire. Don't worry about anything!
Love you all. Waiting like the rest... for a raft of things. Catherine, send me a dose of patience, please!!!!!!
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Just wanted to pop in quickly and wish everyone heading to FL a safe trip. I'm there with you all in spirit. Someone have an adult beverage for me please.
DH and I are off to the race track for the weekend. We've decided not to stay for the Sunday race, so Leah, I will look to see if you all are around on Sykpe Sunday afternoon.
(((Hugs)))
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Carynn,
We will be in Ocala seeing our star in her play on Sunday afternoon. Probably won't be home till after 7.
We will catch up with you!
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Good Friday morning....
Hillary and Leah...sending you big hugs as wait for answers. Catherine, you are such a calm and healing voice to all of us. I will have gallbladder us on the 27th and then the genetic counceling BRCA testing done Mar 4th. Then wait for those test results before scheduling my reduction. Oh well.
So excited for you Fla girls. Give Marsha a big hug from me too! Leah I can sympathize with you about the socks and boots and snow. I feel like I live on a glacier. It is snowing now and the kids are on a 2 hour delay...sleet and freezing rain later today. Since I live in a more rural area there is more snow here at our house than in town.
Well...off to work....have wonderful trips all of you! I don't have webcam, but will be thinking of all of you!
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Wow Leah and Terry,
I just watched the national news and they were showing the snow and ice storm up your way and more importantly for Leah, the airport delays. Hope you and Twink make it out of the frozen tundra to the lovely warm shores of FL.
Terry, sorry you are having such a long wait. Next Wed. will be here fast. Hope all goes well.
Safe and happy travels to Leah, Twink and Melanie. Give Marsha a big hug for me too.
I am still trying to get my DH to download Skype. I will PM you, Leah, if I get set up.
Love to all, Sammie Kay
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