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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

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Comments

  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited June 2007
    Jan, good... this is encouraging: probably not a fake batch from Asia...
    Your son is impressive in his uniform, hope he will be OK soon...
    Good night, everybody... Marsha, please rewrite your long message... we miss you (even if I understand very well that your support group is now at the Grill with the Crispy Cruisers...). Take care, sweet girl...
    Catherine
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited June 2007
    Catherine did you see this news about Tamoxifin and hot flashes? Sounds like its good news if you are having hot flashes on these pills for early stage cancer.
    http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/06/05/hscout605100.html
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited June 2007
    Catherine, you don't have to chase me down HAHA I had a little period of time where I really just didn't want to THINK about chemo for a bit. I'm good now, and you gals are my support system! I'm doing the Not So Secret Pal with the lovely circle girls and that is a lot of fun. You know you are welcome at the grill even if you aren't doing the crispy cruise. The squirrel story had me lauhghing right out loud. Thinking you would catch the "flower thief" hahahah. I don't know about the secret agent/bionic beauty thingy but it was nice of you to say. I really think the joy and sparkle for life is what you are seeing the in the pics.

    Melanie, I am so ready for t his hair to grow out like Leahs! Watching grass grow is a very good description!

    Karen, how did t he scans go? Boy I dread all that! Love ya

    Sammie Kay, didn't you tell us you were older? You looked like a 40 something in your sailboat pic. And handsome hubby!

    Alyson, Last taxol.....WooHoo dance for you!! Are you heading to rads with us?

    Jan, 400 miles in one day? Good grief. Where are you going next week? Did I miss that? Your son is very handsome and we all thank him so much for serving our country. Please let him know that.

    Kim (nynurse) HELLO WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN? We wondered how you were doing. How about you, heading to rads?

    Hillary, I could taste your dinner. Maybe you and Catherine should have a cook off? I sooooo wish I could get a 11 hour sleep night!!!!! Stopped taking the sleep aid the same day I started the tamoxifin. Waking up alot but need to get my body use to sleeping on it's own.

    Twink, well LOL, who else but you would have their own tattooist??? You are awesome looking bald. That looks like a Demi Moore head to me!

    Phyl, I am abswolutely convinced the birth control pill/DEPO shot caused my BC. I cringe when I see the commercials encouraging young women to use them, especially with the new ones that stop regular menstrating.

    Leah, Your hair is coming in great. Looks so dark and thick. Topless baby topless.

    Carynn, howdy to you in Arizona. Isn't your surgery coming up soon? Like the 21 or 22?

    Someone mentioned going to the hormone thread and I agree. I went there and had to leave cause it is so negative. I don't want anyone putting ideas in my head about SE. With hormone therapy I think it is VERY individual.

    I am sure I have missed someone, hello Pat, Steph, Tracy, Sybil, Tropicmom, Jen, Theresa and Scott, Melody, Wendy, Belinda, and everyone else. I think about you guys alot.

    Love and hugs all around, Marsha
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited June 2007
    Jan, thank you for 1) confirming I was not given phony pills, 2) the link about hot flashes... that's definitely one thing I know I have, but not new for me, I would just say that the "hot" part got "hotter" and I sweat much more, especially at night and in the morning... during the day, not too bad, and evenings are flashy again... well, let's hope they are right...

    Marsha, I never really thought about the pill as a factor, but you may have a point there. I took it 10 years, on and off, between 18-28... it was already the low-dose type, in those years (mini pill)... then DH could not stand the idea that I would go on chemicals like that, and he decided for a vasectomy, which was a nice thing to do since we were not planning a family. I mentioned the "on-the-pill" years to the onc, but he did not comment... Not being menopausal at 54 is more the issue, I believe (too many cycles for too long)... will we ever know? Somebody mentioned the old CRT we were using 20 years ago while sitting at our computers all day long... I certainly have done that now for 25 years (although, in those days, there was no e-mail, no forums and no games to keep you at it beyond what was necessary for work...). You are doing well, from what I read on a board here, somewhere, to not take sleeping pills/antidepressant with Tamox (since it could inhibit the very enzyme needed to metabolize Tamoxifen). Eat fresh lettuce with your dinner (Boston type), drink linden + orange blossom tea in the evening... they are calming... I wake up 2 or 3 times because of the night sweats, which is a pain...

    Carynn, how are you doing?

    I wished we were all in the same neighborhood... so we could visit for real...

