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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited February 2009

    Blue:  Thanks for the call.  Just talking over the 35 cent words really helped.  Hope your feeling ok today. 

    Smile:  Will be thinking of you on Thursday. I will send a prayer up for you that it won't be hard on you.  Once you get started and get a routine you will be a lot better.  The unknown is so scary.  I think you made the right choice for you on the Port.  It is surly an indivdual choice.

    Mason:  Good info on the MUGA.  Thanks for sharing.  I guess the onc doesn't want me to take the H while on Radiation so it is a consensus from onc and rad onc. 

    I'm sure me being so tired isn't the rads already , but I just feel whipped for the last couple of days.  I haven't been sleeping either.  I think I will be like Helen and take a Ambien tonight.  I have a bottle some where around here from the chemo.  I never had to take them, but think I will tonight.  If I can get some good sleep I think I will feel better.

  • Smile2006
    Smile2006 Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2009

    CUPCAKE Thank you for your thoughts and prayer!  I am getting more stressed the closer the day comes.  But it has helped reading all the posts.....I have some sort of idea what to expect.  I put together my chemo kit tonight, one for my office and one for my home.  I think I am prepared for just about anything now.  But first I have to get through the gyn appointment today.  I am having a sonogram done...something showed up on my pet scan and recommend I see me gyn.  Very nervous about that.  But I will know by 4 today what that is.  Im hoping that it is just scar tissue from prior surgeries. 

     Hope you are able to sleep!  I am wide awake and thinking about taking something myself. 

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    My turn to add do a late night steroid wired post. The Decadron is keeping me up. I took finally broke down and took one of the Ativan pills that I have for my nausea since taking a whole one usually puts me out. Hoping it will take a hold soon.

    Shari, it is hard having other uncertainties hanging over your head. I know what its like because I had an endometrial biopsy and was waiting for the results when I learned that my mamogram and follow-up ultrasound showed something supicious. Fortunately, the endometrial biopsy came back clean - just an unexpected period after having none for a year, not bleeding from cancer there. And then during chemo I had a lung x-ray because low white cells gave me a fever and they needed to do the x-ray and other tests to check for infection. The x-ray showed something suspicious in my lung so then I had to have other better x-rays to check that out followed by a CAT scan. Fortually that came back as a harmless calcium granuloma around old scar tissue and not cancer. I hope and pray yours is just scar tissue related too.

    At some point I got really impatient to start chemo - I just wanted to get on with getting cured and get past the uncertainty of what it would be like. We complain about all SE effects here, but they are transitory and mostly pretty manageable - except the tiredness gets to me sometimes. Try to go into it well rested because the steroids will rob you of enough sleep.

    Cupcake, I'm feeling okay except being wired and having itching between my toes. I'm not sure if that is just because I'm wired and not able to sleep because it didn't bother me during the day, just showed up when I was trying to fall asleep. I put some cortisone cream on the itchy bits.

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited February 2009

    Good morning all.  Add me to the No Sleep Club.  I should have taken something last night, but I have to go to work today and I was afraid a sleep aid would knock me out too bad. Got a new decadron SE; flaming red foobs under the incision lines.  My incisions go straight across the middle of the foobs from side to side, under the line they have been blood red and hot since mid-day yesterday.  I go see the PS in the morning, bet he is gonna love that.

    Smile: Good luck with the gyno today.  Hopefully, like you said, just old scar tissue.  We are thinking about you. And Blue is right about the SE's, we might complain, but for the most part they come and go pretty fast.  Did you get the Biotene toothpaste?  It is really gross, but I swear that is why I never got mouth sores.  Start using it right away - before your tx.

    Cupcake:  I hope you were able to get some sleep last night.  After a while, no sleep will really take a toll on you.

    Blue: Done!  Ain't it a great feeling?  Itching between the toes huh?  A new SE, right up to the very end!

