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Comments
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Hi Cindie,
I've had 2 tx so far, and I've gotten sick about 3-4 hours afterward, but right after the tx I feel okay. I seem to be the only one though, and thankfully that is the only day that it happens. Hope that helps and best of luck to you. Nancy0 -
Good Tuesday morning FCCers. Hillary, Catherine, Jen, Tropicmom and Ronnee - enjoys your cocktails today. It was so simple to look at the list and figure out who was getting tx #1 but with the different schedules, it sure is getting difficult to keep up with the followup tx's. Thanks for figuring that out Hillary.
I also would like to welcome Wendy, Belinda and Sybil. You'll probably learn everything you need to know from this group - they're absolutely great and we're all willing to share our experiences. If you have questions, post here and you'll likely get a response.
Marsha - I love your sleep-over chronicles - especially s**ting in the bed. Did you really shed on Tina's pillow? Did you have a drink for me? How's your hair doing?
I haven't seen any recent posts from Kim (Leah and Kim were the first). Has anyone heard from her?
I had my cherry martini (#2) yesterday (I really feel a need to use my imagination). Again it was uneventful. DD and I went for lunch afterwards. I was given 5 decadron, 3 Zofran and 1 Ativan plus my Emend. Did some shopping afterwards (after lunch) and by the time I got home, I was really, really sleepy. Slept like a baby - getting up every hour to pee - then the last br call at 2:30 was wide awake. Per Marsha's recommendation, I got a script for Restirol yesterday - didn't take it last night cuz I thought the drugs would keep me sleeping, but not! On another note, I have become follically-challenged from the waist down and also this morning, running my fingers thru my hair leaves 8-10 very limp strands in my hands. This is day 16 for me, so I'm suspecting I'll pull a Catherine and take the dive tomorrow or Thursday. Got 3 beautiful fabrics from Joanns yesterday - gonna cut them 36" square and use my rolled hem foot to finish them off.
Heading to Daytona early Saturday morning - hoping it's warmer (much warmer) down there. Had another 5" of snow Sunday/Monday morning.
Since we're all at some stage in the hair loss process, does anyone think it would be fun to include a post-hair-loss photo in a post? It could be with a chosen wig, hat or scarf or a buck-naked head. I was gonna have DH take a pic of me on my bike with my 'skull cap' when we're in Florida and use that for my avatar.
Back to work. Have a great day ladies.
Phyl0 -
Good morning fellow FCCer's! What fun to get up this morning and read your posts. WELCOME to Wendy, Belinda, Sybil and Cindie. Sorry you need to be on this particular cruise but happy to sail with all you.
Phyl,Glad you cherry martini went down smooth. Yes, I had a drink in your honor, well probably had enough for everyone (don't tell my docs). I live 70 miles from Daytona, but we avoid it like the plague during bike week. Have fun this weekend sweetie.
Hillary, Catherine, Jen, Tropicmom and Ronnee, thinking of you all today and holding your hands.
Hillary, I am not doing dose dense (dang it), can't afford the $3600 Neulesta shot. I know DD has a slight better survival rate but oh well. Glad you the birthday party was a success!
Angel, so sorry for all the extra burdens you are dealing with. You are welcome to stay with us just for support of all you are going thru.
Karen, I bet you were so proud of that kid of yours and I am so glad you decided to go. Our lives are turned upside down as it is. ARe ;you feeling better? hope so.
Paywriter, what does F/U stand for besides the obvious "f" you? HAHA I have had similar experiences at docs office. I fired my first Oncs. butt and got me a new one. MD Anderson is the way to go!
Cindie, I still think someone is gonna say to me "Oops, sorry, we made a mistake, you didn't have cancer, here let us pay for a new boobie since we made a mistake". I don't think you will be sick the first day, none of us were.
Sybil, honey I am the most independent, strong person you would ever meet, but no way I could do this without the fellow chemo cruisers. This is a life raft, grab on to it. I too had long hair, actually my whole life. After I got it cut in a short shag, realized I should have done it years ago. You are 1/4 of the way done!!!
Sammie Kay, what a beautiful post. I love the hold the head (bald) high idea. I really would like to go through this with no wig, scarves or hats but.......we will see. What a great weekend you had sailing the seas with DH looking out for you. Been about 75 degrees here in Florida also.
