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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Comments
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Congrats to Jan on your birthday and Carynn and DH on your anniversary. Love you, Sammie Kay
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Catherine - what super photos. The 3 make such a cute family. I think my fav is the one where they're zonked out. Looks like they had an exhausting day.
Jan - Thanks for checking in. Sounds like you're having a great time. Happy 52nd!
Hugs to you both!
Phyl0 -
Happy birthday to Jan! And YAY on topless. Great pics Catherine, we all want to be that dog for the short period. So cute. Leah that sounds like a great trip!! The convertible is something that in itself is freeing, don't you think? Sometimes I just drop the top and ride for awhile, going no where in particular, music up loud. LOL
Met 2 bc sisters yesterday. Sheri and her family were vacationing in Orlando and Sue, who lives in Tampa, Fl and I met her at her condo. Here is a picture.
Oh Sammie Kay, the end is near!! And Wayne Newton, OMG, is he still alive? LOL Just kidding. He kinda IS Vegas, right?
Marsha0 -
What an awful weekend I had...I felt like I was hit by a mack truck with painful hips (especially), shoulders, back. I actually had to take a percocet to get some sleep. The swelling was next to nil thanks to the lasix I'm now taking, but those aches were bad!
Finally today I woke up not feeling 80 years old. I think this was the worst one yet and tomorrow is my LAST taxol. HURRAH!!!!!!!!!!! Then we'll be headed to Corpus Christi to celebrate the 4th, Independance (from chemo) day!
Thank you all you wonderful women of strength and courage for "being with me" through this life-changing journey. Your words of reassurance and comfort shared with all the women on these boards is what got me through in one piece.
I will continue to keep all you in my prayers.
Pat0 -
Marsha -- Great picture -- how wonderful to be able to meet some bc sisters!
Jan -- Happy 52 young!
My news -- I've lost four of the five pounds I put on during chemo! I'm not as small as Marsha or Twink, but I'm not large, and those five pounds were all around my tummy!
Here's what I've got for the week ...
Tuesday - Pat (last taxol), SammieKay (2nd to last FAC)
Thursday -- Terry (last TCH), Theresa (reconstruction surgery and port removal), Catherine (port removal)
Friday - Belinda, Leah (port removal)
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Leah, mine worked great, but the incision is opened (I see the white plastic of the tube that goes from the port to the vein). I hope the infected skin will not prevent the procedure (much better, but still red)... I expect local lidocaine shots... I'll call them tomorrow to find out. I'll let you know as soon as I am back.
Have a nice sunny day...
We need a hair update with pictures...
Catherine0 -
Congrat Hillary!! I am trying not to gain... difficult (I do not move around as much because it's so hot + at my computer all day...). You must be very pleased with yourself...
Thank you for keeping up with our "festivities calendar"
Wishing you a great day,
Hugs,
Catherine0 -
Hi. the Vegas girl... you'll have those fun moments to think about during your last chemos... Hang in there... Hope the rain is not creating too many problems... does that mean the drought is over???
Big hugs to you, SammieKay... yes, all the mouth booboos and other go away within a month or so...
Catherine0 -
Sammie - big hugs during your chemo tomorrow. The end is in sight!
Hillary - congrats on the weight loss.
Catherine & Leah - I'm so envious of the port removals. I guess I'm gonna have to wait till reconstruction - the PS can take it out. My med onc wanted me to keep in in a year - NOT!
Marsha - tx for the pic - what's for chow? I can identify the veggie tray - what's in the bowl?
Pat - we'll be doing the nomochemo dance fer ya! I hope you're feeling great when you head to CC.
Hair update - I don't think I'm too far from enough coverage to go topless. I really would like to have a bit more hair to cover that brown streak over the top of my head. Every morning, DH tells me he can't believe how much difference he sees from the previous day. Also, beginning Saturday morning, I noticed some eyebrows - today I had full brows - not very long but they are very prominant (defintely don't need the brow powder any more). Sure came in fast. Also, the eyelashes are about 1/8" long. I splurged on a tube of Revitalash - I probably won't know if it's helping until I get to my original length - if they get longer than that, I'll assume it's the Revitalash. BTW - I'm 42 days out from my last Taxol.
