2010 Sisters
Comments
-
Biotene PBF - Dry Mouth Wash is what was recommended for me. My DD bought it at walmart. She went to a conference and they recommended it - better because it also fights plaque and it's alcohol free.
0 -
Jag: You could sue the hell out of them if they fired you now. No way they could prove it wasn't becase of BC; and that is against the law. As someone who was on the other side one time (a supervisor with an employee with cancer), believe me you tread lightly to be sure you aren't violating any employment laws. You aren't taking advantage of anybody, take the time you need to be healthy!
0 -
jag- You said before that you had never missed a day of work. I can just bet your employers know what a great asset you are to their business. Having run my own businesses for years, I would suggest alerting them ahead of time that you will need certain days off after chemo. If they can plan to arrange for coverage, they will be fine. If you repeatedly call in sick last minute, it is harder for them to deal. There is also something that some of the ladies have talked about. You can file for temporary disability when you are on chemo and I think that pays something. Does your company allow any "normal" sick time? Perhaps as you know more about your good and bad days, you can use those days and that way you wouldn't lose pay? I certainly sympathize about the financial woes. I closed my retail stores two years ago, now just have my online store. My DH is an under employed actor. Having said that, I wouldn't trade him for the world. We are essentially living on our retirement savings (what little there is), hoping the economy will turn around. I never thought I would say it, but I am grateful we are freelancers as we can still manage to cobble together things. Jag, you know you are going to fight this BC beast. And unfortunately, you will probably not be able to work like you used to for a while. Please don't feel guilty about that. This is your time to focus on getting healthy. Without that, you will not be able to help anyone, your kids, family or employer.0
-
oh goodness! all this talk about work. and guilt! NO NO NO - guilt will make you stressed and less able to heal.
Jag - does your company offer any short-term disability? If not, then perhaps you can apply for State disability (not sure if your state offers that, California does). If all that fails, then i agree with the plan of letting them know ahead of time your most likely "bad" days so they can be prepared. Is it possible for you to do a small amount of work from home? Anything you do to show them your commitment and loyalty will go a long way. And of course they cannot fire you due to this illness. Communicate with your HR person so you know your rights, their expectations, and reach a peaceful conclusion that you can rest with while you recover.
I feel very blessed and so thankful that I have short-term disability that covers my salary for 6 months. I don't know how I would even try to go to work right now during chemo (or even after my surgeries). I, too, carry health insurance and sole income for my family, but I don't worry about losing my job over this. I may risk losing the position I had and have to start a new role or something, but legally cannot lose my job.
0 -
Jag - I used Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash they were recommended by my onc. and worked well for me - I had a little taste bud problem but not severe and no thrush or sores - I was lucky.
Sandy
0 -
Jag- Good to hear your now on top of the pain. I agree with the onco nurse there is NO reason someone should suffer like that. Now that they know about it they will be working on pain control. As for the bad taste and dry mouth make sure your not using a mouth wash with alcohol and I use what my dental office advised Oral B with fluoride and NO Alcohol. The best thing I found to use to keep on top of the bad mouth issue was what my chemo nurse and once nurse suggested - keep a box of baking soda in the bathroom and rinse with baking soda and water every time you use the washroom. To help the tongue and teeth/gums dip your tooth brush in hydrogen peroxide and then in the baking soda. It works wonders also. And your so welcome my dear sister. That is what this site is all about, helping each other and supporting each other.
Cathy
0 -
Hi,
I've been posting in the "Waiting" section for a few weeks now. Long story short, I opted for a lumpectomy to get my diagnosis. I had it done yesterday. They pulled out a 1.5 cm mass and cleared margins back to my chest wall and also took out a lymph node.
Preliminary results are IDC, Stage 1. I should get final results in on Thursday and then they'll refer me to an oncologist.
I just wanted to say HI and join in. I've been trying to read all the posts, but there are so many. I've already learned a lot from the first few pages of posts I read, so I'm going to go back and keep reading.
Emotionally, I'm ok. No break downs or anything - yet. I'm just ready to get a plan in place and start fighting. I look forward to getting to know each of you.
0 -
Welcome ShelMel! Glad to hear they got clear margins!
0 -
Welcome Shel to the club no one wants to join. These sisters are a fine and caring group who support each other. The waiting really stinks but please let us know when you know something.
0 -
Hi there. I have been reading your posts for the past several days and wanted to let you all know how much strength you are giving me. I appreciate your comments and your wisdom. Still feeling rough from my last chemo (3rd FEC) and now onto Taxotere, yuck )possibly next week if all blood work is fine). Stay strong you amazing wonderful folks and thanks again for all your assistance and guidance and advice!
