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Comments

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Kate, after tomorrow you will be half way to the end.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012
    I know Racy, it is such a psychological little booster Smile
  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    Kate - glad your counts are much better - good luck tomorrow

    (((((((HUGS))))))))

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Thansk Susie xx

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Yes, hope tomorrow goes well Kate, and don't forget to ask about any of the side effect and breast issues that have been troubling you.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    Hey girls - my back is so much better, I cancelled my Friday physio appt!!!! I seem to have perked up a lot - obviously because I have no pain.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    I just hope I don't have the same onc nurse as last time. She was adamant that I would have to get a port. But you know what? It's my body and I don't want one at least not at this stage.

    Needles don't worry me so if it takes a little longer and a bit more work thenso be it. I don't want another hospitilisation, GA and most importantly I don't want another incision. My breast incisions let an infection in the first place, and it's still hasn't resolved, so I'm not willing to submit myself to this just to make her job easier, which is why I think she was so insistant, at least thats the impression I got from her.  Twice now when I have gone to the local pathology clinic to get my blood taken for the wbc pre chemo, they got the blood first time with no drama, so it's not like it's impossible. She is not a particularly well liked nurse (this is the hospital I used to work at and that is the view of some of the other nurses who work with her) So íf she is there tomorrow and says anything again (I'll hear her opinion but I won't be coerced) and if she's too in my face about it I'll probably let rip. I feel stressed at the pressure this is putting on me and it's needless at this stage. Anyway I mustn't get ahead of myself or jump to assumptions.

    I'll certainly post afterwards and I'll be sucking on the ice again all the way through xx

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    I made an appt for 14th March to have that Cacau treamtent at the hairdresser. I have my last Zometa infusion that afternoon and had already booked a day off work, so it seemed logical to do it that morning seeing she said it would take about 2 hours. She really feels it will be very successful on my hair - that remains to be seen.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    Kate - the thing about having a port, is that you will have 18 herceptin treatments - can you put up with that without one. I hate having my Zometa in my hand, I wish I'd kept my port, but I'm glad I don't have to go and get it flushed all the time.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Suse - rude of me not to acknowledge your back. I'm so glad it is better for you now. Sure can't do a lot with a bad back that's for sure.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Kate - BTW you're not rude, you are going through a lot at the moment.

    ((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    I'd get a port in a flash if I didn't have this darn breast infection, which I must have got through surgery. Call me silly perhaps, but I just have a gut feeling that I have a staph infection on the surface of my skin as even sandfly bites on my legs which I got back in September, ulcerated and still haven't healed! I am just very reluctant to get another cut to my skin. But we'll see how I go. If my veins don't behave I mightn't have a choice at all.

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Kate, remember the chemo nurse has no say in whether you get a port. That is a conversation you should have with your onc. I never had a port but only had six chemos. I've heard it said drinking a lot of water before the infusion helps dilate the veins, also directing your arm down towards the floor causes blood flow to increase in the arm. I don't know if permanent damage can be done to veins from too many needles. If not, don't do anything till you have to but be guided by your onc.



    I saw my physio today for advice about my exercise program. She was really helpful and showed me some additional exercises to fill the gaps in my current program, such as improving balance and impact tolerance. She also reminded me about the technique for lymphatic massage.



    Sue, your hair appointment is something to look forward to. I predict you will be happy with the result.

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited February 2012

    congrats Kate, hope it all goes well. Chrissy hope your feeling better. Kylie I hope your treatment went well and you are feeling okay.

    I cant sleep, root canal two days ago and face swollen to a ridiculous extent sigh.

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited February 2012

    Good luck Kate!



    Glad to hear the back is better Susie :-)



    Lyndal - sorry about the jaw pain. That's always horrible :-(



    Just about to get up and go into work for the morning and then home to work for the rest of the day. TGIF and tomorrow I can sleep all day if I want...



    Jenn

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited February 2012

    Kate - so glad you are able to get on with the second treatment.  It seems really odd to be saying that, after all chemo is not something any of us want to do willingly - but ... you know what I mean lol.

    Sue - glad your back is feeling better - a bad back is awful.  We look forward to seeing the photos of your new hair do!

    Lyndal - I really sympathise with your sore mouth - my abcessed tooth is pretty much back to normal now - but still taking antibiotics.

    Jenn - don't do too much today - take it easy ok?

    Chrissy - hope you are feeling better soon - we miss you xoxo

    Trish

    xoxo

  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited February 2012

    Hi everyone, thanks for your thoughts. Chemo went better than I expected and the last two days haven't been too bad.   I have woken on day 3 after another night of hardly any sleep and feel like crap.  I don't have a temp. but my throat is sore to swallow.  I have been drinking heaps and feel like I am floating in water, gargling and following the other millions rules.  I have lists blu tacked to my bedroom wall and as I went through this site i wrote down a list of hints you all gave, so thanks everyone.  At what point do you worry about a sore throat? Kylie x p.s that is stage 11a not 111a my error i have fixed it sorry.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    My back was feeling better but a bit of pain in my right leg today - must be from another strange sleeping position. I could reinstate my appt but I've sort of had enough for now. I can always go back anytime.

    It seems a long time to wait for the hair thing but it is the most practical option.

    katopet - good to hear you're ok so far - great idea to write down all the tips.

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Kylie, it sounds as if you are doing everything right. Keep treating your throat and take your temperature several times a day to make sure you don't have an infection getting out of control.



    Rest a lot today. Also, if you can't sleep consider asking your doctor for a mild sleeping pill.



