MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
-
patience, my friends, patience.
0 -
Aw, E, I just don't know what to say, gal......
You're getting through it, albeit, with a few breaks here & there.
You're strong...........you're doing it.
{{{ E }}}
0 -
Eli, sorry to hear of the setback. Someone mentioned caesarian and food, after mine they refused me food for 5 days. Well, technically 4, but they forgot to change the order the last day. That was on top of two days of labor without any food. Not nice!
I recently sported the labor camp look too, according to my onc. Apparently it is not a good look. I really hope you feel better soon. Can't they feed you intravenously for a bit if necessary. I know it is horrid, but if it could get your strength up?
0 -
Eli - I hope this break helps you gain your strength back so that you can reunite with your bag buddy and finish off that damn cancer once and for all.
Sending ((hugs)) and good wishes for you.
0 -
Going off the chemo and the rads must have been so liberating to my brain that last night, in my second sleep cycle, I had a vivid, cinematic dream. I won't go into it here, but it took me an hour and five notebook pages to get it all down. It was science fiction-y, so I will read it to my kids later.
We've talked a lot about slepp on here (especially the lack thereof) but have we talked about dreaming? I know Tamox. made my dreams more vivid (that was a plus for me.) Chemo, on the other hand, seemed to block my dreams, but I was able to sleep o.k. on it. Anyone have interesting dream effects?
I'm having tea this morning for the first time in over a week.
Forgot to welcome you on the other page, Ardbit! Good Luck tomorrow with port surgery. Sounds like you remember some of the tips from your first experience. I think the first time thru' cancer is definitely more fearful, but having to do it a second time can get emotionally debilitating at times. I struggle against that but it has been touch and go. Lots of support here for you though.
0 -
Eli, I hadn't thought of it before you asked, but chemo killed my dreams too. They started coming back a few months ago and with the dreams came way better memory and cognitive function as well. Things that make you go hmmmm ...
0 -
Even tho' I had only been off chemo that afternoon, my chemo (5-FU) has a half-life of only 5 hours, so a lot was already out of my system even the first night. The 5-FU is the same as the fluorouracil that you took, Momine.
0 -
OK, good to know. I thought I was great post-chemo once I go about 3-4 months past the last one. Now though, a year later, I realize that my brains only started coming back a few months ago. Since I had 4 different chemos, I don't know which one to blame for what.
0 -
Amrdbit, I personally did not look into the caps, but read many posts on this thread and others saying they simply weren't worth it. Some claimed that it helped marginally, but in no instance did it truly stop hair loss altogether. If I remember correctly (ha - why do I even say that?) you had to wear before and after the treatments for a considerable time - can't wear during the infusion itself. I seem to recall (again, I crack myself up!) lots of headache complaints too. Those things combined with marginal results seemed to equal not worth it. I hated losing my hair, but decided to go the proactive route - not always my strong point - and had it buzzed before I even started chemo. I had my wigs ready (two different colors and lengths just to mess with people) and started wearing a week before chemo! Once I started tx, and the first short hairs fell out two weeks later, I had husband shave my head. Only the overwhelming rally call of "it grows again, we promise" from all my bco buddies kept me going
Hugs to you for whatever decision you reach about the caps.0 -
Elimar, I remember with chemo I had no dreams. I would just sleep out of exhaustion and wake up. It was the same way when my father died, too. I was just completely fatigued from grief and I would lay down to sleep and wake up 8 hours later in the exact same position. It might have something to do with being completely exhausted.
I also enjoy my vivid dreams on Tamoxifen. I had one about 2 months ago, wrote it down in the Notes app on my iPhone as soon as I woke up and forgot about it. I came across the title the other night. I named it "Shipwrecked" and I thought what is this? Then the dream came back to me and I shivered - it was scary. My dream would be more like a Stephen King novel
I hate this ordeal you're going through, Eli. I imagine chemo and rads at the same time would be extremely hard on your body so I can see why you would need a break or two. My brother's MIL couldn't even finish chemo for colon cancer - it must be so hard. She's still alive & kicking 10 years later, though.
I just had my brothers and nephew over last night for drinks and video games. I fixed some yummy spicy chicken nachos in the crock pot (I'm getting more into my crockpot again these days). My younger brother almost started a fight with me via email a few hours before the party, but being the mature one I just ignored it, although I had a good response typed out. So we had a great time in spite of him trying to egg me on. My nephew is in the navy, stationed in the flight school in Pensacola, and I was so happy to see him.
Sherry, hope your test went okay Monday. It's hard to get test results during the holidays. I scheduled a bone scan on Dec. 20th and I'm still waiting to find out the results (my onc has been out of town). Also, I saw a recipe you had posted for a corn casserole somewhere else - I fixed that over Christmas and it was a hit, just like you said! I'm not much of a cook, but that was so easy!
I don't know about you gals, but I'm exhausted from all the holiday festivities!