Back to work. Hugs to all from cold, windy central PA!
Phyl0 -
Phyl -- You should move to Southeastern PA ... we're having another delightful day! My hair is not coming in as fast as yours, nor are my brows or lashes.
Well, I got gently chastised for my weight loss today. Apparently, you are not supposed to lose any weight during rads because it might upset the tattoo positions. My bad. I'm not going to put it back on, but I guess I'll curtail the weight loss.
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
Marsha, Nice picture and what fun you must have had getting together with bc sisters.
Yes, Wayne Newton is alive and well.LOL Watch it, I think he and I are close to the same age.LOL He told this story, he ran into an older lady in a casino and she said, "I loved you when you were a fat little kid". Funny thing is so did I. I thought he was sooo cute when he was 13 or so. And he could sing like an adult.
You ought to see all his 'bling'. Wow! Diamonds galore, but very tasteful. Not like Liberace.
Take care Love you, Sammie0 -
Catherine, you are right, the drought is over here in Texas. I have emptied(from the rain gauge) 2 1/2 inches on Sat and 2 inches Sunday and 2 inches this morning. We are floating. LOL
I want to wish you well on Thurs. I will probably be in the nausea mode and probably sleeping. I hope all goes well. I hope they take it out. The foreign object can cause the body to react to it with infection. Maybe the infection will heal better if the port is removed. God bless. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Sammie Kay0 -
Pat, Sorry you were feeling so bad and glad you are better.
I live about 120 miles from Corpus. Have fun there. The coast is so relaxing.
I will be holding hands with you for our chemo on Tues.
Congrats on finishing. I have one more FAC after Tues.
When I had the severe back pain with Taxol, I took hydrocodone, but it didn't seem to help. Motrin seemed to help more. Have a nice vacation. Will be thinking of you. Hugs, Sammie Kay0 -
Hey Phyl, My hubby said the same thing. He really sees a difference almost daily. Eyebrows and lashes? Forget it. Very sparce! And I have that brown streak where I use to part my hair. What color are you getting? Mine is blonde with what looks like a little brown. (God I hope that is blonde and brown and not silver and grey!!) LOL
Marsha0 -
Hmmm - I've been going nuts trying to figure out where that streak came from. Thank you! I initially thought the new growth was white but now I think it was colorless - more translucent than white. Lots of brown starting to mix in but I'm sure I'll end up with lots of gray. The lashes/brows are all dark - no gray at all. You were a little over a week behind me with the Taxol so I'll bet you'll see the brows and lashes next week. I'll try to get a pic posted soon.
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Catherine and Leah, let us know about your port removals. I hear they are pretty easy and quick. So much so I thought their was no medication??
Sammie-good luck on your second to the last. You can make it!! We are still here for you. The NOMOCHEMO dance is a good one!
Pat congrats on your last taxol. Any celebrations planned?
Sammie, I can't believe you saw Wayne. I use to live not far from his house. He is quite nice to local LV. He has a bit of a compound with lots of horses and peacocks... He is Mr. LV.
Marsha and Phyl-do you have different color and texture to your hair, curly?? What is with al these "streaks", is that like two tone?? I still do not have a hair on my head and 32 days since last chemo.
Finished my first rads today. It was long since they had to remark me again. Made me a little nervous, like do they know what they are doing. I did lay there and think-this is better than chemo!
Catherine and Marsha thanks for the pixs. Marsha you do know how to have fun.
Hilary, I have just been glad not to gain any weight. I lost some at the beginning and like you got in "trouble."
All those still in chemo are in my thoughts.
Karen0 -
Hi girls. Just stopping in quickly to let you know I'm having my port removed tomorrow. I thought it would be this week, but was a little surprised to get a call today telling me were good to go for tomorrow. My BS does it in the OR with a local and IV sedation.
