March 2011 chemo-lounge
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Happy Easter girls, trying to just lay low this weekend and hopefully my blood counts will be up by thursday next scheduled tx. when i feel normal I tend to push it too much thinking that all is fine but I think i dont give my body enough relax time to recover I must take better care of myself and get more sleep. Looking forward to our easter hunt on sunday, i love the excitiment in my daughters face, DS will help me hide the chocolate this year in exchange for half the goodies DD collects of course lol.
hugs to all
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Happy Easter to all my friends!! Sorry Iv'e been away, internet comp. was havin troubles. Angel: So glad for the diff, in your bone scans, hope theyy get it all. Please keep us updated, what chemo regiman do they use for our bones? UPDATE FOR ME: MY DH took me for my 2 opinion and we loved the new onc, but I cant see him much until after this taxol/herceptin is over because I cant afford to drive 4hrs dwnand 4 bk, When its only herceptin were switching completely over. 1= noone has done a bone scan on me and he said its kinda late now even though its 1% chance If he were me he wouldnt want to know this late in the game, im piss'd. I want it done asap now to know. 2= My toungue has been sore and numb for 4 weeks seen 2 docs and 2 nurses Monday noone even checked I thought the chemo side effect nope an infection he gave me pills for. 3+ He said he doesnt know how ive stqayed out of the hospital with low blood count and no neutropenic shot or transfusion. Allso gave me ativan so I could sleep. I slept good last night. He says I can still inbetween pop in to see him. I told him would like to once a month still to check me out good plus they wont give ativan here. He thought that was awful said none of us should suffer any of this with it being hard enough. I didnt ask about pain meds but if I get much bone pain with other 11 taxols I will go back. ha. He was so nice and apologized I was been trreated so bad. Oh well gladf we found him. I go Mon. for taxol 2 hope it doesnt bite me in the as's as each one goes on. My cancer has shrinked my lumps were 3 cin now down to 1 something. Responding well to chemo. I meet with plastic surgeon next friday. My sister works in a hospital in Georgia and tyhey told her there was no need for us to chancge face or deodorant becayse their putting poison in our bodies anyways. I cant even afford the burts bee now so that helped me. ha. Take care ladies you are all in my thoughts and prayers.0
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I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Just wondering if anyone is doing Taxol now and could give me some ideas on what to expect when I start next week? I just finished AC and am moving on to Taxol for four cycles.
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Hi Disney Lover. I have my last AC next Monday and then will be doing Taxol and Herceptin, so I can't tell you anything, but I'd like to know what to expect to.
Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. Weather was nice here. Had a great weekend. Good luck to anyone going in the chair this week.
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I hope everyone had a great Easter and long weekend. I was out of town, so wasn't on here. It was a good weekend for me though. Going back to chair on Wednesday, so lots to do between now and then. Steroids should help, right?
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Good Morning ladies,too bad we didnt have just one more day off before heading back to work, at least I didntt just got good friday off here. Its chemo week for me too Supersally, thursday is number three of FEC then I switch. I wonder what the next 3 will be like, hopefully less sickness I hate feeling nauses all the time. I am going to ask for Emend this go around and I see some of you ladies found it worked wonderfully for you. I need to get it under control. Maybe some ativan too. Load me up Doc lol.
Have a super day all,
Kymn
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Hi ladieBoth tests were s. Sitting in my chair getting 10 out of 12 chemo drinks. THan after surgery once 3 weekly hercep-tin and pill for 5 years. Hope ya all had a nice weekend. My Mama made a goood dinner. Come to find out they did do my bone and cat scan just forgot to send it to second opinion. how convenient I say. It to shall pass ladies.okay more later bags about gone than 2 hour drive home.0
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Hello ladies.
Lorenar- glad you found an a better onc. It's hard to believe that some doctors won't give you the meds you need to get you through all of this. Hang in there.
I am day 4 after my fourth A/C and feeling completely exhausted and therefore crappy. I left work early to come home for a nap...that is a first for this chemo stuff.
colodisneylover and kay-from-philly- there is a thread around that is about switching from A/C to taxol. I think most people had an easier time with it. I am REALLY hoping that is the case for us!
Gosh I wish this chemo was done. This gray April midwest weather is really doing a number on me on top of the fatigue. We will all get through this, right ladies? Wishing for summer weather and cool evening drinks on the patio with all of you...without any bc!!!
