March 2011 chemo-lounge
Comments
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Fluff - I hope you have a ball, the Thai people are lovely
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Fluff - have fun and be safe! Share a few pix when you get back!
KSMathews - love the doggie photo! My border collie that passed a few years ago was also a Sadie! That face is adorable......so pitiful!!!
Stilts - love the notes on the backdoor! Real motivation.....maybe I should put a sign on my son's Halloween candy to keep me away (I have gotten in there a few times.....yikes!!!)
I am going to finally meet our puppy on Sunday! We get to bring her home next week sometime. I will post a picture after we see her. I am so excited!!! I have already bought toys and accessories and a pretty pink collar
Not much new here...we survived hurricane Sandy. We were in the Bahamas when it hit down there (joy). We still managed to have a good week down there eventhough Sandy passed through. It was nice to spend a week with my DH and DS. It is almost winter here....leaves are almost all off the trees and it is chilly! I did the Strides for BC walk right before I left on vacation with some other local BC survivors. It was a beautiful day and lots of fun. Tomorrow I am having a pre-holiday lunch party with all the local BC survivors. Should be fun. Lots of great ladies here. Wish we could all meet up for a holiday drink in "the lounge". I still think of all my "drinking buddies" often and hope you are all doing well. Have a good weekend!!
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Have a great time in Thailand fluff! It sounds like Penny gave you lots of EXCELLENT advice! My nephew is there now, for the next 8-9 months and just loves the food and the culture. I envy you!
I love to see all of these cute puppies and dogs. Just want to reach into my computer and pet them.
Lily- hope you found the right jeans. I am trying desperately to lose a few pounds before buying new ones. I have generally stuck to Levi's in my choices. I should probably branch out to something more interesting. My main issue is length, so the brand has to have a 'long' version. I have long legs, and if they shrink at all, I'm wearing floods.
mdg: good for you raising so much money! I did a Making Strides walk last month, but it was so poorly organized, I was disappointed. The 'motivational' speaker before the walk gave a lot of misinformation and kept using the word 'boobs'. Even my 9-year old thought it was strange, she said to me "Mom, why does she keep saying 'boobs' instead of 'breasts'? It sounds weird in such an emotional story." True that.
I hope anyone out East is doing okay after the hurricane. Devastating photos.
All have a wonderful weekend!
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Maria - well done on your Strides walk and I hope you all have a great lunch. So exciting to meet your new puppy, we are having great fun with Lily, but its very difficult to get her to sit still long enough to get a picture that is not blurred.
Yes- I got into the Halloween candy too
Just finished presenting at the local Oracle software conference in Perth. The speakers normally get a gift at the end of their presentation, but they all waived this and gave it to the Cancer Foundation. With delegate donations as well we managed to get nearly $4,000. So many peope really do care about this.
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Girls, since there's been some activity on this thread recently, I thought I'd post a couple of photos of me from Halloween. The kids at the school where I work dressed up on Wednesday and some of us employees did too. Not sure why I decided to go as a beauty pageant queen, but it was lots of fun assembling a costume, and wearing it was even more fun. My dress cost $7, ribbon for sash was $4, I wore press-on nails and two bling rings that cost $1 each. My tiara was borrowed from DS's girlfriend who was a prom queen last year. Pinned my hair up and tacked a fake hair scrungy on back, applied lots of eye make-up. I mulled around what I would write on the sash...then a light bulb went off & I decided on "The Divine Mrs. M".
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Divine---you really look DIVINE---love the costume !!!
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Absolutely Divine!!
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You look great divine!!!! Love the tiara. Maybe you should always wear it!!!!
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What a great costume-only you look so "divine" it really isn't a costume. Love your bling especially. We had horrible weather and I got stuck with tons of candy. I am sending it back to college with my niece who is home for a long weekend. She is a theatre lighting major (that makes me puke-she was in Forensic science) and will take it back with her. We are always sending them food-they work late hours after classes and they will apparently eat anything.
Fluff-can;t wait to hear your stories. With Penny's guide seems like you are lined up to have a great time. I hope your daughter is enjoying her job there.
Maria-congrats on doing the walk and raising that money. It all helps somewhere down the line. I am glad your vacation wasn't runined by Sandy. I feel so bad for all those people in the east. We got some wind and rain from it but nothing too damaging. I was doing some Chicago research and saw something called the Renegade Craft Show that seemed every interesting. It moves to different cities-not your mamas craft show. Might try to combine that with the Rockettes. Trying to pick from different weekend trips for my Mom-driving to chicago in mid-December can be a little scary. hate to commit to that and then get snowed out.