Talk to you tomorrow or the next day to let you know how it went.
Hugs!
Carynn0 -
Carynn, I was wondering about you, girlfriend... how are you doing (apart from OD'ed on deadwood...)... yes, let us know... it seems it is port removal week...
Take care...
Hugs,
Catherine0 -
Hi girls...I'm sorry, I haven't got the energy right now to read all the posts and respond... I did read Leah and Carynn's great news though! I'm so happy for you...must feel so nice. As for my situation, unchanged. AND surgery scheduled for Friday, 2nd path report to come back tomorrow from Johns Hopkins but no time for a treatment consult (so plowing ahead with the surgery). I did see the PS today how said the new puppies were looking great but, even better, he told me that lump under my arm was NOT a node (it's related to the SNB incision). What a relief...I've been worried near to death...
I'll check back in and take some time to catch up on y'all.
Hugs,
Twilah0 -
Hi, Twilah... thanks for checking in... I was worried about you and can't access your blog anymore to follow your moods and progress... you have some good news to share, too... no enlarged node and good-looking puppies... so we'll think about you for Friday... my underarm is feeling almost completely normal now, no cording... I do not put any heavy load on that arm, and I am fine... just be patient and if you can get some physical therapy by PT specialized in BC women, it is a good thing to understand better what to do... not to mention the pampering is always so nice...
Hope the whole family and pets are doing OK...
Take care,
Catherine0 -
Hi all
Just came in to check on everyone.
Had my post-chemo check today. No wonder I am tired as bloods extremely low. Comment was if I was having chemo this week it would have been postponed. Otherwise the onc was very pleased. He said I should get the feeling back in my feet by Christmas.
Leah and Carynn hope the port removal goes OK. I don't know when mine will go. Being in the public system means long waits here, also they prefer to wait until radiation is complete in case it is needed.
Twilah, pleased to hear that it was just swelling under your arm.
Hair report. No eyebrows even though DD thought they were growing - it was just that I had used an eyebrow pencil that morning. No eyelashes- well still a few but nothing moving yet. Really odd thing though. The fine fuzz on my head is falling out. Do hope this means that some new hair might be going to grow. I really don't mind if all this 'white' hair goes and something with a little more colour begins to grow but I fear I am being too hopeful.
We have had rain today again and it is cool but not as cold as last week, but then it is July and winter.
Hope all those having chemo and other treatments are going well.
Alyson0 -
Yuck, have to go back to the med onc this morning. I haven't seen the actual doctor for 10 weeks! Gonna ask about this dang port removal.
I really dread going back into this oncology center. They are really so removed and cold in nature that I just hate to go in there. Especially in comparison to the exact opposite at the rad onc office. Well we will see what the good doc plans to surprise me with today. I am keeping the promise to myself I made the last time: no matter what, they will not make me cry!!!!!!
Sorry all about me, Marsha0 -
Wow, it's turning out to be a busy and eventful week. Hugs out to Pat, SammieKay and Carynn today ...
Tuesday - Pat (last taxol), SammieKay (2nd to last FAC), Carynn (port removal)
Thursday -- Terry (last TCH), Theresa (reconstruction surgery and port removal), Catherine (port removal)
Friday - Belinda, Leah (port removal), Twink (AND surgery)
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
I'm off for the last taxol and feeling great! I'm taking 2 of those 8 inch fruit torts from the bakery along with a card the staff. Whew what a long haul it's been!
Karen we plan on going to corpus christi tomorrow to watch them shoot fireworks off the USS Lexington. It's a long time family tradition so now I'm adding my last chemo celebration to it! Only problem is it's mid-week and not all my family can make it....and oh yea....the rain. It's been POURING out in these parts and more is coming. Oh well, I'll still celebrate on way or another.
I'll check in later gals!
Pat0 -
Happpy 4th of July to all of you ladies and good luck to those this week with everything that you are having done. Theresa
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Good morning all...
