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Good morning from Downunder
Have just lost what I had written. I am writng under some difficulty. Small cat is lying on me, you could see the look of delight on his face when he discovered I was still in bed.
Nearly refused my cocktails. Got to the bar and told the nurse needed to see me as I needed further bloods done. That was an adventure in itself-nurse 1 couldn't access my port so got larger needle. Nurse 2 couldn't believe the carry on and got things going quickly. Bloods arrived back quickly and it was all go.
#2 has wiped me out completely, have really bad headache and absolutely no energy. Have not vomited but the nausea terrible. Did manage some soup last night but can't face anything this morning.
Need to have a snooze now. Will check in later
Hope tx goes well for those at the bar today.
Alyson0 -
I want to thank everyone for the encouragement to continue my treatment. I will see the oncologist on 22nd and see if my wbc is up enough to have number 3. I had also gotten a long distance phone call from my best friends mother. Asking me please to continue the treatment for her and all of my loved ones. That she loves me and wants me to be around for a long time. Hopefully tx#3 will be easier.
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May be 3rd time lucky
I keep losing posting - pushed the wrong key before and lost evrything.
i am writing under some difficulty. Small cat is delighted that I and at home and in bed.
#2 has lefy me totally wiped out. Have a terrible headache and the nausea is dreadful. Managed some soup last night but can't face anything this morning.
Nearly didn't get to the bar as my bloods were low on Wednesday but luckily when they did them again yesterday they had come up. That was almost a comedy of error as the nurse had difficulty accessing my port. Next nurse had no problems at all.
They had to slow one of my cocktail down becaue of the headache so it was a long day.
Small cat names Gus has decided he needs more attention and I have just realised that I haven't taken my dexamethasone, so had better sort that out.
I also meet two lovely young women in their early thirties, one going through chemo for a second time as it had spread to the other breast. Far too young too be on this cruise like many of those who are posting on this list.
Blessing and thoughts for all those at the bar today.
Alyson0 -
Karen - whoo hoo! Cheers to no nausea! I've been sooo lucky, so far (knock wood) the meds they give me kick queasiness fast.
Alyson - please call your Onc and tell them about the headache (remember my 4 day migraine?) They can give you something to kick it. With me, they changed the way the administered the culprit, and (knocking wood again) it hasnt happened again.
Piper - we're not letting you off the ship! You're just gonna have to continue the voyage. We all want you around for a long, long time.
Catherine - thanks so much for the suggestions yesterday. I pretty much do just about everything you've mentioned. What happens with me on occaision is that something will sound good, I'll try it and it doesnt sit well. I can kick the queasiness with the compazine, but then face a quandry of ok, now what do I want?! Of all things yesterday I ended up with Taco Bell! And it was great! This morning, tea and toast. Go figure.
Hope all are doing well. Cant believe its the end of the week already, that means I need to get next weeks bar reservations ready.
Take care all.
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Catherine,
If you like dog books, "Marley and Me" by John Grogan is good!
Wendy0 -
Thanks, Wendy, I heard about it and forgot... did not read it yet, wonderful, something to look forward to... With DH we are dog lovers... the story of ours is on www.fluxmuffin.com, which was meant to be a family album to not forget Toby's growing up... PBGV's are getting (unfortunately) more popular as the adorable Fairchild won "Best hound" at the Westminster show. You're free to visit our site if you want to think about something else and stroll along Brittany coastal trails (France)... there is nothing that private in there... but "must love dogs" otherwise, of no interest...
Take care,
Catherine0 -
Hi all - my second AC treatment went pretty well today (I posted the details on the March Chemosabe Cruise thread). I have a slight headache, but the nausea is much better this time so far. Slowing down the administration of the cyclophosphamide definitely helped this time - not such a shock to the system. The decadron they put in the IV keeps me awake - any suggestions?
Steph0 -
Steph, do you take Ativan at night? Works great for me...
Glad you're feeling better. Wishing you a good long night...
