MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
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Faulkh, You can vent any horribleness of the last week if you want to.
Remember, tomorrow is Super Support Saturday, for anyone needing to "get something off their chest." Isn't that just a great ironic phrase for a B/C thread?
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alfie167= Iworkedn full time through chemo. I had 4 round AC every three weeks. We were going to do every 2 weeks but my WBC tanked and we had to wait the 3 weeks for it to recover even with the neulasta. I had my chemo on Thurs and took Fridays off. I went back on Monday but was usually dragging and left early. I have a desk job so no real physical activity and a very supportive staff, Every one is differnet. The AC was followed by Taxol which I found was easier but Mondays were worst than Fridays. They gave me so many steriods with the Taxol that I was still good on Friday and Saturday but Sunday and Monday were rough. My WBC did better on Taxol and I was able to reduce the dose of Neulast and that helped with the bone aches. You didn't say what chemo you are receiving but I hope this info is helpful.
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dontworrybehappy - You crack me up.
Alfie167 - Welcome. I did not have chemo but it looks like you are already getting some advice from others. Stick around - this bunch tends to get wild on the weekends. Just our way of unwinding.
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Party? Did someone mention a party? Ok I will force myself to attend. I really like the idea of the pool party...but me in a bathing suit is simply not an attractive sight. I may have to attend the pajama party. That I can cope with. Especially if someone is bring wine. LOL.
Hello to everyone, hope you are all doing better...and better every day.
I had my little rad tats done today, will start radiation Tuesday or Wednesday I think. I guess they will call Monday to let me know.
I'll be in and out for the parties. Everyone ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!
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Jo, thanks for the warm welcome.
Elimar, thanks for the newbie abbreviation link.
Alfie, what kind of chemo are you having? I had 3 rounds of a cocktail of: 5FU, cytoxan, epirubicin and then 3 rounds of taxotere. If you are having this combo, I will share my experience with you.
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Alfie 167 welcome. I know that working and chemo is can be done. I did mine on fridays so I had the weekend to recover. I did get over the major SE by Monday and was ok. I did feel like I was hit by a Mack Truck but I went ti work daily. I did 4 dd of A/C and 4dd of Taxol. I also had to have a nuelasta shot after each treatment. Dont stress to much the Taxol is easier then the A/C. I did have entense pain but I still worked I wanted life to be as normal as it could be at the time. My house fell apart around me at times, but the hubs was a big help; Drink lots of water and stock up on lotion. Chemo really dries you out. Another thing with chemo we become weepy over anythng. Just have a good cry and things will work it out Good Luck@!!!!! You can PM me if you like.
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Paula - I did not do chemo - did 6 weeks of rads and I tell you there were days if you just looked at me I would cry and they was quite often. I hated my RO and hated the thought of going every day. Not sure what kept me going but I made it through.
Janis - Stay tuned - the party is just getting started. I brought the first round of wine. Can only drink virtual wine right now.
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Someone has to help me I am a red wine kind of girl and I am only on my sons iPad now and can't figure out how to copy and paste a red bottle to share. Can some bring a red
Liz0 -
I love a good party. Have a busy housecleaning day tomorrow and sunday. My kids from Seattle are coming in on Thursday and My kids from west Texas are coming in on Friday. Seattle kids will be here a week and west texas kids for 4 days. Our son that lives an hour a way will be here for sure on Saturday. he just started a new job so don't know if he can get away on Friday or not. Will be lots of fun with the fam can't wait. Saturday have lots of family coming over for dinner. Of course it has to be BBQ.
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Again, way too many posts for me to read - you gals talk up a storm during the week!!! From skimming things, I'm glad for those who don't need chemo. To answer questions to those who are facing chemo, please PM me and I'll be happy to share my experiences. I did 4 rounds of dose dense AC and 4 rounds of dose dense taxol, followed by 35 rads and 5 yrs of tamox/aromasin therapy.
To those talking about hubs going to appts/tx, for some reason when I was going through tx, I really truly wanted to go alone and told hub that. He didn't go to any appts at all, and that worked for me. So don't feel bad if that's your choice and you hear of all these hubs going along ... it doesn't work for everyone. He came to one chemo, I think because others told him he should, and it was painful for both of us! Different strokes for different folks.
Cabana boys - Jo - you find the best pics...hands down!!!! the package on that last one was inspiring
Wednesday 8/24 is my 6 yr cancerversary and I would love to start a party for that. All are invited, and I thought I'd let a few of my friends come too ... whaddya think?
We'll have some fancy drinks to share
and some good food
I hope you can all join me
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PARTY!! WOOT WOOT!!
Do we need an excuse??!! I'm thinking a little jacuzzi action right now sounds good. And I take my margaritas with no salt please!!
Alfie-I had 11wks of Taxol and 4DD of AC. I took off Wed to Sun( for the AC) because I work retail on my feet. It exhausted me. The taxol I didn't take any time off. But it is true that by the end of your chemo, it seems to accumulate and wipe you out. It did me!!
FlWarrior here's to a uneventful path report!! I had neo-adj chemo too and my path report was almost anti-climatic. Nice to know the chemo worked.