Take good care and just breathe. . . Teklya
0 -
Hi Shelmel! Glad you found us, but sorry you have to be here:( Keep us posted--we will be here to support you!!
Tina
0 -
Aw Tek, didn't know you were ailing. Let us know so we can do a group ((((HUG)))))) for you!!
0 -
Hello ShelMel- Please feel free to ask us anything! We will help you any way we can.
Woke up this morning with my nose bleeding and blurred vision! Didn't last long. I did bring it up to my doc today when I went in for my weekly Herceptin treatment, along with everything else! They ended up doing a ton of blood work and everything looked good so I was able to receive the treatment.
The yucky taste /feeling in my mouth was in fact an infection - thrush. Now I'm on an antibiotic. They gave me my first dose at the center and my mouth already feels better.
The doc swears that taking Claritin the day of the Nuelasta shot and for 10 days after should alleviate the bone pain. I told her I was skeptical and want a pain killer on hand if I do the shot again. She did agree and I will have an RX just in case. I also asked if Claritin works so well why don't you tell patients to take it as a precautionary measure? I guess it's not protocol.
I hope all of you have a peaceful, restful night. Thanks ladies!
0 -
Jag, many threads I have read say that claritin is the way to go. Please try it next time.
0 -
I use Claritin Liqui-Gels 24 hour starting the day of the shot.
0 -
This is not a club you want to join, but I am glad I found it. I lurked here while going through the waiting for diagnosis. Found out 9/23/10 that I have IDC. I had an MRI yesterday and am going for a 2nd opinion on Friday at the University of Miami. Still in shock and overwhelmed with all the info. I look forward to "meeting" all of you.
0 -
Sunflower71 - Your diagnosis is very similar to mine, my tumor was 2.7cm at the largest. Did the MRI show a single mass?0
-
Sunflower, Shelmil &Teklya
Welcome to the group (nobody want's to be here - but we're the best!) Come often because these ladies have big hearts and tons of info. I come for their inspiration and courage.
I actually went to the gym today. The first time since March. It wasn't bad, I used the treadmill and tried the equipment but didn't add any weights especially on the BC side. Doesn't seem like much but it was a huge step for me. My thyroid was affected during the rads and I've not had much energy to spare!
I told my superior at work about my diagnosis and applied for the family medical leave act. This way I would be covered if I needed extra time off at work and make all the appointments that I'm required to go to. I did work thru rads going before work so it wouldn't disrupt the office. Some weeks I have 2 & 3 app'ts but they are OK with it if I tell them my schedule. I'm single so I carry my insurance as well as sole support so It's important for me to work with them as much as possible.
0 -
Jag: I take Zyrtec, basically the same as Claritin. The first Neulasta shot, I took Zyrtec for 5 days (per nurses orders). No pain UNTIL 7th day when I wasn't taking Zyrtec. So this time they said go ahead and take it 10 days. I did and no/minimal pain. Try it, it worked for me. As far as protocol, I don't think it was my onc who told me about the Zyrtec, I think it was the onc nurse doing my infusion. They are a great source of tips. Of course, I already knew about the antihistimine trick since I'd been on this site, and as others have said, this is a gold mine of support of info.
Teklya: You & I are on the same schedule. I did my 3rd FEC today and will have my first Taxotere on Oct. 12. Hang in there girl we are halfway done!
0 -
I agree with LadyinBama, I came off the Claritin early and noticed more discomfort. This time I am planning to take it 10 days as well. I *think* I read somewhere that the time release for the neulasta shot is 10 days, but I'm not sure.
0 -
samsue- Interesting you mentioned damage to your thyroid during rads. That was the topic on Dr. Oz today. You can see it online. He recommends always asking for a lead thyroid shield during dental xrays and mammos too. I'm starting rads soon. I'm going to ask my Onc if I can wear a thyroid shield, to protect against scatter. Why don't THEY tell us these things?0
-
Thanks for the welcome ladies!
Omaz- I have not received the results yet. I am worried because my ultrasound did show 15 "spots", one being 1.5 cm. Hopefully they are cysts.
I am so worried about work. I moved to Florida to start my life over in May (process of a divorce). I started my new job in June. I could not earn sick time for 90 days. I have 1 day right now, and no PTO. My manager slacked on enrolling me in health insurance and ST disability. Now, aflac will probably laugh at me. My ex. has agreed to halt the divorce proceedings (there was one miracle, our court date was in a few weeks) so that I could stay on his insurance. Do people work during chemo? How much time off is needed for a masectomy?