I must confess a little pup envy for both you and Penny. Our new family puppy "Belle" is now 5 months old. Since my sister works 12 hr days my mom and I are doing a lot of babysitting. She has tried her best to make my moms dogs love her but they really aren't interested. She gives them little kisses and tries to lay next to them and they continue to snub her. Poor little Belle.
I have returned to work. Got 40hrs in this week and worked 20 hrs the week before. Pretty tired but got thru it. I hated to go back before my last bad tx but anything over 90 days and you lose your job-then you replace the youngest person. I didn't want to lose my job-I have great people to work with and like my area so back to work i went. Best news is I have my final tx with Taxotere this Tuesday. That crap has really kicked my butt over the last couple of tx. Dreading it but so glad to just get it done and behind me. I will continue on with the Perjeta and Herceptin after that. I am so hoping I can settle in and get some serious mileage out of this. I changed chemos so many times last year-your body gets beat up and you never settle into a rythm. Perjeta has a PFS (progression free survival) of 18 months-that would be a dream come true. Heck I would settle for getting thru spring next year. I moved my scan appt to Jan-it was sched for Dec 21-who wants that stress at the holiday?
Maxine-now that I have went back to work I am going to go after something more high $$ in the jean dept. When I get back on my feet I am going to check out the "name" brand jeans at the fancy mall. Levis and Lee's just aren;t fitting right. I am going to get serious about exercise after I finsh this chemo also-maybe i can work out to a size that fits right. Like i said I see these women with these wierd shapes that are wearing jeans that look great-I guess my mannish shape just isn't in style.
Good to see so many people posting.
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Hi girls, glad to hear from lots of you. I'm sitting on the couch watching the Huskers try to beat Michigan State. No one from East Lansing, is there?!
I think I mentioned earlier that I was joining a "women in rural health" study out of Univ of Kansas Med Center. The first six months is pretty strict-2 shakes (from Complete Nutrition, provided by study), 2 frozen entrees (Smart Ones, Lean Cuisine, etc) and all the fruits/veggies you want. I am following it pretty well, except when we are out of town. Then I try to pick something healthy and avoid wine :-(
I am 8 weeks into the program and have lost 17 pounds, so that helps keep me motivated. Supposesd to exercise too, and I have been not so good about that. Trying to get better about at least walking or something. This week I didn't lose any, and I'm sure getting more movement in would help with that.
As far as jeans, I like Cold Water Creek or Liz Claiborne. Still have some Lees or Riders that usually fit, but the others just look nicer.
Trying to attach a picture of Gracie Lu but thinking I can't do that on iPad. If nothing appears, will have to get on computer later and include some pics. She is finally sleeping better and not getting up at 6:30 before my alarm!
I am mostly glad that the pink invasion is over. Although the awareness is good for fundraising, it gets a bit too much.
Fluff, we are anxious to hear about your fabulous trip. Maria, glad you survived the hurricane! We are taking a Carribbean Christmas cruise much to the rest of my family's dismay. I wasn't thrilled either (we leave on the 23rd) but DH had already bought tickets. Thought we would enjoy being away from all the holiday fuss. Ummm, I kinda like (most of) the fuss and have nev missed Christmas with my parents or sister or oldest daughter. But we will celebrate on Jan 1 instead. And I think my husband has learned that this kind of trip probably needs to be discussed first-poor guy meant well!
Lily, glad to hear you're back at work, especially if you like what you do or who you work with! It's too bad that so many have to risk losing a job even if their health is still questionable. But maybe the routine and the interaction will help you stay focused and make your days go quickly.
Hope you are all well. I too am glad to see renewed activity that shows so much positive things going on!
(Yeah, puppy picture isn't going to copy so will add something late tonight or tomorrow!)0 -
These puppy photos are fantastic!
Divine, LOVE your costume for Halloween. The tiara suits you perfectly.
Here in Jersey, we're having Halloween tomorrow night because of the flooding and devastation (though all is fine where I live).
Lily - so glad you're back and work and almost through the Taxotere. Smart to push off your test to January. Enjoy the holidays. BTW, check out bodymetrics machine on google. I believe that some Bloomingdale stores have these machines. You stand in it, takes your measurements, and spits out a sheet that indicates which high-end brands of jeans will fit you best. I haven't done it (and not sure how close to me I'd find a machine) but it sounds great... Good luck!
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Lily - glad you have work and like your workmates, but it must be so hard when you are still on the Taxotere. Last one though - and here's hoping the Perjeta does its job better than even expected. Yo have an amazing attitde, it reminds me how lucky I am to be NED at the moment.
Our Lily is cute but a naughty little thing - trying to stop the biting at the moment.