0 -
heartnsoul my scans were clear, woohoo. I see my MO tomorrow for my 3 month visit and my zometa treatment. Guess we will talk about this darn pancreatitis I have been having. The meds to seem to be working but really hope I can get things back to normal and get off of them. But staying on the meds is better than becoming diabetic which can happen if it stays out of control and I have diabetes on both sides of my family. However everyone that has had diabetes was overweight and did not exercise. I was really suprised that I had the CT scans on Monday and got my results on Wed with a holiday in there. Oh and glad you enjoyed the corn casserole.
0 -
Marlegal,
After debating about it in my head, I ordered the caps. I've lost my hair once before 18 years ago when I went through chemo and rad for Hodgkins. I hated it then, so I'm going with the theory that this might hopefully help. If it doesn't, I'll return them and go buuy a wig. No harm no foul. (Or whatever that saying is.) You are right. You wear them for an hour before treatment, and for about 4 hours after treatment.... but yes, you do wear them during treaments as well. My PS said today that he has had several (I think he said 5) patients who have used them and they all raved about how well they worked. So.... I'm going into this with my eues open and my fingers crossed. I'll keep you posted. Chemo starts Wednesday. I should know within 2-3 weeks if they are going to be working. If not..... I'll be having a wig party. (A bunch of GF's going with me to lunch and then picking out a wig. LOL!) I can only hope for the best.
Sherry, I am SO SO happy for you that your scans were clear! YAY! Congrats!!!
0 -
Sherry - woohoo! So glad the scans are good and that you got them back so fast! I hate waiting. I hope you can get off the meds, too. Medicine is a double-edged sword. Gotta take it, don't want to...
Amrdbit - hope the cold caps work for you. If not, sounds like a good back-up plan! Good luck with your chemo Wednesday.0 -
Sherry, clear scans - that is so wonderful!
0 -
Sherryc, Woohoo for you! Let us know how your OV goes tomorrow.
hns76, My oldest friends bro' had the same chemo I have for C/C and he was one who had NO side effects. He was Stage IV, had chemo before and after surgery and he's NED now. I know this chemo CAN do the job.
My husband made an interesting comment about my now having 2 separate breaks from chemo. I am a little freaked out because I think my results may not be the best since I had to stop twice during the regimen, but he said, "Who knows, maybe taking the small breaks will actually maximize the effects? They do the clinical trials with one chemo regimen, maybe a few variations, so that is all they can report on. Just because your pattern is not in any particular study doesn't automatically mean it will have lesser effect. Plus, individual response can play a big part." I did feel relief to hear that. I'm making my own route thru' this and taking a less travelled path but may get out of the woods yet. I was used to living with the B/C question mark, so now my question mark is a little larger and I realize I am back in the "no guarantees territory" so it's not all that different really.
0 -
E, I agree with your husband's comment.
0 -
Amrdbit/Eli: hope I don't offend but damn.
0 -
Juneau...where was that book when I needed it? LOL
0 -
jbugg, LOL! If only the doc doing my c-scope had asked the same question at the time?
Things in the "just chemo" areas of my body already settling down. Things in the rads + chemo area of my body still stinging/churning/going haywire. My challenge this week just sprang up. Son sneezing with cold. My WBC dropped to 2.5 last Mon. I don't need the setback of catching his virus so we are being careful to stay apart and handwashing constantly.
hns76, Even I am starting to get antsy about your body scan results. Want me to call? I've been getting a lot done by phone lately since I am avoiding the sneezing public these days.
0 -
Eli, I'm positive that your team is blood related to my team, but then...that would mean I've met my whole team...I still haven't met my oncologist. I start taxol and hercepton on Monday, port to be installed on Tuesday....Appt. with onco might be on the 16th but they'll confirm, all my APPTS have been changed for absolutely everything 3 times since dec. for all tests.
I'm having a hard time adjusting ladies so not to be a neg I'm not really participating as I'm still soooooooo scared and pissed at my diagnosis. I have not had 1 piece of good news since my botched core biopsy in sept.0 -
Sherry, I am sooooo happy about your scans!!!! And yes, I hope the pancreas issues can be worked out to your benefit too.
Amrdbit, go for it (with the caps!) I'd love to hear a success story in any way, shape or form. And sounds like you have a great plan for a wig party, if that becomes necessary. Nothing like having great family or friends to help us make the best of things. Don't know what I would have done without mine 7 yrs ago.
Eli, good points by hub. Amazing how occasionally they come through with gems of insight, isn't it? If anyone can make their own path, it's you buddy, I have no doubt about that at all.
JoCanuck ... how or why are you starting chemo before port? Or is that a dangerous question??? As for being negative and not participating, please don't feel that way. Even if you just post a comment that you feel like crap, that's why we're all here. And if you stop in and just find some amusing comments that might make you smile for a minute, so much the better. I don't remember where your mets are or how they were found, mind telling me again? Hugs.
0 -
Hey Marlegal! How are you?
I copied this from my bio, sort of a rant, they couldn't schedule me, this is the 3rd change and it can't wait anymore, they offered next week but my right side is hurting so I figure there's action there so I'm taking what's available according to their schedule and she said they would do the taxol and hercepton slow drip 6 hours to minimize vein trauma....
