Australian Sisters
Comments
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Glad you've got something organised Kylie :-) The tiredness is sapping I know.
I now have a cold with horrible cough - so am working from home today. Temp is ok and I don't feel really "sick" but could definitely have done without this. And with my poor sinuses already running "pink" all the time during this Taxol/Herceptin (assume it's due to the sahara like dryness side effect) my tissues are not suitable for public viewing :-/
Jenn0 -
Kylie, glad to hear that you have enlistd the help bof family to get you moved.
Jenn hown many more treatments do you have? I'm sorry, my mind is a blank and I can't find where you told us how many all up. Sure hope the cold decides to go quickly as it sure is the last thing you need right now.
Doing well and moving around the house without a stick or any other support. I'm happy with that, but need to remember that I can stop and put my leg up........often or it aches like the dickins at night!
Hope everyone else is doing just fine.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi everyone,
Do hope you are all doing well. Have had a great few days away. Racey I know NZ is small but the Hawkes Bay is 6 hours drive from Auckland and we decided to go the long way around East Cape which took 3 days driving. DH is working today so I spent day with friends and now back at the hotel having some me time.
Haven't read too far back so no doubt will have missed something
Susie we won't get to Havelock North this time but it is certainly a lovely place.
Sheila do hope things have settled down. Have a freind with a colstomy bag so know what you mean.
Kate so pleased to hear that you are now getting the checks you need.
Lyndal, I have truncal lymphoedema and think thats probably what you have. Get it checked. I find that massage helps.
Jenn, hope you had a great birthday.
Kylie enjoy the house and don't do any more more than you have to.
Trish - nice to know another DH who does the vacuuming and he does it so much better as well.
Chrissy don't try to do too much but it must be so good to be home.
Must make a cup of tea.
Big hugs
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Chrissy - I have 5 more weekly Taxol/Herceptins before moving to 3 weekly Herceptin and rads...
Trish - did you have nose/sinuses bleeding at all? I'm trying to figure out if it's the Taxol or the Herceptin. I know I read about it on one of the message boards here - just can't remember which one causes it...
Alyson - must have been a nice trip. Did that once with my parents when I was a kid. As a young adult we just always took the direct route to Whangamata...
Jenn0 -
hello ladies
just reading your posts i am from the uk but my sister lives in perth and so does my son and his wife live in perth i am hoping to go over this to see them, i am currently on chemo and herceptin for secondreys dx in feb 2012, i am feeling well so far, just wanted to intruduce myself.
lorraine x
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Hi Lorraine and welcome to the Aussie thread! When are you planning your visit to Perth? Sounds like you will have a large welcome waiting for you when you come. Hope you treatments are being kind to you as they can be rather trying but the light at the end of the tunnel is always a good thing to look for.
Jenn I sure hope that the SE's don't get any worse for you. From what I read on the boards, I'm thinking that it's the Taxol thats giving you those SE's as the Herceptin seems to be rather gentle, if any chemo can be gentle.
Alyson, so glad you are enjoying your trip away! Make the most of it.....lol.....particularly the shopping bit....lol. I think I may have over done it a little the firdt couple of days home but I paid dearly for it each night with a leg that ached like the dickins! Now I do a little and sit a lot.....lol......much better result.
Love n hugs all. Chrissy
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hi jennt28,
i had herceptin for a year when i was first dx in 2010 sept but the last three i at to stop because of heart issues which was last nov, my nose stopped running so i think its is the herceptin, but now i am back on it for lung mets along with taxol, but i am feeling fine so far having my 11th infushion on fri.
all the best to you all
lorraine x
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Hi and Welcome Lorraine. Whereabouts in the UK are you from? I lived in Northampton for a year and Cheddleton (near Stoke on Trent) for another year and loved every minute - specially the 5 mins or so of snow per year lolz. Dearly miss Tesco and Argos and the fudge.
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Hi Lorraine. I live in Bunbury WA which is about an hour and a half hours drive south of Perth. It is a lovely part of the world and I am sure you will enjoy your visit here.
I'm doing really well. Today I felt so much like my old self. I hadn't realised just how sluggish I have been feeling - except for the really bad days when I could harldy move off the sofa, but on my 'good' days I thought I was pretty good, but comparing my good day's with today's great day (energy and alertness wise) there is a huge difference. It's 4 weeks today since my last and final chemo, so I guess my body is starting to repair itself at long last.
Re the Herceptin, I too have a drippy nose every now and again. It just drips out of the blue for no reason! very odd. I don't even feel it coming
. Could be embarassing if I have an audience with the Queen ha ha.0 -
Jenn I know I am on taxotere not taxol but onc nurse told me because your nasal hairs all disappear from tax. it doesn't filter germs therefore drips more and bleeds more easily. Also it is harder on gums, mucous membranes etc than FEC.
