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Comments
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Well girls...I did not make it thru the day at work. Went to the funeral and my tummy was queasy. So I went to the office, caught up my email and returned a few calls then came home, took a compazine and crashed on the couch...so much for good intentions...seems like #4 is doingme in.
Need to take daughter to work....more later (maybe).
Talk to you all soon0 -
Hi Folks!
I'm doing a little better today. The weather was so gorgeous that I forced myself to do two 15 minutes walks outside. Still suffering from a lot of queasiness and very glad that I'm done with AC! It's funny -- I haven't really had any bone problems from the Neulasta, just slight fever, runny nose, fatigue. I'm really hoping this bodes well for bone pain from taxol.
It's good to hear from everyone, but like Marsha I'm worried about Karen, Linnie, and Maisy.
I'll try to write a longer post this weekend ...
-- Hillary0 -
Wasted the day away, not doing much of anything, not that I expected to be a bundle of energy. Had a late afternoon nap and ERK!!! missed my neulasta shot appointment. Damndamndamndamn! Hope I can get in there on Monday. Have a nice, healing weekend friends.
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Marsha, did you decide to go with 4x taxol or the weekly? I like you have been in such a tizzy about this....I hate the idea of 8-12 weeks on Taxol but want to avoid side effects if weekly is what it takes. I am just starting AC Tuesday. Have seen a few of your posts and wondered what the consensus here has been...taxotere or taxol...weekly or dose dense. Decisions decisions! Congrats on getting the ac behind you!
bty, I'm in Florida too. 0 -
Hello fellow travelers on the chemo roller coaster ride!
I was diagnosed in November with IDC 1.5cm and 2 positive nodes, ER+ PR+ Her2-. Had surgery December 11, 2006 - one step Alloderm with immediate reconstruction.
Started chemo February 1st and have now completed 4 rounds of AC - boy that was "fun." Have been skimming the posts in this thread and sounds like everyone else enjoyed a similar journey.
Next I am due for 4 rounds of Taxotere which my oncologist likes better than Taxol. But I am so worried about side effects as I am known for anaphylactic reactions. Very allergic to bees and wasps and "unidentified foods" which always makes dining out an adventure. LOL
Has anyone had any experience with taxotere yet? Particularly worried about swelling, itching and neuropathy. Is there any way to prevent these side effects or minimize them?0 -
A very good evening my sister cruisers, I have been hiding out in my cabin working on getting my tax stuff ready, and YAY, I finished at about midnight last night.
Tuesday is Chemo # 3 for me. This has been a very good week for me physically, but a couple of things came up that cause some concern:
1) As of yesterday, my insurance company is not paying for my Oncotype Dx to the tune of $3,400+. The EOB says basically they need more information to cover it. I wonder what it will take? I am so glad I had the test, as I was going to skip chemo until it came back High Risk for recurrence. If my ins. co. absolutely refuses to pay for it, I believe the provider will work with me. Still I am worried...
2) I have to pick up then hand deliver to USC slides of my tumors and core biopsy specimens as early as possible next week. It is possible that I could need Herceptin after all, I would like to know one way or the other. I do not want it if I don't need it but the reverse is true as well.
Vegas -- I have had two tx with Taxotere. I haven't had any swelling or itching but I suppose that could be due to the Decadron, and antihistamines they give me. I did have some brief thing with my hands after chemo # 2 that might have been neuropathy...my right hand felt like it had many needles in it, then it went away, and it happened with my left hand, then again to my right hand. That was all.
Two Wig Tales:
1) I was getting ready for my cardiology appt. Thursday morning, I put on my short wig and styled it as best I could (two left hands) with the wig brush. The bangs were falling in my face so I swept them up and sprayed them with some hair spray, still one stubborn section kept falling in my eye. I tackled it with the brush...and wooosh, the wig flew off my head and across the room. I had to start all over...
2) The nurse was new at my cardiologist's office. She took my blood pressure and asked if I was having any problems on the new medication. I explained to her that I had been able to take it only part of the time because I was so nauseated and weak, and dizzy, and had ringing in my ears after my last treatment. She asked what kind of treatment? I told her chemo. And she said...can you guess what she said?...bless her heart, she said "and you still have your hair!"
Good night...hope the seas are calm and the night is kind... Sybil0 -
Catherine, I agree with you, if the protocol had called for more A/C I'm not sure I could make myself do it. I can still smell it. Will I ever drink a red cocktail again?? NOOOOOOOOOO
Hillary, maybe the spring weather will make everyone feel a little better. I have to get my house cleaned up somehow, my parents are coming down from KY for Easter weekend.