CatherineH0 -
I won't say #3 was fun today but it was uneventful besides a little stinging at the IV site with the Adriamycin push. Otherwise, stomach cramps for an hour or so following treatment, a drippy nose and a headache...I'm just ducky. Found out today, that I won't have any downtime between the AC and Taxol...so, AC finishes on March 29th and Taxol picks up two weeks later for 4 rounds. 3 down...5 to go...yipppeeee!
Hugs all around.0 -
Carynn -
Put me down for Tuesday - round #3 for me - after this, only one more to go!!
Thanx! Jen
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Catherine - I haven't tried Ativan, although my practice did mention it as a last resort to nausea and vomitting. Tonight I slept for about 5 hours which is an improvement. I've heard a lot a people recommend Ativan, so I may ask them to write the script next go round.
Thanks - Steph0 -
Good morning --
Well, yesterday (day 3 after AC) was bad! Chemo-cold, with a cough and a low grade fever. I'm still a bit out of it this morning.
Tropicmom -- good to hear from you. I've stopped taking senokot-S. I realized that I have the same problems if I eat too much fiber. Instead, I'm going to try ducolax, which is what I used when I was pregnant. It's a stool softener, not a laxative.
Catherine -- Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't had any more episodes, but at least I'll know what to do.
Alyson -- You should be able to get extra prescriptions for the nausea. Compazine works well for me (and for Caryn, it seems), though it makes me dizzy. Zofran works well for lots of folks, though not quite as well for me. I haven't tried kytril. Only one more AC for me, and taxol isn't supposed to be as nauseating.
Twink -- We're on the same schedule, with almost the same diagnosis.
Piper -- I'm glad you're continuing -- we'll be here for support.
Karen -- I know how you feel about nausea free days -- I can only eat normally about 5 days out of 14! What did the trick for you?
Pat -- Sorry you were left off the list for this week, but glad things went well!
Marsha -- Two of my friends got me a Netflix subscription -- we should share movie tips! I really liked Memoirs of a Geisha and Little Miss Sunshine.I'm now doing the Prime Suspect TV series.
Holding hands for Maisy and Kksbaby's husband today! Caryn -- handing over bar reservations to you!
{{{{Hugs}}}} to everyone!
-- Hillary0 -
All-
#4 (and last for me for this round) went like clockwork- we were in and out in under 2.5 hours! My port worked, lab responded in less than 30 minutes, then everything goes perfectly. I know I will have to do more chemo eventually, but for now I get a 6-8 week break!
This morning, feel fine. I will not go in to work today, which is good since we are expecting a nor'easter (6-12 inches of snow and ice expected). This is New England, after all.
I will work a little remotely as there is always something burning. I have learned how to use a Bluetooth headthing with my cell phone, so it is really a trip to attend a meeting, laying on the couch, talking out loud to the "air"- definitely the way to attend meetings!
Not sure what I am hungry for, but I know I have to eat or tummy gets upset.
BTW, eyebrows and eyelashes have made it thru this far. Unless something happens in the next two weeks, I will assume I will not lose them. So there! What a relief! I am also convinced my fuzz is growing- it is standing up, where it didn't when I first buzzed it- but DH says he can't measure it yet, so he will watch it for me. I want hair back by my birthday- June 5th!
I so admire those of you who posted your buzzed hair shots. I can't get there. I did let Dh see it (I swore I wouldn't), and there is another really really good friend (male) who wants to see it, but I haven't decided yet. I am afraid that is the picture he will keep in his mind, and I don't want that.
A friend of mine is doing the Avon walk for me, and she has raised $4000 already. What a great gift!
So, all laxatived, xantaxed, and zofran'd up. Ironically, Wednesday was the first day it did not taste like I was licking a lamppost, but I assume that taste will resume shortly. Most aggravating side effect, and it seemed to last a long time after number 3. I'll let you know about after #4.