Jen, You must have been on cloud 9 with the "love your new haircut"! Don't you just love good days?
Catherine, hold your nose and take the plunge HAHAHAHA Good luck today girlfriend you are women hear you roar!
Carynn, My friend gave me a Raquel Welch wig wtih the tags still on, so cute, looks just like my hair. I plan to take the ACS wig and cut off the bangs and back hair, apply velcro so I can attach them to hats. They did say I could cut it or color it. teehee
Tropicmom, is this your first cocktail? ARe you having the cherry martini or are you getting to bypass the red liquor?
Linnie, honey that shedding like a golden retriever cracked me up, hope you don't mind if I use that.
I have my first onc visit this morning with my NEW doc and to break him in good, when he asks how I'm doing, I plan to tell him, physically good, but I'm shedding like a golden retriever and "down there" looks like a pussycat with the mange (thanks Leah) LOL If he doesn't laugh at that, he is hopeless.
Have a good day everyone!! Love, Marsha0 -
Name/User Name Loc Chemo Start
1 Karen swimmingmom Ohio 15-Feb
2 Hillary narberthmom Southeastern PA ACX4 (every 2wks), TX4 (every 2wks)
3 Marsha marshakb Florida Chemo 2/7
4 Melody maj01 Texas 2/5 port 2/9 Chemo 4xAC
5 Phyllis erinsgram Central PA 2/12 4xAC (2 weeks) 4 xP 2 Weeks
6 Cynthia cynthis1962 California 2/16 - surgery and port
7 Linnie was Linda #1 linnieva Virginia 2/6 Chemo 4xAC (2 weeks) 4xT
8 Pat wayover20 Texas Chemo 2/8 big birthday on 2/11 and need for hugs!
9 Catherine cahterineh Colorado Chemo 2/13
10 Leah leahrc Massachusetts BX on 1/29 Chemo on 2/1 Our first + thoughts for March Surgery
11 Linda lindasuzy Seattle 1/29 surgery Chemo late Feb
12 Kim nynurse NY Start 2/1 (first of the group)
13 Mary reggio113 South Jersey Port 2/5 Chemo 2/14 Happy Valentines!
14 Jen horsegal Ohio Chemo 2/6 - 4xAC (3 weeks)
15 laronson laronson Surgery the week of Feb 5th
16 LuLu (Linda #3) piper Port 2/12 - Chemo 2/22
17 SammieKay Port 2/5 Chemo 2/13 12 wks taxol - Then FAC
18 Terry talbrig13 Altoona, PA MUGA 2/7 Chemo 2/9
19 Sheryl49 Sheryl49 Chemo 2/7 4xAC (3 weeks)
20 Jan wildabouthorses Claremont, OK 4xAC (3 wks), 4 xT 3 Wks
21 Nancy Nancy053 Chemo 2/8 4xAC (2 wks) 3xT (2 wks)
22 Joey85 Boston, MA Chemo 2/9 4xAC (2 wks) - 12 Wks Taxol 1 Yr Heceptin
23 Sharon Misspell Chemo 2/19 or 2/22
24 KimberlyC KimberlyC Ventura County Chemo 2/20 ACIV dose dense x4 - Taxol x4
25 Julie for Mom (jch) jch Chemo 2/6 AC
26 Tracy madoline Texas Chemo 2/8 ACx4
27 Scott and Theresa lightphoto
28 Carynn comandobarbie Arizona Port 2/19 Chemo 2/22 DD AC + T
29 Jel hockeymomfl FL
30 Lynn maclean
31 Steph TampaChick
32 Angel Angel
33 LindaDK
34 FreeThought 2/13, Chemo 2/14
35 ronnee07 MN Start 2/27
36 Tonimad9
37 Sallyann
38 Tropicmom
39 Lorilat Eastern Ontario Chemo 2/23
40 Taurie
41 Alyson Chemo 2/22
42 Angelflight- CA Chemo 2-28 6x Taxotere,Adriamiacin,Cytoxin
43 Playwriter Texas
44 WendyPetru Champaing IL. Chemo Start 2/28
45 Cindie March?
46 Sybil 4Sybil 2/15
47 BelindaL Austraila Chemo Start 2/230 -
Good Morning all! I've updated the list, plz let me know if I've missed anything.