Twink, I almost did the same as you, fall asleep and miss my shot. I came jerking awake and knew I was suppose to be somewhere but thought, "I wouldn't have planned anything for today"........made it though. I think you have 72 hours to get it.
Palms, first welcome, and I have decided to stick with what my onc ordered. Taxol DD X4. I was told if I wanted DD then taxol cause taxatere studies haven't been done enough to support DD and I seriously want to do 8 weeks instead of 12. Good Luck to you on the A/C and where in Florida are you? I am in Ocala.
Vegas, honey, no reason to lurk around us, we are a great group of women. You went thru A/C all by yourself? I think taxotere has less SE than taxol.
Sybil, you keep at the insurance company, especially since the test DID determine you needed chemo. Alot of times they say NO right off the bat then you have to hound them and they end up paying for it. We don't need the aggrevation but there you have it. Cute cute wig story.
Talk to everyone soon........xoxoxo Marsha0 -
Twink -
Love the photos! LOVE the DOG! Is "Jiggs" (cool name) a mastiff? We have a 185# rottweiller (Maximus) and my daughter wants a mastiff when we move (in May)- love the big dogs!
Who makes your "long" hair? It looks sooo real! I have one wig that looks real (short) and one that I ordered that doesn't (medium length). I had long hair, and miss it!
Thanks for sharing! Jen0 -
Hi All! 12 days after tx #3 - and I'm feeling "normal"! Headed into my "good week" and looking forward to it! Daughter (11yrs) is on spring break all next week, so have a few fun things planned and am grateful that it is my good week!
Steph j - sorry you had issues getting your much needed Emend! I am so very lucky - the center where I go only treats BC, and they have their own labs and pharmacy - so I just have to show up - they have all I need right there. Is there a reason you can't get your Emend the day before? I would NOT want the incovenience of having to get it the same day, nor the risk of not getting it like you had!
Carynn -
Thanks for the link on Ann Thompson. I didn't see it, but glad you shared with all of us. Like Ann, I have pretty much kept my BC secret to the outside world. Only my family (couldn't avoid that!) and very close friends know. I am a very social, out and about kind of gal, but private issues - NO. Think I may have made a mistake however - now that the weather is warmer - of course all neighbors are now OUTSIDE and I have to face them! Ugh! Luckily, my wig looks very natural (although shorter and different color than my old) and so far, all like the new look. They have NO IDEA! Hope I can keep it up!
freethought-
My BS ordered my MRI prior to my lumpectomy. He wanted to be sure that the tumor was the size the mammo and ultrasound said it was, and also to be sure that there were no "surprises" in that breast as well as the other. MRI's do NOT always show any other tumors, but would have one anyway, just in case it could! Insurance companies - UGH!!
Hope everyone has a beautiful Saturday! I will be working on my horse barn today - (just built). Building out the office and stalls! Can hardly wait!
Jen0 -
Hey Jen,
Jiggs and Java are bullmastiffs..close to mastiff (just better
) A 185? Rottie...my gawd! That's big!
The long wig came from Ace Wigs...can't remember the brand but I'll look it up and let you know.0 -
Marsha...ohoh...72 hours to get my neulasta? I may be over that limit (counting...let's see...4PM on Thursday plus 72 hours = Sunday at 4PM?). I wonder what will happen if I miss one entirely. Amazingly, I'm feeling so good today, compared to prior Saturdays following treatment that I'm wondering whether the neulasta is the culprit. Hmmmm...
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Twink, you may feel good now but once those counts start dropping the neulasta comes in like Superman and saves the day. First thing Monday morning you need to go get it. I couldn't afford the shot and begged to go DD, was told NO WAY without the Neulasta (doc got it donated). Marsha
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Good Saturday morning all. Shaping up to be a beautiful day here, hoping the same for you. Congrats to everyone who's done with A/C. Last one on the horizon, and I'll start the list today.
Catherine - glad you were able to get out for a bit. I didnt do too much at all yesterday. Up way too early and instead of watching the news or surfing the net, I logged into work. Went to the office early and turned out about 8 hours of work in 5. Went home and called it a day. Had kind of a funny throat issue yesterday. It didnt feel sore, it felt irritated. Sucked down the popsicles, watched a movie and called it a night.