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I hope everyone had a good Easter, I had all my family staying with us at a bush block we have about 3 hrs south of Perth. It was lovely to be all together, but I felt strangely"outside" the whole thing, like someone looking on, which is not like me at all and quite depressing - I keep telling myself its the drugs not me,
Jules59 - sounds like our experiences are similar,this was TAC #4 and I took till around day 8 to feel OK, for #3 I was back at work day 6. I am also nervous now about #4, but at least we can tell ourselves we are half way there.
I am going to the LGFB workshop on Saturday - I have no hair,but still some eyebrows and eyelashes.
chrissyw - we have been having the same thoughts re lifestyle - I have always spent way too much time on the business, but more recently we have been taking off in a 4WD with a tent and driving out to the remote, and quite stunningly beautiful, parts of Aus. I am hoping once I am through treatment, I can get the employees to take more responsibility and aim for 2 months working followed by a month off. (Although I can't be away from my beautiful little grandson too long)
sweetangel - great news on the liver and this is after only one - the next ones can get to work on the bones.
Not sure what to do about reconstruction, I have to have radiotherapy - does that mean implants are not an option. I am reluctant to go for the TRAM flap thing as it sounds such a major op.
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kay-from-philly, maxine o and colodisneylover,
I'm doing the big transition from ac to taxol too. just got my last of the red devil on thursday and still tasting it. all the nurses say the taxol is much easier and my onc nurse said I might not even need all the anti-emetics so keeping my fingers crossed. the tiredness is one thing, but i just can't take anymore how toxic this ac makes me feel. I've even stopped biting my nails, because I taste like soap!
The nurse also said if I wanted to, I could get the mediport out anytime moving forward as the AC is the one they really worry about destroying your veins with (but of course she suggested keeping it in for the convenience).
It's all starting to wear on me a bit so I could use at least a little bit of a relief. I looked in the mirror today and my skin was all wrinkly and crepey where it never had been before. I looked a million years old. On the eyelash front...they have been thinning, but I've been using Latisse, so the ones I do have left are super long and kind of concealing what's gone. I'm also using it on my eyebrows...figure I'll just grow them really long, so even if I only have like 5 eyebrow hairs, I can do a Donald Trump on them and mold them into the shape of full brows.
I have been getting a half-assed sort of period. It makes me weirdly happy. I shocked me when I skipped one right away when I first started chemo. I don't think I ever absorbed that the one before I started could be my last. While I know there's a good chance things might never come back to fully normal, I just hate the idea of going into menopause at 41. I'm sure my oncologist would be happy to have me minus all the estrogen, but I'd love to have some time to say goodbye to my old friend tampax!
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Hey ladies...I feel like with the holiday and all I have not chatted with you all in a while! I hope everyone is well and had a nice holiday weekend. I had a busy weekend with family and activities...and egg hunts! My 4 year old had a blast coloring eggs and doing the egg hunt. Holidays are so much fun when you get to watch a child enjoy it. I ate horribly on Easter...we went to a brunch and there was not much healthy to choose from. Oh well...back on track today and hit the gym first thing this morning. I hope you are all doing well and anyone in the chair having a drink does well for this round.
PennyCookson: I don't know for sure about this but I think they can do implants with rads. My doc was going to do the modified lat flap and an implant on my BC side if I had needed rads. Pop over to the reconstruction board and poke around. I am sure you will get a lot of information over there. I agree with the whole job thing.....I am going to change careers hopefully by the end of the year. I won't tolerate the stress of my current job as a sales rep. It's not worth it even for the pay. My DH and I have discussed it. We don't have an exact plan yet, but we both know it's not good for me to stay there. I am glad he understands and is on my side. We just have to get a plan together so I can do something else - hopefully in a part time capacity so I can spend time with my little one. After all of this work just doesn't matter anymore!
Lorenar: Glad the other onc is better. I too got two opinions and liked one way better than the other and that worked for me to switch to another hospital for chemo. Good luck! I hope that new onc is good for you!
Kay: Isn't taxol similar to taxotere? I am on Taxotere. I can just tell you that I ice my fingers and toes starting 15 min before the taxotere, all during the 1 hour chemo and 15 minutes after taxotere to prevent neuropathy in fingers and toes. So far it has worked for me...no numbness. I can tell you that icing is THE WORST on fingers and toes. As you all know I am doing cold caps on my head to keep my hair though chemo and those are at -32c and it is more tolerable than freezing fingers and toes by far! I do suggest you do it though if taxol can cause neuropathy.....it has worked for me so far.