Marsha, indeed, do not let them make you cry... it's a long time 10 weeks with no onc visit... Wishing to have a better than expected contact with this doctor... When I see your pix, I think we are pretty close as far as hair growth goes... I definitely see "real" hair showing through the fuzz and not all white... In fact I am going around top less more and more at home (it's so hot... plus the hot flashes which have become twice as hot as before the Tamox... a bit stiff joints when I sit too long...).
Hillary, you are a sweet heart to keep the log so faithfully for our various appointments...
Pat, wishing you a beautiful clearup in the coastal Texas sky for the fireworks so you can all enjoy the festivities and celebrate your NOMOCHEMO moment...
Theresa, a Happy 4th to you, too, and to Scott+family, and best of wishes for your upcoming surgery...
Big hugs all around, dear sisters... still in my manual: last chapter... all the error messages that can show up on this afterloader (brachytherapy machine)... I'd better pay attention... which I do because I think about the people who can benefit from these treatments on their tumors...).
Enjoy the 4th...
Catherine0 -
Hi all,
Just popping in to catch up on all the posts and say hello. I must say that I have been feeling pretty darn good these days now that chemo is behind me. My main lingering SE is the hot flashes and night sweats. (BTW - has anyone seen their monthly cycle since being off chemo? I'm just wondering if it will come back at all.)
I am now seeing quite a bit of fuzz on my head, although overall I still look bald. No improvement in eyebrows or eyelashes as of late but I am just 4 weeks post-chemo.
I got my tattos on Monday and I begin rads next Tuesday (7/10). I will also be resuming my MBA program by taking an online class that begins next week, so I just hope that I am up for it all.
Catherine, Carynn, and Leah - Good luck on your port removals. Mine is healing up pretty well - it has been itching right around the incision which I think is normal. Nonetheless, it is great having it out!
Marsha - I hope your appt. with the onc goes much better than you expect. Just go there with a take charge attitude - remember that he is there to do what's best for you. It sounds like everyone is getting rid of their ports, so you should push for it too.
Hillary - congrats on the weight loss, although I was bummed out to hear they don't want you to lose during rads. I'll be sure to ask about this at my practice, as I am also focused on losing some weight. As a matter of fact I was in the gym today doing some cardio and it was actually energizing. There was an article in the rad. center office that indicated yoga was beneficial for bc patients undergoing treatment, so I am going to try some yoga as well.
It is good to see that more and more of us are finishing up chemo. For those still receiving treatment - hang in there!
Happy 4th of July to you all!
Steph0 -
Hi everyone - There are so many posts I want to respond to, but I'm pretty tired right now. I thought I'd check in quickly to let you know the port is out.
I had to be at the hospital (with no coffee!!!) at 5:00 am.
"Surgery" was at 7:00 am. As I mentioned, my BS does port removal in the OR with IV sedation. I'd never had that before and assumed I'd be somewhat awake (ok all you nurses, stop laughing now. 
) They started the IV as we went down the hall and it's the last thing I remember til they woke me up. For whatever reason, I had a much harder time waking up from the twilight than general anesthesia. Anyway, got home shortly after 9:00 went right to bed and just got up about 45 min ago! It really knocked me for a loop. Funny, I stayed up quite a while after getting home from the lumpectomy.
Painwise, it's tolerable. I'm not taking anything right now, but may pop a few tylenol in a bit.
Good luck to Catherine & Leah, I'll be waiting to hear your reports.
OK, nap time again.
Hugs!
Carynn0 -
Thanks Carynn for thinking of us when you are still drowsy... I called the radiology surgeon office: they do not sedate for removal (the sedation did not do a thing last time), just lidocaine... I briefed them on what I am expecting in terms of good sewing practices for somebody on Avastin (extra stitches and in a well tolerated material please!!!). Also wanted them to expect to see a hole in the incision and redness...
Looking forward to hearing more from you... the good news, you'll be able to swim pretty soon...
Hi, Steph... nice to see you back and in good spirits... boy, we sure came a long way all together...
Till next time,
Catherine0 -
Done with chemo!
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