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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Comments
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Thanks for all the encouragement, support, and advice on dealing with insomnia and feeling down. I am feeling better today, but it tends to sneak up on me. Lack of sleep just isn't good! SammieKay, I know we both can get through this, especially if we can get something to help with the night sweats and insomnia.
Hillary and Terry - I meet with the onc before treatment tomorrow, so I will definitely ask him to give me something better than Xanac to help me sleep. My job has pretty good medical leave and I was considering taking off a couple of weeks towards the end of radiation. It really just depends on how things work out with this potential new job, which is one of the things that is really stressing me out. Also, DH is going to England on business next week - so I will have to manage with my 2 boys for a few days. Needless to say, I definitely have a lot on my plate (and on my mind) right now.
Carynn, regarding lumpectomy recovery, my surgeon said typically 2-3 weeks depending on how well you heal. I took 3 weeks off, but I also had nodes removed. In addition, my tumor was 2 cm, so it follows that removal of a smaller mass would heal more quickly. I agree with Melanie that the surgery was far easier to deal with than chemo, so you should recover just fine.
Congrats again to all those who finish chemo this week. Tomorrow Im off to the bar for Taxol #3, so Ill be on that decadron high tonight. I keep telling myself - just 2 more weeks...just 2 more weeks...
Steph0 -
Celebration Time...Come On
She is DONE. No more tea parties, No more bar dates, Nothing....just plain done. It is a sweet feeling.
We enjoyed a "No More Chemo" dinner at Red Lobster then drove home to let it settle in.
Take Care all.
S0 -
Theresa, Scott, congrats! Now is the time to concentrate on recovering from all this... and get our strength back... Have a great summer and come give us some news when you feel like it. Good continuation on your photo project.
You both take care,
CatherineH0 -
OK, I'm a little freaked.
My husband's at the ER. He was retching uncontrollably, perspiring heavily, dizzy. I followed the ambulance there, but the nurses eventually decided that I should not be in the ER one day after my last chemo. They think that he as a really bad stomach flu. My son is at a friend's house for dinner and they'll walk him back after dinner. My stepson is coming over to stay with us. I'm afraid that I might get this. How can I tell the difference between my normal queasiness after taxol vs. the onset of a stomach virus?
I guess if I start feeling sick, I'll just get myself over to a hospital. Should I go to a local one or to the major hospital that is treating me for my cancer?
Thanks for letting me vent. I don't know if anyone is reading this, but I feel better typing it out. I feel pretty hopeless just sitting around at home right now.
-- Hillary0 -
tomorrow I will have taxol #3 then one more. I can not wait until this over. It is funny how we dreaded starting but now so close to being done... well just want it done.
congratulations to all that have finished this week. I will be where you are in two weeks.
Piper0 -
Will check in and post later, but Hillary, if you start to feel sick, I'd go to the definately go to the hospital. Better to be safe than sorry. Does your Onc's office have a good on call staff? You might want to give them a call and see if you get sick if they have a preference as to where you go. If you cant get them, just go to the closest one. Try not to stress too much, just get your ducks in a row and be ready just incase.
Hugs..
Carynn0 -
Hi Hillary - sorry your husband isn't well - it's morning here in Australia so I am reading! If you start feeling desperately unwell, go to your nearest hospital - my onc says for anything that's not cancer related, just get the best nearest care. If you are unwell and feel like you might need hospital admission, go to the hospital your onc practices at, that way he or she can supervise your recovery. To reassure you - my onc says that bacterial infections (like colds and other bug things like salmonella and staph) are much more serious for us chemo people than viruses. Not that the virus wouldn't knock you about, but it won't be affected by your low blood counts, which affect our ability to fight bacteria, not viruses.
Keep taking your temp, and if it goes up, get some attention right away.
Hope you don't get whatever it is your dh has, take care, and remember, someone is probably here 24/7.