Terry - I think I'm going to need a new couch by the time I'm done with this! As I've said, my biggest issue thru the whole cruise has been fatigue, lack of energy. Small price to pay for a shrinking tumor, but I swear that couch is gonna swallow me up one of these days.
Hillary - I havent had a single issue with nuelasta either. I had a lower back ache yesterday, jumped in the hot tub before bed, and viola, good as new. Could have been nuelasta related, but I think it's more likely from all the time I'm spending on the couch.
Hey Palms - you are asking at just the right time. We are all getting ready to start Taxol/Taxotere. It seems to be the general consensus that we all want the dose dense, but are pleased that if we have issues, we can move to weekly. Watch this space, I bet you'll get an earful in the coming week!
Hi Vegas! Now quit that lurking and jump right in! This is one great group of gals! We are all over the world and a really diverse group who have found many things in common that but for this unfortunate dx wouldnt have ever met. Some true friendships have been made, and the support and camaraderie is fabulous. I will be starting Taxol in 2 weeks, so I cant really answer your taxatore question. I did a little research and it looked to me that the drugs
were identical but Taxol showed just slightly higher SE's during the infusion. Seems that should someone react, the fix is easy and they slow down the drip. To combat SE's, I've heard everything from benedryl to vicadin....so I'm not sure, but I think we'll all learn together in the coming week.
Sybil - the biggest thing I've learned about cancer is that it's not cheap to have! I'd rather take my out of pocket and by a Mercedes, but THAT's not gonna happen!! I've only had minor squabbles with my insurance (UHC) and I've been able to get things resolved each time by speaking to a Supervisor. I hope you have the same luck. Great wig story, btw! The funniest thing that happened to me was I had 2 different people at work ask me if I was
concerned about damaging my hair by changing its color so often! Um, no, I'm good.
Now Marsha, dont be giving up on the red cocktails yet. The red devil is just trying hard to be a daiquiri or a cosmo. It has a worse hangover, so I'll switch back to the more traditional red drinks thank you.
That said, I bet there is a moment of pause the first time anyone sets a cosmo in front of any of us!
Jen - when I was first dx, I only told those who I had to. But I made a comment to my husband that I didnt have a social disease, so that once I knew more about my dx and tx I'd probably be more forthcoming. He took that as license to tell and suddenly EVERYONE knew. I really wasnt
angry about it and decided right then that if telling everyone made at least one person go get that mamo that I'd put off, then it was the right thing to do. I told everyone at work and those that he somehow missed ( ) after that and am so glad I did. I've been able to answer
a lot of questions and was also stunned by the number of people, acquaintances and those at work, who had also been thru this. I think that is one reason I dont have any issues with the whole pink thing. I know a lot of b/c women wont wear pink and get angry about wrapping the disease in a warm fuzzy way. Honestly, what a great awareness campaign.
Karen, Linnie, are you out there? Let us know how you're doing!
Have a great day everyone. Talk to you later.
Hugs!
Carynn0 -
Monday -
Tuesday - Sybil
Wed -
Thursday - Carynn (last A/C)
Friday -0 -
Please count me in for Chemo # 3 on Tues. April 3rd.
Thanks for the great job you are doing keeping track of all of us! Sybil0 -
Leah -- We may have different issues or similar ones but I hope you get as much out of counseling as I have. For me, it is amazing to me how much there is to this whole cancer thing -- like peeling an onion, that's appropriate because I have finally begun to release some of the pent up grief with tears. Actually feels better than squashing them all down and storing them all up.
Sybil0 -
Twink, my oncologist told me as long as I had the neulasta shots within a week of the chemo I was fine. Twice I was about five days out and my counts have been great.
Thanks for the warm welcome, Carynn and Sybil. I originally signed up on this forum in November when I was diagnosed, but have not been back since then. I have actually been heavily on the forum at facingourrisk.org, as I found them when I was researching reconstruction and found several women there who had had the surgery I was considering. I have been blessed with some amazing new friends there whom I love dearly, but just recently felt like I needed more support from women who were going through chemo right now.
So I remembered this site and logged in again last night. I am looking forward to meeting everyone here, perhaps helping and certainly sharing this journey we are on together. It will take me a while to catch up I am sure. I'd like to say I am a fast learner, but between menopause and chemo brain, it may be a bit more of a challenge! 0 -
Vegas, speaking of menapause, I've been meaning to ask everyone. I was pre (or peri) menapausal at dx. Mast. surg and port surg had my monthly off schedule but since starting chemo Feb 7, I haven't had one since. I'm sure I'm not the only one but this is one SE we haven't mentioned before. Not that I am complaining!! Glad you found us Vegas.