0 -
Sorry I have been MIA the last couple of days. (Our router died and it took the cable company 2 days to get out here.) I have been having a lot of bone pain particularly in my back and ribs. Also the tingling in my hands and numbness in my lower arms is getting more pronounce. I can hardly hold a paperback book to read and my handwriting is impossible to read after filling out a couple of pages of all these forms! I don't know how anyone is going to read them, I can't read them and I wrote them. I have also started having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This is totally new since I have always been able to fall asleep very quickly and sleep soundly all night. About every 2 hours I am waking up with night sweats, thought I was over those years ago. I am in a funk today and it is raining which does not help my mood. I have a call into the nurse,but if I don't hear back from her soon I will be emailing my onco.
Jag - I am glad you are feeling better and have found a solution that will help with the bone pain for the next round. It was a wise idea to get the RX for pain meds. Don't rush going back to work, take the time you need to rest and heal. Remember we are war here with BC and we need all the strength we can muster to do that. You are in my thoughts and prayers as always.
ShelMel, Tek, Sunflower - welcome to our group. Sorry we have to meet because of BC, but you are in the right place for love, support and answers for anything you want to ask. We are also the best place to say anything - share good news, cry about bad news, vent when frustrated, or just share what is on your mind.
0 -
Amyjo - You are not alone with the new sleep problems - I usually fall right asleep and now it take more than an hour and I wake up a lot. I also have 'hot flashes' at night, but they are not too bad so far. I am sorry about the numbness and tingling. I have this too apparently from the taxotere, mostly in my feet though. I am taking L-glutamine with doctor approval, sometimes it helps with the nerve issues. You could ask your doctor if it might help in your case. Hang in there, sending good thoughts your way.0
-
AmyJo- I had terrible night sweats for about a week. They have eased up. I also get hot flashes during the day. When I talked to my onc yesterday he said it may continue to happen through out chemo. I also started my period this week. This is so much fun! He did say there is somehting they can give for night sweats, I'm sorry I don't remember what it is. I haven't been able to fall asleep since DX on June 30th without my Ativan. It doesn't keeping me sleeping though, just helps me fall asleep. Before BC I never took a single pill. Now I'm a walking pharmacy!
Missed seeing you and glad you are back in touch, sorry you are having the SE. Always in my thoughts.
0 -
Meds to manage meds, what's a girl to do!
0 -
Boy, isn't that the truth! meds for everything! How did we get there? I was the kind to not even take an aspirin and now, I have a solution for each and every symptom and how to manage it! Sheesh! This never was a goal of mine either.
Sun is shining here with the temp of plus 17 C which is a marvelous fall day. Went for a nice long walk today with my sweetie and actually feel better. This has helped the aches and worked out some of the stiffness, too.
take good care and just breathe. . .
Teklya
0 -
Sunflower, it depands wich surgery you have. And what type of work you do. I had a uni masectomey with a tissue expander and a lift on the other side, stayed over one night in the hospital. The following day I worked half a day from home. Then I took a few days off, lol. Most of my work involves talking to people, reading email/faxes, and doing other stuff on the computer. I could not have driven, I could get a cup out of the cabinet, as long as it was at the front, and bring my coffee to the table. I was comfortable driving short distances after about a week.
They gave me the option to stay in the hospital longer, which, if I had no help at home, I believe I might have stayed another day. If your job involves lifting, it will be a longer time. I have a lot of flexibility in my job hours, so I went back as normal the following week. I do not think that is typical at all though. I think it is more usual for some one with my surgery to stay out of work for 2 or 3 weeks.
I am sure some others will chime in with their experiences!
Best of luck!
0 -
Hi everyone! The chemo or Neulasta is killing my back at the moment. It did give me a break while I was busy and active, but the minute you stop - OWWW! The trouble is I'm too tired to keep staying busy, so I'm about to assume the fetal position again. I just took another pain pill, looking forward to going to sleep tonight. Brings me one more day closer to the SEs ending.
Talking about all the pills we have to take now - the other day I knew it was time for something, so as I sputtered around for the right words I finally just said, "Bring me some pills!"
Tek - that nice long walk sounds good! I am SO looking forward to doing that ASAP! This last chemo was a doozy!
Hope everyone is doing well!
0 -
Wow - I didn't check in for a few days and had a lot to catch up on!
After my first chemo I was given a list of "To Call IF" ..I didn't call but should have. I had not expected the pain, had not even been cautioned of this so was totally unprepared. Before the next chemo I was prepared with an RX for many of the different SE.
One thing that got me was the confusion after each chemo - no way could I have been effective working for at least 3 days right after tx. Apparently this was the Benadryl that is given with the infusion to prevent allergic reactions. When the confusion cleared, then the pain would start. My tx were 3 wks apart and maybe I would have 1 week of the 3 that I could have worked. Self employed so did what I could when I could.
ShelMel, Tek, Sunflower ...welcome and nice to meet you even though under unwanted circumstances. This is a great support group and one of the few positives coming from this BC experience.
0