Supersally: Good luck on Wed! Enjoy the steroid buzz and get a lot done tomorrow! I am always so productive on steroids.
Kymn: Good luck Thursday. Maybe when you switch it will be easier.....I am going to be optimistic that is what will happen. That would be awesome to have the worst part behind you.
Maxine: I hope you feel better...hugs! I am in MI and it rained all day today! Ick! I use to live in Indiana...Elkhart to be exact. I was only there a year. Where are you in Indiana? I am soooo waiting for spring to really come to the midwest!! Kind of sick of the rainy/gloomy thing. It has to be here soon!
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Disneylover - I'm popping over from the January 2011 Chemo group. I found Taxol to be a walk in the park compared to AC. I experienced no nausea and had mild bone pain on Days 2-5. It was just SO much easier for me.
Tammy
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Haven't posted in a while. Had my 3rd a/c chemo last Monday...takes a lot longer for me to recover. Only 1 more a/c treatment to go and then I'm starting my 4 taxol treatments....I soooo hope they are better than the a/c! Seems like for the majority of the people, they are. On my chemo weeks, 5 more treatments seems like an eternity. On my "off weeks", 5 more chemo treatments seem doable.
I'll be getting an ultrasound and seeing the breast surgeon between my last a/c treatment and my first taxol treatment. I'm putting together a long list of questions for her.
Tumor does seem to be shrinking...not fast enough for me!
I'm going to go outside and enjoy a little gardening!
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Hi all,
Getting ready for the chair tomorrow. Have so much to do! Went to the store yesterday, and going back today to get a few things I didn't think of. DH eats like a teenage boy when I'm not cooking and eating chemo food. Lots of times he eats what I eat, poor guy.
My hair seems to be coming out again. It's hard to tell because it's an 1/8th of an inch long after I shaved it 3 weeks ago. My DH says it has grown though, weird. I can kind of get a hold of it and pull out several strands at a time. I wish it would just go already! My head still itches - a lot! I don't know what else to do about that. My eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair "down there" seems to be hanging on. I haven't had to shave my armpits or legs though in a wyile.
MaxineO - where are you from in IN? I grew up in Noblesville and went to Purdue. I've been in Dallas for 10 years now, but IN is still home. My family is mostly all still there. I don't miss those gray midwestern winter, almost spring, days.
Kymn - good luck Thursday, I'll be thinking about you. Hope it goes better for you this time than last.
Maria and Penny - I'm so with you on the career change. I want to work, but I'd like to have a career that is meaningful. I'm burned out and over being a financial advisor. My current situation is in many ways ideal, but I'm over it! I thought to myself the other day that I am not going through chemo to spend another 15 years or however long till I retire doing this!!! It was kind of an eye opener to think of it that way. My current job is not overly stressful, it's just not satisfying. That is a problem for another day, though, as you both said. We have bigger fights to fight right now!
I will leave you with Gloria Gaynor's song - "I Will Survive"
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Supersally: I love that song! Soooo good for girls dancing and singing along. We needed that in the lounge! Good luck tomorrow. Funny on the hair thing...I lost the hair below first. Brows are a little thin but not bad. I still have some arm hair but don't shave legs anymore...gosh that would have been nice in the summer.........not winter months!
Djls: Glad you are getting there! Good for you. I am so glad to hear taxol may be easier on some of you than the A/C. That is something to be happy about! It's nice to have the worst part behind you. Glad things are shrinking. That's good news too!
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Hi ladies, just popping on from work.
Maxine sorry your having the blues, giving you my shoulder to just cry on with out feeling guilty aboutt it or like you are a burden to anyone. I hate that feeling . I think the blues are worse than feeling sick dont you.
Penny that is how I feel with my life right now too, like an outsider looking in, its strange really, making me think about alot of things. Hope you enjoy the LGFB Class, mine was kind of lame but I did get alot of great products.I went last wed, I am still holding on to my brows and eyelashes too so far. My X Husband, who is now my best friend is also from the Perth Area. I believe it was Butte he grew up in then they moved to Perth. His sister was even Miss Western Australia one year lol.
Bikeny I am LMAO on your Donald Trump eyebrow image OMG I spit coffe on my desk. My veins are really taking a beating from the red devil. One more to go then switching to docetaxel hoping it will be more gentle on me. Hope the side effects are better too. I am still getting reqular strong periods, wouldnt mind if they lightened up some but I am also 41 and dont really want to head into memapause, not quite mentally ready for that.