Belinda0 -
Hillary, so sorry your DH is going through that kind of stuff. My husband got a stomach flue/virus a month ago and i DID NOT get it (although not on Neulasta anymore). He was so sick he had to stay 3 days in bed, I never saw him sick in 25 years... I was very concerned (violent vomiting, etc. but no fever, extreme weakness), but he did not see any doctor... he was back to normal within a week... We avoided contacts and cleaned everything we touched... You may not get anything... try to sleep (that's when our immune system is beingrepaired...). Caryn and belinda said it all...
Good luck with everything and a prompt recovery for your husband.
Hugs,
CatherineH0 -
Thank of all you sweet ladies for the encouragement and the suggestions. I am feeling better. Even went grocery shopping today.
I hope I will be able to sleep tonight. I only slept 4 hours last night. That was with Ambien.
I had forgotten about the Effexor. I have heard of that helping the hot flashes. Trying to sleep with my right arm elevated on pillows is really uncomfortable. I think all those pillows make me hot too.
As my plastic surgeon told me yesterday, "this will be the most miserable year of your life, but after it is all over, you will be cured". I know he is right. I need to buck up LOL. Seriously, I am feeling better and hope all of you are as well. Hugs to all, Sammie Kay0 -
HIlary, I hope your husband is better by now. I really, really hope you don't get his bug. You are both in my prayers. It is a helpless feeling to be home waiting to hear how he is, I am sure. Love, Sammie Kay
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Oh Hillary - what a way to put a damper on the celebration, eh? I do hope he feels better soon and I hope you don't have to suffer. If you still have some anti-nausea meds, you may want to just take a regular dose for a couple days proactively.
Scott & Theresa - congrats on the end. Feels great, doesn't it. Glad everything worked out after the weekend's fiasco.
SammieKay - so good to hear you're feeling better. Steph - hang in there. Lack of sleep isn't good. Still on the steroid high from Sunday night/Monday morning - up at 3 this morning (with Ambien CR) but I did take my last 2 decadron this morning so once I get this dose out of my system, I'll be back in sleep business. btw, they say the steroids stay in your system for 2.5 to 3 days after the dose. Means I should be sleeping peacefully by Sunday night. Hope you can do something to get some sleep relief Steph.
Marsha - I trust you're doing well after your 2 bar stops yesterday/last night. Celebrate, celebrate!
Karen - I know I've seen the instructions for posting pics (or maybe that was for avatars) but for the life of me, can't remember the thread. I know the January gals have some photos posted - I'll check for instructions there.
Hugs to all the imbibers today.
Back to work.
Phyl0 -
Hillary, hope you received good news about hubby. Hopefully just a bug. But clean everything and avoid close contact. My kids have been sick several times and I have managed to stay welll, with a little help from Lysol and Clorox....
Sammie....be sure and ask about the Effexor...it took a few weeks, but really made a huge difference for me.
Well...off to the bar in about 15 minutes....
Love to all,0 -
Onc nurse taking the needle out of my port for the last time......big ole smile on my face!!
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Hillary, like everyone else my son had a horrible flu, vomiting, fever... I physically did not go near him and my sister kindly cleaned the house everyday he was sick from top to bottom with clorox. She also infused tea tree and eucalyptus in the air to clean it-I don't know much on these things. Anyway avoided it all. I hope your husband makes a speedy recovery.
Marsha-how did you get the pix inside your posting so I can add the tattoo shot? Congratulations!! Love the smile.
This has been my best post chemo period so far. Went out last night in the backyard and played volleyball for awhile. One more to go
Karen0 -
Karen, go to www.photobucket.com. Set up a free account. Download your pics from your camera to whatever program you use. Then in photobucket you upload to your new account there. You have options to copy/paste under url, e-mail or image. Choose image, copy. Write out your post, click on "preview post. From there you can edit your post, click on "image, then when the box comes up paste the photobucket that you copied. Click OK and there you have it!! Marsha Oh and PS it is easier to have two windows open to do this. One photobucket, ther other this site.0
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Hillary: Just checking in with you and wondering what they found to be wrong with your DH. You definitely need answers right now to protect yourself. You might have to spend a couple of days in a luxurious hotel...just to protect yourself
Marsha; Love the pic! You look elated...higher than the balloon!