    You all take care, sweet ladies,
    Catherine
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited June 2007

    Hey Catherine....I've been wanting to talk to the doc about the antidepressant. He put me on it in Jan even tho I insisted depression was not what I was feeling. I did it on his advice. Do not feel the least bit depressed but know you're not suppose to just go off it. Sleeping pill in a different story. I don't know about the enzyme/antidepressant thing. Could you elaborate? I'm trying to get off all this crap. I wish we could visit in real life too! Marsha

  • ErinsGram
    ErinsGram Member Posts: 150
    edited June 2007

    Just a thought as I was reading thru Marsha's 'hi' list - we haven't heard from Linnie for probably a couple months - anyone see her on any of the other threads?

  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited June 2007
    Marsha, here is the forum name:

    tamoxifen and P450 enzyme CY2D6 test

    They also mention grapefruit juice, I had started drinking that again, I'll stop for a while, although I believe the issue is about drinking those juices with the pill. I take the tamox at bed time, and drink the juice at bkfst...???

    I got my markers back and the onc's office called me (DH got the phone call, since I was on my walk, and he got a very nice lady explaining to him that everything was perfectly fine and normal).
    Those markers are a very individual thing. If of interest, here they are:
    - CA 27-29 (BC) was 5.5 before chemo, 18.8 2 weeks after chemo (normal ref. range: 0.0-38.6)
    - CEA (Lungs, liver, colon): was 2.3 before chemo, 2.6 after chemo (normal ref. range: 0.0-2.5 for non smokers, 0.0-5.0 for smokers... I did smoke some when younger, quit 25 years ago).

    Well, I am going to weed, since it is nice and soft after the rain... I think of you all when I am gardening and daydreaming...

    Till soon,
    Love,
    Catherine
  • leahrc
    leahrc Member Posts: 384
    edited June 2007
    All,
    Went topless yesterday and today. I have some killer earrings and I took some time to doll up the makeup! Got nothing but compliments. Even DD (who is 19) said I was actually cool for the first time ever! It helps that the style is rather au courant!
    It feels so good to not have to wear the wig!!!!
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited June 2007
    Good for you Leah... must feel good, indeed. I feel a vague fuzz (white), but not much more... may have to try Miracle grow...
    Any news for your new contract? What would you have to do?

    BTW, Carynn, how is Nioxin working?
    Ciao,
    Catherine
  • lightphoto
    lightphoto Member Posts: 60
    edited June 2007
    Greetings everyone. We are on a bit of a high right now and need to gather ourselves a bit but wanted to share with you all first. We met with the oncologist today...his suggestion was to go on and enjoy life....CANCER FREE!!!! All tests look perfect. Can we say 'Survivor'?
    S
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited June 2007
    Congrats, Theresa, yes, enjoy life...
    Catherine, doing just that no matter what...
  • SammieKB
    SammieKB Member Posts: 164
    edited June 2007
    Hi all,
    Nice hearing from you Marsha. I am still 67, but don't feel like it. Young at heart. Thanks...:)
    Congrats Alyson on finishing chemo. I can't wait to join you.
    Jan, thanks for the link. I wonder if one had already menopaused if this will apply.
    Does anyone remember the ingredients in the Magic Mouthwash? My onc. doesn't seem to know the formula. Walgreen won't fill it unless he tells them what to mix.
    I went to work today for 6 hours. I really enjoyed being there, but was quite tired by the time I came home.
    Being at work makes me feel less like a sick person.
    Take care all. Will write more tomorrow. Love to all. Sammie Kay
  • leahrc
    leahrc Member Posts: 384
    edited June 2007

    I remember Carynn knew, but I took a straight Nystatin Oral suspension and it worked within a day! Was an inexpensive scrip, also.

  • leahrc
    leahrc Member Posts: 384
    edited June 2007
    Also, All:
    Have been topless at work for 3 days now. People seem to genuinely think it looks good. My 19 year old said I was "cool" and with it. WIth long dangly earrings and some extra makeup, I feel really good!
    The top hair is all really really tight curls now. You can see them like little concentric circles if you look from the top! This would be great to have curls again!
  • ErinsGram
    ErinsGram Member Posts: 150
    edited June 2007
    Theresa & Scott - congrats on being c-FREE! Enjoy.

    Leah - how cool! I thought the last pics you posted were great and they gave us all hope. I am so looking forward to my day. I think you should change your avatar to the real thing now. Yeah - who am I to talk as I don't have an avatar, but I will.

    Hugs to all!
    Phyl
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited June 2007

    There you go Leah, if a 19 year old says mom is cool then who are we to disagree? LOL Add a pair of funky sunglasses and you are good to go. Marsha

  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited June 2007
    Congrats Scott and Theresa!

    My computer won't let me online as of yesterday afternoon so used hubby's to get here. Don't like his keyboard as mine is ergonomic and hooked up to the laptop. Guess I won't be taking my laptop on the trip!

    I've debated going topless now I have just enough hair crew cut style but I sure do like my fav wig as its a bit cuter than my real hair even now! Well I'll have to go topless when wearing my motorcycle helmet...at least it should be a little cooler in hot weather this year.