Jeez, I'm gonna depress everybody here! Sorry
"Dec 21/12
Not so good news, my whole left breast was full of cancer, 5 lesions with all kinds of stuff, 10 pages worth, vascular, very aggressive, micro & macro invasion...must be an army in there!! Told them it hurt like hell, they said "nope BC doesn't hurt". I'm really pissed at my breast surgeon as she flat out lied to hubby and I...on follow up Monday she blithely said....maybe 1 lesion or nodule..was shown on my irradiated liver cat scan. On Wed 2days later with my girlfriend there (no modesty anymore!) I, of course, pushed for more info, like...I want this excess tissue removed from my boob etc. while she was draining my incision, when can I book etc....she literally tried to avoid me then told me I had much bigger problems...HUH...told me that my liver lit up the scan and I was full of lesions! So that's how I found out I was stage 4, liver cancer....
Why didn't she tell me that 2 freaking days ago when hubby was with me!!! So, the lying begins...you'd think at 61, my own business for 30 yrs, married for 42yrs, 1 daughter, 2 grandchildren, that I could handle a truth??????
My liver scan shows 7 lesions on both sides of my liver approx. 2 cm each, bone scan is being re-done as there's funny stuff around my collar bone & neck, hopefully the chemo will halt or shrink liver lesions...I'm ER & PR NEG, HER2 +
ALL the docs said it was nothing, extremely tiny, don't worry, poo poo, you could wait a year for treatment and it wouldn't change....but, my gut said NO!!
So, my course of treatment is to contain, shrink, manage my cancer till I don't respond to drugs..obviously I didn't drink or party enough!
There's always the possibilty of newer more powerful drugs every day!"0 -
JoC1951, Yes, I noticed you have not posted in a while. First of all, not everyone approaches their cancer in the same way. I have a LOT of rage about mine and I refuse to keep it in. Also, I tend to come at challenges from a negative standpoint and it helps me get my bearings to then move into a more positive stance when I am ready, so don't you worry ONE BIT that you will be judged for negativity. Not here you won't. Not by me.
Also, I don't think a positive attitude confers any special healing benefits on people. It's o.k. if others feel that it does. It's one of those opinion things. That does not mean I won't try to help someone get to a more positive place, because I do think life just feels better when you are in a positive place. Cancer is not a punishment. Beating it is not a reward for some and not others. Cancer is random. Life is not fair. You are entitled to any honest feeling that you have about that.
In the words of the Great Sages: "The wheel in the sky keeps on turnin' I don't know where I'll be tomorrow." I never really knew if that refered to a prayer wheel, a roulette wheel, circle of life, or what. Then again, what did they know? Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'? Ahahaha!
0 -
I love you Eli! Xoxox
0 -
JoC1951, I don't even know how to respond to what you have been thru'. Are you sure that was the BS and not some janitor who just wandered in? Geez, six hour infusion thru' a vein. I'm hurting for you..my vein and my butt, just to be sitting there that long. Arm yourself with reading, portable tunes, snacks. I applaud you for getting the show on the road, even tho' it was a difficult decision. How dare they leave you in pain like that! We are all jumpin into your pocket on Monday. You can be sure of that.
0 -
I too will not judge any feelings either..........
A 15 year research study was done on positivity in the belief it would prove that being positive affected prognosis and survival outcome BUT they found that people who "authentically expressed all their emotions" actually did a lot better as did people who meditated (still working on that one) and exercised or went for a 30 minute walk at least 5 times a week......
This all makes sense to me - I find the pressure to be positive another burden (as if we did not have enough) and I refuse to give myself another hassle! In fact people saying "be positive" or "at least you´re still alive" are guaraneed to press my irritable button very fast!!!
I would be really pissed at your doctors too........hope you have lots of good books to read.....and some treats...
0 -
Jo and Elimar, you are both in my thoughts and prayers. I can not imagine going through the journey twice and with crack pot doctors on top of it.
Lily55, I agree with you on the people that say stupid stuff like at least your still alive, or your new boobs will be better than your old ones....really I liked my old ones, and my old once fit self....
0 -
JoC - sending ((hugs)) to you. Glad that things are finally getting underway for you. It's been a rough go so far - hoping that tx will kick some cancer ass! I'm there in your pocket on Monday for sure.
0 -
Team JoC here too, fingers and toes crossed....
0 -
JoC: Add my wishes for a successful treatment, and my extreme disappointment with your medical team. Sheesh! Cancer is hard enough without incompetent medical help.
Sherry: Yippee! Clean scans are my favorite kind of scans.
Eli: I agree with you that an authentic reaction to challenges is the healthiest response. Let's face it, cancer sucks big time! I know meditation is supposed to be good for you, but I've tried for years and it seems impossible for me. I've decided that trying to meditate is helpful, so I keep trying.
All: I'm trying the apple cider vinegar regime, but so far (3 days) I haven't been impressed. I've decided to give it a full week, because I hate breaking into a sweat all the time. I'm not optimistic, but I am hopeful...
0