Super Sally good luck tomorrow wish I was there with you to keep you company. My parents are coming for chemo 3. This will be the first time I have seen them since I was diagnosed. I think it is going to end up being quite an emotional weekend as I will prolly have to relive it all again and I think it will hit home for them what it is I am really going through. I need to let go of my anger and hurt that this is the first they have come to see me too.
anyhow enough booo hoooing hope you are all doing as well as possible for today. Hugs to you all
Kymn
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Hi ladies, happy Tuesday, just stopping in to say hi. I bought a couple of wigs, but have decided I don't like wearing them, so at work I just wear cloche hats, they're cute. I go in for my 3rd round of AC next week. I'm just tired today, but yesterday I was full of energy.
Thinking of you Supersally as you go in tomorrow. I'm doing the LGFB class on Thursday night after hearing all of the positives from you ladies.
wishing you all a great evening, hugs,
Min
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I, too, found the LGFB clinic a bit lame. Definitely got alot of products to take home and try(even if they aren't right for my skin colour and type). I have never worn much make up and was hoping for more help than I actually got. It's too bad they were short volunteers.
Thursday I have my last A/C, then onto 4 Taxol. Hoping it's easier. Still terrified. The skin on my knuckles and back of hands is raw and scabby. Very worried this will worsen with Taxol. But all in all, very happy to be almost 1/2 way through. I have been so blessed and touched by the random acts of kindness that have been bestowed on me. I am keeping a list of these awesome people and determined to do something nice for each and everyone of them; no matter how long it takes me!
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Suebee48 - great idea to keep a list of all the lovely people who do those little things for us - will start that now.
After 3 TAC, my nails are splitting a bit, but as long as I keep putting cuticle cream on daily, keep them short, and put on daily nail hardener I can keep it under control. This is probably worth doing for those of you switching to Taxol.
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Thanks for all of the support.
Bikebyc: You stated exactly how I feel, so toxic with all of this A/C in me. It sounds like there are a bunch of us about to start taxol, and I am so hopeful that it will be easier. My period has not stopped. I started the day before my first chemo, and sure enough, the day after my third, a regular period. Who knows. So glad to hear so many are done or almost done with that nasty A/C, djls, suebee and migallen. Red devil, indeed.
mdg and supersally: I am in northern Indiana , near Valparaiso. We have had a horrible April, all gray and rain and cold. Doesn't do much for the mood. I would love some Dallas sun right now!
kymn, thanks for letting me weep a little. This week has been particularly rough. I hope I can snap out of it a little bit before the weekend.
penny: I am having radiation. With my mx, I had an expandable implant placed. The PS said there is a 50% failure rate with radiation, but I figured I would at least see how it went. If the skin doesn't like it, I guess I just get it removed, but he did say implants were possible after radiation. Thanks for the advice on the nails.
suebee, great idea on the list of nice people. I have scraps of paper all over the house with people that need to be thanked.
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Dear dear girls,
I must confess I have turned into a lurker instead of a poster. If you go back to the beginning of this and read how scared we all were and then progress thru to see how everyones regains strengths and humour-what an amazing group you are. I have read all over the place on this site but March chemo lounge is still the best. Had some much needed down time to process news but dealing with it and moving on.
I have a new Onc who seems too good to be true. NP at the practice is like my new Mom. Waiting for the bubble to burst. Funniest thing is I am going to a seminar for Advamced Breast Cancer. They are having them all over the US. It is called "The Many Faces of Breast Cancer". The funny part is the featured speaker is my old Onc. On my whopping 3 dr visits with him he started every one of them with "I will have to cut this short because I have a speaking engage ment". If he had spent a little more time speaking to me I might have not had to leave. I hope this thing isn't a bunch of women on stage talking about their BC. We already have it---tell me how to fight it, eat for it, pay for it ect. They have a line up of speakers and it looks like a lot of regular people. Oh well they say free snacks and drinks. (Whixh had better not be Nutri grain bars-why does every cancer place have a jar of those things?)
Which brings me to the giant infusion room thing. Old place had private rooms_I seriously under appreciated that!!. New place has about 25 chairs ringed around an oblong room. NEVER EVER pick the chair closest to the fridge and the free snacks-especially when the old people next to you were determined to go home with bags full of free snacks and drinks-and kicked over the tray table between us at least 5 times in 4 hrs. I picked that chair because I thought I would only have 1 person to deal with. Little did I know I would have to deal with every person in the room. They had nothing for guests to sit on. If you brought someone they had to sit in another room because all the chairs were taken. Someone gave me a huge straw hat for working outside-I will have it with me next time pulled down as far as I can and still read. I was the youngest on the room by at least 15 years.