    Well, I am dragging my sleep deprived little self off to the shower now.  Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to - Oh bah humbug!

    Lisa

  • traci1970
    traci1970 Member Posts: 104
    edited February 2009

    my head (my actual skull and head)  really hurt in the beginning.  It was weird.  I know it was also painful before I shaved my head.  That is one of the reasons I did it so soon.  The weight of my hair actually hurt me.  It was about one week after my first treatment.  What she is feeling is normal.  Everyone is so different and the Dr.'s have not been through it and they really don't know what we are talking about.  I talked to other women in my oncologist office in the begining and some of the others had the same feeling.  I also had Neulasta.  I did not realize that your hips are not the only main area for producing bone marow.  Your skull is a big part of that.  My skull hurt in the begining.  It will go away.  Please tell her it is okay and not to worry too much.  Talk to the oncologist nurses.  They usually know alot about SE's. 

    Have a good day ladies.  Traci

    Lisa I will let you know what my schedule is.  I am excited  :) 

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited February 2009

    Smile, I am wishing you the best at the gyno today. I had endro when I was very young and deal with adhesions now. I did not have hormone involvement with the breast cancer though since I quit taking HRT a few years before. I was so scared just before the first chemo but once I got in there and started I was okay. The nurses were mostly very helpful to me. I always dreaded the TCH because I knew I would not feel good on Sunday afterward and I had to find someone to teach my class. I think that was the worse side effect. I had withdrawals from my children in class.I am in there all the time now so that is much better.

    Count me among the sleepless. I took a steroid yesterday and also this morning for the arthritis and all the tornadoes and rain storms. It really helps that but I found it affected my sleep more than normal but could have been worried about the grandson out in it. I kept getting up to see if he was home but still did not sleep well even once I knew he was safe and sound. It did help the burn from radiation though. I was tired from work yesterday too and I have H today after the rad. I see the doc first before H so we are going to stay the day at the hospital I am afraid. Hubby has his rehab too. It is a lot better having him to drive me down town when I feel so yucky. Next week is not going to be any better since he will have doc appts too. I am still doing rad. even with the burn. they have me using some stuff to dry it up and not use the cream there. I hope they keep doing rad so I can get through with this in time. I get blood tests today and I am hoping to get a thyroid test done at the same time. I have a lump in my neck now but who knows it may just be nothing. good time to see onc. I guess.

    Blue you may get some se for several weeks after the #6 and all I can figure is it is the chemo working it's way out. My church friend who had it the same time I did but not TCH is getting a few side se still but not really bad ones. Just makes you say hummm!

    Well, time to make my daily trek down to the hospital. Hi Ho Hi Ho from me to and I will add Bah humbug too with you Lisa. I am not sure I am going to work Thur. It will depend on how I feel after H and rad. and doc appt.

    Funny thing my grandson who is 18 got an AARP thing in the mail. I guess they think if he lives here he must be old too!

    Carolyn

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    Even the Ativan didn't help me get much sleep last night and I have an 8:30 meeting to get ready for. The itchiness between the toes is only showing up when I'm trying to fall asleep on the steroids so I'm hoping it goes away when they do. Maybe it is from being over stimulated.

    Yes, I figue some things will take longer to go away. I've heard of some people loosing their eyebrows, lashes or finger and toe nails after chemo was over. I hope that doesn't happen with mine. They look pretty good so far. The chemo ripples are only in about the bottom 3/8 to 1/4 inch of the fingernails.  I'm planning on keeping them short as that grows out to put as little pressure on the weakened area as possible. And the numb finger tips doesn't change between treatments so I'm guessing that SE will take a while to go away. But I'm hoping things like fatigue which get better in the 3rd week go away pretty quickly. I have 5 weeks between TX 6 and starting rads so I hope that is enough for everrything except the really minor SEs like the finger tip numbness to go away.

    Sara, I cut my hair short just before surgery to make it easier to take care of after surgery so it was only about 4" long when it stopped falling out. Perhaps that helped keep it from hearting the scalp as it got loose.

