Calling all TNs
Comments
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Annie, I didn't feel old and falling apart prior to BC. I felt and thought I looked pretty good for 49. Since diagnosis and treatment, I feel like I've aged 10-15 years instead of 2.
My wrist does feel better with the NSAIDS and the brace, but this one-handed hunt and peck typing is for the birds!
It's ungodly hot again today. I've lost track of how many days in a row it's been over 90° or how long it's been since it rained. They say we may get rain tomorrow evening, but I'll believe it when I see it.
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Minxie- so sorry you have to go back to work, before you're up to it. Rads really made me tired. I hope they will be understanding at your workplace.
Tazzy - I hope your last chemo goes well. Try not to worry... I know...
Annie - I'll pull up a chair at your pity party and serve you tea and cake. Sorry you are feeling so punk. I remember at some point in my treatment, I looked so bad and felt so bad, that I'd burst into tears when I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. Things will get better!!!!!
Hope - great news! Enjoy your ice cream!0 -
hello my lovely friends. I love this thread so much...feel so connected to you all. Have gotten back to the land of the living again after Monday's pit of despair. Hate days like that but feel I am entitled to them once in a while. Went back to LE therapist and sure enough the arm is swollen again...errrrrr!!! I knew it by the way it felt. Guessing it is from having the port taken out on the other side causing some inflamation in there and preventing fluid a free ride. This was my last visit with her until after recon as I only get 25 visits a year and have used 14 of them for crappy Le. SIGH!!
My recon choice is coming into focus...DIEP....just waiting on DR Massey's office to figure out how much these new beauts are gonna cost me. Not that I really care at this point I just want me some boobies. I also want the VLNTx to relieve the LE.
Tazzy baby you made it only 1 to go ---awesome.
Cocker--love ya --you make me smile with those great posts
Hugging you fighter still...no words
Minxie...we are all still here for you. Take care and keep us posted on what is up
To all you new gals...welcome to the group of the best women I have ever had the priviledge to "know"--support here is amazing.
Take care and "see" you all tomorrow
Maggie
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Lovelyface...you rock girl! Love the good news
Hope...ok...now you can enjoy your summer! I'm off the hook for six months and I just can't believe it...it will be COLD again before I go to see the onc again...on the other hand...that means I need to be much more diligent with breast exams and what not..that's ok...I can monitor myself
Oh cocker...I hate that taxol is kicking your arse...I didn't much care for taxol either..my whole body hurt...feet were numb..took me forever to stand up when I had been sitting for awhile...plus knowing that it was the last "leg" of the chemo treatments...I just got impatient...just wanted it over!
Yuck on the spiders..wow..I've never had a spider stand up and hiss at me...what a story...I think I would have gone hysterical....glad you killed it kathrynn! nobody messes with us...heh heh...
and cocker..you would be proud..I went out in 95 degree weather for 2 miles today..on Saturday I'm going to think of all your thighs clapping for me...I just hope I can run w/o laughing..you guys are my inspriation...IF I place I will owe it all you guys...oh..and I plan on placing...I really do dang it..
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Tazzy, Thanks for asking about grandkids. I've turned into one of those obnoxious grannies who brag to anyone who will hold still. My middle and youngest daughters each have a daughter: one is 12 the other 13. But my oldest daughter has five little ones! The oldest just turned 6, then she had triplets(!!!!) who are 4, and finally a 2 year old. All babies were miracles of medical science. They are sweet, well-behaved, and so much fun to be with. They live 300 miles from me and they only get "over the river and through the woods" twice a year (we live in the Sierras near Yosemite and they live in Los Angeles county). I'm sure you can imagine what a hard trip it is to travel with so many kids.We have to go to UCLA every 4 weeks now to receive shots in my eye to keep wet macular degeneration at bay. We usually have a 2 day visit with them during those trips.
See I told you, I can talk on and on about my little people. My husband would always talk about them when I was at my lowest. I'm sure that helped me carry on.
Hope all are doing better this evening than this morning.