Kate, so glad to hear you are feeling great. I am so glad for you that your chemo is finished. Next week is my second last taxotere, I feel like the end is in sight.
Chrissy that is wonderful news that you are getting around, how is it comparing to before your op?
Hi Lorraine, Lyndal, Alyson, Sue and everyone. Kylie x
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Hello all! Welcome Lorraine :-)
Jenn - I had the opposite with Herceptin - I had hard crusts in my nose - worse the couple of days after H. I know that a lot of people get a runny nose with it, but Kylie might be right too - if you've lost the hair in your nose that wont help. I never had bleeding though. My hard crusts were so bad and painful I got some cream from the doc and put it on the first few days after treatment and that helped a lot. But you don't have that problem, so I don't know why I mentioned it lol
Put it down to the fact that I've just come home from the dentist. Yes today was the big day! Two teeth out and a "deep" clean. It was actually ok. I had gas - oh my what wonderful stuff that is. Didn't really feel a thing - even the needle in the front that I was really worried about wasn't too bad. Apparently I whimpered when she was putting it in, but all I really remember was - oh that hurts a bit .... had my ipod on and was just drifting with the music.
I feel a little weird, but on the whole pretty good, tired too - couldn't sleep last night - even with a valium, was so worried - I finally went to bed the second time at 3.00am lol. Numbness has worn off and I've had a cuppa and that tasted wonderful. Actually starting to feel hungry - so will find something to eat.
Trish
xoxo
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Good onya Trish, glad it wasnt as bad as you thought.
Hope you sleep well tonight to make up for the lack last night. I had a shocker on Saturday night. Got about 2 hours sleep, I didnt know it at the time, I just figured the neighbours were being a**holes and working in their garage, but the idiots accidentally left a compressor on all night. After fighting to get to sleep in the first place, I woke up 2 hours later with heartburn and combined with the constant noise, couldnt get back to sleep. Ended up with conjuctivitis (always happens when I get too tired), went to try and work on sunday but had to close the shop and go home again. I do wish people living in communities would show consideration to others. Im on an acre for gods sake, I shouldnt have to suffer cause my idiot neighbours have the combined iq of 10 argggghhhhh. Oh well end of whinge....
My aunt is up visiting from Coffs Harbour and told me her son (my cousin who has the dx of kidney cancer a month or so back), has been accepted into one of the trials Jenn told us about. Hasnt started yet, but hopefully it will be happening soon. Huge thanks from all my family to Jenn for letting us know about it.
Finally got around to having the flu shot today, no pain at the time, but its starting to feel a tad sore now. Still well worth it as even now I know my immune system isnt up to par so avoiding a horrendous bout of the flu is fairly high on my agenda. If you ladies havent had it already, maybe try and organise it asap as flu season is just around the corner unfortunately.
Hope everyone is feeling well or as well as can be expected.
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Hi Girls - bunged a sickie today - couldn't sleep last night even after 2 melatonin tabs. Turned out I worked for most of the morning anyway. I might just put in a half day sick considering how much work I did.
Hope you are all well as can be expected given some chemo tx's and other things like operated knees
I'll be going to bed early tonight and Steve is NOT allowed to talk to me - that's what wakes me up.
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Morning
Home again and its a lovely sunny day but a little chilly.
Kylie I had taxol (it is very similar to taxotere) and I had nose problems - no hair meant runny and or crusty inside nose. Still not many nose hairs. and get really crusty nose. Got mouth ulcers as well.
Pleased you took a sickie Susie, your body needs a reat.
I had better get dressed as both little ones are coming around today. DGD has had tummy bug since Sunday and is still not right. DD is ringing the nurse to see if there is anything she can have as she can't even keep down water again today. So I am in for a busy morning while DD is at work - she teaches at the University so has to go.
Must get dressed and find all the washing from our trip.
Big hugs
Alyson
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Hello all
I hope that the lack of posts on here means everyone's going well?
I'm back at work, and my new plate is bothering me a bit on one side, but that was to be expected. I may have to go back and have it adjusted sooner than the 2 weeks I think.
Hugs to all
Trish
xoxo
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Still sick with this cough/cold :-/ Managed to make it into the office today for a half day only. Popped up to the hospital and did my bloods for tomorrow's treatment and they have confirmed that everything is in the normal range. Figured thry would be because otherwise this cold would have put me in hospital!
Not looking forward to adding another chemo load onto my body but they say it's OK to go ahead tomorrow...