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    Lisa, I meant to mention about your new side effect. My lumpectomy scar always reddens up some when I'm on the Decadron and that breast below the scar gets pink too. I think the scar getting more red is more noticiable now because it's non-steroid color has been getting paler and closer to the skin color as time passes. Just before I started the decadron this time, I noticed how much more my scar was blending in.

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    My head is clearing from the lack of sleep and I remembered something else about my doctor's appointment. There is a study of biophonates that looks like it might be a fit for me. Those are the drugs that have been given to hormone positive women to combat osteoporosis but they have found that these drugs may also improve disease free survival. She thinks one doesn't have to be hormone receptor positive to enter.

    I looked on line and came up with Zoledronate, Clodronate, or Ibandronate in Treating Women Who Have Undergone Surgery for Stage I, Stage II, or Stage III Breast Cancer.

    Every arm gets one of the osteoporosis drugs so they are comparing there effect. There isn't a placebo arm. If that is the one, I think I'll go for it. I was disappointed that the one earlier study that I was offered wasn't a good fit for me.

  • katherine1966
    katherine1966 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2009

     Lisa, thank you for your kind reply. I guess, I have never seen myself like this , and am afraid my hair will not grow back the same , But I guess I need to keep my eye on the prize and realize I am doing this to save my life. Thank your for your kind words though. Lynnette

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited February 2009

    katherine:  Some people's hair grows back in better.  I understand loosing the hair is scary, but after it is gone, you realize it wasn't the end of the world.  Keep in touch and good luck!

    Lisa

  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 306
    edited February 2009

    Bluedasher: That is were I ride at the equestrian center. It is nice. Sometimes Its hard to go by yourself because the horses are not that trustworthy. Last time my horse freaked out on the street you have to cross and all these cars where there it was scary. I am a good rider but some of their horses have behavior problems and the better rider you are the worse horse they give you. I guess the figure you can help train them. It is just not as relaxing and fun as when you have a girlfriend to go with. I love pole bending and I love playing polo. It has been a long time though.

    I ammmm sooo constipated and have done everything right. Senokot extra, water, water, water. Gramcrackers, Fishoil. Home made burrito for diner. What a girl to do. All my counts were good. I had nurlasta shot and hydration yesterday. Nurlasta makes you feel like yu weigh a ton.

    Kathrine:Losing you hair just sucks. I miss mine. I have to say that when I go out I look great there is no way you would even know that I am wearing a wig. So we can still pull it off.  I noticed that there is a vulnerability that comes with cancer. The baldness seem to acerbate that feeling. I know that how I react to these challenges (and there is a lot of them) is a choice.Choice good thoughts. Its not easy but replace negatives that come into your mind. It becomes a habit and helps so much with healing. I try to smile at myself every time I see my reflection. We need to keep loving ourselfs.

    Sorry I should be over these steroids by about 3:00 this after noon and then I will have briefer post.

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    Hi Katherine,

    I'm glad you found my private message and the end of this thread. Again, welcome to Camp Chemo.

    You will discover some benefits to hair loss:

    1. If nausea turns into vomiting - you don't need to worry about holding you long tresses out of the way.
    2. Drying you head after a shower is just as fast as the rest of you body.
    3. You can probably slap a hat (or with practice a scarf) on much faster in the morning than styling hair.

    Of course the downside is the time you may lose sorting through the hats and scarves (or wig option - which I chose to skip) to decide which on to put on this morning or the head covering changes as temperature changes. My hair seemed to have more temperature comfort range.

    It should come back just as good as when it left though Herceptin and radiation may slow the initial growth rate.