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Riley... I totally understand how you feel.. somedays I look at myself in the mirror and I'm like... WTF? who is that person?
thanks OBXK - just feel as though I'm being pushed towards a cliff edge....
Mags - you are so allowed to have pity parties... we have earned that right ! That's sucky about your LE. BC really is the gift that keeps on giving - whoever first said that hit the nail right on the head. Hang in there.
Tomorrow off for my pre-treatment check in... then meeting a couple of girlfriends for lunch. Hoping the weather stays as good.
Michele
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and hey to all of you ....hope things are going ok with you Jazzy..
Mags..don't know much about recon...but my sil saw the boob of another friend who had the diep and she said it was the most beautiful boob she had ever seen...it looked like a 20 year old.
BC sucks..but I still have to chuckle about all of us going around showing our "new" boobs..
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*pulls out Pom-Poms and gets ready to cheer*
Tazzy's last Chemo is the 22nd and Titan will be racing on the 23rd. *sneaks a look around, applies bag balm to thighs in anticipation of some serious clapping*
Congrats on 6 mo of freedom Titan
Annie, I'm so sorry that it's hitting you so hard. Each time is a little worse. Not that the drug is any different, you're just becoming weary. Stop doing housework, stop anything that isn't essential to survival and try to get some rest. (The house won't fall to pieces if it gets ignored for a few weeks) Despite your notions to the contrary, you are not WonderWoman. (OK, OK, I'll let you have the tights and mask back after chemo!!!). You have 5 to go. Lean on your friends and family, and let them pitch in and help you. (I found that friend's felt better when I asked for assistance. Made them feel less helpless.). Is there anyway you can get a break from working? I'm sending lots of love your way. You NEED to do this, and I wish there was someway I could help.
Jan - how wonderful they all sound. You are so blessed.
Mags - sorry to hear the LE is worse. You're a better woman than I, I don't think I would cope well in any way if I had LE. I can't begin to imagine how irritating and frustrating it must be.0 -
Well, had my last tx on Tuesday - I am very lucky - only 4 TC tx once every 3 weeks and no rads scheduled. Rang the bell at the Cancer Centre but I'm saving the happy dance for when the SEs are done. Gave myself my final Neulasta shot on Wednesday - I just take Tylenol for the pain and haven't had too much of that over the whole course. My main SE has been the fatigue which has been getting progressively worse but I can handle that. Just like I can handle the mouth ulcers, thrush, watering eyes and nose, D train, burping and some nausea. I wasn't going to post this as I realize so many others on this site are having much worse SEs but maybe this will also encourage some of the newbies that sometimes the SEs are not too difficult to deal with.
To all those who are having a tough time right now - I'm sending you best wishes that you feel better soon. And for anyone waiting for tests and results, that they get the best news ever.
Doreen
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Good Evening Ladies. Well I'm still around and feeling a little better. The old fellar has just fed me!
Jan69 - thank you for the warm hugs, I really needed them today. I don't feel as if I comfort or inspire anyone on here. When I read the advice all you ladies give to others it sounds way better than mine but thank you. How heartbreaking it is for you to have your grandchildren 300 miles away but I am so glad you get to see them every four weeks. At least that way they won't forget you and they won't have grown so much since you saw them last. I am so lucky that both my daughters only live five mins away so see my grandkids nearly every day. I have Jessica who is 14 going on 21. I have always remembered when my daughter brought her in to see me one day and she had the biggest scowl on her little face. I said, oh dear are you grumpy today and she said "I not grumpy, I appy) still with the scowl. I have Connor who is 12 and is my gorgeous darling boy who gives the biggest cuddles. Then there is my Caitlin who is 8 and she is a perfect little girl, all pink and purples and everything has to be very pretty and lastly my 6 year old Ben who has dimples and is so handsome. He said to me one day, you know Nana I love my daddy so much cause my daddy loves me, bless his heart. So I am a very lucky lady. They keep me young at heart and I love each and every one of them and I brag just as much as you, why not they are worth every bit of it.