Other thing is how sad it is that everyone I see when I have my wig on says "WoW-your hair looks fabulous. These would be people who just think I have cut my hair-they have no idea it's a wig or i have cancer. My BFFs say I should have done my hair like this years ago. They know I have cancer!! Just how bad was I looking??? I thought I was rocking it pretty good for a 53 year old but apparently I was way off base. I have been told i look 15 years younger-thank you streoids for my round moon-pie face that has filled out all my wrinkles.
On the hair thing-stubble down the neck is driving me crazy. I am afraid to shave the rest down because my head is tender. I am doing the lint roller and it does help. I still have hair on my arms and am still waiting for my free brazilian. Haven't had to shave pits or legs for weeks. Eyebrows have started leaving from the outer corner. The ones that are left only you older ladies would understand. it is the 1/2 long wiry gray ones. Even the Donald would have a hard time combing them over.
Only 2 treatments in-next 1 in 2 weeks then a scan. Treatment decisions to be made after results from scans. Who knows where that will take me-more chemo or surgery time???
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Lilylady: YOu just crack me up! I too am in a huge chemo room like a big line up. I am lucky to get the chair by the freezer since it houses the cold caps (I have a reserved seat every 3rd Wednesday). It is by the bathroom though. Just be thankful you are not by the bathroom. What is it with people on chemo that don't clean up after themselves in the bathroom? I went in there the first time and someone actually made a big poop mess and left it....and I know who it was...dude, I saw you walk out of the bathroom and then I went in..have you no shame??? I can't imagine how he could just go back down to his chemo chair and sit there knowing what he left in the bathroom for me to find...so gross! I have not noticed anyone stocking thier purse with free snacks but then again I am by the bathroom which thank goodness is not located by the free snacks. I too am the youngest one there and people must wonder what I am doing with the strange looking caps. They probably think I have a brain tumor or something...who knows. No one really asks...only one lady who knew about cold caps asked how much hair I had lost and how many treatments I had already completed. I have the free brazilian but I want it to be complete...about 10% is still left...come on, shed already! It looks strange with so little hair. I am glad you are back posting girl. Let us know how the conference is. I hope it is beneficial for you. Say "hi" to your old onc....he he!
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Sally & Kymn, I'll be joining you in the chair this week. Mine is Thursday. Anyone else?
Kymn, I hope things go well with your parents. Darn it, they are the ones we should count on the most, but they can't always do that. Enjoy your time together and if the time is right, not right at first, tell them what you need. Sometimes you really do need to spell it out. It's okay to tell them you wish they were there sooner, but you are so glad they are there now, because it is so important to you.
Maxine, hope things are better with you. I am 50, but pre-menopausal (or was!) Had a period in early March and nothing since. Periods have been somewhat irregular before, so we'll see if it's gone for good. Not anything I would miss at this point! Hairwise, I buzzed to very short then that started falling out so shaved it 3? weeks ago? Am totally bald with some little bristly things coming in. Legs/armpits have been hair free. Still have eyelashes and brows. I am (was) blonde with some gray highlights (ha) so brows have always been light. I have used a little bit of pencil, but my wig has bangs so they don't show much, but gives a little definition I guess. "Other" area starting going early on and has slowed down. Still at least 50%, which is odd, compared to others' stories I think. Am going to check this week on Women's Rogaine or generic; onc won't let me take Biotin/B6 because of clinical trial I am on. Also wondering about Latisse for eyelashes.
Lily, glad you are back with us. Glad you have a new onc; will be interested to hear about your seminar. Sounds like the old onc needs to just go on the road and not "bother" with the inconvenience of the darn patients that interfere with his speaking engagements! I am so glad my chemo is in a private area. We each have our own "room" that opens to the nursing area. So one open wall, but you are by yourself. You can hear the people next to you I guess, but there is a TV and I bring my iPad with headphones so don't really notice. There is a chair for a guest, but still pretty small. But private! I guess now you know to scout out the chairs, maybe get an early time, and pick yer seat early! I have had the exact same comments with my wig. It's cute, cuter than my "old" hair. I had a co-worker's husband come up after a program at school and say, "How ya doin? You look great! At least you haven't lost your hair!" Umm...awkward. I chose not to say anything but thanks. His wife could have died, but also said nothing. I have been told I look so much younger, I should wear my hair like that when it grows back. I have felt (and continue to feel) like a fraud, an actress. I told my mother I should win an academy award. She didn't know what to say to that-of course that was the night my poor husband shaved my head and I sobbed for hours. I'm better now but still feeling like I'm watching a movie. You hang in there and don't be a stranger. Prayers and hugs for a good report on the scan.