    Bold, We probably weren't good enough to get the really bad horses though I do remember that it was always harder to get the horse to go fast when we were heading away from the barn and they would turn more lively when headed for home. But when I moved up to the Bay Area and then Sacramento Area, most of the places around here will only rent for supervised trail rides where your horse wants to follow the one in front of him/her. That's not as fun and I haven't hardly riden in ages. Ages ago when my husband was my boyfriend, he went on a horse packing trip in the Sierras where they rode in with horses and pack mules to establish a base camp for a 2 or 3 week trip and hike back out at the end sans all that food. I couldn't get away for that long so I jointed them to ride in and ride back out with the wranglers and all the horses and mules. About 30 miles round trip in one day. That was my one big horse experience. Apparently my horse was momma to one of the mules so I had close company from the mule on all the ride back.

    My mom went to school or worked pretty much all my childhood and LA had great summer day camps. When I was 5, I went to a small one (so small that they picked up campers in a couple of station wagons instead of a bus) up in the hills around Malibu that had riding every day. Since I was the smallest camper I got the smallest horse (still very big to me) - I still remember the name, Rojo.

    Maybe if I get to LA sometime after this is all done we can go for a ride - or meet up here to try Napa.

    I'm lucky and have had little or now consitipation - possibly because I haven't needed much of the Zophran or Compazine. The nausea I get mid-cycle seems to be controlled with Ativan - the other two don't touch it. But I can't hardly touch anything with beans. Beans, lentils, and dried peas (like pea soup) which my partially vegetarian family eats a lot seem to be poison to my chemo stomach. I hope that SE goes away in a few weeks as the chemo gets out of my system.

    Lisa, Since I knew my neutrophils were really good yesterday, I celebrated  my last chemo treatment by stopping on the way home at Whole foods and got sushi for a late lunch. Also a small piece of tuna to sear on the grill today. Things I've been missing and my chemo tummy is totally okay with sushi - go figure.

    Another steroid driven post. I'll start my taper this evening and should be less wired by tomorrow sometime.

  • RockstarmomPaula
    RockstarmomPaula Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2009
    CoolSara I kinda had weird feeling with my head also, like Traci said her hair hurt mine did to tell i cut it short like only an inch long short , it has helped the feeling that it hurts,helped the shedding as well.orginally I had cut off 6 inches of mine Katherine  Bold is right losing your hair sucks I also have a wig have only wore it once I still have some hair,I didnt think I could deal with the hair but I havent shed a tear,hair doesn't define me as a person everyone will love me the same bald,Kiss They have promised me they would!Wink So Embrace life We are Kicking Cancers Butt!! Brave,Bald & Beautiful!!!
  • rayhope
    rayhope Member Posts: 75
    edited February 2009
    Bold:  I have written before of my terrible constipation with the first treatment.  I tried taking senokot-s and ended up with terrific stomach cramps all night (and still constipated).  The next two treatments, I took stool softeners the two nights before chemo; treatment day I took Generlac in the morning and afternoon and senokot-s at night.  I continued with the Generlac and senokot-s for several days until I no longer needed it.  The Generlac is a prescription which draws water into the colon and keeps it there.  This regimen has worked very well for me.  I hope you are better soon! 
  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 306
    edited February 2009

    Thank you Rayhope. I will pursue your approach. What a blessing to have such wonderful support.

    Bluedasher:Wow what fun you must of had. I love those long trips well maybe not that long. I did some overnighters in my life weekender's but never a a week or more. I use to go cross country skiing for a week at a time. I prefer downhill. Cross country felt like jogging for a week. Now I am lucky to get my house work done and a morning walk. Getting chubby too. I have gained a bit of weight. It comes and goes I think it is the steroids. Oh well. I can deal with that later.

    I have to say that once the post traumatic stress is behind me my attitude is more and more positive. I really feel that I can beat this and it is a bump in the road. It helps that I am very healthy person with breast cancer. It would be hard to be fighting multiple things and my heart goes out to those that are. We have a great chance of no recurrence and healthy wonderful life's with a new appreciation for all the love beauty and opportunity that is around us. I still say prayers everyday for each of you as well as myself. I have seen so much caring on this site I will never forget.

