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  • gerrib
    gerrib Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2012

    Hi everyone

    I haven't posted much but thought I'd drop into today. Hope you are all doing well, sorry I can't remember who's who yet. I've had 20 radiation treatments now and seem to be holding up fine apart from itchy splotchy skin.

    One thing I'd just like to run past you. My RO is a lovely guy, compassionate etc. But the other day I asked him a question about contraindication of my long time antidepressant, fluoxetine (Prozac) with Tamoxifen. I have read widely that they compete for a liver enzyme so Prozac is contraindicated with T. He dismissed the idea, saying it was probably an experiment done in rats - not what I've read. I didn't dispute him but it diminished my confidence in him somewhat. I am weaning off the fluoxetine anyway before I start T based on my own reading and will start a compatible AD if necessary. I'm going to get my BS to refer me to an oncologist as I feel as though I need to talk to an expert re my options for hormonals as I am post-menopausal. I have a good GP but I find she 'likes to be the expert' too so I always have to restrain myself from seeming too informed -really annoying!!

    Anyway enough whinging when some of you are not feeling well.

    Gerri 

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

    Hi Gerri, nice to see you here and catch-up. A radiation oncologist is probably a long way past their initial medical training and deals with physics because that is obviously what they like doing rather than drug interactions (which are chemistry). I would not choose to consult with my RO about drug interactions... You are probably best to go back to whoever prescribed your Prozac and ask him/her about the contraindications and what your other options are.

    I had my onc appt this morning and as per usual she was lovely. My labs were all "ok" however only two out of the three liver function levels have come back down significantly since the last test and my GGT, while dropping by 10 points, is still quite high. She didn't seem to be overly concerned though so I'm going with her on that. If it remains high after I finish chemo I will be asking for further testing.

    As to my painful, lumpy breast - she had a feel around and said that she didn't notice any lumps however she was concerned enough about the situation to ask me to make an appointment back with my breast surgeon asap. She did say that she has never had a patient with local recurrance during the adjuvant therapy and I said I'd like to not be her first - but best to get it checked out. So, I have an appointment next Wednesday back with the surgeon.

    regards Jenn

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited March 2012

    Thanks everyone for the updates.



    Chrissy, I am shocked that you don't see an onc but I suppose it's ok if your GP is also trained as an onc. Regarding your knee surgery, a relative of mine had the same procedure recently and the recovery period was tough. It's fortunate that your sister has some experience that she can share.



    Are you Dutch yourself Chrissy? What other languages do you speak?



    Gerri, Jenn is correct that you can't rely on your RO for advice about meds. You should see an oncologist. If you are post menopause, it may be better for you to take an aromatose inhibitor instead of Tamox. The AIs may be more effective and don't interfere with the antidepressants. Please discuss all this with an oncologist.



    Jenn, I'm glad you were able to discuss your concerns with your onc. I hope that you were sufficiently reassured to ease your worries and that your appointment next week with the BS provides a plausible and benign reason for your breast seeming lumpy.



  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 587
    edited March 2012

    Hi everyone, I did some painting today (a kookaburra) and feeling pretty good.

    Does anyone know if you can do an exercise program at Curves during chemo? The onco nurse said walking is enough but I need something more structured.

    Chrissy big hugs for your surgery. The lady in the next bed had two knees done when I had my clearance. I was amazed they got her up the next day, but she was in great spirits. My thoughts will be with you.

    Jenn, I think getting a scan would be reassuring. My GP thought I should get a scan about the lump on my ribs, but said see what the onc said. The onc said he thought it was fluid and blood gathered but not to worry. Well I do...seeing him next week again so if it is still as painful I will ask again.

    Gerri - glad to hear from you.

    Racy and Sue, I have heard some people cut off their curly hair and it might grow back straight. Is this possible?

    Trish - forecast rain again, I hope your road survives okay. Do you have a four wheel drive?

    Kate - sorry to hear about the nosebleeds, my onco said nausea starts in the brain which is why you have to take tablets before it hits. Easier said than done, I hope supps work.

    Kylie x

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

    Kylie - I had many cuts but it stayed curly. I think it might depend on what it was like pre chemo. I did have wavy hair. I know one other woman who had straight hair before chemo and after a year or so, she lost the curl.