I'm glad to hear Twink has a week to get that shot, my onc kept saying 24-72 hours like an alarm clock was ticking for Gods sake. LOL Alright, gotta run, Austin Powers movie is on! Marsha0 -
Carynn, so glad I found you girls. Did most of you do the dose dense A/C as well? Since I start my first dd a/c Tuesday....any quick tips on what to expect especially on this first day? The one thing that was passed on was drink lots of water....during and after. Any dietary/nutrition tips? Did any of you take supplements, accupunture, etc??
They are giving me aloxi and decadron as IV premeds...ativan if I want. Was this pretty standard with your treatments? I also take emend for 3 days and onc prescribed MORE decadron WITH THE EMEND. Another onc I saw did not prescribe more decadron pills. (Did any of you take decadron pills with the emend over the next days)...interesting how premeds can be so different.
Thanks for being out there. I just feel comfortable knowing I can communicate with others who were JUST there - and can share some firsthand knowledge on things to expect and what to do about it! I just can't get into the book thing right now. Real people & their first hand experiences are the best! Thanks for welcoming me here.
Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend 0 -
Good afternoon --
After a rotten couple of days after my last AC treatment, I am finally feeling better! Even went for a walk into town to pick up some "real food" to eat! It seems that this AC hit me early and hard, but is not lingering! Now that the weather is nice, I can take short walks outside, which is bolstering my spirits and I guess helping indirectly with fatigue and other problems. I hope that my fellow bar drinkers from last week are recovering!
Vegas -- I'm doing 4 dose-dense taxol. I'm triple neg and that's what my oncologist recommended. He said that he found less SE with taxol than taxotere. It seems that we're all getting different stories from our oncs! I forgot to ask about gluatmine and B6, but from reading a lot of posts from earlier "cruises", it seems that helps with the neuropathy. Also, I've heard that the chemo nurses watch you like a hawk during the first taxol/taxoterere infusion. You might mention that you're prone to anaphylatic shocks.
Carynn -- I'm amazed at how you've been able to keep up at work. Unlike your husband, mine wanted to keep it quiet, as did I. We've mostly told my son's friends parents and some neighbors. Everyone at work knows that I'm on "medical leave", but I've asked the few folks who know not to talk about it. I know that I'll be going back to work still in my wig, but maybe by then I'll be able to talk about it with "acquaintances" or come up with some way not to have to talk about it. I work in a mostly male environment, and I just don't feel comfortable discussing my boobs with everyone!
Twink -- I'm so wired the day after my chemo that I've never napped. Also, I've arranged to have friends drive me to the hospital, so they would remind me! I hope that you can still get the shot on Monday. Maybe you won't need it?
Sybil -- I love your wig tales! I have some doctor friends who did not realize that I was wearing a wig. It makes you wonder about some folks powers of observations. I think that it is so obvious I'm wearing a wig, especially if you look at the way the earpieces stick out over my glasses!
Marsha -- What did the AC smell like? I swear, my nasal passages are completely shot. Good luck with house cleaning ... despite feeling better, that is not something I could tackle this weekend!
Jen -- You need to post pictures of the horse barn! I haven't ridden horses in about 20 years. I lived in England for four years and learned how to ride over there ... English saddle, obviously. I even did a bit of jumping.
Sybil -- It's funny about the counseling. I actually got most of crying done in the early sessions. I suspect that we'll get back into some of the deeper issues again.
-- Hillary0 -
I am up for round four, and the last, AC on Wednesday. I can't wait to get it over with but I am of course dreading the side effects.
Vegas-I lived in LV for 14 yrs before finally leaving to live by my family. I have been in OH now for two years. Welcome
Twink-I was told a week on the neulasta shot but have gotten mine the day after. They schedule it like an apt.
Leah-I found the most wonderful place here in my little suburbia called the "Wellness Community" Never knew they were here. I did have little brochure from the onc office but that was also the day they gave me 10 lbs work of materials. They are a national org and have lots to offer. I am going to start a few of the programs. It was hard to decide which ones to go to they had so much. The best part is the office which is so beautiful, it is nice just to go an sit. Not sure where everyone lives or where they have office but they have a web site. http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org The office here in Cincinnati is the main headqtrs I think.