Penny, Sue, Migallen, Maria...who did I miss? Glad y'all are here to share and vent and cry and laugh.
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Hi ladies,
I've been curious about other cancer centers. Mine is quite new; the addition to the hospital is only a few years old. Compared to other medical centers, it's very open and relaxed. The dr's areas are downstairs. There are several reception areas and the dr's move between them from day to day.
The chemo clinic is upstairs and has lots of windows. It's open, but divided into 3 pods. Each pod has maybe 10 chairs and 2 gurneys for those who want to lay down. Each station has its own cupboard and tv. There are lots of spare chairs and many people will have multiple visitors
The free snacks are readily accessible but they're outside of the pods in a little kitchenette where the volunteers heat up the soup. They run trolleys around to deliver snacks but you can always go and ask for something. They also have a heated cabinet with the warm blankets, an ice chip machine, and a freezer with the ice packs that are all accessible.
I'm a nosy-Parker and don't mind all the activity around me. I had a great chat with the lady next to me who lives close to me and is going to be doing her last of 6 TCH next round. The only complaint I have about the place is that some of the guys will get too relaxed in their chairs and start snoring.
re: hair...
I still have a good coverage of bristles. It makes me wonder if I'd just look a bit thin if I hadn't buzzed it. I knew from the start that I have a LOT of hair and could afford to lose a good percentage before it became noticeable. But if I'd left it, I'd still be obsessing about it and there'd be hair everywhere. Most of the body hair is still there. Why couldn't that be the first to go?
I chose a wig that's not far off what my own hair looks like. It's razor-cut so it doesn't look perfectly coiffed.The colour is a perfect match. People think I haven't yet lost my hair. My DH and kids say it takes a minute for them to remember it's a wig. I'm lucky because it fits so well that it's secure and yet comfortable enough to wear for a long time. I forget that it's there.
We have a brutal fog out there this morning. It's a soggy week. At least it's not snowing!0 -
Hi everyone. It seems like a lot of us will be moving on to Taxol or Taxol and Herceptin once done AC. Strength in numbers! Thanks for the comments and encouragement that the Taxol will be easier.
Good luck to those getting chemo this week. I know there are several of you. And WOO HOO to the ones who will be completing. That has to feel great. Hope everything goes easy on you this time.
Glad you're back too LilyLady.
Love the idea of writing everyone that's been nice to yo. I have had several. Alot of people I barely know. My mom is 86 and has Alzheimers and father died a few years ago. My sister's husband has stage 4 melanoma, and my other brother and sister take care of my mother, so none of my close relatives can be there physically for me much. (Of course DH is.) Especially the kindness of strangers has really been wonderful. Went to dinner with my daughter the other night. Had a hat on. At the end of the dinner, the wiatress told me our dinners were paid for. I said what are you talking about. The couple next to us (who had already left) paid for our dinner. I talked to the manager and he said they spoke to him, said I reminded them of someone, were really touched and wanted to pay our bill. I cried all the way home. I keep thinking that they lost someone with a girl my daughter's age to cancer and am now crying again thinking about it. Lots of other nice things people have done too. It's amazing.
I'm 48 and so far chemo has not done anything to my periods. I wish it would to tell you the truth.
I like hearing what other centers are like. I go to the city (Phila.) to a very large hospital. The building where I get chemo is pretty new, a couple of years old. It's connected to the main hospital by a bridge that is all enclosed and goes across the street and connects the buildings. Everything in it is very bright and clean and new. The chemo suites are all private. The last one I had had huge windows overlooking downtown. It was nice. I have mostly been in a smaller one without any windows. You can have Rekki (sp?) for free before or after treatment if you want. They will even give the Rekki to anyone with you if they want it too. I think there are about 20 suites. I think 2 of them are beds. They have about three other chairs for anyone with you. Also have a tv. There are two kitchens that you can go out and get drinks or snacks. I haven't gone out to them. I think they only have graham crackers or other crackers, but any juice or soda or coffee or tea. I am very happy with the choice I made on cancer centers. Although being such a big place, I have not gotten to know the chemo nurses at all. Not only do I have a different one every treatment, I have different ones for the IV setup, the red devil and the last IV and then discharge. I do wish I could get to know them better. It seems that some of you have really gotten some good advice from the chemo nurses. I'm sure they'd give me some advice if I asked, I would just like to know who is doing this for me a little better. But with all the Herceptin I'll be getting later, I guess I'll get to know everyone there. I do recognize their faces now, but that's it.
