Calling all TNs
Comments
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Hi Ladies! Cocker - I am a little beaten down by Taxol just like before, but hanging in there. I am losing my hair, fatigued, achy and have numb feet. I had taxol #4 yesterday didn't sleep at all last night from the steroids. Does anyone have a good way to sleep the night of treatment?
I have an appointment in Chattanooga on Tuesday to have a checkup and blood draw for a trial there to see if I will qualify. I will have my first scan in about 3 weeks to see if taxol is helping. Please stay right there in my pocket!
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Cat my heart goes out to you. When I was having chemo the steroids kept me awake all night and as I was working from home I would type all night but instead of catching up on sleep the next day I would again type all day so that when the true side effects of chemo struck me about three days after each infusion, I was sleep deprived as I hadn't caught up on the night I had missed. Then I would get that heavy, sickly, tired, fluey feeling because I hadn't caught up which I put down to chemo but perhaps it was because I needed sleep. At our surgery the doc's give information sheets called "Sleep Hygiene" which is designed to help those people who are lacking in sleep. Would your local doctors have anything like that, that you could try. Admittedly a lot of these people are not having chemo but there might be something in there that could help you. Or perhaps a warm drink, reading for a while until you feel you could drop off, or just clearing your mind as much as you can. People used to say to me, make out you have won the lottery (yea right) and you are about to spend it or imagine yourself on a deserted warm beach with only the lapping of the waves under a blue sky. Sometimes it helped. Or perhaps your doc could provide you with some sort of medication that won't interact with the chemo. I do hope you can find something because it is so hard to cope without sleep when you are having chemo. Thinking of you and sending warm hugs.
PS I won't be anywhere else but in your pocket as always.
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Cat...wish I knew how to help you sleep....I still don't sleep well now......I try to keep the room as dark as possible and keep a bottle of water next to the bed for the dry mouth.....don't know if you are having hot flashes ...but would also keep a cold washcloth next to the bed also to put on my stomach when the hot flash hit....some people say melatonin but I haven't tried that yet....also maybe an 1/2 an ativan would help?
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Inspired I think we need to call a truce. I believe we have exhausted the subject to death and both have had our say. You have so many positive, helpful things you can offer the ladies on here and so do I. We are not done yet. Lets try and get the thread back to where it used to be.
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Absolutely Cocker. I want only the best for everyone and care about all of you!
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When Bill Gates was a young boy, he had a pet crow. He tried to teach the bird how to speak, introducing a new word every day.
It was disappointing for him as the crow would not make any sound, until one day the crow uttered the words, "Bill, someday you will become the richest man in the world".
Bill was amazed. He wanted to learn more but the crow became quiet and would not utter another word. So, he decided to go to a gypsy fortune-teller. The old lady looked into her crystal ball and said, "You are destined to be the richest man in the world, but you need to perform a simple task."
When she told Bill what is to be done, he ran home, full of excitement. Bill's mother found him cooking something in the kitchen the next morning.
She asked him what he was doing and he replied, "Mother, do you remember what the crow said to me the other day?"
His mother said, "Right Bill, but what are you cooking?"
"Well," said Bill, "I went to see the Gypsy fortune-teller and she confirmed what the crow had to say!"
"Wow, that's wonderful!" said his mother, "But what is it that you are cooking in the pot?"
"Well, the gypsy woman told me that I needed to do a simple thing to get my fortune!"
His mother said impatiently, "Yes Bill, now will you tell me what are you cooking?"
His eyes gleaming, Bill Gates replied "Well, she asked me to make MY CROW SOFT!!"mmmmmmm perhaps a bit weak
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Hi friends, I haven't posted much lately, but I try to read frequently. I thought I'd give an update. I'm actually doing fine. I've lost a lot of stamina, lost lots of hair, and am losing weight, finally. DH's blood cancer is mostly stable. Life is good.
For more than 20 years I've been a part of The California Teacher Study. At first I didn't know what they were researching, they just asked many questions. As time I went by, it became clear they were interested in breast cancer. Fast forward to 2011, I get breast cancer, and now they have been after me for my DNA. My most recent communication arranged for me to give up a "tiny bit" of blood to go in some research file.