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited March 2012

    Hi everyone, great to see those who are in treatment are all feeling better. Loved Suzie's hair and am excited to know Chrissy's surgery isnt too far away.

    Think I will mention to my onc that Im having trouble with short term memory when I see her next month. Theres about 10 different things I wanted to reply to in here but my brain doesnt seem able to retain the info so that I can. Other than memory Im feeling well, working hard at my shop and really dont have anything to report. Just thought Id pop in and say I do lurk in here daily to keep up, but then lose track of who to respond to and with what lololz.

    We do have the Leukemia foundation's Worlds Greatest Shave happening in the shopping centre on Saturday and one of my staff is dying her hair electric blue. Im looking forward to laughing my guts out at work on Saturday haha

    Hope everyone continues to do so well and we'll have to try and get together on fb chat sometime soon, had a blast the last time.

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

    Hello all

    Just catching up with all the news.  Good to hear you are feeling better Kylie, you'll have to photograph your paintings for us so we can all see :-)

    Jenn - I'll be thinking of you, it is today that's your first Taxol and Herceptin?

    Our road situation is a lot better, but still a bit dicey - we can actually drive on it but it's very rough still, they have to come back to level it out and make it better.  A bit worrying though that there seems to be another "wet" patch forming only about 4 metres from the original mud hole.  I hope that spring isn't going to get the better of us.  Our driveway is getting more and more slippery, there's still lots of water coming out of the hills behind us - and no we don't have 4 wheel drive.  At this rate I think we'll be better off with a boat!

    Lyndal you aren't the only one with short term memory issues - I am too.  Sometimes it's not too bad, but sometimes it's really, really bad.

    Chrissy - hope all goes well with you - when is your surgery again?

    Kate - how did you go yesterday?  Get any decorations done?

    Sue - my hair was curly before chemo, and much curlier now, but I'm resigned to it.  I actually look strange with straight hair.  It's actually growing really fast now that Herceptin is finished.  I had a hair cut only about 5 weeks ago, and will have to have another this weekend. 

    Trish

    xoxo

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited March 2012

    All the best for today Jenn.

    I think I am feeling a little bit better,still not as great as I would like, but maybe today's the day. I didn't make any tissue flowers yesterday but I am going around to my parent in laws today, DH's dad is 80 and confined to a wheelchair but his hands work just great and he said he'd be happy to make some, so I have printed out the instructions and will spend a couple of hours making them with him. If he's happy to continue with those then I will start with the cut out dove garlands.

    I'm about to take dear dogs for a play in the park. They haven't been for ages and are in desperate need of some serious running round.

    Hope everyone has a good Friday. Love Kate

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

    At work and have to leave in just over an hour. Just scared myself silly by hooking into the official pharmacy manual for all drugs (which I have access to because of my work). Have now realised that I forgot to ask if they could organise some Ativan for me to take prior.... Yell

    Jenn

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

    Good luck Jenn ... at least Taxol doesn't usually cause nausea :-( I'll be thinking of you and sincerely hoping that Taxol is gentle on you.

    Pity about the ativan, but just keep taking deep breaths - getting this treatment won't be any different from the FEC, and you got through that, just different se's

    Trish

    xoxo

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited March 2012

    Kylie, I will NOT be cutting off my hair to find out if it will grow back straight!!!

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited March 2012

    Jenn, ask the nurse. They might have some Ativan on hand or can you get it on the way?



    Good luck.

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

    My hair is still great - only had to brush it and go this morning. Tomorrow I'll be washing it for the first time.

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

    Sittingbhereq, Herceptin is making me nauseous :-( They're getting maxalon

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited March 2012

    aww Jenn, major cyber hugs to you. I have no experience with Herceptin so cant give you any tips.

    I did get nauseous on the other chemos and they ended up giving me I think antihistamine in a drip prior to feeding the chemo in, but whatever it was worked and made me sleepy and less nauseous, unfortunatley it took them 4 chemo's before they decided to try that (doh). Perhaps ask the nurse if anything can be dripped into you prior to your next treatment of herceptin that will make it a better experience. Least that way you wont be dreading the next one.

    Hope the nausea has eased and that you find these treatments easier on you all round.

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited March 2012

    I dont know why, but last night I was thinking of what worked to help get me through doing chemo and came up with a list which Ive promptly forgotten. Think food wise once taste buds were cactus, rice bubbles cause they had texture while eating. dry sayo's in the days of nausea. Drink wise, gingerale for some reason was pleasant and didnt cause any dramas.