Jenn0 -
Hi girls! Been busy trying to get organised for visitors! It's the town's annual Antiques Fair this weekend and my SIL always comes to stay to help DH in the shop. Being a little hoppy still....lol.......it's taken me quite a while to get the spare room sorted and fit for habitation. I'm really looking forward to seeing her as it's been quite a while so this weekend will be filled with conversation and laughter.
The knee is doing very well, so well in fact that I am now able to use that leg to do the body lift for two stairs! I could probably do more but I don't want to get into the habit of doing a sort of hop to get the body moving in an upward direction...........if you know what I mean. I'm having trouble again with my INR levels..................dang thing! I had the test done on Wednesday and I was only 1.2 so yesterday and today I have had to up the meds and hopefully the test in the morning will be within range. It should be between 2 and 3.
Jenn, sorry to hear that your cold is still hanging around but it's good that your bloods are saying all else is in normal range. Hope your treatment tomorrow goes well and doesn't leave you too flat.
Trish good to hear that you are bac at work. Did you have your plate put straight in after the extractions? Brave girl you!!!! I cannot imagine how uncomfortable that would be. Sure hope they get the fit just right for you!
Alyson, good to see you are home again! Sure hope that your DGD doesn't pass on her tummy bug to you as that is the last thing you would want or need.
Sue I hope that you managed to get a good nights sleep! There is nothing worse than being tired and then not being able to get into that nice sleepy groove.
Lyndal did you let the neighbours know that they had left the compressor going? I'd make sure I had their phone number just in case of future forgetfulness.
Sure hope everyone else is doing well and looking forward to having a good weekend!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi everyone. Trish, sorry about your plate not feeling too good, but boy you get a gold star from me for having it in the first place and doing so well with the procedure (thank God for drugs hey???).
Today I went to the movies with my SIL. I put on a lot of makeup and really prettied myself up, anyway when we were leaving I went to put on my wig to complete my look, and she flat out told me that I didn't need it, that I look fantastic with my white 1/8th inch hair! she said I looked like Maggie Tabberer (well I was wearing a white shirt with the collar up). So I bit the bullet. First time in town without a hat or wig. We also went shopping and bought stuff and no one really looked twice at me! a big step indeed. I must say that I am loving my silver hair. Honestly I could just pinch myself that maybe my days of having my hair professionally coloured and foiled might be over!!!
Oh and one other thing about my future plans. I am seriously looking into doing an enrolled nurses course. I wanted to be a nurse when I was growing up, but life had other plans for me and I ended up in administration. 51 isn't too old is it to undertake something totally different? I don't think so. Maybe this cancer has given me the confidence (and realisation) to follow dreams and not play it safe so much.
Jenn, thinking of you tomorrow. Only 4 more to go after that isn't it? Nearly nearly there.
xxxx
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Kate, congratulations on going 'topless'. Your post made me smile :-).
That's great that you are thinking about a new career. If you want to do it, go for it! What do your husband and daughter think?0 -
Thanks Kate, Yes only 4 after tomorrow! I can't imagine going out topless for a good number of months yet - well done!
Have you had your Echo? Did I miss mention of it?
Jenn0 -
Thinking of you today Jenn - hope it all goes gently for you this time.
Kate - good for you. I actually started to go topless too when I only had about a quarter of an inch of hair. It was quite liberating. I only had one person ask me if I'd done the shave for a cure lol. And yes ... when do you have your echo?
Chrissy - I'm glad you are home and enjoying it - don't do too much with all your visitors though - take it easy girl!
Kylie - when't your next treatment?
Trishxoxo
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It's Labour Day long weekend in Queensland, ladies. I am heading to far north NSW coast (Tweed region) tomorrow. Good weekend, everyone.
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Hi all. I have my echo tomorrow
. xxxx 0 -
Hi all
Chrissy you said you hoped DGD didn't pass on her bug!!! What a day, still can't look at food. My sister got it as well so didn't have DGS today, can't remember when I have slept so much.
Racey have a good weekend.
Kate, good luck with the echo.
Trisha I was like you and as soon as I had same hair i went topless. It was less than an inch when we went to Europe but did wear a hat much of the time as it was October/November.
Must go and put my feet up again.
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Alyson, sorry to hear that you had the stomach bug. I hate those :-(. But not as bad as cancer.
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Great news - we are grandparents again - 1 month early - born tonight - a BOY!! This actually works out really well as I was really worried about the whole whooping cough thing, so he may well have had his first vaccination before we go down to Adelaide in June - that makes me feel a lot better. Don't know the weight yet, the midwife is being lazy apparently.
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Congrats on being born-again grands Susieq, it's a great feeling isn't it?