Carynn-had my company call me early Sunday to tell me they wanted me to pay my hospital bill. Very nasty lady. here is the great part-I work for this company. We have seven++ hospitals and such so they have their own insurance plan, which stinks mind you. I am so overwhelmed with hospital and dr bills, I pay what I can. But to have this lady call me. Oh, the day you go over the due date, they send you an automated message on the phone EVERY night about 7 pm telling you to call them because your bill is past due. I need to find a different place to work!! Who needs the stress of all this and these phone calls. But no luck changing jobs until this is over.
Speaking of the couch, isn't it planted on my butt???? I think so because I feel like I live there!! I feel like the fatigue is getting a little worse each time.
The nausea just never ends for me. I think throwing up is just routine now. On Friday I came home and the garbage in the kitchen smelled a little-bam threw up forever from that. Then when the billing lady called me, it made me cry-bam threw up. I guess my stomach is just on the borderline all the time. I am sooooo praying the taxol might be different.
I have a question. The neulasta give me bone pain which is like an deep ache that gets worse unless I take advil, then it goes away. Does anyone on AC have short but sharp and painful burst of pain that feels more like neuropathic pain. I gets these electric like burst of pain that only last 5-30 seconds and then go away. But boy does it hurt. I thought it was taxol/taxotere that did that, not AC but let me know.
Who is joining me this week at the bar!! The last of the red devil!
Karen0 -
Monday -
Tuesday - Sybil, Palms, SammieKay
Wed - Karen (Last A/C)
Thursday - Carynn (last A/C)
Friday -0 -
Great Sat. afternoon to all, We had 7 inches of rain this morning in a matter of 3 or 4 hours. Needless to say the streets were flooded for awhile. Guess my 3 flats of bedding plants will have to wait until tomorrow to go in the ground. Heehee, good excuse to be lazy today.
No problems from Taxol # 7 so far. Just a nosebleed last night. I have the red spotted skull deal going on. The nurse told me to put benadry cream on them and they would look on Tues when I have my next dose of Taxol. No neuropathy yet, however, I am not DD.
Catherine of the snowy Denver, how are you? About Chapel Hill, my granddaughter goes to Univ. of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Now, were you speaking of Brenham, Tx? There may be a Chapel Hill in that region of TX. I, too, had bilateral mastectomy. I had microscopic fleck of the stain in one sentinal node, but no cancer cells in the twelve lymph nodes nor in the breast tissue they removed. They tell me no radiation necessary. Hope they are right. I am ER/PR positive and her2 negative. Invasive lobular breast cancer with tumor 4.5 cm. I didn't have the tumor rating done. No one suggested I needed it.
Hillary, sorry you have been feeling bad. Don't worry about the bar reservations. Thanks for the link to the story about Ann Thompson. I missed it on television. It was very touching and close to home for all of us. I visited the website for Mom's with kids, very nice. I read most of the posts. My 47 y/o daughter has a seven year old, as well as 12y/0 and 9y/o. I am really pushing both my daughters to have a breast MRI because mine is lobular and did not show on mammogram before it was 4.5 cm. I have had a mammo every year for the past 30 years.
Jen, LOL about the long wig. Most men like long hair. I just don't have the neck for real long hair.
Leah, glad you are getting a vacation/work trip. Change of scenerery is so nice for you.
Carynn, remember to get rest. Wow working early and turning 8 hours work in 5 hours. Now hope you take some time off and rest. Using vacation days sounds good. I am on FMLA, however my insurance premiums are $5oo/month. If I don't work they come out of our pockets. So I try to work 2 or 3 days every 2 weeks(pay period) and that covers the insurance cost and it gives me a sense of normalcy. Nothing like taking care of patients that need me to take away the feeling that I am a patient.
The LGFB clase is probably different in different parts of the country. Mine was mostly about makeup. Got a lot of free makeup and goodies. It was fun. I also picked up a free wig.