As someone else mentioned, it was nice to see everyones updates today. I'm working from home this morning as I have my followup with the surgeon from the SNB and port today. Work will probably get more time out of me today than yesterday! Thanks fellow IT sisters for not harrassing me over a teeny 7 hour day!
What a difference a day makes! I feel almost normal again. I'm so glad I talked to the Onc yesterday. I had felt like I had sailed right thru, but then the whole 4 day headache thing and no sleep kinda cramped my style. My buddy at work that went thru chemo had the same problem with the same drug. It's doable as long as you know what to expect and take for it. Ahhh...
So, day 6, everything tastes funny and I'm still having head tingles. Does this mean I'm an advanced student?
My lounge reservations are not until next Thursday, but I will be thinking of all of you doing happy hour today.
Marsha, the ladies at ACS made it very clear that I could cut, trim, fold, or mutilate the wigs in any fashion that worked for me. They have been an awesome organization to work with and will be getting lots of future donations from me!
BTW..I dont remember now who said it, but I had the same idea about the new avatars..I say lets do it!
Hugs to all...0 -
I am due for round #2 of A/C tomorrow. Still have the darn cold so I don't know if it will go off as planned or not. I have been kinda mad that the fews days in between that I had to feel normal-ish the nasty cold thing happened and I am back in bed. I actually think I have a sinus infection and they started antibiotics yesterday.
Did anyone read my last post where I said that I hadn't lost any hair yet. Well God heard me and for laughs guess what-yep falling out. Not on my head yet but I am sure in a day or two that will come.
Angelflight-good luck to you and please lt us know how you are doing.
Welcome to our newest members. Carynn you are doing a great job keeping the list up.
Cindie-I seem to to be the queen of nausea in the group and it did not start until two days after chemo. Your drive home should be fine. I think almost everyone here had it under control. I have learned with me they are going to plan on giving me IV fluids two and three days after the cocktail.
Off to find another box of Kleenex-my poor red nose.
Karen0 -
Good Morning Ladies,
Welcome Wendy, Belinda, Sybil and Cindie you will find this group of ladies so supportive, funny, upbeat and friendly. What a caring group.
Marsha what a wonderfull story. I have to admit I shed a tear myself, because I think we can all relate to the situation.
Hillary here is my saga below from yesterday. Thanks for asking.
Well, I am sad, scared, anxious, and happy in some way. I met with the Onc yesterday to further discuss my allergic reaction to the 2nd TC treatment (which is almost unheard of, just to calm anyones concerns about this treatment). She said the nurse told her I couldn't have gotten more than 2cc's of the Taxotere and got a serious reaction. It even burst a blood vessel in my eye.
Well she started the meeting by saying that we had been agressively treating me (Stage 1, grade II, ER/PR+, HER-, clear nodes, Oncotype DX score 19)and that she had been at an onc conference this weekend that revisited how to treat early stage. She said seeing that there is no clear evidence that I will actually get any benefit from Chemo and the fact that I reacted so seriously to the treatment, it may be benefical for me to stop and go on the tamoxifen. We discussed the AC route also and CMF. She said she would'nt put me on CMF for early stage and the AC carries the risk of heart muscle damage. (I have heart issues on both parents sides, so this is an obvious big concern for me).
She suggested that I may want to consider supressing my ovaries, along with the Tamoxifen. Even though she did stress that there are no clear studies indicating the overall benefit to this idea.
She also mentioned that there is no gurantee that I would not react the same to other Chemo treatments.
So, the overall feeling was go with the Tamoxifen option and forego the Chemo. She said the treatments I have taken were not a waste of time and would most likely have some benefit. But as she said before, they are not sure if chemo is actually any benefit to us grey zoners.
So here I am relieved and apprehensive at the same time.
I was sort of concerned that in my case the treatment may have been doing more damage than good, because of the uncertainty. I figure I can take comfort that I got some of the chemo into me and look forward to staving off anything else with the Tamoxifen,
I plan on scheduling a baseline pelvic ultrasound to know where I stand at this point, as I know that the Tamoxifen has it's own issues.
On the hair subject: Day 30 for me and even though I buzzed my head, I probably have lost about 2/3 my hair. Still have hair on the top of my head. Sides and back have thinned.