  • sara123
    sara123 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2009

    Hi all and Thanks again for all the help ...

    Have you noticed a specific time for your tiredness ..is there a pattern and how long after the chemo do the s/e last for you all in days ..I appreciate everyone is different but approx !!

    Thanks for replying to my posts

  • sara123
    sara123 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2009

    Sorry bluedasher did you talk to your onc about the sinus pain ...ever heard of anything being prescribed before a chemo cycle for this? It is really bad for mum and the local doc has put her on an antibiotic ...the pain has subsided from the antiobiotic ...but she still feels heaviness in her head and sore eyes but the severe pain is gone

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited February 2009

    Sara My worst days are 3 and 4.  Had tx Mon.  Left work today at 12:30, came home and went straight to bed.  Tomorrow won't be much better because I have early doc appts. - yuck.

    Lisa

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    My onc said that I could use Sudefed when I had a lot of sinus and stuffiness problems due to getting a cold during chemo. That worked fine. Of course, she should check with her onc to see if the onc agrees that its okay for her to tallk during chemo. It isn't prescribed, its over the counter here and I believe also on your side of the pond. Though now the stuff has to be bought at the counter here in the US and logged in a book because people can cook bad drugs from it.

    Sudefed may be conter indicated if she has uncontrolled high blood pressure. It can raise blood pressure. It can be a stimulant and keep you awake - if it makes me too hyper or jittery, I back off and take half a does which still seems enough to do the job.

    Are the sore eyes sore from pressure or dryness. If from sinus pressure the sudefed should help. If they are dry, try some eye drops. Excessively dry eyes can lead to other problems. I prefer to use the preservative free ones that come in single use vials. More expensive than the bottled drops but no preservatives to mess with your eyes if you use it a lot and you always know you are getting clean stuff.

    Bad days vary by person. Some have their worst days when they stop the steroid and have a steroid crash. I had that the first time but since then I taper my steroid to ease the crash. I start with the full dose the day before chemo. On the day after chemo, I take a half dose in the evening (to avoid 3 fully wired nights). Then a half dose the next morning. Then a quarter dose for one more evening and moring.

    Now that I don't have the steroid crash, my worst time is the second week. For some reason I get delayed nausea - fine the first week. It may be my unusual side effect from Neupogen (it is on their list of rare side effects) or my onc said occasionally carboplatin produces delayed nausea.  Also these days are when I'm most likely to need to take a nap.

    The third week I'm close to normal (except this last cycle - maybe due to the cold plus chemo I had nausea off and on that week too). On my best days, I'm still a little fatigued. I can work all day but in the evening I want to slow down and at night get an extra hour of sleep or so.  The steroid wired days are my only total relief from fatigue.

  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 306
    edited February 2009

    Just a quickie. The head pressure and headaches are a common SE of Herceptin too. Make sure that you mum does not have interactions with other meds when taking sudefed. As high blood pressure and cumadin ect... med can cause harm.

  • sailor35
    sailor35 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2009

    I don't know what I would do without you all.  Your wisdom, spirit, and advice have helped push me through and helped me do things to prevent problems.

    First Tx was 2 weeks ago today.  My hair started coming out today--not a lot, but it's happening.  Even though you know it is going to happen, it comes as a real shock.  I am bummed.   I am going to get it chopped off on Friday, but I have never even ever had real short hair.

    How long does it usually take for hair to fall out?  Is it a few days?  A week? More?

    What about travelling during chemo.  I am supposed to go on airplanes for a work trip on days 8,-10 of my second cycle.  Any advice?