Sammie; How many mg's Ambien did you take? I was told that I could take 2 (5mg each)...and I do for the first 3 nights.
Gotta go! I have a work comp auditor showing up any minute now.
Huggz All...0 -
Hillary, Goodness hope your hubby is Ok and how bazarre for that to happen last night. Listen to what happened at BNO last night!
All the broads are sitting around my house on the lanai and Tina gets up to go to the bathroom. A few minutes later we hear her shouting "OMG, OMG help me, somebody help me, OMG". We all go running in there and she is laying on the floor in front of the toilet. Totally disoriented. No clue where she is or who we are. I get down and said "Tina, you are at BNO. It's Marsha, you are at my house. She clears some we get her on the toilet, she is clammy, sweaty, confused and has peed on herself. One broad is calling 911 and Tina says NO NO I'm fine. Don't 911 me. Let me tell you what happend. So we get her back outside, she said she felt faint as she was trying to get her pants off. We put a wet rag on her, she's breathing heavy and finally admits her heart is racing. That was it. I called 911, she's getting pain in the left arm, we are freaking out. Ambulance comes, taking her out, my DH (who has been out playing music) turns down our road and absolutely has his own heart attack, sees it's Tina on the stretcher, feels relief, then guilt for gfeeling relief (his own kind of "new normal"). So we got to the ER (I know I shouldn't be t here) and wait 2 hours, she had been throwing up early in the day and was projectile vomiting in the ER. EKG: normal, CT on head: normal, blood work: normal, but low potassium. Her blood pressure got to be under 100 for a moment. They sent her home saying some kind of panic attack (??????????) This morning she still has vertigo. But is seeing her doc this afternoon.
Let us know how he is doing and take care of YOURSELF!! Love, Marsha0 -
Thanks for all your kinds thoughts and messages. My husband likely has an inner ear problem, not the stomach flu. Apparently, inner ear problems can cause severe vertigo which can lead to nausea and vomiting. He spent the night in the ER, but is home now, feeling pretty good.
I'll post more later ...
-- Hillary0 -
Just a quick note...
There is a virus that is associated with vertigo, and it can be very scary. I had a friend who ended up in the ER with it also.
I had a bout with vertigo several years ago. It was my ear also. I was not able to drive for almost a week. When I would look to the side and turn back to the front, I would get terribly dizzy. I forgot what medicine they prescribed, but I took it for 2 days and slept and cried...so I quit taking it. It wasn't a cure. It basically just knocked me out, and since I was fine as long as I was laying down...what since did that make? It took about 3-4 weeks for me to feel normal.
Marsha; I am just thinking how completely terified your hubby must have been! Uh Oh...he might have to supervise BNO's for awhile.0 -
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OK that was about 5 times as big as the original pix. I think you can see the pores in my skin, sorry but I had no idea what I as doing with the photo bucket the first time. This is the pix when she was still working on it. Then you flake off the henna. I will try to post that pix but no promises on the size of my head!!
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BEAUTIFUL Karen....I soooooooooooo wanted you to turn your head so we can see your face!!!!!!! Marsha
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Hillary, glad things seem back to more normal... and hope the inner ear issue is not too serious (although scary and uncomfortable)... a bracelet against sea-sickness??
Marsha, your story is no better, please update about your friend, hopefully this was not a heart attack (although sounds like it...) or a cerebral cardiovascular accident...
Your pic is lovely, you look like a kid... sweet Marsha, take care of yourself...
Big hugs to all (have to go back...)
CatherineH0 -
So much catching up to do...
Hillary, love the henna and I do hope the DH has recovered with no negative effect on you.