Hugs to everyone and have a beautiful weekend. Love you, Sammie Kay0 -
BTW, put me down for Tues. bar visit. Sammie Kay
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Karen, I can't remember if you are a nurse or not, but your story about the insurance reminds me of my hospital I work for. We have the worst insurance management company. I live within driving distance of MD Anderson a world renowned cancer center and they refused to cover me there. They said I could have chemo here in Victoria,town of 65.000 with small cancer center at the county hospital. NO I can't use that hospital. I have to have everything done at the hospital where I work or I am penalized 2,000 dollars and then they pay 40% of bill. Now you all know that 60% of cancer treatment bill is out of my ability to pay. So, I visited an onc. at MDA and then came home for chemo. I just hope and pray I am getting the follow up I need. I know at MDA they do a lot of scans and blood work. Here I get a CBC each week, but that is about it. Another thing about this hospital corporation, when you retire you may not continue any insurance, life or medical. Even if you are willing to pay the premiums. Continuing is not an option. So if your life insurance at work was the only one you have, you are faced with buying life insurance at age 65. I didn't find that out until it was too late. I, too, must wait to change to Medicare and a supplement until I finish this whole breast cancer thing. I was scheduled to retire in Jan 07 and was dx'd in Nov. 06, Such luck. Oh well, this is my path and I have received blessing from the journey.
I hope they leave you alone. I get really angry about insurance people. They are worse than the FDB(front desk bitches). Take care and keep your sense of humor. Try to ignore there routine harassment tactics. Hugs, Sammie Kay0 -
Hey Marsha, if anyone can handle the FDB(front desk bitches) it is you. My front desk girl is a doll. She is so sweet, effecient and helpful. They always call back immediately or have me wait and get a nurse right away. Must appreciate here more and tell her so. Hope you are out riding in your convertible with the top down. Sammie Kay
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Marsha and Vegas Laughed out loud about chemo brain and Menopause! It was one of the first things my Onc told me. I havent had one since my first A/C. Ive been told that due to my age, it may never come back.
I have to tell you that I look at that like a benefit! Weve never had children (one dog, 3 cats who think they are tho), and I had thought before dx about looking into one of those stop the flow procedures. Other than some really minor night sweats, Ive had no menopause symptoms and couldnt be happier! Just hope it stays away! But yes, between menopause and chemo brain, Im a little um, cranial challenged at times too.
Palms were glad you found us too. I put you on our bar list (this helps our chemo brains remember who to check on). If they start an April board, be sure and check with them too. We all found it sooo helpful to compare real time notes about our experiences. Wow, lets see, the first one I am doing 4 DD A/C followed by 4 DD Taxol. Yes I do Emend for 3 days and Decadron for 3 days also. For me the first one was uneventful but late in the evening after tx, I started getting a little headache. That little annoyance turned into a 4 day migraine. Having never had a migraine before, I was too stubborn to call the Onc over a headache. Big mistake, when I finally called, they were able to help me kick it almost right away. We talked about it at great lengths during my next appointment and made some minor changes to the way my drugs were administered. It never happened again. Yes, hydrate as much as you can. As for food, I asked my Onc and she said Eat what sounds good and avoid what doesnt. Turns out both Marsha and I craved greasy burgers, they tasted great and sat well on the tummy. Cuz the A/C seems to have REALLY heightened my sense of taste and smell (Ive never actually gotten sick, but some smells will make me instantly nauseas and running for the compazine) my DH is doing much of the cooking or running for take out. Most nights we eat pretty healthy foods, but he just asks me every night what sounds good today? BTW be SURE to ask your Onc who you should call should any side effects hit over the weekend, and DO NOT be embarrassed, or put off calling. That is what they are there for and they can usually fix what ever ails you right away. As for supplements, Im not doing any right now, but I think others are. Marsha is doing acupuncture. Im sure if she comes back on she can give you some good info there. There is a list somewhere on this thread that if I can find it, Ill bump up to todays posts. Its a list of things to buy and have on hand before you start chemo. Little things like Biotine mouthwash, laxatives and Advil that can prove to be your lifesavers. You can ask us anything, so please do!
Hillary trust me, Im not doing anything super-human! There are days that Im home and in my pjs by 2:00 pm. Ive been with the airline 24 years (I was only 10 when I started ). Before this, Id only used just regular sick days before and had a couple of minor surgeries that kept me out for a week or two. I was going to take a leave to go thru this and it was my Onc who said work is normal see if you can handle it. If not, well set up your leave. I talked to my boss who was fine with letting me come and go as I please. Ive only stayed the full day twice since tx. His letting me come home to nap and remote back in to the office if I feel like it, has been a godsend. We joke that Im more productive now so hes going to build naptime into my schedule when Im better. I was actually promoted (something wed been working on for a few months prior to dx) 2 days after my dx. I gave them the opportunity to put someone else in the position after dx because I didnt know what to expect, and if there was to be any travel, I knew that would be out of the question. They actually yelled at me and asked what kind of people I thought they were. There are times I would have done this differently, but you know, the Onc was right, work IS normal. As for the boobs you know, when discussing my cancer (I work with almost all men), WHERE the cancer is almost never comes up. In fact, while they all seem to be really protective of me, Im just plain old me at the office. So much so, that yesterday I went in with the hat and scarf look. I thought it was important for them to see that Im really not still just plain old me. They loved it. 