Sorry so long winded. Have a great day everyone. I'll be thinking of everyone in the chair this week.
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The place that I go for chemo is about 6 years old, and 3 weeks ago they let go half of the staff. They went from 300 to 150 and they have 15,000 patients. Can you imagine? The infusion room also has private rooms but I haven't requested one yet. I know that I should. When I went in for my second treatment, I was watching two older ladies in front of me and when they wheeled my cart over with all of my stuff I just lost it. Yep I started to cry, I just think none of us should be there.
Lilylady, glad to hear from you, I was wondering about you.
Min
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Kymn: I also feel a little let down by family. My mom lives 10 min from me and never even brought us a dinner since my surgery in January. That was a disappointment for me (being Italian and all - that's what we do!). I guess I kind of expected her to help more. She has helped watch my son a few times and came over after my port surgery but I guess I just thought she would have taken more initiative to support me more. I have been secretly kind of sad and upset about it. She hardly calls and then gets mad that I have not called her...hum...Mom the phone works two ways...pick up the phone and call if you want to know how I am. Geez! I can't deal with her games right now. I guess what I am saying is that I understand. I hope you have a good visit with your parents and chemo goes well. Hang in there girl. YOu have just about finished this first chemo and can move on to the next thing. You are making progress. Hugs.
Hey Kristy: I will PM you. Glad you are doing OK!
Pasmith: I am convinced you are spoiled at your cancer center. Food trolley's and soup carts? I get granola bars left in a basket. Since we are there 8 hours for my cold caps, I pack a cooler for the day and bring my own stuff. As far as the hair...it seems like everyone is shedding/losing it in a different pattern. Down south went first for me and I have only shaved legs/under arms maybe 3x since 3/2 when I started chemo. It stopped growing. I still have hair on arms...less than usual, but it's still there.
Kay: I think taxotere is part of the taxol drug family and that's what I have been on. I read the thread about taxotere and was convinced I would have numb fingers/toes, lose my nails on hands and feet and more stuff. It has been uneventful for me.....which has been a relief. I hope it goes well for you too. Look into icing fingers/toes if needed to prevent neuropathy. It is not fun....way worse than wearing cold caps for 7 hours, but I have had no issues with fingers/toes/nails and I only have 1 more treatment. I had a list of people to thank and just kept up with writing thank you notes each week. I went through so many thank you notes! I am now re-stocked with more just in case. Yesterday I got a fruit bouquet from some friends at work. Work only knows I am out for surgery...no one knows about my cancer except my boss. I don't plan on telling anyone. With my hair no one would know. That was so sweet about dinner...wow! People surprise me at times. Very nice gesture. I am 45 and I had my period on day one of chemo 3/2 but have not had a period since. Hot flashes though....fun fun!
Min: I have had those moments of "just losing it" at the oddest times. I have not cried in weeks and I cried a bit at the genetic counseling appt this week...don't really even know why. Oh well. If I had a nickel for every person I have cried in front of, I would be a rich woman.....
Glad to hear from all my chemo buddies.....you guys are the best. Eventhough I am finishing chemo next Wed I will be hanging in the lounge with you gals. I would miss you all too much if I didn't hang out for more chat, laughs and such. I love this lounge.......Hugs to all today!!!
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kay-from-philly--Reiki, eh? Cool. I wonder if it would do anything for the flaming headaches that keep me from sleeping.
mdg--I might be spoiled. The volunteers are stellar. We have a nice staff too. It it as fun an atmosphere as you're likely to get. An older lady who is close to finishing her treatments tried to convince the one male chemo nurse (who's not a young guy) that he should do an exotic dance for us all on her last day. Just the thought of it had everyone laughing.
re: mothers...
My mom has some understanding since she went through BC herself (20-odd years ago, BTW!) I think chemo shocked her since she had a lumpectomy and rads only. She's willing to call and email to ask after me, but I can't expect a lot more. She's in her 80's and has a laundry list of her own health issues. I can't expect much so I'm not disappointed.
re: periods...