What a pleasure and comfort it has been to be on this cruise with all of you. I do hope I can still ride it with you ocassionally to stay in touch.
My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you all.
Keep on sailing.......
G.I. Jel0 -
Good Morning Everyone!
Angel; I know this must be so hard for you. Hang in there and please do keep checking in here with us.
I pretty much breezed through tx #2 yesterday, except for IV troubles. They think I may have to have a port...ugh. I saw a missed IV, wrist bandaged patient and thought of Marsha...Suicide Cancer Patient...lol.
For everyone who wanted to know...I asked my onc why I seem to be in the minority of those getting all 3 drugs at once, dd. First off, he said my stats and my age (44) warrants that I get hit hard. He did say that this tx was very hard on your body and most of his patients could not tolerate it, but since I was overall healthy other than this nasty thing that he was going for it. He also bumped me from stage 2 to stage 3. Thanks Doc.
For all of you about to go through the whole hair ordeal. If you have long hair like mine was, please please take the advice here and get it cut short at least at about 10 days after your first tx. Mine started falling out about day 15. Not too bad. I washed it Friday and it clumped up in the back like you would not believe! It reminded me of washing a long haired Barbie doll. It just wadded up. It was about a 6" long, 3" around matted up mess. I reminded me of big 'ol wet rat...lol. We put the rest in 2 ponytails (not including the pile on the floor) and buzzed. My friend and I had a good laugh about the whole thing, but that night in the hotel when I removed my wig, my DH held me and I cried...but just a little.
Good luck to everyone at the "bar" this week!0 -
Hi I'm Patti. I would like to join your group. I start my Chemo Mar 2
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BIG NEWS:
(1) My chemo went well, so well in fact that I made my dh take me out for lunch. What a change from the first one. I loaded up on more ativan, which may have helped and also switched from compazine to zofran.
(2) After lunch, I went to my hairdressers to shave my head and have my wig trimmed. He'll keep shaving it as it grows. It turns out that one of the hairwashers will be starting chemo next month with similar pathologies to mine. We're exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch. I live a five minute walk from the salon, so I can come down on her breat to have lunch or chat!
On the way home, I walked by one neighbor who commented on my glasses (I have very funky glasses) -- she didn't mention the hair at all! My dh promises to take a picture and edit it down to size so that I can finally post my avatar!
Jen, Catherine, Tropicmom, Ronnee -- I hope that yours went as well as mine.
I'm going to try to not overdue it, so I'm hopping into bed. Maybe I'll feel well enough to go out for dinner with dh and ds to celebrate ds real birthday!
Cheers,
Hillary0 -
Hillary, I've got BIG news too! Saw my new onc today and he is switching me to dose dense!!! Yipee. Said he would call one of the drug companies and have the Nuelesta shot donated. 4% higher survival rate amd finish AC quicker. I love my new doc needless to say. Wish he would get some techs who know how to draw blood though. THREE sticks later they still can't do the CBC.
Gonna wait till tommorrow and draw it from port right before the cherry martini. My birthday is Sunday, March 4, don't guess I'm gonna feel up to partying. And I never asked for a bald head for my b-day either. My girlfriend Jackie bought me a $300 prostisis and a bra to put her in for my b-day. Said she gave it to me early cause she is tired of seeing me in baggy shirts. 
Named her The Jack for 2 reasons: 1) It will "jack" me up to even with the other side and 2) in honor of a very very good friend (over 20 year relationship). Hope everyones cocktail went down smooth. Love, Marsha 
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WELCOME to the cruise Patti, ask anything, vent anytime or share a funny moment, we are here for you for all of it!! Tell us a little about yourself. Hugs, Marsha
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Melanie.....big ole wet rat, TOOOOOOOOO FUNNNNNY. Geez...I'm afraid to wash mine!! Marsha
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ok I'm back....I am 59, like to snowmobile....though maybe no more. My Hubby is Joe and we have two dogs. Polo (named after my hub's polaris snowmobile) is a small black lab and Maisy is a labradoodle. We live in Boise Idaho and have a cabin in the mountains about 2 hrs from home.
I have ILC and was diagnosed in Jan. At first they said it was stage II with no nodes involved, now they say stage III I guess because I had micro mastesis in 1 node (had 4 removed. Surgery was quite easy, not pain and great arm movement. BUT....I am terrified of chemo. I get my port tomorrow and have first chemo on Friday.