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    My hair started to fall out on day 16 while I was at the front of the room chairing a meeting and it came out at a pretty brisk clip. By the next morning there were areas where my scalp showed. Also discovered the next morning - the hotel doesn't vacuum the meeting floors every day - I was greated by a pile of hair around my hair. At least they vacuumed my guest room each day. By 2 days later only 5 to 10% was left - not pattern baldness either - just demented looking whisps of hair all over my head with most of my scalp shoing. When I got home my son clipped it short with scissors. I thought the remaining hair might fall out next cycle but it stuck around. The stubble was a little annoying poking into scarves and hat so I got hair clippers and we clipped it close to the skin. I'm on my last chemo cycle and the hair that didn't fall out in the three days is still here.

    I traveled three times on chemo but I always did it in week 3 of the cycle. Week 2 was my worst part of the cycle so traveling then would have been a pain. Also that can be when your white levels are lowest if you aren't getting Neupogen or Neulastin. Ensure that you get something to keep your white cells up if you are going to travel on days 8-10. 

    Can you see how days 8-10 go this time and then decide on the trip? Do you have a back up plan? I lined someone up to take over the chair of the meeting in case I was unable to travel or was there but needed a break. I think days 8-10 are a little more risky than during week 6. I flew on all the trips. 

    I got a cold after my last trip but I can't blame that on the plane or chemo. When I got home my husband, DIL and granddaughter all had colds - they were probably contagious before I left and gave it to me then. I think that will be okay if your white cells are in good shape.

    I also found that I had to manage my eating and rest. Fatigue is a symptom of chemo and I needed some extra sleep even on my best days. Also I could eat better morning through afternoon. Even on good days my evening appetite was light so I would get a good breakfast in the restuarant rather than relying on the continental breakfast put out for attendees and make sure to get a good lunch. Many evenings I would have something light from room service before crashing.

  • duneoaks
    duneoaks Member Posts: 94
    edited February 2009

    Sailor, my first tx was also 2 weeks ago today and my hair started coming out yesterday.  I am planning on having it buzzed off tomorrow--I just can't stand all of the hair that comes out when I put my hands through my hair.  My husband thinks I should wait, but the advise I have gotten is to go ahead and get it over with.  I would ask your onc about traveling--I was out of town this past weekend and just tried to be careful and wash my hands often.

  • sailor35
    sailor35 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2009

    Thanks, Bluedasher.  The trip is in 2 weeks, so it is days 8-10 of my second cycle.  I really want to go, but don't have to do it.  Thanks for all this helpful advice. 

    Dr. has not talked with me about Neupogen or Neulastin.  Seems like they roll things out a bit at a time to not overwhelm us.  Looks from these posts like those drugs have their own side effects. Does everyone end up needing them? 

    Were days 8-10 the worst because of fatigue or other symptoms as well?  And, what is this about delayed nausea.  I somehow thought that if I avoided it the first week, I was home free.  Wishful thinking? 

    Duneoaks, my husband also wants me to delay the hair chopping but, like you, I gotta just get past this hair loss process and be on the other side of it. 

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited February 2009

    Bold:  I was told in chemo 101 that the constipation is chemically induced as well as the diarrhea.  So I was to take the collace/senna stool softeners every hour until it broke loose. Or the Imodium AD for the diarrhea I was to take it every hour until it did the job.  Might want to ask you onc nurse. 

    Hair ladies: as I read your pain I remember back when I first lost mine.  I was so cool with it and had the wig and scarfs in place and even cut my hair short, but when I picked my hair and pulled out strands I began to cry.  I never connected the dots until the next day I did it again and cried again.  I then realized it bothered me more than I even thought it would.  I guess just pulling out clumps at a time really had a huge physiological impact on me.  So you are not alone.  It is pretty traumatic, but it will grow back.  Mine is silver and is coming back silver.  I like it and was hoping it would and it did. 

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2009

    sailor, not everyone needs Neupogen or Neulasta on TCH. My onc tried it without for my first cycle but my neutrophils (white cells that fight infection) fell too low at the start of week 2 and I developed a neutropenic fever (that is a fever not because of infection that is just due to having almost no neutrophils). So I needed neupogen to bring my white cells back up.