    Still no trike yet, guess they are fixing some problem they had with it. Maybe today they said. Looks like we will be hopping on this trike with no time to get used to it! Not sure I will be able to share pics as his computer is not set up to download pics from my digital camera.
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited June 2007

    Something I have been wondering about, been on Birth Control pills since I was 20. Second surgeon told me to STOP them right now, first one never said a thing! Family doc told me to stay on them when I turned 40 to help with going into menopause. So been taking them for over 30 years. I wonder if they caused my cancer since mine fed off of estrogen! Anyone else take BC for many years? Jan

  • ErinsGram
    ErinsGram Member Posts: 150
    edited June 2007
    That would be me Jan. Started taking them when I was 18 and quit after my hyster at 50. There were some brief periods where I didn't take them - e.g., pregnancy, etc., but even after having a tubal, I was put back on them because of excessive bleeding. So for me, I'd say that's the #1 contributor to my cancer. I'm sure there are other factors also but this one just seems to scream BC. Oh, to have known then what we know now!
    Phyl
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited June 2007

    Me too Phyl and then my next big risk factor with Lobular is not having children. Go figure......Marsha

  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2007
    Jan and Phyl --

    Don't beat yourselves up about taking birthcontrol pills. My mom never took a pill, and she developed ER+ breast cancer at 48. I took birth control pills for over 10 years, and I developed ER- breast cancer at 48. There are other factors as well, but again they don't make sense in our case. My mom got her period late and had her first two kids before she was 30, but she didn't nurse us. I got my period late, had my only child after 40, and did nurse my son.

    Unfortunately with cancer, there are so many things involved, from our own specific genetic makeup to our own specific environmental exposure, that it is impossible to put the blame on any one thing.

    Hugs,
    Hillary
  • nynurse
    nynurse Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2007
    Hello All,

    I know I have been in hibernation. I feel like I was out of touch for so long. The last few chemo tx really had me feeling really bad. The joint pain was almost unbearable. I went through enough Dilaudid to kill a horse.

    Besides that i am glad that the chemo is over for now. I am starting in a clinical trial with Tamoxifen and suppressing the ovaries for the 5 years. So I will probably start that in about 2 weeks. I just went for all the blood work yesterday. I am trying to loose this weight I put on. I wished for one thing and that was to loose weight. So of course I gained and my face is like the moon.

    How is everyone else doing? Almost done with chemo?

    Hugs
    Kim
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited June 2007
    Kim, even tho alot of us are finished or almost, we are all hanging around here togther to stay in touch. I started tamoxifen on Monday and start my rads next Tuesday. I had a lot of bone pain with the taxol. So glad all that is over aren't you?

    Hugs, Marsha
  • wayover20
    wayover20 Member Posts: 191
    edited June 2007
    I had #9 yesterday and of course uneventful. I wanted to say that about 1 week ago I started taking B6 100mg 2x daily and on a day I usually really feel the pins and needles sensations, today it's almost unnoticeable. One of my nurses says it helps some women and does nothing to others which is when they try magnesium and calcium supplements. So I'm sticking with B6. I'm returning to work full time mid July so I'm happy to have positive results as I'll be on my feet 8+ hrs/day.

    I also went out and purchased a couple more mast. bras and guess what...this store I went to was manned by one lady who was the "fitter". She was busy doing clerical stuff when I walked in and told her what I was looking for. Well she puts me in this large room full of mastectomy products, points to the bras and say "help yourself to find what you want and this room locks so you'll have privacy". So I go ahead, lock the door and start trying on bras till I find 3 I like, then I see a silicone prosthesis my size lying in a plastic crate full of other stuff like different size prosthesis covers, cooling pads, turbans, etc. So I open the door and tell her I found the bras I want and she says she'll let me have them for $20.00 each instead of $42.00. (wow!) Then I ask her how much for that silicone prosthesis??? She say's "you can just take it, everything in this crate is stuff that for whatever reason has been in the store a long time and we don't have it listed on our inventory anymore...just take what you want, but I don't have a box for it"!!!! So I walked out of there with 3 bras, one nearly me silicone prosthesis, one cover, all for $60.00!
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited June 2007
    Hi everybody! Way too many posts since I last checked in to respond individually, but I did read everything, and I'm all caught up. I did see where there was a question to me about the Miracle Mouthwash. What I had read before was that it's active ingredients are - Benadryl, lidocaine, and Malox. Good stuff!

    Had the genetic counseling / testing yesterday. The counseling was a bit of a joke. I was probably old enough to be the "counselers" mother; and at one point she remarked that I knew as much about it as she did. sigh...At least we were in and out of that piece fairly quickly. So, 21 days from yesterday, if not before, we'll know. I do look for it to come back positive, and I do have "plan b" in place.