Sorry I was interupted....hub just returned and brought me a milk shake...seems to be my favorite food lately.
I got my wig this week and it looks better than my own hair. Son-in-law says I look younger. Wow! My Dr. first told me I would either do 4 DD AC then 4 DD T every two weeks or 4 AC then 4 TH every 3 weeks. Today in the mail I get a report and it says I will do TAC every 3 weeks followed by the neulasta shot after the first two. That's as far as my report goes so far. Is anyone else doing this? it seems most of you are on AC. Guess I'll find out more on Friday.
Several of my friends are going on cruises this spring. I have requested they bring me t-shirts from all the locations so I can feel like I'm cruising too.
Thought I'd pass this along on imagery. It seems to help me a lot and I have a wonderful one that I dreamed up. Feel free to join my private world when ever you want...
Here goes.....
I am lying in a beautiful mountain meadow full of colorful wild flowers gently swaying in a warm breeze. There is a babbling brook near by. As I become relaxed my little forest friends join me. First comes the blue bird bringing happiness, then a little deer comes and brings compassion, followed by the floppy earred bunny with love. Soon the little fox comes with curiosity and cockiness. On my other side on my shoulder I find my tubby gray squirrel bringing comfort with his little nudges on my cheek. then two chickidees come with laughter and joy. Still off to the side a see asleak shy little weasel still afraid to join me. I now feel very calm and safe. Above me is blue sky with just a few puffy clouds. Soon I see my friend the eagle bringing bravery and strength. In his talons I see this shining gold ribbon sprkling in the sun. Soon he circles lower and lower. The ribbon begins to wrap around my feet, then my legs and on up my body. The ribbon produces an energy that warms and heals every cell and all my being. As it winds around my head i feel all the energy taking all the bad things and thoughts from me. I feel new and strong. My animals friends slowly turn and walk back into the forest, and the eagle soars higher and higher until I can see him no more. But I know that when I return to the meadow they will come back to be with me.
thanks I'll join you often0 -
Welcome Patti from another snowmobiler.
Melanie - You'd probably really appreciate the port after your IV problems. Good that your imbibing went well tho.
Carynn - I'm gonna tell - you only worked 7 hours. Actually, that 7 hours at home probably works out to 1 hour in the office. I don't get anything done when I'm onsite. Do much better telecommuting.
Marsha - welcome to the DD group - let's 'git er done!'. Does that also leave you with the option of DD Taxol? How's your hair doing?
Wondering about Catherine - hope she's doing well.
Hugs to all.
Phyl0 -
Phyl; Probably right about the port. I just figure with my luck, I would be the one to have complications.
Maisy; Welcome! I am also one of the few doing all 3 drugs at once. I explained in my last post why my doc has me on this tx. But, I am doing Epirubicin instead of Adriamicin. He also bumped me up to 1200 mg's on the Cytox yesterday.
Marsha; I know you wanted to get DD. I am happy for you. I know you can handle it. Great news about the Neulasta shot! I had to sign a waiver today since BCBS would not give prior consent for my shot.
Smiles...0 -
Marsha -- Great news about DD -- it will put you on my schedule. A word on warning about the neulasta shot -- it does sting. The nurse today suggested that I phone before I come to make sure that they get the shot ready. On the way over, numb the area with an ice pack. That should reduce the area. You can get the shot just about anywhere fatty. I chose stomach!
On other news, my dh is thrilled with the wig and my son hasn't realized I have a wig -- he just thinks it's a new haircut!
Oh, I and think that I over did it on the ativan and took a nice nap this afteroon. Still no symptoms other than a very mild headache.
Still waiting to hear from my fellow imbibers
-- Hillary0 -
good test for the onc... let me know if he "passes"
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Jel -- Another one abandoning the cruise -- do we need to send out life rafts?
I'm glad that you're comfortable with the oncologists decisions. Please come and visit to check in and cheer us on ...
-- Hillary0 -
Maisy -- Welcome to the cruise ... I love your imagery. If you've been reading the posts, you can see that we are a diverse but passionate group of self-supporters! This is where I go to get my dose of reality.
-- Hillary0 -
Hey, SLOW THIS SHIP DOWN. The ocean breeze is blowing all my hair away.