Way to go Huskerkkc - 17 pounds is brilliant - I am not doing well in that department at all
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lily, thinking of you today, hope you're doing well after your last treatment....it is so amazing that you're back to work. Good luck finding the perfect pair of jeans!
Silia, that bodymetrics stuff sounds pretty cool.
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Popping by to see what everyone is up to. Hope you're having fun Fluff! Love the dog pics Penny. I wish I knew how to post pics of my new pup. She was two years old yesterday. I have had her for two months. I wish I could show before and after, she was so scruffy when I got her, but is adorable now. And she was so timid and shy. She is still, but gaining confidence. I just love the way she snuggles on me.
Congrats on the fund raiser Maria. That is igreat. Congrats to you too Kristy on the weight loss. That is fantastic. And congrats to you Lily on finishing taxotere. It is wonderful that you were able to get back to work. Hope that is still going well for you. Your spirit and determination are inspiring. Penny's little Lily has a lot to live up to.
I think about everyone all the time and hope all is well for all of you. It has been a long time since we heard from Kymn. Has anyone been in touch with her. Hoping things are going better for her.0 -
Here is our little pup! We decided to name her Baci (pronounced bah-chee) which means Kisses in Italian. She is so sweet! She is nipping a lot though! She will be 8 weeks old on Thursday.
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Baci is lovely - such a little cutie
Lily looks like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth - looks are deceiving!
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Those puppies are beautiful.
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OMG Penny...that face! I would melt!!!!
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So, I saw my oncologist today and shared with her my complaint of arm pain over the past few days. She suspects lymph edema, but she wants to do an ultrasound of the nodes to rule out anything nastier (you all know what I mean). Have any of you been dealing with LE? I have this pain radiating down the inside of my arm, from armpit to wrist, and now there is some redness on the inside of the elbow. It hurts to extend my arm and the red part is sore. Sound like LE?
I put my sleeve on, in the meantime, and I guess I need to visit the LE therapist. Any words of wisdom from my lounge buddies would be greatly appreciated!
By the way, keep the puppy pictures coming...they make me smile every time!0 -
Hey Maxine! Check out the LE threads. There are some really knowledgable, helpful ladies over there. Put the question out there, and I am sure you will get great information back. I have been dealing with LE since rads, and it does sound like LEto me. Do you notice any swelling? That is a classic symptom. Good luck with your testing.
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Maxine I have slight LE and wear a sleeve to work, but every so often I get episodes of exctly your symptoms, pain and redness - you may also get cording - if you stretch your arm up and push your hand back it feels like there are tight cords running from your wrist to your armpit.
Don't worry - mine has gone every time (4 episodes so far) I do alot of arm stretches, (arm up hand back) and do the clearance massage thing (your LE person should have given you exercises and shown you how to do the massage. Hope the tests go well, this does clear - normally lasts a couple of weeks for me
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You're lucky Penny, I had to wrap my arm in bandages the six weeks of radiation and now have to wear a sleeve and glove 24/7. As soon as I try to experiment and ake a day off, my arm swells. I think I got it worse because it came on right before rads and rads made worse. I got a bad flare up again this summer and the pt wanted to make me wrap my arm in bandages for a week again. I talked him out of that though. Maxine, you're much more likely to be similar to penny's case. Let us know how you make out.
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Kay - you poor thing, mine did not start till after rads and is much milder. One LE person told me to wear the sleeve 24/7 but I seem fine as long as I wear it when I sit at the keyboard all day. If you had it before rads they would have made it much worse.
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Enjoying the puppy pictures so much !!! Our "Dixie Mae" is a 9 year old Maltese...extremely spoiled to put it mildly !My older daughter will be bringing her pup (rescued from an abusive owner) home for Christmas...I hope the dogs get along!
Husker: congrats on the weight loss !!! My younger daughter is interviewing with Nestle Purina in Crete,NE next month. She read that many of the work sites let you bring your pet to work with you...not sure if they have "daycare" or what !!! Crossing our fingers that all goes well...we'll REALLY have an empty nest if she leaves Minnesota but she has to go where the jobs are !
Our older daughter in California should hear her Bar results this month...hoping for the best as the pass rate in Ca. is 50% !
Had an unfortunate health care experience this week..took DH to the hospital at 0500 for a scheduled surgery (7 kidney stones on his left side-one is too big for lithotripsy)...they did all the preop testing, blood work, saw the Anesthesiologist etc.,surgeon came in at 0730, at 0800 he came back to tell us that his office FORGOT to schedule the Interventional Radiologist so the surgery would have to be rescheduled...UGH ! What a mess-so now I'm off for a week...trying to make the best of it while our weather is still mild...doing the outdoor Christmas decorating !!!