Tazzy, tazzy tazzy - one to go. Yay you lucky girl but you desearve this so very much. No, no what ifs. Everything will be fine. This is just wonderful for you. Congratulations you have really kicked that cancer to the kerb.
Riley702 - I bet you are just as young and georgeous as you were before chemo. At 51 you are still such a wee young girl. Remember 50 now is the new 40 so you have years ahead of you yet with plenty of time still to kick up those heels. I am so glad your wrist feels better. Keep that brace on and you will soon be like new again.
Karen - I daren't look in the mirror its so depressing. No hair, A large scar, one boob, no other hair anywhere and a bit of a sticky out tummy. Its enough to scare any window cleaner. I look like a newly born chick that went wrong lol.
Mags - I hope you do get those new boobies. No good me having them they wouldn't match the rest of me lol. I hope that LE comes right soon. Do we always have it or does it get better and go?.
Onvacation - glad you are back with us and glad we make you smile.
Titan - I am so very proud of you. You make me sit up and take note. Not that I did a lot about it, too bloody lazy. You are the inspiration for me and on saturday I will be thinking about you and cheering you on. I will have to clap my thighs though because my hands are numb lol but WTF I'll clap both. Remember now plenty of hydration but not the 'wine variety' until after you have placed then you can have the whole bottle!!
Kathrynn - Blimey girl I've never been wonder woman love, I can't jump as high as her. Good god do you know what my house would look like if I left it for a few weeks, some bloody advice that is girl. You wouldn't be able to find me. No seriously I do like cleaning my house. Gives me a lovely warm feeling to have it nice for my old fellar but I am going to wake up early on Saturday, have my breaky then go back to sleep for a while. Worked last week and I felt a bit better so will try it again - no hardship really!!
The old fellar just came in laughing his head off. He said do you know what is good for insomia. I eagerly said no what, he said a good nights sleep. Silly sod lol.
I'm gonna introduce another subject just for something to talk about. Do you ladies believe in (the After Life - you know Reincarnation). I can just imagine my old fellar going thank god she's gone now I aint gotta cook for her but if he thought I might return he could be very depressed lol. When you think about it though nobody has ever come back to tell us what its like aye!!
oh well ladies thats my speel for the evening. Gotta go back to typing now yuk. Have a good nights sleep. Warm hugs to you all. Annie
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Good god, she's back. Must be feeling better look how long it is. xx
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Thanks kathyrnn.... yep its quite a milestone - last chemo - phew... quite the past 5 months but its done... and each step is a step closer to being free of this bloody disease.
Titan.... we'll be there with you - thighs-a-clappin' - good luck.
Jan... DH and me want to do a road trip next year to Yosemite. Glad you get to see your grandkids and wow triplets ?? Cant even imagine.
Yay and happy dancing for you Doreen.... last treatment done and dusted - what a feeling.
wonderful to have you back Cocker. I should know better about the "ifs". My answer to anyone (including me) who says but what if.... "What if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle"
your old feller sounds a scream and I bet he'd be sad if you didn't come back to haunt him.Just took my 2 dexamethasone so should be able to be a busy bunny today.. off for bloodwork, lunch with friends, shopping for a gift basket for the nursey's (is that even a word?) in the chemo room then home.
To anyone I may have missed hello....to anyone with SE's hope they are getting more bearable with each day passing and to all of you have a wonderful happy sunny day. xxx
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Jan - I forgot to ask, do you Skype with your grandchildren?
Dormac - congrats *waves Pom Poms*
Tazzy - If you're buying us gift baskets, you can call us any damn thing you want! :-)
Annie glad you're feeling better and you are one of the ones on here that makes us laugh! That's a very special and need therapy.0 -
Kathy, Yes, I do skype with the grandkids. It often turns into a push-shove episode, as they all want a turn at once. And when the baby (well, he's 2) gets his turn, he wants to push the keys on the computer and disconnects us. All in all, it gets to be a challenge for my daughter who is desperately trying to keep everyone in line. But it is still wonderful to see them. On birthdays they sing "Happy Birthday" to us and cut into a cake they've made for our "celebration." Tears are flowing freely by the time we hang up. Jan
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Hello ladies! It took me a few days to get back, but wanted to check in. First and foremost, you all helped me through newbie week and I am so grateful.