It is finally happening. Shedding hair like crazy. We are going to the hairdresser this evening to get it cleaned up and ready for the hats.
Best wishes to all that have tea parties Wednesday. Mine is scheduled for about noon.
Theresa0 -
Patti - welcome to our group! I'm not sure about that whole staging process. I had micromets in 2 nodes and they consider it 0 node involvement with an * because they were micromets (this is according to my onc). Sometimes I think it does us more harm than good!
Marsha - I had not heard the 4% info before. Any favorable % is fine by me. I'm so happy you were able to get it changed to DD. If we're tolerating it well, why wait, right? Let's get this over with!!!!! Sounds like you are surrounded by such good friends. What a blessing...
Hillary - glad your cruise went well today and that your DH loves your wig. Hope the rest of the crew did well also.
I went for my bloodwork today and everything checked out well. Still can't sleep so they told me to start taking 2 ambiens to see if that helps. They say it is absolutely the decadron doing it. Is anyone else having trouble sleeping? It seems to start about 5 days after treatment and lasts abt a week.
Another interesting thing. I was discussing diet with the PA and she said absolutely NO soy products if you hare hormone receptive because of the vege hormones in soy. Has anyone else been told that? And she said not to worry about the antibiotics in meat. It's so confusing.....
love to you all,
Linnie0 -
Marsha -- I printed some phlebotomy tips on an ealier post (I think that you were having your slumber party). Try to find out, print it out, and give it to your phlebotomists. There is no way that you should be having any problems.
-- Hillary0 -
Hello All,
I know it has been awile since I have posted. Well as the "first" of the Feb cruisers to start, here is an update. I am feeling alot better since taking the Emend for the nausea. I just fell tired all the time. TO be expected. My poor body has to fight with this chemo. Everyone here does. I lost my hair right after the second AC cocktial. Pretty upset. I have a few wigs but I am constanly hot so I only wear it when necessary. Most of the time I have on a scarf. I guess this is the chemo menopause because I am only 30. Lost hair in "other" places as well. Glad that I lost my underarm hair elimates the need for shaving. Thursday I go for my 3rd AC treatment. I have estmated if all goes well by the mid of May I should be done. I have cabin fever from being home from work. But all in all I am doing well. Oh yeah I got mouth sores and tongue sores but I got the biotene and it helped alot. I'll talk to you all after the next treatment.
Kim0 -
Hi Hillary,
Would'nt like to miss out on your adventure. Will keep reading intermittently. Best wishes to you and all the ladies. you are all plowing through this in great style:)
Marsha, You'll need to get a new security officer
G.I. Jel over and out for now....
Keep on sailing.0 -
Hello all my fellow cruisers...
I have been feeling really good. Am really surprised, since I was sooo queasy last round. Now I wonder if it wasn't because I had that awful stomach bug for the 3 days before my 1st treatment....anyway...my DH talked to another hubby in the waiting room last tx who told him about those motion sickness bracelets. So I picked some up at the drugstore and BY GOLLY, THEY SEEM TO WORK!!! They work on the theory of accupunture/accupressure. You wear one on each wrist with the little plastic button lined up on the accupressure point. I wore them on Sat and Sun after my Thursday treatment and I have not really been queasy at all, let alone have nausea. It is probably in my head...but who cares, if it works.
My only complaint is they made my fingers swell, but that went away as soon as I took them off.
And now I have a gross question....how can that Zofran make you constipated, if you eat...oat bran, nuts, 2 salads a day, apples, drink citrucel...I cannot believe how that Zofran does a number on me....I guess once I get going, I will be the energizer bunny...going and going and going.
But enough.....I still have my hair on day 20...but still have no clue if my regimen will take longer....anyone know anything about hairloss timing with carboplatin, taxotere and herceptin?? I will be really upset if I spent $300 on a wig etc and don't need it.
Caryann....hope your headache is gone by now and you are back to yourself since Thursday.
Get my port stitches out tomorrow morning..can't wait, they are itchy and red.
Well....have a wonderful sleep....love and prayers for all of us.0 -
OK -- Here's the update for this week, along with a note as to whether folks have checked in after their cocktails. Let me know if I'm missing anyone. Phyllis -- you posted with no mention of your treatment ... did I have you down wrong or was it so uneventful- LOL?