Oh girls...I'm so glad to see you all posting about your last Txs. I'm just home from mine too....YAY! Doing a happy dance with everybody who finished up this week! The nurses gave me a graduation certificate and a small bottle of sparkling cider. I'm operating on about two hours sleep from the decadron, my eyes are bleary and sore...I'm stunned to be done. Especially since I won't have any follow on therapy...so surgery...then that's it for me. A little scary in a way. I'm so tired...heading to bed. I'll check in over the weekend. Hugs hugs hugs!!!!
Night my friends.0 -
Girls, I was just thiking....since so many are coming to and end of the chemo part of the cruise, some to just hormone therpy, rads, surgery after chemo, etc that we need a way to keep up with all that. So I am going to start a post with info on whats next in journey and you guys need to copy paste then add yourself. We can keep updating that kinda like the bar reservations. What do your think? Marsha
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Feb. Chemo Cruisers Ports of Call List
1. Marsha is done with surgery and chemo and will move on to tamoxifen for 5 years. Will be busy with close follow-up screening for the next few months. No recon is the forseeable future.
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Feb. Chemo Cruisers Ports of Call List
1. Marsha is done with surgery and chemo and will move on to tamoxifen for 5 years. Will be busy with close follow-up screening for the next few months. No recon is the forseeable future.
2. Twink is done with chemo, bilateral mastectomy is set for June 6th, Trip Neg so no follow on therapy. Next appointment with the oncologist on July 19th when the pathology report from surgery will be reviewed. Here's hoping for a negative SNB result!0 -
Feb. Chemo Cruisers Ports of Call List
1. Marsha is done with surgery and chemo and will move on to tamoxifen for 5 years. Will be busy with close follow-up screening for the next few months. No recon is the forseeable future.
2. Twink is done with chemo, bilateral mastectomy is set for June 6th, Trip Neg so no follow on therapy. Next appointment with the oncologist on July 19th when the pathology report from surgery will be reviewed. Here's hoping for a negative SNB result!
3. Hillary is done with surgery (lumpectomy and SNB) and chemo and will move on to radiation for 8 weeks starting in mid-June. Although triple neg, might go on to tamoxifen because of LCIS in "good" breast. Will also be closely followed. Haven't ruled out bilat and reconstruction in the future.0 -
Feb. Chemo Cruisers Ports of Call List
1. Marsha is done with surgery and chemo and will move on to tamoxifen for 5 years. Will be busy with close follow-up screening for the next few months. No recon is the forseeable future.
2. Twink is done with chemo, bilateral mastectomy is set for June 6th, Trip Neg so no follow on therapy. Next appointment with the oncologist on July 19th when the pathology report from surgery will be reviewed. Here's hoping for a negative SNB result!
3. Hillary is done with surgery (lumpectomy and SNB) and chemo and will move on to radiation for 8 weeks starting in mid-June. Although triple neg, might go on to tamoxifen because of LCIS in "good" breast. Will also be closely followed. Haven't ruled out bilat and reconstruction in the future.
4. Catherine is done with surgery (bilat mast, Jan 10th), with the "hard core" chemo, and will continue Avastin alone until December (once every 3 weeks, 15mg/kg) with a heart echography (US) every 3 months and regular blood test+urine analysis (for the study). No rads, no reconstruction, will get on Tamoxifen for a year (since "peri" menopausal), then to Arimidex (once "officially" menopaused)... hopefully these treatments will not trigger long posts about bad side effects...0 -
Thanks Marsha for the good idea/initiative... it would be so nice to be able to "stay" together as we go through various other things (or nothing)... Any news from your friend who fainted at your place?
Twink, congrats!! Wishing you plenty of rest to get ready for surgery. Did not sink in for me yet... already achy and tired...
Hillary, these henna patterns are beautiful... don't wash! Hope you're feeling OK.
All bc sisters out there... have a nice evening and take care,
CatherineH0
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