Lily-glad to hear you are getting through the chemo and back to work...you are one STRONG woman.You deserve some fantastic scan results to start off the new year !
Take care everyone !
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Hi Girls, its been way too long, I apologize my life well....it just went to crap but the one good thing is that my year follow up is all clear and things are looking good that way. The children and I relocated as my x fiance/narcassist was making my life hell and such an emotional roller coaster I just couldnt heal around him . So new challenges ahead but I know I made the right decision. I sure hope all you gals are doing well and everyones happy and healthy. I promise not to stay way this time.
Hugs Kymn
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So the good news is that there does not appear to be anything troubling under my arm to cause the pain, it is looking more and more like it is LE. The best news is that the mammogram I had to have yesterday was also clear! I had found a "lump" in my remaining breast and the MO ordered a mammo. Nothing but gland tissue. What a HUGE relief. I didn't even mention it here because mentioning it might make something bad happen
Penny- What you described about your LE sounds very much like the pain I am experiencing. I did get the arm exercises from the therapist when I got the sleeve and will give them a try. Thanks for your insight. I hope it goes away with some time.
Kay- so sorry your LE has been such a trial. It seems to be so random who is struck and how bad it is.
Stilts- Ugh! My DH had kidney stones last summer while I was going through rads and had to have them surgically removed. That was quite the ordeal, me in BC treatment, him in the hospital, and two kids on summer break...It is terribly painful, so I hope your DH gets some relief very soon.
Kymn- It is good to hear from you! It sounds like you have made some very good decisions with your life, and I truly hope things are looking up for you. Thanks for checking in.0 -
So glad to hear from so many-especially Kymn. So glad you have had good heath report and I hope the challenges ahead bring many new opportunities.
So many things I would like to respond to but this has been such a horrible week. My older brother has just been dxed with Stage IV Squamos cell lung cancer. It is primarily a smokers cancer-very few get it anymore because it comes primarily from smoking unfiltered cigarettes. He has been laid off and lost his health insurance so he has been going to a free clinic and being treated since June for persistent pneumonia-they finally sent him to a lung doc who put him in the hospital immediately and dxed the cancer. They have not given him much hope-2 months if he does no tx or maybe 6-9 months if he does. My onc has agreed to treat him-we are hos first brother/sister patients. We are trying to learn the whole no insurance system-hoping he might qualify for Medicare. He has agreed after much arguing to try the chemo. Onc told him it was baby chemo compared to what I have been on. Both drugs are ones used to treat BC also. Gemzar and carboplatin. he goes for his first tx on Tuesday-I am going wiht him to show him the ropes. he is going to try 1 round before he decides if he wants to continue and get a port. My poor Mom now has 4 messed up kids and 1 healthy one-and I am actually heathier than him.Poor guy is a mess mentally-he went to the hospital for a breathing tx and got told he has 2 months to live. That was my original prognosis and I am coming up on 2 years and am still going strong.
Trying to get thru this months SEs and looking so forward to the end of the month when I will get to try normal again for a while. I CANNOT wait for food to taste good-and Pepsi!! Ane be able to climb the steps without taking a break at the top. I really have no idea what the Perjeta will be like with the Tax-I have been blaming everything on it-hope I haven't been fooling myself.
Love the puppies-keep the pics and stories coming.
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Kymn - its good to hear from you. You have made the hard decisions - I am sure it will be worth the move, you can make a new start from here. Keep strong, we have all been thinking about you and willing your life to turn around.
Lily - I am so sorry about your brother, I am sure you will be such a support for him, but look after yourself too- caring for loved ones can be emotionally exhausting. Here's hoping the SEs all go away once the Tax is done. You are doing so well handling all of this. Big furry cuddles from our Lily xxx
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lilylady, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's diagnosis. What a kick in the gut. It sounds very stressful. Keeping you and your family lifted in prayer.
Kymn, you and lilylady always seem to be able to kick ass when necessary, so even if this song's already been played on the jukebox, I'm gonna stick it on again:
"If You're Going Through Hell (Keep on Goin') by Rodney Atkins
If you're going through Hell
Keep on going, don't slow down
If you're scared, don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're thereWell you know those times
When you feel like there's a sign there on your back
Says I don't mind if ya kick me
Seems like everybody has
Things go from bad to worse
You'd think they can't get worse than that
And then they do
But the good news
Is there's angels everywhere out on the street
Holding out a hand to pull you back upon your feet
The one's that you been dragging for so long
You're on your knees
You might as well be praying
Guess what I'm sayingIf you're going through Hell
Keep on going, don't slow down
If you're scared, don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there0