Monday: Phyllis, Dawn and Melanie (OK)
Tuesday: Jen, Catherine, Tropicmom, Ronnee07, Hillary (OK)
Wednesday: Theresa, Marsha, Karen, and Wendy
Thursday: Tracy, Melody, Pat, Leah, and Kim
Friday: Maisy0 -
Well, I have been hanging around at the bar from 10 through 4:30... a little bit "spaced out", but not too bad. I felt more puffy this time, but it seems to have improved already. My blood count was amazingly good, wbc even higher (Neulasta at 6900$ seems to do the job... turns out Amgen is denver based and the center where I am treated worked hard to have this approved through many studies in the last ten years. Nurses love it because patients are not fighting infections on and off anymore, so in the end it is cheaper than the ER).
Never had better hemoglobin and hematocrit... I sure hope it is going to stay that way a bit longer... The runny nose seems to be part of the chemo SE.
I feel like I am having hot flashes again (did not happen in months) unless it is the avastin... they infused it in 1 hour this time (was 1h30 the first time, and it is supposed to go 30 minutes, later on... until December, every 3 weeks after end of the 8 first).
I stayed pretty busy since I got home, will do some translation work tomorrow (software for brachytherapy), but will take my Ativan religiously to sleep well. I got a new podometer and logged way above 10000 steps yesterday. I believe walking is what keeps me going (I am not pushing myself hard, I just do good breathing and I am just happy to be out there in fresh air). Expecting more snow tonight, as if we needed it (but this is the water reserve for the summer so we can water our flower gardens...). The only thing I find difficult is to understand how much proteins we need. They told me 30% of the daily food intake (30% of what... grams/day/body weight would have been more useful...) I have to research... if you have the answer, please let me know.
Well, the best to all of you whose turn is tomorrow.
Big hugs
CatherineH0 -
Catherine -
I think they mean 30% of what you eat, should be a protein of some kind. My DH is a big protein fan, as he works out 6 days a week.
Fellow Cruisers -
My #2 went very well today! Had to be stuck twice, as the nurse blew the first vein, but second went in fine. (no port here) Had them slow down the cytoxin drip, give me all of the saline solution (I pay for the whole bad anyway!) and low and behold, NO HEADACHE today at all! Schbanggg!!
Absolutely NO nausea or even a hint of the queaziness, either all day! Took 2 15 min naps today, and felt normal all day/evening! Went to lunch after tx today at Joe's Crab Shack with DH and my Mom - had crab legs!
Well, the dexamehasone definitely keeping me "up" - but took an antivan and will soon be feeling like going to bed.
Hopefully tomorrow will be just as good! I have my farrier coming out to reset the shoes on my horse later in the day!
Oh - I got a new long hair wig to wear under ball caps (no hair on crown, but hair in the "hole" in back of hat) and my DH loves it! Says I look 10 yrs younger! Yippee!
NOW, he wants me to wear the hat, the wig and some boots - yahoo! wonder what he's thinking?!?!?
Good luck to all the Wed cruisers -
Jen0 -
Hi, All, Thanks for the warm welcome. I am not always so whiny. You'll see, sometimes I am so cheerful I even whistle a happy tune.
Linnie, I am ER+, too, and I asked my surgeon whether I could eat soy products 'cause I love tofu, and she said I could eat soy IN MODERATION amd said she loves tofu, too.
Melanie W, Thanks for the great advice about long hair, your vivid description makes me want to escape the same fate.
GI Jel, I was told the same thing by my first oncologist and confirmed by my second onc: that only a % of those with early stage breast cancer will benefit from chemo and that in my case especially with my high risk for cardiac disease, he recommended the Oncotype DX which came back for me a 35, high risk, which indicated I would benefit. But they would not give me Adriamycin because of my heart.
Marsha, I was warned that my first Neulasta injection would sting as well. But it didn't. The nurse said that she always brings it to room temperature and that she injects it really slow which helps but even so it doesn't always prevent the stinging. I was just lucky I guess.
Question to All, I want to bring the Neulasta shot home with me the day of chemo so I can inject it myself into my belly the following day. My onc says okay if my insurance company will authorize it. Anyone else out there who gives themself their own shot? (Note: I have given shots to others, just not to myself.) Best to all, Sybil0
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