    Even if your white cells don't drop enough to need Neupogen or Neulasta (the second one is a long acting forumlation that does the job in just one dose but is much stronger than I need), they will probably be near their nadir (low point) about day 8 through 10 when you want to travel so you may have less protection than usual against infection. What does your onc say about traveling then?

    My symptom of nausea in the second week is unusual. It is either a delayed reaction to Carboplatin or a reaction to Neupogen. In either case, it is an uncommon side effect. But fatigue is common in week 2. We each have our own pattern of how we react to this chemo. It changes a bit from cycle to cycle but mostly it follows your pattern so after a couple of cycles you will have a good idea on when you will feel best and when worst. Having your low point around days 3 and 4 is more common than my pattern.

    I think it feels a lot better to chop your hair short before it all falls out. Its also less messy.

  • Smile2006
    Smile2006 Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2009

    Hello everyone!  Thank you for you wishes...I did recieve good news today!  Nothing unusual in the sonogram.  So one down.....and a biggy to go.  I am wide awake..nervouse of what is to come.  I have read, re-read all the posts on this site....just to keep up with all the possibilities.  I am one who likes to be prepared. Surprises are good...only if they are presents or flowers.  We went out this eveing to celebrate Valentines early....I am just not sure how I will be feeling Saturday, so we took no chances.  All my girlfriends came out and joined me afterwords for a drink (I had water). 

    Please keep up the posts.....no matter how bad or negative they may seem.  They do actually help us newbys!  I know that I may not experience everthing you all have....but I can say that I am ready if I do! 

    Hope all of you are doing well....and sleeping tonight!  I will check back later today...after tx1!

    Night

    Shari

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited February 2009

    Wow, you guys were busy last night!

    On the subject of hair; Sailor and Duneoaks - Just go ahead and follow your gut and get it buzzed.  I did not shave mine down to the scalp, I left it about 1/3 inch long.  But the sight of the long wispies is just too depressing.  Even if you don't lose all of your hair, you will lose the majority of it.  Mine started coming out on a Mon or Tues and I sat on the patio on Thurs and just pulled it out.  Then stuck a hot on and went in Friday and had the rest buzzed.  My hairdresser is also my boss and good friend.   She asked if I was sure I was ready, and when I took off the hat, she said "Oh yea, it's time".  Even after that, I still had hair all over the house for another 14 days.  I got some of those light "skier caps" (can't think of the name, I will post later) and they kept the hair somewhat confined.

    On Nuelasta:  For my onc, that was not an option - no discussion, no debate.  Tx on Monday, Nuelasta on Tuesday.  My whites never fell and I never got a cold or flu bug. The first shot gave me bone pain, but after that it was not too bad - nothing some tylenol wouldn't handle.  But for some reason, my last shot this Tues. hit me hard with the bone pain.  I took a pain pill last night and I am fine this monring.

    Shari Glad your sonogram came out OK.  Just take a deep breath, you will be fine.  We promise.

    Bold Did you ever get any sleep?  Too bad your riding stable does not have some less barn sour horses.  Maybe you can find a girlfriend to go out with you.  You know me, I think a ride cures everything!

    Today I see the cardiologist at 9:30 and then the PS at 11:30 in another town an hour away in traffic.  I better get up and get moving.  Personally I think the cardio guy is a waste of time.  My MUGA came back 100% unchanged.  But I am all for getting the foobs checked.  I am concerned the lymph node side is not softening as it should.

    Have a great day!

    Lisa

  • Smile2006
    Smile2006 Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2009

    Good Morning Lisa!  I forgot to mentino that I did not get the Biotene Toothpast, but I am using the mouth wash.  Should I get the Toothpast too.  The mouthwash does not have a bad taste.

    Question: I forgot to ask the nurse if I was okay to drive today???  I will call this morning, but was wondering what your thoughts are on this.