We have two (thanks to BC mets) that I didn't think I would ever see and are currently waiting to hear news of 1-2 more buns in the offing. It's quite funny that my 2nd born son and wife took such an unusual way of telling us that their first was on the way that I am now dissecting every word they say in case they tell us the 2nd one is on the way and I miss it!......and I can't remember how the older one told us they were expecting, not that I'd ever tell him that.
I love cuddling those little babies,
Sheila.
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It's great you can know them Sheila. My mother will probably never hold them - one is in London and the other too far away here for her to visit with him, but you never know I guess.
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I nearly forgot............went to Bris yesterday for rads to L hip and R arm..............Just had one x 2 'super' shots to each spot and came home today. Didn't finish the tx till 7pm last night so stayed the night at QLD Cancer Council lodge which won't cost us a cent.
This rads tx was the third palliative tx I have had over the last three years, each to a different body part, of course. As each shot was being done, I found that the site it was directed at started to itch like a giant mossie was biting me. Imagine lying there trying not to twitch or move in any way while every nerve in your body is screaming at you to, 'Scratch me, please scratch me NOW!" Then, as the machine swivels around your body, and you want to scratch big time, once more that voice comes out of the walls telling you not to move. So, the machine starts up while your body is vibrating with the effort not to scratch and a new itch starts up...........on the other side of your body. The worst of it is...........the two itches are going through from top to bottom trying to meet up somewhere deep inside.
Then the machine stops and you hear the sound of footsteps coming closer. Naturally, when they walk in you have your hand under the sheet trying to scratch the itch closest to your groin! So....you quickly move your hand beneath you so that you can give the one on your butt a go! This time, they are going to do the upper right arm and your whole body gives a sigh of relief that moves you from the position they have so precisely placed you into.
Blow me down if the arm doesn't start itching just like the hip did. Three zaps later to the arm; I walk out to hubby scratching (my arm) like a junkyard dog! As I walk up to him he takes a step back with the word "Fleas?" in neon floating above his eyes.
Due to DH dropping me at the hospital entrance and then parking the car, I have no idea where it is when we enter the carpark. Seeing it immediately we exit the lift area, I walked over to it, wondering vaguely why hubby isn't coming too. Turning around, I see him walking off up the ramp to another floor level.........so I called him and got no response. Just in case I was wrong, I checked the number plate of the car, and verified that I had our car. I let out a mighty whistle to attract his attention, as there seemed to be cars moving in all directions suddenly. He turned and looked at me in astonishment, then slapped his head before walking back to where I was.
As we settled into our seats he said that he was thinking about all this treatment I was going through and how I coped with it all! I always try to make light of any side effects/downsides to treatment and earlier, during the planning session when the business end of the machine came very close to my face, I had a moment of deja vu from when I wimped out of an MRI last year, and nearly had a pity party right there six feet up on the x-ray machine. I hadn't told DH this but, I must say, he brought me close to tears with that statement.
Any wayyyyyyyyy, that's my latest doings,
Sheila.
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CONGRATULATIONS Susie - really great news. Please keep us posted with all the specifics (length, weight and name etc).
Oh Sheila, I'm sory to say that I chuckled at your itching dilemma.... My radiation only takes about 3 minutes where I have to stay dead still, and I always start to get an itchy eye or chin, nothing as bad as you are describing, but it does mean that I have to make a really conscious effort not to have a good scratch. My radio place doesn't have the speakers telling you not to move (well not for me anyway, maybe I'm not in there long enough to warrant a 'stay still' but I know they are watching me from various angles as they showed me the multi screeen view on the computer just before I had my first treatment. I swear on my last one, I'm going to lay there and poke my tongue out at them ha ha. Actually they are all just lovely and if they're paying attention and notice, I'll tell I'm poking my tongue out at the cancer, just telling it to ef off if you know what I mean.
I am so excited about my hair! it really is starting to get a distinct 5 oclock shadow now underneath the whites, but the whites are now starting to fluff out just a little bit. Of course to the average person I look like I've just enrolled to military camp, but to me I think it's getting long! I even picked up my neglected hair brush yesterday and said to DH 'do you think it's time for a brush?' he just looked at me with bemusement and just a touch of pity. I think he'll be just as happy to have some hair to run his fingers through again. I know I can't wait. I am taking pics at the end of the month, so that I can see the difference. I'll post them here one day.
I had my echo yesterday. Of course the sonographer wouldn't tell me anything and I'll find out on Wednesday from my Onc what the results are. She did say I sounded good. But she also said I still have a lot of swelling in my breasts that made it difficult to get some good pics from underneath my boob. I didn't think they were swollen anymore but hey, that's good news, they'll end up smaller eventually.
Have a great day everyone. xxx
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