Their support and cheerleading helps me to get thru this, and I nag them to make their wives go get mamos.
Karen that is unbelievable! You know the first time I called my insurance company, luck of the draw gave me someone who obviously was having a bad day. She was rude and not at all helpful and worse of all condescending. All I was trying to find out is how long it would take before my out of pocket records and theirs would sync. She started with that now maam tone and I could feel my blood start to boil and I said Im fighting cancer, I do not have time to fight with you too, I need your Supervisor. I was calling from work and boss heard me say it. I guess my tone was pretty harsh. He was like, wow, dont mess with Carynn! I hated playing the C card, but you know, it worked and I got my problem solved. Obviously, I know it wont work with an automated phone call, but if I were you, I would call and speak to someone. Feel free to use that line.
Do you know anyone in that area of the company?
Didnt mean to make this so long, guess my after nap caffeine has kicked in.
Going out tonite will be good to see some friends and cut loose. Well ok, going out now means home by 8:00, but fun nonetheless.
Hugs!0 -
Terry and all....about decadron. I am on Taxol(12 week regime) and I only get one dose of decadron I.V. before the Taxol infusion. So far I have done well. Very mild side effects. I am on routine pain medication for degenerative disc disease. I take 2 or 3 pain pills(hydrocodone) daily. I have a pain specialist. Maybe that is why I haven't noticed a lot of joint pain, it is masked by my routine pain med. But anyway, there seems to be quite a difference between the protocol for steroids. The onc. at MD Anderson said he only gives it with the first dose of Taxol. The onc. here is hanging onto the decadron. At first he gave me 8 mg iv before infusion of Taxol, then cut it to 4mg and next week will cut it to 2 mg. I have not noticed any increase in SE. I was retaining a lot of fluid. Had swollen ankles and feet. I am worried about all that fluid and my heart. That may be Taxol, not decadron.
Pat, LOL about the red devil. Hope you continue to do well.
Wendy, sorry you missed the swim meet. As my daughter told me about this whole experience.."mom, just treat it as you would being pregnant, there are things you have to wait to do until after the , yikes, baby comes....like losing the weight you gain and doing things you just don't feel like doing right now". Don't want a baby thoughLOL. Grandchildren and pets are fine for me at this point in my life.
Jel, your post made me think of the times I just can't be strong. I have been so strong for my family, but I can let my hair(hmmm...guess that should be fuzz) down with my DH. I have melt downs periodically. I agree, what would we do without this website.
StephJ, Hope you are doing well post #3. You are wise to take off from work and allow "chemo days" for rest and recuperation. I am encouraging people to get breast MRI's. My tumor was there for several years, so I am told. I had a mammo every year for 30 years. It didn't show on mammo. I had a scintimammogram and it was 85% positive for breast cancer. It has a 15% false positive factor. So going into biopsy I was pretty sure I had breast cancer.
Alyson, I was told the synthetic wigs hold up well in rain and humidity. Although I washed mine and it looked like a big spider before it dried. Then it was just like new, washed beautifully.
Twink, enjoyed your website. And LOVE your dogs. They are gorgeous. I wished I wasn't so techno challenged. I love your hot babe wig. Looks very nice. I have dense breasts, I didn't know the statistics about the correlation between density and breast cancer. Very interesting. Also had fibrocystic breast disease.
Freethought, I am with you in the sterile western medicine center, although my onc. is middle eastern and very, very smart and nice to me.
A big welcome to Palms, Vegas and Shirley. Welcome to this board. It is way cool. Glad you are here, keep coming back.
Missing Linne and Maisy.
{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}} Sammie Kay
P.S. If I missed anybody so sorry. You are loved too.0 -
Carynn, what great people you work for! I am pretty lucky cause I was doing mostly computer work from my home anyway, and I decided I was not going to stress about going into the office. Since I am basically self employed I am lucky I can do that. I was almost getting ready to retire anyway, so this may have just moved up the date a bit!