    You will want to be as well and bright as possible to enjoy your daughter's wedding.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Hi Kylie. Sorry that you are struggling with a sore throat. Not being a Dr I can't really comment on when to worry about a sore throat, but I'd say just perservere doing what your doing, but if it becomes really painful and hard to swallow, you should get to your Dr for treatment. It could also be little ulcers developing. The timeline sounds about right.

    Ah it's a real trip isn't it? watching and waiting all the time and not sure what is going to happen next. You might have a few really off days coming up now so just rest up and drink loads ah that would be water - not alcohol Tongue out ha ha.

  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Kate, silly me i didn't think of mouth ulcers being in throat, sounds right. My brain doesn't seem to function well at the moment.

    If sleep doesn't improve i will ask about tablets, we must all rattle with the amount they give you.

    Sue, my sister had that treatment on her hair and it was great.

    Kylie x

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 1,422
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Kylie - I am looking forward to it :)

    Have you been trying Biotene mouthwash - I used it heaps during chemo and I think I only ever got one sore spot.

    Sue

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited February 2012

    Kylie - great to hear from you - I've been wondering how you were doing.

    Yes - sounds like you may have ulcers in the throat - didn't Jenn get that?  I'm not sure, I seem to remember someone getting them.

    Don't worry about your brain not functioning - mine's like that a lot of the time lol

    Rest as much as you can.  When do you go back to the onc?  If it's not for a while, you may need to see your GP and ask for something to help you sleep, and perhaps something stronger for your throat.

    Trish

    xoxo

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited February 2012

    Yes, I was going to ask if it could be an ulcer in your throat Kylie. I got one this time - just below the level that gargling could reach. The nurse at my site told me to swallow aspro clear in water or liquid panadol "slowly". I used aspirin and it worked great.



    regards Jenn

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited February 2012

    Hi girls!  Feeling a bit better but still not 100% nothing I can put my finger on just off.  I sometimes think I'm getting a cold which wouldn't surprise me as the weather has been up and down for weeks, but it never comes to anything.....I think the bugs take one look at my system and run for the hills....lol.

    Kate, hope your chemo went well and you are feeling okay.  Don't forget to take it easy.

    Jenn good to see you on your feet again but not doing too much.  I agree with the disolvable aspirin it does indeed work a treat.

    Kylie, glad to hear you have all the tips gathered close at hand but you will find in amongst them the things that work for you best.  Enjoy the big day with your daughter as it is really special when you see your baby in her gown.  Make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand!

    Sue, so glad your back is feeling better.  If you are getting loads of back problems have you thought of changing your mattress?

    Oooo Lyndal!  Ouch!!!!  I sure hope the swelling disapates quickly for you!  I shudder when I think of anything dental so you are my hero right now.......root canal!  Oh my!

    Racy, what extras did the PT add to you exercise regime to 'fill it out'?  Hope they work for you.

    Trish, sure hope you are feeling fine and dandy....lol

    Well, I have decided that I really need to try anad loose some weight before I have knee surgery but I'm not setting the bar outside the realms of possibility so, I will be happy if I manage to drop 5kg and hopefully even that amount will help to make the recovery a little easier.  I have even managed to enlist my DH into joining me on the quest to be a little lighter so that will indeed make it a bit easier to stick to it.  Nothing drastice, just cutting out all simple carbs, sugar and trans fats and increasing protien and good fats.  Maybe it will get rid of the cholesterol problem as well and I can get off the statin.......now that will be a bonus..........here's hoping.......lool

    Love n hugs all!   Chrissy 

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2012

    Hi everyone. Thanks for the well wishes for today and good to see you all here. Chrissy and Jenn, good to see you back on the boards.

    Today was uneventful. I did ask Dr Buck (MO) about what he thought about a Port given my breast situation and he said he wouldn't touch me while they are like this. My little non qualified medical hunch was spot on and just goes to show that at the end of the day we are the experts for our own body and our intuition should be seriously considered.

    I have Neulasta to be injected tomorrow morning into my stomach fat (search party not needed to find it LOL). My SIL is going to give me the shot. She didn't instill great confidence when they gave her a practice fatpad to practice on and she bent the needle. She was mucking around (she tends to do that). I told her I would have to have a stiff drink before she comes near me, and she said she would have one too Surprised

    I was told that I might experience some horrible bone aches for a few days as it's a growth hormone that makes heaps and heaps of baby white blood cells so everything is in overdrive. Is there something I can take for the aches if it gets bad, I don't currently have anything stronger than panadol.

    Hey and I'm half way there... Jenn, I asked Dr Buck if I was still not going on to have Taxotere (I don't want any surprises) and he said definitaly No, I am on 'light' chemo, and opposed to 'heavy' chemo. So when this is over, I'll get on with rads.

    xxxx to you all. 

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited February 2012

    Kate I have heard that if you take a Claratine anti hystermine (sp?) day before, day of and day after it is supposed to help a great deal.  Don't ask me why but that's the word on the boards.

  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited February 2012

    Glad you got through today Kate, hope the injection goes smoothly. I can relate to the stomach fat thing, my sister is a nurse and she said I should make sure I didn't lose any weight before chemo so i managed to pile on 6 kilos in a month....

    I have been gargling with biotene, and bought some aspro clear in case and my throat feels heaps better. thanks

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Hi Chrissy!



    Kate, re the Neulasta, if you pinch the area where you are going to inject and then insert the needle into the pinched area while still holding the pinch, you don't feel a thing. The needle retracts into its casing automatically after emptying the contents. It is supposed to be very easy to inject. Also, take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before injection, which also helps make it painless.



    I am on my way to the gym. I don't think I will stay long as I am tired.



    I received some good news today which I will come back and tell you about.

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited February 2012

    Kate, btw I didn't have any bone pain with the Neulasta. I wish the same for you.

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