Can't wait to crack open the WHINE tomorrow!!
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Marlegal- congrats on 6 years!!
Alvie - I worked through all my chemo, a pretty physically demanding job. Up until the chemo getting ready for the stem cell transplant. The chemo I worked through was adriamycin, cytoxin, 5fu. Did it on Fridays then took most Monday's off. By the 3rd or 4th round it did get a bit tough but taking care of yourself and getting plenty of rest helps. My kids were 10 and twins 7. I was lucky and had a weekly maid come in during that time. It helped my mind mostly! I can not stand a dirty house! It literally drives me nuts. I know it's an illness, I can't help it!
I have noticed listening to everyone's treatment plans that they do things sort of backward than they did to me 14 yrs ago. I had surgery first, then chemo,stem cell, rads, Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. Of course the world is upside down now with the recurrence.
DH has an interview Monday!! Please oh please keep fingers crossed!
I'll be back later for the pool party. I'm off early this morning to go raid my brother's huge perennial garden! Lucky me, he wants to thin a bunch of stuff out!
Foxy0 -
Hi Everyone, Had lots of sleep (drug induced) yesterday and last night so now I'm up too early. Oh well a nap will come later. I' m waiting for my canana boy to get up and make my breakfast.
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marlegal...the drinks and foods look fabulous! I like, I like! I know what table I will be sitting at. Congratulations on the six years, that is wonderful!
Foxlair...Fingers, toes, and paws crossed for the job interview. My DH has been looking for ovwer a year, nothing here. I so hope you hear some good news very soon!
cmblastic, same here with the margaritas, salt free.
SherryC how wonderful you get to be surrounded by so much family. I hope you all have a wonderful time cat5ching up, and pklenty of hugs to go around.
Kitty...that breakfast plate is so pretty, but I don't eat eggs. I really should be eating oatmeal (ugh) but I prefer blueberry pancakes...bacon....dream on!
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Marlegal - Congrats on 6 years cancer free. Doing the happy dance with you. I also went to all my appts without hubby. The only one he went to with me was my first MO appt and the only reason he went then was because we now have the same MO.
Foxy - Keep fingers crossed DH gets that job he is interviewing for on Monday.
Sherry - I have to spend today cleaning the house as well - Yuck. Fired me housekeeper and have to find a new one.
Kitty - The breakfast looks wonderful but I am not an egg eater - as least first thing in the morning - I could have that for dinner.
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Jo...I would be more than happy to clean your house for you! Might be a long trip though. If I lived close I sure would. I am the clean of queen!
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Janis - I would probably take you up on that. I used to be the queen of clean - but don't have the energy anymore. Been spoiled the last 8 years.
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I used to help a friend clean her house when we lived in Wyoming. She paid me, which made me crazy because she was a wonderful friend and I did not want her money. She was a bit of a hoarder and it was always a challenge to clean. She loved vacuum tracks so I always made sure I vacuumed as much as I could so she had those to love! For you, no charge! Just would love to help another "sister" out. Some people hate cleaning but it has never bothered me. I have two dogs and three cats and everytime my dad visits (once every couple years) he always comments that my house doesn't stink. He dated a gal with two dogs and he said her house smelled terrible and he could not go over there. He asked me what I do to keep it smelling fresh. Told him I CLEAN!! Every day. Vacuum every day. Mop and keep kitty boxes clean at all times...bathe the dogs and the cats sometimes. LOL.
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Foxlairfrm, I think they might be using neo-adjuvant chemo a lot more now than they did 14 years ago, which is to shrink larger tumors beforehand, which allows more ladies to have a lumpectomy with a better cosmetic result. I haven't heard too much about the stem cell procedure. Not sure if they still do it or not? Were you in a trial of some kind?
Marlegal, My husband came to only one visit with each doctor, usually the big informational, planning one. I swear I had to tell him not to start in with any questions until I was done. He will just derail the flow of info. I gather from the doc. Now that might sound uppity to anyone reading, but he is a scientist and tends to ask questions in a language that you and I and even some doctors do not speak. Half of it is he wants to understand things in that way, the other half is some ego thing that implys to the doctor, "I am a learned, scientific man, like yourself...let's talk in our secret code." It makes me want to nip that pomposity in the bud, that's all.
Be sure to stop by on Weds., so we can celebrate your cancerversary with you!!!
Glad everyone has posted how their chemo experiences were different and individual, even on the same chemo!
Also glad people are confessing that some housecleaning has fallen by the wayside. I used to have the energy to whip thru' the whole house in a day. I can't do that anymore. It wasn't the B/C, it's the middle age. I am 100% back to my pre-treatment levels of energy, but I still don't clean like I did in my 30's. Wah!