I go to the bar next on Thursday the 5th for that first taxotere infusion. My onc did tell me to suck on ice during the treatment and that it would help with the mouth stuff. Did anyone else hear that? Plus I always usually drink a bazillion gallons of water before I go, but after that last AC (which was rough) my mouth has tasted like chemo every time I drink water and now I can't stand that either! Yikes! Not sure what I will be drinking next week, but I will have to think of something.
Did anyone else gain weight during AC? I am upset about my recent weight gain - a whopping 15 pounds between the surgery and the chemo. I am small enough that this is about 15% of my weight. My seams are popping. My poor DH - he really did not sign up for a bald cranky fat woman! They say the taxotere is just as bad because of the steroids. My onc is pleased, but I am pi**ed. Told my DH I was going to go to one of those fancy exercise spas for three weeks after all of this just to drop some weight and start getting back in shape again!
Palms, I made sure I drank about three bottles of water during the middle of the night before chemo and had a good breakfast like oatmeal in the morning and then drank another couple of bottles on the way to chemo. I pee so much during my treatments it is a joke with the other ladies! But it gets the stuff flushed thru your system and out again ASAP, which causes less liver and kidney problems. You will be taking Emend which is awesome - I didn't get that the first go round, and believe me, it HELPS!! Then eat a little something every couple of hours, even if it is only crackers, for the next few days. Nausea is self perpetuating: the more nauseas you are, the less you feel like eating, and the less you eat, the more nauseas you become. The one thing there really is no cure for is the fatigue which just knocks you down. But now I am used to taking lots of naps - as a matter of fact, I may never give those up!0 -
My DH just received this email from his old partner on the PD. His partner forwarded it on to many, thinking of me. DH just sent this to everyone on his joke list and copied me. I was touched by the thoughtfulness of these two big strong men that they shared this email with thier buddies. I share it with you here.
In memory of Belinda Emmett, in appreciation of Kylie Minogue, and anyone else you know that has been struck down by cancer -
A handsome, middle-aged man walked quietly into the cafe and sat down.
Before he ordered, he couldn't help but notice a group of younger men at the table next to him. It was obvious they were making fun of something about him, and it wasn't until he remembered he was wearing a small pink ribbon on the lapel of his suit that he became aware of what the joke was all about.
The man brushed off the reaction as ignorance, but the smirks began to get to him. He looked one of the rude men square in the eye, placed his hand beneath the ribbon and asked, quizzically, This?"
With that the men all began to laugh out loud. The man he addressed said, as he fought back laughter, "Hey, sorry man, but we were just commenting on how pretty your pink ribbon looks against your blue jacket.
The middle aged man calmly motioned for the joker to come over to his table and invited him to sit down. The guy obliged, not really sure why.
In a soft voice, the middle aged man said, "I wear this ribbon to bring awareness about breast cancer. I wear it in my mother's honour."
" Oh, sorry dude. She died of breast cancer?" "No, she didn't. She's alive and well. But her breasts nourished me as an infant and were a soft resting place for my head when I was scared or lonely as a little boy. I'm very grateful for my mother's breasts and her health." "Umm," the stranger replied, "Yeah." "And I wear this ribbon to honour my wife", the middle aged man went on. "And she's okay, too?" the other guy asked. "Oh, yes. She's fine. Her breasts have been a great source of loving pleasure for both of us and with them she nurtured and nourished our beautiful daughter 23 years ago. I'm grateful for my wife's breasts, and for her health."
"Uh huh. And I guess you wear it to honour your daughter, also?" "It's too late to honour my daughter by wearing it
now. My daughter died of breast cancer one month ago. She thought she was too young to have breast cancer, so when she accidentally noticed a small lump, she ignored it. She thought that since it wasn't painful, it must not be anything to worry about."
Shaken and ashamed, the now sober stranger said, "Oh, man, I'm so sorry mister."
So, in my daughter's memory, too, I proudly wear this little ribbon, which allows me the opportunity to enlighten others.
Now, go home and talk to your wife and your daughters, your mother and your friends. And here," the middle-aged man reached in his pocket and handed the other man a little pink ribbon.
The guy looked at it, slowly raised his head and asked, "Can ya help me put it on?"
Do regular breast self-exams and encourage those women you love to do the same.
Please send this on to anyone you would like to remind of the importance of breast cancer awareness.0
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