Tazzy: A huge congrat's on your last Chemo!! You made it and still have so much spirit... Glad you thought of the nursey's, it is now a word:-)
Cocker: You are such a mood lifter!! The story about the Snyder and your "fellar" should be on late nitght television!
Fighter: Sorry about your dad... I known how painful that one is.
Lovelyface and Hope60: Glad your tests came out clean "Yeah" gives us all more hope so thank you for sharing the great news!!
Kathyrnn: Now I want a rum and coke! Nutritional value...questionable. But hey, we must keep ourselves entertained, right?
Borntosurvive: I hope you are right about the first one being the worst... Cause this one was cr@p.....
Mags: Hope your week continues to improve. So sorry you've had so much trouble. Hope your EL stops misbehaving so you can make us smile :-)
Titan: Thanks for checking in. I feel kind of silly complaining since this is only my first week, but it really bites. Finally got the nausea under control but the Neaulasta shot yesterday made every bone in my body hurt today, eve my toes. Managed to get through a 10 hour work day (working from home helps), but it wasn't easy.
To All: I never gave this disease much thought before it hit me. I donate to St Jude's every month because I love children and wanted to make a difference, but I never realized how brave you all are. We are warriors fighting for our future, and I feel so blessed for discovering this inspirational and warm loving group. Hugs to all....0 -
I asked my sister who is a nursey in the UK about what to get them... she said fruit, donuts, cookies and hand cream and then more handcream cos of all the bloody hand washing - so that's what I got. Would you agree kathyrnn.
JazzyJ... please try and cut down on the 10 hour days... this all knocks the crap out of our system and we need to focus our energies on getting better. I have the neupgen shot and it really does make every bone hurt - take care of yourself. Rest when you need to.
My MO was very happy with how I have responded to the chemo and how it has really kicked the tumours butt and is less than half the size to what it was... so tomorrow's treatment should zap it even more. And just think this time in 3 weeks I wont be sitting here thinking "oh crap off I have to go and i'll feel bad for weeks again". I wont have to go back.. instead I will have a glass of wine (first one since chemo) to celebrate.
To all newbies just starting... the end happens and it feels bloody marvellous
Hugs to all xxx
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Riley..you are in Indiana? We are neighbors! I'm in Ohio...and it is unbearably hot here also..I "dislike" it...a day is Ok..but it has been 90 here for about 5 or 6 days and enough already..
Jazzy..wow..10 hour work day and chemo...that's alot...take care of yourself ok? I guess insurance won't write us off for chemo but maybe it is time. I remember asking about it and you have to take the time off all at once instead of a day or two at a time...soo..those of us that have to work do it...or use sick leave or vacation...kinda sucks really..I remember asking the onc about it and he looked at me like I was nuts...so..I worked....
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It's hotter in the MW & NE than it is here in sunny SW Florida! My family lives outside of Chicago and they are ready to go north to get away from the heat! Lot's of water!
As for 10 hour days, I'm convinced that part of my lifestyle is what got me here sooooo, I am working fro home for at least 8 weeks and work when I can and rest when I need to. I am blessed to have a job that allows me to work from home. The tough part is that I used to travel 75 percent of the time and now my husband has to get used to me being home 24/7. Poor hubby :-)0 -
Jazzyj - Good for you for working when you can. But I second the suggestions that you be prepared to ramp it down as you go on. While not nearly as bad as they could have been, the fatigue really blindsided me because it was unlike anything I'd ever known. Not exhaustion, or feeling tired, but suddenly having your body simply say, "No, I don't want to stand up now," or "Um, there was no need to walk to the printer at your pre-chemo pace, now was there?" Be good to yourself. Good luck!
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Jazzy - so glad you checked in! I agree with Taz - the only things you can do to help your body recover is to rest and eat well.