We've been having a beautiful spring following a very mild dry winter. The daffodils are finished, the native California poppies are in full bloom, and the lupines and indian paint brush are doing their thing. Life is good.
Can't think of a single joke tonight. Next time.......
Hope everyone one has a nice weekend with family and friends. Jan
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I got an ambien from my PCP for the steroid nights and it helps, I can sleep now.
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cat, I also took ambien or Benadryl. Your sleep is so important!
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'll ask my MO this week for his advise. I already take a Trazadone for sleep (it is technically an antidepressant but used more often for sleep help). It works most nights except on steroid night
Maybe I should just get up and work on a painting, then I would actually get something done.Happy Easter everyone! It is a beautiful, sunny day here in GA.
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My MO prescribed Ativan to help me sleep after steroids. It's an anti-anxiety drug. I took it only on steroid days and it got me to sleep even when I felt very jumpy.
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I remember Karen (OBXK) having Ativan and she found it helpful (she used to make me laugh when she'd put "along with a nice Merlot").
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Hey..you've got to do what it takes to get a few good hours of sleep...I think it is one of the most important things when it comes to healing..and gaining strength.....and if a nice merlot and an ativan does the trick..so be it...
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Hi ladies I hope you are having a great Easter and your weather is kind to you.
The old feller - mmmm. Well yesterday was a doozie. When we came to view this house last September I noticed a beautiful tree, not too large in the garden, with a bushy top and a bare trunk. It had the most lovely red tips on the branches all over it but was out of shape. The previous owner said it was a lovely smallish tree but it took a long time to grow. Yesterday the old feller was home from the café so he asked me what I wanted done in the garden. I said I would like that bushy tree to be rounded all over. It wasn't so bad that it would take much to do. I said I was going to get one of the girls at works husband to do it as he is a landscaper. "Don't be silly woman, I can do that" said the old feller. So with his shears in hand I left him to it. About an hour later in he comes. I said how did it go and he mumbled something about having a rest. When I went out to look I was struck dumb, absolutely speechless. Now most of you know that it is almost an improbability for me to be speechless (and for so long!!). It is now one foot across at the widest part and about six feet long. It looks like an almost finished icecream on top of an icecream stick. When I could finally talk I asked him what went wrong. He said I was clipping away and as I went around each side there was more and more sticking out so I chopped them all off. We have always gone for a maintenance free garden because there was always so many other things to do but this time I was looking forward to putting in roses and spring bulbs. This story brings me to the conclusion that although he is a marvellous cook he is a shit gardener. Moral of the story If you want any gardening done ladies please get in a landscaper or do it yourself. .
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Tomorrow is my last "effin" chemo. Nervous. I think I'm going to cry and do a happy dance at the same time. I just hope we did enough to kill the beast. I feel like I've almost completed a marathon, the first 23 miles maybe and only 3left (rads). I can do this! Nothing will get me now!
Have my questions for my mo. Want treatment summary (all drugs, dosages), want port out! Will ask about metformin, follow up mri's and mammos, survivorship programs, vit d. Hmm will think of more before tomorrow.
Will take my Ativan and try to sleep...yea right!
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Congrats Lisa on your last chemo tomorrow! Yes, end of treatment can bring up lots of anxiety, but it does get better. So smart of you to ask for a summary of your treatment, great to have.
My baby ducks have grown so much and are so cute. I swear they listen to me better than the dogs, until I try to get them into their duck house at night. One night my husband and I were chasing them around, he kicked his flip flops off so he could run faster and my flip flop went flying and one of the ducks tripped over it. I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants! I had to sit down:) Lets just hope the neighbors were not watching:)
My good friend is in beauty school and asked if I would be willing to come in for a haircut for her first test. I did it and she did a great job, just took awhile. As I was sitting there looking in the mirror for so long I realized my face has gotten so fat! I haven't gained weight, but got to thinking and realized it is probably from the steroid shots I have been having for my back. I never looked into the side effects of the shots and my doc didn't tell me. I have had my limit of 3 shots for the year, so hopefully the pain does not come back this time and I can lose some of this steroid puffiness. I remember when I took steroids with the chemo the same thing happened. Even though I have not gained weight with the steroids, I do need to lose lots of weight. I must, I must!