And now the long month of waiting begins.0 -
Leah -- I've been reading the Nov, Dec, and January threads just to find out what to expect. Most folks don't lose their eyebrows/eyelashes until a couple of weeks after the taxol treatment. I don't remember if anyone lost them after only 4xAC treatments.
I've only let DH see me buzzed. My son emphatically does not want to see my bald head and I don't feel comfortable showing it to my two stepsons (21 and almost 25). I've been mostly wearing beanie hats at home. Now that my scalp has stopped hurting, I can wear my wig. I can get it on in no time flat and try to use it when I go "out" and my good days. On bad days, if I have to go out, its beanie hat, scarf, and fedora pulled down over my forehead. Slightly odd look, but it works.
I hope that you will stick around during the month of waiting. Those of us on ACx4, Tx4 will still be here until middle of June! We need your support and we'll be giving you ours. The waiting is absolutely the worst!
-- Hillary0 -
Leah, so good to hear from you: I LOVE your humour... "licking lamp-post"... that's as close as it gets, indeed... yuck. I can appreciate the ecstatic feeling of laying down on the couch for a remote meeting full of air...
Wishing you a good recovery week and, please, keep us posted, come talk to us...
Like you, I cannot resolve myself to show my head (although, not a true bald, unfortunately). My relatives in France keep asking me to use a webcam on my computer for phone conversations, and I don't want to do that. I wan't them to go unaffected by this parenthesis in my life and remember me by my "normal" looks (I've always been the upbeat, fun one in the family, never in "crisis mode")... that's where an ocean between us is a blessing...
You all have a good day (hopefully not too cold for those in the eye of the snow storm).
Big hugs,
CatherineH0 -
Whoa! Licking a lamppost...yikes that is what I have to look forward to in May!LOL
Hey if all you gals and guys can get through it, I am sure I will be fine.
Karen, glad to hear the nausea has lifted. I know you are enjoying the break.
Piper, we all want you around a long, long time. Glad you decided to continue.
Catherine, love the website. I spent about an hour reading and looking at pictures. You have lived such an exciting life. Living in so many different locations and traveling so extensively. I envy you. What a good idea to chronicle it for the future and for taking a look back.
Carynn, glad you are doing so well. Think I will look into Netflix. We had been considering it and everyone on here seems to really like it. Just what a chemochick needs for those days when all I feel like doing is resting. I am into the NCAA Basketball March Madness right now. My granddaughter attends University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Their basketball team is very, very good. Lots of Texas teams in the tournament too. But generally TV stinks, expecially daytime television. So movies would be great. Add me to the Tues. bar trip.
All, you are an inspiration to me. Knowing I have to start FAC in May I am soaking up all the info about a/c, I am sure I will benefit from your experiences.
Have a funny wig story. We have a young surgeon who shaves his head(going bald). When he came into the Recovery Room, I told him we had matching hairdos now. He said "No way". Then he said "Let me see". I just reached up and pulled off my wig right then and there. He just was so cute. He laughed and smiled all over and said "That is sooo coool!" Everyone is very supportive. I popped my wig back on and everyone thinks it looks exactly like my hair before I lost it. I am not crazy about how i look without it, but I can't change it. I wear a scarf or cap in the house and wig when I go out.
Well better go now. Hugs to all. Everyone keep the faith. Love you all, Sammie Kay0 -
Whoo Hoo! Payday Friday! I've been so tired this week, so I'm more than ready for the weekend.
We are going to dinner with BF and her DH. Really looking forward to it and a margarita. Havent had any alcohol since dx so I bet I'm a cheap date tonite!
Catherine - took a peek at your website. How wonderful! the pictures are beautiful.
Well, starting next weeks bar list. Cant remember who is DD and who isnt, so I didnt copy from last week.
Mon -
Tue - SammieKay
Wed -
Thu - Carynn
Fri -
Take care all. See you soon!