I'm probably post-meno so it's not an issue. No hot flashes either, interestingly. I had that joy a few years ago, so I'm not sad about missing out now!0 -
Hi ladies, mdg thanks for sharing about your mom with me, its hard, I just think if one of my kids was going through this nothing would keep me away, not even if they said I am ok there is nothing you can do I would be there, I would stay in a hotel anything so they knew I was there for them. My brother the first month would text me and call, he never did before, but now he is back to very little to no contact. I think tomorrow when mom is at chemo with me it will be a real eye opener to her what exactly has been going on while she has been travelling around.Sorry I am bitter but I need to get over it, dont want to deal with it right now just want to get through treatment.
Isnt it funny how people treat you now that you have "cancer" more smiles, more compliments, sad we dont all treat each other that way all the time isnt it.
lily lady so nice to hear from you, its ok when your in the mood to just lurk and get support that way, but it is nice to get an update from you. It would be interesting to hear how that seminar was. As for chemo wards, mine too is a very nice one, everyone has a huge lazy boy chair that reclines and a tv, big bright windows only 4 chairs in one area and far enough apart that you have privacy but close enough if you want to chat, also very pretty cream coloured curtains you can pull if you are just haveing a moment and want to be alone. Lots of chairs for guests to pull up, they come around and take your order for lunch lol not a huge menu but still there are options. also a kitchenette with juice coffee tea etc. The nurses are wonderful and very friendly. Guess I am one of the so called spoiled ones lol guess if you have to go through this might as well do it in style.
Kristy good luck tomorow will be thinking of you, watch out for that mini bus those girls are tricksters
Anyone else in tomorrow sending support your way.Sorry for those I am missing I am feeling very tired right now. better shut things down at work, still have to drop off all my new prescription good lord they are getting long.
hugs to all
Kymn
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I am back from the chair today. If chemo could be fun, it was. My BFF and another friend that I ride wtih came along and entertained me and the time just flew by with us gabbing. I felt well enough from the steroids/Emend that we went and had lunch after at a Mexican restaurant! I ate chips/salsa and chicken soup. Then came home and took more anti-nausea meds. I feel pretty good, just tired. I felt a little bad because DH was there and didn't participate really at all with us. But he was able to work, I guess I get a free pass on paying attention to him while at chemo, right? Last night he was telling me about a stressful work email at 10:30 at night when we were both in bed. Seriously? I already have trouble sleeping with steroids/anxiety, that maybe didn't help. Went in the other room and played Angry Birds on my phone for an hour, creeped on Facebook, and finally fell asleep about 2, I think.
Anyway, great news from my family. My parents are surprising me wtih a visit this weekend. they are coming in Friday and leaving on Tuesday. I'm so excited to have them here! It is a really wonderful surprise. My mom is the absolute best at nurturing! I'm sorry everyone doesn't have a mom like mine and feel very lucky to have her! My dad is good too, a lot like me. Very strong and great humour. That being said, my sister is a narcisstic, self-centered s&*t. Ugh. She is on the "no call list" per everyone who cares about me - both therapists, my parents, DH, BFF, etc. It just upsets me every time, so I'm not talking to her during chemo especially. Even her voice mails upset me. She recently found out that she can't have kids. Well, I'm more empathetic and sympathetic to that than most people could be as the choice was taken from me 2 years ago when I had a hysterectomy for cervical cancer. It's almost as if she is mad at me that I got BC and took all the attention away from poor little old her (bless her heart as we say in the South). Hah! I would gladly trade her.As one of my good friends said, cancer trumps infertility. Sorry for the rant, I just get upset whenever I think about it. Only sis, 15 months younger, always thought we were close, now, not so much.
Will pop in tomorrow. Good luck Kymn and Kristy in the chair tomorrow. My oncology room is two big rooms with windows on three sides. I'm not sure if they have snacks? DH is always getting my water, so I don't really go over there. They have recliners and tv's in individual cubbies. Plus room for 2 chairs. They have bench seats across from the cubbies, which is where DH sat today. We were probably a little bit loud, but no one said anything. There was a lady in the corner room that was huge, she got there early so she got the prime spot. She didn't ahve anyone with her to enjoy the space either! She was reading. I haven't had any awkward convo's or "encounters" with anyone, thankfully. The staff is wonderful, so nice.
Probably need to go. DH home from golfing and I need to pay attention to him somewhat today
He has been so wonderful and supportive through all of this I need to show him how grateful I am!AND I ONLY HAVE ONE MORE CHEMO TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21 days baby, and I am done, done, done with it - woohoo!!
Best to all
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