Taz - I hope your treatment goes well! When I went for my last treatment, I couldn't have it. Man , it was like Christmas had come early!
DorMac - Woo Hoo !
Annie - glad you are feeling better!
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Today was my anniversary and my husband surprised me with a beautiful necklace and earrings. We have never celebrated our anniversary (we had a house and a kid before we were married - only did it for the parental money :O) So I was truly surprised. I on the other hand, signed him up to remove and replace an 88 year old neighbor's window A/C. Everything went wrong and it must have been 90 degrees in there. He gave me the gift after we finished - that's how I know he loves me!
Happy Friday!0 -
Congrats to all of you who are finishing up chemo!!! I know when I finished I kind of went through withdrawls-not running to treatment everyweek and the bloodwork prior -wasn't sure I was really finished and wanted to know it was well and truly gone!!! Remember to take care of yourselves!!!
For all you newbies I hope you are managing without too many SE. Mine set in right away and I was so overwhelmed as to what to do. My body made it clear right away it did not like the intrusion. Hang tough and take the meds until you find one that helps- even a little.
Thanks for the laughs - I look forward to reading even though I rarely post.
Kelly
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Jazzy and Tazzy - now I feel bad. Did we forget to mention the combo that some onc's have been recommending to deal with Neulasta pain. It's a 24 hr Claritan, 1 Zantac and I added 2 Aleve. I took it for 3 days (the day before Neulasta, the day of, and the day after. Some people took it the day of and the 2 days after) There is no provable research of why it works, but many people have sworn by it. I never had any bone pain (and I'm old and full of aches and pains)
Tazzy - all are wonderful choices for the nurseys, esp the hand lotion!
Titan, I think your onc was the one who was nuts.
Well said Rachel. You're right it's not "I'm tired fatigue". It's I better get horizontal before I drop fatigue.
Happy Anniversary OBXK! I'm glad you had such a nice surprise and thank you for being so kind to your elderly neighbor.0 -
Just remember you are the most important person through all of this - take care. Cos that fatigue when it hits Rachel and kathyrnn are right... its like nothing you have had. Just look after yourself. It is great you have that chance to work from home jazzy - that's a great help and you can then rest when you need to. Make sure you do.
OBXK - happy anniversary - you deserve some really good karma back at you for looking after your neighbour. And lovely of the DH to get you that surprise gift.
kathy - I am happy you like the pressies for the nursey's... I will take a pic and try and download.
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Yep, we're not far from each other at all, Titan! And both miserably hot and dry. And it's just June.
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Good Evening Ladies. Hope you are having a fun filled, stress free day.
Now if one of you mention your hot weather one more time I am going to scream cause its freaking cold here. Just been round my daughters and its not far enough away for the car to warm up, brrrrr.
Jazzyi - I work from home as well. I start at 7.30am until 5pm and also work in the evenings if there is a lot of work. So I know just where you are coming from. No wonder we get tired. BUT tomorrow is my lie in day until 10am or even a bit later day. Really looking forward to that.
Karen - you had a kid before you were married - how scandulous lol. So you have a wonderful fellar as well buying you that beautiful present. Lucky girl and he helped out a neighbour. What a kind man I will be meeting. He sure does love you even in 90° of heat. Mind you it was probably heat that grew that baby in the first place!! Happy anniversary to you and your old fellar.
Kellycbk - I would just love to know what the withdrawal of finishing treatment is like. I can hardly wait - so over it now and just want it done. Five more to go but I'm not sure I will make it what with my hands and unable to type properly.
Tazzy - being a typist I can't stand it. Regardles of the present you brought its Nurses. Not nursey's.
Wow treatment over with. Go on, indulge me what did it feel like? I get a month off after chemo before rads and I am just longing for that month. Congratulations for going all the way with it. You deserve something really special now from your fellar.