    Marsha - My surgery is scheduled for 6/21. Dont know what I'd do without DH helping me run around and deliver films, reports, etc. It is kind of annoying that so many places think nothing of having the paitient be a courier.

    One interesting thing today - went to the Onc for my aranesp shot and they had tons of new brochures from breastcaner.org. If you havent seen the display, it's really well done with lots of good info. I did read one pamphlet that confused me tho, was anyone awake during their lumpectomy?

    Oh! And just my .02 on birth control, etc. Girls, if we knew what caused our cancer, we'd be millionaires! My personal belief is that it's genetics - even if you're the first in the family - kind of a recpie we inherit. I dont think that unless you worked in a coal mine, anyone can really put their finger on it with any certainty. I bet we all have a relative who smoked, drank, and was a general hell raiser who lived well into their 90's and one who did it all right their whole life and left us way to young....

    That's it for now. Hugs to all and TTYL.

    Carynn

    PS - Wayover I wanna go shopping with you! Way to score girl!
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited June 2007
    Good point there Carynn, genetics probably does play a big role in cancer now they have been coming up with genetic related info in the past few years. Even just recent reports saying if you have this particular gene chemo does alot for that person vs those who don't have it...

    Still on hubby's computer despite my laptop was able to get online at the computer guru's shop where I bought the laptop! I still can't get online at home even though his computer does fine with my network wire and router plug...so go figure!

    again no trike, now saying maybe at noon Friday. Said the guy is going over it with a fine tooth comb to be sure its ready for this trip.
  • ErinsGram
    ErinsGram Member Posts: 150
    edited June 2007

    Thought it was time to readdress this subject. Anyone seeing anything substantial? My hair (yes, real hair) has changed from the peach fuzz to real hair. It's still snow white tho - I was probably 30%-40% gray pre-BC (it's hard to say precisely as I did use L'Oreal for a number of years). It's starting to feel pretty course and it's probably an eighth of an inch but not real even. I'm 25 days out from last chemo. I use Nioxin and take Biotin. Check out RobbinJaye's post on the January board (page 143) - she's 78 days out - I'd definitely be topless with her hair. Looks pretty much in line with Leah's. There is hope. Ok - now I'm getting obsessed with hair and eyebrows and eyelashes (don't have many of those either). Hugs to all! Phyl

  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited June 2007
    NoMoCheMo Party Pics

    My friend Sheila who had a stroke 4 years ago...first big outing!

    [image]image[/image]

    Chatroom girls: this is CatfromFl

    [image]image[/image]

    The funniest guy I know!

    [image]image[/image]

    Bruce, Me & Frankie (who was a Club Kid in NYC in the 80's...SO fun!

    [image]image[/image]

    That's my hubby in the middle

    [image]image[/image]

    My nutty friend Laura singing her no more chemo song

    [image]image[/image]

    18" Q Tip I got from mu surgeons office... great conversation piece!

    [image]image[/image]

    Tina & Laura

    [image]image[/image]

    Sing? Me?

    [image]image[/image]

    FUN FUN FUN
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited June 2007
    Great pics Marsha, looks like a great party!

    I'm about 112 days from hair fall out and no where as thick as RobbinJaynes!

    Some more genetic/cancer news!
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070614/hl_nm/cancer_breast_gene_dc_1;_ylt=AsGS2rpg8roJsQcGVvzvl.kE1vAI

    Jan
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2007
    Marsha -- Those are amazing photos! Looks like a fun party ... Can you get the lyrics to the NoMoChemo song?

    Phyl -- I'm so jealous about hair growth. I finished the same time as you and there is absolutely nothing on the hair front but peach fuzz. Do you think the nioxin is the reason why your hair is growing? Is it working for anyone else? My hairdresser has tried to talk me out of it -- he says that it is expensive and hasn't work for most of his clients.

    I have a confession to make. When my hair started falling out, my hairdresser gave it a buzz cut. All the black hair fell out, but the white was left. I never bothered to go back to get it shaved. Now, the white looks fuzzy, definitely an old man look. When I wear a certain white nightgown, I swear that I look like Scrooge!

    Is anyone else having rebound exhaustion? I think the couple of weeks after chemo was over, I had this big adrenaline rush and felt great. Now, I'm just feeling exhausted all the time. I'm sleeping more than my six year old! I am also ravenous, eating all the time, and putting on the weight.

    I'm off to our local Wellness Community to learn about fiber. I'm seriously trying to change my eating habits for the better. Maybe incorporating more fiber in my diet will fill me up and make me feel less hungry. Gotta to cut down my appetite somehow!

    Hugs to all,
    Hillary

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