Cocker, inspired and all of you ladies-love ya! Glad you are all here and posting!
Oh, simple (and others that are doing rads), the fatigue was terrible for me. I had to take naps also, it is a great time to take it easy:)
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Oh, Cocker-I agree with you about the landscaper! We are going to have a detached garage built in the summer/fall. My husband keeps threatening to do it himself! Problem is he will never ask anyone for help. I had to help him install a huge window because he wouldn't let me call anyone for help. We are the house where projects go to die! He just does not have enough time to do them, and I don't have the energy or skill. I always want to have someone come out and help with the yard, at least help with some winter clean up but he says no because it is too expensive. He just about had a cow a few years back when I had some guys pave our dirt driveway when he was at work. Best thing I ever did! Our driveway was always a muddy mess in the winter, and it is a pretty long driveway. Oh, and back to the garage, if we are able to do it, I am fighting hard for a contracter!
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Bak- are your husband and mine possibly related?! He will NEVER hire anyone to do anything in or around the house, nor will he ask for help. I will say, the projects get done, but I'm not always happy with the result! He gripes about his Mom always hiring someone to do work for her because she doesn't want to bother any of her 3 sons. He doesn't see that he is just like her and, Lord help me, if I ever bring up that similarity he would go crazy on me!!
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tifJ: Lol!! The scene is more or less the same at my place too
Bak and cocker: This is a problem with men..they hate taking help or asking for directions. Evolution has given them this trait!
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Lisa, congrats on finishing chemo today! It's a wierd feeling walking out that last time. It's a major milestone to be done with that.
Bak, thanks for the confirmation that I'm not the only one that needed extra rest during rads. Now that I've decided to come home a lie down for an hour or two after each zapping, things seem to be going easier. Today is #15 of 33.
Cat, I used trazadone and ativan both to help try to get some sleep the night after an infusion. At least I was able to sleep for a few hours with that.
I had a really nice weekend with lots of social activities. It's so nice to be able to be getting out more after months of chemo and recovering from surgery. It makes me really appreciate everything we do.
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Lisa, congrats on finishing chemo! I was really ill by the end, so if your like me wait to celebrate when you're feeling better. The next week when I would have been going to a chemo appt. I went out to lunch and a movie.
Bak94, my runner duck trips over everything! I guess because she's so tall she doesn't see the ground right in front of her. I've even seen her step on chickens that are in her way when she's moving fast. It is a riot!
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A joke for today..
Bob: Where did you get that watch?
Joe: I won it in a race.
Bob: How many were in the race?
Joe: Just three, me, the owner of the watch, and the cop.
Happy Monday everyone. May the sun shine warmly on your face. Jan
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Ladies, those of you who are the praying type, I would ask if you would take a minute and say a prayer for my wife. She has her first post diagnosis and treatment PET scan today. She was diagnosed 4/8/13. No symptoms now...just routine scan. Please help me pray for no surprises. Thanks.
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ALHusband - Prayers for calm and faith for you and your wife as you wait for results, and prayers for a very unremarkable scan.
Lisa - Congrats on final chemo day! Celebrate big.
Syl and Lisa - Love the updated photos!
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ALH - prayers and love
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Cocker I resent your abolishing all of us husbands to the grubber. I'm sure that tree looked fabulous and you just couldn't appreciate "modern abstract art". I'll bet EVERYONE's trees are round. Why would you want to be like everyone else? Dare to be different! March to your own drummer. One year, in my younger days, my mom bugged my brothers and me incessantly to set up the artificial Christmas tree. After she resorted to an angry rant and threatened us, we did it, while she went out shopping. Well, when she came home we had intentionally set it up with the short branches on the bottom working up to the long branches at the top. A completely upside down Christmas tree. And we fully decorated it with lights, ornaments and garland. It was a thing of beauty! Until she came home and exploded.