Carynn0 -
Wishing you all a nice week-end, not too cold... Day #4, here, Tuesday included, and not bad at all. Less queazy than last time (virtually not at all today, yet... and then there will be Ativan, did not take anything else today, not even a Tylenol but may have to for Neulasta pain... bearable, though). For the first time since this all started, I felt more "sleepy" today, thought about taking a nap and did not, for some reason... DH buzzed my head again, with the shortest guard... should be more comfortable (Definitely look like a Solzhenitsyn's character...). I had still quite a bit of hair hanging there... Hope BC cells are less resilient... a month later since coktail #1...
SammieKay and Carynn, glad our site could take your mind wandering away from here for a while... DH does the writing, I take the pictures... Don't miss the one called "What a difference a year makes!", it's cute... Toby is my big baby. He has a new friend now, from a shelter, Zoe, she wears him down... she'll eventually will have her" page, but we got distracted.... as you all know.
Big hugs to all,
CatherineH
Marsha, how are you doing, friend?0 -
Quote:
Whoo Hoo! Payday Friday! I've been so tired this week, so I'm more than ready for the weekend.
We are going to dinner with BF and her DH. Really looking forward to it and a margarita. Havent had any alcohol since dx so I bet I'm a cheap date tonite!
Catherine - took a peek at your website. How wonderful! the pictures are beautiful.
Well, starting next weeks bar list. Cant remember who is DD and who isnt, so I didnt copy from last week.
Mon -
Tue - SammieKay
Wed - Tropicmom
Thu - Carynn
Fri -
Take care all. See you soon!
Carynn0 -
Catherine; loved the photos of Kerguyomord. I was going to comment that your DH had a great "eye"...but it's you taking the photos! I love photography.
Carynn; I hope you have a wonderful evening with your friends...and enjoy that margarita! My 2nd weekend after tx I feel good enough to enjoy a glass of wine. Could you add me to the list. DD...Tuesday...#3
I hope everyone has a great weekend!0 -
Carynn, I am up for Wednesday. I am dreading the start of another round of nausea but it is the only way to get it done.
Enjoy reading all the posts.
Hillary, nothing does the trick I am afraid it is a matter of the chemo wearing off over time. I am either drugged to the point of sedation or praying to the porcelain god I am afraid. Even last night 8 days later I threw up so go figure my luck. Tried everyones suggestions and still can't find anything to drink. My poor DD has made it her mission and comes home with all kinds of finds at the store.
Here I thought I was going to keep my eyebrows.
I never have been able to make it to the LGFG class, signed up twice, due to the nausea. Anyone able to pass along more tips they learned? I don't know if they would let me sign up and risk a third time.
I agree the humor in the movie Little Miss Sunshine should be a must for those of you who are looking for something to watch. Last time I watched O Brother Were art thou.
Piper, hey if I can make it through this so can you!! We can make it together. In the midst of all this I have considered giving it up. But we must slay the dragon girl!!
Speaking of wig stories. I hate the thing and have a long drive home. Sometimes I can't stand it anymore and rip the thing off in the car. Then today I thought OMG and looked over at the car next to me! Yep, it was a great scene!!!
Enjoy the weekend
Karen0 -
Home already and ready for bed. A good time was had by all, but 2 hours and I was done.
Here's the updated list.
Mon -
Tue - SammieKay, Melanie, Jen
Wed - Tropicmom, Karen
Thu - Carynn, Piper
Fri -
Carynn0 -
I still have not worn a wig at all. I have decided to go the newsboy cap way. Went to work on wednesday for the 1st time with my head shaved and my cap. everyone thought it was so cute. I told them if Brittany Spears can shave her head so can I. It is the new brittany spears look but my head is cuter. All my co-workers are giving me alot of support on this. One person even told me I have an advantage over him. My hair will grow back and his won't (he's bald).
Put me on the reservation list for the bar on thursday. I really wish I could change my drink order though. I am not very fond of this choice. I will be there at 10:30am if my wbc are up enough.0 -
Carynn -
I'll be pulling up to the bar on Tuesday - first thing AM! #3 of 4 tx's. 75% done - yippee!