    Also realised I had forgotten to say these last few months in being with you guys in this thread, that in hindsight I think much of the nausea was caused by heartburn and once the dr's figured that out and I got the good pills for it, it eased very quickly.Strongly recommend those of you doing chemo and feeling nauseous to request heartburn meds to see if it helps make the experience better. Id give you a list of pills but I honestly have no idea which of the meds on my cards are for what as theres so many of them and it was 3 years ago.

    Hope this helps someone

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

    Lyndal - YES - I had really bad tummy grumbles/heart burn and was prescribed Somac - it made a big difference

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited March 2012

    I've made some pom-poms! yay I AM feeling better. The nausea only came in waves every couple of hours today, but the time in between was bliss and I felt super good!!!!

    OMG, try making flower-ettes with the in-laws. Both in their 80's. Every thing to them had to be so precise, and it nearly did my head in. Well we made about 10 and only about another 90 to go. Will post pics once they are done and in place. I know they sound hideously kitcsh but I think they will look ok and give a bit of atmosphere to an otherwise very dull area.

    Hope everyone has a really nice weekend. Jenn, hope the Herceptin isn't too bad. Sayin' that cause that's next on my list Laughing

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

    Hey girls - Steve said my hair is starting to look like it used to. It looks like it's getting a bit of a wave on top - big one mind you, but not dead straight. I still love it!!! A guy at work said I looked 10 years younger today!!! A lady on the bus who I chat to had to look twice before she recognised me. Going to try washing it tomorrow, but it isn't even showing any signs of needing a wash.

    Went to the physio today, he said my fears of something having slipped/collapsed are unfounded as I would have terrible pain in my spine. The pain keeps moving - sometimes in the bottom or half way down the leg or top of the leg - he said that's good. Sounded like he got a good crack on that side today.

    Kate - glad you're feeling better.

  • Linda1966
    Linda1966 Member Posts: 441
    edited March 2012

    Thats wonderful Suzie, the compliments on your hair AND your physio giving you peace of mind.

    I know its sciatica, but maybe its still worth getting one of those hammoroid cushions so that when your sitting you dont have any pressure on the base of your spine. I think you misunderstood what I was saying a few days back. I never thought you had a bruised coccyx, I think i just went into too much detail in the wrong way lol. Was trying to let you know that one of those cushions might be worth trying to see if it helps ease the pain, by relieving the pressure when your sitting down.

    Congrats on feeling better and on the pom poms Kate. Hope you and everyone else has a wonderful weekend.

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

    Hi girls!  I've just gotten back to DD2's place after going to see her partner and his band play a two hour gig as part of the Fringe Festival.............it was awesome!!!  They are a great band and Jason a fabulous drummer!!!  The band is a cover band for Pink Floyd and I really got lost in the music....just what I needed.

    My appointtment with the anaethetist went very well............and I'm happy to report he is a really nice guy!  I feel confident in him looking after me.  After some discussion we have decided on a full general anaesthetic as a spinal block is not a good idea with me as they creep and the last one I had scared the living daylights out of both me and the nursing staff as it went waaaay too high!  I was really quite apprehensive about the appointment today but I can say with all honesty that I am much relieved that it is over and I'm happy with the result.  The op is set for Friday 30th March...........two weeks away.

    Trish I sure hope that spring that has sprung up in your driveway doesn't do damage like before otherwise you may have to pit in a culvert and a type of stock crossing so you can drive over it!

    Awe Jenn I'm so sorry that the Herceptin made you nauseous but glad they whent and got the maxalon for you.  Sure hope you are feeling a whole lot better by the time you read this.  ((((hugs))))

    Kate, good to know that you are feeling waaaay better!  And Yay!!! for getting some of the tissue flowers done! Yup precision and perfection are the middle names of most olds.....lol...........so you are not alone with having to deal with it........lol

    Sue isn't it nice to be told a hair do makes you look a whole heap younger ............well it doesn't even have to be a hair do.............just to be told that you are looking younger for what ever reason is music to most women's ears..........lol.  Good to know that your physio has reassured you about your back...............sometimes we have to her it from the horses mouth so to speak before we believe.