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BanR - thanks so much for the radiation information. It's very helpful.
Meadow - thanks so much for the nice compliment on my profile pic!
Cat - I use Benadryl and Ativan combined to help me sleep. I hope you find something that works for you and are able to get some good, restorative rest soon.
Bak - your baby ducks sound adorable! You should post a pic. I'm sure we'd all have a good smile and "awww" session.
Lisa - congrats on finishing chemo! Hope you have big plans to celebrate!
ALHusband - sending you and your wife prayers for a clear scan. You had me laughing at your Christmas tree story.
After finishing the AC portion of chemo, I start Taxol/Carbo Tuesday. I'm a little nervous for the change up, but grateful to be plugging along without a hitch so far. I also have a vaginal US and CT this week. I have a blood filled cyst on my ovary that they're monitoring, but also some symptoms of ovarian cancer, which makes me so nervous. My onc isn't at all worried and thinks my symptoms are from the cyst…but geez. Having the BRCA2 gene and these symptoms is turning me into a worry wart. I'll be glad to get another clear scan under my belt that's for sure.
Hugs and hope everyone's having a good day.
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ALHusband, saying a prayer wrapped in a hug.
For those who are having trouble sleeping, my MO suggested melatonin and said to use it for a couple weeks before I decide if it works or not. I found going months with very interrupted sleep patterns because of all this that taking it did help a lot. Now I only take it if I wake up in the middle of the night unusually awake. She said the sublingual type doesn't have to go through your liver.
Also thinking of broccoli and smoothies, I also put in bok choy! Wow fragmented thinking today. Ahhh chemo? Age? Whatever, it's warm out today and I can't wait for summer!
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Lisa congrats on your last chemo, yay. I'm sure chemo has done it's job well and your right "nothing will get you now". Glad you are sorted with all your questions, I don't think your doc will know what's hit him lol.
BAK can just see you with the beautiful baby ducks. (Is your neighbours house up for sale yet lol). You are so lucky to have chicks and ducks in your yard and now your driveway is looking good it must be like paradise. The old feller won't ask for help either except from me. He'll say " get on the other end of this will you, want to move it over there". I indicate I can't carry heavy things because lymphoedema has made one arm twice the size of the other and all I get is "It's not heavy". Cause not, it's a wonder my arms not six times the size of the other one. I love that saying " he just about had a cow". Must remember that.
TIFJ I reckon all husbands are related to each other, well maybe not AL Husband cause he's into Christmas trees.
Simple almost half way through rads. Good on you girl. Glad you felt well enough to get out and enjoy yourself.
Jan love the joke. May you too have sunshine to help you through your day topped off with a sprinkling of laughter
AL Husband LMAO at the picture in my mind of your Christmas tree adorned in all it's beauty, upside down. I would have left it like that as a "one off". Well you've lost your bet chum cause not everyone's tree's are round, mine's not. The worst part of the whole affair is that it's a slow growing tree so could be like that for a while. By the way what's a grubber lol.
Sending many many prayers to you and your wife for a completely "unremarkable" scan with no surprises. Take her out afterwards for some expensive retail therapy. Isn't that what good husbands do?
I have a short Easter holiday this week with 10 days off. The old feller has just rung me to say its 7.30am. Well done mate, thanks a bunch. Nothing like just the thought of a lie in.
Ally wishing you luck with the Taxol, ultrasound and CT next week. I'm sure everything will turn out to be ok for you. Sending prayers and a big hug.
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Hello all,
I just realized I shouldn't just say 'ladies'. Didn't think of the menfolk!
ALHusband- wishing and praying for a totally unremarkable scan!
Cocker- story about your old feller cracks me up! He sounds like my old boy.
Lisa- congrats on finishing up chemo!
Simple- sounds like you have figured out a good way to get thru rads.
Clarrn, Holly, and the rest- you all look beautiful with short hair!
Here's hoping for a good week for all.
Hugs, lilyrose
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