Where is Heather, Inmate, LuvRVing, Christina, Minxie, Clowngirl. Your letting the side down ladies we need to hear from you and know that all is ok. Spose Heather is working, Inmates skiing, LuvRVing has gone back to Paris, Minxie is living it up somewhere and Clowngirl is at the circus. We miss you all.
Titan - good luck tomorrow. I will be thigh clapping for you all day. Remember to hydrate. Don't look round to see where the others are just keep rattling those dags girl. You can do this, you will do this, we know you will win just look how you have done with chemo. Sending you a warm hug but you probably won't need it with your heat. We are all so bloody proud of you.
Well ladies on my home front. The old fellar has decided he is going to buy the cafe that is for sale at our local airport. Its not a big airport but a good few planes fly in during the day and the cafe is quite busy. He is looking up prices for all the things he will need and even talked my oldest girl Cindy to go and work for him. The thing is it will be long hours, mind you we seem to be used to that, but what I am really concerned about is who will cook my dinner. I could starve and fade away to nothing and if I end up eating my cooking that fade away could happen very quickly. Oh well I will see how he goes.
Have a good day in the sun ladies and think of those frozen little soles across the sea from you. Annie
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Happy anniversary OBXX?!
I will try the Neulasta combo, thanks for the advise Kathryn. The most painful area throughout the night was my shoulders and neck. Everywhere else aches, but my neck and shoulders are much more extreme. Since these are not long bones, should I be worried? Us newbies are still trying to figure it out... So appreciate the coaching and support.0 -
Happy Anniversary OBXK!!!!
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OK, I'm here, I'm here!!! I had my grandkids here on Wednesday and my granddaughter spent the night plus we took her to Chuck E Cheese, so I've been busy with life! And it's hot here, I've been spending my time floating in the lake, reading the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Oohh, you really must ... This might be a cure for anyone's faltering libido...LOL! Someone said there is going to be a baby boom next year because of these books, and I don't doubt that's the truth! These books are the most erotic I've ever read.
My Xeloda treatment is going well - saw the MO on Wednesday and had labwork which showed no problems so far. The tech took blood from my hand just below my index finger and made a big hematoma, though. She won't be jabbing me there again. How the heck can a tiny butterfly needle do that??? It's hard because my veins just suck - they are tiny and shallow. At least she got blood on the first try.
Yes, yes to the Claritin! My Dana Farber MO is now suggesting it to all her patients! Yeah, they really don't know why it works, but it sure does the trick. I took it the day of my Neulasta shot, and then for 4 more days. You can buy the generic stuff - it works just fine. Don't get the "D" version - you don't need the decongestant.
Now, now CS! Just remember that next December when we're all freezing our arses, you'll be cooking out on the barby!!!
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend, free of side effects or whatever else gets in the way of enjoying life!
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Thought about you often this week, Mags. Hopefully you had a much better closure to the week than you opened it with!
Question: What is a foobie?0 -
Oh! CS how I laughed when I read your post about my very obvious mis-spelling of Nurses.... I was saying 'nursey' referring to the more rotund martronly (sorry all nurses out there... I know you are not really like that) type of nurses that used to guard our hospital wards...like the nursey Hattie Jacques used to play (old 60's English tv show/film).
Jazzy... I have been reading on these boards that Claritin helps the Nuelsta pains... maybe wanna ask your MO. OMG! I just read Michelle's post... and it was only 2 posts ago that I read that about Claritin. Nice to know that chemo brain is awake and working well.. ha ha ha
Foobies.... dont you just love that expression. I had to ask too Jazz - they are our new false boobs
Well my dexys kicked in good... got about 4 hours sleep which is good - so whilst laying awake I rebuilt my house I am in and how different I would've done things... DH is now quaking that I may actually want to take a 2nd mortgage out and do it.
I am off to last treatment in 3 hours (9am pacific ST Friday - are you already in Saturday CS?). Go for my D-care trial drug first then the last and final chemo. I will for sure let you know it feels... it feels pretty good now. And yeah I do deserve something really nice from the old fellar. Sure he wont let me down.
Whatever you are doing today/tonight enjoy as much as you can.
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