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Marilegal
Thanks so much for the red wine much appreciated Congrats on your 6th yr anniversary
Foxlairfm. Keeping my fingers crossed for DH job. Saying a few prayers also
Kitty. Breakfast looks delicious. It is my favorite meal
Hope all is well ladies. Took a very long walk with hubby and dogs this morning. Enjoying an absolutely glorious day down the shore and relaxing for it has been the first weekend all summer that we don't have house guests of some sort. Heading to the beach soon. Wishing everyone a wonderful day
Liz0 -
thanks Paula, I was crying about everything before my diagnoses. I felt 6 months pregnant, put the fear of god into my husband. lol my poor tony. Oh well, better or worse that is what he promised. Ha
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Janis - I don't mind cleaning it is just that I have not had to do it in quite some time. Even with both of us smoking in the house and having a dog, it always smelled fresh. Just a note, I quit smoking 5 weeks ago but DH is still at it. I liked having a house keeper because my job in the winter months can be really demanding and I can put in about 60 -70 hours a week. So the help was great. You certainly can come help me anytime you want. Where in Wyoming did you live? DH and I were in Cheyenne for 3 1/2 years when we were in the Air Force.
Elimar - I am back to 100% pre treatment energy too - I also think middle age is catching up with me and I just don't want to do it. So I will Wah!! right along with you.
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Elimar - my DH is the same way!! Even though he's an engineer he is very intelligent especially with medical stuff since that has been one of his specialties. It drives me nuts!
The stem cell transplant is no longer used for BC treatment I understand. The risks out weighed the benefits apparently. They damn near kill you. Really. You have to harvest your own stem cells so when they give you such massive doses of chemo (4 different ones simultaneously) that accidentally kill your bone marrow they then give yours back to you and pray that you start making blood cells again. Your WBC is 0, your platelet count is so low you can't even use a toothbrush for fear of bleeding to death, your RBC is really low causing you to have transfusions. It is like a bone marrow transplant only using your own marrow. You are hospitalized for 3 to 4 weeks in an isolation type unit. You are so sick you don't even know what day it is. It was horrible but I think that's why I'm still here. You have to live in a clean environment even when you come home. No animals in the house, no handling or eating raw foods, not even lettuce. I'm glad I was only 36 I don't know if I would survive it now. The important part is I AM still here and it's over. The disadvantage of that is they are saying now that I have had so much chemo and so many different kinds that they don't know if my body would handle any more or if the cancer would even react to it.
So, that's a stem cell transplant...on with the party! Got my literal truck load of plants, now what am I going to do with them all! First thing - a dip in the pool!
Oh, if my house doesn't smell like bleach, it ain't clean! I guess part of that habit is from all my treatment! Lol
Foxy0 -
Foxy, So happy you had the youthful strength to go through all that. As challenging as chemo still is these days, I think anyone reading your story will be thanking their lucky stars that they have managed to adapt current treatments (at least to the point of avoiding the 3-4 week hospital stay.) Some of the older methods were "overkill" although they did not know it at the time.0
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Wow...I didn't know they did stem cell transplants in the past for breast cancer. I guess it's similar to a bone marrow transplant. My daughter is an ICU nurse at our Children's Hospital here and she always talks about how sick the bone marrow transplant kids are. How difficult that must have been!
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Elimar - ignorance is bliss. If I knew what it was really like I don't know if I would have done it. Thank God they just can't explain it well enough...lol.
My PC told me to go home and get my affairs in order. She had only one patient that had tried it and she didn't survive it. I was looking at 3 kids 10 and 7. I had to survive it! So I went back afterwards and told her now you can say your experience has been 50/50. Then I found another PC!
It probably was overkill and nearly killed me but dang, I'm here! I also have a good excuse for being brainless sometimes...hehe Thank goodness for medical advancements!
Foxy0 -
Jo...that is great on the smoking! I quit two years ago and took up eating instead. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in May, along with high cholesterol. Then cancer in July. Hmmm, not my best year!
We lived in both Casper and Cheyenne but moved to Idaho from Cheyenne last year. We had been there 7 years, I had a couple acres and a couple llamas along with our dogs and cats. I had to rehome my llamas which broke my heart, but got them a wonderful home. My hubby had emphysema and COPD and he could no longer live in a high elevation so we had to move. Now we are near Boise, terrible economy, cannot find work. It has been a very rough year. Still, I never give up!
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Finished most of my cleannng will do the rest tomorrow. going to the movies with my mother. We are going to see The Help and then to eat.
DH only went to the first meetings with the Dr's to find out what was going on. He just likes black and white answers and I drive him nuts because I ask questions and want all the details. He starts zoning out. However I go to all of his Dr's appts because he has a hearing issue and he is always afraid he will miss something and although my questions drive him crazy he sees the value in it because he will just take what the Dr says and thats it. I make him think about things.
Marlegal congrats on 6 years. whoo hoo.
Well off to get cleaned up so I can go to the movies.
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I did not want my Dh to got to all those appts with me for the fact that he would have driven ME crazy. He is not good at waiting and sometimes I would have to sit and wait 2 - 3 hours at some of the appts. He did not care about the MO appts since we see the same one.
Sherry - I sure cope you don't do all that cleaning before I come up to stay with you. I am coming to see you not your house. I would care less. That was something my mom taught me - you go to visit the person, not to inspect the house. Enjoy the movie with your mom.
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