    Lyndall great insight on the cause of the nausea with chemo...........who would have thunk it?

    Well girls I'm just about falling asleep but I did want to check in.  It's almost 1.00am and I was up at 6.00............well yesterday morning now......lol....... so I think I'll say bye for now and hit the hay.

    Hope everyone has a good day!

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy 

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

    Still felt a bit "off" for a while during the rest of the infusion. Arrived at 2.30pm and finally left at 6.30pm. We were the last there!



    My port is definitely fixed after all that trouble last time which was good. The Taxol run was ok but I did get a really strong abdominal cramp about 1/2 way through so they got me a heat pack and stopped the infusion for 10mins. Apart from that no other effects during :-). Before they ran the T and H they gave me oral Kytril and an antihistamine ranitadine (Zantac). Then iv dex and iv ranitadine.



    Came home, ate FOUR pieces of pizza and feel asleep before 8.30.



    Those paper pompoms arereally pretty Kate. What colours are ou doing?



    Jenn

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

    Lyndal - that's a great idea - I'll look for one today.

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited March 2012

    Morning ladies. I started a conversation on Facebook about diet, lifestyle and exercise. I would be interested if you would like to contribute to that discussion on Facebook.

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited March 2012

    Chrissy - sounds like you had a great night away. I'm pleased you are happy with your anaesthetist, you know I reckon he/she has by far the most important job there. Will be thinking of you hard on Friday 30th dear friend. Will you take your ipad with you to hospital so that you can post us when you are feeling up to it? I know you are a technically 'with it' ladyWink.

    My nausea is back today. It petered out completely by yesterday afternoon. Anyway I'm still using the supps and will do until they finish, I think I have three more left, but I have a repeat if needed. I know that it will go away shortly just like yesterday, it really really want to be there, but I'm not going to let it!

    Jenn, the flowers are plum and lilac, the lilac is frosted. I have to say that they look so much nicer than I thought they would and when the light hits them they just glow. They really do look like flowers. I also have some gorgeous olivey lime green and I am going to make lotus flowers to put little tea light candles in on the tables. I will have to get those battery opererated tea lights as we'd likely be having to put on numerous table fires otherwise.

    Ah Racy. Diet? I put on 2kgs between treatments. This chemo is the gift that just keeps on giving hey? I'll pop onto FB and see if I can contribute or not, although I'm hardly a poster girl for diet, excerise and taking care of oneself.

  • racy
    racy Member Posts: 976
    edited March 2012

    Kate, I thought that getting some help with the decorations would spur you on, so I'm glad that happened. They sound lovely and you are obviously very creative. I'm not creative at all though I was as a child. I believe my bureaucratic job killed my creativity gene but it could still be resurrected.

  • gerrib
    gerrib Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2012

    Hope you had a good night's sleep Jenn

    Hope the nausea is in abeyance Kate

    Did you have a lot of rain again Trish?

    Gorgeous day here today

    Bear (my dog) will be having a wash as he rolled in fresh 'paca poo 

    Minimal SEs from radiation - 9 more to go.

     Gerri 

  • Kate60
    Kate60 Member Posts: 523
    edited March 2012

    Hi Gerry. Gotta love a dog that rolls in poo. I imagine paca poo is no better than any other kind.

    Great that your radiation is do-able and no bad SE's. What next once that's finshed?

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

    Howdy girls! 

    Jenn - how are you feeling today?  I never had any trouble with Herceptin, I hope your's was a once off.

    Sounds like you are going well Kate - keep up the sups, they seem to help.

    Sue - always good to hear you look younger - and happy your hair is going well - I had another hair cut today!!
    Chrissy - good to hear you are happy with your anaesthetist, that always helps lol

    Gerri - pacca poo! lol mine like to roll in roo poo lol
    Racy - diet?  Well I could use some help there, I can't seem to take any off - but at least I've stopped putting it on - will check the fb page soon.

    Well today I met with my soon to be business partner and our accountant.  We are starting up a photography business.  One small setback today - we'd thought of a business name "Silhouette Photography" but it's already gone.  Anyone got any bright ideas??? We could use the help.

    We are still rain free!  But wet spots in driveway and road aren't going away ... sigh .... Just hope that more sunshine will help.

    Love to you all
    Trish

    xoxo

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

    Sands of Time?

    Visions of Beauty?



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