Funny wig story - I have a short wig that apparently looks very very natural. I have not told very many people about my situation, however my DH and I go out to dinner quite often (lucky me!) and everyone thinks I just got a new short hairdo!! Last night, table full of my son's friends (they'r all 23 yr old) all thought my new hair cut looked really good - really loved it!! I almost whipped the wig off and handed it to one of them and said "Well if you like it, here - try it on!!" Wouldn't that have been a real hoot! LOL LOL - Didn't have enough alcohol though to do it! (Maybe next time!)
HOpe everyone sleeps good tonight!
Jen0 -
Karen; I hope your nausea ceases...how awful for you. I also love O' Brother and since you brought it up, I think I will watch it again...for about the 10th time!
Does anyone elses nose twitch? It is so weird. I feel like I should be Samantha on Bewitched. If I were, I would twitch my nose until everyone's bc disappeared!
Sweet Dreams...0 -
Hmmmm...no twitching here, but I was wondering...I have been blowing (Yuk)bloody stuff from my nose. Not really a nosebleed, but weird. Has anyone else had anything like that? I think it might have to do with platelets.
Well I am off to bed to read my book. Reading is better than a sleeping pill for me.
Hope everyone has a restful night. I will check in tomorrow. Hugs to all.
P.S. I love "Oh brother where art thou" I have the cd. I love that music. Sounds like my relatives from Alabama. They have a singing group, all family members.0 -
Good morning all. Well my cold thats been hanging on for a month now seems to have turned into some type of respratory infection. When I got home last night, had chills, etc, took my temp and it's 101. So, its been a bit of a miserable night. Has anyone else been sick and taken antibiotics? I'm just curious that if I can get something by Monday if I can still get chemo on Thursday. Funny how something we all hate so much is soo important to continue ontime. I know it wouldnt be the end of the world if I had to wait a week, but I WANT TO STAY ON TRACK!! Last week I had a temp of 99.7 but they were ok with giving chemo (I heard they wont over 100, but dont know for sure)
Well, it's going to be a day of laying on the couch with lots of fluids and tylenol. I'll check in later, hope everyone has a great Saturday!
Carynn0 -
Carynn -- If your temp is over 100.5, you should call oncologist's office right away. They will probably want you in for IV fluids and antibiotics!
-- Hillary0 -
Good morning all.....wow, had a lot of catching up to do.
Karen honey, so sorry you are battling the naseau on a regular basis.
Piper, glad you are continuing, I know it sucks, but I was worried you were gonna drop out.
Carynn, hope you at least got that margarita before the sinus infection kicked in.
Catherine, glad to hear #3 is going easier for you. I love to read your posts.
Sammie Kay, Oh Brother also reminds me of my Tenn/Ky relatives and I too am into March Madness! My family is a HUGE Kentucky Wildcats fan (I know I know, we suck this year) and rarely miss a game. I have lived in Florida over 25 years but hate the Gators. Trust me, the most obnoxious fans alive.
Hillary I bet you look adorable in your hats and scarves. I can understand not wanting to shock a little 6 year old. My dogs don't seem to mind my bald head. LOL I guess you and I got our asses kicked by #3!
Leah, girlfriend you are so funny. WOW almost done and getting a a 6-8 week break! Please stay with us though, we would so miss your amusing posts!
Well, gonna try to go to our friends house for a Texas Hold Em tournament he is having as a fund raiser for ACS. $50 buy-in with prizes to the top 4 players. Hoping if I go in with my bald head they will go easier on me since I've never played before but Hey I am an actress so I'll just bluff! Have a great St. Paddy's Day, don't forget to wear green!!!!!!! Hugs & Kisses, Marsha0 -
Marsha, you will have sooo much fun! DH and I play holdem daily. We do home tourneys pretty frequently, but what a great idea to do it as a fund raiser. I've mentioned in previous posts how impressed I've been with ACS, they will definately be getting future contributions from me. I think you gave DH and I a great idea!
Have fun!
Carynn0
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